Patent Description:
To manufacture thin films for various electronic devices, for example, to deposit thin films for shielding electromagnetic interference (EMI) of a semiconductor package, a solar cell, and an organic light emitting diode (OLED) device, there has been used a sputtering apparatus. Specifically, to deposit the thin film for shielding the semiconductor package against the EMI, there has been used an inline sputtering deposition system which performs processes while passing through process modules in a straight line.

Such an inline sputtering deposition system is not applicable to a process requiring high-level step coverage because a target and a tray to which the semiconductor package is mounted are carried facing each other as shown in (a) of <FIG> and therefore a thickness of a thin film deposited on the lateral surface of the semiconductor package is below around <NUM>% of a thickness of a thin film deposited on the top of the semiconductor package.

When sputtering is used to deposit the thin film on the semiconductor package, five sides of the package except a bottom side are subjected to the sputtering deposition, and the whole deposition thickness is set based on a side having the thinnest film among the five deposition sides. However, a conventional sputtering apparatus for the semiconductor package provides step coverage not higher than <NUM>% and is hard to secure uniformity of a thin film because of a downward deposition method and an inline system for carrying the semiconductor package tray.

Korean patent <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> disclose sputtering apparatuses with rotary drums and means for fixing substrates to such rotary drums.

Accordingly, the disclosure is conceived to solve the foregoing problems, and an aspect of the disclosure is to provide an apparatus configured for receiving a three-dimensional object and for depositing a film, preferably a metal film, on a surface of a three-dimensional object, in which a plurality of three-dimensional objects are mounted to a mounting drum so that their three-dimensional surfaces to be subjected to deposition can face toward source targets, and the mounting drum is rotatable, thereby depositing a three-dimensional metal film with improved uniformity and quality on the three-dimensional surface of the three-dimensional object.

In accordance the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus configured for receiving a three-dimensional object and for depositing a film, preferably a metal film, on a surface of the three-dimensional object, the apparatus comprising: a mounting drum rotatably disposed inside a chamber and comprising a circumferential surface onto which a plurality of three-dimensional objects is settled and mounted, the plurality of three-dimensional objects being spaced apart from one another, making each surface thereof to be subjected to deposition be exposed to an outside; and at least one source target depositing a film, preferably a metal film, onto the surface of the three-dimensional object mounted to the mounting drum by sputtering. The mounting drum is shaped like a polygonal container having a plurality of mounting surfaces corresponding to flat portions of the circumferential surface, and the plurality of three-dimensional objects is mounted to a jig settled and disposed on the mounting surface of the mounting drum. The plurality of three-dimensional objects is fastened to the jig by an adhesive film, the plurality of three-dimensional objects being attached onto the adhesive film. The jig is shaped like a ring frame of stainless steel and is attached to a rim portion of the adhesive film. The jig is mounted to the mounting surface of the mounting drum by means of holding slots protruding from the mounting surface, the holding slots forming a pair and being spaced apart facing each other while each having an "¬"-shape to hold the opposite edges of the jig, one pair of holding slots being disposed lengthwise in the direction perpendicular to the rotating direction of the mounting drum, so that the jig is inserted in and coupled to the holding slots as sliding from the lateral side in a direction perpendicular to the rotating direction of the mounting drum.

The jig may be attached to the mounting surface of the mounting drum by a separate adhesive means or by a separate clamping means.

The above and/or other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:.

<FIG> is a schematic cross-sectional view of an apparatus configured for receiving a three-dimensional object and for depositing a film, preferably a metal film, on a surface of a three-dimensional object according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

As shown in <FIG>, an apparatus <NUM> configured for receiving a three-dimensional object and for depositing a film, preferably a metal film, on a surface of the three-dimensional object according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes a mounting drum <NUM> having a circumferential surface to which a plurality of three-dimensional objects are stably mounted, and at least one source target <NUM> disposed adjacent to the circumferential surface of the mounting drum <NUM> and performing sputtering to deposit the metal film on the surface of the three-dimensional object. As necessary, a partition <NUM> may be additionally given to prevent the adjacent source targets <NUM> from contamination.

