Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing a substrate are provided. In some embodiments, a method of processing a substrate having a first layer may include disposing a substrate atop a substrate support in a lower processing volume of a process chamber beneath an ion shield having a bias power applied thereto, the ion shield comprising a substantially flat member supported parallel to the substrate support, and a plurality of apertures formed through the flat member, wherein the ratio of the aperture diameter to the thickness flat member ranges from about 10:1-1:10; flowing a process gas into an upper processing volume above the ion shield; forming a plasma from the process gas within the upper processing volume; treating the first layer with neutral radicals that pass through the ion shield; and heating the substrate to a temperature of up to about 550 degrees Celsius while treating the first layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an improved apparatus and methods for nitridation of stacks of materials. In one embodiment, a remote plasma system includes a remote plasma chamber defining a first region for generating a plasma comprising ions and radicals, a process chamber defining a second region for processing a semiconductor device, the process chamber comprising an inlet port formed in a sidewall of the process chamber, the inlet port being in fluid communication with the second region, and a delivery member disposed between the remote plasma chamber and the process chamber and having a passageway in fluid communication with the first region and the inlet port, wherein the delivery member is configured such that a longitudinal axis of the passageway intersects at an angle of about 20 degrees to about 80 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the inlet port.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling power distribution in a substrate processing system are provided. In some embodiments, a substrate processing system including a process chamber having a substrate support and a processing region disposed above the substrate support; a first conduit disposed above the processing region to provide a portion of a first toroidal path that extends through the first conduit and across the processing region; a second conduit disposed above the processing region to provide a portion of a second toroidal path that extends through the second conduit and across the processing region; an RF generator coupled to the first and second conduits to provide RF energy having a first frequency to each of the first and second conduits; an impedance matching network disposed between the RF generator and the first and second conduits; and a power divider to control the amount of RF energy provided to the first and second conduits from the RF generator.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling power distribution in a substrate processing system are provided. In some embodiments, a substrate processing system including a process chamber having a substrate support and a processing region disposed above the substrate support; a first conduit disposed above the processing region to provide a portion of a first toroidal path that extends through the first conduit and across the processing region; a second conduit disposed above the processing region to provide a portion of a second toroidal path that extends through the second conduit and across the processing region; an RF generator coupled to the first and second conduits to provide RF energy having a first frequency to each of the first and second conduits; an impedance matching network disposed between the RF generator and the first and second conduits; and a power divider to control the amount of RF energy provided to the first and second conduits from the RF generator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for plasma processing of substrates is provided. A processing chamber has a substrate support and a lid assembly facing the substrate support. The lid assembly has a plasma source that comprises an inductive coil disposed within a conductive plate, which may comprise nested conductive rings. The inductive coil is substantially coplanar with the conductive plate, and insulated therefrom by an insulator that fits within a channel formed in the conductive plate, or nests within the conductive rings. A field concentrator is provided around the inductive coil, and insulated therefrom by isolators. The plasma source is supported from a conductive support plate. A gas distributor supplies gas to the chamber through a central opening of the support plate and plasma source from a conduit disposed through the conductive plate.

Abstract: Methods of determining an amount of precursor in an ampoule have been provided herein. In some embodiments, a method for determining an amount of solid precursor in an ampoule may include determining a first pressure in an ampoule having a first volume partially filled with a solid precursor; flowing an amount of a first gas into the ampoule to establish a second pressure in the ampoule; determining a remaining portion of the first volume based on a relationship between the first pressure, the second pressure, and the amount of the first gas flowed into the ampoule; and determining the amount of solid precursor in the ampoule based on the first volume and the remaining portion of the first volume.

Abstract: An atomic layer deposition chamber comprises a gas distributor comprising a central cap having a conical passageway between a gas inlet and gas outlet. The gas distributor also has a ceiling plate comprising first and second conical apertures that are connected. The first conical aperture receives a process gas from the gas outlet of the central cap. The second conical aperture extends radially outwardly from the first conical aperture. The gas distributor also has a peripheral ledge that rests on a sidewall of the chamber.

Abstract: A method for cooling a circuit comprises generating movement of fluid along a path through a closed-loop system. The method further comprises inducing turbulence in the fluid by movement of at least a portion of a turbulence-inducing device arranged in the path, and dissipating thermal energy from the circuit by the fluid. A system comprises a circuit, and a closed-loop cooling system comprising fluid for cooling the circuit and at least one active turbulence-inducing device. In one embodiment, the turbulence-inducing device is a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device. In one embodiment, the MEMS device is solely responsible for bulk fluid movement through the closed-loop cooling system.

