Abstract: A technique for shaping a ribbon-shaped ion beam is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized as an apparatus for shaping a ribbon-shaped ion beam. The apparatus may comprise an electrostatic lens having a substantially rectangular aperture for a ribbon-shaped ion beam to pass through, wherein a plurality of focusing elements are positioned along short edges of the aperture, and wherein each focusing element is separately biased and oriented to shape the ribbon-shaped ion beam.

Abstract: Techniques for forming shallow junctions are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method for forming shallow junctions. The method may comprise generating an ion beam comprising molecular ions based on one or more materials selected from a group consisting of: digermane (Ge2H6), germanium nitride (Ge3N4), germanium-fluorine compounds (GFn, wherein n=1, 2, or 3), and other germanium-containing compounds. The method may also comprise causing the ion beam to impact a semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A improved, lower cost method of producing solar cells utilizing selective emitter design is disclosed. The contact regions are created on the substrate without the use of lithography or masks. The method utilizes ion implantation technology, and the relatively low accuracy requirements of the contact regions to reduce the process steps needed to produce a solar cell. In some embodiments, the current of the ion beam is selectively modified to create the highly doped contact regions. In other embodiments, the ion beam is focused, either through the use of an aperture or via adjustments to the beam line components to create the necessary doping profile. In still other embodiments, the wafer scan rate is modified to create the desired ion implantation pattern.

Abstract: Multi-purpose electrostatic lens for an ion implanter. The electrostatic lens allows an ion implanter to scan, accelerate, decelerate, expand, compress, focus and parallelize an ion beam. This capability enables the ion implanter to function as either a high precision medium-current ion implanter or as a high-current ion implanter.

Abstract: Techniques for cold implantation of carbon-containing species are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as an apparatus for ion implantation including a cooling device for cooling a target material to a predetermined temperature, and an ion implanter for implanting the target material with a carbon-containing species at the predetermined temperature to improve at least one of strain and amorphization.

Abstract: Techniques for providing a ribbon-shaped gas cluster ion beam are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as an apparatus for providing a ribbon-shaped gas cluster ion beam. The apparatus may comprise at least one nozzle configured to inject a source gas at a sufficient speed into a low-pressure vacuum space to form gas clusters. The apparatus may also comprise at least one ionizer that causes at least a portion of the gas clusters to be ionized. The apparatus may further comprise a beam-shaping mechanism that forms a ribbon-shaped gas cluster ion beam based on the ionized gas clusters.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling a charged particle beam are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a charged particle acceleration/deceleration system. The charged particle acceleration/deceleration system may comprise an acceleration column. The acceleration column may comprise a plurality of electrodes having apertures through which a charged particle beam may pass. The charged particle acceleration/deceleration system may also comprise a plurality of resistors electrically coupled to the plurality of electrodes. The charged particle acceleration/deceleration system may further comprise a plurality of switches electrically coupled to the plurality of electrodes and the plurality of resistors, each of the plurality of switches may be configured to be selectively switched respectively in a plurality of operation modes.

Abstract: Methods of interfacing parts in a high voltage environment and related structures are disclosed. A method comprises: providing an insulation medium between a first part and a second part in a high voltage environment; and interfacing the first part and the second part by compressing the first part and the second part against the insulation medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving space charge neutralization adjacent a magnet of an ion implanter by confining the electrons inside a magnetic region thereof to reduce electron losses and therefore improve the transport efficiency of a low energy beam. A magnetic pole member for a magnet of an ion implanter is provided that includes an outer surface having a plurality of magnetic field concentration members that form magnetic field concentrations adjacent the magnetic pole member. Electrons that encounter this increased magnetic field are repelled back along the same magnetic field line rather than allowed to escape. An analyzer magnet and ion implanter including the magnet pole are also provided so that a method of improving low energy ion beam space charge neutralization in an ion implanter is realized.

Abstract: Ion sources and methods for generating molecular ions in a cold operating mode and for generating atomic ions in a hot operating mode are provided. In some embodiments, first and second electron sources are located at opposite ends of an arc chamber. The first electron source is energized in the cold operating mode, and the second electron source is energized in the hot operating mode. In other embodiments, electrons are directed through a hole in a cathode in the cold operating mode and are directed at the cathode in the hot operating mode. In further embodiments, an ion beam generator includes a molecular ion source, an atomic ion source and a switching element to select the output of one of the ion sources.

