Patent ID: 6951765
Filing Date: 2005-10-04
Classification: C23C,C25D

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for providing a solid precursor to a surface of a work piece via a supercritical solution, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of vessels for housing the solid precursor and allowing it to contact a solvent under supercritical or near supercritical conditions to generate a saturated solution of the solid precursor, wherein supercritical condition exist when the temperature and pressure of a solution are at or above the solution's critical temperature and pressure, and wherein near supercritical conditions exist when the reduced temperature and pressure of a solution are both greater than 80% of their critical point but the solution is not yet in the supercritical phase; a generator recirculation loop in fluid communication with the plurality of vessels and allowing the saturated solution of the solid precursor to recirculate through the plurality of vessels, said saturated solution being under supercritical or near supercritical conditions over its entire recirculation path; and a delivery mechanism adapted to deliver, under supercritical or near supercritical conditions, a portion of the saturated solution to a reactor for housing said work piece; wherein the solid precursor is a solid at or about standard temperature and pressure.