Veeco Instruments Inc.
PLASMA BRIDGE NEUTRALIZER FOR ION BEAM ETCHING

Abstract:

An ion beam neutralization system, often referred to as a plasma bridge neutralizer (PBN), as part of an ion beam (etch) system. The system utilizes an improved filament thermo-electron emitter PBN design, that when utilized in a particular method of operation, greatly extends filament life and minimizes variation in neutralizer operating parameters for long periods of operation. The PBN includes a solenoidal electromagnetic that produces an axial magnetic field within the PBN and a magnetic concentrator that facilitates the alignment of the magnetic field and inhibits stray fields. The PBN can readily provide a filament lifetime of at least 500 hours.