Abstract: Provided is a sputtering apparatus which is capable of suppressing a local temperature rise at an outer peripheral part of a to-be-processed substrate. The sputtering apparatus SM has: a vacuum chamber in which a target and the to-be-processed substrate Sw are disposed face-to-face with each other; a shield plate for enclosing a film forming space between the target and the to-be-processed substrate; and a cooling unit for cooling the shield plate. The shield plate has a first shield plate part which is disposed around the to-be-processed substrate and which has a first opening equivalent in contour to the to-be-processed substrate. The cooling unit includes a first coolant passage which is disposed in the first shield plate part and which has a passage portion extending all the way to the first shield plate part positioned around the first opening.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing substrates with a multi-cathode chamber. The multi-cathode chamber includes a shield with a plurality of holes and a plurality of shunts. The shield is rotatable to orient the holes and shunts with a plurality of cathodes located above the shield. The shunts interact with magnets from the cathodes to prevent interference during processing. The shield can be raised and lowered to adjust gapping between a target of a cathode and a hole to provide a dark space during processing.

Abstract: A sputtering target includes: a base configured to transfer heat in a basal plane direction; and a first heat sink disposed on a sidewall of the base, the first heat sink configured to transfer heat along a direction that is different from the basal plane direction.

Abstract: A PVD chamber deposits a film with high thickness uniformity. The PVD chamber includes a coil of an electromagnetic that, when energized with direct current power, can modify plasma in an edge portion of the processing region of the PVD chamber. The coil is disposed within the vacuum-containing portion of the PVD chamber and outside a processing region of the PVD chamber.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure relate to a sputtering target for a sputtering chamber used to process a substrate. In one implementation, a sputtering target for a sputtering chamber is provided. The sputtering target comprises a sputtering plate with a backside surface having radially inner, middle and outer regions and an annular-shaped backing plate mounted to the sputtering plate. The backside surface has a plurality of circular grooves which are spaced apart from one another and at least one arcuate channel cutting through the circular grooves and extending from the radially inner region to the radially outer region of sputtering plate. The annular-shaped backing plate defines an open annulus exposing the backside surface of the sputtering plate.

Abstract: Physical vapor deposition target assemblies and methods of manufacturing such target assemblies are disclosed. An exemplary target assembly comprises a flow pattern including a plurality of arcs and bends fluidly connected to an inlet end and an outlet end.

Abstract: A sputter trap formed on at least a portion of a sputtering chamber component has a plurality of particles and a particle size distribution plot with at least two different distributions. A method of forming a sputter trap having a particle size distribution plot with at least two different distributions is also provided.

Abstract: Physical vapor deposition target assemblies and methods of cooling physical vapor deposition targets are disclosed. An exemplary target assembly comprises a flow pattern including a plurality of rows and bends fluidly connected to an inlet end and an outlet end.

Abstract: A fixing unit fixes a plate-shaped member to a fixing base member. The fixing unit includes: a pressing unit configured to press the plate-shaped member toward the fixing base member; and a plurality of positioning units, installed at the fixing base member to be in contact with side surfaces of the plate-shaped member, and configured to place the plate-shaped member with respect to the fixing base member. Each of the positioning units includes: a shaft to be installed at the fixing base member; and a slide part movable along the shaft, and the slide part includes a contact part to be in contact with one of the side surfaces of the plate-shaped member and a clearance part formed on the contact part to have a smaller width than that of the contact part.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a socket arrangement for holding an end block on a process chamber may include the following: a first socket element with a first fastening arrangement for fastening the first socket element on a process chamber wall and with a second fastening arrangement; and a second socket element with a third fastening arrangement, for fastening the second socket element on the first socket element and with a fourth fastening arrangement for fastening an end block on the second socket element; wherein the second fastening arrangement of the first socket element and the third fastening arrangement of the second socket element may be formed for engaging in one another with play in such a way that the second socket element may be deflectable in relation to the first socket element.

Abstract: Embodiments of target assemblies for use in substrate processing chambers are provided herein. In some embodiments, a target assembly includes a plate comprising a first side including a central portion and a support portion; a target disposed on the central portion; a plurality of recesses formed in the support portion; and a plurality of pads partially disposed in the plurality of recesses.

