Abstract: Methods and apparatus are used for adjusting film stress profiles on substrates. An apparatus may include a PVD chamber with a pedestal configured to support a substrate during processing on a cover positioned on an uppermost surface of the pedestal. The cover is constructed with multiple electrodes such as, for example, a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode. The second electrode is positioned between and electrically separated from the first electrode and the second electrode. A substrate stress profile tuner is electrically connected to the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode and configured to independently adjust an RF voltage level of at least the second electrode and the third electrode relative to RF ground to produce a more uniform film stress profile.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus for reducing particle formation in physical vapor deposition (PVD) chambers are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of reducing particle formation in a PVD chamber includes: performing a plurality of first deposition processes on a corresponding series of substrates disposed on a substrate support in the PVD chamber, wherein the PVD chamber includes a cover ring disposed about the substrate support and having a texturized outer surface, and wherein a silicon nitride (SiN) layer having a first thickness is deposited onto the texturized outer surface during each of the plurality of first deposition processes; and performing a second deposition process on the cover ring between subsets of the plurality of first deposition processes to deposit an amorphous silicon layer having a second thickness onto an underlying silicon nitride (SiN) layer.

Abstract: Method and apparatus that forms low resistivity tungsten film on substrates. In some embodiments, a method of reducing resistivity of tungsten includes generating a plasma in a processing volume of a physical vapor deposition (PVD) chamber with a process gas of krypton and using an RF power with a frequency of approximately 60 MHz and a magnetron, applying bias power at frequency of approximately 13.56 MHz to a substrate, and sputtering a tungsten target to deposit a tungsten thin film on the substrate. At least approximately 90% of the deposited tungsten thin film has a <110> crystalline orientation plane approximately parallel to a top surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An upper electrode for a plasma processing apparatus, includes an electrode having a gas discharge hole, a gas plate having a gas flow path formed at a position facing the gas discharge hole to supply a processing gas to the gas discharge hole, an electrostatic attraction part interposed between the electrode and the gas plate and having a contact surface that is in contact with a lower surface of the gas plate and an attraction surface that attracts an upper surface of the electrode, and a shield that shields radicals or gas moving from the gas discharge hole to a gap between the electrode and the gas plate.

Abstract: A component for a processing chamber includes a ceramic body having at least one surface with a first average surface roughness. The component further includes a conformal protective layer on at least one surface of the ceramic body, wherein the conformal protective layer is a plasma resistant rare earth oxide film having a substantially uniform thickness of less than 300 ?m over the at least one surface and having a second average surface roughness that is less than the first average surface roughness.

Abstract: A stage device includes a stage configured to hold a target substrate in a vacuum chamber, a cold heat transfer body fixedly disposed below a bottom surface of the stage with a gap between the stage and the cold heat transfer body and cooled to an extremely low temperature by a chiller disposed below the cold heat transfer body, and cooling fluid supplied to the gap to transfer cold heat of the cold heat transfer body to the stage. The stage device further includes a stage support configured to rotatably support the stage and formed in a cylindrical shape to surround an upper part of the cold heat transfer body wherein the stage support has a vacuum insulation structure, and a rotation part configured to support the stage support and rotated by a driving mechanism while being sealed with magnetic fluid.

Abstract: A processing system is provided, including a vacuum enclosure having a plurality of process windows and a continuous track positioned therein; a plurality of processing chambers attached sidewalls of the vacuum enclosures, each processing chamber about one of the process windows; a loadlock attached at one end of the vacuum enclosure and having a loading track positioned therein; at least one gate valve separating the loadlock from the vacuum enclosure; a plurality of substrate carriers configured to travel on the continuous track and the loading track; at least one track exchanger positioned within the vacuum enclosure, the track exchangers movable between a first position, wherein substrate carriers are made to continuously move on the continuous track, and a second position wherein the substrate carriers are made to transfer between the continuous track and the loading track.

Abstract: Methods and process chambers for etching of low-k and other dielectric films are described. For example, a method includes modifying portions of the low-k dielectric layer with a plasma process. The modified portions of the low-k dielectric layer are etched selectively over a mask layer and unmodified portions of the low-k dielectric layer. Etch chambers having multiple chamber regions for alternately generating distinct plasmas are described. In embodiments, a first charge coupled plasma source is provided to generate an ion flux to a workpiece in one operational mode, while a secondary plasma source is provided to provide reactive species flux without significant ion flux to the workpiece in another operational mode. A controller operates to cycle the operational modes repeatedly over time to remove a desired cumulative amount of the dielectric material.

Abstract: A sputtering method including: performing a pre-sputtering by emitting sputter particles from a target provided in a sputtering apparatus in a state where the target is shielded by a shielding portion of a shutter provided closed to the target to be capable of opening/closing the target; and, after the pre-sputtering, performing a main-sputtering by emitting the sputter particles from the target in a state where an opening of the shutter is aligned with the target thereby depositing the sputter particles on a substrate. When the pre-sputtering and the main-sputtering are repeatedly performed, a shutter position is changed during the pre-sputtering so as to change a position of the shielding portion aligned with the target.

Abstract: A sputtering apparatus (SM) has a vacuum chamber in which is disposed a target. A plasma atmosphere is formed inside the vacuum chamber to thereby sputter the target. The sputtered particles splashed from the target are caused to get adhered to, and deposited on, a surface of a substrate disposed in the vacuum chamber, thereby forming a predetermined thin film thereon. At such a predetermined position inside the vacuum chamber as is subject to adhesion of the sputtered particles splashed from the target, there is disposed an adhesion body whose at least the surface of adhesion of the sputtered particles is made of a material equal in kind to that of the target. The adhesion body has connected thereto a bias power supply for applying a bias voltage having negative potential at the time of forming the plasma atmosphere.

