Substrate positioning device for a deposition machine and method thereof

Abstract

A deposition apparatus and method are disclosed. The deposition apparatus includes a substrate support and a deposition assembly disposed across the substrate support, the deposition assembly including a rail extending between supports on either side of the substrate support, a dispenser assembly movably connected to the rail, and an imaging system connected to the rail and including an LED light source. The deposition method also includes a method for imaging a feature on the substrate, the method including scanning the substrate relative to the imaging system including the LED light source and the imaging unit, activating the imaging unit before an extreme end of the feature reaches an illumination area of ​​the LED light source, activating the LED light source when a portion of the feature reaches the illumination area, deactivating the LED light source after an activation time, and deactivating the imaging unit after an imaging time, the imaging time including the activation time.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 198,555, filed October 27, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to deposition apparatus, and more particularly to a deposition apparatus having a movably mounted work platform. [Background technology]

[0003] Inkjet deposition is common in both office and home printers, as well as industrial printers used for display manufacturing, large-scale writing material deposition, adding material to manufactured articles such as printed circuit boards, and building biological articles such as living tissue. Most commercial and industrial inkjet deposition machines, as well as some consumer printers, use a dispenser to apply material to a substrate. The dispenser ejects a controlled amount of deposition material toward the substrate at a controlled time and velocity so that the deposited material reaches a target location on the substrate and forms a mark of the desired size and shape.

[0004] In some cases, such as in the display manufacturing industry, extremely precise deposition is achieved by depositing very small amounts of material in very precise locations. The diameter of the deposited area is sometimes deposited in the range of about 10 μm to about 15 μm. To place material on a substrate with such precision, the substrate must be precisely positioned and / or its position must be precisely known. Camera-based image processing systems are commonly used to photograph the substrate and precisely measure its position, but capturing and processing multiple images is time-consuming. A better method for precisely measuring the position of the substrate is needed for inkjet printing. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Embodiments described herein provide a deposition apparatus comprising a substrate support and a deposition assembly comprising an imaging system disposed between one side of the substrate support and the other side of the substrate support, the imaging system comprising an LED light source.

[0006] Other embodiments described herein provide a method for imaging a feature on a substrate, the method comprising: scanning the substrate relative to an imaging system having an LED light source and an imaging unit; activating the imaging unit before an extreme end of the feature reaches an illumination area of ​​the LED light source; activating the LED light source when a portion of the feature reaches the illumination area; deactivating the LED light source after an activation time; and deactivating the imaging unit after an imaging time, the imaging time encompassing the activation time.

[0007] Another embodiment described herein provides a deposition apparatus comprising: a deposition assembly including a substrate support and an imaging system positioned between the substrate supports, the imaging system including an LED light source fiber coupled to an optical assembly that directs light rays from an LED light source toward the substrate support; and an imaging unit positioned to capture light rays reflected through the optical assembly. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] In order that the features of the present disclosure set forth hereinbefore may be understood in detail, a more particular description of the present disclosure, briefly summarized above, will now be made by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be noted, however, that the accompanying drawings merely illustrate exemplary embodiments and are therefore not intended to limit the scope, which may also apply to other equally effective embodiments.

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a top perspective view of a deposition apparatus according to one embodiment;

[0010] [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a position acquisition system according to one embodiment.

[0011] [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an algorithmic diagram of an image acquisition control algorithm 300 according to one embodiment.

[0012] [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a method according to one embodiment.

[0013] [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram summarizing the methods described herein and other methods that may be used with the device.

[0014] [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a deposition apparatus according to another embodiment.

[0015] For ease of understanding, where possible, identical reference numbers have been used to refer to identical parts common to several figures.

[0016] It will be understood that elements and features of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in other embodiments without further recitation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Described herein is a deposition apparatus having a work platform that can be advanced above the work surface of the deposition apparatus to allow substrates to be loaded and unloaded, and that can be retracted, at least partially, adjacent the edge of the work surface at a height below the nominal height of the work surface. FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a deposition apparatus 100 according to one embodiment. The deposition apparatus includes a substrate support 102, a deposition assembly 104, and a holder assembly 106 that manipulates substrates for deposition. The deposition apparatus 100 includes a base 108, which is typically a solid block, to minimize the transmission of vibrations to the working parts of the deposition apparatus 100. In one example, the base 108 is a block of granite. The deposition assembly 104 includes a deposition assembly support 116 that includes stands 120 disposed on each side of the base 108 and rails or beams 117 that extend from one side of the base 108 to the other side of the substrate support 102 and between the stands 120.

