Glow Discharge Sputter Deposition (e.g., Cathode Sputtering, Etc.) Patents (Class 204/192.12)
  • Patent number: 8083908
    Abstract: A vacuum deposition method for fabricating high-strength nitinol films by sputter depositing nickel and titanium from a heated sputtering target, and controlling the sputter deposition process parameters in order to create high-strength nitinol films that exhibit shape memory and/or superelastic properties without the need for precipitation annealing to attenuate the transition conditions of the deposited material. A vacuum deposited nitinol film having high-strength properties equal to or better than wrought nitinol films and which are characterized by having non-columnar crystal grain structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced Bio Prosthetic Surfaces, Ltd.
    Inventors: Denes Marton, Christopher T. Boyle, Roger W. Wiseman, Christopher E. Banas
  • Patent number: 8080324
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hard coating excellent in wear resistance, insusceptible to seizure, and excellent sliding property even after use over the long term, and a method capable of forming the hard coating excellent in sliding property in a short time. The hard coating is a hard coating expressed by chemical formula MxBaCbNc, wherein M is at least one kind of metallic element selected from the group consisting of elements in the groups 4A, 5A, and 6A of the periodic table, and Si, Al, the hard coating having chemical composition satisfying respective formulas expressed by 0?a?0.2, 0?c?0.2, 0<x?a?c, x?a?c<b?0.9, 0.05?x<0.5, and x+a+b+c=1, where x, a, b, and c denote respective atomic ratios of M, B, C, and N.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20110305912
    Abstract: The invention is directed toward a method and apparatus which can be used to allow the sputter deposition of material onto at least one article to form a coating on the same. The new form of magnetron described herein allows an increase in sputter deposition rates to be achieved at higher powers and without causing damage to the coating being created. This can be achieved by improved cooling and use of a relatively high magnetic field in the magnetron while at the same time increasing the power to the magnetron by increasing the current at a rate faster than the voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Dennis Teer, Alex Goruppa
  • Publication number: 20110305833
    Abstract: Apparatus for treating and/or coating the surface of substrate components by deposition from the gas phase. A plurality of substrate carriers and a plurality of coating and/or treating units are arranged in a deposition or treatment chamber which can be evacuated. The system can be equipped in a modular fashion such that the substrate components introduced into the system in a batch can be subjected to different treatments. Method for treating and/or coating the surface of substrate components. The procedure comprises: a) compiling coating and/or treating units and shielding elements from modules in the deposition or treatment chamber; b) equipping the substrate carriers with those substrate components that are to be subjected to the same treatment; c) closing the deposition or treatment chamber; and d) carrying out the individual treatment or coating programs for the substrate components combined in groups on the substrate carriers in one batch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: GUEHRING OHG
    Inventor: Mario Fiedler
  • Patent number: 8075744
    Abstract: A cutting tool insert is formed from a substrate selected from cemented carbide, cermet, ceramics, cubic boron nitride based material or high speed steel. The insert includes a hard and wear-resistant coating formed from laminar polycrystalline metal nitrides layers. The laminar polycrystalline metal nitrides layers have a repetitive form . . . A/B/A/C/A/B/A/C/ . . . with a total thickness of about 0.5 ?m to about 5 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Seco Tools AB
    Inventors: Mats Johansson, Jon Andersson, Jacob Sjolen
  • Patent number: 8070917
    Abstract: A reactive sputtering method for application of a bias voltage to a supporting substrate in formation of a film of a metal compound on the supporting substrate according to a bias sputtering method; wherein a supporting substrate conveyor unit and a cathode that includes a target facing the supporting substrate conveyor unit are provided; the supporting substrate is conveyed between the supporting substrate conveyor unit and the target for formation of a film of a metal compound on the supporting substrate; magnets are provided adjacent to the supporting substrate conveyor unit on a side thereof opposite to that of the supporting substrate, such that a magnetic field is closed and a continuing tunnel part of parallel or nearly parallel arched magnetic force lines forms an oval or a polygon on the supporting substrate, the magnets each having a first magnetic pole of an S pole or an N pole and a second magnetic pole opposite to the first magnetic pole, the second magnetic pole surrounding the first magnetic po
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 8062484
