Rotational Movement Patents (Class 204/298.28)
  • Patent number: 10450647
    Abstract: A hard, wear resistant coating and a method of forming the coating on a substrate to be exposed to hydrocarbons is provided. A substrate is provided in a chamber. A film is deposited onto the substrate by physical vapor deposition (PVD), where the film includes a bulk layer and an outer termination layer. The deposition of the termination layer is mitigated. The termination layer is removed from the film, leaving the remaining bulk layer disposed over the substrate. And when the substrate is exposed to hydrocarbons in an environment having wear additives, friction modifiers, or naturally occurring compounds, a durable tribological layer is formed on an outer surface of the bulk layer to create a coating having low friction and anti-wear properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Galleon International Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Sykora, Ali Erdemir, Mustufa Urgen, Osman Levent Eryilmaz
  • Patent number: 10151023
    Abstract: The invention provides a sputter deposition assembly that includes a sputtering chamber, a sputtering target, and a magnet assembly. The magnet assembly includes a two-part magnetic backing plate that includes first and second plate segments, of which at least one is laterally adjustable. Also provided are methods of operating the sputter deposition assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: CARDINAL CG COMPANY
    Inventor: Klaus H. W. Hartig
  • Patent number: 9624572
    Abstract: So as to control the operation of a sputter target (9) during lifetime of the target and under HIPIMS operation part (I) of a magnet arrangement associated to the target (9) is retracted from the target (9) whereas a second part II of the magnet arrangement is, if at all, retracted less from the addressed backside (7) during lifetime of the target (9). Thereby, part I is closer to the periphery of target (9) than part II, as both are eccentrically rotated about a rotational axis (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: EVATEC AG
    Inventors: Sven Uwe Rieschl, Juergen Weichart
  • Patent number: 9255323
    Abstract: A sputtering target has a cylindrical backing tube having two edges and a sidewall comprising a middle portion located between two end portions. The sputtering material is on the backing tube. The sputtering material does not cover at least one end portion of the backing tube. The sputtering target also has a feature which prevents or reduces at least one of chalcogen buildup and arcing at the at least one end portion of the backing tube not covered by the sputtering material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: APOLLO PRECISION FUJIAN LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert Martinson, Heinrich Von Bunau, Mark Campello, Ron Rulkens, Tom Heckel, Johannes Vlcek
  • Patent number: 9194037
    Abstract: An sputtering device includes a carrier that includes a main body and support members. The main body defines a receiving space and includes a lateral surface defining at least one groove extending along a longitudinal direction. The receiving space and the at least one groove communicate with each other. The at least one groove is defined by a first surface and a second surface. The first surface defines recessed portions along the longitudinal direction and communicates with the receiving space. The support members are used for hanging workpieces. Each of the support members includes at least one support arm protruding from the lateral surface and is selectively and movably retained by one of the recessed portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chung-Pei Wang
  • Patent number: 9082595
    Abstract: A coating apparatus is revealed that is designed to coat substrates by means of a physical vacuum deposition process or a chemical vacuum deposition process or a combination thereof. Said coating apparatus is particular in that it uses a rotatable magnetron (14) that is coverable with an axially moveable shutter (18). Such an arrangement enables to keep the magnetron target clean or to clean the target in between or even during subsequent coating steps. The shutter further provides for a controllable gas atmosphere in the vicinity of the target. The arrangement wherein the magnetron is centrally placed is described. Substrates are then exposed to the sputtering source from all angles by hanging them on a planetary carousel (24) that turns around the magnetron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: SULZER METAPLAS GMBH
    Inventors: Erik Dekempeneer, Wilmert De Bosscher, Pascal Verheyen
  • Patent number: 9051650