[0018] The substrate support 102 includes a first section 102A, a second section 102B, and a third section 102C between the first and second sections 102A and 102B. The first and second sections 102A and 102B are staging areas for substrates entering and exiting the deposition apparatus 100, and the third section 102C is a working area for positioning the substrate to be processed relative to the deposition assembly support 116. The substrate support 102 includes a working surface 110 and a means for making the working surface 110 substantially frictionless. Here, the working surface 110 is a gas cushion table that provides a gas cushion, such as air, oxygen-depleted air, dry air, nitrogen, or other suitable gas, to suspend the substrate. The working surface 110 includes a plurality of holes (shown) through which jets of gas can be emitted, thereby providing an uplift force that holds the substrate at a desired height above the working surface 110. Additionally, some of the holes may allow controlled withdrawal of gas from the gas cushion that suspends the substrate, thereby providing precise, localized control of the substrate height. In one embodiment, the third section 102C includes gas supply holes and gas recovery holes that individually control the gas in the gas cushion and, therefore, the height at which the substrate suspends above the substrate working surface 110.

[0019] The deposition assembly 104 includes a dispenser assembly 114 coupled to a beam 117. The dispenser assembly 114 includes a dispenser housing 119 coupled to a deposition carriage 122 that moves along the beam 117 to position the dispenser assembly 114 relative to a substrate disposed on the third section 102C of the substrate support 102. The dispenser housing 119 houses one or more dispensers (not shown), which dispense deposition material onto a substrate positioned on the substrate support 102 below the deposition assembly 104.

[0020] In operation, a substrate is positioned beneath the deposition assembly 104 by the holder assembly 106. The holder assembly 106 securely holds the loaded substrate and moves the substrate along the substrate support 102 to position the substrate relative to the deposition assembly 104 so that printing material is precisely dispensed onto the substrate. The holder assembly 106 in this case generally extends in a first direction along the substrate support 102 to translate the substrate in the first direction during deposition. This first direction is indicated by arrow 124 in FIG. 1 . Generally, the dispenser assembly 114 moves in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, according to a beam 117 that extends substantially in the second direction, indicated by arrow 126 in FIG. 1 . This second direction 126 may be referred to as the “x-direction,” and the beam 117 may be referred to as the “x-beam.”

[0021] A controller 132 is operatively coupled to the holder assembly 106 and the deposition assembly 104 to control movement of and deposition on a substrate positioned on the substrate support. The controller 132 may directly control the actuators of the holder assembly 106 and the deposition assembly 104. Alternatively, the controller 132 may be operatively coupled to a holder assembly controller coupled to the holder assembly 106 and a deposition assembly controller coupled to the deposition assembly 104. The controller 132 controls the movement and positioning of the substrate on the substrate support 102. Additionally, the controller 132 controls movement of the dispenser assembly 114 on the beam 117 and the dispensing of deposition material from the dispenser assembly 114 onto the substrate.

[0022] An imaging system 150 is coupled to the dispenser assembly 114. The imaging system 150 includes an LED light source 152 and an imaging unit 154. The LED light source 152 emits a light beam toward a substrate positioned on a substrate support 102 positioned below the dispenser assembly 114. The imaging unit 154 detects the illumination light beam reflected from the substrate. The imaging unit 154 may include a digital camera or other high-precision image capture components. Additionally, the imaging unit 154 includes optics for focusing the light beam into the image capture components. The LED light source 152 and the imaging unit 154 are positioned such that the LED light source 152 forms an illumination area on the substrate within the imaging area of ​​the imaging unit 154.

[0023] The LED light source 152 may emit light selected to minimize any impact on other aspects of the deposition system 100 and the processes performed by the deposition system 100. For example, the deposition system 100 is often used to deposit curable materials on a substrate. Such materials are typically curable using short-wavelength electromagnetic radiation, such as ultraviolet light. These materials often also respond to short-wavelength visible light and may be less sensitive to longer-wavelength visible light. In industries such as display manufacturing, where uniform processing can be important to achieve high-precision results, an LED light source emitting long-wavelength light can be selected to minimize any impact on the deposited material. In this regard, light sources having an emission wavelength of 650 nm or greater are useful. In one example, the light source has an emission wavelength of 650 nm. In another example, the light source has an emission wavelength of 800 nm.

[0024] The LED light source can be an array of multiple LEDs selected to provide a desired illumination area, allowing the imaging system to capture images in a very short time. Very short imaging times allow for clear images of any area of ​​the moving substrate. Furthermore, the combination of light source and image capture components can be selected to maximize the sensitivity of the image capture components to the light emitted by the LED light source. For example, the Dalsa Nano M2020 camera has a peak sensitivity near a wavelength of 650 nm. Silicon-based NIR image capture units typically have peak sensitivity around 800 nm. Multiple LED light sources with emission spectra peaking at or near these wavelengths can be used.

