Shield Ring Mounting Using Compliant Hardware

Organization Name

Applied Materials, Inc.

Inventor(s)

Jordan B. Tye of Arlington MA (US)

James A. Pixley of Dover NH (US)

John R. Fairhurst of Plaistow NH (US)

Shield Ring Mounting Using Compliant Hardware

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18218825 titled 'Shield Ring Mounting Using Compliant Hardware

Original Abstract Submitted

A system for mounting the shield ring to the pedestal in a plasma chamber is disclosed. The mounting system includes compliant hardware. A fastener with a compliant component, such as an O-ring, is first secured to the pedestal. The shield ring has a top surface, a bottom surface and walls extending downward from the inner and outer diameter of the shield ring. Bores are located on the bottom surface of the shield ring. The bores of the shield ring are aligned with the fasteners and the shield ring is then pressed down onto the fasteners. As the shield ring is being pressed down, the walls of the bores force the compliant hardware to yield. When in place, the compliant hardware supplies the requisite compression force to hold the shield ring in place. The compliant hardware may be implemented in various manners.