Abstract: A film manufacturing apparatus includes a lamination unit that laminates a first layer at one side in a thickness direction of a long-length substrate film to produce a one-sided laminated film, and that laminates a second layer at the other side in the thickness direction of the one-sided laminated film to produce a double-sided laminated film; a conveyance unit; a marking unit; a measurement unit; a detection unit, disposed at an upstream side in the conveyance direction of the measurement unit; and an arithmetic unit that obtains physical properties of the first layer and the second layer based on the physical property at a first position in the one-sided laminated film and the physical property at a second position in the double-sided laminated film. The arithmetic unit defines, with a mark as a reference, a position substantially the same as the first position to be the second position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sputter depositing an insulation layer onto a surface of a cavity formed in a substrate and having a high aspect ratio. A target formed from a material to be included in the insulation layer and the substrate are provided in a substantially enclosed chamber defined by a housing. A plasma is ignited within the substantially enclosed chamber and a magnetic field is provided adjacent to a surface of the target to contain the plasma adjacent to the surface of the target. A voltage is rapidly increased to repeatedly establish high-power electric pulses between a cathode and an anode. An average power of the electric pulses is at least 0.1 kW, and can be much greater. An operational parameter of the sputter deposition is controlled to promote sputter depositing of the insulation layer in a transition mode between a metallic mode and a reactive mode.

Abstract: Embodiments of a process kits for use in a process chamber are provided herein. In some embodiments, a process kit for use in a multi-cathode processing chamber includes: a first rotatable shield coupled to a first shaft, wherein the first rotatable shield includes a base, a conical portion extending downward and radially outward from the base, and one or more holes formed through the conical portion, wherein no two holes of the one or more holes are diametrically opposed; and a second rotatable shield coupled to a second shaft concentric with the first shaft, wherein the second rotatable shield is disposed in the first rotatable shield, and wherein the first rotatable shield is configured to rotate independent of the first rotatable shield.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing or curing a substrate, the apparatus comprising: a support (102) arranged to transport a moving flexible substrate (104), a plasma generator (110) arranged to generate plasma (112), a magnet array (114) arranged to spatially define the plasma, wherein the magnet array comprises: a first elongate magnet (404) having a first polarity; a second elongate magnet (406), substantially parallel to the first elongate magnet, having a second polarity, opposite to the first polarity, such that the first and second elongate magnets define a first straight magnetic flux portion (204); a third elongate magnet (408), substantially parallel to the first elongate magnet, having the first polarity, such that the second and third elongate magnets define a second straight magnetic flux portion, connected to the first straight magnetic flux portion by a first curved magnetic flux portion (206); a fourth elongate magnet (410), substantially parallel to the first elongate magnet, having the second polari

Abstract: A high throughput deposition apparatus includes a process chamber, a plurality of targets that form a first closed loop in the process chamber, wherein the first closed loop includes a long dimension defined by at least a first pair of targets and a short dimension defined by at least a second pair of targets, a first substrate carrier assembly that can hold one or more substrates and configured to receive a deposition material from the plurality of targets in the first closed loop, and a transport mechanism that can move the first substrate carrier assembly along an axial direction through the first closed loop in the first process chamber.

Abstract: A sputtering target packaging structure comprising: a sputtering target including a cylinder part, a flange part disposed on an opening part at one end of the cylinder part, and a cap disposed on an opening part at the other end of the cylinder part; and a packing material made up of a sheet and covering an inner surface and an outer surface of the sputtering target in a close contact state, wherein the packing material includes seal parts on both end sides of the sputtering target.

Abstract: A MgO sintered sputtering target, wherein a ratio of GOS (Grain Orientation Spread) being 0° to 1° is 75% or higher. A MgO sintered sputtering target, wherein a ratio of KAM (Kernel Average Misorientation) being 0° to 2° is 90% or higher. An object of the present invention is to provide a MgO sintered sputtering target capable of reducing particles.

Abstract: A sputtering apparatus including a chamber, a stage inside the chamber and configured to receive a substrate thereon, a first sputter gun configured to provide a sputtering source to an inside of the chamber, a first RF source configured to provide a first power having a first frequency to the first sputter gun, and a second RF source configured to provide a second power having a second frequency to the first sputter gun, the second frequency being lower than the first frequency may be provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the evaporation of a cathode by means of cathodic arc evaporation, wherein the focal spot of the arc is forced to a predetermined track on the cathode surface by means of temporally and spatially controllable magnetic fields, wherein a predetermined removal of material of the cathode surface is produced. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method according to the invention.

Abstract: Provided is a vacuum processing apparatus which is capable of performing baking processing of a deposition preventive plate without impairing the function of being capable of cooling the deposition preventive plate disposed inside a vacuum chamber. The vacuum processing apparatus has a vacuum chamber for performing a predetermined vacuum processing on a to-be-processed substrate that is set in position inside the vacuum chamber. A deposition preventive plate is disposed inside the vacuum chamber. Further disposed are: a metallic-made block body vertically disposed on an inner surface of the lower wall of the vacuum chamber so as to lie opposite to a part of the deposition preventive plate with a clearance thereto; a cooling means for cooling the block body; and a heating means disposed between the part of the deposition preventive plate and the block body to heat the deposition preventive plate by heat radiation.