[0025] The LED light source 152 can be fiber-coupled to transfer the LED-emitted light to an emitting surface that can be located near the substrate. The use of multiple LED light sources provides high brightness and fast transitions to peak brightness without the need for laser light decorrelation. For many display applications, the substrate has alignment features, such as fiducial marks, that can be used to precisely calibrate the substrate's position. The marks can be small, e.g., 0.5 mm to 5 mm. The marks can also be cross-shaped. Fiber coupling allows the light beam emitting surface to be positioned so that the light beam forms a uniformly bright spot that encompasses all or a substantial portion of the field of view required to locate the mark.

[0026] The imaging system 150 is configured to capture images while the substrate and the dispenser assembly 114 move relative to one another. This relative movement can be as fast as 1 m / s in some cases. An imaging controller 158 is operatively coupled to the LED light source 152 and the imaging unit 154 to drive image capture during the relative movement. The LED light source is capable of emitting short pulses of light, such as at least a few microseconds. That is, over a pulse duration of a few microseconds, or even less than 1 microsecond in some cases, defined as the duration from the start of the pulse to the end of the pulse, the average brightness of the emitted light area increases to half of its maximum value at the start of the pulse and decreases to half of its maximum value at the end of the pulse. The imaging controller 158 is implemented by a printed circuit board including digital circuitry. This digital circuitry instructs the imaging unit 154 to start and stop image capture and instructs a power source or a switch electrically coupled between the power source and the LED light source 152 to turn the switch on and off, or alternatively, to emit pulses having a predetermined duration. The imaging control unit 158 ​​is operatively coupled to the control unit 132, and optionally to other control units, such as the holder assembly control unit and the dispenser assembly control unit, to send and receive signals indicative of information used to control imaging of the substrate. The imaging control unit 158 ​​is configured to send signals indicative of images acquired by the imaging unit 154 to the control unit 132 for analysis. The imaging control unit 158 ​​is further configured to control the imaging unit 154 and the LED light source 152 to acquire images when substrate features, such as positioning features, are expected to be within the field of view of the imaging unit 154 based on information received from the control unit 132, such as the expected locations of the features and the rate of movement of the substrate.

[0027] The LED light source is electrically coupled to a power supply configured to provide the LED light source with a voltage that achieves the desired brightness for imaging during the aforementioned duration. The number of LED emitters in the LED light source may be selected to provide a total lumen that allows a clear image to be obtained during the aforementioned short duration. In one example, the LED array may be an array of 24 LEDs emitting at 610 nm to 650 nm, each with a luminous output of approximately 65 lumens at an applied voltage of approximately 1.8 V. An example of an LED that can be used is the LUXEON® Star LXZ1-PH01 LED manufactured by Lumileds, Inc., San Jose, California. In one example, 40 such LEDs are assembled in a 5x8 array. In a further example, 24 such LEDs are assembled in a 4x6 array. In another example, 40 LEDs can be assembled in a circular configuration. In yet another example, more LEDs can be used. For example, in one example, 50 LEDs can be used as the light source.

[0028] 2 is a three-dimensional view of a position acquisition system 200 according to one embodiment. The position acquisition system 200 includes an imaging system 150 that positions a substrate 202 on the substrate support 102 for processing. As described above, the imaging system 150 is operatively coupled to an imaging controller 158, which is further operatively coupled to the system controller 132. The imaging system 150 may also be operatively coupled to a positioning controller 204 that can control and adjust the position of the imaging system 150. The positioning controller 204 can adjust the position of the imaging system 150 relative to the dispenser in the dispenser housing 119 of FIG. 1.

[0029] In this case, the imaging system 150 includes an LED light source 206 and an imaging unit 208. An optical assembly 210 optically couples the LED light source 206 and the imaging unit 208 to the substrate 202 for imaging. The optical assembly 210 may include one or more lenses, prisms, fibers, and / or mirrors to direct and / or focus light reflected from the substrate 202 into the imaging unit 208. An optical fiber 212 transfers light emitted by the LED light source 206 to a radiation point 214. The radiation point 214 may be at an end of the optical assembly 210 spaced apart from the substrate support 102, may extend beyond the end of the optical assembly 210 to a location closer to the substrate support 102 than the end of the optical assembly 210, or may be embedded within the optical assembly 210. The optical fiber 212 is supported by a support 216 that maintains the position of the radiation point 214. At emission point 214, a beam of light is emitted from optical fiber 212 and passes through the gap between emission point 214 and substrate 202 to form illumination area 218. The size of illumination area 218 can be controlled by controlling the location of emission point 214 relative to substrate 202. During processing, substrate 202 is typically scanned relative to imaging system 150, as indicated diagrammatically by arrow 220, to illuminate the substrate portion to be imaged. LED light source 206 is activated when the substrate portion to be imaged is partially or completely within illumination area 218 during this relative scanning, and is deactivated when the substrate portion to be imaged passes illumination area 218 for a time sufficient to capture the desired image of the entire area of ​​the object. This may be when the first portion of the area to be imaged leaves illumination area 218, or when the last portion of the area to be imaged leaves illumination area 218. LED light source 206 can be activated by closing a switch electrically coupled between a power source (not shown) and LED light source 206. This switch can be controlled by a signal sent from the controller 132 (FIG. 1) or the local controller for the LED light source 206, or a combination thereof.

