Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080257261 | PLASMA PROCESSING APPARATUS - Embodiments of the present invention relate to plasma processing apparatus and methods of use thereof. In some embodiments, a plasma control magnet assembly includes a plurality of magnets arranged in a predetermined pattern that generate a magnetic field having a strength greater than 10 Gauss in a region proximate the assembly and less than 10 Gauss in a region remote from the assembly. | 10-23-2008 |
20080260966 | PLASMA PROCESSING METHOD - Embodiments of the present invention relate to plasma processing apparatus and methods of use thereof. In some embodiments, a method of controlling a plasma in a process chamber includes providing a chamber for processing a substrate and having a processing volume defined therein wherein a plasma is to be formed during operation, the chamber further having a plasma control magnet assembly comprising a plurality of magnets that provide a magnetic field having a magnitude is greater than about 10 Gauss in an upper region of the processing volume and less than about 10 Gauss in a lower region of the processing volume proximate a substrate to be processed; supplying a process gas to the chamber; and forming a plasma in the processing volume from the process gas. | 10-23-2008 |
20090162996 | REMOVAL OF SURFACE DOPANTS FROM A SUBSTRATE - A method and apparatus for removing excess dopant from a doped substrate is provided. In one embodiment, a substrate is doped by surfaced deposition of dopant followed by formation of a capping layer and thermal diffusion drive-in. A reactive etchant mixture is provided to the process chamber, with optional plasma, to etch away the capping layer and form volatile compounds by reacting with excess dopant. In another embodiment, a substrate is doped by energetic implantation of dopant. A reactive gas mixture is provided to the process chamber, with optional plasma, to remove excess dopant adsorbed on the surface and high-concentration dopant near the surface by reacting with the dopant to form volatile compounds. The reactive gas mixture may be provided during thermal treatment, or it may be provided before or after at temperatures different from the thermal treatment temperature. The volatile compounds are removed. Substrates so treated do not form toxic compounds when stored or transported outside process equipment. | 06-25-2009 |
20090197401 | Plasma immersion ion implantation method using a pure or nearly pure silicon seasoning layer on the chamber interior surfaces - Plasma immersion ion implantation employing a very high RF bias voltage on an electrostatic chuck to attain a requisite implant depth profile is carried out by first depositing a partially conductive silicon-containing seasoning layer over the interior chamber surfaces prior to wafer introduction. | 08-06-2009 |
20090203197 | NOVEL METHOD FOR CONFORMAL PLASMA IMMERSED ION IMPLANTATION ASSISTED BY ATOMIC LAYER DEPOSITION - Embodiments of the invention provide a novel apparatus and methods for forming a conformal doped layer on the surface of a substrate. A substrate is provided to a process chamber, and a layer of dopant source material is deposited by plasma deposition, atomic layer deposition, or plasma-assisted atomic layer deposition. The substrate is then subjected to thermal processing to activate and diffuse dopants into the substrate surface. | 08-13-2009 |
20090230089 | ELECTRICAL CONTROL OF PLASMA UNIFORMITY USING EXTERNAL CIRCUIT - A method and apparatus for controlling plasma uniformity is disclosed. When etching a substrate, a non-uniform plasma may lead to uneven etching of the substrate. Impedance circuits may alleviate the uneven plasma to permit more uniform etching. The impedance circuits may be disposed between the chamber wall and ground, the showerhead and ground, and the cathode can and ground. The impedance circuits may comprise one or more of an inductor and a capacitor. The inductance of the inductor and the capacitance of the capacitor may be predetermined to ensure the plasma is uniform. Additionally, the inductance and capacitance may be adjusted during processing or between processing steps to suit the needs of the particular process. | 09-17-2009 |
20090257927 | FOLDED COAXIAL RESONATORS - A method for constructing a distributed element coaxial resonator includes folding a coaxial resonator to provide a structure having a decreased physical length compared to its electrical length. In various embodiments, the resonator is tuned to affect a standing wave when excited by a signal of a specific wavelength. The coaxial resonator includes inner, middle and outer conductor sections, wherein the characteristic impedance is maintained throughout the resonator. | 10-15-2009 |
20100015357 | CAPACITIVELY COUPLED PLASMA ETCH CHAMBER WITH MULTIPLE RF FEEDS - A capacitive plasma discharge system employing multiple feeds of RF source power across an area of an electrode. Multiple RF feed locations across the electrode allow for control of the axial electric field across a radius at various azimuth angles of a plasma processing chamber. In an embodiment, a first RF power feed is coupled to a center of an electrode of the capacitively coupled chamber. The first RF power feed is further coupled to a first RF match network. A second RF power feed is coupled to the electrode at a first radius from the first RF power feed and at a first azimuth angle. The second RF power feed is further coupled to a second RF match network. | 01-21-2010 |