Abstract: The invention relates to a target which is embodied as a material source for a depositing method from the gas phase, comprising a front side and a rear side, characterized in that a self-adhesive carbon film is applied to the rear side. Said target can be embodied as a material source for a sputtering method and/or for an arc evaporation method. A particular advantage is that the target is used in a coating source with indirect cooling, the self-adhesive carbon film being in contact with the surface of the membrane which is part of a cooling channel.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns sputter targets and sputtering methods. In particular, sputter targets and methods of sputtering using conventional sputter targets as well as sputter targets described herein, for highly uniform sputter deposition, are described.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure relate to a sputtering target for a sputtering chamber used to process a substrate. In one implementation, a sputtering target for a sputtering chamber is provided. The sputtering target comprises a sputtering plate with a backside surface having radially inner, middle and outer regions and an annular-shaped backing plate mounted to the sputtering plate. The backside surface has a plurality of circular grooves which are spaced apart from one another and at least one arcuate channel cutting through the circular grooves and extending from the radially inner region to the radially outer region of sputtering plate. The annular-shaped backing plate defines an open annulus exposing the backside surface of the sputtering plate.

Abstract: A portable sputtering apparatus for repairing the damaged surface on aircrafts comprises: a cylindrical chamber, having a top chamber plate and a bottom chamber plate. The cylindrical chamber comprises a welded flange for attachment to a high vacuum system and a first tube and flange assembly for attachment to an inert gas bottle. The top chamber plate comprises a cathode housing, comprising a cathode coated with the material to be sputtered onto the surface of the aircraft, and a second tube and flange assembly for discharge of pressure within the chamber. The bottom chamber plate comprises a second housing that attaches to the surface of an aircraft. Within the second housing is a metal sheet, having an aperture that allows sputtered material to flow onto the surface of the aircraft. The material to be sputtered may be carbon composite or copper.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention are directed to deposition apparatuses comprising a grounded top wall, a processing chamber and a plasma source assembly having a conductive hollow cylinder and substantially continuous grounded shield substantially conforming to the shape of the hollow cylinder.

Abstract: A racetrack-shaped magnetic-field-generating apparatus for magnetron sputtering comprising a linear portion and corner portions, the linear portion comprising a magnetic base, a center permanent magnet disposed on its surface, and side permanent magnets disposed on both sides thereof with a gap; the center and side permanent magnets being vertically magnetized with opposite polarities; the corner portions comprising a non-magnetic base, a center magnetic pole member disposed on its surface, a semicircular or semi-polygonal, peripheral magnetic pole member, and plural permanent magnets arranged between both magnetic pole members with their magnetization directions in parallel to a target surface; and the magnetic poles of plural permanent magnets opposing the center magnetic pole member having the same polarity as those of the center permanent magnet opposing the target.

Abstract: A plate-centering system that has a plate with a holder, in which the plate is centered in the holder both at room temperature and at higher temperatures, independently of the thermal expansion of the plate and the holder, and the plate can freely expand in the holder at higher temperatures. The invention relates in particular to a target having a frame-shaped target mount, which is very well suited for use in a coating source for high power pulsed magnetron sputtering of the target.

Abstract: Improved designs of target assemblies and darkspace shields are disclosed. Methods of improving darkspace gap in sputtering chambers and sputtering chambers having an improved darkspace gap are also disclosed. Disclosed is a target assembly having a substantially coplanar backing plate and a target are vertically spaced from the darkspace shield.

Abstract: A rotary deposition target bonded to a backing tube such that the bonding material is applied only at the ends of the rotary target to form a gap between the rotary target and the backing tube to enable a target cooling fluid used during the deposition process to contact the target directly and to provide a hermetic seal to contain the cooling fluid within the gap and prevent the fluid from being exposed to the environment within the deposition chamber.

