JP2007031817A - Sputtering apparatus and sputtering method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sputtering apparatus capable of preventing any non-erosive area from remaining on a target, and depositing a film of a uniform quality when performing the responsive sputtering. <P>SOLUTION: The sputtering apparatus 2 has at least four targets 241 arranged side by side at predetermined intervals in a vacuum chamber 21, and AC power sources E connected to two targets one by one out of the targets arranged side by side so as to alternately apply the negative potential and the positive potential or the grounding potential thereto, and each AC power source E is connected to the two targets 241 not adjacent to each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sputtering apparatus and a sputtering method.

  In film formation, a magnetron sputtering method is often used because of its advantages such as high film formation speed. In the magnetron sputtering method, a magnet assembly composed of a plurality of magnets whose polarities are alternately changed is installed behind the target, and a magnetic flux is formed in front of the target by this magnet assembly to capture the target. Sputtering is performed by increasing the electron density in the front, increasing the collision probability between these electrons and the gas introduced into the vacuum chamber, and increasing the plasma density.

  By the way, in recent years, as the substrate becomes larger, the magnetron sputtering apparatus is also enlarged. As such, a sputtering apparatus that can form a film on a large-area substrate by arranging a plurality of targets in parallel is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

  In this sputtering apparatus, since components such as an anode and a shield for capturing secondary electrons jumping out of the targets are provided between the targets, the targets cannot be provided close to each other. The interval between them becomes wider. Since no sputtered particles are emitted from between these targets, the deposition rate is extremely slow at the portion of the substrate surface facing the target, and the in-plane uniformity of the film thickness deteriorates.

In order to solve such problems, a sputtering apparatus as shown in FIG. 1 is considered. The sputtering apparatus 1 includes two AC power supplies E that connect a plurality of targets 12a to 12d arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval in the vacuum chamber 11 and targets adjacent to each other (12a and 12b, 12c and 12d). And have. In this sputtering apparatus 1, since one of the targets to which one AC power supply is connected is used as a cathode and the other as an anode, sputtering is performed alternately, so there is no need to provide components such as an anode between the targets, and the targets are close to each other. Can be arranged.
JP-T-2002-508447 (for example, description of claims)

  However, if the targets are juxtaposed in close proximity to each other, the electrons emitted into the upper space 121 of the adjacent target ends flow into the anode, so that no plasma P is generated, and therefore the ends of the targets are not sputtered. It will remain as a non-erodible area. In this case, even if the magnetic flux is translated in front of the non-eroding region, the target end cannot be eroded, and the entire surface of the target cannot be eroded. In addition, the remaining non-erodible region causes abnormal discharge and particles during sputtering.

  Further, since plasma P is generated between adjacent targets to which one AC power supply is connected, a space 122 having a plasma density lower than that of other spaces is generated. In this case, when reactive sputtering is performed by introducing a reactive gas into the sputtering apparatus 1, the reaction is not promoted at a portion where the plasma density is low, and the film quality in the surface of the substrate S is not uniform.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and when a non-erodible region does not remain on the target and reactive sputtering is performed, a film having a uniform film quality can be formed. A sputtering apparatus is to be provided.

  The sputtering apparatus of the present invention includes at least four or more targets arranged in parallel in a vacuum chamber at a predetermined interval, and negative potential, positive potential, or ground potential with respect to two targets among the arranged targets. The AC power supply is alternately applied, and each AC power supply is connected to two targets that are not adjacent to each other.

  By connecting each AC power supply and two targets that are not adjacent to each other, the distance between the anode and the cathode is increased, and electrons do not flow into the anode. Thereby, plasma is generated in front of the target and can be eroded over the entire surface of the target.

  In addition, by connecting two targets separated by one or more targets, each plasma is generated overlapping each other, so that a space with low plasma density does not occur, so that the plasma density in front of the substrate becomes substantially uniform, When reactive sputtering is performed, a film having a uniform film quality can be formed.

