IP Library Granted Patent US 9,959,961
Granted Patent B2
US 9,959,961 · App. 14/463,825 · Granted May 1, 2018

Permanent magnetic chuck for OLED mask chucking

Inventors: John M. White (Hayward, CA); Zuoqian Wang (Dublin, CA)
Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
H01F7/0252G03F7/707H01F7/0226
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,959,961
App. No.
14/463,825
Granted
May 1, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A permanent magnetic mask chuck is described herein. The permanent magnetic mask chuck includes a body with a plurality of permanent magnets positioned therein. The permanent magnets can then deliver a magnetic force to a mask to position and hold the mask over or on the substrate for further deposition.

Claims (15)

1. A substrate carrier for use in a process chamber, the substrate carrier comprising:

a support base configured to move into and out of a process chamber, the support base comprising:

a substrate supporting surface; and

an electrode assembly operable to electrostatically chuck a substrate to the substrate supporting surface; and

a permanent magnetic mask chuck coupled to the support base, the permanent magnetic mask chuck comprising:

a chuck body having a first wall and a second wall, the first wall being proximate to the support base and the second wall being distal to the support base;

a plurality of permanent magnets positioned in the chuck body, the permanent magnets having a magnetic field; and

a positioning device to move the permanent magnetic mask chuck independent of the support base.

2. The substrate carrier of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of permanent magnets are positionable within the chuck body such that a first magnet is closer to the substrate supporting surface than a second magnet.

3. The substrate carrier of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of permanent magnets are moveable relative to the substrate supporting surface.

4. The substrate carrier of claim 3 , further comprising an actuator disposed in the chuck body and operable to control the position of the permanent magnets relative to the substrate supporting surface.

5. The substrate carrier of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of permanent magnets are positionable to produce a magnetic force which applies more force to one portion of the mask relative to another portion of the mask.

6. The substrate carrier of claim 4 , wherein the positioning device is operable to move the plurality of permanent magnets to produce a stronger magnetic force at one portion of the substrate supporting surface relative to another portion of the substrate supporting surface.

7. The substrate carrier of claim 4 , wherein the positioning device is operable to move the permanent magnets closer to the substrate supporting surface in a center to edge sequence or an edge to opposite edge sequence.

8. The substrate carrier of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of permanent magnets facing the substrate supporting surface have alternating polarity.

Assignments (2)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO ADD THE OMITTED NAME OF THE SECOND INVENTOR PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 034252 FRAME 0646. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Dec 1, 2014
From: WHITE, JOHN M.; WANG, ZUOQIAN
To: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
Reel/Frame 034500/0994 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 24, 2014
From: WHITE, JOHN M.
To: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
Reel/Frame 034252/0646 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62006848 · Jun 2, 2014
Related Publication 20150348812A1 · Dec 3, 2015