Apparatus and method for forming film

[0002] This application is a Divisional Application of Ser. No. 08/907,919, filed Aug. 11, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,879,741 which is itself is a Continuation Application of Ser. No. 08/614,952, filed Mar. 12, 1996, now abandoned, which is itself a Continuation Application of Ser. No. 08/216,311, filed Mar. 23, 1994, now abandoned.

[0003] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method of forming a thin film having small residual stress and good adhesion to a substrate having the film thereon.

[0004] It is conventionally known that as methods of forming a thin film, typically, a sputtering method, an ionized vapor deposition method, etc. are used in the PVD field and a plasma CVD method is employed in the CVD field.

[0005] FIG. 1 shows a CVD apparatus using a high-frequency glow discharge of a capacitive coupled type. A high-frequency power system (5), a high-frequency power supply electrode (1), an opposed ground electrode (2), a substrate (3) having a surface on which a thin film is formed, and a plasma region (4) generated between the flat electrodes (1) and (2) installed in parallel are designated. This manner as shown in FIG. 1 is to form a film using a self bias acting in the side of the substrate (3) installed in the side of the high-frequency power supply electrode (1).

[0006] Also, FIG. 2 shows an inductive coupled CVD apparatus. In this manner as shown in FIG. 2, a plasma region (4) is formed by applying an induction energy from a coil (6) for high-frequency excitation and ions of a material activated in the plasma region are introduced into a filmy substrate (3) by an electric field from an auxiliary electrode for applying an external bias and a thin film is formed on the flexible substrate (3). Also, this manner is to move the filmy substrate sequentially by a cylindrical roller and a guide roller and form a thin film sequentially on the substrate (3).

[0007] When a thin film having a large compressive residual stress, typically such as a thin film of diamond-like carbon, is formed using the CVD apparatus as shown in FIG. 1, force by which the formed film is warped with the surface upwardly curved to a protrusion shape is applied to the thin film since the diamond-like carbon thin film has a large compressive stress of the order of 10¹⁰dyne/cm².

[0008] The above condition will be described in FIG. 5. FIG. 5(A) shows the condition in which a thin film (13) having a compressive residual internal stress is formed on a substrate (3). When the compressive residual internal stress acts on the thin film (13), the thin film (13) tends to warp as shown in the drawing. In this case, of course, a stress occurs between the thin film (13) and the substrate (3), and thereby problems such as the decrease in adhesion of the thin film (13) to the substrate (3) or the cracking or peeling of the film (13) occur.

[0009] When a flexible and filmy substrate is used as the substrate, particularly, the thin film will curl outwardly and the substrate will curl inwardly.

[0010] Also, when the CVD apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is used, the compressive residual stress in the longitudinal direction of the movement of the substrate (3) is canceled by winding the substrate. Though any significant problem does not occur in this case, the substrate will still curl after forming the film thereon due to the compressive residual internal stress in the transverse direction of the substrate (3).

[0011] The compressive residual stress in the transverse direction of the substrate (3) cannot easily be restored to its original condition even if corrections are performed later. Even if the compressive residual stress be restored to its original condition, now the stress still remains in the interface between the thin film and the substrate, and cracking, peeling, etc. are induced due to the stress. Taking the long view, therefore, the CVD apparatus in FIG. 2 is lacking in the reliability.

[0012] The above problems occur more or less in the thin film formed by the CVD (chemical vapor deposition) method.

[0013] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to solve the problems of the residual stress of the thin film formed by the vapor phase method as described above.

[0014] The present invention is summarized in an apparatus of forming a thin film on a substrate by a vapor phase method, characterized in that the substrate is curved in the direction canceling of the internal stress remaining in the thin film after the formation.

[0015] In the present invention as above, the vapor phase method designates a sputtering method, an evaporation method and a CVD method. Also, all the well-known thin films such as diamond-like carbon thin film, semiconductor thin film, insulator thin film, a conductive film, etc. may be generally used as a kind of thin film.