  The sputtering apparatus of the present invention includes a magnet assembly composed of a plurality of magnets arranged behind each target so as to form a magnetic flux in front of each target, and these so that the magnetic flux moves in parallel with respect to the target. It is preferable to provide a driving means for driving the magnet assembly. By translating the magnet assembly from side to side, the entire target surface can be eroded substantially uniformly.

  In addition, if this magnet assembly is disposed behind each target, the magnets may interfere with each other and the magnetic field balance may be lost. In such a case, it is preferable to provide a magnetic flux density correction means for making the density of the magnetic flux formed by each magnet assembly substantially uniform.

  Further, the sputtering method of the present invention transports the substrate to a position facing at least four or more targets arranged in parallel in the vacuum chamber at a predetermined interval, and is not adjacent to each other among the arranged targets. A thin film is formed on a substrate by alternately applying a negative potential and a positive potential or a ground potential to two targets to generate plasma on the target.

  According to the sputtering apparatus of the present invention, there is no non-erodible region left on the target, and when reactive sputtering is performed, an excellent effect that the film quality of the formed film is uniform can be obtained.

  According to FIG. 2, the sputtering apparatus 2 of the present invention is of a single wafer type, and a substrate S is transferred from a wafer cassette (not shown) in an atmospheric atmosphere and stocked, and sputtering is performed. A vacuum chamber 21 to be performed, and a transfer chamber 22 provided between the load lock chamber 20 and the vacuum chamber 21 are provided. The load lock chamber 20, the transfer chamber 22, and the vacuum chamber 21 are connected to each other via a partition valve. Although not shown, the load lock chamber 20, the vacuum chamber 21, and the transfer chamber 22 are connected to a vacuum pump and a vacuum gauge for monitoring the degree of vacuum.

  The load lock chamber 20 is provided with a transfer arm for transferring a substrate holder on which the substrate S is mounted. The substrate S mounted on the substrate holder is accommodated in the load lock chamber 20 from the outside (wafer cassette) by this transfer arm.

  The transfer chamber 22 is provided with a transfer robot (not shown). After the load lock chamber 20 is evacuated to a predetermined degree of vacuum, the partition valve is opened and the transfer chamber 22 is evacuated to the same degree of vacuum. The substrate S is transferred to the substrate. Thereafter, the partition valve between the transfer chamber 22 and the vacuum chamber 21 is opened, and the substrate S is transferred to the vacuum chamber 21 by the transfer robot.

The vacuum chamber 21 is provided with gas introduction means 23 (see FIG. 3). The gas introduction means 23 is connected to gas sources 233a and 233b via gas introduction pipes 232 provided with mass flow controllers 231a and 231b, respectively. The gas sources 233a and 233b are filled with a sputtering gas such as argon or a reactive gas such as H ₂ O, O ₂ or N ₂ , and these gases are fixed in the vacuum chamber 21 by the mass flow controllers 231a and 231b. It can be introduced at a flow rate.

  A target assembly 24 is disposed at a position facing the substrate S transferred into the vacuum chamber 21. The target assembly 24 includes six targets 241a to 241f formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. These targets 241a to 241f are manufactured by a known method according to the composition of the film formed on the substrate, such as ITO, Al alloy, and Mo, and a cooling backing plate (not shown) is joined. Has been.

  Further, the targets 241a to 241f are arranged in parallel with a gap D1 so as to be positioned on the same plane parallel to the substrate S. The distance D1 is set to such a distance that plasma is generated in the space between the side surfaces of the targets 241a to 241f and the side surfaces of the targets 241a to 241f are not sputtered. This distance is 1 to 10 mm, preferably 2 to 3 mm. Since the targets 241a to 241f are arranged close to each other, the sputtered particles reach the entire surface of the substrate S arranged at a position facing the targets 241a to 241f, and the film thickness distribution can be made uniform.

