Apparatus for microwave plasma enhanced physical/chemical vapor deposition
US5562776A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 19, 1994 |
| Grant date | Oct 8, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 19, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC23C16/511
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A microwave plasma enhanced PVD/CVD apparatus and method. The apparatus includes an evacuable deposition chamber having a plasma region and a deposition region adjacent one another. The apparatus also includes a source of microwave energy, and a microwave waveguide to transfer microwave energy from the source thereof to the plasma region. Additionally, the apparatus includes a plate, crucible or boat for holding solid or liquid starting materials within said plasma region, and a system of flow controllers and gas transport tubing for introducing gaseous materials into the plasma region, the interaction of the microwave energy with the gaseous materials forms a plasma within the plasma region. The plasma provides thermal energy for the evaporation of the solid or liquid starting materials and causes the reaction of any reactive gases or vapors present in the plasma region. A substrate holder is positioned within the deposition region for holding a substrate upon which the deposited material is collected and a system of pumps, valves and exhaust tubing is attached to the deposition chamber for evacuating the deposition chamber and venting undeposited waste gases and vapors. The metho…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.