Abstract: Two-piece shutter disk assemblies for use in process chambers are provided herein. In some embodiments, a shutter disk assembly for use in a process chamber includes an upper disk member having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein a central alignment recess is formed in a center of the bottom surface, and a lower carrier member having a solid base having an upper support surface, wherein the upper support surface includes a first central self-centering feature disposed in the recess formed in the center of the bottom surface and an annular outer alignment feature that protrudes upward from a top surface of the lower carrier and forms a pocket, wherein the upper disk member is disposed in the pocket.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing leakage of microwaves at a slit valve of a process chamber. A multi-frequency resonant choke around the slit valve prevents microwave energy from a band of frequencies from escaping from the slit valve. The multi-frequency resonant choke may have a sloping bottom surface or a serrated bottom surface to enable multiple frequencies to resonant in the choke, canceling a range of microwave frequencies at gaps formed by a slit valve gate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting a shutter disk assembly in a process chamber using a number of sensors. A first, second, and third sensor in a shutter housing for a shutter disk assembly provide indications of a status of the shutter disk assembly. The indications are used in part to determine the operational status of the shutter disk assembly along with process information from a process controller. The operational status is then used to alter a process of the process chamber when necessary.

Abstract: Embodiments of batch processing apparatus and collapsible substrate support are provided herein. In some embodiments, a collapsible substrate support includes a base linearly moveable between a first position and a second position; and a first plurality of substrate support elements coupled to the base and including a lowermost substrate support element disposed in a fixed position with respect to the base and an uppermost substrate support element disposed above the lowermost substrate support element, wherein the uppermost substrate support element is linearly movable between a first position nearer to the lowermost substrate support element and a second position further from the lowermost substrate support element.

Abstract: An apparatus for relaying microwave field intensity in a microwave cavity. In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a microwave transparent substrate with at least one Radio Frequency (RF) detector that is capable of detecting a microwave field and generating a signal associated with a field intensity of the detected microwave field and a transmitter that receives the signal associated with the detected microwave field from the RF detector and transmits or stores information about the detected microwave field intensity. In some embodiments, the apparatus relays the microwave intensity via a wired, wireless, or optical transmitter located in proximity of the RF detector.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring the temperature of epoxy resin in an electronics package are provided herein. In some embodiments, apparatus for encapsulating an electronics package includes: a process chamber having a chamber body enclosing a processing volume; a substrate support having a support surface for receiving and supporting a substrate for forming an electronics package; and a temperature sensor to measure a temperature of an epoxy resin in an electronics package. The temperature sensor includes: an input apparatus including at least a light source disposed outside the chamber body to provide an excitation light energy to a portion of the epoxy resin; and an output apparatus including at least a signal analyzer disposed outside the chamber body to detect fluorescent light energy emitted by the portion of the epoxy resin and determine a temperature of the epoxy resin based on the excitation light energy and the fluorescent light energy.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for uniform thermal distribution across semiconductor batches are provided herein. According to one embodiment, a microwave oven for semiconductor processing, comprising a thermal housing having a cavity and a plurality of input ports, a power source configured to provide a microwave signal to the cavity of the thermal housing via the plurality of input ports, a phase shifter disposed between the power source and the input ports, wherein the phase shifter is configured to vary a phase difference between two or more signals provided to it; and a controller communicatively coupled to the phase shifter and configured to control the phase difference between the two or more signals.