    Abstract: A method of performing physical vapor deposition of copper onto an integrated circuit in a vacuum chamber of a plasma reactor, includes providing a copper target near a ceiling of the chamber, placing an integrated circuit wafer on a wafer support pedestal facing the target, introducing a carrier gas into the vacuum chamber, and establishing a deposition rate on the wafer by applying D.C. power to the copper target while establishing a plasma ionization fraction by applying VHF power to the copper target. The method can further include promoting re-sputtering of copper on vertical surfaces on the wafer by coupling HF or LF power to the wafer. The method preferably includes maintaining a target magnetic field at the target and scanning the target magnetic field across the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl M. Brown, John Pipitone, Vineet Mehta
  • Publication number: 20110281023
    Abstract: A method of depositing material onto a base portion of a wafer is disclosed. The method includes forming a bevel into a portion of a surface of the base portion of the wafer and depositing a first layer of conductive material onto the beveled portion of the base portion so that part of the first layer includes a wedge shape above the surface of the base portion. A second layer of conductive material is deposited onto the base portion including the portion of the base portion onto which the first layer of material is deposited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: David Chris Seets, Chang Xie, Christopher J. Cote, Karen Virginia Rud
  • Publication number: 20110281106
    Abstract: A gas barrier sheet improved in a gas barrier property and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. A gas barrier sheet 1 includes at least a base material 2 and a gas barrier film 3 provided on the base material 2 which allows a ferromagnetic element to be present at the boundary S of the gas barrier film 3 on the side at which the gas barrier film 3 faces the base material 2. The ferromagnetic element is preferably present in a scattered form, an island form or a thin film form at a boundary S.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Kishimoto
  • Patent number: 8052850
    Abstract: A sputtering apparatus includes a susceptor for receiving a substrate, and a first target device disposed to be opposite to a center region of a substrate and at least second and third target devices disposed to be opposite to peripheral regions of the substrate, wherein the second and third target devices are rotatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignees: LG Display Co., Ltd., AVACO Co., Ltd., LG Electroncs Inc.
    Inventors: Tae Hyun Lim, Hwan Kyu Yoo, Byung Han Yun
  • Publication number: 20110266139
    Abstract: The present invention provides a film forming apparatus that forms a film on a substrate (s) 1 being conveyed continuously in a vacuum chamber 7 under supply of a gas, wherein two film forming regions 14a and 14b can be readily supplied with a uniformly flowing gas simultaneously, and the film can be formed efficiently with high uniformity in film quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: CANON ANELVA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasuharu Matsumura
  • Patent number: 8049408
    Abstract: An organic light emissive device comprising: a first electrode; a second electrode; and an organic light emissive region between the first and second electrodes comprising an organic light emissive material which has a peak emission wavelength, wherein at least one of the electrodes is transparent and comprises a composite of a charge injecting metal and another material which is codepositable with the charge injecting metal, the other material having a different refractive index to that of the charge injecting metal and wherein the other material has a lower degree of quenching at the peak emission wavelength than the charge injecting metal whereby quenching of excitons by the at least one electrode is reduced, the charge injecting metal comprising either a low work function metal having a work function of no more than 3.5 eV or a high work function metal having a work function of no less than 4.5 eV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Cambridge Display Technology Limited
    Inventors: Euan C. Smith, Matthew Roberts, William Young, Clare Louise Foden
  • Publication number: 20110259733
    Abstract: When a film is formed by using a sputter method, distribution variation due to a progress of target erosion generated during the film formation is suppressed, and film thickness distribution and resistance value distribution are corrected to an optimal state. In order to maintain the magnetic flux density formed on the target surface at a constant level, the distance between the target surface and the magnet surface (MT distance) is corrected in accordance with the progress of the target erosion. Further, two or more MT distances are set by a process recipe or the like while forming a thin film, and different distribution shapes are combined to form a near flat distribution shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: CANON ANELVA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eisaku Watanabe, Tetsuro Ogata
  • Publication number: 20110259732