[0016] Curving the substrate in the direction canceling the internal stress means that the substrate is previously warped in the direction opposite to the direction of the substrate itself warping due to the internal stress remaining in the thin film to be formed thereon. In this manner, when the substrate is warped due to the residual internal stress of the thin film, the previously applied warp of the substrate cancels out the warp of the thin film formed thereon and, as a result, an integrated article composed of the thin film and the substrate with no warp can be obtained.

[0017] The function of curving the substrate designates a substrate holding means or substrate carrying means for forcibly curving the substrate, and a means for curving the substrate by moving the substrate along a curved member. The present invention can be applied to all the thin films having a compressive or tensile residual internal stress.

[0018] An example of the procedures for carrying out the present invention will be described below.

[0019] (a) A residual internal stress of the thin film is formed previously measured or a degree of the curling of the substrate to be generated by forming a thin film thereon is quantitatively examined.

[0020] (b) A film is formed while providing the curvature corresponding to the deformation caused by the residual internal stress of the thin film to the substrate.

[0021] By adopting the above process, the substrate on which a flat thin film has been formed can be obtained.

[0022] The condition of the thin film obtained by utilizing the present invention will be simply indicated in FIG. 5(B). When a thin film (13) having a compressive residual internal stress is formed on the surface of a flexible and filmy substrate (3), the substrate (3) tends to warp due to the compressive stress as shown in FIG. 5(A). As illustrated here, warping the substrate in the direction reverse to the condition shown in FIG. 5(A) during the filming, the stress caused by the warp of the substrate cancels out the compressive residual internal stress of the thin film formed, and the condition as indicated in FIG. 5(B) can be realized. Further, it is important to use the radius of curvature not inducing wrinkles, flaws, etc. on the film, as the curvature to be previously applied to the substrate, during the filming.

[0023] Previously applying the stress capable of canceling the internal stress of the formed thin film to the substrate of which the surface is to be coated with the film, prior to the filming, the internal stress of the thin film can be canceled and thus the deformation of the substrate caused by forming the thin film thereon (that is, the curling phenomenon occurring in a flexible and filmy substrate) can be prevented or reduced beforehand.

[0024] The above and other objects of the invention will be seen by reference to the description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the internal structure of a capacitive coupled high-frequency plasma CVD apparatus of a parallel plate type;

[0026] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a inductive coupled high-frequency plasma CVD apparatus;

[0027] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the internal structure in the proximity of electrodes of a thin film of diamond-like carbon forming apparatus for carrying out the embodiments of the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the internal structure in the proximity of electrodes of the same diamond-like carbon thin film forming apparatus for carrying out the embodiments of the present invention; and

[0029] FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view comparing the condition of a conventional film (A) with the condition of the film (B) obtained by the present invention.

[0030] While the embodiments described below represent examples in which a thin film of diamond-like carbon is formed on a filmy substrate, it is to be understood that the material of the substrate is not limited as long as a material capable of providing the curvature is used and further the present invention may be utilized in forming a thin film on a substrate, if an internal stress remaining in the thin film formed causes some troubles. Though the embodiments described below represent the examples of forming a thin film having a compressive residual internal stress, the curvature may be applied inversely when a thin film having a tensile residual internal stress is to be formed.

[0031] One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0032] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a high-frequency plasma CVD apparatus having a parallel plate structure of a roll-to-roll type and capacitive coupled type. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the apparatus stereographically seen from the oblique direction. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the apparatus as seen from the direction perpendicular to the direction (indicated by arrow (12)) feeding of a filmy substrate.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a high-frequency power system (5) using 13.56 MHz, a filmy flexible substrate (3), a high-frequency power supply electrode (1), an opposed ground electrode (2), a plasma region (4), and the direction (12) feeding of substrate are designated.

[0034] In this apparatus, the properties of the film to be formed are determined by controlling the self bias acting in the side of the high-frequency power supply electrode (1), and the apparatus is driven by a simple construction system in which it is not necessary to specially apply a bias etc. from the outside. Of course, another construction in which a DC bias is applied from the outside may be adopted.

[0035] In the Example 1, a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) with a thickness of 10 μm, a width of 130 mm and a length of 90 m was used as the filmy substrate (3).

