| Patent application number | Description | Published |
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| 20090031955 | VACUUM CHUCKING HEATER OF AXISYMMETRICAL AND UNIFORM THERMAL PROFILE - Embodiments of a vacuum chuck having an axisymmetrical and/or more uniform thermal profile are provided herein. In some embodiments, a vacuum chuck includes a body having a support surface for supporting a substrate thereupon; a plurality of axisymmetrically arranged grooves formed in the support surface, at least some of the grooves intersecting; and a plurality of chucking holes formed through the body and within the grooves, the chucking holes for fluidly coupling the grooves to a vacuum source during operation, wherein the chucking holes are disposed in non-intersecting portions of the grooves. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090034147 | Method and apparatus for providing an electrostatic chuck with reduced plasma penetration and arcing - A method and apparatus for providing a fluid distribution element for an electrostatic chuck that reduces plasma formation and arcing within heat transfer fluid passages. One embodiment comprises a plate and a dielectric component, where the dielectric component is inserted into the plate. The plate is adapted to be positioned within a channel to define a plenum, wherein the dielectric component provides at least a portion of a fluid passage coupled to the plenum. A porous dielectric layer, formed upon the dielectric component, provides at least another portion of a fluid passage coupled to the plenum. In other embodiments, the fluid distribution element comprises various arrangements of components to define a fluid passage that does not provide a line-of-sight path from the support surface for a substrate to a plenum. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090034148 | Method of making an electrostatic chuck with reduced plasma penetration and arcing - A method of making an electrostatic chuck comprising positioning a plate into a channel in a body to form a plenum and inserting a dielectric component into an opening in the plate, where the dielectric component defines a portion of a passage from the plenum. Thereafter, depositing a dielectric layer covering at least a portion of the body and at least a portion of the plate to form a support surface. The dielectric layer is polished to a specified thickness. In one embodiment, the polishing process forms an opening through the dielectric layer to enable the dielectric component to define a passage between the support surface and the plenum. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the dielectric layer is porous proximate the dielectric component such that the porous dielectric layer and the dielectric component form a passage between the support surface and the plenum. In a further embodiment, a hole is formed through the dielectric layer and the hole in the dielectric layer and the dielectric component form a passage between the support surface and the plenum. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090034149 | Method for refurbishing an electrostatic chuck with reduced plasma penetration and arcing - A method for refurbishing at least a portion of an electrostatic chuck. The method comprises removing a first dielectric component from a fluid distribution element of the electrostatic chuck and replacing the first dielectric component with a second dielectric component. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090120368 | ROTATING TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED SUBSTRATE PEDESTAL FOR FILM UNIFORMITY - Substrate processing systems are described. The systems may include a processing chamber, and a substrate support assembly at least partially disposed within the chamber. The substrate support assembly is rotatable by a motor yet still allows electricity, cooling fluids, gases and vacuum to be transferred from a non-rotating source outside the processing chamber to the rotatable substrate support assembly inside the processing chamber. Cooling fluids and electrical connections can be used to raise or lower the temperature of a substrate supported by the substrate support assembly. Electrical connections can also be used to electrostatically chuck the wafer to the support assembly. A rotary seal or seals (which may be low friction O-rings) are used to maintain a process pressure while still allowing substrate assembly rotation. Vacuum pumps can be connected to ports which are used to chuck the wafer. The pumps can also be used to differentially pump the region between a pair of rotary seals when two or more rotary seals are present. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090120464 | MULTI-PORT PUMPING SYSTEM FOR SUBSTRATE PROCESSING CHAMBERS - An exhaust foreline for purging fluids from a semiconductor fabrication chamber is described. The foreline may include a first, second and third ports independently coupled to the chamber. A semiconductor fabrication system is also described that includes a substrate chamber that has a first, second and third interface port. The system may also include a multi-port foreline that has a first, second and third port, where the first foreline port is coupled to the first interface port, the second foreline port is coupled to the second interface port, and the third foreline port is coupled to the third interface port. The system may further include an exhaust vacuum coupled to the multi-port foreline. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090120584 | COUNTER-BALANCED SUBSTRATE SUPPORT - A semiconductor processing system is described. The system includes a processing chamber having an interior capable of holding an internal chamber pressure below ambient atmospheric pressure. The system also includes a pumping system coupled to the chamber and adapted to remove material from the processing chamber. The system further includes a substrate support pedestal, where the substrate support pedestal is rigidly coupled to a substrate support shaft extending through a wall of the processing chamber. A bracket located outside the processing chamber is provided which is rigidly and sometimes rotatably coupled to the substrate support shaft. A motor coupled to the bracket can be actuated to vertically translate the substrate support pedestal, shaft and bracket from a first position to a second position closer to a processing plate. A piston mounted on an end of the bracket provides a counter-balancing force to a tilting force, where the tilting force is generated by a change in the internal chamber pressure and causes a deflection in the position of the bracket and the substrate support. The counter-balancing force reduces the deflection of the bracket and the substrate support. