Abstract: A crucible that exploits the observation that molten metal tends to flow toward the hottest regions is disclosed. The crucible includes an interior in which dopant material may be disposed. The crucible has a pathway leading from the interior toward an aperture, wherein the temperature is continuously increasing along the pathway. The aperture may be disposed in or near the interior of the arc chamber of an ion source. The liquid metal flows along the pathway toward the arc chamber, where it is vaporized and then ionized. By controlling the flow rate of the pathway, spillage may be reduced. In another embodiment, an inverted crucible is disclosed. The inverted crucible comprises a closed end in communication with the interior of the ion source, so that the closed end is the hottest region of the crucible. An opening is disposed on a different wall to allow vapor to exit the crucible.

Abstract: Provided herein are approaches for optimizing a full horizontal scanned beam distance of an accelerator beam. In one approach, a method may include positioning a first Faraday cup along a first side of an intended beam-scan area, positioning a second Faraday cup along a second side of the intended beam-scan area, scanning an ion beam along the first and second sides of the intended beam-scan area, measuring a first beam current of the ion beam at the first Faraday cup and measuring a second beam current of the ion beam at the second Faraday cup, and determining an optimal scan distance of the ion beam across the intended beam-scan area based on the first beam current and the second beam current.

Abstract: An ion source having an extraction plate with a variable thickness is disclosed. The extraction plate has a protrusion on its interior or exterior surface proximate the extraction aperture. The protrusion increases the thickness of the extraction aperture in certain regions. This increases the loss area in those regions, which serves as a sink for ions and electrons. In this way, the plasma density is decreased more significantly in the regions where the extraction aperture has a greater thickness. The shape of the protrusion may be modified to achieve the desired plasma uniformity. Thus, it may be possible to create an extracted ion beam having a more uniform ion density. In some tests, the uniformity of the beam current along the width direction was improved by between 20% and 50%.

Abstract: An ion source having an extraction plate with a variable thickness is disclosed. The extraction plate has a protrusion on its interior or exterior surface proximate the extraction aperture. The protrusion increases the thickness of the extraction aperture in certain regions. This increases the loss area in those regions, which serves as a sink for ions and electrons. In this way, the plasma density is decreased more significantly in the regions where the extraction aperture has a greater thickness. The shape of the protrusion may be modified to achieve the desired plasma uniformity. Thus, it may be possible to create an extracted ion beam having a more uniform ion density. In some tests, the uniformity of the beam current along the width direction was improved by between 20% and 50%.

Abstract: A crucible that exploits the observation that molten metal tends to flow toward the hottest regions is disclosed. The crucible includes an interior in which dopant material may be disposed. The crucible has a pathway leading from the interior toward an aperture, wherein the temperature is continuously increasing along the pathway. The aperture may be disposed in or near the interior of the arc chamber of an ion source. The liquid metal flows along the pathway toward the arc chamber, where it is vaporized and then ionized. By controlling the flow rate of the pathway, spillage may be reduced. In another embodiment, an inverted crucible is disclosed. The inverted crucible comprises a closed end in communication with the interior of the ion source, so that the closed end is the hottest region of the crucible. An opening is disposed on a different wall to allow vapor to exit the crucible.

Abstract: Provided herein are approaches for decreasing particle generation in an electrostatic lens. In some embodiments, an ion implantation system may include an electrostatic lens including an entrance for receiving an ion beam and an exit for delivering the ion beam towards a target, the electrostatic lens including a first terminal electrode, a first suppression electrode, and a first ground electrode disposed along a first side of an ion beamline, wherein the first ground electrode is grounded and positioned adjacent the exit. The electrostatic lens may further include a second terminal electrode, a second suppression electrode, and a second ground electrode disposed along a second side of the ion beamline, wherein the second ground electrode is grounded and positioned adjacent the exit. The implantation system may further include a power supply operable to supply a voltage and a current to the electrostatic lens for controlling the ion beam.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing a ribbon ion beam in a beam line implantation system is disclosed. The system includes a mass resolving apparatus having a resolving aperture, in which the resolving aperture may be moved in the X and Z directions. Additionally, a controller is able to manipulate the mass analyzer and quadrupole lenses so that the crossover point of desired ions can also be moved in the X and Z directions. By manipulating the crossover point and the resolving aperture, the parameters of the ribbon ion beam may be manipulated to achieve a desired result. Movement of the crossover point in the X direction may affect the mean horizontal angle of the beamlets, while movement of the crossover point in the Z direction may affect the horizontal angular spread and beam current.