The mounting drum <NUM> is shaped like a cylinder or a polygonal container, and rotatably disposed within a vacuum chamber <NUM>. The plurality of three-dimensional objects (in particular, a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) package <NUM> of <FIG>) is mounted to the circumferential surface of the mounting drum <NUM> (in particular, a mounting surface <NUM> corresponding to each side of the polygonal prism), so that the surface of the three-dimensional object, to be subjected to deposition, can be exposed to the outside. In other words, the mounting drum <NUM> according to the disclosure is rotatable within the vacuum chamber <NUM>, and the plurality of three-dimensional objects is settled on and mounted to the circumferential surface of the mounting drum <NUM> while exposing the surface thereof to be subjected to the deposition to the outside.

Specifically, the mounting drum <NUM> has a cylindrical shape or poly-prism shape, a rotary rod <NUM> is connected to at least one of the top side and bottom side of the mounting drum <NUM>, and the plurality of three-dimensional objects is settled on and mounted to the mounting surface <NUM> corresponding to a flat portion of the circumferential surface. The rotary rod <NUM> is rotatably coupled within the vacuum chamber <NUM>. In result, the mounting drum <NUM> is rotatably disposed within the vacuum chamber <NUM> while the plurality of three-dimensional objects(e.g. the semiconductor IC package) is stably mounted to the mounting surface <NUM>.

Like this, the plurality of three-dimensional objects is settled on and mounted to the circumferential surface of the mounting drum <NUM> while exposing the surface to be subjected to the deposition to the outside, and therefore the surface to be subjected to the deposition is disposed protruding from the circumferential surface <NUM> of the mounting drum <NUM>. According to the disclosure, the apparatus <NUM> configured for receiving a three-dimensional object and for depositing the film, preferably a metal film, on the surface of the three-dimensional object refers to a deposition apparatus configured for receiving a three-dimensional object and for depositing the film, preferably a metal film, onto the surface of the three-dimensional object such as the semiconductor IC package, and therefore the surface of the semiconductor IC package and the like three-dimensional object is disposed to be exposed on the circumferential surface <NUM> of the mounting drum <NUM>.

The plurality of three-dimensional objects, which is mounted on the circumferential surface <NUM> of the mounting drum <NUM> so that the surface to be subjected to the deposition can be exposed to the outside as described above, undergoes sputtering based on at least one source target <NUM>. Therefore, at least one source target <NUM> is disposed to deposit a predetermined metal film onto the surface of the plurality of three-dimensional objects. In other words, at least one source target <NUM> carries out sputtering operation to deposit the metal film onto the exposed surface of the three-dimensional object mounted to the circumferential surface <NUM> of the mounting drum <NUM>.

The source target <NUM> is formed as a metal target to be deposited on the surface of the three-dimensional object, and the metal target operates as a cathode during a sputtering process. The source target <NUM> corresponding to the metal target functioning as the cathode deposits the metal film including at least one metal layer on the surface of the three-dimensional object.

Meanwhile, the mounting drum <NUM> having the cylindrical or polygonal-prism shape is rotatable during the sputtering process performed by the source target <NUM>, so that the source target <NUM> can perform three-dimensional deposition with regard to the surfaces of the three-dimensional object (e.g. the four lateral surfaces and top surface of the three-dimensional object such as the semiconductor IC package).

Accordingly, in the apparatus <NUM> for the deposition on the surface of the three-dimensional object according to the disclosure, a complicated source target for carrying out sputtering to the top surface and four lateral surfaces of the three-dimensional object and an additional element for driving the complicated source target are not needed for the three-dimensional deposition on the surfaces of the three-dimensional object, and a simple source target is enough to perform the three-dimensional deposition with regard to the surfaces of the three-dimensional object.

As described above, the apparatus <NUM> for the deposition on the surface of the three-dimensional object according to the disclosure does not perform the deposition with regard to a simple surface corresponding to one plane, but carries out the deposition with regard to the surfaces of the three-dimensional object such as the semiconductor IC package, i.e. the three-dimensional surfaces corresponding to the four lateral surfaces and top surface, thereby forming a metal film, in particular, a film for shielding electromagnetic interference (EMI).

