|Publication number||US7981269 B2|
|Application number||US 11/927,369|
|Publication date||Jul 19, 2011|
|Filing date||Oct 29, 2007|
|Priority date||Apr 4, 1997|
|Also published as||CA2286326A1, CA2286326C, CA2572499A1, CA2572503A1, CA2572786A1, DE69842001D1, EP1015669A1, EP1015669A4, EP1015669B1, US6027630, US6475369, US6572742, US6790377, US7351321, US7618525, US7998331, US8551315, US8603316, US20040065552, US20040065553, US20040084319, US20070181430, US20080099338, US20080110856, US20080110857, US20080121618, US20080179279, US20080230390, US20100193366, US20100264037, US20110247941, US20120228143, US20120234688, US20140004374, US20150108004, WO1998045504A1|
|Publication number||11927369, 927369, US 7981269 B2, US 7981269B2, US-B2-7981269, US7981269 B2, US7981269B2|
|Inventors||Adam L. Cohen|
|Original Assignee||University Of Southern California|
|Export Citation||BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan|
|Patent Citations (57), Classifications (37), Legal Events (1)|
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet|
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/622,279, filed Jan. 11, 2007, now abandoned, which in turn is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/677,409, filed Oct. 1, 2003, now abandoned, which in turn is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/493,496, filed Jan. 28, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,790,377, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/055,183, filed Apr. 3, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,027,630; which in turn claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/043,742, filed on Apr. 4, 1997.
The invention relates to forming structures by electrochemical deposition.
Microfabrication processes (also referred to as micromachining) are being developed and refined for eventual application to the manufacture of complex devices including machines and instrumentation. These processes are being directed to the production of machines of miniaturized devices having features in the range of a few microns and in some cases features in the submicron range, some of which currently exist on a macroscopic scale.
Microfabrication processes include: bulk micromachining, in which material is removed from regions of a substrate; surface micromachining, in which a thin conformal structural layer and one or more sacrificial layers are deposited onto a substrate; and LIGA, which generates 2.5-D extruded shapes by molding materials around metals molds which were formed by the metals being electrodeposited within openings in thick synchrotron-processed photoresists. These processes are used to produce structures of simple geometries (e.g., they can be defined by 1-4 different cross sections), and are usually customized for each application.
Solid freeform fabrication, which is also referred to as rapid prototyping, is used to manufacture macroscopic parts from hundreds of layers by generating one layer at a time. These processes produce features typically greater than 50-100 um in width using layers typically greater than 50-150 um thick. These processes typically generate a layer serially. These processes employ structures for supporting the part being manufactured. The support structures are often customized to the part.
In one aspect, the invention features an electroplating method that includes: a) contacting a first substrate with a first article, which includes a substrate and a conformable mask disposed in a pattern on the substrate; b) electroplating a first metal from a source of metal ions onto the first substrate in a first pattern, the first pattern corresponding to the complement of the conformable mask pattern; and c) removing the first article from the first substrate.
In preferred embodiments, the method further includes electroplating a second metal from a second metal ion source onto the first substrate. In one embodiment, the step of electroplating the second metal includes: a) contacting the first substrate with a second article including a substrate and a conformable mask disposed in a pattern on the substrate; b) electroplating a second metal onto the first substrate in a second pattern, the second pattern corresponding to the complement of the conformable mask pattern of the second article; and c) removing the second article from the first substrate. The method can further include building additional layers.
In one embodiment, the invention features an electroplating method that includes repeatedly contacting a substrate with a patterned conformable mask; electroplating a first metal form a source of ions onto the substrate in a pattern, the pattern corresponding to the complement of the conformable mask pattern; and removing the mask from the substrate.
In another embodiment, the invention features a method for manufacturing an element that includes forming a multi-layer structure by repeatedly forming layers according to the above-described electroplating methods.
In another aspect, the invention features an electroplating article that includes a substrate having a first major surface and a conformable mask disposed in a pattern on the first major surface of the substrate. The article is capable of electroplating a pattern of metal complementary to the pattern of the conformable mask onto an electrode when the article is placed in contact with the electrode in the presence of a metal ion source and subjected to an electric field.
In other aspects, the invention features an electroplating apparatus that includes an electrolyte, which includes ions of a first metal and ions of a second metal, an anode in contact with the electrolyte, a cathode in contact with the electrolyte, and a first article (e.g., the above described electroplating article) in contact with the electrolyte.
In one embodiment, the electroplating apparatus includes a first electroplating reservoir that includes an electrolyte, which includes a first metal ion, disposed within the first reservoir, an anode in contact with the electrolyte, a cathode in contact with the electrolyte, and an article (e.g., an article described above) in contact with the electrolyte; a second electroplating reservoir that includes an electrolyte, which includes ions of a second metal, disposed within the second reservoir, and an anode in contact with the electrolyte.
In another aspect, the invention features a method for manufacturing an electroplating article. The method includes: a) applying a conformable mask to an article comprising a first substrate and a patterned resist disposed on the first substrate; b) contacting a second substrate to said conformable mask such that the conformable mask obtains a pattern complementary to the resist pattern; c) separating the first substrate from the conformable mask (the conformable mask remaining adhered to the article); and d) removing the resist.
In one embodiment, the method for manufacturing an electroplating article includes providing a porous medium having a first surface; b) treating said porous medium to create one or more nonporous regions; c) applying a film to said first surface of said porous medium; d) patterning the film to create a patterned mask; and e) removing at least a portion of the one or more nonporous regions.
In other aspects, the present invention is directed to the calculation, storage and retrieval of cross section geometry of a three dimensional object for generation of patterned masks reflecting that geometry and for use in an electroplating method. The data and control processes of various embodiments of the invention can be implemented by a software application program executed in a general purpose computing system.
The data and control processes of various embodiments of the invention can be embodied in an electroplating method implemented via the application program and also in an article of manufacture, in the form of a data storage medium that stores application program code arranged to carry out that method upon execution by a processor.
