Electrostatic chuck having a unidirectionally conducting coupler layer
First Claim
1. An electrostatic chuck for holding a substrate in a process chamber having a voltage supply terminal for charging the chuck, the electrostatic chuck comprising:
- (a) an electrostatic member including (i) an electrode, (ii) an electrically insulated holding surface, and (iii) an electrical contact surface for conducting charge to the electrode; and
(b) a unidirectionally conducting coupling layer bonded to the contact surface to conduct a charge in substantially only a single direction from the voltage supply terminal to the contact surface to charge the electrode.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electrostatic chuck (20) for holding a substrate (45) in a process chamber (80) having a voltage supply terminal (65) for charging the chuck (20). The chuck includes an electrostatic member (25) comprising at least one electrode (30), an electrically insulated holding surface (40) for holding a substrate (45) thereon, and an electrical contact surface (48) for providing charge to the electrode. A unidirectionally conducting coupler layer (70) electrically couples the contact surface (48) of the electrostatic member to the voltage supply terminal to conduct charge substantially only in a single direction from the terminal to the contact surface. Preferably, an electrical connector (50) having a junction surface (55) bonded to the contact surface (55) of the electrode, and a terminal surface (60) for electrically contacting the voltage supply terminal (65), is used to electrically couple the unidirectionally conducting coupler layer (70) to the voltage supply terminal (65).
81 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An electrostatic chuck for holding a substrate in a process chamber having a voltage supply terminal for charging the chuck, the electrostatic chuck comprising:
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(a) an electrostatic member including (i) an electrode, (ii) an electrically insulated holding surface, and (iii) an electrical contact surface for conducting charge to the electrode; and (b) a unidirectionally conducting coupling layer bonded to the contact surface to conduct a charge in substantially only a single direction from the voltage supply terminal to the contact surface to charge the electrode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of fabricating an electrostatic chuck for holding a substrate in a process chamber having a voltage supply terminal for charging the chuck, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) forming an electrode having an electrically insulated holding surface and an electrical contact surface; and (b) bonding a unidirectionally conducting coupler layer to the contact surface to conduct a charge in substantially only a single direction from the voltage supply terminal to the contact surface to charge the electrode. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification