Patent ID: 8338806
Filing Date: 2012-12-25
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
1. A processing system for irradiating a substrate with a gas cluster ion beam (GCIB), the system comprising: a first nozzle for forming and emitting gas clusters beams through an outlet thereof, and a stagnation chamber upstream of and adjacent the first nozzle and having an inlet, the first nozzle being configured to direct a gas cluster beam toward the substrate; an ionizer positioned downstream of the outlet and configured to ionize the gas cluster beam to form the GCIB; a first gas supply in fluid communication with the inlet of the stagnation chamber and including a first gas source and a first valve between the first gas source and the first nozzle for controlling flow of a first gas between the first gas source and the first nozzle; and a second gas supply in fluid communication with the inlet of the stagnation chamber and including a second gas source and a second valve between the second gas source and the stagnation chamber for controlling flow of a second gas between the second gas source and the first nozzle, wherein the first and second valves are positioned to define a common gas-holding volume between the first and second valves and the inlet of the stagnation chamber, the common gas-holding volume being less than about 2 cm wherein the first and second valves are actuatable to permit selective supply of the first gas from the first gas source or the second gas from the second gas source.