Abstract: An ion buncher stage for a linear accelerator system is disclosed for bunching ions in an ion implantation system. The ion buncher stage may be employed upstream of one or more accelerating stages such that the loss of ions in the linear accelerator system is reduced. The invention further includes an asymmetrical double gap buncher stage, as well as a slit buncher stage for further improvement of ion implantation efficiency. Also disclosed are methods for accelerating ions in an ion implanter linear accelerator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for accelerating ions in an ion implantation system. An ion accelerator is provided which comprises a plurality of energizable electrodes energized by a variable frequency power source, in order to accelerate ions from an ion source. The variable frequency power source allows the ion accelerator to be adapted to accelerate a wide range of ion species to desired energy levels for implantation onto a workpiece, while reducing the cost and size of an ion implantation accelerator.

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, a power source adapted to provide an electric field in the passageway, 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 power source and the magnets may cooperatively interact to provide an electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) condition 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 to interact with an electric field of a known RF or microwave frequency for a given low energy ion beam.

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.

Abstract: A wafer processing system is provided. The system includes a wafer handling system for introducing semiconductor wafers into a processing chamber. An oscillator is operatively coupled to an antenna for igniting a plasma within the processing chamber. The plasma and antenna form a resonant circuit with the oscillator, and the oscillator varies an output characteristic associated therewith based on a load change in the resonant circuit during plasma ignition.

Abstract: An electrostatic quadrupole lens assembly (60) is provided for an ion implanter (10) having an axis (86) along which an ion beam passes, comprising: (i) four electrodes (84a-84d) oriented radially outward from the axis (86), approximately 90° apart from each other, such that a first pair of electrodes (84a and 84c) oppose each other approximately 180° apart, and a second pair of electrodes (84b and 84d) also oppose each other approximately 180° apart; (ii) a housing (62) having a mounting surface (64) for mounting the assembly (60) to the implanter, the housing at least partially enclosing the four electrodes (84a-84d); (iii) a first electrical lead (104) for providing electrical power to the first pair of electrodes (84a and 84c); (iv) a second electrical lead (108) for providing electrical power to the second pair of electrodes (84b and 84d); and (v) a plurality of electrically insulating members (92) formed of a glass-like material, comprising at least a first electrically insulating member for

Abstract: A compact coil design is provided for a linear accelerator resonator (70) capable of resonating at a predetermined frequency. The coil (90) comprises a plurality of generally circular coil segments (90a-90n), each of the coil segments having a polygonal cross section wherein flat surfaces (122) of adjacent coil segments face each other. The polygonal cross section may take the form of a rectangle having dimensions of length x and width y, wherein dimension x section defines the flat surfaces (122) of adjacent coil segments (90a-90n). The coil segments (90a-90n) are provided with a dual channel construction for providing the introduction of a cooling medium into the coil. The dual channel construction comprises an inlet passageway (118) and an outlet passageway (120) having separate a separate inlet (100) and outlet (102), respectively, at a first end (94) of the coil, and wherein the inlet and outlet passageways (118, 120) are connected and in communication with each other at a second end (96) of the coil.

Abstract: An ion implanter including a time of flight energy measurement apparatus for measuring and controlling the energy of an ion beam includes an ion source for generating the ion beam, an ion acceleration assembly for accelerating the beam resulting in the beam comprising a series of ion pulses having a predetermined frequency and beam forming and directing structure for directing the ion beam at workpieces supported in an implantation chamber of the implanter. The time of flight energy measurement apparatus includes spaced apart first and second sensors, timing circuitry and conversion circuitry. The time of flight energy measurement apparatus measures an average kinetic energy of an ion included in a selected ion pulse of the ion beam. The first sensor and a second sensor are disposed adjacent the ion beam and spaced a predetermined distance apart, the second sensor being downstream of the first sensor.