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090261276 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXCIMER CURING - An apparatus for An apparatus for generating excimer radiation is provided. The apparatus includes a housing having a housing wall. An electrode is configured within the housing. A tubular body is around the electrode. The tubular body includes an outer wall and an inner wall. At least one inert gas is between the outer wall and the inner wall, wherein the housing wall and the electrode are configured to excite the inert gas to illuminate an excimer light for curing. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090266299 | LOW PROFILE PROCESS KIT - Embodiments of process kits for substrate supports of semiconductor substrate process chambers are provided herein. In some embodiments, a process kit for a semiconductor process chamber may include an annular body being substantially horizontal and having an inner and an outer edge, and an upper and a lower surface; an inner lip disposed proximate the inner edge and extending vertically from the upper surface; and an outer lip disposed proximate the outer edge and on the lower surface, and having a shape conforming to a surface of the substrate support pedestal. In some embodiments, a process kit for a semiconductor process chamber my include an annular body having an inner and an outer edge, and having an upper and lower surface, the upper surface disposed at a downward angle of between about 5-65 degrees in an radially outward direction from the inner edge toward the outer edge. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090277388 | HEATER WITH DETACHABLE SHAFT - Embodiments of the present invention generally include an apparatus for uniform heat distribution across the surface of a substrate during processing. The apparatus includes a substrate heater with a heated substrate support surface that is removable attached to a heater shaft via a fastening mechanism. The interface between the heated substrate support and the heater shaft may include a soft metal gasket and a vacuum or purge channel disposed therein. The substrate support surface may include regions for independently varying the back pressure of a substrate disposed thereon. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090277587 | FLOWABLE DIELECTRIC EQUIPMENT AND PROCESSES - Substrate processing systems are described that may include a processing chamber having an interior capable of holding an internal chamber pressure different from an external chamber pressure. The systems may also include a remote plasma system operable to generate a plasma outside the interior of the processing chamber. In addition, the systems may include a first process gas channel operable to transport a first process gas from the remote plasma system to the interior of the processing chamber, and a second process gas channel operable to transport a second process gas that is not treated by the remote plasma system. The second process gas channel has a distal end that opens into the interior of the processing chamber, and that is at least partially surrounded by the first process gas channel. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090280650 | FLOWABLE DIELECTRIC EQUIPMENT AND PROCESSES - Methods of depositing and curing a dielectric material on a substrate are described. The methods may include the steps of providing a processing chamber partitioned into a first plasma region and a second plasma region, and delivering the substrate to the processing chamber, where the substrate occupies a portion of the second plasma region. The methods may further include forming a first plasma in the first plasma region, where the first plasma does not directly contact with the substrate, and depositing the dielectric material on the substrate to form a dielectric layer. One or more reactants excited by the first plasma are used in the deposition of the dielectric material. The methods may additional include curing the dielectric layer by forming a second plasma in the second plasma region, where one or more carbon-containing species is removed from the dielectric layer. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090283217 | APPARATUS FOR ETCHING SEMICONDUCTOR WAFERS - A wafer pedestal of a semiconductor apparatus is provided. The wafer pedestal is capable of supporting a substrate. The wafer pedestal includes a pedestal having at least one purge opening configured to flow a purge gas and at least one chucking opening configured to chuck the substrate over the pedestal. The pedestal includes a sealing band disposed between the at least one purge opening and the at least one chucking opening. The sealing band is configured to support the substrate. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20100006032 | CHAMBER COMPONENTS FOR CVD APPLICATIONS - Apparatus for use with a processing chamber are provided. In one aspect a blocker plate is provided including an annular plate having an inner portion of a first thickness and the annular plate having an aperture pattern including a center portion, a first patterned portion concentrically disposed around the center portion and comprising a first plurality of apertures having a first number of apertures, an second patterned portion concentrically disposed around the first patterned portion and comprising a second plurality of apertures having a second number of apertures greater than the first number of apertures, a perimeter portion concentrically disposed around the second patterned portion, and an outer portion comprising a raised concentric portion disposed on a perimeter of the annular plate. In another aspect, a second, third, and fourth blocker plates are provided. Additionally, a mixing apparatus and a liquid evaporating apparatus for use in a processing chamber are provided. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100048028 | SURFACE TREATED ALUMINUM NITRIDE BAFFLE - Methods and apparatus relating to aluminum nitride baffles are provided herein. In some embodiments, a baffle for use in semiconductor process chambers may include a body comprising aluminum nitride and a metal oxide binding agent, wherein a ratio of aluminum nitride to metal oxide on a surface of the body is greater than or equal to the ratio within the body. In some embodiments, the body may have a center stem and an outer annulus coupled to and extending radially outwards from a lower portion of the center stem. In some embodiments, a method of fabricating a baffle may include sintering aluminum, nitrogen, and a metal oxide binding agent to form a body of the baffle, the body having excess metal oxide binding agent disposed on a surface thereof; and removing a bulk of the excess metal oxide binding agent from a surface of the body. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100071210 | METHODS FOR FABRICATING FACEPLATE OF SEMICONDUCTOR APPARATUS - A method for manufacturing a faceplate of a semiconductor apparatus is provided. The method includes selecting a size of a tool in response to a predetermined specification of a predetermined gas parameter. The tool is used to form the holes within the faceplate. A first gas parameter of the holes of the faceplate is measured by an apparatus to determine if the measured first gas parameter of the holes of the faceplate is within the predetermined specification. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100098882 | PLASMA SOURCE FOR CHAMBER CLEANING AND PROCESS - Apparatus and methods for processing a substrate and processing a process chamber are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided for processing a substrate including a power source, a switch box coupled to the power source and the switch box having a switch interchangeable between a first position and a second position, a first match box coupled to the switch box, a plasma generator coupled to the first match box, a second match box coupled to the switch box, and a remote plasma source coupled to the second match box. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20110011338 | FLOW CONTROL FEATURES OF CVD CHAMBERS - Apparatus and methods for gas distribution assemblies are provided. In one aspect, a gas distribution assembly is provided comprising an annular body comprising an annular ring having an inner annular wall, an outer wall, an upper surface, and a bottom surface, an upper recess formed into the upper surface, and a seat formed into the inner annular wall, an upper plate positioned in the upper recess, comprising a disk-shaped body having a plurality of first apertures formed therethrough, and a bottom plate positioned on the seat, comprising a disk-shaped body having a plurality of second apertures formed therethrough which align with the first apertures, and a plurality of third apertures formed between the second apertures and through the bottom plate, the bottom plate sealingly coupled to the upper plate to fluidly isolate the plurality of first and second apertures from the plurality of third apertures. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110045676 | REMOTE PLASMA SOURCE SEASONING - Methods of seasoning a remote plasma system are described. The methods include the steps of flowing a silicon-containing precursor into a remote plasma region to deposit a silicon containing film on an interior surface of the remote plasma system. The methods reduce reactions with the seasoned walls during deposition processes, resulting in improved deposition rate, improved deposition uniformity and reduced defectivity during subsequent deposition. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110114601 | PLASMA SOURCE DESIGN - Embodiments of the present invention generally provide a plasma source apparatus, and method of using the same, that is able to generate radicals and/or gas ions in a plasma generation region that is symmetrically positioned around a magnetic core element by use of an electromagnetic energy source. In general, the orientation and shape of the plasma generation region and magnetic core allows for the effective and uniform coupling of the delivered electromagnetic energy to a gas disposed in the plasma generation region. In general, the improved characteristics of the plasma formed in the plasma generation region is able to improve deposition, etching and/or cleaning processes performed on a substrate or a portion of a processing chamber that is disposed downstream of the plasma generation region. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110115378 | PLASMA SOURCE DESIGN - Embodiments of the present invention generally provide a plasma source apparatus, and method of using the same, that is able to generate radicals and/or gas ions in a plasma generation region that is symmetrically positioned around a magnetic core element by use of an electromagnetic energy source. In general, the orientation and shape of the plasma generation region and magnetic core allows for the effective and uniform coupling of the delivered electromagnetic energy to a gas disposed in the plasma generation region. In general, the improved characteristics of the plasma formed in the plasma generation region is able to improve deposition, etching and/or cleaning processes performed on a substrate or a portion of a processing chamber that is disposed downstream of the plasma generation region. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110136347 | POINT-OF-USE SILYLAMINE GENERATION - The production and delivery of a reaction precursor containing one or more silylamines near a point of use is described. Silylamines may include trisilylamine (TSA) but also disilylamine (DSA) and monosilylamine (MSA). Mixtures involving two or more silylamines can change composition (e.g. proportion of DSA to TSA) over time. Producing silylamines near a point-of-use limits changing composition, reduces handling of unstable gases and reduces cost of silylamine-consuming processes. | 06-09-2011 |