    Abstract: Methods are generally provided for sputtering thin films on individual substrates. Individual substrates can be conveyed into a vacuum chamber to draw a sputtering pressure that is less than about 50 mTorr. Then, the individual substrates can be conveyed into a sputtering chamber and past a planar magnetron continuously sputtering a target by an ionized gas at the sputtering pressure such that a thin film is formed on a surface of the individual substrate. The target is subjected to a high frequency power having a frequency from about 400 kHz to about 4 MHz at power levels of greater than about 1 kW. In one particular embodiment, the method can be generally directed to sputtering thin films on individual substrates defining a surface having a surface area of about 1000 cm2 to about 2500 cm2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: PRIMESTAR SOLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Sean Timothy Halloran, Robert Dwayne Gossman, Russell Weldon Black
  • Patent number: 8043481
    Abstract: A sputtering method deposits a film on a substrate by controlling a magnetic field parallel to a surface of a target so that the magnetic field at a part of the target, other than parts of the target which are sputtered during a deposition mode in which a deposition process is performed with respect to the substrate, has an intensity lower than an arbitrary intensity at the other parts during the deposition mode and has an intensity higher than or equal to the arbitrary intensity during a standby mode in which the deposition process is not performed. A redeposited film which is deposited on the part of the target during the deposition mode is removed by performing a sputtering during the standby mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Showa Denko K.K.
    Inventors: Yasutake Takamatsu, Katsunori Takahashi, Shin-ichiro Matsuo
  • Patent number: 8043483
    Abstract: To provide a sputtering apparatus that enables oblique film forming by arranging a target and a substrate so as to allow sputtered particles emitted from the target to obliquely enter the substrate selectively, and can form a magnetic film having high uniaxial magnetic anisotropy uniformly and compactly. A sputtering apparatus includes a cathode having a sputtering target supporting surface, the cathode being provided with a rotation axis about which the sputtering target supporting surface rotates, and a stage having a substrate supporting surface, the stage being provided with a rotation axis about which the substrate supporting surface rotates, and the sputtering apparatus is constituted such that the sputtering target supporting surface and the substrate supporting surface face to each other, and are rotatable independently about respective rotation axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Anelva Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuya Endo, Einstein Noel Abarra
  • Publication number: 20110253674
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an inductively coupled plasma processing chamber and method for a cylindrical workpiece with a three-dimensional profile, and more particularly to an inductively coupled plasma processing reactor and method for a cylindrical workpiece with a three-dimensional profile, in which the workpiece serving as an internal RF antenna is connected to an RF power source through an impedance matching network at one end, and a terminating capacitor at another end so as to achieve low plasma contamination, confine dense uniform plasma in the substrate vicinity and suppress secondary electrons emitted from the substrate, and a plasma process can be applied to a 3-D linear semiconductor device, a metal, glass, ceramic or polymer substrate having planar or 3-D structured micro or nano patterns, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicants: New Optics, Ltd., Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute
    Inventors: Sung Il Chung, S.A. Nikiforov, Hyeon Seok Oh, Pan Kyeom Kim, Hyeon Taeg Gim, Jeong Woo Jeon
  • Patent number: 8038850
    Abstract: A sputter deposition apparatus and method, and a substrate holder for use with a sputter deposition apparatus is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the invention, a sputter deposition apparatus is provided, including at least one sputter target, a first plasma, a substrate holder, and a further plasma. In one embodiment, the further plasma is an ECWR plasma. According to an additional embodiment of the invention, an anode is provided between the further plasma, and the substrate holder. According to a further embodiment, the substrate holder includes a dielectric layer with varying thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Qimonda AG
    Inventor: Klaus Ufert
  • Patent number: 8039178
    Abstract: There are provided a manufacturing method of a transparent substrate for a mask blank, a mask blank, or an exposure mask adapted to prevent occurrence of a transfer pattern defect or a mask pattern defect, by correcting a recessed defect existing on the surface of the transparent substrate, and a defect correction method of an exposure mask. With respect to an exposure mask having a transparent substrate 1 formed thereon with a mask pattern 2 which becomes a transfer pattern, correction is performed by removing, by the use of a needle-shaped member 4, a peripheral portion of a recessed defect 3 formed on a surface 1a of the substrate, where the mask pattern 2 is not formed, so as to induce a reduction in transmission light quantity which causes a transfer pattern defect, thereby reducing a level difference between the surface of the substrate and the depth of the recessed defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Masaru Tanabe, Masaru Mitsui
