Patent ID: 6740194
Filing Date: 2004-05-25
Classification: C03C,G02B,H01L

Abstract:
An apparatus for etching or depositing a desired profile onto the surface of an object comprising:A. a means for delivery of liquid etchant/deposition solution to an applicator, B. an applicator configured for contacting a surface of an object with said solution, with a desired geometry, such that a free-surface flow of liquid solution exists around a periphery of a wetted zone on the object, C. means for inducing a surface tension gradient (Marangoni effect) in a meniscus region of a three-phase contact line where the liquid solution attaches to the object being processed, D. a linear or bi-directional motion stage for controlled motion of the wetted zone relative to the surface of the object being processed, E. an encoder or interferometer, imaging device and imageprocessing algorithm to calculate topography of the object being processed in real time as the object is in motion relative to said applicator, and F. a computer-control system that uses the calculations obtained from this metrology to control the motion of the stage.