Abstract: A substrate processing system configured to process substrates includes a substrate transport assembly that encloses a controlled environment defined within a continuous transport volume and at least two process modules coupled to the substrate transport assembly. The substrate transport assembly is configured to transport substrates to and from the at least two process modules through the continuous transport volume. At least two gas boxes are configured to deliver gas mixtures to the at least two process modules. An exhaust duct configured to selectively evacuate the at least two process modules through the at least two gas boxes. Surfaces of the at least two gas boxes include perforations configured to allow gases to flow from the at least two gas boxes into the exhaust duct.

Abstract: Sealing various machined component parts used in plasma etching chambers using an Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) coating. By sealing the component parts with the ALD layer, surface erosion/etch caused by repeated exposure to plasma during workpiece fabrication is eliminated or significantly mitigated. As a result, unwanted particle generation, caused by erosion, is eliminated or significantly reduced, preventing contamination within the plasma etching chamber.

Abstract: A component of a plasma processing chamber having a coating on at least one surface that comprises yttrium aluminum. The coating is an aerosol deposited coating from a powder mixture of an yttrium oxide powder and an aluminum-containing powder and having an yttrium to aluminum ratio of 4:1 to 1:4 by molar number. The coating can be annealed to form a porous ternary oxide.

Abstract: A method for making a component for use in a semiconductor processing chamber is provided. A component body is formed from a conductive material having a coefficient of thermal expansion of less than 10.0×10?6/K. A metal oxide layer is then disposed over a surface of the component body.

Abstract: A method for forming a coating on a component of a substrate processing system includes arranging the component in a processing chamber and applying a ceramic material to form the coating on one or more surfaces of the component. The ceramic material is comprised of a mixture including a rare earth oxide and having a grain size of less than 150 nm and is applied while a temperature within the processing chamber is less than 400° C. The coating has a thickness of less than 30 ?m. A heat treatment process is performed on the coated component in a heat treatment chamber. The heat treatment process includes increasing a temperature of the heat treatment chamber from a first temperature to a second temperature that does not exceed a melting temperature of the mixture over a first period and maintaining the second temperature for a second period.

Abstract: A component of a plasma processing chamber having at least one plasma facing surface of the component comprises single crystal metal oxide material. The component can be machined from a single crystal metal oxide ingot. Suitable single crystal metal oxides include spinel, yttrium oxide, and yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG). A single crystal metal oxide can be machined to form a gas injector of a plasma processing chamber.

Abstract: A substrate processing system configured to process substrates includes a substrate transport assembly that encloses a controlled environment defined within a continuous transport volume and at least two process modules coupled to the substrate transport assembly. The substrate transport assembly is configured to transport substrates to and from the at least two process modules through the continuous transport volume. At least two gas boxes are configured to deliver gas mixtures to the at least two process modules. An exhaust duct configured to selectively evacuate the at least two process modules through the at least two gas boxes. Surfaces of the at least two gas boxes include perforations configured to allow gases to flow from the at least two gas boxes into the exhaust duct.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring contaminants on a surface of a component is provided. An extraction vessel for holding a measurement fluid has an opening adapted to form a meniscus using the measurement fluid. An actuator moves at least one of the extraction vessel and the component to a position where the meniscus is in contact with the surface of the component. A transducer is positioned to provide acoustic energy to the measurement fluid.

Abstract: A component for use in a plasma processing chamber is provided. A metal containing component body is provided. A sealant coating is over a surface of the metal containing component body, wherein the sealant coating comprises at least one of a silicone sealant, an organic sealant, or epoxy sealant, wherein the sealant coating is not covered and directly exposed to plasma in the plasma processing chamber.

Abstract: A component for use as part of a plasma processing chamber is provided. The component has a component body adapted for use as part of a plasma processing chamber. A first ceramic coating of a ceramic material is on a surface of the component body, wherein the first ceramic coating has a first side adjacent to the component body and a second side spaced apart from the component body and wherein the first ceramic coating has a porosity and density. A second ceramic coating of the ceramic material is on the second side of the first ceramic coating, wherein the second ceramic coating has a porosity that is less than the porosity of the first ceramic coating and the second ceramic coating has a density that is greater than the density of the first ceramic coating.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted for use in a plasma processing chamber is provided. An aluminum body with at least one surface is provided. An aluminum oxide containing aerosol deposition coating is disposed over the at least one surface of the aluminum body. An yttrium containing aerosol deposition coating is disposed over the aluminum oxide containing aerosol deposition coating.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring contamination on a critical surface of a part is provided. A vessel for mounting the part is provided. An inert gas source is in fluid connection with the vessel and adapted to provide an inert gas to the vessel. At least one diffuser receives the inert gas from the vessel, wherein the critical surface of the part is exposed to the inert gas when the part is mounted in the vessel. At least one analyzer is adapted to receive inert gas from the at least one diffuser and measures contaminants in the inert gas.

