Abstract: A cathode unit includes first and second magnet units that are driven to rotate around an axis on a side opposed to a sputtering surface of a target. The first magnet unit is configured to cause a first leakage magnetic field to act on a space in front of the sputtering surface including a target center inward. The second magnet unit is configured to cause a second leakage magnetic field to act locally in the space in front of the sputtered surface located between the target center and the outer edge of the target and to enable self-holding discharge under low pressure of plasma confined by the second leakage magnetic field.

Abstract: A preparation method for a tungsten sulfide (WS2) solid lubricating film based on high power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) is provided. The preparation method includes the following steps: step 1: depositing a metal conductive film on a surface of a WS2 target; step 2: using magnetic field sputtering to remove the metal conductive film in a target sputtering area on the surface of the WS2 target, thereby obtaining a first WS2 target; and step 3: performing the HiPIMS on the first WS2 target to obtain the WS2 solid lubricating film. The preparation method can achieve stable glow discharge of a WS2 target and use the high deposition energy of HiPIMS to prepare the WS2 solid lubricating film with high compactness and excellent wear resistance.

Abstract: Methods and systems for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) are disclosed. The methods and systems use a showerhead including a domed internal baffle plate. The domed internal baffle plate is perforated. The presence of the domed internal baffle plate improves the uniformity of gas distribution through the holes of the showerhead across the surface area of the showerhead. This improves deposition uniformity on the semiconducting wafer substrate upon which CVD is being performed, or improves the cleaning of the reaction chamber when a cleaning gas is pumped in through the showerhead.

Abstract: An apparatus to coat at least one three-dimensional (3D) object. The apparatus includes: a coating chamber; a vacuum pump system; a chamber port; and a rotatable object holder. The holder has a rotational axis Z. At least two rotary cathodes are positioned in the chamber. Each cathode includes a hollow cylindrical rotary target having a rotary axis Y. A magnetic system is swivel or rotary mounted round axis Y and positioned neighboring to an inner diameter surface of the target. At least one power supply is provided for the target. The targets of the at least two rotary cathodes are positioned round the holder, with their axes Y1, Y2 transverse to axis Z, both being offset to the holder in a z-direction, and being offset to each other in a direction along axis Z on opposite sides of an object plane O which is vertical to axis Z.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling plasma in a process chamber leverage an RF termination filter which provides an RF path to ground. In some embodiments, an apparatus may include a DC filter configured to be electrically connected between a DC power supply and electrodes embedded in an electrostatic chuck where the DC filter is configured to block DC current from the DC power supply from flowing through the DC filter and an RF termination filter configured to be electrically connected between the DC filter and an RF ground of the process chamber where the RF termination filter is configured to adjust an impedance of the electrodes relative to the RF ground.

Abstract: A sputter deposition apparatus including: a substrate support assembly arranged to support a substrate; a target support assembly arranged to support at least one sputter target for use in a sputter deposition of a target material onto the substrate; a plasma generation arrangement arranged to provide plasma for said sputter deposition; and a cartridge arranged to contain the substrate with deposited target material after said sputter deposition. The cartridge is removable from the sputter deposition apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a spinal cage for improving a bone union rate, including preparing a cage body to be processed including a polymer material, sanding the surface of the cage body roughly by spraying ceramic beads onto the surface of the cage body, and depositing a coating film with a metal material on the surface of the cage body, in which the metal material of the coating film has higher biocompatibility than the polymer material of the cage body, simultaneously achieving stability of the polymer material and high biocompatibility of the metal material.

Abstract: Measuring a plasma state using a probe device in the case of performing plasma processing on a substrate by introducing process gas into a processing container accommodating the substrate and by producing pulsed plasma using an electromagnetic wave pulse obtained by processing an electromagnetic wave generated from an electromagnetic wave oscillator using a pulsing device. An AC voltage to the pulsed plasma is applied via the probe device; transmitting a signal from the pulsed plasma based on the AC voltage via the probe device and measuring data including a current value; and obtaining a state of the pulsed plasma by analyzing the measured data. The frequency of the AC voltage deviates from a frequency of the electromagnetic wave pulse so that the number of data required for the measurement of the pulsed plasma within one cycle of the electromagnetic wave pulse is obtained within allowable time.