The electroplating methods and articles allow fabrication of devices from thin layers of materials such as, e.g., metals, polymers, ceramics, and semiconductor materials. The electroplating methods produce relatively homogeneous, isotropic elements (e.g., devices) without interlayer junctions. The electroplating methods can be performed at low temperatures, thus allowing substrates such as integrated circuits and silicon wafers to be used as plating substrates.
The electroplating methods of various embodiments of the invention can be used to fabricate devices of freeform geometry including high aspect ratio devices, hollow devices with internal features, devices with cantilevered and “chandelier” geometries, and functional assemblies of interconnected, stationary or moving parts (i.e., devices fabricated in an assembled state). The electroplating articles, apparatus, and methods also are particularly useful in mass production of devices.
Other features and advantages of various aspects of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments thereof, and from the claims.
The embodiments feature electroplating methods, apparatus and articles that enable the manufacture of elements having complex structures. The electroplating methods include selective electroplating of layers that may include both structural materials (e.g., metals) and support (i.e., sacrificial) materials; and subsequent removal (e.g., by etching, melting, or electrolytically dissolving) of the support materials. The structural material remaining after removal of the support material defines an element such as a microscopic or mesoscopic device. The electroplating methods employ electroplating articles that include a patterned conformable mask, optionally adhered to a support such as an electrode or a porous medium.
In general, various embodiments of the invention feature electroplating articles for use in electroplating methods. The electroplating method occurs in an electroplating apparatus that includes an electroplating bath filled with electrolyte, an anode, and a cathode. The electrolyte contains metal ions and, optionally, other additives. The anode can be part of the electroplating article, as described below, or can be located at a distance from the article. Throughout this application, the substrate to be plated functions as the cathode unless otherwise specified. To simplify the description, the materials are referred to as metals and similar features are indicated with the same reference numerals.
Contact between the electroplating article and the substrate to be plated is made by pressing the patterned mask against the substrate using a well-controlled, uniform pressure. The appropriate masking pressure will prevent flash (i.e., the deposition of metal in the area covered by the mask), and will prevent distortion of the features defined by the mask. When the electroplating article is removed from contact with the substrate, the mask remains adhered to the support and thus remains part of the electroplating article.
A variety of methods can be used to improve release of the mask from the substrate to be plated so as to prevent delamination of the mask from the support: for example, gradually peeling the electroplating article (if flexible) off of the substrate optionally with the aid of a dull blade; adding a non-stick/lubricating compound to the electrolyte; coating the mask surface with a non-stick composition (e.g., sputtered polytetrafluoroethylene); and vibration (e.g., ultrasound).
Patterned Conformable Mask
The patterned conformable mask is sufficiently deformable (e.g., elastically deformable) to permit conformance of the mask to the surface of a substrate to be plated to maximize contact between the mask and the substrate, and to minimize (preferably eliminate) the presence of gaps between the mask and the substrate. Maximizing contact between the mask and the substrate minimizes the potential for flash formation. The mask is also sufficiently durable to enable repeated use (i.e., contacting with and removing from a substrate). The mask is sufficiently rigid and thin to prevent distortion of the mask features (i.e., the positive and negative features constituting the closed and open features of the mask pattern respectively) by the masking pressure. The mask preferably is relatively thick compared to its peak and valley roughness and the curvature of the substrate to be plated.
The mask preferably exhibits very high volume electrical resistivity (e.g., 1014 Ohm-cm), has a very low permeability to ions in the electrolyte solution, and is chemically non-reactive with the plating electrolytes at the temperatures at which the plating operation is conducted. The mask can be hydrophilic or hydrophobic, with hydrophilic being preferred. In the case of hydrophobic materials, relatively higher amounts of wetting agents can be included in the electrolyte to ensure wetting of the mask material.
The mask preferably is capable of forming a strong bond (e.g., a chemical or mechanical bond) to the support, such that small (e.g., 15×15 μm) isolated positive features are not delaminated by the mask fabrication process, normal handling of the mask or by removal of the mask material from the substrate to be plated.
The patterned mask is preferably substantially planar and smooth to enable conformance to the substrate to be plated. The mask is capable of being patterned with negative and positive features of varying dimensions (e.g., 10-25 um or smaller, such as submicron), preferably with no mask residue blocking the negative features of the mask pattern. The pattern of the mask includes apertures (i.e., negative features) extending through the mask thickness and defined by one or more sidewalls of the mask. The mask features preferably have a substantially planar wall profile and may have a slight wall angle. The wall angle may be slightly divergent toward the substrate to be plated, i.e. the negative features are slightly larger at the substrate than at the support. Such wall angles may aid in separating the mask from the substrate and may aid in facilitating re-contacting the mask to the substrate in the presence of an existing deposit.
The mask can be compound so as to include more than one layer of material, e.g., a relatively rigid layer (e.g., a high aspect ratio photoresist, e.g., SU-8 commercially available from MicroChem Corporation or synchrotron-processed polymethylmethacrylate), and a conformable layer. Another example of a useful rigid layer is a positive photoresist such as Clariant AZ4620, which can be patterned by exposing it to ultraviolet light through the patterned conformable layer.
Examples of useful masking compositions for conformable portions of the mask include elastomers such as, e.g., polydimethylsiloxane (i.e., silicone rubber) commercially available, e.g., under the trade designation Sylgard from Dow-Corning (e.g., Sylgard 182 and 184), and under the trade designation RMS-033 from Gelest. The masking compositions can include other additives, e.g., photoinitiators, fillers, and hydrogen getters.
