Abstract: In some embodiments, substrate processing apparatus may include a chamber body; a lid disposed atop the chamber body; a target assembly coupled to the lid, the target assembly including a target of material to be deposited on a substrate; an annular dark space shield having an inner wall disposed about an outer edge of the target; a seal ring disposed adjacent to an outer edge of the dark space shield; and a support member coupled to the lid proximate an outer end of the support member and extending radially inward such that the support member supports the seal ring and the annular dark space shield, wherein the support member provides sufficient compression when coupled to the lid such that a seal is formed between the support member and the seal ring and the seal ring and the target assembly.

Abstract: Methods for forming a metal containing layer onto a substrate with good deposition profile control and film uniformity across the substrate are provided. In one embodiment, a method of sputter depositing a metal containing layer on the substrate includes transferring a substrate in a processing chamber, supplying a gas mixture including at least Ne gas into the processing chamber, applying a RF power to form a plasma from the gas mixture, and depositing a metal containing layer onto the substrate in the presence of the plasma.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to a grounding kit for a semiconductor processing chamber, and a semiconductor processing chamber having a grounding kit. More specifically, embodiments described herein relate to a grounding kit which creates an asymmetric grounding path selected to significantly reduce the asymmetries caused by an off center RF power delivery.

Abstract: Methods of depositing metal in high aspect ratio features are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of processing a substrate includes applying RF power at VHF frequency to a target comprising metal disposed in the PVD chamber above the substrate to form a plasma from a plasma-forming gas, sputtering metal atoms from the target using the plasma while maintaining a first pressure in the PVD chamber sufficient to ionize a predominant portion of the sputtered metal atoms, depositing the ionized metal atoms on a bottom surface of the opening and on a first surface of the substrate, applying a first RF power to redistribute at least some of the deposited metal atoms from the bottom surface and upper surface to sidewalls of the opening, and repeating the deposition the redistribution processes until a first layer of metal is deposited on substantially all surfaces of the opening.

Abstract: Methods for depositing metal in high aspect ratio features formed on a substrate are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method includes applying first RF power at VHF frequency to target comprising metal disposed above substrate to form plasma, applying DC power to target to direct plasma towards target, sputtering metal atoms from target using plasma while maintaining pressure in PVD chamber sufficient to ionize predominant portion of metal atoms, depositing first plurality of metal atoms on bottom surface of opening and on first surface of substrate, applying second RF power to redistribute at least some of first plurality from bottom surface to lower portion of sidewalls of the opening, and depositing second plurality of metal atoms on upper portion of sidewalls by reducing amount of ionized metal atoms in PVD chamber, wherein first and second pluralities form a first layer deposited on substantially all surfaces of opening.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention are directed to deposition apparatuses comprising a grounded top wall, a processing chamber and a plasma source assembly having a conductive hollow cylinder and substantially continuous grounded shield substantially conforming to the shape of the hollow cylinder.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a feed structure to couple RF energy to a target may include a body having a first end to receive RF energy and a second end opposite the first end to couple the RF energy to a target, the body further having a central opening disposed through the body from the first end to the second end; a first member coupled to the body at the first end, wherein the first member comprises a first element circumscribing the body and extending radially outward from the body, and one or more terminals disposed in the first member to receive RF energy from an RF power source; and a source distribution plate coupled to the second end of the body to distribute the RF energy to the target, wherein the source distribution plate includes a hole disposed through the plate and aligned with the central opening of the body.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide improved methods and apparatus for physical vapor deposition (PVD) processing of substrates. In some embodiments, an apparatus for physical vapor deposition (PVD) may include a target assembly having a target comprising a source material to be deposited on a substrate, an opposing source distribution plate disposed opposite a backside of the target and electrically coupled to the target along a peripheral edge of the target, and a cavity disposed between the backside of the target and the source distribution plate; an electrode coupled to the source distribution plate at a point coincident with a central axis of the target; and a magnetron assembly comprising a rotatable magnet disposed within the cavity and having an axis of rotation that is aligned with a central axis of the target assembly, wherein the magnetron assembly is not driven through the electrode.

Abstract: Blocker plates for chemical vapor deposition chambers and methods of treating blocker plates are provided. The blocker plates define a plurality of holes therethrough and have an upper surface and a lower surface that are at least about 99.5% pure, which minimizes the nucleation of contaminating particles on the blocker plates. A physically vapor deposited coating, such as an aluminum physically vapor deposited coating, may be formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the blocker plates. Chemical vapor deposition chambers including blocker plates having a physically vapor deposited coating thereon are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of processing a substrate in a PVD chamber comprising a target, a substrate and a process gas at a pressure sufficient to cause ionization of a substantial portion of species sputtered from the target are described. A capacitively coupled high density plasma is maintained by applying very high frequency power to the target. Sputtered material is ionized in the plasma and accelerated toward the substrate by a high frequency bias power applied to the substrate. The microstructure of the resultant film is controlled by modifying one or more of the pressure and the high frequency bias power.

