| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20090029528 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLEANING A SUBSTRATE SURFACE - The present invention generally provides apparatus and method for forming a clean and damage free surface on a semiconductor substrate. One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that contains a cleaning chamber that is adapted to expose a surface of substrate to a plasma cleaning process prior to forming an epitaxial layer thereon. In one embodiment, a method is employed to reduce the contamination of a substrate processed in the cleaning chamber by depositing a gettering material on the inner surfaces of the cleaning chamber prior to performing a cleaning process on a substrate. In one embodiment, oxidation and etching steps are repeatedly performed on a substrate in the cleaning chamber to expose or create a clean surface on a substrate that can then have an epitaxial placed thereon. In one embodiment, a low energy plasma is used during the cleaning step. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090044699 | In Situ Cleaning of CVD System Exhaust - Embodiments of the invention relate to methods and apparatuses for forming films using CVD. One or more method and apparatus embodiments include preventing the formation of bonds and/or breaking bonds that permit polymers to form in an exhaust line of a CVD apparatus. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090211523 | Apparatus to Control Semiconductor Film Deposition Characteristics - Systems and apparatus are disclosed for adjusting the temperature of at least a portion of the surface of a reaction chamber during a film formation process to control film properties. More than one portion of the chamber surface may be temperature-modulated. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090314205 | SEMICONDUCTOR PROCESS CHAMBER VISION AND MONITORING SYSTEM - A system for monitoring a process inside a high temperature semiconductor process chamber by capturing images is disclosed. Images are captured through a borescope by a camera. The borescope is protected from high temperatures by a reflective sheath and an Infrared (IR) cur-off filter. Images can be viewed on a monitor and can be recorded by a video recording device. Images can also be processed by a machine vision system. The system can monitor the susceptor and a substrate on the susceptor and surrounding structures. Deviations from preferred geometries of the substrate and deviations from preferred positions of susceptor and the substrate can be detected. Actions based on the detections of deviations can be taken to improve the performance of the process. Illumination of a substrate by a laser for detecting deviations in substrate geometry and position is also disclosed. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20100071622 | POLYMERIC COATING OF SUBSTRATE PROCESSING SYSTEM COMPONENTS FOR CONTAMINATION CONTROL - A method of treating a metal surface of a portion of a substrate processing system to lower a defect concentration near a processed surface of a substrate includes forming a protective coating on the metal surface, wherein the protective coating includes nickel (Ni) and a fluoropolymer. Forming the protective coating on the metal surface can further include forming a nickel layer on the metal surface, impregnating the nickel layer with a fluoropolymer, and removing fluoropolymer from the surface leaving a predominantly nickel surface so the fluoropolymer is predominantly subsurface. A substrate processing system includes a process chamber into which a reactant gas is introduced, a pumping system for removing material from the process chamber, a first component with a protective coating, wherein the protective coating forms a surface of the component which is exposed to an interior of the substrate processing chamber or an interior of the pumping system. The protective coating includes nickel (Ni) and a flouropolymer. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100275674 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR INSITU ANALYSIS OF GASES IN ELECTRONIC DEVICE FABRICATION SYSTEMS - Systems and methods are disclosed that include adjusting a pressure level of a sample gas in a testing chamber, for example, using a pressurized inert reference gas, and determining a composition of the adjusted sample gas. By adjusting the pressure level of the sample gas, the composition of the sample gas may be determined more accurately than otherwise possible. Numerous other aspects are disclosed. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20110100554 | PARALLEL SYSTEM FOR EPITAXIAL CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION - Embodiments of a parallel system for epitaxial deposition are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a parallel system for epitaxial deposition includes a first body having a first process chamber and a second process chamber disposed within the first body; a shared gas injection system coupled to each of the first and the second process chambers; and a shared exhaust system coupled to each of the first and second process chambers, the exhaust system having independent control of an exhaust pressure from each chamber. In some embodiments, the gas injection system provides independent control of flow rate of a gas entering each chamber. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110155058 | SUBSTRATE PROCESSING APPARATUS HAVING A RADIANT CAVITY - Methods and apparatus for processing substrates are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for processing a substrate may include a substrate support having a base having a convex surface, an annular ring disposed on the base, and an edge ring disposed on the annular ring to support a substrate, wherein the base, annular ring, and edge ring form a radiant cavity capable of reflecting energy radiated from a backside of a substrate when disposed on the edge ring and wherein the backside of the substrate faces the convex surface of the base. Alternatively or in combination, in some embodiments, the base may include a metal layer encapsulated between a transparent non-metal upper layer and a non-metal lower layer. | 06-30-2011 |
