Free-standing rotating evaporation source

Abstract: An electron-beam evaporation system (30) comprising an ingot rod (34), the ingot rod having a bottom end (34c), a tip end (34a) and a side (34b); an electron-beam evaporation source (40) for evaporating the ingot rod; and a rotation mechanism (36) connected to the bottom end of the ingot rod adapted to rotate the ingot rod while the electron-beam evaporation source acts on the tip of the ingot rod, wherein the ingot rod is free-standing so that the ingot rod does not contact a cooling crucible (38) at the side of the ingot rod near the tip of the ingot rod.

Description: This invention relates to electron-beam evaporation systems, especially electron-beam evaporation systems for use with rod materials which sublimate when heated with an electron-beam at low pressures. Electron-beam evaporation systems direct an electron-beam to an ingot material to evaporate this material and coat a substrate. A discussion of electron-beam technology is given in the book "Physical Vapor Deposition", by R. Hill, 1986, Second Edition, at pages 17-106. Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a prior art electron-beam evaporation system adapted from page 64 of the book. The system 10 includes an electron-beam source 12 which supplies an electron-beam 14 to contact an ingot material positioned in a crucible 16. The evaporated ingot material is deposited on a substrate 18 in a process chamber 20. Figure 2 is a diagram of a prior art system adapted from page 39 of the book using a feed stock 24 contacting a water-cooled crucible 26. As the material of the feed stock evaporates, the feed stock itself can be pushed upward to provide a continuous supply of the feed stock. In this diagram, the feed stock is not a subliming material, so a liquid inventory 24a is formed. The electron-beam source 28 includes a cathode block 28a, a filament 28b, and anodes 28c. Permanent magnets cause the 270° deflection of the electron-beam 30 so that the electron-beam 30 contacts the material of the rod 24. It is also possible to use subliming materials that do not produce a liquid inventory 24a. Subliming materials have the problem that, since no liquid inventory is formed, hot spots on the ingot surface can occur. The electron-beam may drill into the ingot material at the hot spot so that the erosion from the ingot surface is not even. This can require the ingot to be replaced when only a small percentage of the ingot was used. In order to avoid some of these problems, sweep mechanisms are used. One type of sweep mechanism is called X-Y sweep, because it varies the longitudinal and lateral positioning of the beam with a variable amplitude and frequency for each axis. This enables the electron-beam spot to be swept more uniformly over a wide range of source sizes. The X-Y sweep is used in conjunction with a continuous rod rotation and feed. A "Temescal" Model SRIHS-270-2 rod-fed electron gun uses such a rod feed and rotation mechanism, as well as an X-Y sweep mechanism. GB-A-1 151 818 discloses an apparatus providing an electron beam having a focus so adjusted that its diameter is equal to the radius of the body being vaporized and extending from the center of the end surface to the edge of the surface. The body is rotatable. A disadvantage of prior art rotational rod-fed systems is that it is difficult to maintain a uniform power density and thus evaporation rate from the rod tip. The invention is concerned with an improved electron-beam evaporation system which can generally overcome such disadvantages. The essential features of the invention are defined in claim 1. Preferred embodiments are defined in claims 2 to 8. The invention generally contemplates using the ingot rod in a free-standing position so that the ingot rod does not contact the crucible near the tip of the rod. Preferably, the ingot rod does not contact the cooling crucible at all. It has been found that there are advantages of not contacting the crucible when the ingot rod material sublimes. Having the rod in the free-standing position generally allows the operation of the electron-beam evaporating system in a defocused position. In accordance with the invention, there is provided an electron-beam An electron-beam evaporation system comprising an ingot rod, the ingot rod having a bottom end, a tip end and a side; an electron-beam evaporation source for evaporating the ingot rod; and a rotation mechanism connected to the bottom end of the ingot rod adapted to rotate the ingot rod while the electron-beam evaporation source acts on the tip of the ingot rod, wherein the ingot rod is free-standing so that the ingot rod does not contact a