Patent · US Expired

Selectable dual position magnetron

US7018515B2 · kind B2 · utility

12Cited by
6References
40Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 23, 2004
Grant dateMar 28, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 23, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01J37/3408
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A dual-position magnetron that is rotated about a central axis in back of a sputtering target, particularly for sputtering an edge of a target of a barrier material onto a wafer and cleaning material redeposited at a center of the target. During target cleaning, wafer bias is reduced. In one embodiment, an arc-shaped magnetron is supported on a pivot arm pivoting on the end of a bracket fixed to the rotary shaft. A spring biases the pivot arm such that the magnetron is urged towards and overlies the target center. Centrifugal force at increased rotation rate overcomes the spring bias and shift the magnetron to an outer position with the long magnetron dimension aligned with the target edge. Mechanical stops prevent excessive movement in either direction. Other mechanisms include linear slides and actuators.

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