Abstract: Substrate processing systems are provided herein. In some embodiments, a substrate processing system may include a target assembly having a target comprising a source material to be deposited on a substrate; a grounding assembly disposed about the target assembly and having a first surface that is generally parallel to and opposite a backside of the target assembly; a support member coupled to the grounding assembly to support the target assembly within the grounding assembly; one or more insulators disposed between the backside of the target assembly and the first surface of the grounding assembly; and one or more biasing elements disposed between the first surface of the grounding assembly and the backside of the target assembly to bias the target assembly toward the support member.

Abstract: An alignment film forming apparatus and a method are provided to form an alignment film for a liquid crystal in a single process of simultaneously executing a film deposition process of ion beam sputtering and an alignment process. The method greatly restricts the size of a substrate. An alignment film forming apparatus includes a target disposed on a top surface side of a substrate and having a sputtering surface defining a sharp angle to the top surface of the substrate, a transfer table that transfers the substrate in a predetermined direction, and an ion source disposed on the top surface side of the substrate in such a way that an ion beam is irradiated on the sputtering surface of the target. An ion beam reflected at the sputtering surface is irradiated on a sputtering film formed on the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate processing system with a damage preventing function, comprising: a fluid tank which stores fluid; a chamber which receives the fluid from the fluid tank and provides a space where a substrate is processed; a pipe which connects the fluid tank and the chamber and through which the fluid flows; and a damage preventing unit which allows the fluid tank to be changed in position corresponding to thermal expansion caused in the pipe by receiving heat as the fluid flows in the pipe. With this, the substrate processing system with the damage preventing function for allowing the fluid tank to correspond to change in volume due to the thermal expansion of the pipe and preventing the fluid tank from damage is provided.

Abstract: Any particle adhesion onto the surface of a substrate to be processed is prevented. There is provided a substrate processing apparatus characterized by including a transfer chamber for, via a gate to which a substrate accommodating container for accommodation of the substrate is set, performing transfer of the substrate between the same and the substrate accommodating container, a processing chamber for applying a specific process to the substrate, a load-lock chamber for linking the processing chamber with the transfer chamber, and a temperature control unit for at the stage of transferring the substrate into at least one of the transfer chamber and the load-lock chamber, so as for the temperature of the substrate just before the transfer thereof to be higher than the temperature of the interior of the chamber, into which the substrate will be transferred, controlling at least one of the temperature of the substrate and the temperature of the interior of the chamber.

Abstract: A rotary sputtering target bonded to a backing tube such that the bonding material is applied only proximate the ends of the rotary sputtering target and is also between the target and the backing tube to form a gap between the rotary sputtering target and the backing tube and a device for bonding a rotary sputtering target to a backing tube.

Abstract: Apparatus for physical vapor deposition are provided. In some embodiments, an apparatus for use in a physical vapor deposition substrate processing chamber includes a process shield having a central opening passing through a body of the process shield and defining a processing volume of the substrate processing chamber, wherein the process shield comprises an annular dark space shield fabricated from a ceramic material and an annular ground shield fabricated from a conductive material, and wherein a ratio of a length of the annular dark space shield to a length of the annular ground shield is about 2:1 to about 1.6:1.

Abstract: A plasma deposition apparatus includes a cathode assembly including a cathode disk and a water-coolable cathode holder supporting the cathode disk, an anode assembly including a water-coolable anode holder, a substrate mounted on the anode holder to serve as an anode, and a substrate holder mounting and supporting the substrate, and a reactor for applying a potential difference between opposing surfaces of the cathode assembly and the anode assembly under a vacuum state to form plasma of a raw gas. The cathode disk comes into thermal contact with the cathode holder using at least one of a self weight and a vacuum absorption force so as to permit thermal expansion of the cathode disk.

Abstract: The invention relates to a target which is embodied as a material source for a depositing method from the gas phase, comprising a front side and a rear side, characterized in that a self-adhesive carbon film is applied to the rear side. Said target can be embodied as a material source for a sputtering method and/or for an arc evaporation method. A particular advantage is that the target is used in a coating source with indirect cooling, the self-adhesive carbon film being in contact with the surface of the membrane which is part of a cooling channel.