  • Publication number: 20110247928
    Abstract: The sputtering apparatus has: a vacuum chamber in which a substrate is disposed; a cathode unit which is disposed inside the vacuum chamber so as to lie opposite to the substrate. The cathode unit has mounted a bottomed cylindrical target material 4 from a bottom side thereof into at least one recessed portion formed in one surface of a holder, and has assembled therein a magnetic field generator for generating a magnetic field in an inside space of the target material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Naoki Morimnoto, Junichi Hamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8034218
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for growing oriented carbon nanotubes on a sample using a target of carbon or a variety of carbon in a deposition chamber where a plasma predominates. The sample (16) is arranged in contact with the target (15), in such a way that the target has a free surface and that the sample offers a free surface, the plasma causing the growth of carbon nanotubes on the free surface of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Jean Dijon, Hélène Le Poche, Thomas Goislard de Monsabert
  • Publication number: 20110240118
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for scribing a thin film solar cell that includes a soda lime glass substrate, a film of molybdenum (Mo), a film of copper indium gallium diselenide (GIGS), a buffering layer, a layer of zinc oxide (i-ZnO), a layer of aluminum doped zinc oxide (n-ZnO:Al or AZO), a first scribe, a conductive link and a second scribe. The method steps include producing the first scribe on the Mo film, depositing the CICS film, the buffering layer and the zinc oxide layer onto the Mo film, producing the second scribe on the CICS film, the zinc oxide layer and the buffering layer above the Mo film, depositing and filling a first insulating material into the first scribe. and depositing a second insulating material that covers the solar cell while filling the first scribe forming a conduction layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventor: Paul Hanlon James Beatty
  • Publication number: 20110240461
    Abstract: A method for substrate processing includes producing a magnetic field by a magnetron across the full width of a sputtering surface of a target in a first direction. The magnetron can produce two erosion grooves separated by a distance S on the sputtering surface. The method includes moving the magnetron continuously at a first speed by the distance S in a first segment along a linear travel path. The linear travel path is along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The method includes continuously sputtering a material off the sputtering surface and depositing the material on the substrate during the first segment, and moving the magnetron by the distance S in a second segment along the linear travel path at a second speed higher than the first speed without sputtering the material off the sputtering surface or sputtering materials off at significant lower rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: George X. Guo, Kai-an Wang
  • Publication number: 20110232749
    Abstract: This layered element, in particular for a photovoltaic device, includes a polymer layer, a moisture-sensitive layer, and a protective coating forming a moisture barrier inserted between the polymer layer and the moisture-sensitive layer. The protective coating includes an antireflection multilayer comprising at least two thin layers differing in refractive index from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Fabien Lienhart, Emilie Steers, Erwan Mahe
  • Publication number: 20110233049
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for sputtering at least one selected materialonto a substrate (5) and bringing about a reaction of this material, comprising a vacuum chamber (11), in which a substrate holder (12) is arranged, at least one magnetron sputtering mechanism (15), which is arranged in a workstation close to the substrate holder (12) and which has a target of the selected material which is suitable for producing a first plasma for sputtering at least one material onto the substrate (5), as well as a secondary plasma mechanism (16) for producing a secondary plasma, which is arranged in the workstation close to the magnetron sputtering mechanism (15) and close to the substrate holder (12), the sputtering mechanism (15) and the secondary plasma mechanism (16) forming a sputtering zone and an activation zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Georg Henninger, Berno Hunsche, Konrad Sell, Manfred Ruske, Thomas Diederich
  • Publication number: 20110233050
    Abstract: A physical vapor deposition (PVD) system includes a chamber and a plurality of electromagnetic coils arranged around the chamber. First and second annular bands of permanent magnets are arranged around the chamber with poles oriented perpendicular to a magnetic field imposed by the electromagnetic coils. Each of the permanent magnets in the first annular band is arranged with poles having a first polarity closest to a central axis of the chamber. Each of the permanent magnets in the second annular band is arranged anti-parallel with respect to the permanent magnets in the first annular band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Karl Leeser, Ishtak Karim, Alexander Dulkin
  • Patent number: 8025775