According to the disclosure, the three-dimensional object refers to any three-dimensional object that needs to form the metal film on the surface thereof and have surfaces corresponding to at least two planes, i.e. three-dimensional surfaces to be subjected to the deposition for the metal film. In particular, according to the disclosure, the three-dimensional object is the semiconductor IC package, and the metal film is an EMI shielding film to be deposited on a package surface <NUM> that includes four lateral surfaces (i.e. package lateral surfaces <NUM>) and a top surface (i.e. package top surface <NUM>) of the semiconductor IC package.

Therefore, unless otherwise additionally described below, the three-dimensional object means the semiconductor IC package, the metal film means the EMI shielding film, and the surface means the package surface <NUM> including four lateral surfaces (i.e. package lateral surfaces: <NUM>) and the top surface(i.e. package top surface: <NUM>).

As the three-dimensional object according to the disclosure, the semiconductor IC package <NUM> has a cubic shape as shown in <FIG>, and includes a metal film <NUM> on the external surface, i.e. the package surface <NUM> thereof. Here, the metal film <NUM> is the EMI shielding film formed on the surfaces of the semiconductor IC package <NUM>. Further, the metal film <NUM> used as the EMI shielding film corresponds to the surfaces of the semiconductor IC package, for example, the package surface <NUM> including the package lateral surfaces <NUM> equivalent to the four lateral surfaces, and the package top surface <NUM> equivalent to the top surface.

As shown in <FIG>, the semiconductor IC package 100includes a substrate <NUM>, various active and passive devices (not shown) and various chips <NUM> such as a controller and the like embedded on the substrate <NUM>, and a protection cap <NUM> formed on the substrate <NUM> and protecting various chips <NUM> and the like. The bottom surface of the substrate <NUM>, i.e. a package bottom surface <NUM> may be formed with an input/output (IO) pad <NUM> for electric connection, and a solder ball <NUM> may be formed on the IO pad <NUM>.

The semiconductor IC package <NUM> formed with the foregoing structure needs to include the metal film <NUM> as the EMI shielding film on the surfaces of the protection cap <NUM>, i.e.the package surface <NUM> including the package top surface 11andthe package lateral surfaces 13corresponding to four lateral surfaces. According to the disclosure, the metal film, i.e.the EMI shielding film is deposited on portions corresponding to the package top surface 11andthe package lateral surfaces <NUM>, but should not be deposited on the package bottom surface 15to be formed with the IO pad <NUM>, the solder ball <NUM>, etc. Therefore, the package bottom surface <NUM> is prevented from being exposed to the outside during the deposition process.

Below, the apparatus <NUM> for the deposition on the surface of the three-dimensional object according to the disclosure will be described in detail with respect to more concrete technical features and additional technical features.

The apparatus <NUM> for the deposition on the surface of the three-dimensional object according to the disclosure needs to employ a configuration in which the deposition process is carried out in the state that the plurality of three-dimensional objects(preferably, the semiconductor IC packages <NUM>) are all stably mounted to the mounting drum <NUM>, so that the metal film <NUM> can be deposited on the surfaces of the plurality of three-dimensional objects(preferably, the semiconductor IC packages <NUM>).

To this end, the mounting drum 170according to the disclosure may be shaped like the polygonal prism having the plurality of mounting surface <NUM>, and the plurality of three-dimensional objects(preferably, the semiconductor IC packages <NUM>) may be mounted to a jig <NUM> fastened to the mounting surface <NUM> of the mounting drum <NUM>.

Specifically, the mounting drum 170has only to be shaped like a container and rotatably mounted within the vacuum chamber <NUM>. Preferably, the mounting drum <NUM> has a polygonal-prism shape making it possible to form the mounting surface <NUM> corresponding to a plane so that the jig <NUM> mounted with the plurality of three-dimensional objects can be stably settled and disposed.

Therefore, the mounting drum 170according to the disclosure is shaped like a polygonal prism, and thus has a plurality of mounting surfaces171 corresponding to the lateral surfaces of the polygonal prism, so that the jig <NUM>, to which the plurality of three-dimensional objects is mounted, can be stably settled on each flat mounting surface <NUM>.