Abstract: In order to provide an adhesion preventing plate for a vacuum film formation apparatus, the adhesion preventing plate being capable of suppressing the peel-off of an adhered film to an extremely low level regardless of a protection target member, the adhesion preventing plate is arranged so that the area of contact with the protection target member is reduced and a part other than the contact surface is thermally insulated.

Abstract: The antenna has a structure that the high frequency electrode is received in a dielectric case. The high frequency electrode has a go-and-return conductor structure that two electrode conductors are disposed close to and in parallel to each other with a gap therebetween to form a rectangular plate shape as a whole, and the two electrode conductors are connected by a conductor at an end in the longitudinal direction. A high frequency current flows in the two electrode conductors in opposite directions. A plurality of openings are formed on edges of the two electrode conductors on the side of the gap, and the openings are dispersed and arranged in the longitudinal direction of the high frequency electrode. The antenna is disposed in a vacuum container in a direction that a main surface of the high frequency electrode and a surface of the substrate are substantially perpendicular to each other.

Abstract: The plant is suitable to produce a semiconductor film (8) having a desired thickness and consisting substantially of a compound including at least one element for each of the groups 11, 13, and 16 of the periodic classification of elements. The plant comprises an outer case (1) embedding a chamber (2) divided into one deposition zone (2a) and one evaporation zone (2b), which are separated by a screen (3) interrupted by at least one cylindrical transfer member provided with actuation means rotating about its axis (5). To the deposition zone (2a) a magnetron device (7) is associated, for the deposition by sputtering of at least one element for each of the groups 11 and 13 on the side surface (?) of the cylindrical member that is in the deposition zone (2a). To the evaporation zone (2b) a cell (10) for the evaporation of at least one element of the group 16 is associated, and such an evaporation zone (2b) houses a substrate (8a) on which the film (8) is produced.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure relate to a sputtering target for a sputtering chamber used to process a substrate. In one implementation, a sputtering target for a sputtering chamber is provided. The sputtering target comprises a sputtering plate with a backside surface having radially inner, middle and outer regions and an annular-shaped backing plate mounted to the sputtering plate. The backside surface has a plurality of circular grooves which are spaced apart from one another and at least one arcuate channel cutting through the circular grooves and extending from the radially inner region to the radially outer region of sputtering plate. The annular-shaped backing plate defines an open annulus exposing the backside surface of the sputtering plate.

Abstract: A deposition apparatus may include a first substrate mounting member and a second substrate mounting member that may overlap the first substrate mounting member. The deposition apparatus may further include a sputter unit disposed in a space located between the first substrate mounting member and the second substrate mounting member. The sputter unit may have a first opening and a second opening. The first opening may be disposed closer to the first substrate mounting member than the second opening. The second opening may be disposed closer to the second substrate mounting member than the first opening. A first set of material and a second set of material may be simultaneously provided through the first opening and the second opening, respectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a solar cell can include a heater apparatus having one or more heater elements in a deposition processing system, a front cover covering the one or more heater elements from a front side, and a back metal reflector mating with the front cover on a back side and enclosing the one or more heater elements. The method can include disposing a plurality of substrates about a plurality of surfaces of a substrate apparatus that is operatively coupled to sequentially feed a substrate within a vacuum chamber, forming an absorber layer over a surface of each one of the plurality of substrates and heating the surface of each one of the plurality of substrates with the heater apparatus as described above.

