Reactive ion etchers, Model RIE 2000

The Reactive Ion Etcher (RIE) is a table-top plasma chemistry reactor designed to provide anisotropic etch plasma technology at a moderate cost. This simple-to-operate instrument can perform repeatable plasma chemical reactions with a minimum of automation. All controls are manually entered into and monitored by a touch-screen interfaced control system which is equipped with automatic monitors and interlock controls to protect the equipment and the samples in the reactor. The RIE requires cooling of the stage. A simple water recirculator is typically sufficient for this task. A small water chiller option is also available for this system. Vacuum is supplied by an integrated turbo pump.

Wet etching of samples is not only dangerous, in many cases it causes undercutting due to the isotropy of the etch. The Reactive Ion Etcher (RIE) uses dry etching to create an anisotropic etch - meaning that the etch is uni-directional. For laboratory applications, the typical plasma etcher has a "barrel" design, or in other words, a cylindrical or barrel geometry to the reaction chamber. One feature of this design is that any point on the surface to be etched can be approached with equal probability from all directions, leading to an etch that is described as being "isotropic". For most if not many applications generally, an isotropic design is probably the design of choice. But in some instances, such as the removal of a passivization layer from an electronic device, isotropic etching always results in undercutting, and when the lines are below a certain point in width, such processing completely undercuts the lines leading to the layers literally falling off. But because for a "barrel" design, one can achieve respectable etch rates at relatively low power, the systems can be built and sold at lower prices.

Applications:

• Final package removal
• Glass passivation layer removal
• Deep etching
• Removal of contaminants

System Includes:

• Reactive Ion Etcher
• Quartz Chamber
• Vacuum hose

Specifications:

The system does include a simple water circulator. We would recommend that a small water chiller be used which will provide a reliable flow of cool water.

Also available:

EMS55321-2D - Replacement standard die, 3mm

EMS55320-05 - UC170 Chiller by Solid State Cooling Systems will give precise temperature control and respond instantly to any load changes holding to ± 0.1°C, even near ambient temperature. It is highly energy efficient, only using power as needed. This unit will fit with ease on your tabletop or inside your equipment, as it is the world's smallest air-cooled recirculating chiller.

UC170 Chiller:

RIE2000 product brochure