The plurality of three-dimensional objects can be mounted to the circumferential surfaces of the mounting drum <NUM>, i.e. the mounting surfaces <NUM> as they are fastened and mounted to the jig <NUM>. In this case, the jig <NUM> may be mounted with as many three-dimensional objects as possible, thereby improving production efficiency.

To this end, as shown in <FIG>and<FIG>, according to the disclosure, the semiconductor IC packages <NUM> corresponding to the plurality of three-dimensional objects are stably fastened and mounted to the jig <NUM> by an adhesive film <NUM>. Specifically,the plurality of three-dimensional objects are mounted onto the adhesive film <NUM> as spaced apart from one another at predetermined intervals. In this case, the bottom surfaces, i.e. the package bottom surfaces <NUM> of the plurality of three-dimensional objects, i.e. the semiconductor IC packages <NUM> are attached to the adhesive film <NUM>. Therefore, the package bottom surfaces <NUM> of the plurality of three-dimensional objects are not exposed to the outside during the deposition process, and thus not subjected to the deposition.

The adhesive film <NUM> having atop surface (i.e. adhesive surface), to which the plurality of three-dimensional objects is attached, is held by the jig <NUM>. The jig 160may have a structure of a flat plate and be attached to and supported by the bottom surface of the adhesive film <NUM> having the top surface to which the plurality of three-dimensional objects is attached. However, such a structure has a problem that adhesive materials have to be applied to both the top and bottom surfaces of the adhesive film <NUM>, and time, efforts and costs needed for coupling the jig <NUM> with the adhesive film <NUM>, to which the plurality of three-dimensional objects are attached, are increased as the adhesive area of the jig <NUM> becomes larger.

Therefore, the jig <NUM> according to the disclosure may be shaped like a ring frame of stainless steel instead of a structure of a flat plate. In other words, the jig <NUM> according to the disclosure has a ring frame shape as shown in <FIG>and<FIG>, and is attached to a rim portion of the adhesive film <NUM> to which the plurality of three-dimensional objects, i.e.the semiconductor IC packages <NUM> are attached.

With this structure, the plurality of three-dimensional objects according to the disclosure is stably mounted to the jig <NUM> by a medium of the adhesive film <NUM>, and the jig 160is stably settled and disposed on the mounting surface <NUM> of the mounting drum <NUM>, so that the plurality of three-dimensional objects(preferably, semiconductor IC packages <NUM>) can be stably mounted to the mounting surfaces <NUM> corresponding to the circumferential surface of the mounting drum <NUM>.

The jig <NUM> needs to be stably settled and disposed on the mounting surface <NUM> of the mounting drum <NUM>. To this end, the jig <NUM> may be attached to the mounting surface 171of the mounting drum <NUM> by a separate adhesive means, or may be stably fastened by a separate clamping means. However, such a separate means may make it difficult to mount and separate the jig <NUM> and cause a complicated structure.

Therefore, the disclosure provides a simple structure where the jig <NUM> is easily mounted and separated, and the jig <NUM> maintains its position stably without movement or separation even while the mounting drum <NUM> rotates. Specifically, according to the disclosure, as shown in <FIG>and <FIG>,holding slots <NUM> protruding from the mounting surface <NUM> of the mounting drum <NUM> and facing each other are provided to hold the opposite edges of the jig <NUM>.

The holding slots <NUM> form a pair as shown in <FIG>and<FIG>, and are spaced apart facing each other while each having an "¬"-shape protruding from the mounting surface <NUM> of the mounting drum <NUM>. The holding slots <NUM> are formed on the mounting surface <NUM> of the mounting drum <NUM>, and disposed in a direction perpendicular to a rotating direction of the mounting drum <NUM>, i.e. a drum rotating direction rd. In results, the jig <NUM> sliding and coupling to the holding slots <NUM> is supported by the holding slots <NUM> and maintains a stable state without movement and separation while the mounting drum <NUM> is rotating in the drum rotating direction rd.

One pair of holding slots <NUM> is disposed lengthwise in the direction perpendicular to the rotating direction of the mounting drum <NUM>, i.e. to the drum rotating direction rd, so that the jig <NUM> can be inserted in and coupled to the holding slots <NUM> as sliding from the lateral side in a direction perpendicular to the rotating direction of the mounting drum <NUM>.

