IP Library Granted Patent US 9,328,410
Granted Patent B2
US 9,328,410 · App. 14/062,959 · Granted May 3, 2016

Physical vapor deposition tile arrangement and physical vapor deposition arrangement

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,328,410
App. No.
14/062,959
Granted
May 3, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

In various embodiments, a physical vapor deposition tile arrangement is provided. The physical vapor deposition tile arrangement may include a plurality of physical vapor deposition tiles arranged next to each other; and a resilient structure configured to press the plurality of physical vapor deposition tiles together.

Claims (44)

1. A physical vapor deposition tile arrangement, comprising:

a plurality of planar physical vapor deposition tiles arranged next to each other; and

a resilient structure comprising at least one spring, wherein the resilient structure is configured so that at least two of the plurality of planar physical vapor deposition tiles are pressed against each other by the at least one spring.

2. The physical vapor deposition tile arrangement of claim 1 ,

wherein at least one planar physical vapor deposition tile of the plurality of planar physical vapor deposition tiles comprises material to be deposited on a substrate.

3. The physical vapor deposition tile arrangement of claim 1 ,

wherein the plurality of planar physical vapor deposition tiles are planar sputter target tiles.

4. The physical vapor deposition tile arrangement of claim 1 ,

wherein the resilient structure is arranged at an edge of at least one of the plurality of planar physical vapor deposition tiles.

5. The physical vapor deposition tile arrangement of claim 4 ,

wherein the resilient structure is arranged at an edge of the physical vapor deposition tile arrangement.

6. The physical vapor deposition tile arrangement of claim 1 ,

wherein the resilient structure is in physical contact with only one side of the physical vapor deposition tile arrangement.

7. The physical vapor deposition tile arrangement of claim 1 ,

wherein the at least one spring comprises at least one screw spring.

8. The physical vapor deposition tile arrangement of claim 1 ,

wherein the at least one spring comprises at least one leaf spring.

9. The physical vapor deposition tile arrangement of claim 1 , further comprising:

a pressure distribution structure arranged between the resilient structure and the plurality of planar physical vapor deposition tiles to distribute the pressure provided by the resilient structure to the plurality of planar physical vapor deposition tiles.

10. The physical vapor deposition tile arrangement of claim 1 ,

wherein the pressure distribution structure comprises a pressure distribution rod.

11. The physical vapor deposition tile arrangement of claim 1 , further comprising:

a tile holding structure configured to hold the plurality of planar physical vapor deposition tiles.

12. The physical vapor deposition tile arrangement of claim 11 ,

wherein the resilient structure is configured to provide a pressure to the plurality of planar physical vapor deposition tiles to overcome a holding force provided by the tile holding structure to hold the plurality of planar physical vapor deposition tiles in a holding position.

13. A physical vapor deposition arrangement, comprising:

a physical vapor deposition process chamber; and

a physical vapor deposition tile arrangement, comprising:

a plurality of planar physical vapor deposition tiles arranged next to each other; and

a resilient structure comprising at least one spring, wherein the resilient structure is configured so that at least two of the plurality of planar physical vapor deposition tiles are pressed against each other by the at least one spring.

14. The physical vapor deposition arrangement of claim 13 ,

wherein the physical vapor deposition process chamber is a sputter process chamber.

15. The physical vapor deposition arrangement of claim 13 , further comprising:

a magnetron.

16. The physical vapor deposition arrangement of claim 15 ,

wherein the magnetron is a planar magnetron.

17. A method of mounting a plurality of planar physical vapor deposition tiles in a physical vapor deposition process chamber, the method comprising:

arranging the plurality of planar physical vapor deposition tiles in the physical vapor deposition process chamber next to each other;

arranging a resilient structure relative to the plurality of planar physical vapor deposition tiles, the resilient structure comprising at least one spring, and

pressing at least two of the plurality of physical vapor deposition tiles against each other by the at least one spring.

18. The method of claim 17 ,

wherein the resilient structure is biased after arranging the plurality of planar physical vapor deposition tiles in the physical vapor deposition process chamber.

19. The method of claim 17 ,

wherein the resilient structure is biased during arranging the plurality of planar physical vapor deposition tiles in the physical vapor deposition process chamber.

Assignments (7)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 13, 2026
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: FIRST SOLAR, INC.
Reel/Frame 074858/0364 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 10, 2023
From: FIRST SOLAR, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 064237/0462 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Nov 15, 2021
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: FIRST SOLAR, INC.
Reel/Frame 058132/0566 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 30, 2018
From: VON ARDENNE GMBH
To: VON ARDENNE ASSET GMBH & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 046266/0801 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 12, 2017
From: FIRST SOLAR, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 043177/0581 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 4, 2014
From: RIVKIN, MICHAEL; PROULX, GEORGE ARTHUR
To: FIRST SOLAR, INC.
Reel/Frame 032127/0837 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 4, 2014
From: TEICHERT, BERND; SCHNEIDER, KLAUS; KAISER, CHRISTOPH
To: VON ARDENNE GMBH
Reel/Frame 032128/0008 →