Methods and apparatus for processing the surface of a microelectronic workpiece
US6645356B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 31, 1999 |
| Grant date | Nov 11, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 5, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC25D7/123
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A reactor for plating a metal onto a surface of a workpiece is set forth. The reactor comprises a reactor bowl including an electroplating solution disposed therein and an anode disposed in the reactor bowl in contact with the electroplating solution. A contact assembly is spaced from the anode within the reactor bowl. The contact assembly includes a plurality of contacts disposed to contact a peripheral edge of the surface of the workpiece to provide electroplating power to the surface of the workpiece. The contacts execute a wiping action against the surface of the workpiece as the workpiece is brought into engagement therewith The contact assembly also including a barrier disposed interior of the plurality of contacts. The barrier includes a member disposed to engage the surface of the workpiece to assist in isolating the plurality of contacts from the electroplating solution. In one embodiment, the plurality of contacts are in the form of discrete flexures while in another embodiment the plurality of contacts are in the form of a Belleville ring contact. A flow path may be provided in the contact assembly for providing a purging gas to the plurality of contacts and the peripher…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.