    Abstract: In-line metalizer assemblies can include an external rotating actuator exchange that can be operable to exchange one or more parts between a conveyor system and a vacuum chamber, and an internal rotating actuator exchange within the vacuum chamber that can be operable to receive the one or more parts from the external rotating actuator exchange, transition the one or more parts to a sputter coater integrated with the vacuum chamber for metallizing, and return metalized one or more parts to the external rotating actuator exchange such that the external rotating actuator exchange can return the metalized one or more parts to the conveyor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Marca Machinery, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph W. Gresik, Jeffrey J. Black, Stanley Brooks, John Shaw, Larry Zuckerman
  • Patent number: 8999121
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sputtering apparatus and a film-forming method capable of forming a magnetic film having a reduced variation in the orientation of the magnetic anisotropy. The sputtering apparatus of the present invention is equipped with a rotatable cathode and a rotatable stage. The stage can have an electrostatic chuck. Moreover, the stage may electrically be connected with a bias power source capable of applying a bias voltage to the stage. Furthermore, the stage may have the electrostatic chuck and electrically be connected with the bias power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Anelva Corporation
    Inventors: Kyosuke Sugi, Tetsuya Endo, Einstein Noel Abarra
  • Patent number: 8968538
    Abstract: A magnetic film having excellent uniformity in in-plane distribution of film thickness or sheet resistance is formed when the film is formed by forming a magnetic field on a processing surface of a substrate (21) and performing oblique incidence sputtering by using high discharge power. A sputtering apparatus (1) is provided with a substrate holder (22) for holding rotatably the substrate (21) in the surface direction of the processing surface of the substrate; a substrate magnetic field forming device (30) which is disposed to surround the substrate (21) and forms a magnetic field on the processing surface of the substrate (21); cathodes (41) which are arranged diagonally above the substrate (21) and are supplied with electric discharge power; a position detecting device (23) for detecting a rotation position of the substrate (21); and a control device (50) which adjusts the rotation speed of the substrate (21) in accordance with the rotation position detected by the position detecting device (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Anelva Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Kitada, Naoki Watanabe, Motonobu Nagai, Masahiro Suenaga, Takeo Konno
  • Publication number: 20150047969
    Abstract: A thin film encapsulation layer manufacturing apparatus is provided that may include a transfer chamber, a sputtering chamber, a monomer deposition chamber, a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) chamber, and an atomic layer deposition (ALD) chamber. The transfer chamber may be connected to each of the other chambers, and may be configured to align a substrate. Each of the other chambers may be configured to receive from and transfer to the transfer chamber a substrate. The sputtering chamber may be configured to form a first inorganic layer on the substrate by a sputtering process. The monomer deposition chamber may be configured to deposit a first organic layer on the first inorganic layer. The CVD chamber may be configured to form a second inorganic layer on the first organic layer. The ALD chamber may be configured to form a third inorganic layer on the second inorganic layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Yong-Suk LEE, Min-Sung SEO, Myung-Soo HUH, Mi-Ra AN
  • Publication number: 20150021177
    Abstract: A sputtering device includes a vacuum chamber; a film depositing roll; at least one target material; a gas supply mechanism; three drive rolls (downstream conveying rolls); and three temperature control mechanisms for maintaining a temperatures of the drive rolls substantially constant in a range where the temperature is 80° C. or less and is higher than a minimum temperature in the vacuum chamber so that a long film substrate that is detached from the film depositing roll and is conveyed to the downstream conveying rolls is not deformed by rapid cooling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomotake Nashiki, Akira Hamada
  • Patent number: 8906208
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Anelva Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Kitada, Naoki Watanabe, Motonobu Nagai
  • Patent number: 8877019
    Abstract: A sputtering apparatus includes a substrate holder, a magnetic field applying unit, and target mounting table. The substrate holder includes a first stage which can mount a substrate and can rotate about a first rotating shaft, a second stage which can rotate about a second rotating shaft shifted from the first rotating shaft, a spinning unit which rotates the first stage about the first rotating shaft, and a revolving unit which revolves the first stage about the second rotating shaft. The magnetic field applying unit applies a magnetic field in a specific direction to the substrate. The target mounting table can mount a target configured to deposit a film on the substrate. The spinning unit rotates the first stage in a direction opposite to that of the rotation of the revolving unit, and rotates the first stage so as to maintain the specific direction of the magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Anelva Corporation