[0030] FIG. 3 is an algorithmic diagram of an image acquisition control algorithm 300 according to one embodiment. The image acquisition control algorithm 300 is used in a deposition apparatus such as the apparatus 100. The image acquisition control algorithm 300 generates triggers to initiate image acquisition of features on the substrate 202 by the imaging unit and to initiate illumination by the illumination unit. The illumination unit can generate short pulses of uniform light within the illumination area. The pulse duration is approximately 1 μsec or less, allowing images of small features on the substrate to be acquired at relative movement speeds of up to 1 m / sec. The LED light source can be, for example, an array of LED light sources having an emission wavelength matched to the spectral sensitivity of the imaging unit and sufficient luminous output to acquire clear images with the short exposure times described above.

[0031] The algorithm 300 uses the position markers along with the position signal from the substrate holder to determine when to begin image capture by the imaging unit and when to begin illumination by the illumination source. Generally, the algorithm uses a predetermined coordinate system that is used by the controller executing the algorithm 300. The substrate is positioned at a known holder home position 304 (x H ,y H ) for a known position (x S ,y S ) and the location 306 (x F ,y F ) are known relative to the substrate origin 302. In embodiments where the substrate is moved in the y direction during processing, the y positions of the holder, substrate origin, and features are known relative to the y h , y s , and y f These are offset in the y direction from their respective home positions by the same distance 308. If the imaging system is moved during processing, the position of the illumination area 310 at any point in time will be y i The shape is Δx F and Δy FThe illumination area 310 generated by the imaging system is located at a known location (x) relative to the home position of the holder. I ,y I ) and the irradiation area has Δx I and Δy I Therefore, in the y direction, the illuminated area is I -(1 / 2)Δy I From y I +(1 / 2)Δy I or, if the imaging system is moved, y i -(1 / 2)Δy I From y i +(1 / 2)Δy I At any point in the process, the y position of the holder is in the range of y h is known from the position of the actuator.

[0032] The various position markers are provided to a controller, such as controller 132. The algorithm determines when to activate the imaging unit and illumination source to capture an image of the feature based on the expected location of the feature. The size of the illuminated area is set to a range sufficient to ensure that the deviation between the expected location of the feature and the actual location of the feature is less than the amount by which the feature will remain entirely within the illuminated area during exposure.

[0033] Let v be the speed of relative movement of the substrate and imaging system in the y direction, and t be the pulse duration. An algorithm calculates a lighting event that illuminates the feature 306. This lighting event may be calculated when the feature 306 is entirely within the illumination region 310. This means that in the y direction, f -(1 / 2)Δy F =y i -(1 / 2)Δy I This occurs when the holder position is y relative to the substrate origin in the y direction. HS If the holder position is shifted by about y, the holder position at the time of light emission is i -(1 / 2)Δy I -y f +(1 / 2)ΔyF +y S +y HS The light-emitting events can be calculated in relation to the holder position, time, or any other parameter that can be measured from the parameters of the deposition job. If the light-emitting events are expressed as time, then vt=y i -(1 / 2)Δy I -y f +(1 / 2)Δy F This is the point in time.

[0034] The duration of the illumination is minimized to avoid image distortion. The substrate and imaging system may be moving relative to each other during image capture. Illuminating the field for longer than necessary to capture the desired image may reduce image clarity. The algorithm calculates an extinction event when the feature passes through the illuminated area after an illumination event. This is done in the y direction by f +(1 / 2)Δy F =y i +(1 / 2)Δy I This occurs when the quencher holder position is set to y i +(1 / 2)Δy I -y f -(1 / 2)Δy F +y S +y HS Alternatively, vt=y i +(1 / 2)Δy I -y f -(1 / 2)Δy F The pulse duration is the time it takes for a feature to traverse the illuminated area, i.e., t = (1 / v)(Δy I -Δy F ) is chosen so that

[0035] The imaging system is positioned so that the x-position of the illuminated area is the same as the x-position of the designed feature. The imaging system uses multiple illumination sources that can transition from zero to peak intensity and from peak intensity to zero in a time significantly shorter than the pulse duration. Because the multiple LED sources can transition as fast as the potential of each LED source can transition from one to the other, the multiple LED sources can pulse for the short durations described herein. Additionally, the multiple LED sources emit a uniform beam of light, and in most cases do not require further homogenization to achieve image clarity.