cooling crucible at the side of the ingot rod near the tip of the ingot rod. The electron-beam from the electron-beam source is roughly focused due to the 270° magnetic deflection. Typically, the prior art systems are set up so that the focal point of the electron-beam is near the tip of the rod. This allows for relatively high energy density. When the ingot rod is in the free-standing position, the ingot rod can be positioned so that the focal point of the electron-beam would be below the tip of the ingot rod. In prior art systems, since the tip of the ingot rod is near the crucible, in order to sweep the edges of the ingot tip without hitting the crucible with the electron-beam, the electron-beam needs to be at least somewhat in focus. Since the tip is free-standing in the invention, a defocused beam can sweep somewhat over the edge of the ingot rod tip. The defocused position has the advantage of allowing a more even application of the electron-beam energy, and may help avoid hot spots. The ability to sweep the electron-beam energy over the edge of the tip of the rod is another advantage allowed by the free-standing position of the ingot rod. This happens and since the ingot rod is free-standing, the electron-beam does not contact the crucible. The defocused position of the ingot rod allowed in the invention helps to ensure that the electron-beam, when it sweeps over the edge, does not contact the crucible. This is because the electron-beam focuses to a point within the rod below the tip of the ingot rod. Thus, none of the electron-beam energy misses the rod and impinges on the crucible. Since the electron-beam energy can be swept over the edge of the ingot rod, the power density at the edges can be increased. This is an advantage because a radial sweep of the ingot tip can then be effected. Sweeping the electron-beam along the radius of the tip of the ingot rod has the advantage that it reduces the area of the sweep. A potential disadvantage of sweeping along the radius is that the power density near the edges can be relatively low. This may cause more material to be evaporated from the centre than the edges of the tip so that a ridge may be produced at the edge of the tip. By sweeping over the edge of the rod tip, additional material from the edge portion can be evaporated, thus producing a relatively flat evaporation pattern. It is important to have a relatively flat evaporation pattern because this allows for a good utilisation of the ingot rod. If the electron-beam bores down in one location, the electron-beam can contact the pusher material, and the ingot rod will need to be replaced. Ingot rods are relatively expensive, for example, chromium rods currently cost about US$500.00. It is therefore important to get as much use of each ingot rod as possible. The inventive concepts of the invention further include the operation of the device in the defocused position, the sweeping of the electron-beam energy over the edge of the tip of the ingot rod, and the sweeping of the electron-beam energy substantially along a radius of the ingot rod. For a better understanding of the invention, reference will now be made, by way of exemplification only, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagram of a prior art electron-beam evaporation system in a vacuum process chamber as discussed above. Figure 2 is a diagram of a prior art electron-beam evaporation system again as discussed above. Figure 3 is a diagram of an electron-beam evaporation system of the invention illustrating two electron-beam scan positions. Figure 4 is a diagram of the tip of the ingot rod illustrating the ingot rod rotation and showing an illustrative sweep pattern. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the wear pattern of a prior art chromium ingot. Figure 6A is a diagram illustrating the wear of a chromium rod in the electron-beam evaporation system of the invention. Figure 6B is a diagram illustrating an unworn chromium rod for use with the electron-beam evaporation system of the invention. Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating some of the parts of the electron-beam evaporation system of the invention. Figure 8A is a cross-sectional view of a crucible for use with the electron-beam evaporation system of the invention. Figure 8B is a top view of the crucible of Figure 8A. Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating some of the elements of the electron-beam evaporation system of the invention. With reference to the drawings, Figure 3 is a diagram of an electron-beam evaporation system 30 of the invention illustrating an electron-beam 32 in two electron-beam sweep positions 32 and 32'. The system 30 shows a rod 34 having a tip portion 34a, a side portion 34b, and a bottom portion 34c. The bottom portion of the rod 34 is positioned in a rotating mechanism 36 and also connected to a feed mechanism (not shown). In a preferred embodiment, the rod material is a subliming material. In a preferred embodiment, this rod is made of chromium. Other subliming materials such as silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, yttria-stabilised zirconia, HfO 2 , and Nd 2 O 3 can also be used with the invention. As shown, the rod 34 is free-standing, which means that the side of the rod near the tip does not contact the crucible 38. In a preferred embodiment, the entire rod does not contact the cooling crucible 38. It is against conventional wisdom for the rod to not contact the cooling crucible. As described below, the free-standing rod produces a number of advantages. The electron-beam source 40 is preferably of the type that provides a deflection of 270° caused by permanent magnets (not shown) and allows for an X-Y scan deflection caused by an electric current passing through a deflector coil (not shown). In the preferred embodiment, the electron-beam emitter is a "Temescal" high-performance emitter Type SFIH-270-2 available from BOC Coating Technology of Fairfield, California. The electron-beam 32 is shown in two positions 32 and 32'. In position 32', the electron-beam sweeps over the edge of the ingot tip to the ingot rod side. This allows for evaporation of material from the side of the rod. If the side of the rod near the tip were in contact with the crucible, the electron-beam would not be able to sweep the side of the ingot rod and would instead impinge upon the crucible. The free-standing ingot rod 34 allows for the system to be used in a defocused position which helps ensure that the electron-beam can sweep the side of the rod but without impinging on the crucible. Additionally, the defocused position allows for a more uniform sweep of the ingot rod. In a preferred embodiment, the tip of the ingot rod 34 is positioned above the focal point of the electron-beam 32. The tip of the ingot rod 34 is preferably about 1.5 inches higher than was used before. As shown in Figure 3, electron-beam 32 would have a focal point at point A whereas electron-beam 32' would have a focal point at point B. The importance of sweeping the sides of the ingot rod with the electron-beam can be best seen with respect to Figure 4 illustrating an ingot rod tip 50. The ingot rod tip 50 is rotated as shown by arrow 52. In a preferred embodiment, the electron-beam sweeps substantially about the radius 50a of the tip 50. A sweep about a radius of the tip is easier to control than a full sweep of the entire tip of the ingot rod. A smaller area needs be swept, so that the power density can be maintained relatively uniform. However, if the supplied electron-beam power were completely uniform along the linear radius 50a, the power density at the edge 50b of the tip 50 would be less than the power density at the centre 50c of the tip 50. This would result in a ridge forming around the edge 50b because the material of the edge 50b would not evaporate as quickly as the material at the centre 50c. By sweeping over the edge, as shown in sweep pattern 54, the material at the edge 50b is evaporated more quickly, and a more even evaporation pattern is produced at the tip 50. Operating in the defocused position can help reduce the power density at the centre and thus produce a more even erosion pattern. The sweep pattern 54 can be set so that only a part of the electron-beam will sweep the centre 50c of the tip 50. This can help reduce the amount that evaporates from the centre 50c as compared with the edge 50b. Preferred embodiments of the invention can produce a chromium evaporation rate of 30 Angstroms per second, 58 inches above the source, at 3 kilowatts of power. This is much better than the prior art deposition rate described below. In preferred embodiments, the supplied power from the electron-beam is set at about two to three kilowatts. In the invention, since the tip of the rod is evenly eroded, almost the entire chromium rod can be used. Other subliming materials will also evaporate more evenly with the electron-beam evaporation system of the invention. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the wear pattern of a chromium ingot used in a prior art electron-beam evaporation system. The ingot 60 is made of a chromium material. As discussed above, the chromium sublimes when heated by the electron-beam. Since the electron-beam evaporation is done in a high vacuum, the chromium does not reach the molten stage, and the erosion is very localised. To prevent the evaporation from being too localised, the electron-beam has to be swept at a high frequency, and with a large amplitude, to cover the entire chromium surface. The chromium evaporation rate, from a 67 cc crucible source, has been found to be three to four Angstroms per second, 42 inches above the source, at 5.5 kilowatts. Since the electron-beam has to be swept over almost four square inches in the case of a 67 cc ingot, the power density of the electron-beam inevitably varies over such a large area and the evaporation rate differs from spot to spot. Eventually, the evaporation will be more severe at a certain spot and the electron-beam will tunnel into the chromium. Plasma focusing will make the evaporation more and more localised. This is illustrated by area 60a of the ingot 60. The evaporation rate diminishes because a smaller area is being evaporated, and soon the chromium rod has to be replaced. For the non-rod-fed ingot source used with the Figure 5, only about fifteen percent of the initial volume will be consumed before the rest of the ingot rod needs to be discarded. Figure 6A is a diagram illustrating the wear of a chromium rod used with one embodiment of the invention. Note that the rod 70 is substantially flat at the tip 70a but does have some small ridges at the tip. This flat shape remains after evaporating the chromium rod a distance d. Note that substantially all of the chromium rod 70 can be used. Also note that in location 70b, the evaporant system of the invention wears around the sides of the ingot rod 70 to help in providing the relatively uniform evaporation from the tip 70a. Figure 6B illustrates an unworn chromium rod 72 for use with the electron-beam evaporation system of the invention. Note that, in a preferred embodiment, the chromium rod 72 is about 1.25 inches in diameter. Figure 7 illustrates some of the parts used in a preferred embodiment of the electron-beam evaporation system of the invention; the crucible and the electron-beam source are not shown in this figure. A motor 80 connected to a motor mount 82 drives gears 84 to cause rotation in the hexagonal drive rod 86. This rotation is translated from the hexagonal sleeve 88 to the clamps 90 and thus the ingot rod. The motor 80 controls the speed of the rotation of the rod (not shown) clamped into a clamp 90. The rotation is translated to the hexagonal drive rod 86 whatever the vertical position of the hexagonal sleeve 88, because the hexagonal sleeve 88 slideably fits into the hexagonal drive shaft 86. A motor 92 controls the vertical position of the unit 94, including the rod clamp 90. In this way, the rod can be fed up to the crucible (not shown) and positioned using motor 92 and rotated using motor 86. Rotational speed and the rod feeding is controlled by the power supplied to the motors 80 and 92 respectively. The crucible (not shown in Figure 7) is connected at position 96. The crucible itself is shown in Figures 8A and 8B below. Additional elements shown in Figure 9 are placed on the drive base top 98. In a preferred embodiment, the motor 80 is a "Globe Motor" Part No. M319M118 available from Globe Motor of Dayton, Ohio. In a preferred embodiment, the rod is rotated at around 30 revolutions per minute (RPM) during the evaporation process. Other rotational speeds can be used. Figure 8A is a cross-sectional drawing illustrating a crucible 100 for use with the invention. The crucible has an opening 100a through which the rod is fed. Note that, in a preferred embodiment, the crucible widens out into a V-shape at area 100b. As shown in Figure 8B, the crucible 100 is water-cooled through pipes 102 and 104. As discussed above in the preferred embodiment, the rod placed into the crucible does not contact the crucible, so that the diameter of the hole 100a is wider than the ingot rod. The ingot rod, in a preferred embodiment, is about 1.25 inches in diameter. Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating additional elements of one embodiment of the electron-beam evaporation system of the invention. The elements shown in Figure 9 are placed on the drive base top 98 of Figure 7. The electron-beam gun 100 is preferably a "Temescal" high-performance emitter SFIH-270-2. The high-voltage filament lead 112 is connected to the emitter of the electron gun 110. A crucible 114 includes a through-hole 114a for a rod 116 to be fed therein. The electron-beam gun 110 has an associated deflection coil 118 that allows for the X and Y positioning of the electron-beam sweep onto the rod 116. In a preferred embodiment, the longitudinal sweep is driven by a signal having an amplitude of 0.5 to 0.7 amperes, with a sweep frequency of 4 