Title of Invention

VAPOR DEPOSITION DEVICE

Abstract The invention relates to a vapor deposition device for the vapor deposition of a substrate, and specifically particular of a substrate comprising heat-sensitive substances, for example OLEDs. To keep heat away from these substances, the vapor deposition device includes an evaporator tube with a special nozzle bar. This nozzle bar, which comprises several linearly arranged openings, projects with respect to the evaporator tube in the direction toward the substrate to be coated.
Full Text FORM 2
THE PATENT ACT 1970 (39 of 1970)
The Patents Rules, 2003 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See Section 10, and rule 13)
1. TITLE OF INVENTION
VAPOR DEPOSITION DEVICE

APPLICANT(S)
a) Name
b) Nationality
c) Address

APPLIED FILMS GMBH & CO. KG GERMAN Company SIEMENSTRASSE 100 D-63755 ALZENAU GERMANY

3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed : -

Vapor Deposition Device Specification
The invention relates to a vapor deposition device according to the preamble of patent
claim 1.
Modem flat-screen displays comprise liquid crystal elements (LCEs) or plasma elements for the rendering of images.
Flat-screen displays have also recently been produced which utilize organic Ught-emitting diodes (OLEDs) as color pixels.
Compared to the already known structural elements, a great advantage of the OLEDs is their high degree of efficiency of more than 16% (Helmuth Lemme: OLEDs -Senkrechtstarter aus Kunststoff, Elektronik 2/ 2000, p. 98. right column, 2nd paragraph. No. [5]: Yi He; Janicky, }.: High Efficiency Organic Polymer Light-Emitting Heterostructure Devices, Eurodisplay 99, VDE-Verlag Berlin, Offenbach). Therewith the OLEDs are situated far above the quantum efficiency of the LEDs comprised of inorganic III-V semiconductors.
OLEDs, further, have lower weight, a wider angle of radiation, and produce colors of more intense brightness and can be applied in a broad temperature range from -40 °C to 85 °C. Of advantage is also that they can be operated at less than 5 Volts and have low electric energy consumption, which makes the OLEDs especially suitable for installation in battery-operated apparatus.
The OLEDs can be produced by means of OVPD technology (OVPD = Organic Vapor Phase Deposition), such as is described in US 5 554 220 or DE 101 28 091 CI. Therein the organic materials are applied onto an electrode located on glass. This electrode can be, for example, an ITO electrode (ITO = Indium Tin Oxide) which previously had been vapor deposited onto glass.
Onto the OLED layer generated in this way further materials, in particular metal layers serving as counterelectrodes, can be applied or vapor deposited. Devices for vaporizing metals are known as such (EP 0 477 474 Bl, JP10008241 Al, DE 976 068, US 4 880 960).

In an evaporator device for vaporizing metals which are utilized in the production of OLED flat-screen displays, an evaporator housing is placed perpendicularly onto the crucible (DE 102 56 038 Al). This evaporator device, as does the evaporator device according to DE 101 28 091 Al also, includes a linear distributor system. In this linear distributor system several evaporator apertures are arranged linearly. The metal vapor escaping through these apertures impinges onto a substrate located parallel to the evaporator apertures.
In the evaporator device according to DE 102 56 038 Al the thermal insulation is interrupted in the proximity of the outlet apertures for the vapor, as a consequence of which the evaporator tube is colder at this site than at those sites at which the evaporator tube is encompassed by the insulation. This interruption of the thermal insulation leads to the fact that the substrates are subjected to strong thermal loading on the part of the evaporator tube. For, while the evaporator tube becomes relatively cool in the proximity of the outlet apertures, it is still very hot and radiates heat onto the substrate.
To shield the substrate, at least to some extent, against the heat radiated in the proximity of the outlet apertures, retroreflective metal sheeting is provided in the known device.
Lastly, an evaporator device is also known with which the vaporized material can be deposited over a mask onto a plate (JP 2004-214185). This evaporator device comprises an evaporator crucible in which material is vaporized. In the upper region of the crucible is a projecting part directed toward the plate. In the projecting part an opening is provided, and specifically in the direction from the interior of the crucible toward the plate. About the projecting part a shielding is provided located at the same or lower level than the opening and spaced apart from the upper surface of the crucible. It is not possible with this evaporator device to coat flat substrates oriented parallel to the gravitational force of the earth, such as for example glass plates, since the evaporator stream or the evaporator [directional] lobe is emitted parallel to the direction of the earth's gravitational force.
The aim of the invention is to decrease the thermal loading even of such flat substrates whose surface is oriented parallel to the gravitational force of the earth.
This aim is attained with a device according to the characteristics of patent claim 1.

The invention consequently relates to a vapor deposition device for the vapor deposition of a substrate, and specifically of a substrate which contains heat- sensitive substances, for example OLEDs. To keep heat away from these substances, the vapor deposition device includes an evaporator tube with a special nozzle bar. This nozzle bar, which includes several linearly arranged openings, relative to the evaporator tube projects in the direction toward the substrate to be coated.
The advantage attained with the invention comprises in particular that the nozzle bar precedes the evaporator rube in such formation that it is possible to insulate the tube up to the nozzle bar leading to a reduction of the heat-radiating area.
Due to this improved insulation the substrate is significantly better protected against the radiated heat, such that also heat-sensitive substances, such as for example OLEDs, can be coated with metals.
Embodiment examples of the invention are depicted in the drawing and will be described in further detail in the following. In the drawing depict:
Fig. 1 a perspective overall view of a vapor deposition device,
Fig. 2 a partially sectioned vapor deposition device,
Fig. 3 a longitudinal section through the vapor deposition device according to Figure I,
Fig. 4 an enlarged cut-out from Figure 2,
Fig. 5 a nozzle bar with tapering cone-shaped nozzles forwardly located,
Fig. 6 a cut-out of a portion of the evaporator tube with the nozzle bar according to Figure 5.
Fig. 1 depicts a perspective overall view of a vapor deposition device 1 comprising an upper part 2 and a lower part 3. Both parts 2, 3 are held together by an upper and a lower connection clamp 4, 5 as well as by a bolt 6. Several such connection clamps and bolts may be provided over the circumference of the vapor deposition device 1.
On the top side 7 of the upper part 2 an inlet tube 8 is indicated. By 9 and 10 are denoted cooling means ports, which are also located on the top side of the upper part 2.

Further cooling means ports 11,12 are located on the lower part 3.
The vapor deposition device 1 stands perpendicularly, i.e. parallel to the direction of the gravitational force of the earth. A substrate 13 to be coated, for example a glass plate coated with OLED, is guided past the vapor deposition device I, and specifically horizontally, as indicated by arrow 14. The OLED may be disposed on an ITO layer, which forms a first electrode. The metal layer now to be vapor deposited in this case forms, for example, the second electrode.
In the upper part 2 of the vapor deposition device opposite the substrate 13 is a vertically disposed gap 15 through which coating material reaches the surface of the substrate 13. Consequently, the coating material reaches the surface of substrate 13 linearly and perpendicularly.
Fig. 2 shows again the upper part 2 of the vapor deposition device 1 in a partially sectioned illustration. Through the section A-A parallel to the footprint, the internal structure of the upper part 2 can be seen.
Compared to the illustration of Fig. I, the upper part 2 is rotated about 90 degrees, such that details of the gap 15 can be seen. The rotation takes place in the direction of arrow 16 (Fig. 1) i.e. in the counterclockwise direction.
In this upper part 2 an interior evaporator tube 17 at a site of its circumference is provided with an outwardly projecting nozzle bar 18. This nozzle bar 18 has two flanks 27, 28, which project from the circumference and are connected at their ends through a web 21. In this web 21 are disposed linearly above one another several openings 22 extending over the entire length of the nozzle bar 18.
About the evaporator tube 17 is placed an insulating layer 26, comprised, for example, of a graphite felt or special ceramics, which is carried up to the front edges 19, 20 of the nozzle bar 18. About the insulating layer 26, which must withstand temperatures up to 1,700 °C, is placed a tubular shielding 29, for example of metal, which, in turn, is encompassed by a double-walled tube, preferably of metal, whose walls 30 and 31 are connected with one