[0036] 4 is a flow diagram outlining a method 400 for acquiring images of registration features on a substrate. At 402, the substrate is positioned on a substrate support of a processing device. Typically, the processing device is used to perform a process, such as adding or removing material from the substrate, and the registration features on the substrate are used as guides for this process. The registration features may be special features, such as marks or structures, provided on the substrate solely for the purpose of positioning the substrate. Alternatively, the registration features may be features provided on the substrate for some other purpose, but which are used here to position the substrate.

[0037] At 404, the substrate is positioned for imaging by the imaging system. The substrate can be moved into position relative to the imaging system by applying a substrate holder that moves the substrate. In some cases, the substrate support comprises a frictionless surface so that the substrate holder can move the substrate with little resistance. Additionally, in some cases, the imaging system can also be moved. For example, the imaging system can be mounted on a positioning system that uses air bearings coupled to rails. The imaging system can include an LED light source oriented to direct an illumination light beam toward an imaging area. An imaging unit is positioned near the LED light source to image the light beam reflected from the substrate.

[0038] The substrate is positioned for imaging at a location determined by the expected location of the registration feature, which is a predetermined location on the substrate where the registration feature is expected to be found, and the imaging system and substrate are positioned relative to each other such that the expected location is proximate to the illumination area of ​​the illumination source.

[0039] At 406, the substrate is scanned relative to the imaging system. The expected location of the alignment feature is moved toward the edge of the illumination area of ​​the illumination source. When this expected location is a predetermined distance from the edge of the illumination area, the imaging unit is activated to begin acquiring image data. At this time, the illumination source is not activated. Typically, the processing equipment includes a cover that isolates the substrate support from the imaging system to minimize any light sources other than the illumination source.

[0040] At 408, the illumination light source is activated when an image of the alignment feature can be acquired by the imaging unit. The illumination light source may be activated when a portion of the alignment feature is expected to enter the illuminated area, when a maximum percentage of the alignment feature is expected to be within the illumination area of ​​the illumination light source, or when the entire alignment feature is first expected to be within the illumination area of ​​the illumination light source. In one example, the illumination light source is activated when the leading edge of the alignment feature is expected to reach the edge of the illumination area. The expected position of the alignment feature may be the extreme end of the alignment feature or the center of the alignment feature. If the expected position of the alignment feature is its extreme end, the illumination light source can be activated when the expected position of the alignment feature is expected to reach the edge of the illumination area. If the expected position of the alignment feature is its center, the known size of the alignment feature can be used to determine the expected position of the extreme end of the alignment feature, and the illumination light source can be activated when the expected position of the extreme end of the alignment feature is expected to reach the edge of the illumination area.

[0041] In another example, the illumination source can be activated when the alignment feature, or a substantial portion thereof, is expected to be entirely within the illumination field of the illumination source. In this case, the illumination source is activated when the trailing edge of the alignment feature is expected to reach the edge of the illumination area, as determined by the known geometry and expected location of the alignment feature. By waiting until the greatest portion or all of the alignment feature is within the illumination field of the illumination source to activate the illumination source, the exposure time for image capture is minimized, and therefore the substrate movement during image capture is minimized. Minimizing substrate movement during image capture results in the sharpest image.

[0042] At 410, the substrate and imaging system are scanned relative to one another so that the alignment feature, or a portion thereof, transitions through the illumination field of the illumination source during a transition time. This transition time can be determined in a number of ways. In one example, the transition time is the time between when the first extreme edge of the alignment feature enters the illumination field of the illumination source and when the last extreme edge of the alignment feature exits the illumination field of the illumination source. In another example, the transition time is the time between when the last extreme edge of the alignment feature enters the illumination field, with no other alignment feature edges subsequently entering the illumination field, and when the first extreme edge of the alignment feature exits the illumination field. In either case, all or only a portion of the alignment feature may transition through the illumination field. The time for the transition to occur may be as short as 1 μsec. This transition time can be determined using the known size of the illumination field and by the speed of the transition.

[0043] At 412, the illumination source is deactivated. The illumination source activation time is defined as the time between when the illumination source is activated and when the illumination source is deactivated. The illumination source activation time may be equal to or different from the transition time. The illumination source activation time may coincide with and be simultaneous with the transition time, or may overlap with or encompass the transition time. In one example, the activation time coincides with and overlaps with the transition time. In another example, the activation time is consecutive with and overlaps with the transition time. In yet another example, the activation time may be parallel to and overlap with or encompass the transition time. In either case, the activation time and the transition time are correlated to illuminate the desired portion of the positioning feature during the transition time.

