Abstract: A lens structure for use with an ion beam implanter. The lens structure includes first and second electrodes spaced apart along a direction of ion movement. The lens structure extends across a width of the ion beam for deflecting ions entering the lens structure. The lens structure includes a first electrode for decelerating ions and a second electrode for accelerating the ions. A lens structure mode controller selectively activates either the accelerating or decelerating electrode to to cause ions entering the lens structure to exit said lens structure with a desired trajectory regardless of the trajectory ions enter the lens structure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to in-situ detection of particles and other such features in an ion implantation system during implantation operations to avoid such additional monitoring tool steps otherwise expended before and/or after implantation, for example. One or more such systems are revealed for detecting scattered light from particles on one or more semiconductor wafers illuminated by a light source (e.g., laser beam). The system comprises an ion implanter having a laser for illumination of a spot on the wafer and a pair of detectors (e.g., PMT or photodiode) rotationally opposite from the ion implantation operations. A wafer transport holds a wafer or wafers for translational scanning under the fixed laser spot. A computer analyzes the intensity of the scattered light detected from the illuminated wafer (workpiece), and may also map the light detected to a unique position.

Abstract: Methods are provided for calibrating an ion beam scanner in an ion implantation system, comprising measuring a plurality of initial current density values at a plurality of locations along a scan direction, where the values individually correspond to one of a plurality of initial voltage scan intervals and one of a corresponding plurality of initial scan time values, creating a system of linear equations based on the measured initial current density values and the initial voltage scan intervals, and determining a set of scan time values that correspond to a solution to the system of linear equations that reduces current density profile deviations. A calibration system is provided for calibrating an ion beam scanner in an ion implantation system, comprising a dosimetry system and a control system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a semiconductor thermal processing apparatus and a method for thermally cooling a semiconductor substrate. According to one aspect of the present invention, a gas-cooled clamp and associated method is disclosed which provides cooling of a substrate by thermal conduction generally in the free molecular regime. The gas-cooled clamp comprises a clamping plate having a plurality of protrusions that define gaps therebetween, wherein a distance or depth of the gaps are associated with a mean free path of the cooling gas therein. The gas-cooled clamp further comprises a pressure control system operable to control a backside pressure of the cooling gas within the plurality of gaps to thus control a heat transfer coefficient of the cooling gas, wherein the heat transfer coefficient of the cooling gas is primarily a function of the pressure and substantially independent of the gap distance.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for focusing a scanned ion beam in an ion implanter. A beam focusing system is provided, comprising first and second magnets providing corresponding magnetic fields that cooperatively provide a magnetic focusing field having a time-varying focusing field center generally corresponding to a time-varying beam position of a scanned ion beam along a scan direction. Methods are presented, comprising providing a focusing field having a focusing field center in the scan plane, and dynamically adjusting the focusing field such that the focusing field center is generally coincident with a time-varying beam position of the scanned ion beam along the scan direction.

Abstract: Ion implantation systems are provided, comprising a dispersion system located between an ion source and a mass analyzer, that operates to selectively pass an extracted ion beam from the ion source toward the mass analyzer or to direct a dispersed ion beam toward the mass analyzer, where the dispersed ion beam has fewer ions of an undesired mass range than the extracted ion beam.

Abstract: Ion implantation systems and beamlines therefor are disclosed, in which a ribbon beam of a relatively large aspect ratio is mass analyzed and collimated to provide a mass analyzed ribbon beam for use in implanting one or more workpieces. The beamline system comprises two similar magnets, where the first magnet mass analyzes the ribbon beam to provide an intermediate mass analyzed ion beam, and the second magnet collimates the intermediate beam to provide a uniform mass analyzed ribbon beam to an end station. The symmetrical system provides equidistant beam trajectories for ions across the elongated beam width so as to mitigate non-linearities in the beam transport through the system, such that the resultant mass analyzed beam is highly uniform.

Abstract: A magnetic deflector for an ion beam is disclosed and comprises first and second coils. The coils are positioned above and below the beam, respectively, and extend along a width of the beam. Current passes through the coils to generate a magnetic field therebetween that is generally perpendicular to a direction of travel of the beam along substantially the entire width thereof. In another aspect of the invention, a method of deflecting a beam prior to implantation into a workpiece is disclosed. The method includes determining one or more properties associated with the beam and selectively activating one of a magnetic deflection module and an electrostatic deflection module based on the determination.

Abstract: A plasma generator for space charge neutralization of an ion beam is disclosed and resides within an ion implantation system operable to generate an ion beam and direct the ion beam along a beamline path. The plasma generator comprises an electric field generation system operable to generate an electric field in a portion of the beamline path, and a magnetic field generation system operable to generate a magnetic field in the portion of the beamline path, wherein the magnetic field is perpendicular to the electric field. The plasma generator further comprises a gas source operable to introduce a gas in a region occupied by the electric field and the magnetic field. Electrons in the region move in the region due to the electric field and the magnetic field, respectively, and at least some of the electrons collide with the gas in the region to ionize a portion of the gas, thereby generating a plasma in the region.

Abstract: An ion beam uniformity detector of the present invention includes a number of horizontal rods and a number of vertical rods placed on parallel planes and separated by a selected distance. Crossover measurement points are defined by intersections of the horizontal and vertical rods. By selectively and sequentially applying a pulse to the vertical rods and concurrently biasing horizontal rods, measurements can be obtained for the crossover measurement points, which can then be employed to determine ion beam shape and ion beam intensity at the crossover measurement points. Based on these measurements, adjustments can be made to a continuing ion implantation process in order to increase uniformity with respect to intensity as well as to provide a desired beam shape. Additionally, pairs of vertical and horizontal rods can be employed to also obtain measurements that indicate angle of incidence in two dimensions at the various crossover points.