another through webs 32, 33. Between these webs 32, 33 a cooling means, for example water, may flow, i.e. the webs 32, 33 form cooling means channels. The insulating layer 26, the shielding 29, and the double-walled tube have cutouts forming a recess at the site at which the nozzle bar 18 is located.
The nozzle bar 18 has very good thermal conductivity, which corresponds at least to the thermal conductivity of the evaporator tube 17.
Since the insulating layer 26 reaches to the front edges 19,20 of the nozzle bar 18, the remaining evaporator tube is completely encompassed by the insulating layer, such that no heat can be radiated in the direction onto the substrate.
Consequently, the heat radiated onto the substrate originates solely from the nozzle bar 18. However, this bar must be so hot that no condensation of the vapor takes place.
Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal section B-B through the vapor deposition device 1 according to Fig. 1. Herein the evaporator tube 17 can be seen seated on a crucible 35. The crucible 35 comprises at its upper end a flaring 36, while the evaporator tube 17 has a taper 37 at its lower end. This taper 37 rests on the flaring 36.
The flank 27 and the web 21 with the openings 22 of the nozzle bar 18 are shown to the left of the center of the evaporator tube 17.
By 40 is denoted a heating system for the crucible 35, which encompasses the crucible 35. This heating system 40 is encompassed by a shielding 41, which, in turn, is encompassed by a cooling system 42. A supply line for electrical energy is schematically denoted by 43.
Fig. 4 shows an enlarged cut-out representation of Fig. 3. It is clearly evident that the insulating layer 26 is carried up to the front edges 19,20 of the nozzle bar 18. It is additionally evident that the nozzle bar 18 can be comprised of a material different from that of the evaporator tube 17. Its flanks 27, 28 are adapted to the open ends of the evaporator tube 17.

Fig. 5 shows a cut-out of another nozzle bar 50 in which, in comparison with the nozzle bar 18, the openings 51 to 55 are located forwardly. These openings 51 to 55 form the end of outwardly tapering cones 56 to 60, which are disposed on the nozzle bar 18. By 61, 62 are denoted the bores for the heating filaments. With such heating filaments the nozzle bar 18 can be heated independently of the evaporator tube 17.
If such a nozzle bar 50 with forwardly located nozzles is installed into an evaporator tube, it is possible to place insulating material over the cones 56 to 60.
Fig. 6 shows the manner in which the cones 56 to 60 of the nozzle bar 50 are embedded in the insulating material. Consequently, the entire nozzle bar 50 is practically embedded in insulating material 26. Only the ends of the cones 56 to 60 are still capable of radiating heat.
The evaporator tube depicted in Fig. 1 to 6 is always shown as a cylindrical tube. However, it is understood that it may also have the cross section of an n-gon and the sides may be equal or unequal. For example, it may have a rectangular, in particular square, cross section.
In all cases it makes possible a compact evaporator source, whose length - unlike in JP 2004-214185 - does not need to correspond to the length of the evaporator bar.
Patent claims 2,3,5 to 12 also refer back to the independent patent claim 13.

^*AME OF APPLICANT: APPLIED FILMS GMBH & CO. KG NO. OF SHEETS : 06
APPLICATION NO : I I SHEET NO. : 01
FIG.1

APPLHCD FILMS GMBH & CO. KG

INAME OF APPLICANT: APPLIED FILMS GMBH & CO. KG APPLICATION NO : / /

NO. OF SHEETS : 06
SHEET NO. : 02

FIG.2

30 31
29 26

HIRAL CHANDRAKANT JOSHI / AGENT FOR APPLIED FILMS GMBH & CO. KG

PTAME OF APPLICANT: APPLIED FILMS GMBH & CO. KG APPLICATION NO : / /

NO. OF SHEETS : 06
SHEET NO. : 03




40 41


HIRAL CHAM)RAKANT JOSHI
'AGENT FOR
APPLIED FILMS GMBH & CO. KG

»AME OF APPLICANT: APPLIED FILMS GMBH & CO. KG APPLICATION NO : / /

NO. OF SHEETS : 06
SHEET NO. : 04




4/6
FIG.4


HIRAL CHANDRAKANT JOSHI AGENT FOR APPLIED FILMS GMBH & CO. KG

*AME OF APPLICANT: APPLIED FILMS GMBH & CO. KG APPLICATION NO : / /

NO. OF SHEETS : 06
SHEET NO. : 05

5/6

HIRAL CHANDKAKANT JOSHI AGENT FOR
APPLIED FILMS GMBH & CO. KG

NAME OF APPLICANT: APPLIED FILMS GMBH & CO. KG APPLICATION NO : / /

NO. OF SHEETS : 06
SHEET NO. : 06

6/6

RAKANT JOSHI AGENT FOR APPLIED FILMS GMBH & CO. KG

Documents:

