Automated Thin Film Deposition Cluster Tool
OCTOS™ – Automated Thin Film Deposition Cluster Tool
Overview
The Kurt J. Lesker Company® OCTOS cluster tools are proven R&D and pilot production systems for in vacuum transfer between multiple process chambers.
Typical applications include Magnetic Tunnel Junctions and Spin Logic devices (GMR, TMR, MRAM, STT), Organic Light Emitting Devices (OLED), Solar Cells (PV, OPV).
The OCTOS cluster tools feature single or multiple substrate cassette load locks and allow process recipe steps to be completed in vacuum without exposing the substrate to atmosphere. OCTOS provides the ability to automatically process substrates sequentially one at a time or in parallel to increase throughput. Substrate tracking ability is available and full process datalogging is standard.
Process chambers are arranged around a central robotic distribution chamber to suit your application.
KJLC's eKLipse software allows user-friendly recipe creation along with a reliable, uninterruptable controller that allows process completion, regardless of the state of the computer user interface. For more information on this intuitive, unique, and reliable software package, please see the Software Tab.
KJLC has been manufacturing the OCTOS cluster tool platform since 1999. Most of our OCTOS cluster tools have become workhorses for their owners and are still in daily use, including one that has processed over a million substrates.
Techniques Offered:
- Electron Beam Evaporation
- Thermal Evaporation
- Magnetron Sputtering
- Organic Evaporation
- Atomic Layer Deposition
Options:
- HV or UHV Process Modules
- Plasma Cleaning
- Substrate Annealing
- Mask Storage and in-situ Mask Changing
- Glove Box Integration
- Custom Process Modules
- Transfer to in-vacuum analysis chambers such as XPS
- Integration with third party process chambers like PLD or CVD
Substrate Handling
Two OCTOS robotic substrate distribution chambers are offered: OCTOS 6 and OCTOS 10. Both use industry standard vacuum compatible robots. The OCTOS chambers are available with turbomolecular or cryogenic pumping packages to fit your needs.
Robot transferring samples.
OCTOS 6 Substrate Distribution Chamber
- R&D robotic distribution chamber
- Standard substrate sizes up to 6" (150mm) diameter
- Uses Genmark AVR Robot with 5 lb. Payload, > 80,000 hours MTBF
- Maximum of six process modules including single and multiple substrate cassette load locks. The number of potential process chambers is limited by substrate and process module size
- Computer controlled using KJLC eKLipse software
OCTOS 10 Substrate Distribution Chamber
- R&D or Pilot Production capable
- Standard substrate sizes up to 8" x 8" (200mm x 200mm)
- Uses Genmark GB-9 Robot with 25lb payload, > 80,000 hours MTBF
- Maximum of ten process modules including single and multiple substrate cassette load locks. The number of potential process chambers is limited by substrate and process module size
- Computer controlled using KJLC eKLipse software
Standard Process Modules
A variety of standard modules are available for thin film deposition processes. Most are based on Kurt J. Lesker Company standard system platform designs. Custom modules are also available for specialty applications.
HV PVD Modules
Based off standard KJLC PRO Line PVD modules, these process modules offer tried and true solutions to your magnetron sputtering, e-beam evaporation and thermal evaporation process needs.
HV Organic Modules
Based off standard KJLC SPECTROS modules. The OCTOS organic modules provide small molecule organic material thin film deposition capabilities as well as in-situ shadow mask changing and glove box interfaces.
Dual Chamber Modules
Dual chamber modules allow the number of process chambers to be maximized on an OCTOS 10 based cluster tool. Two process chambers are mounted to a single framework and occupy only one facet on the OCTOS 10 substrate distribution chamber. Dual Chamber Modules are not available on the OCTOS 6 based cluster tools.
UHV Modules
UHV compatible magnetron sputtering and e-beam evaporation modules are available for processes requiring pressures in the 10-9 range or lower. All metal sealed chambers and bakeout packages are provided as the application dictates. These modules are particularly well suited to magnetic tunnel junction and superconducting device fabrication.
ALD Modules
Based off standard KJLC ALD150LX modules, these process modules facilitate thermal and plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition techniques.