Abstract: Apparatus for extending process kit components lifetimes are disclosed. In some embodiments, a process kit includes: a first ring having an inner wall defining an inner diameter, an outer wall defining an outer diameter, an upper surface between the inner wall and the outer wall, and an opposing lower surface between the inner wall and the outer wall, wherein a first portion of the upper surface proximate the inner wall is concave, and wherein a second portion of the upper surface extends horizontally away from the first portion; and a second ring having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface, wherein a first portion of the lower surface is configured to rest upon the second portion of the first ring, wherein a second portion of the lower surface is convex and extends into but does not touch the concave first portion of the upper surface of the first ring.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing a substrate are described herein. A vacuum multi-chamber deposition tool can include a degas chamber with both a heating mechanism and a variable frequency microwave source. The methods described herein use variable frequency microwave radiation to increased quality and speed of the degas process without damaging the various components.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus for processing substrates includes: a substrate support within a processing chamber; a light source directly coupled to a light isolator and configured to deliver incident light to and through a first surface of the substrate when disposed on the substrate support; an optical fiber having a first end spaced apart a first distance from the first surface and a second end directly coupled to the light source via a coupling element; a photodetector directly coupled to the second end of the optical fiber via the coupling element and configured to receive a first reflected light beam reflected off the first surface and a second reflected light beam reflected off an inner boundary of a second surface of the substrate, opposite the first surface; and a signal processor to determine a temperature of the substrate based on the first and second reflected light beams.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing a substrate are described herein. A vacuum multi-chamber deposition tool can include a degas chamber with both a heating mechanism and a variable frequency microwave source. The methods described herein use variable frequency microwave radiation to increased quality and speed of the degas process without damaging the various components.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods and apparatus for controlling titanium-tungsten (TiW) target nodule formation. In some embodiments, a target includes: a source material comprising predominantly titanium (Ti) and tungsten (W), formed from a mixture of titanium powder and tungsten powder, wherein a grain size of a predominant quantity of the titanium powder is less than or equal to a grain size of a predominant quantity of the tungsten powder.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing a substrate are described herein. A vacuum multi-chamber deposition tool can include a degas chamber with both a heating mechanism and a variable frequency microwave source. The methods described herein use variable frequency microwave radiation to increased quality and speed of the degas process without damaging the various components.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing a substrate are described herein. A vacuum multi-chamber deposition tool can include a degas chamber with both a heating mechanism and a variable frequency microwave source. The methods described herein use variable frequency microwave radiation to increased quality and speed of the degas process without damaging the various components.

Abstract: Embodiments of batch processing apparatus and collapsible substrate support are provided herein. In some embodiments, a collapsible substrate support includes a base linearly moveable between a first position and a second position; and a first plurality of substrate support elements coupled to the base and including a lowermost substrate support element disposed in a fixed position with respect to the base and an uppermost substrate support element disposed above the lowermost substrate support element, wherein the uppermost substrate support element is linearly movable between a first position nearer to the lowermost substrate support element and a second position further from the lowermost substrate support element.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a process chamber for a microwave batch curing process includes: an annular body having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a central opening of the annular body, wherein the inner surface comprises a plurality of angled surfaces defining a first volume; a first lip extending radially outward from the outer surface of the annular body proximate a first end of the annular body; a second lip extending radially outward from the outer surface of the annular body proximate a second end of the annular body; an exhaust disposed between the first lip and the second lip and fluidly coupled to the first volume, wherein the exhaust comprises a plurality of first openings; a plurality of second openings fluidly coupled to the first volume, wherein the plurality of second openings are configured to expose the first volume to microwave energy; and one or more ports fluidly coupled to the first volume.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods and apparatus for controlling titanium-tungsten (TiW) target nodule formation. In some embodiments, a target includes: a source material comprising predominantly titanium (Ti) and tungsten (W), formed from a mixture of titanium powder and tungsten powder, wherein a grain size of a predominant quantity of the titanium powder is less than or equal to a grain size of a predominant quantity of the tungsten powder.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing substrates are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for processing a substrate includes a substrate support that may include a dielectric member having a surface to support a substrate thereon; one or more first conductive members disposed below the dielectric member and having a dielectric member facing surface adjacent to the dielectric member; and a second conductive member disposed about and contacting the one or more first conductive members such that RF energy provided to the substrate by an RF source returns to the RF source by traveling radially outward from the substrate support along the dielectric member facing surface of the one or more first conductive members and along a first surface of the second conductive member disposed substantially parallel to a peripheral edge surface of the one or more first conductive members after travelling along the dielectric layer facing surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for extending process kit components lifetimes are disclosed. In some embodiments, a process kit includes: a first ring having an inner wall defining an inner diameter, an outer wall defining an outer diameter, an upper surface between the inner wall and the outer wall, and an opposing lower surface between the inner wall and the outer wall, wherein a first portion of the upper surface proximate the inner wall is concave, and wherein a second portion of the upper surface extends horizontally away from the first portion; and a second ring having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface, wherein a first portion of the lower surface is configured to rest upon the second portion of the first ring, wherein a second portion of the lower surface is convex and extends into but does not touch the concave first portion of the upper surface of the first ring.

Abstract: Shutter disk assemblies for use in process chambers to protect a substrate support disposed below the shutter disk assembly from undesired material deposition are provided herein. In some embodiments, a shutter disk assembly for use in a process chamber to protect a substrate support disposed below the shutter disk assembly may include an upper disk member having a top surface and a bottom surface; and a lower carrier member having at least a portion of the lower carrier member disposed below a portion of the upper disk member to support the upper disk member and to create a protective overlap region that prevents exposure of the substrate support upon deformation of the upper disk member.