20100018648 | WORKPIECE SUPPORT FOR A PLASMA REACTOR WITH CONTROLLED APPORTIONMENT OF RF POWER TO A PROCESS KIT RING - In an electrostatic chuck, RF bias power is separately applied to a workpiece and to a process kit collar surrounding the workpiece. At least one variable impedance element governed by a system controller adjusts the apportionment of RF bias power between the workpiece and the process kit collar, allowing dynamic adjustment of the plasma sheath electric field at the extreme edge of the workpiece, for optimum electric field uniformity under varying plasma conditions, for example. | 01-28-2010 |
20100188077 | APPARATUS FOR CHARACTERIZING A MAGNETIC FIELD IN A MAGNETICALLY ENHANCED SUBSTRATE PROCESSING SYSTEM - Embodiments of sensor devices for characterizing magnetic fields formed in substrate processing systems and methods of use thereof are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for characterizing a magnetic field in a substrate processing system may include a carrier having a form substantially similar to a substrate to be processed in the substrate processing system. One or more magnetic sensors are disposed on the carrier for measuring a magnitude of a magnetic field formed in the processing system in an x-, y-, and z-direction. A microprocessor is coupled to the one or more magnetic sensors to sample data representative of the magnitude of the magnetic field in the x-, y-, and z-directions proximate a position of each sensor. A memory device is coupled to the microprocessor for storing the sampled data. A power source is provided to supply power to each magnetic sensor and the microprocessor. | 07-29-2010 |
20100270262 | ETCHING LOW-K DIELECTRIC OR REMOVING RESIST WITH A FILTERED IONIZED GAS - A method of etching a low-k dielectric on, or removing resist from, a substrate. In the method, the substrate is placed in a process zone. An ionized gas is generated in a gas ionization zone above the process zone, by introducing a process gas into a gas ionization zone, maintaining the process gas at a pressure of less than about 0.1 mTorr, and coupling RF energy to the process gas to form an ionized gas. The ionized gas is passed through an ion filter to form a filtered ionized gas. The substrate is exposed to the filtered ionized gas to etch the low-k dielectric layer on the substrate or to remove or clean remnant resist on the substrate. | 10-28-2010 |
20110005679 | PLASMA UNIFORMITY CONTROL THROUGH VHF CATHODE GROUND RETURN WITH FEEDBACK STABILIZATION OF VHF CATHODE IMPEDANCE - Plasma process uniformity is controlled by maintaining near an optimum value an impedance of a ground return path for VHF source power from an overhead electrode through a workpiece support. A feedback control loop controls a variable reactance element of a reactive circuit that provides isolation between the VHF source power and a lower frequency bias power match circuit. | 01-13-2011 |
20110005685 | PLASMA REACTOR WITH UNIFORM PROCESS RATE DISTRIBUTION BY IMPROVED RF GROUND RETURN PATH - In a plasma reactor having an RF plasma source power applicator at its ceiling, an integrally formed grid liner includes a radially extending plasma confinement ring and an axially extending side wall liner. The plasma confinement ring extends radially outwardly near the plane of a workpiece support surface from a pedestal side wall, and includes an annular array of radial slots, each of the slots having a narrow width corresponding to an ion collision mean free path length of a plasma in the chamber. The side wall liner covers an interior surface of the chamber side wall and extends axially from a height near a height of said workpiece support surface to the chamber ceiling. | 01-13-2011 |
20110009999 | PLASMA REACTOR WITH RF GENERATOR AND AUTOMATIC IMPEDANCE MATCH WITH MINIMUM REFLECTED POWER-SEEKING CONTROL - An impedance match at an RF generator output of a plasma reactor includes plural minimum-seeking loop controllers having respective feedback input ports coupled to receive a reflected RF power signal from a reflected power sensing circuit and respective control output ports. The output ports are coupled to variable reactances of an impedance match circuit that is connected between the RF generator and an RF power applicator of the reactor. | 01-13-2011 |
20110023780 | APPARATUS FOR VHF IMPEDANCE MATCH TUNING - Embodiments of impedance matching networks are provided herein. In some embodiments, an impedance matching network may include a coaxial resonator having an inner and an outer conductor. A tuning capacitor may be provided for variably controlling a resonance frequency of the coaxial resonator. The tuning capacitor may be formed by a first tuning electrode and a second tuning electrode and an intervening dielectric, wherein the first tuning electrode is formed by a portion of the inner conductor. A load capacitor may be provided for variably coupling energy from the inner conductor to a load. The load capacitor may be formed by the inner conductor, an adjustable load electrode, and an intervening dielectric. | 02-03-2011 |
