Front referenced anode
First Claim
1. An anode for an electroplating apparatus, the anode comprisinga first surface and a second surface, substantially parallel to the first surface, wherein the anode is a consumable anode comprising a metal that is dissolvable during electroplating, wherein the consumable anode has a plurality of through channels connecting the first and second surfaces, wherein one of the first and second surfaces has at least one depression configured for registering with a protrusion on a component of an anode assembly, and wherein the at least one depression surrounds at least one through channel of the plurality of the through channels.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for electroplating are described. Apparatus described herein include anode supports including positioning mechanisms that maintain a consistent distance between the surface of the wafer and the surface of a consumable anode during plating. Greater uniformity control is achieved. The consumable anode in one implementation has a plurality of through channels and at least one depression on its surface (e.g., a depression surrounding a channel) that is configured for registering with a protrusion on a component of an anode assembly, such as with a support plate. Fasteners may pass through the channels in the anode and attach it to a charge plate.
39 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An anode for an electroplating apparatus, the anode comprising
a first surface and a second surface, substantially parallel to the first surface, wherein the anode is a consumable anode comprising a metal that is dissolvable during electroplating, wherein the consumable anode has a plurality of through channels connecting the first and second surfaces, wherein one of the first and second surfaces has at least one depression configured for registering with a protrusion on a component of an anode assembly, and wherein the at least one depression surrounds at least one through channel of the plurality of the through channels.
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2. An anode assembly comprising:
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(a) a consumable anode for an electroplating apparatus, the consumable anode comprising a first surface and a second surface, substantially parallel to the first surface, wherein the consumable anode has a plurality of through channels connecting the first and second surfaces, and wherein one of the first and second surfaces has a plurality of depressions; (b) a support plate comprising a plurality of protrusions configured to register with the plurality of depressions on the consumable anode; and (c) a base plate comprising a plurality of springs configured to be compressed against the support plate. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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3. An anode assembly comprising:
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(a) a consumable anode for an electroplating apparatus, the consumable anode comprising a first surface and a second surface, substantially parallel to the first surface, wherein the consumable anode has a plurality of through channels connecting the first and second surfaces, and wherein one of the first and second surfaces has a plurality of depressions; (b) a support plate comprising a plurality of protrusions configured to register with the plurality of depressions on the consumable anode; and (c) fasteners passing through the plurality of through channels of the anode. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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4. A segment of an anode, the segment comprising:
a first surface and a second surface, substantially parallel to the first surface, wherein the anode is a consumable anode and wherein the segment of the consumable anode comprises a metal that is dissolvable during electroplating, wherein the segment of the consumable anode has at least one channel connecting the first and second surfaces, and wherein one of the first and second surfaces has at least one depression configured for registering with a protrusion on a component of an anode assembly. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of electroplating a metal onto a work piece comprising:
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(a) providing the work piece into an electroplating apparatus comprising an anode having a first surface and a second surface, substantially parallel to the first surface, wherein the anode is a consumable anode comprising a metal that is dissolvable during electroplating, and wherein the consumable anode has a plurality of through channels connecting the first and second surfaces, and wherein one of the first and second surfaces has at least one depression configured for registering with a protrusion on a component of an anode assembly and wherein the at least one depression surrounds at least one through channel of the plurality of the through channels; and (b) electroplating the metal on the work piece in the electroplating apparatus comprising the consumable anode while dissolving the consumable anode. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification