Film Deposition By Plasma Techniques

Properties of thin films depend strongly upon the deposition technique and conditions chosen. In order to achieve the desired film, optimum deposition conditions have to be found by carrying out experiments in a trial-and error fashion with varying parameters. The data obtained on one growth apparatus are often not transferable to another. This is especially true for film deposition processes using a cold plasma because of our poor under standing of the mechanisms. Relatively precise studies have been carried out on the role that physical effects play in film formation such as sputter deposition. However, there are many open questions regarding processes that involve chemical reactions, for example, reactive sputter deposition or plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Much further research is re quired in order to understand the fundamental deposition processes. A sys tematic collection of basic data, some of which may be readily available in other branches of science, for example, reaction cross sections for gases with energetic electrons, is also required. The need for pfasma deposition techniques is felt strongly in industrial applications because these techniques are superior to traditional thin-film deposition techniques in many ways. In fact, plasma deposition techniques have developed rapidly in the semiconductor and electronics industries. Fields of possible application are still expanding. A reliable plasma reactor with an adequate in situ system for monitoring the deposition conditions and film properties must be developed to improve reproducibility and pro ductivity at the industrial level.

Properties of thin films depend strongly upon the deposition technique and conditions chosen. In order to achieve the desired film, optimum deposition conditions have to be found by carrying out experiments in a trial-and error fashion with varying parameters. The data obtained on one growth apparatus are often not transferable to another. This is especially true for film deposition processes using a cold plasma because of our poor under standing of the mechanisms. Relatively precise studies have been carried out on the role that physical effects play in film formation such as sputter deposition. However, there are many open questions regarding processes that involve chemical reactions, for example, reactive sputter deposition or plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Much further research is re quired in order to understand the fundamental deposition processes. A sys tematic collection of basic data, some of which may be readily available in other branches of science, for example, reaction cross sections for gases with energetic electrons, is also required. The need for pfasma deposition techniques is felt strongly in industrial applications because these techniques are superior to traditional thin-film deposition techniques in many ways. In fact, plasma deposition techniques have developed rapidly in the semiconductor and electronics industries. Fields of possible application are still expanding. A reliable plasma reactor with an adequate in situ system for monitoring the deposition conditions and film properties must be developed to improve reproducibility and pro ductivity at the industrial level.

This 3e, edited by Peter M. Martin, PNNL 2005 Inventor of the Year, is an extensive update of the many improvements in deposition technologies, mechanisms, and applications. This long-awaited revision includes updated and new chapters on atomic layer deposition, cathodic arc deposition, sculpted thin films, polymer thin films and emerging technologies. Extensive material was added throughout the book, especially in the areas concerned with plasma-assisted vapor deposition processes and metallurgical coating applications.

Plasma Techniques for Film Deposition describes the technology and applications of cold plasma for thin-film deposition. The plasma is generated under low pressure and characterized by a non-thermal equilibrium. An attempt has been made to not only provide an introductory text but also to present the latest techniques and recent results: Fundamentals of plasma science such as its characterization, chemical and physical reactions in plasmas, basic techniques to generate and to diagnose plasmas. Techniques for generating high-density plasmas are outlined like the conventional electrical and magnetic methods, and the modern schemes for inductively coupled and helicon-wave plasmas. Plasma diagnostic methods, such as optical spectroscopy, electrical probes, mass and energy analysis of excited molecules and ions in plasma. Specific techniques are treated for thin-film formation: sputter deposition, ion plating, plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition and plasma surface modification. Films, like amorphous, nano- and micro-crystalline silicon, polymorphs of carbon, i.e. amorphous phase, diamond, fullerenes and nanotubes, boron and carbon nitrides can be deposited.

This second edition, edited by the world-renowned Dr. Rointain Bunshah, is an extensive update of the many improvements in deposition technologies, mechanisms, and applications. Considerably more material was added in Plasma Assisted Vapor Deposition processes, as well as Metallurgical Coating Applications.

Annotation. Plasma Polymer Films examines the current status of the deposition and characterization of fluorocarbon-, hydrocarbon- and silicon-containing plasma polymer films and nanocomposites, with plasma polymer matrix. It introduces plasma polymerization process diagnostics such as optical emission spectroscopy (OES, AOES), and describes special deposition techniques such as atmospheric pressure glow discharge. Important issues for applications such as degradation and stability are treated in detail, and structural characterization, basic electrical and optical properties and biomedical applications are discussed.

Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Study Institute, held in Kaunas, Lithuania, from 3-14 September 2001

Steinbrüchel, Christoph; The formation of particles in thin-film processing plasmas.

The Handbook of Thin Film Deposition Techniques: Principles, Methods, Equipment and Applications, Second Edition explores the technology behind the spectacular growth in the silicon semiconductor industry and the continued trend in miniaturization over the last 20 years. This growth has been fueled in large part by improved thin film deposition tec

The most recent developments and techniques in thin film deposition for high technology applications are described by 23 authorities in the field.