    Abstract: A vacuum plasma generator with an output for feeding a plasma discharge for treatment of workpieces in a vacuum chamber has a connection for the junction to AC voltage mains, a rectifier connected to a converter with a control input for the setting and/or regulation of the converter output voltage, and a controlled full bridge circuit connected to the converter output with a potential-free generator output, which transposes the converter output voltage into pulses of 1 to 500 kHz. A potential-isolating transformer is switched into the bridge for the galvanic decoupling of the generator output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Oerlikon Trading AG, Truebbach
    Inventors: Gerhard Tuymer, Andreas Schutze
  • Patent number: 8025776
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may provide a microchip applicable to an electrophoresis employing UV detection and a method of manufacturing the same. The microchip of the present invention has a glass channel plate, which is formed on an upper surface thereof with a loading channel and a separation channel and is provided on the upper surface thereof with an optical slit layer made of silicon except the channel region, and a glass reservoir plate, which is formed with sample solution reservoirs and buffer solution reservoirs. The loading channel and the separation channel are formed on the channel plate by deep reactive ion etching. The sample solution reservoirs and the buffer solution reservoirs are formed in the reservoir plate by sand blasting. The channel plate and the reservoir plate are combined by anodic bonding the optical slit layer and the reservoir plate. Electrodes for sample and electrodes for buffer are deposited by sputtering Pt with a shadow mask after anodic bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Myung-Suk Chun, Tae Ha Kim
  • Publication number: 20110226612
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for reversing the feeding of a sputter coating system, particularly when coating a photovoltaic module, in clean rooms, having the following characteristics: a) a transport frame (11) for receiving a substrate wafer (19) of a photovoltaic module, b) a rotary device having means for mounting the transport frame (11), having means for rotating the transport frame (11), and having means for transporting the transport frame (11), c) means for precisely aligning the rotary device relative to the sputter coating system, d) a detection device (18) for checking a sputter process, and computer program having a program code for performing the process steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2009
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: Grenzebach Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Roland Franz
  • Patent number: 8022011
    Abstract: A photocatalyst according to the invention comprises a photocatalytic film of a compound of titanium and oxygen and is characterized in that the photocatalytic film is made porous and has 0.02 or higher value as a value calculated by dividing the arithmetical mean deviation of profile Ra with the film thickness. The photocatalytic film can also be specified by the intensity ratio between x-ray diffraction peaks of the anatase structure of titanium oxide. Such a porous photocatalytic material can be obtained by a reactive sputtering method in conditions of adjusting film formation parameters such as the film formation rate, the sputtering pressure, the substrate temperature, the oxygen partial pressure and the like in proper ranges, respectively, and the photocatalyst material is provided with excellent decomposition and hydrophilization capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Shibaura Mechatronics Corporation
    Inventors: Junji Hiraoka, Takahiro Doke, Hisato Haraga, Daisuke Noguchi, Yoshio Kawamata
  • Publication number: 20110220489
    Abstract: A rotatable target for a sputtering installation and a method for producing a rotatable target are provided. The target includes a backing tube to which a target tube is shrink-fitted. The method includes setting a positive temperature difference between a target tube and a backing tube. The method further includes pulling the target tube over the backing tube while the temperature difference remains positive. Furthermore, a backing tube having a middle part with an outer lateral area and a notch extending in a longitudinal direction on the outer lateral area is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Lothar Lippert, Wolfgang Buschbeck
  • Publication number: 20110220490
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method utilizing double glow discharge for sputter cleaning of a selected surface. The surface may include the inner surface of a hollow substrate such as a tube which inner surface may then be coated via magnetron sputter deposition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Ronghua WEI, Edward LANGA, Sabrina L. LEE
  • Publication number: 20110220488
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc,
    Inventors: John C. Forster, Xianmin Tang
  • Publication number: 20110220491
