Patent · US Expired

Chemical vapor deposition methods utilizing ionic liquids

US6998152B2 · kind B2 · utility

54Cited by
17References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 20, 1999
Grant dateFeb 14, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 23, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC23C16/4482
  • WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and apparatus for vaporizing and transporting precursor molecules to a process chamber for deposition of thin films on a substrate. The methods and apparatus include CVD solvents that comprise ionic liquids. The ionic liquids comprise salt compounds that have substantially no measurable vapor pressure (i.e., less than about 1 Torr at about room temperature), exhibit a wide liquid temperature range (i.e., greater than about 100° C.), and have low melting points (i.e., less than about 250° C.). A desired precursor is dissolved in a selected CVD solvent comprising an ionic liquid. The solvent and precursor solution is heated to or near the precursor volatilization temperature of the precursor. A stream of carrier gas is directed over or is bubbled through the solvent and precursor solution to distill and transport precursor molecules in the vapor phase to a deposition chamber. Conventional deposition processes may be used to deposit the desired thin film on a substrate.

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