The porous medium has interconnected pores and is permeable to ions and additives present in electrolyte compositions. The porous medium can have one or more layers of varying porosity. The porous medium preferably has a pore size considerably finer than the minimum negative feature of the mask. The pores are preferably uniform in open area, e.g., the open area of any 20 μm square of the medium is consistent to 1%. Particularly useful porous mediums may be porous mediums that are useful as filters, and particularly those that have a particle retention rating in the range of 0.3-3 μm. For those porous mediums that include multiple porous layers, each porous layer can vary in porosity and pore size, with the porous medium in closest proximity to the substrate to be plated exhibiting the above characteristics. The surfaces of the porous medium that contact the mask should be sufficiently flat and smooth to ensure that the surface of the adhered mask that contacts the substrate to be plated is also flat and smooth.
The porous medium is chemically non-reactive with the electrolyte solution at the operating temperature of the electrolyte bath. Preferred porous mediums are hydrophilic. The porous medium preferably is permeable to gas to allow venting of gas bubbles generated during the electroplating method.
Preferably the porous medium is free from shedding (i.e., does not release portions of itself into surrounding fluid), and is sufficiently durable so as to withstand multiple electroplating operations. Examples of suitable porous medium materials include rigid, hydrophilic, slip cast ceramic disk porous mediums (commercially available from Coors Ceramics) and hydrophilized membrane porous mediums made from, e.g., polypropylene (commercially available under the trade designation GH from Gelman), polyvinylidenefluoride (commercially available under the trade designation Durapore from Millipore) and polytetrafluoroethylene (commercially available under the trade designation LCR from Millipore). Rigid porous mediums can provide masking pressure when supported by their edges alone.
Particularly useful highly permeable, porous mediums include relatively thin, flexible, porous membranes. Porous membranes can be combined with a more rigid porous medium, which serves as a backing to provide the requisite pressure for masking applications. The porous membrane can be sandwiched between the more rigid porous medium and the mask and the porous medium can be used to supply the requisite masking pressure for the plating operation. The more rigid porous medium can have a relatively more coarse (i.e., larger) porosity than that useful for direct contact with the mask. Porous membranes can be integrated with the mask composition (or transformed into a mask).
To assist handling, porous membranes can be installed in the drumhead fixture described below, or temporarily adhered to a rigid flat substrate (e.g., a silicone wafer, glass) with an adhesive composition (e.g., dry film photoresist). Porous membranes can be processed while adhered to the substrate and, after processing, removed by dissolving the adhesive.
Masking pressure can be applied to the porous membrane by the momentum of a stream or jet of electrolyte impinging on the membrane from behind, optionally in combination with dense particles incorporated into the electrolyte, and increasing the viscosity of the electrolyte, for example, by the addition of a polymer. Masking pressure can also be applied to the membrane by sealing the membrane against the walls of the tank of the electroplating system and then pressurizing the electrolyte, causing the membrane to be pushed against the substrate to be plated. A dummy substrate can be used when the substrate to be plated is smaller than the porous medium to prevent the membrane from bulging.
One example of an electroplating method that employs a porous membrane includes pressing a relatively more rigid porous medium against the membrane, applying current, depositing a metal for a period, removing the current, withdrawing the rigid porous medium from contact with the membrane, slightly displacing the relatively more rigid porous medium in its own plane (e.g., in an orbital or linear fashion), and repeating the cycle. Displacing the relatively more rigid porous medium during each cycle allows a different portion of the rigid porous medium to make contact with the membrane. Preferably the mask/membrane separates from the substrate to be plated while the relatively more rigid porous medium is separated from the membrane so as to allow exchange of fluids between the microvolume and bulk electrolyte.
Another membrane plating method includes pressing a granular medium, tiny spheres, or rollers against the membrane using, e.g., a rigid screen. The tiny spheres and rollers can be rotated in a pattern (e.g., a linear pattern using linear movement or a circular pattern using an orbital movement) on the membrane continuously or intermittently so as to average the local non-uniformities in pore structure of the rollers/spheres. Preferably the amplitude of movement is equal to (more preferably several times greater than) the diameter of the sphere or cylinder. Preferably the spheres/cylinders are relatively small and the membrane is relatively thick. The spheres/cylinders can be made of the metal being plated.
The electroplating article can consist of a patterned mask on an anode. The anode can be soluble or insoluble, rigid or flexible, porous or nonporous, and can include an erodable layer (e.g., a metal layer) supported by a conductive material that does not erode (e.g., platinized titanium). The anode can be of any dimension including a thin flexible sheet of metal.
A soluble anode will tend to erode during use. The anode can be “redressed” periodically by reversing the polarity of the anode and plating metal back onto the anode through the negative features of the mask. The excess metal is supplied by the electrolyte in conjunction with another anode according to, e.g., through-mask plating processes used in electronics manufacturing. For a system in which the mask is physically supported by and attached to a porous medium, and an anode is located directly behind the membrane, moving the anode will prevent localized erosion of the anode.
Forming Electroplating Articles
In general, methods for forming electroplating articles include applying a solid mask or liquid masking composition to a support, i.e., an anode, a porous medium and combinations thereof. The solid mask can be patterned prior or subsequent to attachment to the support. Liquid masking compositions can be patterned on a non-porous substrate (e.g., inert material, or a material that can be dissolved or melted (e.g., substrates of plastic, lacquer, or low melting point alloy)), cured (e.g., crosslinked, polymerized, hardened, solidified, gelled, and combinations thereof), and attached to a support or patterned and solidified directly on the support.
Preparation of the Support
It is preferable to planarize the surface of the support that will receive the mask, so as to provide a smooth flat surface for receiving the mask. When applying the mask to an anode, it is preferable to first prepare the anode surface so as to maximize adhesion to the mask. Examples of useful anode surface preparation methods include chemical microetching, lapping, sandblasting, and sintering a thin layer of powder onto the surface. A chemical adhesion promoter (e.g., Sylgard Prime Coat) can also be used.