Like this, according to the disclosure, the holding slots <NUM> are protruding from the mounting surface <NUM> and facing each other so that the jig <NUM>, to which the plurality of three-dimensional objects (i.e. semiconductor IC packages <NUM>) are mounted by the adhesive film <NUM>, can slide and settle on the mounting surface <NUM> of the mounting drum <NUM>, thereby having effects on stably maintaining the jig <NUM> while the mounting drum <NUM> is rotating, and making it easy to mount and separate the jig <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the plurality of three-dimensional objects(i.e. semiconductor IC packages <NUM>) are attached to the adhesive film <NUM> and spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals. However, a space between the plurality of three-dimensional objects (i.e. semiconductor IC packages <NUM>) attached onto the adhesive film <NUM>, i.e. a package spacing distance ps needs to be greater than the height of the plurality of three-dimensional objects (i.e. semiconductor IC package <NUM>), i.e. a package height ph.

Like this, the plurality of three-dimensional objects (i.e. semiconductor IC packages <NUM>) according to the disclosure have to be arranged having the package spacing distance ps greater than the package height ph. With this structure, the metal film <NUM> can be deposited having a uniform thickness onto the lateral surfaces, i.e. the package lateral surfaces <NUM> of the semiconductor IC package. Specifically, with this arrangement structure, as shown in (b) of <FIG>, deposition is applied up to the lateral surfaces of the semiconductor IC package <NUM>, i.e. up to a deep portion (i.e. a portion adjacent to the substrate) of the package lateral surfaces <NUM> while the mounting drum <NUM> is rotating, thereby depositing the metal film <NUM> to have uniform thickness on the lateral surfaces, i.e. the package lateral surfaces <NUM> of the semiconductor IC package <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the apparatus <NUM> for the deposition on the surface of the three-dimensional object according to an embodiment of the disclosure surface may include a plurality of source targets <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. That is, a single source target <NUM> may be provided to deposit a three-dimensional metal film onto the three-dimensional surfaces of the plurality of three-dimensional objects (i.e. semiconductor IC packages <NUM>) rotating inside the vacuum chamber <NUM>. However, a plurality of source targets <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> may be provided to deposit the three-dimensional metal film onto the three-dimensional surfaces (i.e.the package surface <NUM> including the package top surface 11andthe package lateral surfaces <NUM>) of the plurality of rotating three-dimensional objects (i.e. semiconductor IC packages <NUM>). <FIG> illustrates that the source target <NUM> includes a plurality of source targets, i.e. a first source target <NUM>, a second source target <NUM>, a third source target <NUM>,andother additional source targets. However, the source target <NUM> may include more source targets than those illustrated in <FIG>, and the source targets may be more densely arranged.

As described above, when the source target <NUM> includes a plurality of source targets, the plurality of source targets (e.g. the source targets including the first source target <NUM>, the second source target 133andthe third source target <NUM> as shown in <FIG>) may be used as cathode targets of one metal, i.e. identical metal targets, or may be used as cathode targets of different metals, i.e. different metal targets.

Like this, the source target <NUM> according to the disclosure may include the plurality of source targets <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and the plurality of source targets (e.g. the source targets including the first source target <NUM>, the second source target 133andthe third source target 135as shown in <FIG>) may be actualized by the identical metal targets or the different metal targets.

The former case (where the source target includes a plurality of source targets, and the plurality of source targets are actualized by identical metal targets) is used to form an EMI shielding film corresponding to the metal film <NUM> including one metal layer on the three-dimensional surfaces of the plurality of three-dimensional objects (i.e. semiconductor IC packages <NUM>). In other words, the plurality of source targets are actualized by the identical metal targets of one metal.

Like this, when the plurality of source targets 130are actualized by the identical metal targets, the three-dimensional surfaces of the plurality of three-dimensional objects (i.e. semiconductor IC packages <NUM>) continuously undergo sputtering while the mounting drum <NUM> is rotating, so that the metal film <NUM> corresponding to the EMI shielding film can be deposited. In result, it is possible to speed up the deposition of the metal film onto the three-dimensional surfaces of the plurality of three-dimensional objects (i.e. semiconductor IC packages <NUM>), thereby improving production and deposition efficiencies.

