The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 15, 2011
Filed:
May. 06, 2008
Michael W. Stowell, Loveland, CO (US);
Nety Krishna, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Michael W. Stowell, Loveland, CO (US);
Nety Krishna, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Applied Materials, Inc., Santa Clara, CA (US);
Abstract
Disclosed is an invention that uses a coaxial microwave antenna as a primary plasma source in PVD. The coaxial microwave antenna is positioned inside a sputtering target. Instead of using a cathode assist in sputtering, microwaves generated from the coaxial microwave antenna may leak through the sputtering target that comprises a dielectric material to form microwave plasma outside the sputtering target. To further enhance plasma density, a magnetron or a plurality of magnetrons may be added inside the target to help confine secondary electrons. An electric potential may be formed between adjacent magnetrons and may further enhance ionization. To achieve directional control of the generated microwaves, a shield that comprises a dielectric material or dielectric material coated metal may be added proximate the coaxial microwave antenna. Furthermore, for high utilization of expensive target materials, a target can rotate to improve the utilization efficiency.