  Electrodes 242a to 242f and an insulating plate 243 are sequentially attached to the rear surfaces of the targets 241a to 241f, and these are attached to predetermined positions of the target assembly 24, respectively. Three AC power supplies E1 to E3 disposed outside the vacuum chamber 21 are connected to the electrodes 242a to 242f, respectively.

  The AC power supplies E1 to E3 are connected so as to alternately apply a voltage to two targets that are not adjacent to each other. For example, one terminal of the AC power supply E1 is connected to the electrode 242a behind the target 241a, and the other terminal is connected to the electrode 242d behind the target 241d. The voltage applied by the AC power supply may be a sine wave or a rectangular wave.

  By connecting the AC power supplies E1 to E3 in this way, when a negative voltage is applied to one of the targets (242a, 242b, 242c) from the AC power supplies E1 to E3, these targets 242a, 242b, and 242c serve as cathodes. The other target 242d, 242e, 242f can serve as the anode. Then, plasma is formed in front of the targets 242a, 242b, and 242c as cathodes, and the targets 242a, 242b, and 242c are sputtered. A voltage is alternately applied to each of the targets 241a to 241f in accordance with the frequency of the AC power source to perform sputtering, and the sputtered particles reach the entire surface of the substrate S to form a uniform film thickness.

  The target assembly 24 is provided with six magnet assemblies 244 positioned behind the respective targets 241a to 241f. Each magnet assembly 244 is formed in the same structure, has a support portion 245 provided in parallel with the targets 241a to 241f, and is arranged on the support portion 245 in the longitudinal direction of the target so as to be alternately changed in polarity. And a peripheral magnet 247 composed of a plurality of magnets so as to surround the periphery of the central magnet 246. Each magnet is designed so that the volume when converted to the same magnetization of the central magnet 246 is equal to the sum of the volumes when converted to the same magnetization of the peripheral magnet 247. As a result, a closed-loop tunnel-like magnetic flux suspended in front of the targets 241a to 241f is formed, and the ions ionized in front of the target and the secondary electrons generated by sputtering are captured and formed in front of the target as a cathode. The plasma density can be increased.

  By the way, since the magnet assemblies 244 are also close to each other, the magnetic fields interfere with each other, and the magnetic fields generated by the magnet assemblies 244 positioned behind the targets 241a and 241f at both ends and the targets 241c and 241d positioned in the center. There is a case where the balance with the magnetic field by the magnet assembly 244 located behind is lost. In this case, the film thickness distribution in the substrate S plane cannot be made substantially uniform. For this reason, the auxiliary magnet 248 is provided in the target assembly 24 in order to correct the magnetic field balance. The auxiliary magnet 248 has the same polarity as the peripheral magnet 247 of the adjacent magnet assembly 244. The distance between the auxiliary magnet 248 and the peripheral magnet 247 is the same as the distance D2 between the magnet assemblies 244. The magnetic field balance is improved by installing such auxiliary magnets 248 below the adhesion preventing plates 249 disposed outside the targets 241a and 241f located at both ends.

  Since the magnet assembly 244 forms a tunnel-like magnetic flux in front of the targets 241a to 241f, the density of plasma located in front of the central magnet 246 and the peripheral magnet 247 is low. Then, the portion of the targets 241a to 241f that is above the central magnet 246 having a low plasma density remains as a non-erodible region. Therefore, it is necessary to change the position of the tunnel-shaped magnetic flux to uniformly erode the targets 241a to 241f to increase the utilization efficiency.

  In order to change the position of the tunnel-shaped magnetic flux, the magnet assembly 244 and the auxiliary magnet 248 are installed at predetermined positions on the drive shaft 250, and a ball screw 251 is provided on the drive shaft 250 as a drive means, and each magnet assembly 244 is provided. The position of can be translated from side to side. The drive means is not limited to a mechanical drive means such as a ball screw 251, and an air cylinder can be used. However, when the ball screw 251 is used, the position of the magnet assembly 244 can be controlled more accurately. . The moving distance of the magnet assembly 244 is not particularly limited as long as the targets 241a to 241f can be eroded uniformly. For example, the magnet assembly 244 can be translated at intervals of points A to B, respectively. The magnet assembly 244 can be translated not only in the left-right direction but also in the longitudinal direction. Thus, the targets 241a to 241f can be eroded more uniformly by moving the magnet assembly 244 in two dimensions.

