Sputter target monitoring system
First Claim
1. A sputtering target monitoring system comprising:
- a sputtering source in a vacuum chamber;
a power supply;
a sensor box connected to the sputtering source and the power supply, the sensor box including a current-based arcing sensing device;
a data collection box connected to the sensor box; and
a network connected to the data collection box.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sputtering target monitoring system (20) for monitoring the status of a sputtering source target (22) during the sputtering process. The collection of data is initiated based on measured voltages in the sputtering source target (22), whereas the arcing count is determined based on current spikes or interruptions to the current in the sputtering source target (22) during the sputtering process. The real time data collected during the sputtering process is recorded and displayed in table or graphical format at any time during the sputtering process. Thus, problems in the sputtering process, or in the sputtering source (22), including an approaching end of life of the target may be easily ascertained. Alarms, messages or other indicators may be used to alert operators to problems or conditions during the sputtering process.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A sputtering target monitoring system comprising:
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a sputtering source in a vacuum chamber;
a power supply;
a sensor box connected to the sputtering source and the power supply, the sensor box including a current-based arcing sensing device;
a data collection box connected to the sensor box; and
a network connected to the data collection box. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of monitoring a sputtering process comprising:
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providing a monitoring system comprising a sputtering source in a vacuum chamber, the sputtering source being connected to a power supply and a sensor box in the vacuum chamber, and the sensor box including a current-based arcing sensing device;
providing a real time data collection box connected to the sensor box, and a network connected to the data collection box, the data collection box recording and displaying collected data pertaining to the sputtering source;
inputting threshold values to the monitoring system;
starting the sputtering process;
measuring voltage values in the sputtering source during each cycle of the sputtering process to determine when initiation of data collection occurs during each cycle;
measuring current values in the sputtering source during the sputtering process and comparing the measured current values to corresponding threshold values to determine when arcing occurs in each cycle; and
indicating the status of the sputtering process based on the real time data collected. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification