Patent · US Active

Electroplating apparatus with vented electrolyte manifold

US8475637B2 · kind B2 · utility

11Cited by
109References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 17, 2008
Grant dateJul 2, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 14, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC25D17/002
  • WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Embodiments related to increasing a uniformity of an electroplated film are disclosed. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides an electroplating apparatus comprising a plating chamber, a work piece holder, a cathode contact configured to electrically contact a work piece, and an anode contact configured to electrically contact an anode disposed in the plating chamber. A diffusing barrier is disposed between the cathode contact and the anode contact to provide a uniform electrolyte flow to the work piece, and electrolyte delivery and return paths are provided for delivering electrolyte to and away from the plating chamber. Additionally, a vented electrolyte manifold is disposed in the electrolyte delivery path immediately upstream of the plating chamber, the vented electrolyte manifold comprising one or more electrolyte delivery openings that open to the plating chamber and one or more vents that open to a location other than the plating chamber.

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