Patent ID: 7377991
Filing Date: 2008-05-27
Classification: B08B,C23F,C23G,H01L

Abstract:
1. An ultrasonic etching apparatus for chemically-etching a workpiece, the apparatus comprising: an outer tank adapted to be at least partially filled with an aqueous solution; an inner tank comprising a chemically-resistant polymer and at least partially disposed within the outer tank and adapted to be in contact with the aqueous solution, the inner tank adapted to be at least partially filled with an etching solution, the inner tank having at least a sidewall and a base and defining an upper mouth, and being receptive to the workpiece; a lid adapted to be engaged with the upper mouth of the inner tank, wherein a weight of the lid is adapted to create at least a partial seal between the upper mouth of the inner tank and a lower surface of the lid to increase a partial pressure of at least one gas above the etching solution; an ultrasonic transducer coupled to the outer tank to impart ultrasonic energy to the etching solution in the inner tank; and a mechanism adapted to impart relative motion between the workpiece disposed in the inner tank and the ultrasonic transducer; wherein the mechanism comprises a rotary motion actuator for rotating at least one of the inner tank and the ultrasonic transducer.