Patent ID: 6893544
Filing Date: 2005-05-17
Classification: C23C,H01L

Abstract:
1. An in-line sputtering system for depositing a thin film on a substrate, comprising: a buffer heating module in which an interior pressure is reduced to a state of vacuum and the substrate is preheated; an entry transfer module adjacent to the buffer heating module and having an expedited conveyor device for moving the substrate therein, in which the substrate is heated; a first sputtering module for depositing the thin film on the substrate, which is adjacent to the entry transfer module, whereby the entry transfer module serves as a buffer zone which mitigates fluctuations in temperature and pressure in the first sputtering module when the substrate is unloaded from the buffer heating module, wherein the substrate in the entry transfer module is moved by the expedited conveyor device at a speed greater than that in the first sputtering module, a heating module adjacent to the first sputtering module; a second sputtering module adjacent to the heating module and having a heating device therein, in which a film layer is deposited on top of the thin film; and a gate valve installed between the first sputtering module and the heating module, wherein the gate valve is open while the substrate in the first sputtering module is coated with the thin film.