Applied Materials, Inc.

Sandy M Chew

Manus K Wong

Dale R Dubois

Cissy S Leung

Alan F Morrison

Ronald Lloyd Rose

Ron L Rose

Shane D Clark

An apparatus used for processing substrates in a corrosive process gas is rendered substantially resistant to corrosion, by coating processing components exposed to the corrosive process gas with a coating comprising rhodium. The rhodium coating can be deposited by electroplating, and preferably has a thickness of at least about 10 microinches. A coating of nickel can be also applied between the rhodium coating and the processing component.

Corrosion resistant apparatus

A metal structure, such as an apparatus used in plasma processing of substrates, is rendered resistant to corrosion by coating components exposed to the plasma with a coating of rhodium. The rhodium coating can be made by electroplating, and preferably has a thickness of at least about 10 microinches, and preferably from about 10 to about 100 microinches. A coating of nickel can be applied between the rhodium coating and the metal component.

Method of manufacturing using corrosion-resistant apparatus comprising

Corrosion-resistant apparatus

A susceptor support arm assembly in a substrate processing chamber includes a secure ground connection between the susceptor and ground. An aluminum wire rope is welded to a winged terminal lug which is tightly inserted into a hole in a susceptor hub. The wings of the lug are then welded to the hub. The wire rope, now permanently attached to the susceptor hub, is routed through an opening in the susceptor end of a ceramic susceptor support arm, able to pass the ground end lug of the wire rope, through a channel in the support arm back to the susceptor arm support device, and to ground. The channel in the susceptor arm has grooves in its sides to receive a paddle shaped ceramic cover to enclose the channel and the bottom of the hub end of the susceptor arm. The cover insulates, isolates, and shields the grounding wire and thermocouple leads being routed from the susceptor hub back to the support end of the susceptor arm from exposure to the high intensity radiant energy directed at the back of the susceptor. Conical spring washers and shoulder screws, attach the metallic pieces (e.g. the susceptor hub) to the ceramic susceptor hub arm allowing for the differential thermal expansion between pieces without overstressing the ceramic material clamped. Surface treatment of the metallic pieces enhances their corrosion resistance.

Welded susceptor assembly

A substrate lifting apparatus for use in a substrate processing apparatus which includes a thermal reactor having a substrate processing chamber and a substrate support located in the chamber. The lifting apparatus consists of a generally circular shaped support with four seats formed therein; four substrate lifting elements, each having a substrate engaging end and a securing tab sized to be received in a seat; a fastener, associated with each lifting element, which secures the tab into the seat; and an adjuster, associated with each lifting element, located between the tab and the seat. When the tab is secured in the seat and the adjuster is operated, the lifting element is caused to move in a plane parallel to a plane formed through the center of the fastener and the adjuster.

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

Sandy M Chew