Patent ID: 6395148
Filing Date: 2002-05-28
Classification: B41J,C23C

Abstract:
A method for producing a thin film tantalum layer having a desired tantalum phase on a semiconductor substrate for use in an ink jet printhead which comprises:depositing one or more protective layers on the semiconductor substrate; pre-sputter etching the semiconductor substrate for a predetermined period of pre-sputter etch time using an inert gas at a substantially constant pressure and a substantially constant voltage; preheating the semiconductor substrate at a selected preheat temperature for a predetermined amount of preheat time; heating the semiconductor substrate to a predetermined substrate temperature suitable for depositing the thin film tantalum layer having the desired tantalum phase thereon; and maintaining the substrate at the predetermined substrate temperature while depositing the thin film tantalum layer on the substrate wherein sputtering input power is maintained at a predetermined input power level for a predetermined period of sputter time and wherein the predetermined temperatures, times and powers comprise factors selected in accordance with a mathematical relationship between the factors in order to produce the desired tantalum phase in the thin film tantalum layer, wherein the mathematical relationship between the factors comprises a regression equation of the form: Y=b0+b1x1+b2x2+b3x3+b4x4+b5x5+b12x1x2+b13x1y3+b14x1x4+b15x1x5+b23x2x3+b24x2x4+b25 x2x5+b34x3x4+b35x3x5+b45x4x5+b11x12+b22x22+b33x32+b44x42+b55x52, wherein Y represents one or more desired properties of the tantalum layer, the b's are regression coefficients and the x's are factor levels ranging from âˆ’1 to +1.