[0044] If an image of the entire positioning feature is desired but cannot be captured in a single exposure, for example due to the size of the illumination area of ​​the illumination source or the size of the imaging area of ​​the imaging unit, the substrate and imaging system can be repositioned and a second exposure performed in a manner similar to method 400 to capture additional images of portions of the positioning feature.

[0045] At 414, the imaging unit is stopped. The imaging time can be defined as the time between when the imaging unit is activated and when it is deactivated. This imaging time is longer than the illumination light source activation time because it is easier to obtain a short light pulse than to obtain a useful exposure with a short exposure time. In the embodiments described herein, the alignment features may be on the order of 1 μm in size, and the substrate scanning speed may be as fast as 1 m / sec. Thus, in some cases, images are acquired using the methods and apparatus described herein in 1 μsec times. Such short exposure times are more easily achieved with activation times as short as 1 μsec and longer imaging times of 1 msec or more.

[0046] This method 400 may be repeated to image multiple alignment features. In each instance, the expected positions of the alignment features are known, and the substrate and imaging system are positioned such that the expected positions are located near the illumination area of ​​the illumination source. It should be noted that due to substrate placement errors, imaging system placement errors, errors in applying the alignment features to the substrate, and thermal displacement and deformation, images taken using the expected locations of the alignment features may not capture the desired image. In such cases, the acquired images are analyzed to determine the magnitude and direction of applicable alignment corrections. A alignment correction may be applied before or during the performance of method 400, and the method 400 may be repeated. Typically, the expected positions of the alignment features are corrected using a alignment correction prior to each iteration of method 400; however, the positions of the substrate and / or imaging system may be biased in addition to or instead of correcting the expected positions of the alignment features.

[0047] 5 is a flow diagram outlining method 500 and other methods described herein that may be used with the apparatus. Method 500 is a method for determining the location and orientation of registration features on a substrate from pulsed images. At 502, an image of an area of ​​the substrate is acquired where the registration features are expected to be found. The image is acquired using an imaging system described herein.

[0048] At 504, a set of grid points is defined within the image. These grid points are defined by x and y coordinates in a coordinate system common to the points in the image. That is, the image is acquired by placing an imaging system at the points defined by the coordinates. The geometry of the imaging system determines the coordinates of the image boundaries in the coordinate system. Grid points are defined between the coordinates of the image boundaries. Any number of grid points can be used, with more grid points being more useful when the alignment feature has a more complex shape.

[0049] Furthermore, the expected shape and size of the locating features are typically defined by coordinates in the same coordinate system. For example, the vertices of a polygonal locating feature can be defined by an ordered set of coordinate pairs, where adjacent coordinate pairs define the locations of vertices connected by an edge. For non-polygonal shapes with curved contours, the coordinates may define adjacent points on the contour edge of the shape. Using more points in the shape definition of such shapes improves the accuracy of the shape definition by minimizing the error of assuming straight edges between adjacent points.

[0050] At 506, for each grid point defined at 504, a number of line segments are defined that pass through the grid point. These line segments may be defined as a set of coordinate pairs indicating each pixel of the image that lies on the line segment, or they may be defined as a set of endpoints. The number of line segments is predetermined based on the complexity of the shape being imaged, and may be increased if the definition of the registration features in the image is insufficient on an initial run of method 500. The line segments are generally selected to evenly cover the surface, e.g., radiating equiangularly from the origin.

[0051] At 508, for each line segment defined at 506, the change in brightness from pixel to pixel of the image along the line segment is measured. P1 ,y P1 ) for each pixel P on the line segment 1 Regarding pixel B P1 Check the brightness of the coordinate (x P2 ,y P2 ) at least one adjacent pixel P on the line segment 2 Brightness B P2 Also check the brightness of the two. P2 -B P1 , pixel P 1 Typically, absolute values ​​are used. This type of brightness change is the "forward" brightness change. Alternatively, P 1 The pixel P0 The "back" brightness change compared to P 0 Starting with P 1 From P 2 One can also use a "median" brightness change, which is the average of the brightness changes up to .

[0052] Brightness variations are generally used to indicate where boundaries may be in the image. At 510, a predetermined number of pixels with the highest brightness variations, i.e., points on the line segments with the greatest brightness variations, are recorded as candidates for the boundary of a shape in the image. The calculations of defining the line segments 506, analyzing the brightness variations along the line segments 508, and recording the greatest brightness variations 510 are repeated for all grid points defined for the image. From this process, a set of points is obtained that indicate candidate points for defining the edge of the captured shape in the image.