  The movement of the magnet assembly 244 may be during film formation or after film formation, but movement after film formation is preferable in order to suppress the occurrence of abnormal discharge accompanying the movement of magnetic flux during film formation. .

  In the case of movement during film formation, the ball screw 251 is driven during sputtering so that the targets 241a to 241f are uniformly eroded from point A to point B, preferably 2.5 mm / sec or more, preferably 4 to 15 mm / The magnet assembly 244, that is, the magnetic flux is translated in a cycle of sec.

  In the case of movement after film formation, the film formation is completed, the AC power sources E1 to E3 are stopped, the discharge is temporarily stopped, and the substrate S that is the next film formation target is placed at a position facing the targets 241a to 241f. In doing so, the ball screw 251 is driven to hold the magnetic fluxes parallelly moved from point A to point B, respectively. In this case, the magnet assembly 244 may be translated at least before starting the next film formation. Then, after the film formation of the transported substrate S is completed, the magnetic flux is again translated in accordance with the same procedure. By sequentially repeating this operation, the target 241a to 241f can be uniformly eroded while being sequentially formed on the substrate.

  In the present embodiment, it has been described that the magnetic field balance can be corrected by the auxiliary magnet 248. However, the present invention is not limited to this as long as the magnetic field balance can be corrected. For example, the magnetic field balance may be corrected by increasing the width of only the peripheral magnet or changing the peripheral magnet 247 to a material that increases the magnetic flux density generated from the magnet.

  In the present embodiment, the sputtering apparatus 2 is a single wafer type, but may be an inline type.

  In this embodiment, the case where the number of targets arranged in parallel is six has been described. However, the number of targets is not limited to this, and can be appropriately selected depending on the size of the substrate. However, the number of targets must be 4 or more. This is because if the number is less than four, targets that are not adjacent to each other cannot be connected. In addition, since the AC power supplies E1 to E3 connect two targets, the number of targets must be an even number. In any case, the connection method of each AC power source is not particularly limited as long as it connects two targets that are not adjacent to each other.

  FIG. 4 shows a connection example between the target and the AC power source when the number of targets is changed. In FIG. 4, the same components as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  When the number of targets 241 is a multiple of 4, for example, the number of targets is 4, as shown in FIG. 4A, two targets 241 arranged side by side with one target 241 are connected to each other. When connected by the power source E, all the targets 241 can be connected so as not to be adjacent to each other. In this case, if two targets are connected as shown in FIG. 3, the targets adjacent to each other must be connected, and the effects of the present invention cannot be achieved.

  When ten targets 241 are arranged side by side, as shown in FIG. 4B, each target at both ends is connected, and the remaining targets are separated from each other by two AC power supplies E. It is also possible to connect with.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4 (c), it is also possible to connect the targets at both ends with one target separated from each other, and connect the remaining targets with two targets separated from each other. Even when ten targets are arranged in this way, by connecting targets that are not adjacent to each other, plasma is generated in front of the target and can be eroded over the entire surface of the target.

  Hereinafter, a method for forming a film on the surface of the substrate S using the sputtering apparatus 2 of the present invention will be described.

First, the substrate S is transferred from the wafer cassette through the load lock chamber 20 and the transfer chamber 22 to a position facing the targets 241a to 241f arranged side by side, and the inside of the vacuum chamber 21 is evacuated by a vacuum evacuation unit. Next, a sputtering gas such as Ar is introduced into the vacuum chamber 21 through the gas introduction means 23, and a predetermined film forming atmosphere is formed inside the vacuum chamber 21. When reactive sputtering is performed, at least one kind of gas selected from H ₂ O gas, O ₂ gas, and N ₂ gas is introduced as a reaction gas together with the introduction of the sputtering gas.