Multi Substrate Load Lock Modules
Multi substrate load lock modules allow OCTOS cluster tools to maximize throughput and versatility. The ten shelf cassette provides a fully automated batch processing capability or recipes to be assigned to individual substrates and processed unattended. Two Multi-Substrate Load lock modules can be combined on one facet of the OCTOS 10 based cluster tool as duel load locks or entry and exit locks. The OCTOS 6 cluster tool can accommodated only one Multi Substrate Load Lock.

Architecture Overview
Recipes
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Custom Chart Recorder and Datalogging
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Remote Support Utility and Apps
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Downloads & Documents
Download datasheet PDF files featuring our systems and their capabilities.
Datasheets
Helpful Material Resources
Materials Overview
Our Materials Division stocks a vast assortment of high purity materials, evaporation sources, and crucible liners for use in both thermal and E-beam evaporation as well as sputter deposition processes. We offer pure elements, compounds, alloys, ceramics, intermetallics, and mixtures in a variety of shapes, sizes, and purities for both R&D and Production applications. Each sputtering target and evaporation material ships complete with a Certificate of Analysis and SDS. We also provide in-house sputter target bonding and precious metals reclamation services, saving you both time and money.
Sputter Targets
We manufacture a wide range of target materials designed to meet the demanding needs of both Production customers as well R&D customers needing a custom one off target. We are able to offer various purities, materials, sizes, and compositions. Our experienced in house bonding team is also able to provide high quality bonding services using KJLC or customer supplied backing plates. Many standard sizes and configurations available to ship directly from stock.
Evaporation Materials
KJLC stocks a wide variety of evaporation materials in various sizes, shapes and quantities, available for immediate shipment. The range of materials offered is extensive, including pure metals, precious metals, standard alloys, oxides, nitrides, and fluorides. The materials can be packaged for the small quantity user, as well as, for the large volume production customer.
Precious Metals
Our unique offering of precious metal products protects our customers from daily market price fluctuations by locking in the price on the day the order is placed. Inventory management tools allow us to stock a variety of precious metal products in standard target configurations, as well as, pellet, shot, and wire for evaporation. Shipments are packaged per order in the quantities our customers require, allowing them to purchase as much or as little as they need. Because of the high value of these materials we offer a convenient reclaim service for precious metal scrap. Credit is applied quickly to customer accounts which can be used to fund their next purchase. Kurt J. Lesker Company understands that these high cost materials require tight controls and close management. Our goal is to make precious metal purchases as easy as possible for our customers.
Thermal Sources
As a complement to the extensive offering of evaporation materials, a wide range of thermal evaporation sources are available to our customers. Hundreds of boat sources with differing geometries and capacities make it easy to find a source that is ideally suited to coat numerous materials onto substrates of various configurations. Many materials prove troublesome for evaporation and may require a different style of evaporation source. In addition to boat sources, alternative sources such as filaments, baskets, box heaters, and heaters with crucibles may be the solution to evaporating these more difficult materials. A wide range of products are available to ship from stock with evaporation materials or as replacements.
Ceramic Materials Manufacturing
The Kurt J. Lesker Company continues to expand process capabilities in ceramic manufacturing to meet the evolving requirements for these demanding products. In-house powder synthesis capabilities, utilizing various chemical techniques, give us the ability to manufacture custom stoichiometries for both R&D and production material requirements. Proprietary mixing and sintering methods yield homogeneous, high density products ideally suited for PVD applications. Hot pressing is also utilized to enhance the variety of ceramics that can be offered.
Quality
At the Kurt J. Lesker Company quality is our highest priority. Our ISO 9001 certification ensures that product quality is never compromised. All of our products undergo the requisite level of quality control inspection and all materials are shipped with a certificate of analysis and material safety data sheet. We employ numerous analytical techniques at various stages in the process to ensure that the products meet our quality standards and perform in the demanding applications which they are used.
Technical Support
As a leading manufacturer of PVD equipment, we have quite a few technical resources within the organization. We are happy to help troubleshoot or offer advice on process related questions ranging from sputtering powers to crucible selection.
Would You Like More Information?
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