Patent ID: 8920618
Filing Date: 2014-12-30
Classification: C23C

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for high-deposition-rate sputtering comprising a process chamber; a plurality of sputtering sources disposed within the process chamber, wherein each sputtering source comprises a sputtering target; a substrate support disposed within the process chamber, the substrate support operable to support a substrate, wherein the spacing between the sputtering target and the substrate forms a target-to substrate spacing of less than 100 mm; a shield positioned between the sputtering sources and the substrate, the shield comprising a plurality of apertures, wherein each of the plurality of apertures is positioned respectively under each sputtering source and adjacent to but not touching the substrate such that a single aperture is associated with each sputtering source, wherein the plurality of apertures define site-isolated regions on the substrate, each site-isolated region having an area approximately the same as the corresponding aperture; and wherein all of the substrate outside each site-isolated region is protected from exposure to sputtered material by the shield; a transport system connected to the substrate support capable of positioning the substrate such that one of the plurality of site-isolated regions on the substrate can be exposed to sputtered material through the aperture positioned under each of the sputtering sources; and a controller with software configured to control sputtering process parameters independently for each site-isolated region; wherein the apparatus is configured to provide processing conditions that are uniform within a site-isolated region and distinct from one site-isolated region to another.