A variety of methods can be used to maintain or improve adhesion of the mask to a porous medium. These methods include melting the mask while pressing it into the porous medium resulting in a mechanical interlocking of the mask with the porosity of the porous medium, and applying an adhesive composition between the mask and the porous medium. Adhesion of the mask to the porous medium can also be enhanced by employing an adhesive that is a meltable material (e.g., glass), which can be dry deposited (e.g., sputtered) onto the surface of the patterned mask. When using an adhesive composition, it is preferable to employ methods that confine the adhesive composition to the areas located between the mask and the support (e.g., preventing the adhesive from bridging a negative feature that is only a few microns wide).
Liquid masking compositions have a tendency to soak into (i.e., uncontrollably absorb into) the pores of a porous medium. A variety of methods can be employed to reduce “soak in” in regions of the porous medium that are to remain porous. Examples of suitable methods for preventing soak in include: (1) supplying pressurized air to one side of the porous medium; (2) treating the porous medium with a temporary filler composition that soaks in and fills the pores and then solidifies to form a barrier to penetration of the liquid masking composition; and (3) treating the porous medium with a temporary filler composition that is immiscible with and denser than the liquid masking composition. The surface of the porous medium can be abraded after infiltrating the pores with filler composition to expose uncoated and unfilled surfaces allowing direct adhesion of the mask to the support. The filler composition can be dissolved or otherwise removed from the porous medium after the liquid masking composition has been cured to a solid.
Examples of useful filler compositions include acetone-soluble waxes and lacquers, soluble waxes used for investment casting cores, water soluble salts, gels, Crystal Bond 509, soluble thermoplastics, and phase-change materials (e.g., ice, electrorheological fluids).
Other methods for preventing or limiting soak in include restricting the volume of liquid masking composition that is applied to the porous medium to only a fraction of the pore volume in the porous medium causing the liquid to only partially fill the pores. One such method includes spraying a liquid masking composition onto the porous medium, while carefully controlling the flow rate and speed of the spray pattern. Another method involves spin coating the liquid masking composition onto a non-absorbing sheet to obtain a uniform thin layer, and placing the porous medium in contact with the spun on liquid masking composition. When the porous medium is peeled away from the sheet or the sheet is dissolved or melted, a thin coating of masking composition is transferred to the porous medium (i.e., the masking composition remains adhered to the porous medium). The liquid masking composition can be cured prior to or subsequent to removal of the sheet.
Another method for preventing soak in involves applying the liquid masking composition to a porous medium while the porous medium is spinning at high speed; the centrifugal forces spread the masking composition into a thin layer before it has had time to soak in excessively.
Another approach to preventing soak in involves forming a barrier layer at or near the surface of the porous medium. After processing, the barrier layer (and optionally, some of the porous medium) is removed from the negative features of the mask, so as to expose the porosity of the porous medium. Optionally, to improve adhesion of the mask to the support, the regions of the barrier layer that will correspond to the positive features of the mask can be removed prior to application of the mask. The barrier layer can be removed using various techniques including, e.g., chemical etching, dry etching, ion milling, laser machining, and melting (e.g., for thermoplastic based barriers). The barrier layer can also be formed by applying another material to the surface of the porous substrate, e.g., (1) by laminating a film of a solid material, such as dry film photoresist onto the porous medium; (2) by applying a liquid barrier layer, preferably of high viscosity, using one of the techniques discussed above that restrict soak-in volume; (3) by coating the porous medium with a thin layer of powder and melting the powder layer so as to form a non-porous coating; (4) by depositing a barrier film by vacuum evaporation, sputtering, CVD, or other process; and (5) by using combinations thereof.
In the case of a porous anode, soak in can be prevented using a variety of methods which include, for example, (1) applying a nonporous layer to the surface of the porous anode and, after patterning the mask, removing the nonporous layer in the negative areas of the mask to expose the anode; (2) sintering a partly-compacted powder of anode material in a mold to create a sintered anode with an outer non-porous layer, patterning the mask from a masking material that is applied over the sintered material, and immersing the structure in an etchant that attacks the metal of the anode, such that the outer non-porous layer of sintered anode material is dissolved (in the unmasked regions); (3) melting the surface of the anode (e.g., by flame, or contact with a hot surface), then patterning the mask and removing the melted surface material to expose the porous anode material in unmasked regions; and (4) temporarily filling the surface pores with a material, e.g., metal electrodeposited onto the porous surface, then patterning the mask and removing the temporary filler material to expose the porous anode material in unmasked regions.
Patterning and Fabricating the Electroplating Article
A variety of methods can be used to pattern the electroplating article. Referring to
The micromold surface including the photoresist and the substrate can be passivated by allowing the micromold to be exposed to vapors of, e.g., (tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2,-tetrahydrooctyl)-1-trichlorosilane (commercially available from United Chemical Technologies). A liquid masking composition 146 is then poured over the raised pattern defined by the patterned photoresist (
In the case of a mask that has been cured in the oven, the assembly is quickly disassembled to minimize differential thermal contraction between support and the mold. The support and cured mask 156 is pulled away from mold 140 such that cured mask 156 detaches from micromold 140, yet remains adhered to support 148 (
Any residual layer of masking composition remaining in negative features 158 of mask 156 (
When the mask is adhered to a porous medium, the etch may be continued to remove any barrier layer present in the porous medium from the negative features of the mask and may be continued until a porous portion of the porous substrate is removed. If pores in a porous medium have been filled or are non-existent, the pores are re-established or established, e.g., by reactive ion etching.
Another method for forming an electroplating article is shown in
When patterning a porous medium, the porous medium can be tinted a dark shade or coated with an antireflection composition to reduce the amount of light scattered from the textured surface.
Methods similar to methods used in relief printing can also be used to fabricate electroplating articles. One example of such a method includes: applying a liquid masking composition to a relief pattern, which might be produced by patterning a high aspect ratio photoresist such as AZ4620 or SU-8; pressing the relief pattern/masking composition structure against a support such that the masking composition adheres to the support; and removing the relief pattern. The formed electroplating article includes a support having a mask patterned with the inverse pattern of the relief pattern.