    Abstract: Previous limitations in utilizing energetic vapor deposition means are addressed through the introduction of a novel means of vapor deposition, namely, an Electron-Assisted Deposition (EAD) process and apparatus. The EAD mode of film growth disclosed herein is generally achieved by, first, forming a magnetic field that possesses field lines that intersect electrically non-grounded first and second surfaces, wherein at least one surface is a workpiece, thereby forming a magnetic trap between first and second surfaces; second, introducing a high flux of electrons axially into the magnetic field existing between the first and second surfaces, so that the electrons form an electron-saturated space-charge in the space adjacent to the substrate, wherein plasma interactions with the substrate are substantially avoided, and modification of film growth processes is provided predominantly by electron—rather than plasma—bombardment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventor: Donald Bennett Hilliard
  • Patent number: 8020216
    Abstract: Probe structures and fabrication techniques are described. The described probe structures can be used as probes for various applications such as conductance measurement probes, field emitter probes, nanofabrication probes, and magnetic bit writing or reading probes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Sungho Jin
  • Patent number: 8018160
    Abstract: A magnetron has a cathode, an anode with vanes, and an insulating surface which faces the cathode and receives material from the cathode due to sputtering at the cathode. A conductor enables the resistance of the film so deposited to be measured, giving an indication of the thickness of the film and the lifetime of the magnetron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: E2V Technologies (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Michael Barry Clive Brady
  • Patent number: 8012316
    Abstract: A method of forming a CPP-GMR spin valve having a pinned layer with an AP2/coupling/AP1 configuration is disclosed wherein the AP2 portion is a FCC-like trilayer having a composition represented by CoZFe(100-Z)/Fe(100-X)TaX/CoZFe(100-Z) or CoZFe(100-Z)/FeYCo(100-Y)/CoZFe(100-Z) where x is 3 to 30 atomic %, y is 40 to 100 atomic %, and z is 75 to 100 atomic %. Preferably, z is 90 to provide a face centered cubic structure that minimizes electromigration. Optionally, the middle layer is comprised of an Fe rich alloy such as FeCr, FeV, FeW, FeZr, FeNb, FeHf, or FeMo. EM performance is improved significantly compared to a spin valve with a conventional AP2 Co50Fe50 or Co75Fe25 single layer. MR ratio is also increased and RA is maintained at an acceptable level. The coupling layer is preferably Ru and the AP1 layer may be comprised of a lamination of CoFe and Cu layers as in [CoFe/Cu]2/CoFe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Headway Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kunliang Zhang, Dan Abels, Min Li, Chyu-Jiuh Torng, Chen-Jung Chien, Yu-Hsia Chen
  • Patent number: 8012314
    Abstract: There is disclosed a manufacturing method of a phase shift mask blank in which dispersions of phase angle and transmittance among blanks can be reduced as much as possible and yield is satisfactory. In the manufacturing method of the phase shift mask blank, a process of using a sputtering method to continuously form a thin film on a transparent substrate comprises: successively subjecting a plurality of substrates to a series of process of supplying the transparent substrate into a sputtering chamber, forming the thin film for forming a pattern in the sputtering chamber, and discharging the transparent substrate with the film formed thereon from the sputtering chamber; supplying and discharging the transparent substrate substantially at a constant interval; and setting a film formation time to be constant among a plurality of blanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Nozawa, Hideaki Mitsui
  • Publication number: 20110209986
    Abstract: A sputtering apparatus includes a substrate holder which holds a substrate to be rotatable in the plane direction of the processing surface of the substrate, a substrate-side magnet which is arranged around the substrate and forms a magnetic field on the processing surface of the substrate, a cathode which is arranged diagonally above the substrate and receives discharge power, a position detection unit which detects the rotational position of the substrate, and a controller which controls the discharge power in accordance with the rotational position detected by the position detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: CANON ANELVA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toru Kitada, Naoki Watanabe, Motonobu Nagai
  • Publication number: 20110212268
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to apparatuses and methods for fabricating electrochemical cells. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a single chamber configurable to deposit different materials on a substrate spooled between two reels. In one embodiment, the substrate is moved in the same direction around the reels, with conditions within the chamber periodically changed to result in the continuous build-up of deposited material over time. Another embodiment employs alternating a direction of movement of the substrate around the reels, with conditions in the chamber differing with each change in direction to result in the sequential build-up of deposited material over time. The chamber is equipped with different sources of energy and materials to allow the deposition of the different layers of the electrochemical cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: Sakti3, Inc.
