Patent ID: 6090246
Filing Date: 2000-07-18
Classification: C23C,H01J

Abstract:
A method of detecting reflected neutrals during a physical vapor deposition process, the method comprising:providing a sputtering chamber;providing a substrate within said sputtering chamber;providing a target material within said sputtering chamber;creating a plasma within said sputtering chamber for sputtering said target material onto said substrate;sputtering said target material while said plasma is confined to an area in said sputtering chamber restricted from said substrate; andtaking a plurality of voltage measurements with a voltage detection device in said chamber in proximate spaced relation to said substrate without said voltage detection device being in electrical contact with said substrate, the voltage detection device being positioned in spaced relation out of contact with said substrate between the substrate and the plasma, said plurality of voltage measurements being taken by moving said voltage detection device about a surface of said substrate.