[0053] At 512, the recorded points are analyzed to determine which points lie on the boundary of the image of the alignment feature. Any number of shape recognition algorithms may be used to determine which points can be used to locate the boundary edge of the feature in the image. The choice of algorithm may be influenced by the known shape of the alignment feature. For example, if the shape is known to be circular or approximately circular, equal distance from any point may be used as the search criterion. For more complex shapes, a matching algorithm may calculate a distance-based signature. For example, multiple test shapes defined by the known shape and dimensions of the alignment feature may be defined by their coordinates, and the distances of the recorded points from the test shapes may be measured. Test shapes may then be found within the constraints of the known shape and dimensions, thereby minimizing distance statistics. The results of such a search may be refined by removing statistical outliers to determine a "best" score for each test shape, and the test shape with the best overall score may be identified as the closest representation of the shape in the image.

[0054] From such a best test shape, the shape can be further refined. For example, if the test shape has a boundary defined by coordinate pairs of pixels on the boundary, curvature metrics can be applied pixel by pixel to improve the test shape fit to the recorded points. At 514, based on the analysis at 512, a set of coordinates is defined as indicating the boundary of the registration feature in the image.

[0055] After the boundaries of the registration feature in the image are defined, the characteristics of the registration feature in the image can be measured. At 516, the centroid of the coordinates defining the boundaries of the registration feature can be calculated as the "center" of the feature. This location can be recorded in the system as the actual location of the registration feature on the substrate. Alternatively, the maximum or minimum x value and the maximum or minimum y value can be used as the location of the registration feature. After this location is determined at 516, a position error of the registration feature can be determined at 518. The position error is the difference between the coordinates of the registration feature determined from the image analysis and the expected coordinates of the registration feature. This position error can be used to adjust the processing plan for the substrate.

[0056] At 520, a rotation error can be determined for the locator feature. A rotation transform can be applied to the set of coordinates that define the boundary of the locator feature in the image. For example, the rotation angle can be defined in radians, and an x-y shift for each pixel in the set of coordinates that define the boundary of the locator feature in the image can be determined based on each pixel's radial coordinate. After applying the rotation transform, the difference between the set of coordinates for the rotated image boundary and the expected set of coordinates for the locator feature boundary can be calculated. The degree of rotation that minimizes this difference can be used as the rotation error for the image. This rotation error can be calculated before or after adjusting for any positional errors identified at 518.

[0057] At 522, a shaping error can be determined for the registration feature. This shaping error evidences a deformation of the registration feature from its expected shape. If not detected and corrected, this shaping error can cause processing errors, assuming the registration feature is properly shaped. For example, if one corner of a square registration feature is placed in an improper location, causing the registration feature to be non-square, the registration feature may be found and located, but its location may be incorrectly recorded in the processing system based on this shaping error. This shaping error is typically determined after correcting for any positional and rotational errors. The pixel-by-pixel error in the position-corrected and rotation-corrected image can be calculated and recorded as the shaping error. The recorded location of the registration feature can be adjusted based on the identified shaping error for purposes of processing the substrate.

[0058] Method 500 can be used to identify and define the location of multiple registration features on a substrate. Errors detected in the multiple registration features can be analyzed to identify systematic errors in the placement and orientation of the substrate in a processing system. For example, similar rotational or positional errors in the multiple registration features can indicate an overall rotational or positional error in the placement of the substrate. Different rotational or positional errors can indicate a deformation of the substrate or misplacement of the registration features on the substrate. Method 500 and its variations are implemented using a digital processing system programmed with instructions appropriate to represent the various coordinates and operations referenced in method 500. The digital processing system accepts data representing an image from an imaging unit, automatically identifies feature boundaries in the image, and optionally identifies positional, rotational, and shaping errors of the registration features in the image. Results of method 500 can be used to control precise deposition of material on a substrate, for example, using deposition apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 .

[0059] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a deposition apparatus according to another embodiment. The apparatus of FIG. 6 is similar to the apparatus of FIG. 1 except that it does not include the imaging system 150. Instead, a first imaging system 650 is movably coupled to an imaging rail 604 that is part of a deposition assembly support. The deposition assembly support is similar to the deposition assembly support 116 of FIG. 1, including a beam or rail 117, which in this example is a deposition rail. The deposition assembly support includes an extension that supports the first imaging system 650 and the second imaging system 652. The extension includes a first upstanding portion 622 extending from a first end 624 of the beam 117 and a second upstanding portion 626 extending from a second end 628 opposite the first end 624 of the beam 117. The extension further includes an imaging rail 604 that extends substantially parallel to the beam 117 from the first upstanding portion 622 to the second upstanding portion 626.