    Inventors: Fabio Albano, Chia-Wei Wang, Ann Marie Sastry
  • Publication number: 20110209987
    Abstract: A nanocluster source constituted of: a cooled aggregation chamber; a magnetron arranged to sputter a target, the magnetron in communication with the cooled aggregation chamber such that sputtered atoms of the target are received within the cooled aggregation chamber; a vacuum source in communication with the cooled aggregation chamber; a source of at least one noble aggregation gas in communication with the cooled aggregation chamber; and a source of hydrogen gas in communication with the cooled aggregation chamber. Advantageously, the hydrogen gas prevents oxidation of the target and silicon film covering a cooled inner surface of the aggregation chamber, and reduces the surface tension of the formed nanoclusters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: D.C. SIRICA, LTD.
    Inventors: Valery Garber, Alex Fayer, Emanuel Baskin, Alexander Epstein
  • Publication number: 20110209984
    Abstract: A physical vapor deposition apparatus includes a vacuum chamber having side walls, a cathode inside the vacuum chamber, wherein the cathode is configured to include a sputtering target, a radio frequency power supply configured to apply power to the cathode, an anode inside and electrically connected to the side walls of the vacuum chamber, a chuck inside and electrically isolated from the side walls of the vacuum chamber, the chuck configured to support a substrate, a clamp configured to hold the substrate to the chuck, wherein the clamp is electrically conductive, and a plurality of conductive electrodes attached to the clamp, each electrode configured to compress when contacted by the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Jeffrey Birkmeyer, Youming Li, Steve Deming, Mats G. Ottosson
  • Publication number: 20110209985
    Abstract: A physical vapor deposition apparatus includes a vacuum chamber having side walls, a cathode inside the vacuum chamber, wherein the cathode is configured to include a sputtering target, a radio frequency power supply configured to apply power to the cathode, an anode inside and electrically connected to the side walls of the vacuum chamber, and a chuck inside and electrically isolated from the side walls of the vacuum chamber, the chuck configured to support a substrate, and a heater to heat the substrate supported on the chuck. The chuck includes a body and a graphite heat diffuser supported on the body and configured to contact the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Youming Li, Jeffrey Birkmeyer
  • Publication number: 20110198213
    Abstract: [Object] To provide a sputtering apparatus, a thin-film forming method, and a manufacturing method for a field effect transistor, which are capable of reducing damage of a base layer. [Solving Means] The sputtering apparatus according to the present invention sputters target portions Tc1 to Tc5, which are arranged in an inside of a vacuum chamber, along the arrangement direction thereof in sequence, to thereby form a thin-film on a surface of a substrate 10. With this, rate at which sputtered particles enter the surface of the substrate in a direction oblique to the surface of the substrate is increased, and hence it is possible to achieve a reduction of the damage of the base layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: ULVAC, INC.
