Abstract: Embodiments of a plug for use in an electrostatic chuck are provided herein. In some embodiments, a plug for use in an electrostatic chuck includes a polymer sleeve having a central opening; and a core disposed in the central opening of the polymer sleeve, the core having a central protrusion and a peripheral ledge, wherein an outer surface of the core includes a helical channel extending from a lower surface of the core towards the peripheral ledge to at least partially define a gas flow path through the plug, and wherein the peripheral ledge is disposed between an upper surface of the polymer sleeve and the lower surface of the core.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for preventing or reducing arcing of an electrostatic chuck in a process chamber. In some embodiments, a method of preventing or reducing arcing of an electrostatic chuck includes forming a first recess in at least a portion of a sidewall of the electrostatic chuck and filling the first recess with a conformable dielectric material that remains conformable (elastic) over a temperature range of at least approximately zero degrees Celsius to approximately 80 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, the first recess is filled with the conformable dielectric material such that the conformable dielectric material does not bond to at least one surface of the first recess. The conformable dielectric material may also be used to fill a second recess in a dielectric sleeve adjacent to the electrostatic chuck.

Abstract: Embodiments of process kits for use in a process chamber are provided herein. In some embodiments, a process kit includes a slit door having an arcuate profile and including a first plate coupled to a second plate, wherein the first plate is configured to be coupled to an actuator, and wherein the second plate has a processing volume facing surface that includes silicon.

Abstract: Embodiments of process kits for use in substrate processing chambers are provided herein. In some embodiments, a process kit for use in a substrate processing chamber includes an annular electrode configured to surround an electrostatic chuck, wherein the annular electrode includes an upper portion bonded to a lower portion and an annular channel disposed at an interface between the upper portion and the lower portion; wherein the annular electrode includes a first channel extending from a lower surface of the lower portion to the annular channel and a second channel extending from the lower surface of the lower portion to the annular channel; wherein the annular electrode is configured to flow a coolant from the first channel to the second channel via the annular channel to cool the annular electrode; and wherein the annular electrode includes at least one of a dielectric coating or a ceramic cap to reduce or prevent arcing between the annular electrode and the electrostatic chuck.

Abstract: A seal member includes a bottom portion, a first side wall portion, a second side wall portion, and an outer wall portion. At least one of the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion is provided to be outwardly widened from the bottom portion toward the outer wall portion with respect to a virtual plane perpendicular to an axis. The outer wall portion has a recessed portion recessed toward a bottom portion side, between the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion, and the outer wall portion forms a first lip region in a region including the first side wall portion, and forms a second lip region in a region including the second side wall portion, with the recessed portion being sandwiched therebetween.

Abstract: Embodiments of process kits for use in a process chamber are provided herein. In some embodiments, a process kit for use in a process chamber includes a slit door having an arcuate profile and including a first plate slidably coupled to a second plate, wherein the first plate is configured to be coupled to an actuator, wherein the second plate has an inner surface that includes silicon, and wherein the inner surface includes a plurality of grooves.

Abstract: Embodiments of process kits for use in a process chamber are provided herein. In some embodiments, a process kit includes a slit door having an arcuate profile and including a first plate coupled to a second plate, wherein the first plate is configured to be coupled to an actuator, and wherein the second plate has a processing volume facing surface that includes silicon.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for dechucking a wafer from a surface of an electrostatic chuck (ESC). In some embodiments, a method comprises reducing a pressure of a gas applied to a backside of the wafer to approximately zero psi; reducing a downward pressure in a cylinder bore of a lifting actuator to approximately atmospheric pressure while a processing volume of the processing chamber is in a vacuum state to create a constant upward force on the wafer, the constant upward force less than a breaking force of the wafer; and sweeping a voltage applied to the ESC to dechuck the wafer; and monitoring a sensor on the lifting actuator that is interposed between a chucking position of the lifting actuator and a transfer position of the lifting actuator to detect when the wafer is dechucked.

Abstract: Embodiments of showerheads having a detachable gas distribution plate are provided herein. In some embodiments, a showerhead for use in a substrate processing chamber includes a body having a first side and an opposing second side; a gas distribution plate disposed proximate the second side of the body; and a clamp disposed about a peripheral edge of the gas distribution plate to removably couple the gas distribution plate to the body, wherein the body is electrically coupled to the gas distribution plate through the clamp.

Abstract: Embodiments of a plug for use in an electrostatic chuck are provided herein. In some embodiments, a plug for use in an electrostatic chuck includes a polymer sleeve having a central opening; and a core disposed in the central opening of the polymer sleeve, the core having a central protrusion and a peripheral ledge, wherein an outer surface of the core includes a helical channel extending from a lower surface of the core towards the peripheral ledge to at least partially define a gas flow path through the plug, and wherein the peripheral ledge is disposed between an upper surface of the polymer sleeve and the lower surface of the core.

Abstract: Implementations described herein provide a substrate support assembly that includes a seal band. The seal band has a ring shaped body. The ring shaped body has an inner surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface. Each of the top surface and the bottom surface extend from the inner surface at a first angle of more than 110° from the inner surface. The seal band also has an outer surface that has an indent formed therein. The outer surface connects the top surface to the bottom surface. A second angle is formed between an imaginary line normal to the inner surface and the bottom surface. The second angle is between about 10° and about 30°. The ring shaped body has a cross-sectional profile forming a V-shape.