Abstract: A method of aligning a first substrate and a second substrate comprises positioning the first substrate having at least a first alignment mark in close proximity to the second substrate having at least a second alignment mark, measuring an alignment value between the first and second alignment marks of both the first and second substrate; and adjusting the position of the first substrate and the second substrate based on the measured alignment value.

Abstract: A system is described that includes a sputter target and a magnetic element array including multiple sets of magnets arranged to have a Hall-Effect region that extends along a length of the sputter target. The elongated sputtering electrode material tube is interposed between the magnetic array and an object to be deposited with a sputtered material from the sputter target. During a direct current high-power impulse magnetron sputtering operation, the system performs a depositing on a surface of the object by generating and controlling an ion and neutral particle flux by: providing a vacuum apparatus containing a sputter target holder electrode; first generating a high-power pulsed plasma magnetron discharge with a high-current negative direct current (DC) pulse to the sputter a target holder electrode; and second generating a configurable positive voltage kick pulse to the sputter target holder electrode after terminating the negative DC pulse.

Abstract: A method (200) for monitoring process conditions in a plasma PVD process as well as a method (300) for controlling a plasma PVD process are disclosed. The methods are performed in an apparatus (1) configured therefore. In accordance with the methods, an oscillating voltage signal is applied to a target (3), arranged in the apparatus (1), by means of a radio frequency generator 15). The response from the applied oscillating voltage signal is recorded by means of a radio frequency sensor (16). Based on the recorded response, information regarding at least one plasma process condition is derived. A computer program and a computer-readable medium are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cutting tool is a cutting tool comprising a substrate and a coating film disposed on the substrate, in which the coating film includes a first layer, the first layer is composed of an alternate layer where a first unit layer and a second unit layer are alternately stacked, the first unit layer is composed of Ti1-a-bAlaCebN, a is 0.350 or more and 0.650 or less, b is 0.001 or more and 0.100 or less, the second unit layer is composed of AlcCr1-cN, c is 0.40 or more and 0.75 or less, and a and c satisfy a relationship of c>a.

Abstract: A magnet assembly for a magnetron of a processing chamber includes a support member. A plurality of magnetic tracks is mounted to the support member. Each magnetic track includes a pair of magnetic poles. A partial magnetic track is mounted to the support member. The partial magnetic track includes a single unpaired magnetic pole. The partial magnetic track is mounted proximal to a center of rotation of the support member.

Abstract: A deposition system provides a feature that may reduce costs of the sputtering process by increasing a target change interval. The deposition system provides an array of magnet members which generate a magnetic field and redirect the magnetic field based on target thickness measurement data. To adjust or redirect the magnetic field, at least one of the magnet members in the array tilts to focus on an area of the target where more target material remains than other areas. As a result, more ion, e.g., argon ion bombardment occurs on the area, creating more uniform erosion on the target surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, devices, and methods for a magnet system for a sputtering device. The disclosed magnet system may include a housing having a housing interior. The magnet system may also include a magnet holder disposed in the housing interior and supported by the housing in a preferably stationary manner. The magnet system may also include a dehumidifying device adjacent to or disposed in the housing interior for drying the housing interior.

Abstract: An etching device includes a chamber; a stage disposed in the chamber and on which a target substrate is loaded; a gas distribution unit disposed to face the stage in the chamber; a plurality of plasma generation modules disposed above the chamber; a gas supply unit that supplies gas into the chamber; a gas line connecting the gas supply unit and the plurality of plasma generation modules; and a plurality of gas inlet pipes each including an end connected to the plasma generation module and another end connected to the gas distribution unit.

Abstract: A versatile high throughput deposition apparatus includes a process chamber and a workpiece platform in the process chamber. The workpiece platform can hold a plurality of workpieces around a center region and to rotate the plurality of workpieces around the center region. Each of the plurality of workpieces includes a deposition surface facing the center region. A gas distribution system can distribute a vapor gas in the center region of the process chamber to deposit a material on the deposition surfaces on the plurality of workpieces. A magnetron apparatus can form a closed-loop magnetic field near the plurality of workpieces. The plurality of workpieces can be electrically biased to produce a plasma near the deposition surfaces on the plurality of workpieces.