As described above, when the source target <NUM> includes the plurality of identical metal targets, spaces between the source targets, i.e. between the metal targets may be adjusted based on efficiency and quality of the metal film deposition on the three-dimensional surfaces of the plurality of three-dimensional objects (i.e. semiconductor IC packages <NUM>). Actually, the narrower the space between the source targets, the better. It is preferable that the source targets are more densely arranged than those shown in <FIG>.

Next, the latter case (where the source target includes a plurality of source targets, and the plurality of source targets are actualized by different metal targets) is used to form an EMI shielding film corresponding to the metal film <NUM> including a plurality of metal layers on the three-dimensional surfaces of the plurality of three-dimensional objects (i.e. semiconductor IC packages <NUM>). In other words, the plurality of source targets are actualized by the different metal targets of different metals.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, when the source target <NUM> includes three source targets, i.e. the first source target <NUM>, the second source target <NUM>,the third source target <NUM>,andother source targets, different metal targets are used as the first source target <NUM>, the second source target 133andthe third source target <NUM>. In this case, the first source target <NUM> may deposit a first metal layer (e.g. a stainless-steel layer) on the three-dimensional surfaces of the plurality of three-dimensional objects (i.e. semiconductor IC packages <NUM>), the second source target <NUM> may deposit a second metal layer (e.g. a copper layer) on the first metal layer, and the third source target <NUM> may deposit a third metal layer (e.g. a stainless-steel layer) on the second metal layer. Here, the metal film <NUM> deposited on the three-dimensional surfaces of the plurality of three-dimensional objects (i.e. semiconductor IC packages <NUM>)is formed by depositing the first metal layer (e.g. the stainless-steel (SUS) layer), the second metal layer (e.g. the copper (Cu) layer),and the third metal layer (e.g. the stainless-steel (SUS) layer) in sequence.

Like this, when the source target <NUM> includes a plurality of source targets <NUM> and the plurality of source targets are actualized by the different metal targets, only a specific source target <NUM> operates to perform sputtering, and the other source targets do not carry out the sputtering. In other words, only a certain source target is controlled to operate, and the other source targets are controlled not to operate.

When only one source target operates to perform sputtering, the three-dimensional deposition is applied to the three-dimensional surfaces of the plurality of three-dimensional objects (i.e. semiconductor IC packages <NUM>) mounted to the mounting drum <NUM> as the mounting drum <NUM> rotates. In other words, first metal of the source target carrying out the sputtering is deposited on the three-dimensional surfaces of the plurality of three-dimensional objects (i.e. semiconductor IC packages <NUM>)mounted to the mounting drum <NUM>, thereby forming a first metal layer. For example, referring to <FIG>, when only the first source target <NUM> operates to carry out the sputtering but the second source target <NUM> and the third source target <NUM> do not operate, the first metal is sputtered from the first source target <NUM> and the first metal layer is deposited onto the three-dimensional surfaces of the plurality of three-dimensional objects (i.e. semiconductor IC packages <NUM>).

When the deposition of the first metal layer is completed, only a source target (e.g.the second source target <NUM>), which is different from and adjacent to the source target (e.g.the first source target <NUM>) sputtering the first metal layer, operates to carry out the sputtering, and the other source targets (e.g. the first source target 131andthe third source target <NUM>)do not operate. Eventually, the second metal is sputtered from the second source target <NUM> to the three-dimensional surfaces of the plurality of three-dimensional objects (i.e. semiconductor IC packages <NUM>), and thus the second metal layer is deposited on the first metal layer.

When the deposition of the second metal layer is completed, only a source target (e.g.the third source target <NUM>), which is different from and adjacent to the source target (e.g.the second source target <NUM>) sputtering the second metal layer, operates to carry out the sputtering, and the other source targets (e.g. the first source target 131andthe second source target <NUM>)do not operate. Eventually, the third metal is sputtered from the third source target <NUM> to the three-dimensional surfaces of the plurality of three-dimensional objects (i.e. semiconductor IC packages <NUM>), and thus the third metal layer is deposited on the second metal layer.

