×

Methods for plasma processing

  • US 9,096,932 B2
  • Filed: 04/14/2014
  • Issued: 08/04/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2009
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A method for plasma-based coating of thin films on a substrate, said method comprising:

  • providing a chamber, connecting it to a vacuum pump and maintaining a gas pressure in a range of 50 Pascals to 2000 Pascals in said chamber;

    positioning a plurality of electrodes within said chamber, whose lengths are greater than their width or height, and positioning a support for substrates, with at least one said electrode having a part of its surface opposite said support for said substrate, the lengths extending parallel to a plane defined by said support; and

    placing a substrate on said support such that a side of said substrate to be coated faces at least one said electrode, and where the minimum gap between said electrode and said substrate is less than the electrode width; and

    maintaining the part of said substrate adjacent said pedestal at a temperature less than 200°

    C.; and

    injecting a first gas into the space between two said electrodes to flow towards said substrate, said first gas comprising a compound of at least one of;

    nitrogen and oxygen;

    but no silicon-based compound;

    providing AC power to at least one of said two electrodes to form a plasma, activating said first gas in the space between said two electrodes, and forming a plasma between at least one of said electrodes and said substrate that provides ion bombardment of said substrate; and

    injecting a second gas from within at least one said electrode into said flowing activated first gas to form a mixed gas, said second gas comprising at least one of;

    a silicon-containing compound and a metal containing compound; and

    wherein said mixed gas forms a thin film on the substrate that contains said at least one of;

    a metal oxide, metal nitride, metal oxynitride, silicon oxide, silicon nitride and silicon oxynitride on said substrate.

View all claims
  • 5 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×