IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,897,946
Granted Patent B2
US 7,897,946 · App. 12/051,213 · Granted Mar 1, 2011

Crystallization apparatus, crystallization method, device, and light modulation element

Assignee: Advanced LCD Technologies Development Center Co., Ltd.
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,897,946
App. No.
12/051,213
Granted
Mar 1, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A crystallization apparatus includes a light modulation element, and an image forming optical system that forms a light intensity distribution set based on light transmitted through the light modulation element on an irradiation surface. The crystallization apparatus irradiates a non-single crystal semiconductor film with light having the light intensity distribution to generate a crystallized semiconductor film. A curvature radius of at least one isointensity line of a light intensity substantially varies along the isointensity line in the light intensity distribution on the irradiation surface, and a curvature radius of at least a part of the isointensity line has a minimum value of 0.3 μm or below.

Claims (20)

1. A crystallization apparatus comprising: a light modulation element; and an image forming optical system that forms a light intensity distribution set based on light transmitted through the light modulation element on an irradiation surface, the crystallization apparatus irradiating a non-single crystal semiconductor film with light having the light intensity distribution to generate a crystallized semiconductor film,

wherein a curvature radius of at least one isointensity line of a light intensity substantially varies along the isointensity line in the light intensity distribution on the irradiation surface, and a curvature radius of at least a part of the isointensity line has a minimum value of 0.3 μm or below.

2. A crystallization apparatus comprising an image forming optical system that forms a light intensity distribution set based on light transmitted through a light modulation element on an irradiation surface, the crystallization apparatus irradiating a non-single crystal semiconductor film with light having the set light intensity distribution to generate a crystallized semiconductor film,

wherein the crystallization apparatus has an optical system that forms on the non-single crystal semiconductor film a light intensity distribution in which at least one isointensity line of a light intensity has a shape which is elongated in a specific direction, a curvature radius of the isointensity line substantially varies along the isointensity line, and a curvature radius of at least a part of the isointensity line has a minimum value of 0.3 μm or below.

3. A crystallization apparatus comprising an image forming optical system that forms a light intensity distribution set based on light transmitted through a light modulation element on an irradiation surface, the crystallization apparatus irradiating a non-single crystal semiconductor film with light having the light intensity distribution to generate a crystallized semiconductor film,

wherein the crystallization apparatus has an optical system that forms on the non-single crystal semiconductor film a light intensity distribution in which a curvature radius of each of isointensity lines corresponding to a light intensity in the range of at least ±2.5% with a reference light intensity at the center substantially varies along the isointensity line and a curvature radius of at least a part of each of the isointensity lines has a minimum value of 0.3 μm or below.

4. A crystallization apparatus comprising an image forming optical system that forms a light intensity distribution set based on light transmitted through a light modulation element on an irradiation surface, the crystallization apparatus irradiating a non-single crystal semiconductor film with light having the light intensity distribution to generate a crystallized semiconductor film,

wherein the crystallization apparatus has an optical system that forms on the non-single crystal semiconductor film a light intensity distribution in which a curvature radius of at least a part of an isointensity line of a light intensity is 0.3 μm or below.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the isointensity line is an isointensity line of a light intensity associated with a melting temperature of the non-single crystal semiconductor film.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the curvature radius of the isointensity line substantially varies along the isointensity line and has a minimum value lower than those of peripheral parts thereof.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the set light intensity distribution has a gradient distribution in which a light intensity is increased from a region having a minimum curvature radius of the isointensity line toward the outside along a normal line of the isointensity line.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein, in the gradient distribution, a change in the light intensity along a specific direction from the region having the minimum curvature radius is gentler than a change in the light intensity along a direction around the specific direction.

9. A crystallization method of irradiating a non-single crystal semiconductor film with light having a predetermined light intensity distribution to generate a crystallized semiconductor film,

wherein the non-single crystal semiconductor film is irradiated with light having a light intensity distribution in which a curvature radius of at least a part of an isointensity line of a light intensity is 0.3 μm or below.

10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the isointensity line is an isointensity line of a light intensity associated with a melting temperature of the non-single crystal semiconductor film.

11. The method according to claim 9 , a curvature radius of the isointensity line substantially varies along the isointensity line and has a minimum value lower than those of peripheral isointensity lines.

12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the predetermined light intensity distribution has a gradient distribution in which a light intensity is increased from a region having a minimum curvature radius of the isointensity line toward the outside along a normal line of the isointensity line.

13. The method according to claim 12 , wherein, in the gradient distribution, a change in a light intensity from the region having the minimum curvature radius in a specific direction is gentler than a change in a light intensity along a direction around the specific direction.

14. A device manufactured by using the crystallization apparatus according to claim 1 .

15. A light modulation element which is used in the crystallization apparatus according to claim 1 to form the predetermined light intensity distribution.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 8, 2013
From: ADVANCED LCD TECHNOLOGIES DEVELOPMENT CENTER CO., LTD.
To: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 029585/0346 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 19, 2008
From: TANIGUCHI, YUKIO; MATSUMURA, MASAKIYO; AZUMA, KAZUFUMI; KATO, TOMOYA; ENDO, TAKAHIKO
To: ADVANCED LCD TECHNOLOGIES DEVELOPMENT CENTER CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 020672/0937 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2007-076609 · Mar 23, 2007 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20080230725A1 · Sep 25, 2008