Waferpedia

CHA

Solution E-Beam

DepositionCHA Solution E-Beam family
Research Quality: 70% complete

The CHA Solution E-Beam Evaporator is a small-scale vacuum deposition system designed for small lot processing and engineered to handle a wide range of deposition needs. The CHA Solution E-Beam Evaporator performs electron beam (E-Beam) thin metal film evaporation from up to 4 independent sources. The CHA Solution E-Beam Evaporator features a fully water cooled stainless steel chamber and a SmartSource electron beam gun.[1][2]

Solution E-Beam — Inventory photo
Fig. 01Solution E-BeamInventory photo[3]

What it is

The CHA Solution is a small-scale vacuum deposition system designed for small lot processing. The system is manufactured by CHA Industries.[1][4]

Where it fits in the process flow

General reference — not yet source-verified

Electron beam evaporators are used in semiconductor and MEMS fabrication for depositing thin metal films. The CHA Solution is typically used after substrate cleaning and before photolithography or as part of a metallization step. Upstream processes include wafer cleaning and surface preparation. Downstream processes may include lift-off or etching.

Applications

General reference — not yet source-verified

The system is used for depositing thin films of metals and dielectrics for applications such as contact metallization, interconnects, and optical coatings.

Why won't it start?

Documented failure modes, common issues, and field considerations.

  • Glassman power supply PS/LQ10N1.00GB4 has an issue

What do the numbers mean?

Power & electrical8

Voltage
220 VAC[3]
Accurate?
Phase
3 Phase[3]
Accurate?
Frequency
60 Hz[3]
Accurate?
100 Amps[3]
Accurate?
Glassman power supply  PS/LQ10N1.00GB4 has an issue[3]
Accurate?
Deposition controller
Maxtek rate and thickness deposition controller integrated for control of shutter and electron beam power supply[1]
Accurate?
Electrical requirements
220 VAC, 3 Phase, 60 Hz, 5 Wire, 100 Amps[3]
Accurate?
Power supply
Glassman PS/LQ10N1.00GB4 (noted issue)[3]
Accurate?

Wafer handling2

Substrate holder
Dome for holding 2 inch and/or 3 inch back loaded substrates positioned 90 degrees to the source; Dome for two 6 x 6 inch square back loaded substrates positioned 90 degrees to the source[1]
Accurate?
Substrate sizes
2 inch, 3 inch, 6x6 inch square[1]
Accurate?

Optics & imaging1

Electron beam gun
SmartSource electron beam gun with motor driven crucible rotation and lift lid[1]
Accurate?

Control & software2

Control
PLC automation with touchscreen[1]
Accurate?
Deposition controller
Maxtek rate and thickness controller[1]
Accurate?

Configuration & options9

5 Wire[3]
Accurate?
Chamber type
Water cooled stainless steel chamber[1]
Accurate?
Source pockets
4 x 25cc material source pockets[1]
Accurate?
Source distance
15 inches[1]
Accurate?
Chamber volume
4.5 cubic feet[1]
Accurate?
Operational modes
Manual or automatic[1]
Accurate?
Material source pockets
4 x 25cc[1]
Accurate?
Operation modes
Manual or automatic[1]
Accurate?
Available metals (list from UCLA)
Ti, Cr, Ni, NiFe, Al, Au, Ag, Pt, Cu, Nb, Gd, Co, Ge, Ag, Nb, Sn, W, Fe, TiN Ta, SiO2, NiO, TiO2, Al2O3, HfO2[4]
Accurate?
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What does it need to run?

Site utility requirements, footprint, and infrastructure needed to install and operate this tool. Sourced from public records.

  • Voltage220 VAC[3]
  • Phase3 Phase[3]
  • Frequency60 Hz[3]
  • Configuration100 Amps[3]
  • ConfigurationGlassman power supply  PS/LQ10N1.00GB4 has an issue[3]
  • Deposition controllerMaxtek rate and thickness deposition controller integrated for control of shutter and electron beam power supply[1]
  • Electrical requirements220 VAC, 3 Phase, 60 Hz, 5 Wire, 100 Amps[3]
  • Power supplyGlassman PS/LQ10N1.00GB4 (noted issue)[3]

Where are the manuals?

Publicly hosted documents referencing this tool, linked at their original location. Hosted by the linked institutions — availability may change.

Generated from public-source data on file. Enter your email to access — nothing is published; details are routed privately.

Not publicly documented

Field notes

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Frequently asked questions

What is the chamber volume?

The chamber volume is 4.5 cubic feet.[1]

What type of automation does the CHA Solution use?

The system is controlled by PLC automation with a touchscreen interface.[1][4]

What substrate sizes can the system accommodate?

The system includes domed holders for 2-inch and 3-inch back loaded substrates, as well as a dome for two 6 x 6 inch square back loaded substrates.[1]

What materials can be deposited with the CHA Solution?

Materials available include Ti, Cr, Ni, NiFe, Al, Au, Ag, Pt, Cu, Nb, Gd, Co, Ge, Sn, W, Fe, TiN, Ta, SiO2, NiO, TiO2, Al2O3, and HfO2.[4]

What is the SmartSource electron beam gun?

The SmartSource gun features motor driven crucible rotation and a lift lid, uses neodymium magnets for strength, and includes an interlocking crucible cover that prevents cross-contamination between pockets during evaporation.[1][4]

Not publicly documented

The following facts about the Solution E-Beam are absent from this record as of this revision. First-hand knowledge or a citation closes a gap; every submission is reviewed before publication.

  • No publicly documented production dates or lifecycle milestones (introduction, end of production, EOL) for the Solution E-Beam are on record.

    Answerable by: OEM historical records or a trade-press announcement

  • No publicly documented variants, configuration options, or revision breakpoints of the Solution E-Beam are on record.

    Answerable by: an OEM product catalog or an engineer who ordered or specified the tool

  • The control-system platform and OS era of the Solution E-Beam are not on record.

    Answerable by: an engineer who operated it or OEM installation records

  • The process node or technology generation of the Solution E-Beam is not on record.

    Answerable by: an OEM datasheet or a fab qualification report

  • No publicly documented compatible parts, consumables, or accessories for the Solution E-Beam are on record.

    Answerable by: an OEM parts catalog or a service engineer

Sources & citations

Sources (5)Every fact above is drawn from these public sources
  1. [1]smif.pratt.duke.edu — smif.pratt.duke.edusmif.pratt.duke.edu
  2. [2]Physical Vapor Deposition — nanolab.berkeley.edunanolab.berkeley.edu
  3. [3]Inventory photo
  4. [4]nanolab.ucla.edu — nanolab.ucla.edunanolab.ucla.edu
  5. [5]Film Formation — tudelft.nltudelft.nl
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Last updated Sep 29, 2026.

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