Another example of such a method includes: creating a relief pattern on the support by etching of the support, or by applying a durable photoresist, e.g., SU-8 of desired configuration; coating a flat, smooth sheet with a thin, uniform layer of liquid masking composition; stamping the support/resist against the coated sheet (e.g., like a stamp and inkpad) to quickly mate those portions of the liquid composition to the positive features of the support/resist by unmating them from the smooth sheet (preferably the support and the sheet are kept parallel); and curing the liquid masking composition.
Other methods of forming electroplating articles include, e.g., applying masking composition selectively to a support by such processes as screen printing, stencil printing and inkjet printing; and for porous mediums, melting a surface layer of the porous medium and forming negative features in the surface of the porous medium by etching/ablating through the melted layer to expose the pores of the porous medium and generate a relief pattern. The methods for forming electroplating articles can also include etching the negative features (i.e., windows) of the mask pattern to increase the amount of relief on the electroplating article. In the case of a porous medium and a printed silicone mask, etching can be conducted by an oxygen plasma.
The Electroplating Method
In general, select embodiments of the invention features electroplating methods that include contacting a substrate to be plated with an electroplating article; selectively electroplating a first metal, e.g., a support or sacrificial metal; and electroplating a second metal, e.g., a structural metal. The step of electroplating a second metal can include selectively electroplating the second metal using an electroplating article or blanket depositing the second metal. The electroplating method can be used to plate a single layer of metal or the method can be repeated such that additional metal is plated onto previously plated metal layers producing a multi-layered structure. After a predetermined number of layer(s) have been plated, at least a portion of the support metal can be removed, e.g., by etching. The structural metal that remains defines a microscopic or mesoscopic device.
The method can also employ two electroplating articles to plate a single layer of one metal. Referring to
One example of an electroplating method of an embodiment of the invention is shown in
The element formed during the electroplating method can remain attached to the substrate or can be removed from the substrate. One method for removing the element includes plating a first layer of support material onto the substrate such that etching removes the source of attachment of the element to the substrate.
Another electroplating method is depicted in
Examples of useful planarization methods include mechanical (e.g., diamond lapping and silicon carbide lapping), chemical-mechanical, and non-mechanical (e.g., electrical discharge machining), planarization processes. Diamond lapping is a particularly preferred planarization process. Diamond lapping can be performed using a single grade of diamond abrasive, e.g., about 1-6 micron, or diamond abrasives of various grades. Lapping with different grades of abrasive can be performed using separate lapping plates, or in different regions of a single plate. For example, a coarse diamond abrasive can be applied to the outer region of a spinning circular lapping plate, and a fine diamond abrasive can be applied to the inner region. A removable circular wall can be provided between the inner and outer regions to increase segregation. The layer to be planarized first contacts the outer region of the plate, is then optionally rinsed to remove coarse abrasive, and then is moved to the inner region of the plate. The planarized surface can then be rinsed using a solution, e.g., water-based or electrolyte-based solution, to remove both abrasive and abraded particles from the planarized layer. The abrasive slurry preferably is easily removable, e.g., water-soluble. Layer thickness, planarity and smoothness can be monitored, e.g., using an optical encoder, wear resistant stops, and by mating the layer under a known pressure with a precision flat metal plate and measuring the resistance across the plate-layer junction. Thickness of the plated metal can also be measured by, for example, contacting the plated metal with a mask having a pattern that is complementary to the plated metal pattern and measuring the displacement.
One example of a preferred planarization process includes allowing the work piece, i.e., the substrate having the layer to be planarized, to rotate within a “conditioning ring” on the lapping plate. Lapping can also be performed by moving a workpiece around the surface of a lapping plate using the X/Y motion stages of the electroplating apparatus without rotating or releasing the workpiece. In this way, the tangential motion of the plate with respect to the substrate rotates through 360 degrees. The timing of slurry delivery may be synchronized to the motion of the substrate such that the slurry is delivered to the plate. Movement of the workpiece can occur in paths other than circular including a path having a sinusoidal orbit of the form r=r0+AsinBθ.
The substrate to be plated can include a conductive surface or a nonconductive surface provided with a conductive layer. The substrate to be plated can be planar or nonplanar. The substrate to be plated can also be a previously electroplated or deposited metal or a layer that includes at least one metal.
The electroplating method can be performed, e.g., on an integrated circuit. One example of an electroplating method performed on an integrated circuit is shown in
The electroplating methods can employ cyclic plating to improve uniformity of the deposited metal layer. Cyclic plating includes very briefly interrupting the current applied to the electrode in synchronization with removing the mask from the substrate to be plated, which simultaneously replenishes the electrolyte additives, vents any gases, and discharges particulates and broken-down additives from the microvolume defined by the support, the substrate to be plated, and the mask. Current is then re-applied in synchronization with contacting, i.e., remating, the mask with the substrate. This method can be repeated until the desired thickness of metal has been deposited. The walls of the mask can be given a slight taper or draft (i.e., negative features defined by the mask are slightly larger on the side of the mask contacting the substrate), to facilitate repeated contact of a mask with a substrate in the presence of a deposit of incomplete thickness.
Uniformity of the plated metal layer can be improved by controlling current density and adjusting current density on a feature-by-feature basis by controlling the local thickness, and optionally the local porosity, of the support of the electroplating article. Uniform plating can also be achieved by using an insoluble anode as a support, where the insoluble anode has a thin layer of a soluble coating located thereon that has a thickness calculated to provide the desired thickness of plated metal on the substrate. Once the finite amount of ions in the volume of electrolyte within the area defined by the mask (including ions created from any soluble coating that was initially part of the anode) are consumed plating ceases and the coating and the substrate are plated. As long as the initial coating on the insoluble anode is uniform in thickness, the plated metal will be uniform in thickness.