Abstract: A preparation method of an energy-saving window film used for insulating glass sputters metals, metal oxides and nitrides on a surface of a high-strength base film in a layer-by-layer manner by a magnetron sputtering process, so as to reduce an infrared emissivity of film layers and effectively block an infrared transmission without affecting a daylighting field of vision; by coating a modified polyurethane acrylate protective layer on a surface of a low radiation layer, an oxidation resistance of the coating is improved; an installation adhesive layer provides an adhesion of the film to the glass, which can enhance the impact strength of the glass and play the role of safety and explosion-proof. The energy-saving window film is applied to the insulating glass with multiple functions such as impact resistance, lightness, energy-saving heat preservation, oxidation resistance, etc., which extends the overall service life of the insulating glass.

Abstract: Exemplary methods of manufacturing a semiconductor cover wafer may include sintering aluminum nitride particles into a substrate characterized by a thickness and characterized by a disc shape. The methods may include grinding a surface of the substrate to reduce the thickness to less than or about 2 mm. The methods may include polishing the surface of the substrate to reduce a roughness. The methods may include annealing the substrate at a temperature of greater than or about 800° C. for a time period of greater than or about 60 minutes.

Abstract: An object is to extend the life of the target member. The target (TA2) is designed to have a symmetrical structure so as to realize an invertible configuration. According to this, even if the consumption of the target member (71) is large on the side closer to the plasma generation unit where the plasma density is high, the portion of the target member (71) which has been located on the side closer to the film formation object where the plasma density is low and is thus consumed less can be rearranged on the side closer to the plasma generation unit where the plasma density is high, by inverting the target (TA2).

Abstract: A process enables growing thick stoichiometric crystalline and preferably IR-transparent optical PCMO material on Si and other substrates. Sputter deposition is carried out in oxygen-free inert gas (e.g., Ar) environment, which helps to prevent decomposition of the PCMO material over the substrate. In the disclosed process, there is no need to add a seed layer prior to PCMO deposition. Moreover, no post-deposition annealing is needed in a high-temperature and high-pressure oxygen furnace, but an anneal provides certain additional benefits in terms of improved transparency at IR wavelengths. Over a long deposition time for a thick PCMO film on the high temperature (?450° C.) substrates, the PCMO deposition is made repeated cycles of deposition of the PCMO material at the high temperature, each deposition cycle being followed by cooling the PCMO-deposited substrate to a substantially lower temperature (<50° C.).

Abstract: Magnet assemblies comprising a housing with a top plate each comprising aligned openings are described. The housing has a bottom ring and an annular wall with a plurality of openings formed in the bottom ring. The top plate is on the housing and has a plurality of openings aligned with the plurality of openings in the bottom ring of the housing. The magnet assembly may also include a non-conducting base plate and/or a conductive cover plate. Methods for using the magnet assembly and magnetic field tuning are also described.

Abstract: In some implementations of the current subject matter, a brake rotor can include a supporting layer applied to a friction surface of a brake rotor substrate, which can optionally include cast iron, and a coating applied over the supporting layer. The supporting layer can include a preparatory metal, and the coating can impart wear and corrosion resistant properties to the friction surface. Related systems, methods, articles of manufacture, and the like are disclosed.

