Process for producing aluminum oxide films at low temperatures
First Claim
1. A process of depositing a thin film of aluminum oxide on a substrate in a reaction chamber by an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process comprising a plurality of cycles, each cycle comprising:
- supplying a first reactant comprising a gaseous aluminum compound, wherein no more than about one monolayer chemisorbs on the substrate; and
supplying a gaseous second reactant comprising a source of oxygen other than water, wherein the second reactant converts the adsorbed portion of the first reactant on the substrate to aluminum oxide, wherein the substrate is maintained at a temperature of less than 190°
C. during the ALD process.
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Abstract
A process for producing aluminum oxide thin films on a substrate by the ALD method comprises the steps of bonding a vaporizable aluminum compound to a growth substrate, and converting the bonded organoaluminum compound to aluminum oxide. The bonded aluminum compound is converted to aluminum oxide by contacting it with a reactive vapor source of oxygen other than water, and the substrate is kept at a temperature of less than 190° C. during the growth process. By means of the invention it is possible to produce films of good quality at low temperatures. The dielectric thin films having a dense structure can be used for passivating surfaces that do not endure high temperatures. Such surfaces include, for example, polymer films such as organic electroluminescent displays. Further, when a water-free oxygen source is used, surfaces that are sensitive to water can be passivated.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A process of depositing a thin film of aluminum oxide on a substrate in a reaction chamber by an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process comprising a plurality of cycles, each cycle comprising:
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supplying a first reactant comprising a gaseous aluminum compound, wherein no more than about one monolayer chemisorbs on the substrate; and
supplying a gaseous second reactant comprising a source of oxygen other than water, wherein the second reactant converts the adsorbed portion of the first reactant on the substrate to aluminum oxide, wherein the substrate is maintained at a temperature of less than 190°
C. during the ALD process.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A process of depositing a thin film of aluminum oxide on a substrate that is sensitive to moisture by an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process comprising a plurality of cycles, each cycle comprising:
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supplying a first reactant comprising a gaseous organic aluminum compound, wherein no more than about one monolayer chemisorbs on the substrate; and
supplying a gaseous second reactant comprising a source of oxygen other than water, wherein the second reactant converts the adsorbed portion of the first reactant on the substrate to aluminum oxide, wherein the substrate is maintained at a temperature of less than 190°
C. during the ALD process.- View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A process of depositing a thin film of aluminum oxide on a substrate that is sensitive to the atmosphere by an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process comprising a plurality of cycles, each cycle comprising:
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supplying a first reactant comprising a gaseous aluminum compound, wherein no more than about one monolayer chemisorbs on the substrate; and
supplying gaseous ozone, wherein the ozone converts the adsorbed portion of the first reactant on the substrate to aluminum oxide, wherein the substrate is maintained at a temperature of less than 190°
C. during the ALD process.- View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A process of depositing a thin film of aluminum oxide on a substrate in a reaction chamber by an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process comprising a plurality of cycles, each cycle comprising:
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supplying a first reactant comprising a gaseous aluminum compound, wherein no more than about one monolayer chemisorbs on the substrate; and
supplying a gaseous second reactant comprising a source of oxygen selected from the group consisting of ozone, organic ozonides, oxygen atoms with unpaired electrons, organic peroxides and organic peracids, wherein the second reactant converts the adsorbed portion of the first reactant on the substrate to aluminum oxide, wherein the substrate is maintained at a temperature of less than 190°
C. during the ALD process.
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Specification