    Inventor: Franck Ernult
  • Publication number: 20140311895
    Abstract: To improve the result of a glow discharge process is disclosed to be performed in a Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coating apparatus comprising a door, at least 2 lateral rotating cathodes with targets. The apparatus is equipped by rotating shields or tube shutters (4). The method comprises the steps of operating the apparatus so that the arc of said second electrode (2) burns directly to said door. The rotary shield or tube shutter on a first electrode (1) is open and said rotary shield or tube shutter (4) on a second electrode (2) is closed. Then a positive potential is applied on said first electrode (1), so that a potential between said second electrode (2) and said first electrode (1) is applied. The positive potential applied on said first electrode (1) is selected so that the electron stream does not burn only against the door since the electrons being affected by the higher potential to said first electrode (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Tibor Cselle, Jllek Mojmir
  • Patent number: 8864959
    Abstract: Planetary carriers (22) for workpieces mounted on a carousel (19) are provided within a vacuum chamber. A source (24) for a cloud comprising ions (CL) is provided so that a central axis (ACL) of the cloud intercepts the rotary axis (A20) of the carousel (19). The cloud (CL) has an ion density profile at the moving path (T) of planetary axes (A22) which drops to 50% of the maximum ion density at a distance from the addressed center axis (ACL) which is at most half the diameter of the planetary carriers (22). When workpieces upon the planetary carriers (22) are etched by the cloud comprising ions material which is etched off is substantially not redeposited on neighboring planetary carriers but rather ejected towards the wall of the vacuum chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Oerlikon Trading AG, Truebbach
    Inventors: Siegfried Krassnitzer, Oliver Gstoehl, Markus Esselbach
  • Publication number: 20140302634
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a solar cell. The apparatus includes a housing defining a vacuum chamber and a rotatable substrate apparatus configured to hold a plurality of substrates on a plurality of surfaces. A first sputtering source is configured to deposit a plurality of absorber layer atoms of a first type over at least a portion of a surface of each one of the plurality of substrates. An evaporation source is configured to deposit a plurality of absorber layer atoms of a second type over at least a portion of the surface of each one of the plurality of substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Edward TENG, Ying-Chen CHAO, Chih-Jen YANG, Kuo-Jui HSIAO
  • Publication number: 20140262768
    Abstract: A rotary sputtering target assembly and method of making the same including a target and a backing tube having a plated bonding surface. The backing tube and the target are bonded together along the plated bonding surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: MATERION CORPORATION
    Inventor: William Guenley
  • Patent number: 8758579
    Abstract: A chamber for physical vapor deposition is provided. The chamber includes a housing, a door for opening and closing the housing, and a bearing for receiving a target, wherein the bearing is oriented in a first direction. Further, the chamber is adapted so that the target is at least partially removable from the chamber in the first direction. According to an embodiment, a chamber for physical vapor deposition is provided. The chamber is adapted for receiving at least one target and a substrate. The chamber includes a housing, a door, and at least one bearing for mounting the target, wherein the bearing is attached to the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Reiner Hinterschuster, Lothar Lippert
  • Publication number: 20140131198
    Abstract: Apparatuses for forming material films on a solar cell substrate of substantially uniform thickness and processes for forming the same are disclosed. The process performed in the apparatuses is physical vapor deposition (PVD) in some embodiments. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a specially configured flow aperture. In another embodiment, an apparatus includes moveable shutters which open and close in synchronization with a rotating drum on which substrates are mounted for processing. In other embodiments, the apparatus includes a variable power supply or drum speed control which automatically vary the power supply to the apparatus or drum speed respectively in synchronization with the rotating drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: TSMC SOLAR LTD.
    Inventors: Edward TENG, Ying-Chen CHAO, Chih-Jen YANG
  • Patent number: 8715417
    Abstract: The invention provides a multi-film forming apparatus including a substrate holder stock chamber for storing a plurality of substrate holders separately from a path in the multi-film forming apparatus, so that production can be performed without being affected by the process of removing a film accumulated on the surface of the substrate holder and the process of replacing the substrate holder, or by the process of removing a film accumulated on the surface of the substrate holder or the process of replacing the substrate holder, and hence high-throughput production is possible. A branch path is provided on the path of the multi-film forming apparatus, and a substrate holder stock chamber for storing a plurality of substrate holders which enables retrieval of the substrate holder from the path and feeding of the substrate holder to the path is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Anelva Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Furukawa, Masahiro Shibamoto
  • Patent number: 8591711
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignees: Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute, New Optics, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Il Chung, Sergey Alexandrovich Nikiforov, Hyeon Seok Oh, Pan Kyeom Kim, Hyeon Taeg Gim, Jeong Woo Jeon
  • Publication number: 20130284590
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method of coating a substrate, the method including forming a layer of sputtered material on the substrate. Forming the layer of sputtered material may include: sputtering material from at least one rotatable target over the substrate; varying the relative position between the at least one target and the substrate. In addition, the present disclosure describes varying the distance between a target and a substrate during the sputter process. The present disclosure further describes a system for coating a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Marcus Bender, Markus Hanika, Evelyn Scheer, Fabio Pieralisi, Guido Mahnke, Ralph Lindenberg, Andreas Lopp, Konrad Schwanitz, Jian Liu
  • Patent number: 8535496
    Abstract: A sputter-coating apparatus is configured for forming coatings on a plurality of workpieces, and includes a deposition chamber defining a cavity, a plurality of targets received in the cavity, and a plurality of supporting assemblies. Each target includes a first target plate and an opposite second target plate. The supporting assemblies are received in the cavity and arranged between the first target plates and the second target plates. Each supporting assembly includes a hollow rotating post for rotating about a first axis substantially parallel to a lengthwise direction thereof, at least one support extending from the post, and at least one driving unit. Each support includes a connecting arm rotatably connected to the post and a fixing portion attached to the connecting arm for supporting a workpiece. The driving unit is configured for driving each connecting arm to rotate relative to the corresponding post about a second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung-Pei Wang
  • Patent number: 8535495
    Abstract: A coating device includes a rotatable base, a board for holding workpieces, a positioning shaft positioned on the rotatable base, two eccentric wheels, a rack, and two reciprocating shafts. The two eccentric wheels are fixed on the positioning shaft and extend from the positioning shaft along two opposite directions. The two eccentric wheels are parallel to and spaced from each other. The rack is rotatably connected to the rotatable base. The rack is capable of rotating around the positioning shaft. Each reciprocating shaft is positioned on the rack. Each reciprocating shaft includes a hinge portion rotatably connected to an end of the board and a sliding portion slidably connected to the edge of a corresponding eccentric wheel. The two eccentric wheels are capable of driving the two reciprocating shafts to move alternately toward and away from the positioning shaft along radial directions of the positioning shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Ying Wu, Ming-Yang Liao
  • Patent number: 8524054
    Abstract: A sputtering device includes a main body and a loading device received in the main body. The main body includes a top portion, a bottom portion, and a sidewall connected between the top portion and the bottom portion, an upper bearing mounted on the top portion, and a lower bearing mounted on the bottom portion. The loading device includes an outer frame, an inner frame received in the outer frame, and a gear device arranged between the outer frame and the in inner frame. The outer frame is rotatably connected to the upper bearing and includes a plurality of first rods arranged in a first circle. The inner frame is rotatably connected to the lower bearing and includes a plurality of second rods arranged in a second circle. The gear device is configured for bringing the outer frame and the inner frame to rotate in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung-Pei Wang
  • Publication number: 20130220794
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide a multi-source deposition method and apparatus for the provision of coatings within relatively tight tolerances. An apparatus may be provided including control circuitry and a plurality of deposition sources for coating a substrate. The sources may be disposed a selectable distance away from the substrate and/or may be tilted at a selected angle. The control circuitry may utilize information indicative of an emission pattern associated with each of the sources to adjust a power to each of the sources during coating of the substrate. By rotating the substrate relative to the sources and/or controlling parameters such as source height, tilt angle, and source power, a substantially uniform coating thickness may be achieved on the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Dynavac
    Inventor: Dynavac
  • Patent number: 8500974