Abstract: One or more electron sources are utilized to inject electrons into an ion beam being transported between the polepieces of a magnet. In some embodiments, the electron sources are located in cavities in one or both polepieces of the magnet. In other embodiments, a radio frequency or microwave plasma flood gun is located in a cavity in at least one of the polepieces or between the polepieces.

Abstract: A system, method and program product for determining contamination of an ion beam are disclosed. In the event of an isobaric interference, or near isobaric interference between a contaminant ion and an expected ion of an ion beam, which is difficult to detect, it is possible to measure a third ion in the ion beam and estimate, based on the amount of the third ion measured, a relative amount of the contaminant ion compared to the expected ion. The estimated relative amount of the contaminant ion is used together with a measured mass resolution of the ion implantation system to determine whether an ion implantation process needs to be suspended.

Abstract: Techniques for providing a ribbon-shaped gas cluster ion beam are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as an apparatus for providing a ribbon-shaped gas cluster ion beam. The apparatus may comprise at least one nozzle configured to inject a source gas at a sufficient speed into a low-pressure vacuum space to form gas clusters. The apparatus may also comprise at least one ionizer that causes at least a portion of the gas clusters to be ionized. The apparatus may further comprise a beam-shaping mechanism that forms a ribbon-shaped gas cluster ion beam based on the ionized gas clusters.

Abstract: A technique for isocentric ion beam scanning is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized by an apparatus for isocentric ion beam scanning. The apparatus may comprise an end station having a mechanism for holding and translating a wafer. The apparatus may also comprise a deflector that tilts an ion beam to a predetermined angle and directs the ion beam into the end station. The wafer may be translated with respect to the ion beam for isocentric scanning at least a portion of a surface of the wafer, and wherein the ion beam is maintained at the predetermined angle during isocentric scanning.

Abstract: Techniques for forming shallow junctions are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method for forming shallow junctions. The method may comprise generating an ion beam comprising molecular ions based on one or more materials selected from a group consisting of: digermane (Ge2H6), germanium nitride (Ge3N4), germanium-fluorine compounds (GFn, wherein n=1, 2, or 3), and other germanium-containing compounds. The method may also comprise causing the ion beam to impact a semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A technique for improved damage control in plasma doping (PLAD) ion implantation is disclosed. According to a particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized as a method for improved damage control in plasma doping (PLAD) ion implantation. The method may comprise placing a wafer on a platen in a chamber. The method may also comprise generating a plasma in the chamber. The method may additionally comprise implanting at least a portion of ions produced from the plasma into the wafer, wherein the wafer is cooled to a temperature no higher than 0° C during ion implantation, and wherein a dose rate associated with the portion of ions is at least 1×1013 atoms/cm2/second.

Abstract: Multi-purpose electrostatic lens for an ion implanter. The electrostatic lens allows an ion implanter to scan, accelerate, decelerate, expand, compress, focus and parallelize an ion beam. This capability enables the ion implanter to function as either a high precision medium-current ion implanter or as a high-current ion implanter.

Abstract: A system, method and program product for improving uniformity and angle control wafers being implanted. A system is provided that includes an end station for positioning a wafer being implanted, comprising: a platen for holding the wafer, wherein the platen is rotatable to provide wafer rotation; a housing for holding the platen, wherein the housing is rotatable about a first orthogonal axis to provide a first type of wafer tilt; a structure for supporting the housing, wherein the structure is rotatable about a second orthogonal axis to provide a second type of wafer tilt; and a control system which, during an implant process of the wafer, causes wafer rotation, the first type of wafer tilt, and the second type of wafer tilt.

Abstract: A technique for improving ion implantation throughput and dose uniformity is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a method for improving ion implantation throughput and dose uniformity may comprise measuring an ion beam density distribution in an ion beam. The method may also comprise calculating an ion dose distribution across a predetermined region of a workpiece that results from a scan velocity profile, wherein the scan velocity profile comprises a first component and a second component that control a relative movement between the ion beam and the workpiece in a first direction and a second direction respectively, and wherein the ion dose distribution is based at least in part on the ion beam density distribution. The method may further comprise adjusting at least one of the first component and the second component of the scan velocity profile to achieve a desired ion dose distribution in the predetermined region of the workpiece.

Abstract: Non-doping implantation process utilizing a plasma ion implantation system. A plasma ion implantation system is used to perform a non-doping implantation process such as a pre-amorphization implantation process or a strain altering implantation. Use of the plasma ion implantation system to perform a non-doping implantation process results in higher throughput and is conducive to sequential ion implantation processing.