Hertz, where the lateral sweep has a sweep frequency of 4 Hertz over an amplitude of -0.2 to +0.1 amperes. The electron-beam evaporation system of the invention can be used in conjunction with a monitoring device. A conventional monitoring device can be used where the monitor is positioned at about the same location as the substrate to give an indication of the amount of deposition material produced. In this way, a closed-loop control of the evaporation rate can be done by feeding back the detector signal to control a system parameter, preferably the power supply to the electron-beam gun, to maintain a constant deposition rate. In one embodiment, the detector is a surface wave crystal detector whose frequency changes with the addition of deposited material. Additionally, as shown in Figure 9, an inventive pool-height monitor can be used in conjunction with the invention. The pool-height monitor is described in our co-pending patent application of even date and same title (inventors P.A. Joel Smith and Ping Chang), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Briefly, as shown in Figure 9, the pool-height monitor 120 includes a crystal holder 122, a shutter 124, a shutter actuator 126, and a collimating tube 128. These elements are mounted on a bracket 130. The detector points at a position about level with the crucible surface so that the detector determines when the rod is positioned slightly above the crucible surface. When this occurs, some of the evaporated material will move in a straight line through collimating tube 128 to the detector 122. Once a signal is detected, the system knows that the tip of the rod 116 is positioned slightly above the surface of the crucible 114. In this way, the rod 116 can be positioned before a substrate is coated. No windows that can become coated or flushing gases are required. The shutter 124 can close once the position of the rod 116 is determined. In this way, excessive coating of the crystal in the detector 122 can be prevented. Also shown in Figure 9 is the coolant and electrical lines 132 and the shielding 134.

Claims: An electron-beam evaporation system comprising: an ingot rod (34), the ingot rod (34,50) having a bottom end (34c), a tip end (34a,50), and a side (34b); an electron-beam evaporation source (40) for evaporating the ingot rod (34); a rotation mechanism (36) connected to the bottom end (34c)of the ingot rod (34) adapted to rotate the ingot rod (34) while the electron-beam evaporation source (40) acts on the tip (34a,50) of the ingot rod(34), wherein the ingot rod (34) is free-standing so that the ingot rod (34) does not contact a cooling crucible (38,100) at the side (34b) of the ingot rod (34) near the tip (34) of the ingot rod; characterised in that the electron-beam evaporation source (40) is adapted to sweep an electron-beam substantially along a radius (50a) of the tip (50,34a) of ingot rod, the sweep going beyond an edge (50b) of the tip to evaporate material from the side (34b) of the ingot rod. An electron-beam evaporation system according to Claim 1 in which the electron-beam evaporation source (40) defines a focal point for the electron-beam and wherein the tip (34a,50) of the ingot rod is positioned above the focal point. An electron-beam evaporation system according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the ingot rod (34) comprises a material that sublimes when heated by an electron-beam in a low-pressure environment. An electron-beam evaporation system according to any preceding claim in which the ingot rod (34) includes a cylindrical portion defining a central longitudinal axis and wherein the rotating means (36) rotates the ingot rod about the central longitudinal axis. An electron-beam evaporation system according to any preceding claim in which the electron-beam evaporation source (40) comprises an electron-beam gun (40,110) to produce an electron-beam and a magnet to deflect the electron-beam through an arc of about 270 degrees. An electron-beam evaporation system according to any preceding claim in which the electron-beam evaporation source (40) further comprises magnetic coils (118) that can deflect the electron-beam to form a sweeping pattern on the ingot rod. An electron-beam evaporation system according to any preceding claim in which the rotation mechanism (36) comprises a motor (92). An electron-beam evaporation system according to any preceding claim further comprising a rod feeding mechanism (80-88).

Inventors: CHANG PING, HILL RUSSEL J, SMITH P A JOEL, CHANG, PING, HILL, RUSSEL J., SMITH, P.A. JOEL
Applicants: BOC GROUP INC, THE BOC GROUP, INC.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: C23C14
IPC codes: C23C14