    Inventors: Takaomi Kurata, Junya Kiyota, Makoto Arai, Yasuhiko Akamatsu, Satoru Ishibashi, Kazuya Saito
  • Patent number: 7998319
    Abstract: A process is provided for the formation of miniaturized getter deposits, comprising the steps of forming a layer of a photosensitive polymeric material on a support; selectively exposing the polymeric layer in order to cause a chemical modification in a portion of the polymeric layer; removing with a first solvent only one of the previously exposed or the not previously exposed portions of the polymeric layer, thus forming cavities in the polymeric layer; forming a thin layer of a getter material by cathodic deposition at the bottom of the cavity and on the residual polymer; and removing with a second solvent the polymer portion not removed by the first solvent, leaving at least a getter material deposit on the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Saes Getters S.p.A.
    Inventors: Sara Guadagnuolo, Marco Moraja, Andrea Conte
  • Publication number: 20110192715
    Abstract: A magnetron source comprises a target (39) with a sputtering surface and a back surface. A magnet arrangement (30, 32, 19a, 19b) is drivingly moved along the backside of the target (39). A tunnel-shaped magnetron magnetic field is generated between an outer loop (30) and an inner loop (32) of the magnet arrangement. Elongated pivotable or rotatable permanent magnet arrangements (19a, 19b) of the magnet arrangement are provided in an interspace between the outer and inner loops (30, 32) of the overall arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: OC OERLIKON BALZERS AG
    Inventor: Juergen Weichart
  • Publication number: 20110195201
    Abstract: A method for making a nano-optical antenna array includes following steps. First, an insulative substrate is provided. Second, the insulative substrate is hydrophilicly treated. Third, a monolayer nanosphere array is formed on the insulative substrate. Fourth, a film is deposited on the monolayer nanosphere array. Fifth, the monolayer nanosphere array is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicants: TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY, HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: ZHEN-DONG ZHU, QUN-QING LI, MO CHEN, LI-HUI ZHANG, SHOU-SHAN FAN
  • Patent number: 7993496
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the invention includes a cylindrical cathode target assembly for use in sputtering target material onto a substrate that comprises a generally cylindrical target, means for rotating the target about its axis during a sputtering operation, an elongated magnet carried within the target for generation of a plasma-containing magnetic field exterior to but adjacent the target, a framework for supporting the magnet against rotation within the target, and a power train for causing the magnet to oscillate within and axially of the target in a substantially asynchronous manner to promote generally uniform target utilization along its length, as well as its method of use. In some embodiments, the magnet is oscillated in response to rotation of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignees: Cardinal CG Company, General Plasma, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus Hartig, Steve E. Smith, John E. Madocks
  • Publication number: 20110186421
    Abstract: To provide, in a magnetron sputtering apparatus for coating a substrate with a material of high magnetic permeability, for a sufficient trapping field of at least 24 kA/m (300 Oe) field strength above a target surface a target assembly consists of target plates (34, 33, 32) separated by through-going slits (35, 36) which the magnetic field must cross and to a support plate (31) consisting of copper to which the backside of the target is fixed. In order to avoid any release of material from the support plate and deposition of the same on the substrate each of the slits (35, 36) is shaped in such a way that there is no line-of-sight connection between the gap at the target surface and the support plate (31) at the backside of the target through the slit, the latter having, e.g., two sections which are perpendicular to the target surface, one ending at the target surface and the other at the support plate, and which are laterally offset and connected by a third section which is parallel to the target surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: OC OERLIKON BALZERS AG
    Inventors: Hanspeter Friedli, Hartmut Rohrmann
  • Publication number: 20110186422
    Abstract: An in-mould molding touch module includes a plastic film, a touch circuit and a molding rind. The plastic film includes an inner surface and an outer surface for handling and touching. At least one region of the inner surface and a corresponding region of the outer surface define a touch area. The touch circuit is arranged on the inner surface in the touch area. The molding rind is integrated on the inner surface by an in-mould injecting mode to contain the touch circuit for forming a one-piece body. In addition, the invention also provides a method for manufacturing an in-mould molding touch module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventor: MIN-YI LEE