Rotating Substrate Holder Film Formation Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing film formation methods for optical and functional thin films face challenges in achieving improved optical characteristics, wear resistance, water repellency, and anti-fouling properties, as they often result in films with compromised performance due to uniform material supply and irradiation across the entire substrate surface.

Innovation Solution

A film formation method and apparatus that utilize a rotatable substrate holder with a partial supply of film formation material and targeted energetic particle irradiation to specific areas, allowing for a higher material density and energy activation on moving substrates, enhancing bonding forces and film quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If uniform film formation material supply is applied to the entire substrate surface, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the optical characteristics and film quality are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical characteristicsVSAvoidfilm formation process
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by dividing the substrate surface into multiple regions and supplying film formation material to specific regions rather than uniformly across the entire surface. This targeted approach improves optical characteristics and film quality in critical areas while maintaining process feasibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The substrate surface is segmented into multiple regions, and the film formation process is divided into multiple steps with material supplied to different regions at different times. This segmentation enables precise control over film properties while managing process complexity through systematic regional treatment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If continuous ion irradiation is applied to the entire substrate surface, then wear resistance is improved, but the film formation efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidfilm formation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by alternating between ion irradiation steps and film material supply steps, rather than continuously irradiating the entire surface. This periodic approach maintains wear resistance improvement while enhancing film formation efficiency through optimized timing and regional targeting of irradiation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Ion irradiation is applied partially to specific regions rather than excessively to the entire substrate surface. This partial action strategy achieves sufficient wear resistance improvement in critical areas while avoiding the productivity loss associated with full-surface continuous irradiation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Force

If high density material supply is applied to moving substrates, then bonding forces are enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding forcesVSAvoidsubstrate holder system
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamics by rotating the substrate holder during film formation, enabling high density material supply to moving substrates. This dynamic approach enhances bonding forces through increased material flux while managing device complexity through the relatively simple mechanical rotation mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating substrate holder serves multiple functions: it enables high density material supply, ensures uniform film distribution across different substrate regions, and facilitates efficient use of film formation material. This multi-functionality enhances bonding forces while avoiding excessive device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach results in thin films with improved optical characteristics, wear resistance, and anti-fouling properties by ensuring stronger bonding and enhanced energy activation, leading to films with better performance and durability.

Implementation Method 1

a film formation means arranged to be able to supply a larger amount of a film formation material of the thin film to a first area that is a partial area of the basal body holding surface than to an area other than the first area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical Vapour Deposition: Physical Vapour Deposition

Implementation Method 2

an irradiation means for irradiating energetic particles only toward a second area (A2) that is a partial area of the basal body holding surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon Beam: Ion Beam

Data Source

PatentEP2762605B1Film formation method and film formation apparatus
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 SHINCRON KK
  • EP2762605B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2762605B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2762605B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Provided is a film formation apparatus with which an anti-fouling film having high usability and antiwear performance may be formed efficiently. According to a film formation apparatus (1) of the present invention, a substrate holder (12) which comprises a basal body holding surface for folding a plurality of substrates (14) is disposed in a vacuum container (10) in a rotatable manner. The film formation apparatus (1) comprises an evaporation source (34) which is disposed in the vacuum container (10) in such a manner that a larger amount of film formation material may be supplied to a first area (A3) that is part of the basal body holding surface than to an area other than the first area (remaining area) when operated toward the substrate holder (12) in a rotation stop state; and an ion source (38) which is disposed in the vacuum container (10) in such a manner, arrangement, and/or direction that energetic particle irradiation may be made toward only a second area (A2) that is part of the basal body holding surface when operated toward the substrate holder (12) in the rotation stop state.