Abstract: A method for providing a part with a plasma resistant ceramic coating for use in a plasma processing chamber is provided. A patterned mask is placed on the part. A film is deposited over the part. The patterned mask is removed. A plasma resistant ceramic coating is applied on the part.

Abstract: A cluster tool assembly includes a vacuum transfer module, a process module having a first side connected to the vacuum transfer module. An isolation valve having a first side and a second side, the first side of the isolation valve coupled to a second side of the process module. A replacement station is coupled to the second side of the isolation valve. The replacement station includes an exchange handler and a part buffer. The part buffer includes a plurality of compartments to hold new or used consumable parts. The process module includes a lift mechanism to enable placement of a consumable part installed in the process module to a raised position. The raised position provides access to the exchange handler to enable removal of the consumable part from the process module and store in a compartment of the part buffer. The exchange handler of the replacement station is configured to provide a replacement for the consumable part from the part buffer back to the process module.

Abstract: A method for conditioning a component of a wafer processing chamber is provided. The component is placed in an ultrasonic conditioning solution in an ultrasonic solution tank. Ultrasonic energy is applied through the ultrasonic conditioning solution to the component to clean the component. The component is submerged in a megasonic conditioning solution in a tank. Megasonic energy is applied through the megasonic conditioning solution to the component to clean the component.

Abstract: An apparatus for conditioning a component of a processing chamber is provided. A tank for holding a megasonic conditioning solution is provided. A mount holds the component immersed in a megasonic conditioning solution, when the tank is filled with the megasonic conditioning solution. A megasonic conditioning solution inlet system delivers the megasonic conditioning solution to the tank. A megasonic transducer head comprises at least one megasonic transducer to provide megasonic energy to the megasonic conditioning solution, wherein the megasonic energy is delivered to the component via the megasonic conditioning solution. A megasonic conditioning solution drain system drains the megasonic conditioning solution from the tank at a location above where the component is held in the megasonic conditioning solution. An actuator moves the megasonic transducer head across the tank.

Abstract: An electrode for transmitting radiofrequency power to a plasma processing region includes a plate formed of semiconducting material and a high electrical conductivity layer formed on a top surface of the plate and integral with the plate. The high electrical conductivity layer has a lower electrical resistance than the semiconducting material of the plate. The electrode includes a distribution of through-holes. Each through-hole extends through an entire thickness of the electrode from a top surface of the high electrical conductivity layer to a bottom surface of the plate. In some embodiments, the plate can be formed of a silicon material and the high electrical conductivity layer can be a silicide material formed from the silicon material of the plate.

Abstract: A wafer transport assembly includes a first wafer transport module and a second wafer transport module. A buffer module, arranged between the first wafer transport module and the second wafer transport module, includes a first buffer stack and a second buffer stack. Outer sides of the first wafer transport module are coupled to first and second process modules, respectively, and outer sides of the second wafer transport module are coupled to third and fourth process modules, respectively. The first wafer transport module, the second wafer transport module, and the buffer module define a continuous wafer transport volume providing a controlled environment within the wafer transport assembly.

Abstract: Antenna switch diversity circuitry can include four switches. A first switch can be connectable to a first transmitter, a first receiver, and a second receiver. A second switch can be connectable to a second transmitter, a third receiver, and a fourth receiver. A third switch can be directly connected to the first switch, the second switch, a first antenna, and a second antenna. A fourth switch directly can be connected to the first switch, the second switch, a third antenna, and a fourth antenna. The first and second switches can be configured to be controlled by a control signal in a manner so as to prevent a signal from the first transmitter and a signal from the second transmitter from being conveyed through a same switch, which can reduce a production of an intermodulation distortion signal by the signal from the first transmitter and the signal from the second transmitter.

Abstract: Antenna switch diversity circuitry can include four switches. A first switch can be connectable to a first transmitter, a first receiver, and a second receiver. A second switch can be connectable to a second transmitter, a third receiver, and a fourth receiver. A third switch can be directly connected to the first switch, the second switch, a first antenna, and a second antenna. A fourth switch directly can be connected to the first switch, the second switch, a third antenna, and a fourth antenna. The first and second switches can be configured to be controlled by a control signal in a manner so as to prevent a signal from the first transmitter and a signal from the second transmitter from being conveyed through a same switch, which can reduce a production of an intermodulation distortion signal by the signal from the first transmitter and the signal from the second transmitter.