Thus, the plurality of source targets <NUM> operate in sequence so that the corresponding metal layers are sequentially sputtered and stacked on the three-dimensional surfaces of the plurality of three-dimensional objects (i.e. semiconductor IC packages <NUM>), thereby ultimately forming the metal film <NUM> including a plurality of metal layers, i.e. the EMI shielding film on the three-dimensional surfaces of the plurality of three-dimensional objects (i.e. semiconductor IC packages <NUM>).

Like this, when the source target 130includes a plurality of source targets and the plurality of source targets <NUM> are respectively actualized by different metal targets, only a certain source target for a specific metal target operates among the plurality of source targets andis controlled to sputter metal corresponding to the specific metal target to the substrate lateral surfaces.

During these operations, a source target (e.g. the second source target <NUM>) different from and adjacent to a certain source target (e.g. the first source target <NUM>) needs to be prevented from contamination caused by the sputtering of the metal target corresponding to the certain source target. In other words, metal of a specific metal target of a certain source target has to be prevented from being deposited on other metal targets corresponding to other adjacent source targets.

To this end, as shown in <FIG>, the apparatus <NUM> for the deposition on the surface of the three-dimensional object according to the disclosure may further include a partition <NUM> between a certain source target and other adjacent source targets, thereby preventing metal of the certain source target carrying out the sputtering from being deposited to other adjacent source targets. In other words, according to the disclosure, when the plurality of source targets <NUM> are actualized by different metal targets, the partition <NUM> is further provided between the source target <NUM> performing the sputtering and other adjacent source targets <NUM>.

In the foregoing description, each of the source targets, i.e. the first source target <NUM>, the second source target 133andthe third source target <NUM> is provided as each individual source target. Alternatively, each source target may include a plurality of identical metal targets. That is, the source targets may be actualized by a plurality of identical metal target groups. Therefore, a plurality of identical metal targets for the first source target may perform sputtering to deposit the first metal layer.

Meanwhile, the apparatus <NUM> configured for receiving a three-dimensional object and for depositing the film, preferably a metal film, on the surface of the three-dimensional object according to the disclosure may further include a configuration for preprocessing the surfaces of the plurality of three-dimensional objects (i.e. semiconductor IC packages <NUM>) before performing a process for depositing the metal film <NUM> on the surfaces of the plurality of three-dimensional objects (i.e. semiconductor IC packages <NUM>).

In addition, fine particles may be present on the surfaces of the plurality of three-dimensional objects (i.e. semiconductor IC packages <NUM>). To remove such fine particles before the deposition, plasma-based preprocessing may be further performed for precise cleansing. When such plasma-based preprocessing is performed, adverse effects caused by the fine particles are prevented.

Further, the apparatus <NUM> configured for receiving a three-dimensional object and for depositing the film, preferably a metal film, on the surface of the three-dimensional object according to the disclosure may further include an ion-beam generator <NUM> to preprocess the surfaces of the plurality of three-dimensional objects (i.e. semiconductor IC packages <NUM>) by ion beams inside the vacuum chamber <NUM> before the process for forming the metal film <NUM> on the surfaces of the plurality of three-dimensional objects (i.e. semiconductor IC packages <NUM>).

In other words, to enhance adhesion and close-contact between the metal film <NUM> corresponding to the EMI shielding film and the three-dimensional surfaces of the plurality of three-dimensional objects (i.e. semiconductor IC packages <NUM>), an ion-beam process is performed in the vacuum chamber <NUM> before performing the sputtering to deposit the metal film <NUM> on the surfaces of the plurality of three-dimensional objects (i.e. semiconductor IC packages <NUM>). To this end, only an ion-beam gun corresponding to an ion beam generator <NUM> for the ion-beam process is just added to the vacuum chamber <NUM>.

