Patent ID: 7879201
Filing Date: 2011-02-01
Classification: C23C

Abstract:
1. A method of processing a substrate having a surface with a plurality of features aligned with a parallel relationship and an azimuthal axis normal to the surface, the method comprising: generating a beam of energetic particles having a substantially uniform flux distribution over a major dimension; loading the substrate onto a movable fixture at a first flux-blocked position in which the substrate is not exposed to the beam of energetic particles; operating the movable fixture to rotate the substrate about the azimuthal axis, while in the first flux-blocked position, so that the substrate is oriented about the azimuthal axis with a first angular orientation such that the features on the substrate are angularly aligned relative to the major dimension of the beam of energetic particles; without changing the first angular orientation, translating the substrate substantially orthogonal to the major dimension of the beam of energetic particles; and without changing the first angular orientation and over a portion of the translation, exposing the substrate to the beam of energetic particles; stopping the translation of the substrate when the substrate is at a second flux-blocked position in which the substrate is not exposed to the beam of energetic particles; while the substrate is at the second flux-blocked position, rotating the substrate about the aziumuthal axis to a second angular orientation that reorients the features carried by the substrate relative to the major dimension of the first beam of energetic particles; and without changing the second angular orientation, reversing the translation of the substrate with the features reoriented relative to the major dimension of the beam of energetic particles so that the substrate is again exposed to the beam of energetic particles.