    Abstract: A carrier for use during sputtering includes a main body and support members. The main body defines a receiving space and includes a lateral surface defining at least one groove extending along a longitudinal direction. The receiving space and the at least one groove communicate with each other. The at least one groove is defined by a first surface and a second surface. The first surface defines recessed portions along the longitudinal direction and communicates with the receiving space. The support members are used for hanging workpieces. Each of the support members includes at least one support arm protruding from the lateral surface and is selectively and movably retained by one of the recessed portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung-Pei Wang
  • Patent number: 8500978
    Abstract: A composite coating apparatus includes a main body, two carrying boards, and two actuators. The main body defines a first chamber and a second chamber with a separating board intervening therebetween. The separating board defines a coating opening intercommunicating with the chambers. The carrying boards are received in the first chamber and rotatably connected to the separating board at two sides of the coating opening. Each carrying board defines a receiving groove for holding a substrate. The actuators are configured for driving the carrying boards to rotate between a first coating position, in which the substrate is exposed to the second chamber for a first coating process carried out in the second chamber via the coating opening, and a second coating position, in which the substrate faces away from the separating board for a second coating process carried out in the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shao-Kai Pei
  • Patent number: 8500977
    Abstract: A coating apparatus includes a housing, a sputter mechanism, an evaporation mechanism, and a workpiece transport assembly. The housing defines a receiving space. The workpiece transport assembly includes a fixing plate, a first transport member, and a first shaft. The fixing plate is secured to the housing via the receiving space and divides the receiving space into a sputter chamber and an evaporation chamber. The sputter mechanism is mounted in the sputter chamber, and the evaporation mechanism is mounted in the evaporation chamber. The fixing plate defines a through hole. The sputter chamber communicates with the evaporation chamber via the through hole. The first transport member is configured to transport at least one workpiece. The first shaft is secured to the first transport member and rotatably mounted to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shao-Kai Pei
  • Patent number: 8480865
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetron sputtering device including a large ring cathode having a defined inner radius. The position of the ring cathode is offset in relation to a center point of a planetary drive system. An anode or reactive gas source may be located within the inner radius of the ring cathode. Lower defect rates are obtained through the lower power density at the cathode which suppresses arcing, while runoff is minimized by the cathode to planet geometry without the use of a mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventor: Georg J. Ockenfuss
  • Patent number: 8460519
    Abstract: Sputtering in a physical vapor deposition (PVD) chamber may, in one embodiment, utilize a target laterally offset from and tilted with respect to the substrate. In another aspect, target power may be reduced to enhance film protection. In yet another aspect, magnetron magnets may be relatively strong and well balanced to enhance film protection. In another aspect, a shutter may be provided to protect the substrate in start up conditions. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Materials Inc.
    Inventors: Mengqi Ye, Zhendong Liu, Peijun Ding
  • Patent number: 8454804
    Abstract: Sputtering in a physical vapor deposition (PVD) chamber may, in one embodiment, utilize a target laterally offset from and tilted with respect to the substrate. In another aspect, target power may be reduced to enhance film protection. In yet another aspect, magnetron magnets may be relatively strong and well balanced to enhance film protection. In another aspect, a shutter may be provided to protect the substrate in start up conditions. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Materials Inc.
    Inventors: Mengqi Ye, Zhendong Liu, Peijun Ding
  • Patent number: 8425741
    Abstract: This invention relates to a broad beam ion deposition apparatus (100) including an ion source (101), a target (102), a tillable substrate table (103) and an auxiliary port (104). The target (102) is in the form of a carousel which carries a number of targets and the ion source (101) is configured to produce a substantially rectangular section beam (105).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Aviza Technology Limited
    Inventors: Gary Proudfoot, Christopher David George, Paulo Edurado Lima, Gordon Robert Green, Robert Kenneth Trowell
  • Patent number: 8293081
    Abstract: A physical vapor deposition device includes a chamber; a cathode and an opposite anode, a target material, and supporting device arranged in the chamber. The target material and the supporting device are positioned between the cathode and the anode. The supporting device includes a rotatable device and a hollow supporting plate. The hollow supporting plate is configured for securing the workpiece and exposing part of the workpiece where is needed to be coated. The hollow supporting plate is movably fastened to the rotatable device. A distance from the hollow supporting plate to the rotatable device can be adjusted when the hollow supporting plate is rotated together with the rotatable device in order to align workpiece with the target material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shao-Kai Pei
  • Publication number: 20120222957