Like this, according to the disclosure, the preprocess for the surface of the three-dimensional object (e.g. the semiconductor IC package <NUM>) is performed by the ion-beam process in the same chamber as the vacuum chamber for forming the metal film (e.g. the EMI shielding film) on the surface of the three-dimensional object(e.g.the semiconductor IC package <NUM>), thereby simplifying the processes to enhance the adhesion and close-contact for the surface of the three-dimensional object(e.g. the semiconductor IC package), and thus reducing time, efforts and costs in manufacturing the three-dimensional object(e.g. the semiconductor IC package) with high quality. Further, when the metal film (e.g. the EMI shielding film) deposited on the surface of the three-dimensional object (e.g. the semiconductor IC package) includes a plurality of metal layers, the ion-beam process may be carried out in one chamber with respect to each of the metal layers, thereby further improving the adhesion and close-contact between the metal layers.

As described above, the apparatus <NUM> configured for receiving a three-dimensional object and for depositing the metal film on the surface of the three-dimensional object according to the disclosure, as shown in <FIG>, is improved in deposition efficiency with respect to the package lateral surface as compared with that of a conventional method of depositing the metal film on the surface of the three-dimensional object. Specifically, by the conventional method of deposition for the surface of the three-dimensional object, as shown in (a) of <FIG>, the metal film is uniformly deposited on only the top surface of the three-dimensional object, but the metal film is hardly deposited or deposited without uniformity of thickness on the lateral surfaces. On the other hand, the apparatus configured for receiving a three-dimensional object and for depositing the film, preferably a metal film, on the surface of the three-dimensional object according to the disclosure, as shown in (b) of <FIG>, the metal film can be uniformly deposited on not only the top surface but also the lateral surfaces of the three-dimensional object (e.g. the semiconductor IC package <NUM>) as the mounting drum rotates. Therefore, the apparatus <NUM> configured for receiving a three-dimensional object and for depositing the film, preferably a metal film, on the surface of the three-dimensional object according to the disclosure improves deposition efficiency of the metal film onto the surfaces of the three-dimensional object(e.g. the semiconductor IC package <NUM>).

According to the disclosure, a plurality of three-dimensional objects are mounted to a mounting drum so that their three-dimensional surfaces to be subjected to deposition can face toward source targets, and the mounting drum is rotatable, thereby depositing a three-dimensional metal film with improved uniformity and quality on the three-dimensional surface of the three-dimensional object.

Further, a semiconductor IC package is applicable as the three-dimensional object, thereby efficiently depositing the metal film as an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding film with uniform thickness on four lateral surfaces and a top surface of the semiconductor IC package.

Claim 1:
An apparatus (<NUM>) configured for receiving a three-dimensional object and for depositing a film, preferably a metal film, on a surface of the three-dimensional object, the apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a mounting drum (<NUM>) rotatably disposed inside a chamber (<NUM>) and comprising a circumferential surface onto which a plurality of three-dimensional objects is settled and mounted, the plurality of three-dimensional objects being spaced apart from one another, making each surface thereof to be subjected to deposition be exposed to an outside; and
at least one source target (<NUM>) depositing a film, preferably a metal film, onto the surface of the three-dimensional object mounted to the mounting drum (<NUM>) by sputtering;
wherein the mounting drum (<NUM>) is shaped like a polygonal container comprising a plurality of mounting surfaces (<NUM>) corresponding to flat portions of the circumferential surface;
the plurality of three-dimensional objects is mounted to a jig (<NUM>) settled and disposed on the mounting surface (<NUM>) of the mounting drum (<NUM>);
the plurality of three-dimensional objects is fastened to the jig (<NUM>) by an adhesive film (<NUM>), the plurality of three-dimensional objects being attached onto the adhesive film (<NUM>);
characterized in that
the jig (<NUM>) is shaped like a ring frame of stainless steel and is attached to a rim portion of the adhesive film (<NUM>), and the jig (<NUM>) is mounted to the mounting surface (<NUM>) of the mounting drum (<NUM>) by means of holding slots (<NUM>) protruding from the mounting surface (<NUM>), the holding slots (<NUM>) forming a pair and being spaced apart facing each other while each having an "¬"-shape to hold the opposite edges of the jig (<NUM>), one pair of holding slots (<NUM>) being disposed lengthwise in the direction perpendicular to the rotating direction of the mounting drum (<NUM>), so that the jig (<NUM>) is inserted in and coupled to the holding slots (<NUM>) as sliding from the lateral side in a direction perpendicular to the rotating direction of the mounting drum (<NUM>).