Abstract: Methods of processing a substrate in a PVD chamber comprising a target, a substrate and a process gas at a pressure sufficient to cause ionization of a substantial portion of species sputtered from the target are described. A capacitively coupled high density plasma is maintained by applying very high frequency power to the target. Sputtered material is ionized in the plasma and accelerated toward the substrate by a high frequency bias power applied to the substrate. The microstructure of the resultant film is controlled by modifying one or more of the pressure and the high frequency bias power.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a method for forming two titanium nitride materials by different PVD processes, such that a metallic titanium nitride layer is initially formed by a PVD process in a metallic mode and a titanium nitride retarding layer is formed over a portion of the metallic titanium nitride layer by a PVD process in a poison mode. Subsequently, a first aluminum layer, such as an aluminum seed layer, may be selectively deposited on exposed portions of the metallic titanium nitride layer by a CVD process. Thereafter, a second aluminum layer, such as an aluminum bulk layer, may be deposited on exposed portions of the first aluminum layer and the titanium nitride retarding layer during an aluminum PVD process.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a method for forming two titanium nitride materials by different PVD processes, such that a metallic titanium nitride layer is initially formed by a PVD process in a metallic mode and a titanium nitride retarding layer is formed over a portion of the metallic titanium nitride layer by a PVD process in a poison mode. Subsequently, a first aluminum layer, such as an aluminum seed layer, may be selectively deposited on exposed portions of the metallic titanium nitride layer by a CVD process. Thereafter, a second aluminum layer, such as an aluminum bulk layer, may be deposited on exposed portions of the first aluminum layer and the titanium nitride retarding layer during an aluminum PVD process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to shield a cryogenic pump in a physical vapor deposition chamber comprising a physical vapor deposition chamber, a gasket in thermal contact with the physical vapor deposition chamber, at least one post in contact with the gasket, a radiation shield connected at the top of the post, and at least one intermediate ring in contact with the post. A method and apparatus for a radiation shield for a cryogenic pump comprising a cryogenic pump with a region upstream from the cryogenic pump, a gasket in thermal contact the region upstream from the cryogenic pump, at least one post in contact with the gasket, a radiation shield connected at the top of the post, and at least one intermediate ring in contact with the post.

Abstract: A method for igniting a plasma in a semiconductor process chamber is provided herein. In one embodiment, a method for igniting a plasma in a semiconductor substrate process chamber having an electrically isolated anode, wherein the plasma has failed to ignite upon applying a plasma ignition voltage to a cathode of the process chamber, includes the steps of reducing the magnitude of the voltage applied to the cathode; reapplying the plasma ignition voltage to the cathode; and monitoring the process chamber to determine if the plasma has ignited. The step of monitoring the process chamber may have a duration of a first period of time. The step of reducing the magnitude of the voltage applied to the cathode may have a duration of a second period of time. The steps of reducing the cathode voltage magnitude and reapplying the plasma ignition voltage may be repeated until a plasma ignites.

Abstract: A process kit for a sputtering chamber comprises a deposition ring, cover ring, and a shield assembly, for placement about a substrate support in a sputtering chamber. The deposition ring comprising an annular band with an inner lip extending transversely, a raised ridge substantially parallel to the substrate support, an inner open channel, and a ledge radially outward of the raised ridge. A cover ring at least partially covers the deposition ring, the cover ring comprising an annular plate comprising a footing which rests on a surface about the substrate support, and downwardly extending first and second cylindrical walls.

Abstract: A sputtering chamber has a sputtering target comprising a backing plate and a sputtering plate. The backing plate has a groove. The sputtering plate comprises a cylindrical mesa having a plane, and an annular inclined rim surrounding the cylindrical mesa. In one version, the backing plate comprises a material having a high thermal conductivity and a low electrical resistivity. In another version, the backing plate comprises a backside surface with a single groove or a plurality of grooves.

Abstract: A sputtering target for a sputtering chamber comprises a backing plate and titanium sputtering plate mounted on the backing plate. The sputtering plate comprises a central cylindrical mesa having a plane, and a peripheral inclined annular rim surrounding the cylindrical mesa, the annular rim being inclined relative to the plane of the cylindrical mesa by an angle of at least about 8°.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to shield a cryogenic pump in a physical vapor deposition chamber comprising a physical vapor deposition chamber, a gasket in thermal contact with the physical vapor deposition chamber, at least one post in contact with the gasket, a radiation shield connected at the top of the post, and at least one intermediate ring in contact with the post. A method and apparatus for a radiation shield for a cryogenic pump comprising a cryogenic pump with a region upstream from the cryogenic pump, a gasket in thermal contact the region upstream from the cryogenic pump, at least one post in contact with the gasket, a radiation shield connected at the top of the post, and at least one intermediate ring in contact with the post.

Abstract: A system of gas lines for a processing chamber and a method of forming a gas line system for a processing chamber are provided. The system of gas lines includes electropolished multi-way valves that connect electropolished linear gas lines. By using multi-way valves rather than tee-fittings and electropolishing the linear gas lines, the nucleation of contaminating particles in the system of gas lines may be reduced.