Hydrogen bubble formation can also be minimized by employing a low current density to increase current efficiency; decreasing temperature and/or pressurizing the electrolyte in bulk to increase the solubility of hydrogen in the electrolyte; employing a mask material that is impermeable to the electrolyte but gas permeable (e.g., a hydrophobic microporous material); performing the electroplating method under vacuum so that gas bubbles are pulled out of the mask features; employing antipitting agents (e.g., SNAP for nickel sulfamate electrolytes) to minimize the formation of pits by reducing the attachment of the gas bubbles to the substrate; increasing the masking pressure, which can locally increase electrolyte pressure due to reduced microvolume, which will establish large pressures on the electrolyte in localized areas keeping hydrogen in solution; and incorporating hydrogen gettering agent into the mask material (e.g., by mixing a fine powder into the liquid masking composition).
Examples of useful etching compositions for selectively stripping copper from nickel structures include: solutions of ammonium hydroxide and copper sulfate, solutions of ammonium hydroxide and sodium chlorite, with ammonium hydroxide-copper sulfate solution being preferred for etching structures attached to CMOS devices, and Enstripe C38 commercially available from Enthone OMI. Etching can also be performed in the presence of vibrations, e.g., ultrasound applied to the etchant or the substrate that was plated, pressurized jets of etchant contacting the metal to be etched, and surfactant. Flash present on the structural metal, e.g., in the form of thin projections extending from the surface of the structural metal, can be removed, e.g., by acid etching or electropolishing.
The electroplating methods can be used to manufacture elements having complex microstructure and close tolerances between parts. One example of a method for manufacturing elements having parts that fit with close tolerances, e.g., gaps between the parts are between about 1-5 um, involves electroplating the parts of the device in an unassembled, preferably pre-aligned, state. Once manufactured, the individual parts can be moved into operational relation with each other. Referring to
The electroplating method can also be used to manufacture elements in which at least a portion of the support metal (i.e. normally sacrificial metal) is enclosed within the structural material such that the enclosed sacrificial metal is not etched away during the removal process and thus becomes part of the structure of the element. Referring to
The electroplating processes can also be used to manufacture tooling for molding (e.g., injection molding, metal injection molding, reaction injection molding, thermoforming, blow molding, and die casting). Mold inserts can be manufactured by orienting mold inserts so that the ejection axis of the part is parallel to the stacking axis of the layers and the parting surface of the part to be molded is the last layer deposited. The electroplating methods can be used to form parts (i.e. elements) that include undercuts as shown in
The electroplating method can be performed in a variety of electroplating apparatus. One particularly useful apparatus for carrying out an electroplating method is shown in the side view of
The mechanical and electrochemical control of the electroplating apparatus can be controlled by computers to implement the electroplating method. Substrate to be plated 2 is transported by precision motion stages 64 x, 64 y, 64 z, equipped with DC servo motors, stepper motors or combinations thereof, and precision encoders, between plating baths 58, 60 and rinsing station 66. Substrate 2 suspended on chuck 68 enters first bath 58, positions itself over mask 6, contacts mask 6, and undergoes plating. After a predetermined thickness of metal has been plated onto substrate 2, substrate 2 is removed from bath 58, rinsed and transferred to second plating bath 60 where it contacts a second mask 16, undergoes plating to a predetermined thickness (preferably the same thickness of the first deposited metal), is rinsed, and is returned to first bath 58. Inspection station 62, including a high-resolution video microscope system with PC frame grabber, can be used in conjunction with control software to automatically record images of the deposited layers to a hard disk. Preferably apparatus 56 is enclosed in a sealed chamber and equipped with a vacuum system to degas the mask.
Useful mechanisms for applying controlled, uniform pressure to the substrate include applying a fluid pressure (e.g., through a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder). One particularly preferred method for applying uniform pressure across a circular substrate includes applying pressure at the center of the substrate through a ball joint (e.g., a ball sandwiched between the cylinder or extension thereof and the substrate, possibly retained by a countersink in each). The ball allows the substrate to tilt as needed to conform to the mask surface and to find an equilibrium position within which pressure is uniformly distributed. The substrate can be held against the ball by surrounding the substrate with a tight-fitting flexible tube that is anchored at one end to the moving member.
A very stiff, precision mechanical slide (e.g., a mechanical slide that incorporates crossed roller bearings) can be used to provide repeatable positioning of the mated substrate. The stages that move in the plane of the deposited layer, X/Y stages, can be fixed in location by clamps (e.g., an electromagnetic brake).
The device (e.g., the chuck) that carries the substrate to be plated can include a sliding insulating tube that moves into position as metal layers are added to the substrate. Referring to
The electroplating apparatus can be modified to include a device capable of directing a spray of electrolyte into the volume defined by the negative features of the article just prior to contacting the article to the substrate to be plated.
The electroplating apparatus can include a filtration system to control particulate contamination within the apparatus. After the electroplating articles and substrate(s) are loaded into the electroplating apparatus, the apparatus can execute a self-cleaning cycle that includes pressurized rising, ultrasonic agitation, and filtration. The air within the apparatus can be cleaned by a filtration system, e.g., a HEPA filtration system. The air and electrolyte filtration processes can operate continuously throughout the electroplating method. The electrolyte filtration system can be incorporated into a heating and pumping system to continuously circulate and warm the electrolyte to maintain homogeneous concentration and constant temperature.
The thickness of the plated metal and plated metal layer can be controlled, e.g., by measuring the deposition rates of the metals and plating for a predetermined period; monitoring the integrated current, with adjustments for plating efficiency, normalizing for calculated mask area and calculating plating thickness; and through closed loop thickness control. The closed loop system includes inputting an estimate, based upon measured metal plating rates, into the software that controls the electroplating method; plating a first metal to less than the desired thickness, pressing the substrate against a second electroplating article, such that the mask of the electroplating article contacts the first plated metal; forcing the substrate to move away from the support by an amount equal to the thickness of the plated layer; reading the thickness of the first plated metal using a high resolution (e.g., 0.1 um) encoder, linked to the substrate chuck; inputting this data into the software to update the stored rate value for the first metal; plating the remaining thickness of the first metal layer. This process and its complement for measuring the plating thickness of the second plated metal can be repeated every few layers as a calibration.
