Patent · US Expired

Method and appartus for subliming precursors

US5377429A · kind A · utility

90Cited by
4References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 19, 1993
Grant dateJan 3, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 19, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB01D7/00
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

An improved method and apparatus are provided for subliming solid precursors, and especially organometallic precursors, for use in a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. The sublimation apparatus includes a sealed vessel having a vacuum chamber. A quantity of the solid precursor is mixed with a loosely packed particulate material, such as ceramic beads, placed within the vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber and particulate material are heated. A supply of a carrier gas is directed through the particulate material (particularly through pockets formed in the particulate material) to sublime the precursor which coats the individual particles of particulate material. By agitating the particulate material, a relatively constant sublimation area is maintained. Agitation of the particulate material may be with a mechanical stirrer or by directing an a.c. field through a piezoelectric particulate material.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.