Abstract: A hollow cathode magnetron comprises an open top target within a hollow cathode. The open top target can be biased to a negative potential so as to form an electric field within the cathode to generate a plasma. The magnetron uses at least one electromagnetic coil to shape and maintain a density of the plasma within the cathode. The magnetron also has an anode located beneath the cathode. The open top target can have one of several different geometries including flat annular, conical and cylindrical, etc.

Abstract: A PVD system comprises a hollow cathode magnetron with a downstream plasma control mechanism. The magnetron has a hollow cathode with a non-planar target and at least one electromagnetic coil to generate and maintain a plasma within the cathode. The magnetron also has an anode located between the cathode and a downstream plasma control mechanism. The control mechanism comprises a first, second and third electromagnetic coil beneath a mouth of the target, vertically spaced so as to form a tapered magnetic convergent lens between the target mouth and a pedestal of the magnetron.

Abstract: A PVD system comprises a hollow cathode magnetron with a capability of producing a high magnetic field for PVD and a low magnetic field for pasting. The high magnetic field is used for PVD and causes an optimal uniform film to form on a substrate but redeposits some metals onto a top portion of a target within the magnetron. The low magnetic field erodes redeposited materials from a top portion of a target within the magnetron.

Abstract: A PVD system comprises a hollow cathode magnetron with a capability of producing a high magnetic field for PVD and a low magnetic field for pasting. The high magnetic field is used for PVD and causes an optimal uniform film to form on a substrate but redeposits some metals onto a top portion of a target within the magnetron. The low magnetic field erodes redeposited materials from a top portion of a target within the magnetron.

Abstract: A PVD system comprises a hollow cathode magnetron with a downstream plasma control mechanism. The magnetron has a hollow cathode with a non-planar target and at least one electromagnetic coil to generate and maintain a plasma within the cathode. The magnetron also has an anode located between the cathode and a downstream plasma control mechanism. The control mechanism comprises a first, second and third electromagnetic coil beneath a mouth of the target, vertically spaced so as to form a tapered magnetic convergent lens between the target mouth and a pedestal of the magnetron.

Abstract: An induction plasma source for integrated circuit fabrication includes an induction coil which defines a generally convex surface. The convex surface may be in the form of a spherical section less than a hemisphere, a paraboloid, or some other smooth convex surface. The windings of the induction coil may be spaced at different intervals in different sections of the coil and may be in multiple layers in at least a portion of the coil. Varying the shape of the coil and the distribution of the coil windings allows the plasma to be shaped in a desired manner.

Abstract: A plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition system includes a number of process gas injection tubes and at least one dedicated clean gas injection tube. A plasma is used to periodically clean the interior surfaces of the deposition chamber. The cleaning is made more rapid and effective by introducing the clean gas through the dedicated clean gas injection tube. In this manner the clean gas can be introduced at a relatively high flow rate without detracting from the cleaning of the interior surfaces of the process gas injection tubes. As a separate aspect of this invention, a high-frequency signal is applied to both terminals of the coil during the cleaning process. This produces a plasma, mainly by capacitive coupling, which has a shape and uniformity that are well-suited to cleaning the surfaces of the deposition chamber.

Abstract: A broad area plasma lighting device in which a sealed gas envelope placed adjacent to a planar inductive coupling structure generates visible light. Representative planar inductive coupling structures include a planar spiral coil and a parallel conductor coupling structure. According to the invention, a parallel conductor coupling structure has two basic forms: separate parallel conductors each driven by its own generator/tuning circuit, or single conductor such as a flattened helix or series of square coils driven by one generator/tuning circuit. In addition, a plasma generating device having one or more parallel conductor inductive coupling structures is described. The resulting plasma generator can be used in such applications as plasma processing and inductive plasma lighting.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the deposition of plasma films in which the optical index of refraction of the deposited film can be varied continuously or discontinuously as the material is deposited. The change in refractive index is accomplished by changing the input power applied to the plasma chamber. The method can be used to create optical wave guides from material of a single input monomer vapor.

Abstract: Plasma polymerized organic films deposited on a substrate exhibit broad bandwidth photoluminescence after excitation with blue, violet, or ultraviolet light. The photoluminescent properties of such organic films may be exploited by using such films as wavelength transformers for photovoltaic materials, as organic solid-state gain media, as process quality control tools, and as color-correcting coatings for fluorescent lamps.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the deposition of plasma films in which the optical index of refraction of the deposited film can be varied continuously or discontinuously as the material is deposited. The change in refractive index is accomplished by changing the input power applied to the plasma chamber. The method can be used to create optical wave guides from material of a single input monomer vapor.