[0036] The high-frequency power supply electrode (1) has a width of 180 mm, a length of 250 mm and a thickness of 20 mm. As shown in FIG. 3, a radius of curvature of 360 mm is provided in the transverse direction (the horizontal direction of the paper of FIG. 3) of the electrode (1), and the electrode (1) is curved.

[0037] Also, the opposed ground electrode (2) has the same size as the high-frequency power supply electrode (1) and the radius of curvature of 360 mm equal to that of the electrode (1) is provided in the same direction as the electrode (1).

[0038] A thin film is formed while the filmy substrate (3) is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow (12) in FIG. 4 at a speed of 50 m/min. During the filming, the substrate (3) is curved according to the curvature of the high-frequency power supply electrode (1) as shown by (3) in FIG. 3 since the substrate (3) travels along the high-frequency power supply electrode (1).

[0039] In this manner as stated above, previously curving the substrate in the. direction reverse to the warping direction of the thin film (13) of FIG. 5(A) which tends to warp as shown in the same FIG. 5(A), the residual stress of the thin film (13) formed can be canceled.

[0040] Using the plasma CVD apparatus constructed as described above, a thin film of diamond-like carbon with a thickness of 500 A was formed on the substrate (3).

[0041] The conditions for forming the diamond-like carbon thin film are the same as those for forming the same thin film, but having a compressive residual internal stress of 1.7×10¹⁰dyne/cm², using the conventional apparatus as shown in FIG. 1.

[0042] Concretely, the conditions for forming the film were as follows:

[0043] As a result of a visual examination of the film recovered by a winding roll, a flat condition before forming the thin film was maintained, and concerning physical properties of the diamond-like carbon thin film, the peeling did not occur at all and the entire uniformity was obtained. Also, with reference to the hardness, though the measurement of the Vickers hardness of the film formed could not be performed due to problems of the substrate and the film thickness. However, there occurred no problem of the durability of the film in the alternative test where a steel ball was moved thereon under pressure. Thus, the film formed was satisfactory.

[0044] The reason why the above result was obtained is that when the diamond-like carbon thin film having a compressive stress is formed on the surface of the substrate (3) traveling along the curvature of the electrode (1) during the filming, the diamond-like carbon thin film tends to warp in the direction reverse to the warp of the substrate caused by the internal residual stress and as a result, the both warps are canceled out and the condition of little presence of the residual internal stress is realized.

[0045] In Comparative Example 1, a thin film of diamond-like carbon with a thickness of 500 Å is formed using a conventionally wellknown high-frequency plasma CVD apparatus as shown in FIG. 1 in the same film forming conditions as in the Example 1. With reference to using a film made of PET as the substrate or the size and shape of the electrodes, Comparative Example 1 is performed in the same conditions as in the Example 1. That is, Comparative Example 1 is the same as Example 1, except that a curvature is not provided to the electrode and the filmy substrate is not curved in the curvature similar to the curvature according to the electrode to which the curvature is provided.

[0046] In the thin film of diamond-like carbon obtained by Comparative Example 1, no peeling from the film occurred. However, the film itself curved noticeably and the film had a shape difficult to spontaneously restore to the flat condition if not corrected.

[0047] Also, in the durability test where a steel ball is moved on the film under pressure, the film partially peeled at the interface between the film and the substrate.

[0048] This means that a large stress occurred between the diamond-like carbon thin film and the substrate.

[0049] Comparative Example 2 is performed in the same conditions as in Example 1 except that the radius of curvature of the high-frequency power supply electrode (1) is 180 mm or the same as the width of the electrode (1).

[0050] In Comparative Example 2, when a thin film of diamond-like carbon was formed at a thickness of 500 Å, a restoring force of the film to which the curvature was forcibly provided was too strong during the formation, and after the formation, microcracks occurred and also the film partially peeled with the lapse of time, and hence the effect of compensating, that is, neutralizing the stress of the thin film formed was not obtained at all.

[0051] Comparative Example 2 concluded that in order to cancel the compressive residual internal stress remaining in the diamond-like carbon thin film, too large stress applied by previously curving the substrate prior to the filming caused the problem because of the remaining of the stress applied to the substrate.

