Patent ID: 6409876
Filing Date: 2002-06-25
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
An apparatus for etching a workpiece comprising:an etch chamber; a source chamber which is capable of containing a gas; a first pressure source which is capable of providing a sublimation pressure of the gas within the source chamber; a reservoir; at least one first valve which is connected between the source chamber and the reservoir such that the source chamber is in fluid communication with the reservoir when the first valve is open; a flow controller, having a gas input and a gas output, which is capable of controlling a flow rate of the gas which flows from the gas input to the gas output; at least one second valve which is connected between the reservoir and the gas input of the flow controller such that the reservoir is in fluid communication with the flow controller when the second valve is open; a second pressure source which is capable of maintaining the reservoir at approximately the sublimation pressure of the gas when the at least one second valve is closed; and third valve which is connected between the gas output of the flow controller and the etch chamber such that the flow controller is in fluid communication with the etch chamber when the at least one third valve is open.