Integrated laser ablation deposition system

Claim 2

A laser ablation deposition system for depositing material onto a substrate, said system comprising: a chamber; a vacuum system connected to said chamber; a first movable platform for supporting said material, said first movable platform being located within said chamber; a substrate support structure for supporting said substrate, said substrate support structure being located within said chamber; a laser for generating a laser beam for ablating said material, such that said material is deposited onto said substrate; a chamber support structure, wherein said chamber is mounted on said chamber support structure; a support frame, wherein said laser is supported on said support frame; and a carriage for vertically moving said first movable platform and said substrate, said carriage being located within said chamber.

Claim 3

The system of claim 1, further comprising a hoist for lifting said chamber to expose said movable platform and said substrate support structure.

Claim 4

The system of claim 2, wherein said hoist is mounted on said chamber support structure.

Claim 5

The system of claim 3, wherein said chamber support structure and said support frame may be separated to provide clearance for said hoist to lift said chamber.

Claim 6

The system of claim 4, wherein said chamber is cross shaped and includes two ports, and wherein said hoist lifts said chamber by supporting said two ports.

Claim 7

The system of claim 1, wherein said first movable platform is rotatable about a first axis.

Claim 8

The system of claim 6, wherein said first movable platform is rotatable about a second axis.

Claim 9

The system of claim 7, wherein said platform is movable in a lateral direction substantially perpendicular to said first axis.

Claim 10

The system of claim 8, further comprising second and third movable platforms for supporting said material.

Claim 11

The system of claim 9, further comprising target select means for moving said first, second and third first movable platforms into position for said material to be ablated by said laser beam.

Claim 12

The system of claim 1, further comprising a heater for heating said substrate.

Claim 13

The system of claim 1, wherein said substrate support structure is hemispherical.

Claim 14

The system of claim 12, wherein said substrate support structure defines a first opening aligned with said laser beam and a second opening for exposing said substrate to a plume of said material.

Claim 15

The system of claim 13, further comprising a movable shutter for selectively covering said second opening, said shutter being located within said hemispherical support structure.

Claim 16

The system of claim 14, further comprising an extendible shaft for operating said shutter.

Claim 17

The system of claim 1, further comprising a carriage shaft for slidably supporting said carriage, and a carriage drive for moving said carriage to focus said laser beam on said material.

Claim 18

The system of claim 1, further comprising a thickness monitor for monitoring the thickness of said material on said substrate.

Claim 19

The system of claim 17, further comprising a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of said substrate.

Claim 20

The system of claim 18, further comprising a control system for receiving signals from said thickness monitor and said temperature sensor, and for controlling said laser ablation system responsive to said signals.

Claim 21

The system of claim 19, wherein said control system is mounted on said support frame.

Claim 22

The system of claim 19, wherein said control system includes a computer.

Claim 23

A laser ablation deposition system for depositing material onto a substrate, said system comprising: a chamber; a vacuum system connected to said chamber; a first movable platform for supporting said material, said first movable platform being located within said chamber; a substrate support structure for supporting said substrate, said substrate support structure being located within said chamber; a laser for generating a laser beam for ablating said material, such that said material is deposited onto said substrate; a chamber support structure, wherein said chamber is mounted on said chamber support structure; a support frame, wherein said laser is supported on said support frame; second and third movable platforms for supporting said material; target select means for moving said first, second and third movable platforms into position for said material to be ablated by said laser beam; wherein said target select means includes a shaft, a telescopic universal joint connected to said shaft, and a motor for rotating said universal joint; wherein said first movable platform is rotatable about a first axis; wherein said first movable platform is rotatable about a second axis; and wherein said first movable platform is movable in a lateral direction substantially perpendicular to said first axis.

Claim 24

A laser ablation deposition system for depositing material onto a substrate, said system comprising: a chamber; a vacuum system connected to said chamber; a first movable platform for supporting said material, said first movable platform being located within said chamber; a substrate support structure for supporting said substrate, said substrate support structure being located within said chamber; a laser for generating a laser beam for ablating said material, such that said material is deposited onto said substrate; a chamber support structure, wherein said chamber is mounted on said chamber support structure; a support frame, wherein said laser is supported on said support frame; second and third movable platforms for supporting said material; target select means for moving said first, second and third movable platforms into position for said material to be ablated by said laser beam; wherein said target select means includes a shaft, a telescopic universal joint connected to said shaft, and a motor for rotating said universal joint; wherein said first movable platform is rotatable about a first axis; wherein said first movable platform is rotatable about a second axis; and wherein said first movable platform is movable in a lateral direction substantially perpendicular to said first axis.