Abstract: This invention relates to the in-vacuum rotational device on a cylindrical magnetron sputtering source where the target or target elements of the target construction of such device are enabled to rotate without the need of a vacuum to atmosphere or vacuum to coolant dynamic seal. This invention relates to the use of the device in vacuum plasma technology where a plasma discharge, or any other appropriate source of energy such as arcs, laser, which can be applied to the target or in its vicinity would produce suitable coating deposition or plasma treatment on components of different nature. This invention also relates but not exclusively to the use of the device in sputtering, magnetron sputtering, arc, plasma polymerisation, laser ablation and plasma etching. This invention also relates to the use of such devices and control during non-reactive and reactive processes, with or without feedback plasma process control.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a physical vapor deposition system configured to heat a semiconductor substrate or wafer. In some embodiments the disclosed physical vapor deposition system comprises at least one heat source having one or more lamp modules for heating of the substrate. The lamp modules may be separated from the substrate by a shielding device. In some embodiments, the shielding device comprises a one-piece device or a two piece device. The disclosed physical vapor deposition system can heat the semiconductor substrate, reflowing a metal film deposited thereon without the necessity for separate chambers, thereby decreasing process time, requiring less thermal budget, and decreasing substrate damage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a manufacturing apparatus which can realize so-called sequential substrate transfer and can improve throughput, even when one multi-layered thin film includes plural layers of the same film type. A manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a transfer chamber, three sputtering deposition chambers each including one sputtering cathode, two sputtering deposition chambers each including two or more sputtering cathodes, and a process chamber for performing a process other than sputtering, and the three sputtering deposition chambers, the two sputtering deposition chambers, and the process chamber are arranged around the transfer chamber so that each is able to perform delivery and receipt of the substrate with the transfer chamber.

Abstract: Provided is a device capable of suitably forming a film on a glass film. A film forming device (1) includes a heating roll (20) and a film forming unit (30). The heating roll (20) has a surface onto which a glass film (10) is to be fed. The heating roll (20) is configured to heat the glass film (10). The film forming unit (30) is configured to form a film on the glass film (10). The heating roll (20) includes a cylindrical body (21) and a heater (22). The cylindrical body (21) is made of glass or ceramic. The cylindrical body (21) is rotatably provided. The heater (22) is disposed in an interior of the cylindrical body (21). The heater (22) is configured to heat the cylindrical body (21).

Abstract: A method generally comprises providing heat to a substrate in at least one buffer chamber and transferring the substrate to at least one deposition chamber that is coupled to the buffer chamber via an conveyor. The method also includes depositing a first set of a plurality of elements, using sputtering, and a second set of a plurality of elements, using evaporation, onto at least a portion of the substrate in the deposition chamber.

Abstract: Vacuum deposition apparatus including cathodic arc source for application of coatings on the substrate. Cathodic arc source comprises focusing magnetic source for generating magnetic field, arc cathode containing film forming material and anode. The focusing magnetic source is placed between arc cathode and substrate. Arc spot generated on the cathode evaporation surface is kept by the magnetic field lines in the place where the magnetic field lines are perpendicular to the cathode surface.

Abstract: A sputtering apparatus (1) includes: a chamber (10) having an inside maintained in a depressurized state to generate plasma discharge (20); a cathode (22) placed in the chamber (10) and holding a target (21); and a substrate holder (60) holding a substrate (110) so that one surface of the substrate (110) faces the surface of the target (21). The substrate (110) is arranged at an upper portion in the sputtering apparatus (1) with the surface of the substrate (110) facing downward. The target (21) is arranged at a lower portion in the sputtering apparatus (1) with the surface of the target (21) facing upward. The sputtering apparatus (1) includes a heater (65) for heating the substrate (110). The temperature of the substrate (110) is raised by absorbing electromagnetic waves radiated from the heater (65). A method of manufacturing a semiconductor light-emitting element using the sputtering apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A power supply device supplies power to a substrate holder having a plurality of electrodes. The device includes a first fixed conductive member, a second fixed conductive member, a fixed insulating member fixed to an insulating housing portion and configured to insulate the first fixed conductive member from the second fixed conductive member, a first rotation conductive member, a second rotation conductive member, a rotation insulating member fixed to an insulating column portion and configured to insulate the first rotation conductive member from the second rotation conductive member, a first power supply member configured to supply a first voltage to the substrate holder via the first rotation conductive member and the first fixed conductive member, and a second power supply member configured to supply a second voltage to the substrate holder via the second rotation conductive member and the second fixed conductive member.

Abstract: A vacuum processing apparatus includes a substrate holder which can tilt relative to a target and includes a refrigerating machine which cools a substrate, hoses which transport a refrigerant between a compressor provided outside a vacuum vessel and a cooling device inside the substrate holder, and a housing unit which is provided outside the vacuum vessel and houses the hoses in a coiled state with a curvature radius that does not exceed a predetermined curvature radius.