554-MUM-2006-ABSTRACT 30-6-2008.pdf

554-mum-2006-abstract(30-06-2008).doc

554-MUM-2006-ABSTRACT(7-4-2006).pdf

554-MUM-2006-ABSTRACT(AMENDED)-(30-6-2008).pdf

554-MUM-2006-ABSTRACT(GRANTED)-(11-11-2008).pdf

554-mum-2006-abstract-1.jpg

554-mum-2006-abstract.pdf

554-MUM-2006-CANCELLED 30-6-2008.pdf

554-MUM-2006-CLAIMS 30-6-2008.pdf

554-MUM-2006-CLAIMS(7-4-2006).pdf

554-mum-2006-claims(granted)(30-06-2008).doc

554-MUM-2006-CLAIMS(GRANTED)-(11-11-2008).pdf

554-mum-2006-claims.pdf

554-MUM-2006-CORRESPONDENCE 30-6-2008.pdf

554-MUM-2006-CORRESPONDENCE(15-1-2007).pdf

554-MUM-2006-CORRESPONDENCE(IPO)-(17-12-2008).pdf

554-mum-2006-correspondence(ipo)-(30-07-2008).pdf

554-mum-2006-correspondence-received.pdf

554-MUM-2006-DESCRIPTION(COMPLETE) 30-6-2008.pdf

554-MUM-2006-DESCRIPTION(COMPLETE)-(7-4-2006).pdf

554-mum-2006-description(complete).pdf

554-MUM-2006-DESCRIPTION(GRANTED)-(11-11-2008).pdf

554-MUM-2006-DRAWING 30-6-2008.pdf

554-MUM-2006-DRAWING(7-4-2006).pdf

554-MUM-2006-DRAWING(AMENDED)-(30-6-2008).pdf

554-MUM-2006-DRAWING(GRANTED)-(11-11-2008).pdf

554-MUM-2006-FORM 1 30-6-2008.pdf

554-MUM-2006-FORM 1(10-11-2006).pdf

554-MUM-2006-FORM 1(20-7-2006).pdf

554-MUM-2006-FORM 1(7-4-2006).pdf

554-mum-2006-form 13 30-6-2008.pdf

554-mum-2006-form 13(14-11-2006).pdf

554-MUM-2006-FORM 18(10-11-2006).pdf

554-mum-2006-form 18(12-05-2006).pdf

554-mum-2006-form 2 30-6-2008.pdf

554-MUM-2006-FORM 2(COMPLETE)-(7-4-2006).pdf

554-MUM-2006-FORM 2(GRANTED)-(11-11-2008).pdf

554-mum-2006-form 2(granted)-(30-06-2008).doc

554-MUM-2006-FORM 2(TITLE PAGE) 30-6-2008.pdf

554-MUM-2006-FORM 2(TITLE PAGE)-(7-4-2006).pdf

554-MUM-2006-FORM 2(TITLE PAGE)-(GRANTED)-(11-11-2008).pdf

554-MUM-2006-FORM 26(15-7-2007).pdf

554-MUM-2006-FORM 26(5-7-2006).pdf

554-MUM-2006-FORM 3 30-6-2008.pdf

554-MUM-2006-FORM 3(10-11-2006).pdf

554-MUM-2006-FORM 3(7-4-2006).pdf

554-MUM-2006-FORM 5 30-6-2008.pdf

554-MUM-2006-FORM 5(10-11-2006).pdf

554-MUM-2006-FORM 5(7-4-2006).pdf

554-mum-2006-form-1.pdf

554-mum-2006-form-2.doc

554-mum-2006-form-2.pdf

554-mum-2006-form-3.pdf

554-MUM-2006-OHER DOCUMENT 30-6-2008.pdf

554-mum-2006-power of authority(02-06-2006).pdf

554-MUM-2006-SPECIFICATION(AMENDED)-(30-6-2008).pdf


Patent Number 225366
Indian Patent Application Number 554/MUM/2006
PG Journal Number 07/2009
Publication Date 13-Feb-2009
Grant Date 11-Nov-2008
Date of Filing 07-Apr-2006
Name of Patentee APPLIED MATERIALS GMBH & CO., KG.
Applicant Address SIEMENSTRASSE 100 D-63755 ALZENAU,
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 BENDER MARCUS SUDETENDEUTSCHE STRASSE 52 D-63456 HANAU GERMANY
2 HOFFMANN UWE Am Alten Stein 5 D-63755 Alzenau GERMANY
3 KLEMM GUNTER Auf der Platte 22 D-63667 Nidda GERMANY
4 HAAS DIETER Pestalozzistrasse 10 c D-63486 Bruchkobel GERMANY
5 ENGLERT ULRICH Hirschhornerweg 7 D-63869 Heigenbrcken GERMANY
PCT International Classification Number H01L21/205
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 EP05016365 2005-07-28 EUROPEAN UNION