Abstract: A cathode unit for a magnetron sputtering apparatus includes a backing plate joined to an upper side opposed to a sputtering surface of a target set in a posture facing an inside of a vacuum chamber and a magnet unit disposed above the backing plate at an interval, a refrigerant passage through which a refrigerant can flow being formed in the backing plate, in which a surface pressure applying unit is provided, the surface pressure applying unit applying, toward an upper outer surface of the backing plate from above the backing plate, a surface pressure equivalent to pressure applied to an upper inner surface of the backing plate when the refrigerant is circulated.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an ionic gel film preparation method, a chemical sensor and preparation method thereof, relating to the field of sensor technology. The preparation method of ionic gel film includes: blending a vinyl-free ionic liquid with a vinyl-containing ionic liquid and a specified additive to obtain a homogenous solution, taking a predetermined amount of the homogenous solution and dropping it onto a first substrate equipped with interdigital electrodes, flattening the homogenous solution on the first substrate using a second substrate, curing the flattened homogenous solution on the first substrate using ultraviolet light of a preset wavelength, and curing until the vinyl-containing ionic liquid polymerizes in situ to form an ionic gel film. The preparation method of ionic gel film, chemical sensor, and preparation method thereof of the present disclosure have the advantages of good device consistency, high conductivity, and good sensing performance when using the ionic gel film.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for forming a high aspect ratio (HAR) structure during a HAR etch process in a substrate in a reaction chamber, the method comprising: sequentially or simultaneously exposing the substrate to a vapor of an etchant including a hydrofluorocarbon or fluorocarbon compound and an additive compound, the substrate having a film disposed thereon and a pattered mask layer disposed on the film; activating a plasma to produce an activated hydrofluorocarbon or fluorocarbon compound and an activated additive compound; and allowing an etching reaction to proceed between the film uncovered by the patterned mask layer and the activated hydrofluorocarbon or fluorocarbon compound and the activated additive compound to selectively etch the film from the patterned mask layer, thereby forming the HAR patterned structure.

Abstract: Exemplary substrate processing systems may include a chamber body defining a transfer region. The systems may include a lid plate seated on the chamber body. The lid plate may define a plurality of apertures. The systems may include a plurality of lid stacks equal to a number of the plurality of apertures. The systems may include a plurality of substrate support assemblies equal to the number of apertures defined through the lid plate. Each assembly may be disposed in one of the processing regions and may include an electrostatic chuck body defining a substrate support surface that defines a substrate seat. Each assembly may include a heater embedded within the chuck body. Each assembly may include bipolar electrodes between the heater and the substrate support surface. Each assembly may include a conductive mesh embedded within the body between the heater and bipolar electrodes.

Abstract: A method includes loading a wafer into a sputtering chamber, followed by depositing a film over the wafer by performing a sputtering process in the sputtering chamber. In the sputtering process, a target is bombarded by ions that are applied with a magnetic field using a magnetron. The magnetron includes a magnetic element over the target, an arm assembly connected to the magnetic element, a hinge mechanism connecting the arm assembly and a rotational shaft. The arm assembly includes a first prong and a second prong at opposite sides of the hinge mechanism. The magnetron further includes a controller that controls motion of the first arm assembly, enabling the first prong to revolve in an orbital motion path about the first hinge mechanism while the second prong remains stationary.

Abstract: A valve module provided to a substrate processing device including: a process chamber defining a substrate processing space; and a flow path portion coupled to the process chamber and forming a flow path along which a gas activated by plasma flows, the valve module including: a shut-off plate disposed in the flow path to move forwards or rearwards across the flow path through an open slit formed at one side of the flow path portion in order to open or close the flow path; a first driver driving forward or backward movement of the shut-off plate; a shut-off plate-protecting portion moving into a gap between the shut-off plate and the flow path to prevent the shut-off plate from being damaged by the activated gas when the shut-off plate is moved backwards to open the flow path; and a second driver driving movement of the shut-off plate-protecting portion.

Abstract: A process for coating a substrate with tantalum nitride by the high-power impulse magnetron sputtering technique, wherein a tantalum target is used and wherein the coating of the substrate is carried out in an atmosphere containing nitrogen, the bias of the target being controlled during the coating by imposing on it the superposition of a continuous bias at a potential between ?300 V and ?100 V and of a pulsed bias whose pulses have a potential between ?1200 V and ?400 V.

Abstract: A film forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a process chamber forming a film on a substrate; an abatement device detoxifying a first exhaust gas exhausted from the process chamber; a first supply pipe for supplying a gas containing water to the process chamber; a first vacuum pump provided in a first flow path of the first exhaust gas between the process chamber and the abatement device; a second vacuum pump provided in the first flow path between the first vacuum pump and the abatement device; and a first detector provided in the first flow path between the second vacuum pump and the abatement device and capable of detecting a hydrogenated gas.