Abstract: Provided herein are approaches for decreasing particle generation in an electrostatic lens. In some embodiments, an ion implantation system may include an electrostatic lens including an entrance for receiving an ion beam and an exit for delivering the ion beam towards a target, the electrostatic lens including a first terminal electrode, a first suppression electrode, and a first ground electrode disposed along a first side of an ion beamline, wherein the first ground electrode is grounded and positioned adjacent the exit. The electrostatic lens may further include a second terminal electrode, a second suppression electrode, and a second ground electrode disposed along a second side of the ion beamline, wherein the second ground electrode is grounded and positioned adjacent the exit. The implantation system may further include a power supply operable to supply a voltage and a current to the electrostatic lens for controlling the ion beam.

Abstract: Provided herein are approaches for controlling an ion beam using an electrostatic filter with curved electrodes. In some embodiments, a system may include an electrostatic filter receiving an ion beam, the filter including first and second electrodes disposed opposite sides of an ion beam line, each of the first and second electrodes having a central region between first and second ends, wherein a distance between a first outer surface of the first electrode and a second outer surface of the second electrode varies along an electrode length axis extending between the first and second ends. The system may further include a power supply in communication with the electrostatic filter, the power supply operable to supply a voltage and a current to the first and second electrodes, wherein the variable distance between the first and second outer surfaces causes the ion beam to converge or diverge.

Abstract: Provided herein are approaches for reducing particles in an ion implanter. An electrostatic filter may include a housing and a plurality of conductive beam optics within the housing. The conductive beam optics are arranged around an ion beam-line directed towards a wafer, and may include entrance aperture electrodes proximate an entrance aperture of the housing. The conductive beam optics may further include energetic electrodes downstream along the ion beam-line from the entrance aperture electrodes, and ground electrodes downstream from the energetic electrodes. The energetic electrodes are positioned farther away from the ion beam-line than the entrance electrodes and the ground electrodes, thus causing the energetic electrodes to be physically blocked from impact by an envelope of back-sputter material returning from the wafer. The electrostatic filter may further include an electrical system for independently delivering a voltage and a current to each of the conductive beam optics.

Abstract: Provided herein are approaches for reducing particles in an ion implanter. An electrostatic filter may include a housing and a plurality of conductive beam optics within the housing. The conductive beam optics are arranged around an ion beam-line directed towards a wafer, and may include entrance aperture electrodes proximate an entrance aperture of the housing. The conductive beam optics may further include energetic electrodes downstream along the ion beam-line from the entrance aperture electrodes, and ground electrodes downstream from the energetic electrodes. The energetic electrodes are positioned farther away from the ion beam-line than the entrance electrodes and the ground electrodes, thus causing the energetic electrodes to be physically blocked from impact by an envelope of back-sputter material returning from the wafer. The electrostatic filter may further include an electrical system for independently delivering a voltage and a current to each of the conductive beam optics.

Abstract: Provided herein are approaches for reducing particles in an ion implanter. An electrostatic filter may include a housing and a plurality of conductive beam optics within the housing. The conductive beam optics are arranged around an ion beam-line directed towards a wafer, and may include entrance aperture electrodes proximate an entrance aperture of the housing. The conductive beam optics may further include energetic electrodes downstream along the ion beam-line from the entrance aperture electrodes, and ground electrodes downstream from the energetic electrodes. The energetic electrodes are positioned farther away from the ion beam-line than the entrance electrodes and the ground electrodes, thus causing the energetic electrodes to be physically blocked from impact by an envelope of back-sputter material returning from the wafer. The electrostatic filter may further include an electrical system for independently delivering a voltage and a current to each of the conductive beam optics.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing a ribbon ion beam in a beam line implantation system is disclosed. The system includes a mass resolving apparatus having a resolving aperture, in which the resolving aperture may be moved in the X and Z directions. Additionally, a controller is able to manipulate the mass analyzer and quadrupole lenses so that the crossover point of desired ions can also be moved in the X and Z directions. By manipulating the crossover point and the resolving aperture, the parameters of the ribbon ion beam may be manipulated to achieve a desired result. Movement of the crossover point in the X direction may affect the mean horizontal angle of the beamlets, while movement of the crossover point in the Z direction may affect the horizontal angular spread and beam current.