Abstract: A system and process for inter alia coating a substrate such as glass substrate with a layer of aluminum oxide to create a scratch-resistant and shatter-resistant matrix comprised of a thin scratch-resistant aluminum oxide film deposited on one or more sides of a transparent and shatter-resistant substrate for use in consumer and mobile devices such as watch crystals, cell phones, tablet computers, personal computers and the like. The system and process may include a sputtering technique. The system and process may produce a thin window that has a thickness of about 2 mm or less, and the matrix (i.e., the combination of the aluminum oxide film and transparent substrate) may have a shatter resistance with a Young's Modulus value that is less than that of sapphire, i.e., less than about 350 gigapascals (GPa). The thin window has superior shatter-resistant characteristics.

Abstract: A deposition system includes a magnetron sputter deposition source that includes a backing frame that includes a window and a closed loop around the window. The backing frame includes inside surfaces towards the window, one or more sputtering targets mounted on inside surfaces of the backing frame, and one or more magnets mounted on outside surfaces of the backing frame. The one or more sputtering targets include sputtering surfaces that define internal walls of the window. The one or more magnets can produce a magnetic field near the one or more sputtering surfaces. A substrate includes a deposition surface oriented towards the window in the backing frame. The deposition surface receives sputtering material(s) from the one or more sputtering targets.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing a substrate in a physical vapor deposition (PVD) chamber are provided herein. In some embodiments, a process kit shield used in a substrate processing chamber may include a shield body having an inner surface and an outer surface, a process kit shield impedance match device coupled between the shield body and ground, wherein the process kit shield impedance match device is configured to adjust a bias voltage of the process kit shield, a cavity formed on the outer surface of the shield body, and one or more magnets disposed within the cavity.

Abstract: A sputtering apparatus that includes at least a target presented as an inner surface of a confinement structure, the inner surface of the confinement structure is preferably an internal wall of a circular tube. A cathode is disposed adjacent the internal wall of the circular tube. The cathode preferably provides a hollow core, within which a magnetron is disposed. Preferably, an actuator is attached to the magnetron, wherein a position of the magnetron within the hollow core is altered upon activation of the actuator. Additionally, a carriage supporting the cathode and communicating with the target is preferably provided, and a cable bundle interacting with the cathode and linked to a cable bundle take up mechanism provided power and coolant to the cathode, magnetron, actuator and an anode of the sputtering apparatus.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a film forming method of epitaxially growing a semiconductor film having a wurtzite structure by sputtering on a substrate for epitaxial growth heated to a desired temperature by using a heater, comprises the following steps. First, the substrate is disposed on a substrate holder including the heater in such a way that the substrate is disposed away from the heater by a predetermined distance. Then, the epitaxial film of the semiconductor film having the wurtzite structure is formed on the substrate in the state where the substrate is disposed away from the heater by the predetermined distance.

Abstract: The plant is suitable to produce a semiconductor film (8) having a desired thickness and consisting substantially of a compound including at least one element for each of the groups 11, 13, and 16 of the periodic classification of elements. The plant comprises an outer case (1) embedding a chamber (2) divided into one deposition zone (2a) and one evaporation zone (2b), which are separated by a screen (3) interrupted by at least one cylindrical transfer member provided with actuation means rotating about its axis (5). To the deposition zone (2a) a magnetron device (7) is associated, for the deposition by sputtering of at least one element for each of the groups 11 and 13 on the side surface (?) of the cylindrical member that is in the deposition zone (2a). To the evaporation zone (2b) a cell (10) for the evaporation of at least one element of the group 16 is associated, and such an evaporation zone (2b) houses a substrate (8a) on which the film (8) is produced.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a solar cell includes a housing defining a vacuum chamber, a rotatable substrate support, at least one inner heater and at least one outer heater. The substrate support is inside the vacuum chamber configured to hold a substrate. The at least one inner heater is between a center of the vacuum chamber and the substrate support, and is configured to heat a back surface of a substrate on the substrate support. The at least one outer heater is between an outer surface of the vacuum chamber and the substrate support, and is configured to heat a front surface of a substrate on the substrate support.