[0052] Optimum Values of Radius of Curvature

[0053] The following Table 1 shows the results of the formation of a thin film of diamond-like carbon on the substrate (3), varying the curvature applied to the pair of substrates (1) and (2) and using the conditions of Example 1.

[0054] Table 1 concludes that in the film forming conditions as shown in the Example 1, when the diamond-like carbon thin film having a compressive residual internal stress of about 1.7×10¹⁰dyne/cm²is formed on a PET film substrate, the stress remaining in the diamond-like carbon thin film can be canceled by providing a radius of curvature of about 320 to 400 mm to the PET film substrate (thickness of 10 μm, width of 130 mm and length of 90 m) in the conditions as shown by (3) in FIG. 3.

[0055] Example 2 indicates an example in which in the same conditions as in Example 1, expander rolls are additionally located before and after the film forming region formed by parallel plate type electrodes through which the filmy substrate travels. On the substrate is formed a thin film of diamond-like carbon having a thickness of 500 Å.

[0056] The expander rolls are an apparatus for removing deflection or wrinkles of the film by applying the tension in the transverse direction of the film.

[0057] Example 2 proved that even slight wrinkles were completely removed by expanding the filmy substrate before forming the thin, film thereon by the expander rolls and also the flatness of the filmy substrate on which the thin film was formed could be improved.

[0058] Further, physical properties of the diamond-like carbon thin film substantially similar to the above Example 1 were obtained.

[0059] When the traveling system of the substrate is long, the use of the expander rolls is extremely effective.

[0060] Example 3 indicates an example in which in the conventional plasma CVD apparatus as shown in FIG. 1, the same curvature of 360 mm as shown in FIG. 3 is provided to the filmy substrate (3). In the same manner as indicated in FIG. 4, the substrate (3) was moved so as to pass from one side of the plasma region (4) to the other side thereof and a thin film was formed.

[0061] Example 3 is performed in a manner of forming a thin film by providing the predetermined curvature only to the substrate in the pair of electrodes having a conventionally well-known parallel plate type structure. Example 3 is performed on the premise that a flexible tape is used as the substrate. Further, the tape substrate shall continuously pass between the electrode (1) and the electrode (2). In this case, the substrate is curved so that the stress a cts in the transverse direction (perpendicular to the curving direction) of the substrate through a substrate conveyance system and the film is formed, and thereby the effect similar to the Example 1 can be obtained.

[0062] Example 3 is characterized in that though it requires the conveyance mechanism for providing the curvature to the substrate (3), the conventional parallel plate type electrodes can be used as the electrodes.

[0063] The condition of the thin film of diamond-like carbon obtained by Example 3 was similar to that of the thin film obtained by Example 1. The thin film formed on the substrate neither peeled from the substrate nor cracked. The substrate thus coated with the thin film did nor warp. Hence, the thin film formed on the substrate was good.

[0064] Example 4 indicates an example in which in the conventionally well-known inductive coupled type plasma CVD apparatus as shown in FIG. 2, the surface of the cylindrical can roller (8) has been made to be curved inwardly while the surface of the guide roller has been made to be curved outwardly and thereby a certain radius of curvature is provided in the transverse direction of the substrate (3) in the region in which a thin film of diamond-like carbon is to be formed and the film is formed.

[0065] Using the construction of Example 4, the residual compressive internal stress of the thus-formed thin film of diamond-like carbon can be canceled. The thin film formed is flat and is neither peeled from the substrate nor cracked.

[0066] Also, when the formed thin film has a tensile stress therein, the above construction may be reversed correspondingly. That is, the surface of the cylindrical can roller (8) is made to be curved outwardly while the surface of the guide roller is made to be curved inwardly and thereby the internal stress of the thin film can be canceled.

[0067] According to the present invention as described above, a flexible substrate is previously processed in such a way that it may have a curvature for generating the stress in the direction canceling the residual stress of a thin film to be formed thereon prior to the filming, and thereby the stress caused by the formation of a thin film on the substrate can be controlled so as to reduce and further neutralize it, that is, so as to approximate as much as possible the interface stress to zero. Hence, a flat thin film can be formed on the substrate, while maintaining the physical properties of the film and also the good adhesiveness thereof with the substrate.