The position and orientation of the mask of the electroplating article with respect to the substrate and motion axes of the electroplating apparatus (described below) can be determined by an alignment procedure that uses reserved areas on the substrate to be plated and at least two distantly separated masks, each bearing an alignment pattern. To align the mask to the substrate, a thin layer of metal is plated onto the alignment pattern of the substrate, the rotational and translational misalignment of the mask with respect to the substrate is measured, e.g., using a video microscope, and corrections. Alignment accuracy can be verified by stripping the plated patterns and re-plating new patterns. Alignment can be repeated throughout the electroplating method as necessary.
Another example of a useful alignment method employs a vernier pattern in which a pattern of fine lines having a first pitch is deposited over a second pattern of lines having a different pitch. The pitch spacing of the deposited pattern compared to the existing pattern provides an indication of the alignment error.
For elements (e.g., devices) that require dozens or hundreds of deposited layers, the electroplating system can be arranged in an annular design in which the electroplating articles are arranged in rings and in which the individual electroplating articles are replaced after having contacted each of the substrates to be plated. One example of an apparatus for mass-producing electroplated structures is shown in
The electroplating apparatus can also include a single bath containing ions of at least two metals (e.g., a Watts bath with added copper sulphate). A method for selectively depositing two metals from a common plating bath of their ions is described in H. Yahalom and O. Zadok, “Formation of Compositionally Modulated Alloys by Electrodeposition,” J. Material Sci., Vol. 22, p. 494 (1987). The plating bath includes at least two electroplating articles, each of which is dedicated to plating one of the metals. The articles can include a single mask pattern or multiple mask patterns in a side-by-side arrangement on the surface of the support. In the case of an article having multiple mask patterns, the substrate can contact the different mask patterns in a predetermined sequence, alternating with the mask pattern(s) on the second article, to build a three dimensional structure. Referring to
Each substrate 2 a-2 e enters apparatus 88 at the left end 96 of bath 90, contacts electroplating article 92 a becomes plated with the first metal in the pattern of the mask of electroplating article 92 a, transfers to and contacts article 94 a, becomes plated with the second metal in the pattern of the mask on electroplating article 94 a, transfers to electroplating article 92 b, and so on. As depicted, substrate 2 a has received deposits of the first metal and the second metal for the first three layers of the microstructure and the first metal portion of the fourth layer. Substrate 2 b is one layer behind substrate 2 a, substrate 2 c is two layers behind substrate 2 a, and so on.
A variety of methods can be used to improve the copper deposition rate in a common bath electroplating system including, e.g., pulsing the plating current, increasing temperature (e.g., laser enhanced plating), pumping electrolyte through the support of the electroplating article, ultrasonic vibration, and increasing the copper content in the vicinity of the copper disk. One method for locally increasing the concentration of copper includes galvanostatic dissolution of the copper anode while plating onto a dummy substrate. By applying a current pulse at a density of, e.g., about 20-50 mA/cm2, both nickel and copper are deposited onto the dummy substrate until sufficient copper to form a layer (about 1-2 um thick) is generated in the electrolyte located between the anode and the substrate. At this point the dummy substrate is substituted with the real substrate and the anode is replaced with a nickel anode. Copper is then deposited potentiostatically.
Another method for locally increasing the concentration of copper includes employing an electroplating article holder 98 as shown in
In general when there is a risk of spontaneous deposition onto a substrate while not in contact with an electroplating article, the substrate preferably is biased at a more positive potential than that at which copper reduction would occur until the substrate has contacted the copper-electroplating article and current has been applied. Similarly, when current is removed, the substrate preferably is again biased until the substrate is removed from the electrolyte or applied to another article and current is again applied.
Another electroplating apparatus is shown in
Various embodiments of the invention also feature a method for generating mask patterns of very thin cross section for a three dimensional structure and a method for automated electroplating that includes contacting electroplating articles having the generated mask patterns in a predetermined sequence to form the three dimensional structure.
One such embodiment employs an automatic mask minimization algorithm for optimizing the number of masks for a given geometry. Application of the method to a valve like device 602, shown in
If so, processor 612 increments N by 1 and compares the geometry of mask for Mth layer with that of mask for M-Nth layer, as indicated at block 642. If processor 612 calculates that the geometry of the Mth layer has been compared to the geometry of each previous mask and no geometry matches have occurred (i.e. a “no” answer to the inquiry of 654), then processor 612 creates a geometry of the mask for the Mth layer, as indicated at block 656. Processor 612 then writes the geometry for the Mth layer to the mask pattern file (as indicated by block 658), sends an output to the mask pattern file, as indicated by block 660, and writes mask identification number for the Mth layer to the machine control file (as indicated by blocks 650 and 652).
If not, processor 612 queries whether M-N is greater than or equal to 1 as indicated at block 654.
If so, processor 612 increments N by 1 and compares the geometry of mask for Mth layer with that of mask for M-Nth layer, as indicated at block 642. If processor 612 calculates that the geometry of the Mth layer has been compared to the geometry of each previous mask and no geometry matches, then processor 612 creates a geometry of the mask for the Mth layer, as indicated at block 656. Processor 612 then writes the geometry for the Mth layer to the mask pattern file (as indicated by block 658), sends an output to mask pattern file, as indicated by block 660, and writes mask identification number for the Mth layer to the machine control file (as indicated by blocks 650 and 652).
Processor 612 queries whether additional layers are required to be made of the three dimensional object (as indicated by block 634).
If so, processor 612 increments M by 1 and continues the process again.
If not, the process ends.