20110024047 | SUBSTRATE SUPPORT HAVING FLUID CHANNEL - A support for a substrate processing chamber comprises a chuck having a substrate receiving surface, and a base comprising an upper wall comprising a recessed trench having (i) an attachment face at a first depth, and (ii) a fluid channel at a second depth. A lower wall is seated in the recessed trench and attached to the attachment face of the upper wall, to close the fluid channel. A fluid inlet is provided to supply a heat transfer fluid to the fluid channel and a fluid outlet provided to discharge the heat transfer fluid from the fluid channel. | 02-03-2011 |
20110052833 | GAS DISTRIBUTION SHOWERHEAD AND METHOD OF CLEANING - During a deposition process, material may deposit not only on the substrate, but also on other chamber components. In a MOCVD chamber, one of those components is the gas distribution showerhead. The showerhead may be cleaned by bombarding the showerhead with radicals generated by a plasma that includes an inert gas and chlorine. In order to generate the plasma, the showerhead may be negatively biased or floating relative to the substrate support. The showerhead may comprise stainless steel and be coated with a ceramic coating. | 03-03-2011 |
20110159673 | NOVEL METHOD FOR CONFORMAL PLASMA IMMERSED ION IMPLANTATION ASSISTED BY ATOMIC LAYER DEPOSITION - Embodiments of the invention provide a novel apparatus and methods for forming a conformal doped layer on the surface of a substrate. A substrate is provided to a process chamber, and a layer of dopant source material is deposited by plasma deposition, atomic layer deposition, or plasma-assisted atomic layer deposition. The substrate is then subjected to thermal processing to activate and diffuse dopants into the substrate surface. | 06-30-2011 |
20110207307 | PLASMA IMMERSION ION IMPLANTATION METHOD USING A PURE OR NEARLY PURE SILICON SEASONING LAYER ON THE CHAMBER INTERIOR SURFACES - Plasma immersion ion implantation employing a very high RF bias voltage on an electrostatic chuck to attain a requisite implant depth profile is carried out by first depositing a partially conductive silicon-containing seasoning layer over the interior chamber surfaces prior to wafer introduction. | 08-25-2011 |
20110256691 | REMOVAL OF SURFACE DOPANTS FROM A SUBSTRATE - A method and apparatus for removing excess dopant from a doped substrate is provided. In one embodiment, a substrate is doped by surfaced deposition of dopant followed by formation of a capping layer and thermal diffusion drive-in. A reactive etchant mixture is provided to the process chamber, with optional plasma, to etch away the capping layer and form volatile compounds by reacting with excess dopant. In another embodiment, a substrate is doped by energetic implantation of dopant. A reactive gas mixture is provided to the process chamber, with optional plasma, to remove excess dopant adsorbed on the surface and high-concentration dopant near the surface by reacting with the dopant to form volatile compounds. The reactive gas mixture may be provided during thermal treatment, or it may be provided before or after at temperatures different from the thermal treatment temperature. The volatile compounds are removed. Substrates so treated do not form toxic compounds when stored or transported outside process equipment. | 10-20-2011 |
20110259879 | Multi-Zone Induction Heating for Improved Temperature Uniformity in MOCVD and HVPE Chambers - Embodiments of the invention generally relate to apparatuses and methods for utilizing a plurality of induction heat sources to uniformly heat a plurality of substrates within a processing chamber. By utilizing multiple heating zones that are each separately powered, the temperature distribution across the susceptor, over which the substrates rotate, may be uniform. The heat sources may be disposed outside of the processing chamber. In one embodiment, a processing chamber is provided which includes a susceptor disposed adjacent a first side of a window, a substrate carrier coupled with the susceptor, an inner inductive heating element disposed adjacent a second side of the window opposite the first side, an outer inductive heating element separate from and encompassing the inner inductive heating element and disposed adjacent to the second side of the window, and a parasitic load ring positioned below the outer inductive heating element. | 10-27-2011 |
20110272709 | RADIATION HEATING EFFICIENCY BY INCREASING OPTICAL ABSORPTION OF A SILICON CONTAINING MATERIAL - Embodiments of the present invention generally provide a process and apparatus for increasing the absorption coefficient of a chamber component disposed in a thermal process chamber. In one embodiment, a method generally includes providing a substrate carrier having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface is configured to support a substrate and being parallel and opposite to the second surface, subjecting the second surface of the substrate carrier to a surface treatment process to roughen the second surface of the substrate carrier, wherein the substrate carrier contains a material comprising silicon carbide, and forming an oxide-containing layer on the roughened second surface of the substrate carrier. The formed oxide-containing layer has optical absorption properties at wavelengths close to the radiation delivered from one or more energy sources used to heat the chamber component. | 11-10-2011 |