  Thereafter, a positive or negative voltage is applied to the targets 241a to 241f by the AC power sources E1 to E3 at several tens to several hundreds Hz while maintaining the film formation atmosphere. An electric field is formed on the target as the cathode, plasma is generated in front of the target, the target is sputtered, and sputtered particles are emitted. This operation is alternately performed according to the frequency of the AC power source, and each target is sputtered substantially uniformly. Thereafter, the AC power supply is stopped and film formation is completed.

  The ball screw 251 may be driven during film formation to drive the magnet assembly 244. Also, after the film formation is completed, the AC power sources E1 to E3 are stopped, and the discharge is temporarily stopped. When the substrate S as a film target is transported to a position facing the targets 241a to 241f, the ball assembly 244 may be driven to translate the magnet assembly 244, that is, the magnetic flux may be translated and held. .

  In Example 1, a film was formed using the sputtering apparatus shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the number of occurrences of arc discharge during the film formation was examined.

A target made of In ₂ O ₃ -10 wt% SnO ₂ (ITO) having a width of 200 mm, a length of 1700 mm, and a thickness of 10 mm was placed parallel to the substrate at a position 150 mm from the substrate. Each target width was 2 mm. A magnet assembly having a width of 170 mm, a length of 1570 mm, and a thickness of 40 mm was installed behind each target so that the distance to each target was 47 mm, and the driving distance was adjusted to 50 mm by a ball screw 251. As the substrate S, a glass substrate having a width of 1000 mm, a length of 1200 mm, and a thickness of 0.7 mm was prepared.

After transporting the substrate, vacuum evacuation was performed, and then argon gas was introduced as a sputtering gas at 240 sccm from the gas introducing means to form a film forming atmosphere of 0.67 Pa. Further, 2.0 sccm of H ₂ O gas and 1.5 sccm of O ₂ gas were introduced as reaction gases. Each AC power source E has a frequency of 25 kHz, and gradually increases the power from 0 kW to 5 kW (each input time is 120 seconds). The magnet assembly was moved when the next substrate was transported. In this way, the voltage value and the current value were monitored while sequentially forming the film, and the number of occurrences of abnormal discharge (arc discharge) per minute was counted. When the target was taken out from the sputtering apparatus and the surface was visually confirmed, the entire surface of each target was eroded.

  (Comparative Example 1)

  In Comparative Example 1, a voltage value and a current value were monitored while forming a film under the same conditions using an apparatus in which an AC power source was connected to two targets adjacent to each other among six targets arranged in parallel. The number of occurrences of abnormal discharge was counted.

  The results are shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis represents the integrated power (kWh), and the vertical axis represents the number of abnormal discharges (times / minute). In Comparative Example 1, the number of abnormal discharges increased as the integrated power increased. On the other hand, in Example 1, the number of abnormal discharges did not increase even when the integrated power increased.

  In Example 2, the in-plane uniformity of the film quality when reactive sputtering was performed using the sputtering apparatus shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 was evaluated.

  The in-plane uniformity of the film quality was evaluated by changing the flow rate ratio of the reaction gas at the time of film formation, investigating the flow rate ratio at which the specific resistance decreased most at each point on the film, and determining the difference in the flow rate ratio.

Using the same sputtering apparatus as used in Example 1, a plurality of films were formed by changing the flow rate of the reactive gas from Example 1. As the reaction gas, H ₂ O gas was set to 2.0 sccm, and O ₂ gas was introduced in increments of 0.5 sccm from 0.0 to 4.0 sccm. Each AC power source E had a frequency of 25 kHz, and gradually increased the power from 0 kW, finally increased to 15 kW, and then turned on for 25 seconds. Then, the AC power source was stopped and film formation was completed. The film thickness of each film obtained was 1000 mm. Thereafter, each substrate was transferred to an annealing furnace and annealed at 200 ° C. for 60 minutes. On each formed film, the specific resistance between the point X corresponding to the upper part of the target 241c and the point Y corresponding to the upper part between the targets 241b and 241c was measured.
(Comparative Example 2)

  Using an apparatus in which an AC power source is connected to two targets adjacent to each other among the six targets arranged in parallel, film formation and annealing are performed under the same conditions as in Example 2 to form a film on the substrate S. Each was formed. For each formed film, the specific resistance was measured at two points, point X and point Y, respectively.

In FIG. 6, the horizontal axis indicates the flow rate (sccm) of O ₂ gas, and the vertical axis indicates the specific resistance (μΩcm) at each point.

FIG. 6A shows the measurement result of Comparative Example 1. The specific resistance value at the point X indicated by the solid line was lowest when the flow rate of O ₂ gas was 0.5 sccm, and was 255 μΩcm. At point Y indicated by a broken line, the specific resistance was the lowest when the flow rate of O ₂ gas was 2.0 sccm, and was 253 μΩcm. The difference in the flow rate of O ₂ gas at which the specific resistance is lowest at points X and Y is significantly different from 1.5 sccm, and it was found that in Comparative Example 2, the film quality was not uniform in the substrate plane.

On the other hand, in Example 2 shown in FIG. 6B, the specific resistance is the lowest at 250 μΩcm at the point X indicated by the solid line when the flow rate of O ₂ gas is 1.0 sccm, and is indicated by the broken line. At point Y, the specific resistance was the lowest at 248 μΩcm when the flow rate of O ₂ gas was 1.5 sccm. In Example 2, the difference in the flow rate of O ₂ gas at which the specific resistance is the lowest at points X and Y is 0.5 sccm, which is less than half that of the conventional apparatus, and in-plane uniformity of film quality in reactive sputtering Was found to be improved.

  In the sputtering apparatus of the present invention, the non-erosion region does not remain on the target by changing the connection method of the AC power supply, and the film quality uniformity of the formed film is improved. Accordingly, the present invention can be used in the field of manufacturing large-screen flat panel displays.

The schematic diagram of the conventional apparatus. The schematic block diagram of the sputtering device of this invention. The schematic block diagram of the vacuum chamber in the sputtering device of this invention. The figure which shows the other example of a connection of AC power supply. The graph which showed the frequency | count of occurrence of the abnormal discharge with respect to integrated electric power. (A) a graph showing the relationship between flow rate and resistivity of the O ₂ gas in the case of forming a film using a conventional apparatus. (B) graph showing the relationship between the flow rate and resistivity of the O ₂ gas in the case of film formation using a sputtering apparatus of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

241a to 241f target 242a to 242f electrode 244 magnet assembly 250 drive shaft 251 ball screw E1 to E3 AC power supply S substrate

Claims (4)

  AC power supply that alternately applies a negative potential and a positive potential or a ground potential to at least four targets arranged in parallel in a vacuum chamber at predetermined intervals and two targets among the targets arranged in parallel And connecting each AC power source to two targets that are not adjacent to each other.   A magnet assembly composed of a plurality of magnets arranged behind each target so as to form a magnetic flux in front of each target, and driving these magnet assemblies so that the magnetic flux translates relative to the target The sputtering apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a driving unit.   The magnetic flux density correcting means for making the density of the magnetic flux formed by each magnet assembly substantially uniform when the magnet assemblies are arranged behind each target, respectively. Sputtering equipment.   The substrate is transported to a position facing at least four targets arranged in parallel in the vacuum chamber at a predetermined interval, and a negative potential is applied to two targets that are not adjacent to each other among the arranged targets. And a positive potential or a ground potential are alternately applied to generate plasma on the target to form a film on the substrate.

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