Abstract: Embodiments of process kits for use in substrate processing chambers are provided herein. In some embodiments, a process kit for use in a substrate processing chamber includes an annular electrode configured to surround an electrostatic chuck, wherein the annular electrode includes an upper portion bonded to a lower portion and an annular channel disposed at an interface between the upper portion and the lower portion; wherein the annular electrode includes a first channel extending from a lower surface of the lower portion to the annular channel and a second channel extending from the lower surface of the lower portion to the annular channel; wherein the annular electrode is configured to flow a coolant from the first channel to the second channel via the annular channel to cool the annular electrode; and wherein the annular electrode includes at least one of a dielectric coating or a ceramic cap to reduce or prevent arcing between the annular electrode and the electrostatic chuck.

Abstract: Embodiments of a showerhead for use in a substrate processing chamber are provided herein. In some embodiments, a showerhead for use in a substrate processing chamber includes an upper plate having an outer gas inlet fluidly coupled to an outer recursive gas path and an inner gas inlet fluidly coupled to an inner recursive gas path; and a lower plate having an upper surface bonded to the upper plate and a lower surface having a plurality of outer gas distribution holes and a plurality of inner gas distribution holes, wherein the upper surface includes an outer recess to define an outer annular gas plenum fluidly coupled to the outer gas inlet and to the plurality of outer gas distribution holes and an inner recess to define one or more inner annular gas plenums fluidly coupled to the inner gas inlet and to the plurality of inner gas distribution holes.

Abstract: Implementations described herein provide a substrate support assembly that includes a seal band. The seal band protects an adhesive layer that is disposed between an electrostatic chuck (ESC) and a cooling plate of the substrate support assembly. In one example, a substrate support assembly includes an electrostatic chuck and a cooling plate. A bonding layer secures a bottom surface of the electrostatic chuck to a top surface of the cooling plate. The bonding layer has an adhesive layer and a seal band. The seal band circumscribes and protects the adhesive layer. The seal band has a ring shaped body. The ring shaped body has a top surface connected to a bottom surface by an inner surface and an outer surface. The top surface and the bottom surface angled less than 85 degrees from the inner surface. The outer surface has an indent formed therein.

Abstract: Embodiments include an electrostatic chuck assembly having an electrostatic chuck mounted on an insulator. The electrostatic chuck and insulator may be within a chamber volume of a process chamber. In an embodiment, a ground shield surrounds the electrostatic chuck and the insulator, and a gap between the ground shield and the electrostatic chuck provides an environment at risk for electric field emission. A dielectric filler can be placed within the gap to reduce a likelihood of electric field emission. The dielectric filler can have a flexible outer surface that covers or attaches to the electrostatic chuck, or an interface between the electrostatic chuck and the insulator Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to apparatuses and methods for controlling a plasma sheath near a substrate edge. The apparatus relates to a processing chamber and/or a substrate support that includes an edge ring assembly with an edge ring electrode and an electrostatic chuck with a chucking electrode. The edge ring assembly is positioned adjacent the electrostatic chuck, such as with the edge ring assembly positioned exterior to or about the electrostatic chuck. The edge ring assembly includes a base and a cap positioned above the base with the edge ring electrode positioned between the cap and the base. The base of the edge ring electrode may include an inner recess and/or an outer recess with the cap including one or more lips that extend into the inner recess and/or the outer recess. One or more silicon rings and/or insulating rings are positioned adjacent the edge ring assembly.

Abstract: Embodiments of a showerhead for use in a substrate processing chamber are provided herein. In some embodiments, a showerhead for use in a substrate processing chamber includes an upper plate having an outer gas inlet fluidly coupled to an outer recursive gas path and an inner gas inlet fluidly coupled to an inner recursive gas path; and a lower plate having an upper surface bonded to the upper plate and a lower surface having a plurality of outer gas distribution holes and a plurality of inner gas distribution holes, wherein the upper surface includes an outer recess to define an outer annular gas plenum fluidly coupled to the outer gas inlet and to the plurality of outer gas distribution holes and an inner recess to define one or more inner annular gas plenums fluidly coupled to the inner gas inlet and to the plurality of inner gas distribution holes.

Abstract: Embodiments of showerheads having a detachable gas distribution plate are provided herein. In some embodiments, a showerhead for use in a semiconductor processing chamber may include a body having a first side and a second side; a gas distribution plate disposed proximate the second side of the body and having an annular channel formed in a side surface; and a clamp disposed about a peripheral edge of the gas distribution plate to removably couple the gas distribution plate to the body, wherein the clamp includes a body and a protrusion extending radially inward into the annular groove, and wherein a portion of the gas distribution plate extends over a bottom surface of the clamp.

Abstract: Embodiments of a plug for use in an electrostatic chuck are provided herein. In some embodiments, a plug for use in an electrostatic chuck includes a polymer sleeve having a central opening; a core press-fit in the central opening of the polymer sleeve and having a gas flow channel disposed therethrough; a cap disposed on the polymer sleeve and covering the core, the cap having a through hole through the cap; and an annular channel disposed between the core and the cap, wherein the core, the cap, and the annular channel define a gas flow path through the plug.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for preventing or reducing arcing of an electrostatic chuck in a process chamber. In some embodiments, a method of preventing or reducing arcing of an electrostatic chuck includes forming a first recess in at least a portion of a sidewall of the electrostatic chuck and filling the first recess with a conformable dielectric material that remains conformable (elastic) over a temperature range of at least approximately zero degrees Celsius to approximately 80 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, the first recess is filled with the conformable dielectric material such that the conformable dielectric material does not bond to at least one surface of the first recess. The conformable dielectric material may also be used to fill a second recess in a dielectric sleeve adjacent to the electrostatic chuck.