20110308551 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INDUCING TURBULENT FLOW OF A PROCESSING CHAMBER CLEANING GAS - Embodiments of the invention generally relate to apparatus and methods for cleaning chamber components using a cleaning plate. The cleaning plate is adapted to be positioned on a substrate support during a cleaning process, and includes a plurality of turbulence-inducing structures. The turbulence-inducing structures induce a turbulent flow of cleaning gas while the cleaning plate is rotated during a cleaning process. The cleaning plate increases the retention time of the cleaning gas near the showerhead during cleaning. Additionally, the cleaning plate reduces concentration gradients within the cleaning plate to provide a more effective clean. The method includes positioning a cleaning plate adjacent to a showerhead, and introducing cleaning gas to the space between the showerhead and the cleaning plate. A material deposited on the surface of the showerhead is then heated and vaporized in the presence of the cleaning gas, and then exhausted from the processing chamber. | 12-22-2011 |
20120086464 | IN-SITU VHF VOLTAGE/CURRENT SENSORS FOR A PLASMA REACTOR - An RE voltage probe is adapted to have a long coaxial cable to permit a measuring device to be connected remotely from the probe without distorting the voltage measurement. An RF current probe is encapsulated in a conductive housing to permit its placement inside a plasma reactor chamber. | 04-12-2012 |
20120199071 | PLASMA IMMERSION CHAMBER - Embodiments described herein relate to a plasma chamber and processing system utilizing robust components. In one embodiment, a chamber is provided. The chamber includes a body having an interior volume, a gas distribution assembly disposed in the interior volume opposing a substrate support, the gas distribution assembly having a coolant channel disposed thereon, and a first hollow conduit and a second hollow conduit coupled to the body and in fluid communication with the interior volume. | 08-09-2012 |
20130032085 | PLASMA ASSISTED HVPE CHAMBER DESIGN - Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein generally relate to a hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) deposition chamber that utilizes a plasma generation apparatus to form an activated precursor gas that is used to rapidly form a high quality compound nitride layer on a surface of a substrate. In one embodiment, the plasma generation apparatus is used to create a desirable group-III metal halide precursor gas that can enhance the deposition reaction kinetics, and thus reduce the processing time and improve the film quality of a formed group-III metal nitride layer. In addition, the chamber may be equipped with a separate nitrogen containing precursor activated species generator to enhance the activity of the delivered nitrogen precursor gases. | 02-07-2013 |
20130087093 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR HVPE PROCESSING USING A PLASMA - Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) apparatus that utilizes a high temperature gas distribution device and plasma generation to form an activated precursor gas used to rapidly form a high quality compound nitride layer on a surface of a substrate. In one embodiment, plasma is formed from a nitrogen containing precursor within a gas distribution device prior to injection into a processing region of the HVPE apparatus. In another embodiment, plasma is formed from a nitrogen containing precursor within the processing region by using the gas distribution device as an electrode for forming the plasma in the processing region. In each embodiment, a second precursor gas may be separately introduced into the processing region of the HVPE apparatus through the gas distribution device without mixing with the nitrogen containing precursor prior to entering the processing region. | 04-11-2013 |
20130320998 | IN-SITU VHF CURRENT SENSOR FOR A PLASMA REACTOR - An RF current probe is encapsulated in a conductive housing to permit its placement inside a plasma reactor chamber. An RF voltage probe is adapted to have a long coaxial cable to permit a measuring device to be connected remotely from the probe without distorting the voltage measurement. | 12-05-2013 |
20150083042 | ROTATABLE SUBSTRATE SUPPORT HAVING RADIO FREQUENCY APPLICATOR - A substrate support assembly includes a shaft assembly, a pedestal coupled to a portion of the shaft assembly, and a first rotary connector coupled to the shaft assembly, wherein the first rotary connector comprises a first coil member surrounding a rotatable shaft member that is electrically coupled to the shaft assembly, the first coil member being rotatable with the rotatable shaft, and a second coil member surrounding the first coil member, the second coil member being stationary relative to the first coil member, wherein the first coil member electrically couples with the second coil member when the rotating radio frequency applicator is energized and provides a radio frequency signal/power to the pedestal through the shaft assembly. | 03-26-2015 |