[0060] First imaging system 650 and second imaging system 652 are each substantially similar to imaging system 150. First imaging system 650 is coupled to imaging rail 604 by first imaging carriage 654. Second imaging system 652 is coupled to imaging rail 604 by second imaging carriage 656. Dispenser housing 119 is located between first imaging system 650 and second imaging system 652. First imaging carriage 654 and second imaging carriage 656 each have lateral extensions that support first imaging system 650 and second imaging system 652 with clearance from imaging rail 604. This clearance allows first imaging system 650 and second imaging system 652 to move substantially the entire length of imaging rail 604 without interference from dispenser housing 119.

[0061] The apparatus 600 has four independently movable imaging systems. The two imaging systems 650 and 652 described above are mounted on a first side of the stacking assembly support. The apparatus 600 also has a third imaging system 660 and a fourth imaging system 662, which are similar to the imaging systems 650 and 652, respectively. Here, the imaging rail 604 is the first imaging rail, and the second imaging rail 602 is part of the stacking assembly support. In this example, the first imaging rail 604 and the second imaging rail 602 are both mounted on the two uprights 622 and 626 and extend parallel to each other between the two uprights 622 and 626. The imaging systems 660 and 662 are each supported on the second imaging rail 602 by an imaging carriage. In particular, the third imaging carriage couples to the second imaging rail 602 to support the third imaging system 660, and the fourth imaging carriage couples to the second imaging rail 602 to support the fourth imaging system 662. The space between the imaging rail 604 and the imaging rail 602 allows the first imaging carriage 654 and the second imaging carriage 656 to move along the first imaging rail 604 without interference from the third and fourth imaging carriages. In this manner, all four imaging systems can be positioned along substantially the entire length of the stacking assembly support. Using multiple imaging systems allows a larger number of images to be acquired in a shorter period of time, thereby speeding up processes that rely on such imaging.

[0062] Any number of the imaging systems described herein can be used with such an apparatus. While four imaging systems are illustrated in FIG. 6 , any number of such imaging systems can be used. For example, two imaging systems can be used on one of the two imaging rails, or two imaging systems, one on each imaging rail. An imaging system can be added to one or both imaging rails simply by placing the imaging system's carriage on the desired imaging rail. In some cases, these carriages can be coupled to the imaging rails using air bearings, and the air bearings of the added imaging system can be driven to move the added imaging system along the selected imaging rail. Deploying multiple imaging systems using LED light sources allows the apparatus to simultaneously image multiple locations using bright, uniform, and fast-pulsing LED light, thereby increasing the imaging speed of various portions of the substrate. Furthermore, using multiple imaging devices can increase the accuracy of imaging at a single location on the substrate when two or more images are acquired and compared at that location.

[0063] While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the present disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, which scope is defined by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. 1. A deposition apparatus, comprising: a substrate support; a deposition assembly positioned over the substrate support; The deposition assembly comprises: rails extending between supports located on either side of the substrate support; a dispenser assembly movably connected to the rail; an imaging system coupled to the rail, the imaging system including an LED light source and an imaging unit; an optical assembly that optically couples the LED light source and the imaging unit to a substrate disposed on the substrate support and directs light rays reflected from the substrate to the imaging unit, the optical assembly including an optical fiber disposed within the optical assembly that transfers light rays emitted from the LED light source to a light-emitting point to illuminate a portion of the substrate; A deposition apparatus comprising:

2. The deposition apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the dispenser assembly houses the imaging system.

3. 10. The deposition apparatus of claim 1, wherein the imaging system comprises an array of LEDs having an emission wavelength of at least about 600 nm.

4. The deposition apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the imaging system further comprises an imaging unit having a sensitivity profile adapted to the emission wavelengths of the plurality of LEDs.

5. 5. The deposition apparatus of claim 4, wherein the LED light source has a pulse duration of 1 μsec or less.

6. 6. The deposition apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a controller configured to scan a substrate positioned on the substrate support relative to the imaging system, activate the imaging unit for an imaging time, and activate the LED light source for an activation time, wherein the activation time is encompassed by the imaging time.

7. The deposition apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the LED light source is coupled to a fiber waveguide.

8. 10. The deposition apparatus of claim 1, wherein the imaging system is one of a plurality of imaging systems coupled to the deposition assembly, and each imaging system of the plurality of imaging systems comprises an LED light source.

9. 1. A deposition apparatus, comprising: a substrate support; a deposition assembly including an imaging system positioned over the substrate support; The imaging system includes: an LED light source coupled to an optical assembly, the LED light source optically coupled to the optical assembly by an optical fiber disposed within the optical assembly to direct emitted light from the LED light source to the substrate support; an imaging unit connected to the optical assembly and configured to capture light reflected through the optical assembly.

10. The deposition apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising a positioning control for positioning the imaging system.

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