    Abstract: A coating device includes a rotatable base, a board for holding workpieces, a positioning shaft positioned on the rotatable base, two eccentric wheels, a rack, and two reciprocating shafts. The two eccentric wheels are fixed on the positioning shaft and extend from the positioning shaft along two opposite directions. The two eccentric wheels are parallel to and spaced from each other. The rack is rotatably connected to the rotatable base. The rack is capable of rotating around the positioning shaft. Each reciprocating shaft is positioned on the rack. Each reciprocating shaft includes a hinge portion rotatably connected to an end of the board and a sliding portion slidably connected to the edge of a corresponding eccentric wheel. The two eccentric wheels are capable of driving the two reciprocating shafts to move alternately toward and away from the positioning shaft along radial directions of the positioning shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: CHIA-YING WU, MING-YANG LIAO
  • Patent number: 8246798
    Abstract: According to the present invention, it can be switched whether or not to apply a magnetic field to a substrate depending on a material of a film to be formed, and a magnetic layer and a non-magnetic layer can be formed in the same chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Anelva Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hosoya, Koji Tsunekawa, Yoshinori Nagamine
  • Patent number: 8241473
    Abstract: A sputter-coating apparatus for coating a plurality of workpieces includes a deposition case defining a cavity, a supporting assembly received in the cavity, and a target assembly received in the cavity and extending through the supporting assembly to face the workpieces. The supporting assembly includes a plurality of supporting members. Each supporting member includes a body and a plurality of adjusting units extending through the body. Each adjusting unit includes a supporting pole fixed to the body, a first fixing pole and a second fixing pole fixedly connected to the supporting pole and radially extending from the supporting pole, a first threaded pole and a second threaded pole retractably connected to the supporting pole and radially extending from the supporting pole, and a driving member received in the supporting pole for driving the first threaded pole and the second threaded pole to retract relative to the supporting pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung-Pei Wang
  • Publication number: 20120160675
    Abstract: A sputtering device includes a main body and a loading device received in the main body. The main body includes a top portion, a bottom portion, and a sidewall connected between the top portion and the bottom portion, an upper bearing mounted on the top portion, and a lower bearing mounted on the bottom portion. The loading device includes an outer frame, an inner frame received in the outer frame, and a gear device arranged between the outer frame and the in inner frame. The outer frame is rotatably connected to the upper bearing and includes a plurality of first rods arranged in a first circle. The inner frame is rotatably connected to the lower bearing and includes a plurality of second rods arranged in a second circle. The gear device is configured for bringing the outer frame and the inner frame to rotate in opposite directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: CHUNG-PEI WANG
  • Publication number: 20120152737
    Abstract: A sputtering device includes a hollow main body, a loading device, and a driving device received in the main body. The main body includes a top plate and a bottom plate opposite to the top plate. The loading device includes a supporting base rotatably positioned on the bottom plate, a ring-shaped frame positioned on the top plate, and a number of rods. The ring-shaped frame is coaxial with the supporting base and includes a number of assembly plates connecting to each other in sequence. The rods are positioned on the supporting base along the circumference thereof, and substantially perpendicularly connect between the ring-shaped frame and the supporting base along the axis of the supporting base. The driving device connects to the supporting base and the rods, and drives the supporting base and driving the rods to rotate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: CHUNG-PEI WANG
  • Publication number: 20120080309
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method of coating a substrate, the method including forming a layer of sputtered material on the substrate. Forming the layer of sputtered material may include: sputtering material from at least one target over the substrate; varying the relative position between the at least one target and the substrate to a first position (I), which first position is maintained for a predetermined first time interval; and varying the relative position between the at least one target and the substrate to a second position (II), which second position is maintained for a predetermined second time interval. The present disclosure further describes a system for coating a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Marcus BENDER, Markus HANIKA, Evelyn SCHEER, Fabio PIERALISI, Guido MAHNKE
  • Patent number: 8137511
    Abstract: A film forming apparatus and a film forming method includes: a vacuum chamber; a holder for a film formation object, the holder being rotatably provided in the vacuum chamber; and a sputter source capable of holding a plurality of targets, the sputter source being spinnably provided so that the opposed area of the target with respect to the film formation object can be varied. They can perform uniform and efficient film formation in accordance with the size of a film formation object using a simple configuration, with less possibility of contamination and easy maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Shibaura Mechatronics Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshio Kawamata
  • Publication number: 20120048723
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an arc chamber housing defining an arc chamber, and a feed system configured to feed a sputter target into the arc chamber. A method includes feeding a sputter target into an arc chamber defined by an arc chamber housing, and ionizing a portion of the sputter target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventor: Craig R. Chaney
  • Publication number: 20120037503
    Abstract: A rotatable target base device for sputtering installations is provided, wherein the target base device is adapted for receiving thereon a solid target cylinder, the rotatable target base device comprising a target base cylinder (4) having a lateral surface (3), a middle part (12), a first end region (7) and a second end region (9) opposite to the first end region, wherein at least one of the first and the second end regions has a maximum outer diameter substantially equal to or less than the outer diameter of the middle part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Lothar Lippert, Oliver Heimel
  • Publication number: 20120031749
    Abstract: The apparatus (1) for coating a substrate (14) by reactive sputtering comprises an axis (8), at least two targets (11,12) in an arrangement symmetrically to said axis (8) and a power supply connected to the targets (11,12), wherein the targets are alternatively operable as cathode and anode. The method is a method for manufacturing a coated substrate (14) by coating a substrate (14) by reactive sputtering in an apparatus (1) comprising an axis (8). The method comprises a) providing a substrate (14) to be coated; b) providing at least two targets (11,12) in an arrangement symmetrically to said axis (8); c) alternatively operating said targets (11,12) as cathode and anode during coating. Preferably, the targets (11,12) are rotated during sputtering and/or the targets are arranged concentrically, with an innermost circular target surrounded by at least one ring-shaped outer target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: OC OERLIKON BALZERS AG
    Inventors: Martin Dubs, Kurt Ruhm, Hartmut Rohrmann
  • Patent number: 8101055
    Abstract: A sputtering apparatus for forming a coating film made of a metallic film on a coating surface of a substrate by sputtering to have such a film thickness that gradually increases or gradually decreases from its one end side to the other end side. The apparatus comprising at least one supporting means supporting at least one substrate such that a coating surface thereof is opposed to an emission surface of a sputtering target at an angle, and at least one shielding member for preventing part of sputtering particles emitted from the emission surface from reaching the coating surface. The at least one shielding member being disposed in the vacuum chamber so as to be positioned in a space between the coating surface of the at least one substrate and the emission surface of the sputtering target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Kojima Press Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotoshi Matsui, Kaoru Ito
  • Publication number: 20110278166
    Abstract: A chamber for physical vapour deposition is provided. The chamber includes a housing, a door for opening and closing the housing, and a bearing for receiving a target, wherein the bearing is oriented in a first direction. Further, the chamber is adapted so that the target is at least partially removable from the chamber in the first direction. According to an embodiment, a chamber for physical vapour deposition is provided. The chamber is adapted for receiving at least one target and a substrate. The chamber includes a housing, a door, and at least one bearing for mounting the target, wherein the bearing is attached to the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Reiner HINTERSCHUSTER, Lothar LIPPERT
  • Publication number: 20110272278
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sputtering apparatus and a film-forming method capable of forming a magnetic film having a reduced variation in the orientation of the magnetic anisotropy. The sputtering apparatus of the present invention is equipped with a rotatable cathode and a rotatable stage. The stage can have an electrostatic chuck. Moreover, the stage may electrically be connected with a bias power source capable of applying a bias voltage to the stage. Furthermore, the stage may have the electrostatic chuck and electrically be connected with the bias power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: CANON ANELVA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kyosuke Sugi, Tetsuya Endo, Einstein Noel Abarra
  • Publication number: 20110266147
    Abstract: A sputtering apparatus includes a housing having an enclosure and a plurality of gas-introduction holes defined in the sidewalls of the enclosure, a substrate holder for holding substrates, a plurality of targets surrounding the substrate holder, the targets and the substrate holder are accommodated in the housing, and a driving member for rotating the targets such that the targets can be selectively oriented to face the substrate holder or the gas-introduction holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: CHUNG-PEI WANG
  • Publication number: 20110266148
    Abstract: A target base includes a fixed carrier, a rotatable carrier, a number of target housings, and a number of target supports. The rotatable carrier is rotatably mounted on the fixed carrier. The target housings are mounted on the fixed carrier around the rotatable carrier, and define receiving spaces adjacent to the rotatable carrier. The target supports are rotatably mounted on the target housings correspondingly. Each target support is able to rotate to be received in the receiving space of a corresponding one of the target housings or to move out of the receiving space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: SHAO-KAI PEI
  • Patent number: 8043488
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotatable sputter target and to a method to manufacture such a sputter target. The sputter target comprises a target material and a magnet array located at the interior of the target material. The magnet array defines a central zone extending along the major part of the length of the target material and defines an end zone at each end of the central zone. The target material comprises a first material and a second material. The target material comprises the first material at least on the central zone and comprises the second material at least on the end zones. The second material has a lower sputter deposition rate than the first material. The second material is preferably applied by thermal spraying. The first material comprises a first element and the second material comprises a compound of the first element of the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Bekaert Advanced Coatings
    Inventor: Wilmert De Bosscher