Abstract: Processing chambers and methods of use comprising a plurality of processing regions bounded around an outer peripheral edge by one or more vacuum channel. A first processing region has a first vacuum channel with a first outer diameter and a second processing region has a second vacuum channel with a second outer diameter, the first outer diameter being less than the second outer diameter.

Abstract: A method of forming a memory device includes forming a dielectric structure over a wafer. A bottom electrode via is formed in the dielectric structure. A plasma deposition process is performed to deposit a bottom electrode layer over the bottom electrode via and performing the plasma deposition process includes off-axis rotating a magnet over the wafer to control plasma of the plasma deposition process. A memory material layer and a top electrode layer are formed over the bottom electrode layer. The bottom electrode layer, the memory material layer, and the top electrode layer are patterned to respectively form a bottom electrode, a memory layer, and a top electrode.

Abstract: There is provided a substrate processing method of a substrate processing apparatus. The substrate processing apparatus includes at least two targets, magnet-moving mechanisms disposed in one-to-one correspondence with the at least two targets, each of the magnet-moving mechanisms being configured to reciprocate a magnet in a first direction on a back surface of each target, and a substrate moving mechanism configured to move a substrate in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The method includes causing the magnet-moving mechanisms to reciprocate the magnets at different phases with each other.

Abstract: A plasma vapor deposition (PVD) chamber used for depositing material includes an apparatus for influencing ion trajectories during deposition on a substrate. The apparatus includes at least one annular support assembly configured to be externally attached to and positioned below a substrate support pedestal and a magnetic field generator affixed to the annular support assembly and configured to radiate magnetic fields on a top surface of the substrate. The magnetic field generator may include a plurality of symmetrically spaced discrete permanent magnets or may use one or more electromagnets to generate the magnetic fields.

Abstract: An etching apparatus includes a substrate holder configured to hold a substrate, a first ion source that generates first ions and irradiates the substrate with the first ions such that the first ions are incident on the substrate in the substrate holder at a first incident angle, and a second ion source that generates second ions and irradiates the substrate with the second ions such that the second ions are incident on the substrate at a second incident angle different from the first incident angle. A controller is provided that controls at least one of the first incident angle and the second incident angle by moving at least one of the first ion source and the second ion source.

Abstract: Embodiments of process kits for use in a process chamber are provided herein. In some embodiments, a cover ring for use in a process chamber includes: an annular body that includes an upper surface and a lower surface, an inner lip extending radially inward and downward from the annular body, and a plurality of protrusions extending downward from the inner lip and disposed at regular intervals along the inner lip, wherein lowermost surfaces of the plurality of protrusions together define a planar substrate contact surface.

Abstract: An optical device is provided. The optical device includes an optical device substrate having a first surface; and an optical device film disposed over the first surface of the optical device substrate. The optical device film is formed of titanium oxide. The titanium oxide is selected from the group of titanium(IV) oxide (TiO2), titanium monoxide (TiO), dititanium trioxide (Ti2O3), Ti3O, Ti2O, ?-TiOx, where x is 0.68 to 0.75, and TinO2n-1, where n is 3 to 9, the optical device film has a refractive index greater than 2.72 at a 520 nanometer (nm) wavelength, and a rutile phase of the titanium oxide comprises greater than 94 percent of the optical device film.

Abstract: A pulse generator is disclosed. The pulse generator includes a DC source; a plurality of switches, a transformer; and a pulsing output. The pulse generator can be coupled with a plasma chamber. The pulsing output outputs high voltage pulses having a peak-to-peak voltage greater than 1 kV and a voltage portion between consecutive high voltage bipolar pulses that has a negative slope that substantially offsets the voltage reduction on a wafer within a plasma chamber due to an ion current. The resulting voltage at the wafer may be substantially flat between consecutive pulses.

Abstract: A magnet assembly is disclosed for steering ions used in the formation of a material layer upon a substrate during a pulsed DC physical vapour deposition process. Apparatus and methods are also disclosed incorporating the assembly for controlling thickness variation in a material layer formed via pulsed DC physical vapour deposition. The magnet assembly comprises a magnetic field generating arrangement for generating a magnetic field proximate the substrate and means for rotating the ion steering magnetic field generating arrangement about an axis of rotation, relative to the substrate. The magnetic field generating arrangement comprises a plurality of magnets configured to an array which extends around the axis of rotation, wherein the array of magnets are configured to generate a varying magnetic field strength along a radial direction relative to the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A movable-side magnet is provided to a movable portion in a vacuum chamber. A drive unit is provided outside the vacuum chamber, and drives the movable portion by exerting magnetic force on the movable-side magnet. The drive unit has a first magnet, a second magnet, and a moving mechanism (moving member). The first magnet exerts magnetic force of attracting the movable-side magnet. The second magnet is provided to be adjacent to the first magnet, and exerts magnetic force of repelling the movable-side magnet. The moving mechanism integrally moves the first magnet and the second magnet.

Abstract: The present disclosure enables high-resolution direct patterning of a material on a substrate by establishing and maintaining a separation between a shadow mask and a substrate based on the thickness of a plurality of standoffs. The standoffs function as a physical reference that, when in contact between the substrate and shadow mask determine the separation between them. Embodiments are described in which the standoffs are affixed to an element selected from the shadow mask, the substrate, the mask chuck, and the substrate chuck.

Abstract: A film forming apparatus for forming a film on a substrate by using a magnetron sputtering method. The film forming apparatus includes: a substrate holder configured to hold a substrate; a target holder configured to hold a target made of a ferromagnetic material to face the substrate holder; a magnet provided on a surface of the target holder opposite to the substrate holder, and configured to leak a magnetic field to a front surface of the target held by the target holder that is a surface close to the substrate holder; and a magnetic field strength measurement device configured to measure a strength of the magnetic field.

Abstract: A semiconductor manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a stage, a backing plate and an earth shield. The stage is configured to hold a substrate that a film is to be deposited on. The backing plate faces the stage and is configured such that a target containing a film deposition material is to be joined. The earth shield has an opening configured to enclose the target, and a plurality of through holes provided over a whole circumference of a circumferential part of the opening.

Abstract: A method of making a thin film can include bombarding a substrate with first ions supplied from a first ion beam; and sputtering from a metal sputtering target substantially simultaneously with the bombardment to deposit a metal-ion film onto the substrate, wherein the method is performed without applied heat, and the metal sputtering target comprises one or more of a metal, a transition metal, a semi-metal, alloys thereof and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Layers for a bipolar plates are disclosed, as well as bipolar plates including the layers and fuel cells and/or electrolyzers including the bipolar plates. The layer may include a homogeneous or heterogeneous solid metallic solution or compound which either contains a first chemical element from the group of the noble metals in the form of iridium; or contains a first chemical element from the group of the noble metals in the form of iridium and a second chemical element from the group of the noble metals in the form of ruthenium. The layer may also include at least one further nonmetallic chemical element from the group consisting of nitrogen, carbon, boron, fluorine, and hydrogen.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment includes a chamber, a member, and a heater. Plasma is generated in an internal space of the chamber. The member is partially located in the internal space of the chamber. The heater is configured to heat the member. The member extends outward from the internal space of the chamber and is exposed to a space outside the chamber.

Abstract: A sputtering target comprising a target material, wherein a sputtering face of the target material has a ramp provided to reduce a thickness of the target material at a position where erosion concentrates most intensively during sputtering.

Abstract: A deposition system is provided capable of cleaning itself by removing a target material deposited on a surface of a collimator. The deposition system in accordance with the present disclosure includes a substrate process chamber. The deposition includes a substrate pedestal in the substrate process chamber, the substrate pedestal configured to support a substrate, a target enclosing the substrate process chamber, and a collimator having a plurality of hollow structures disposed between the target and the substrate, a vibration generating unit, and cleaning gas outlet.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a magnetic assembly includes: an inner permeance annulus; and an outer permeance annulus connected to the inner permeance annulus via magnets, wherein the outer permeance annulus comprises a peak region with a thickness greater than other regions of the outer permeance annulus.