Abstract: A lens structure for use with an ion beam implanter. The lens structure includes first and second electrodes spaced apart along a direction of ion movement. The lens structure extends across a width of the ion beam for deflecting ions entering the lens structure. The lens structure includes a first electrode for decelerating ions and a second electrode for accelerating the ions. A lens structure mode controller selectively activates either the accelerating or decelerating electrode to to cause ions entering the lens structure to exit said lens structure with a desired trajectory regardless of the trajectory ions enter the lens structure.

Abstract: A mass analyzer for a ribbon shaped ion beam is disclosed. The mass analyzer comprises a pair of coils that define an entrance end and an exit end of the analyzer. Field clamps are employed at or proximate to one or more of the entrance and exit ends of the mass analyzer. The field clamps operate to terminate fringing fields close to the entrance and exit ends of the mass analyzer, thereby reducing the impact of such fringing fields on the ribbon beam and improving beam uniformity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus relating to an ion implantation system that employs an ion source for generating a plasma having an ion, and a probe assembly for detecting the ion of the plasma is provided. The probe assembly includes a probe body and a focusing device for extracting the ion from the plasma, and a filter for filtering ions extracted from the plasma.

Abstract: A mass analyzer for a ribbon shaped ion beam is disclosed. The mass analyzer comprises a pair of coils that define an entrance end and an exit end of the analyzer. Field clamps are employed at or proximate to one or more of the entrance and exit ends of the mass analyzer. The field clamps operate to terminate fringing fields close to the entrance and exit ends of the mass analyzer, thereby reducing the impact of such fringing fields on the ribbon beam and improving beam uniformity.

Abstract: A plasma generator for space charge neutralization of an ion beam is disclosed and resides within an ion implantation system operable to generate an ion beam and direct the ion beam along a beamline path. The plasma generator comprises an electric field generation system operable to generate an electric field in a portion of the beamline path, and a magnetic field generation system operable to generate a magnetic field in the portion of the beamline path, wherein the magnetic field is perpendicular to the electric field. The plasma generator further comprises a gas source operable to introduce a gas in a region occupied by the electric field and the magnetic field. Electrons in the region move in the region due to the electric field and the magnetic field, respectively, and at least some of the electrons collide with the gas in the region to ionize a portion of the gas, thereby generating a plasma in the region.

Abstract: A magnetic deflector for an ion beam is disclosed and comprises first and second coils. The coils are positioned above and below the beam, respectively, and extend along a width of the beam. Current passes through the coils to generate a magnetic field therebetween that is generally perpendicular to a direction of travel of the beam along substantially the entire width thereof. In another aspect of the invention, a method of deflecting a beam prior to implantation into a workpiece is disclosed. The method includes determining one or more properties associated with the beam and selectively activating one of a magnetic deflection module and an electrostatic deflection module based on the determination.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a semiconductor thermal processing apparatus and a method for thermally cooling a semiconductor substrate. According to one aspect of the present invention, a gas-cooled clamp and associated method is disclosed which provides cooling of a substrate by thermal conduction generally in the free molecular regime. The gas-cooled clamp comprises a clamping plate having a plurality of protrusions that define gaps therebetween, wherein a distance or depth of the gaps are associated with a mean free path of the cooling gas therein. The gas-cooled clamp further comprises a pressure control system operable to control a backside pressure of the cooling gas within the plurality of gaps to thus control a heat transfer coefficient of the cooling gas, wherein the heat transfer coefficient of the cooling gas is primarily a function of the pressure and substantially independent of the gap distance.

Abstract: A lens structure for use with an ion beam implanter. The lens structure includes first and second electrodes spaced apart along a direction of ion movement. The lens structure extends on opposite sides of a beam path across a width of the ion beam for deflecting ions entering the lens structure. The lens structure include a first electrode for decelerating ions and a second electrode for accelerating the ions to cause ions entering the lens structure to exit said lens structure with approximately the same exit trajectory regardless of the trajectory ions enter the lens structure. In an alternate construction the lens structure can include a first electrode for accelerating ions and a second electrode for decelerating ions.

Abstract: A mass analyzer for a ribbon shaped ion beam is disclosed. The mass analyzer comprises a pair of coils that define an entrance end and an exit end of the analyzer. Field clamps are employed at or proximate to one or more of the entrance and exit ends of the mass analyzer. The field clamps operate to terminate fringing fields close to the entrance and exit ends of the mass analyzer, thereby reducing the impact of such fringing fields on the ribbon beam and improving beam uniformity.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a low energy, high current ion beam for ion implantation applications are disclosed. The apparatus includes a mass analysis magnet mounted in a passageway along the path of an ion beam, and a magnetic device adapted to provide a multi-cusped magnetic field in the passageway, which may include a plurality of magnets mounted along at least a portion of the passageway. The magnets may cooperatively interact to provide a multi-cusped magnetic field along at least a portion of the passageway. The multi-cusped magnetic field may be superimposed on the dipole field at a specified field strength in a region of the mass analyzer passageway for a given low energy ion beam. The invention thus provides enhancement of beam plasma within a mass analyzer dipole magnetic field for low energy ion beams without the introduction of externally generated plasma.