If so, processor 612 increments P by 1 (as indicated by block 748), and drives the electroplating apparatus to align the substrate with a mask corresponding to the new value for P (i.e., the P metal of layer M), as indicated by block 728. Processor 612 drives electroplating apparatus to contact the substrate with the mask (as indicated by block 748), and the above process is repeated until P is equal to the number of metals on layer M.
Turning back to block 746, if P is not less than the number of materials on layer M, processor 612 queries whether M is the final layer (as indicated by block 750).
If so, processor 612 ends the electroplating process as indicated by numeral 752.
If not, processor 612 increments M by 1 as indicated by block 724, and processor 612 drives the electroplating process until the final layer has been plated.
The data processes and control processes of various embodiments of the invention can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations thereof. The data processes and control processes of various embodiments of the invention can be implemented in a computer program product tangibly embodied in a machine-readable storage device for execution by a programmable processor; and method steps of various embodiments of the invention can be performed by a programmable processor executing a program of instructions to perform functions of those embodiments of the invention by operating on input data and generating output. The data processes and control processes of various embodiments of the invention can advantageously be implemented in one or more computer programs that are executable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a data storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. Each computer program can be implemented in a high-level procedural or object-oriented programming language, or in assembly or machine language if desired; and in any case, the language can be a compiled or interpreted language. Suitable processors include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory and/or a random access memory. Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM disks. Any of the foregoing can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits).
To provide for interaction with a user, the data processes and control processes of various embodiments of the invention can be implemented on a computer system having a display device such as a monitor or LCD screen for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse or a trackball by which the user can provide input to the computer system. The computer system can be programmed to provide a graphical user interface through which computer programs interact with users.
Other embodiments are possible. Although the above description is directed to planar substrates, the substrate could be non-planar. In such embodiments, the electroplating article can be sufficiently flexible to conform to the shape of the substrate surface, or shaped to match the surface. For example, the electroplating article could be wrapped around a cylindrical substrate. Masking pressure can be applied to nonplanar substrates through a powdered medium that conforms to the mask.
In addition, although the electroplating embodiments have been described above with respect to the use of two metals, a variety of materials, e.g., polymers, ceramics and semiconductor materials, and any number of metals can be deposited either by the electroplating methods described above, or in separate processes that occur throughout the electroplating method. A thin plating base can be deposited, e.g., by sputtering, over a deposit that is insufficiently conductive (e.g., an insulating layer) so as to enable subsequent electroplating. Multiple support materials (i.e. sacrificial materials) can be included in the electroplated element allowing selective removal of the support materials.
The electroplating methods of various embodiments of the invention can be used in combination with other processes. Referring to
Where multiple metals are to be deposited, the metals can be selectively deposited on the substrate by masking only the substrate. By only masking the substrate, the metal being selectively plated onto the substrate is also deposited onto the previously deposited metals. After each of the metals for a given layer has been deposited the layer is planarized to the desired thickness. Alternatively, the mask can cover all of the previously deposited metals. In this alternative, the mask can also be stepped in thickness to accommodate the topography of a partially plated substrate.
Another embodiment of the electroplating method involves manufacturing a structure well defined in shape and position according to the following method: preparing a piece of rigid, high strength material with an interconnected porosity (e.g., partly-sintered ceramic); shaping one surface of this piece such that it has the inverse (in the mold making sense) shape to that of the desired deposit; positioning the piece so that its surface lies opposite the substrate to be plated, at the desired position of the final deposit surface, and placing an anode on the other side of it; plating metal onto the substrate while moving the piece (continuously or periodically) with sufficient force and in such a way that its surface still remains matched to that of the desired deposit (for a planar surface, move it within the plane, for a cylindrical surface, move it axially, etc.) (The movement can be a vibration sufficiently large to shear and remove any portion of the deposit that extends into the pores of the piece); continuing plating until the entire volume between the substrate and the piece is filled with the deposit, at which point the deposit will have molded itself to the shape of the piece. The piece can be disposed of, or periodically reconditioned by chemically flushing the piece with fluid, dissolving the clogging material or placing the clogged surface in contact with an anode and deplating it onto a substrate in an electrolyte.
Although the electroplating methods have been described with respect to contacting a cathode with an article and plating onto a cathode, it is contemplated that the electroplating article can be placed in contact with a substrate functioning as an anode such that metal is selectively removed from the anode in a pattern corresponding to the pattern on the electroplating article. Such a process can be employed to selectively etch, engrave, and polish a substrate, e.g., a plaque.
An electroplating method includes forming a layer, the forming of the layer includes: a) contacting a substrate with a first article, the first article includes a support and a conformable mask disposed in a pattern on the support; b) electroplating a first metal from a source of metal ions onto the substrate in a first pattern, the first pattern corresponding to the complement of the conformable mask pattern; and c) removing the first article from the substrate. The method may further involve one or more of (1) selectively depositing or non-selectively depositing one or more additional materials to complete formation of the layer, (2) planarizing deposited material after each deposition or after all depositions for a layer, and/or (3) forming layers adjacent previously formed layers to build up a structure from a plurality of adhered layers. Electroplating articles and electroplating apparatus are also disclosed.
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|U.S. Classification||205/118, 205/170|
|International Classification||C25D5/02, C25D17/06, B81C1/00, C25D21/12, C25D7/12, C25D, H01L21/288, C25D19/00, C25D1/10, C23F1/00, H05K3/24, C25D1/00, B21C37/00, C25D5/10|
|Cooperative Classification||C25D1/003, C25D5/22, C25D5/10, Y10T428/12486, Y10T428/239, B81C1/00126, H01L21/2885, C25D5/12, B81C2201/0197, B81C2201/0181, H05K3/241, B81C2201/032, C25D5/022, C25D1/00|
|European Classification||C25D1/00, C25D5/02B, C25D5/10, B81C1/00C2Z, C25D5/12, H05K3/24B, H01L21/288E|