Patent · US Active

Control of ion angular distribution function at wafer surface

US7867409B2 · kind B2 · utility

18Cited by
3References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 29, 2007
Grant dateJan 11, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 21, 2029

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01J37/32623
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A manufacturing method and apparatus for IC fabrication controls the ion angular distribution at the surface of a wafer with electrodes in a wafer support that produce electric fields parallel to the wafer surface without disturbing plasma parameters beyond the wafer surface. The ion angular distribution function (IADF) at the wafer surface is controlled for better feature coverage or etching. Grid structure is built into the substrate holder within the coating at the top of the holder. The grid components are electrically biased to provide electric fields that combine with the sheath field to distribute the ion incidence angles from the plasma sheath onto the wafer. The grid can be dynamically biased or phased to control uniformity of the effects.

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