Abstract: An ion source and method of cleaning are disclosed. One or more heating units are placed in close proximity to the inner volume of the ion source, so as to affect the temperature within the ion source. In one embodiment, one or more walls of the ion source have recesses into which heating units are inserted. In another embodiment, one or more walls of the ion source are constructed of a conducting circuit and an insulating layer. By utilizing heating units near the ion source, it is possible to develop new methods of cleaning the ion source. Cleaning gas is flowed into the ion source, where it is ionized, either by the cathode, as in normal operating mode, or by the heat generated by the heating units. The cleaning gas is able to remove residue from the walls of the ion source more effectively due to the elevated temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus to control an ion beam includes a scanner configured in an first state to scan the ion beam wherein the scanner outputs the ion beam as a diverging ion beam; a collimator configured to receive along a side of the collimator the diverging ion beam and to output the diverging ion beam as a collimated ion beam; a beam adjustment component that extends proximate the side of the collimator; and a controller configured to send a first signal when the scanner is in the first state to the beam adjustment component to adjust ion trajectories of the diverging ion beam from a first set of trajectories to a second set of trajectories.

Abstract: An apparatus to control an ion beam includes a scanner configured in an first state to scan the ion beam wherein the scanner outputs the ion beam as a diverging ion beam; a collimator configured to receive along a side of the collimator the diverging ion beam and to output the diverging ion beam as a collimated ion beam; a beam adjustment component that extends proximate the side of the collimator; and a controller configured to send a first signal when the scanner is in the first state to the beam adjustment component to adjust ion trajectories of the diverging ion beam from a first set of trajectories to a second set of trajectories.

Abstract: An ion beam scanner includes a first scanner stage having a first opening to transmit an ion beam, the first scanner stage to generate, responsive to a first oscillating deflection signal, a first oscillating deflecting field within the first opening; a second scanner stage disposed downstream of the first scanner stage and having a second opening to transmit the ion beam, the second scanner stage to generate, responsive to a second oscillating deflection signal, a second oscillating deflecting field within the second opening that is opposite in direction to the first oscillating deflecting field, and a scan controller to synchronize the first oscillating deflection signal and second oscillating deflection signal to generate a plurality of ion trajectories when the scanned ion beam exits the second stage that define a common focal point.

Abstract: An ion beam scanner includes a first scanner stage having a first opening to transmit an ion beam, the first scanner stage to generate, responsive to a first oscillating deflection signal, a first oscillating deflecting field within the first opening; a second scanner stage disposed downstream of the first scanner stage and having a second opening to transmit the ion beam, the second scanner stage to generate, responsive to a second oscillating deflection signal, a second oscillating deflecting field within the second opening that is opposite in direction to the first oscillating deflecting field, and a scan controller to synchronize the first oscillating deflection signal and second oscillating deflection signal to generate a plurality of ion trajectories when the scanned ion beam exits the second stage that define a common focal point.

Abstract: A system for dual mode operation in an ion implanter may include a movable beam blocker to adjust beam width of an ion beam in a first direction perpendicular to a first local direction of propagation of the ion beam. The system may further include a scanner to scan the ion beam in a second direction perpendicular to a second local direction of propagation of the ion beam when in a first state and to transmit the ion beam unperturbed in a second state; and mode selector to send a set of signals to the movable beam blocker and to the scanner in order to adjust the width of the ion beam and state of the scanner in concert.