Abstract: Systematic and effective methodology to clean capacitively coupled plasma reactor electrodes and reduce surface roughness so that the cleaned electrodes meet surface contamination specifications and manufacturing yields are enhanced. Pre-cleaning of tools used in the cleaning process helps prevent contamination of the electrode being cleaned.

Abstract: Methods of removing metal contaminants from a component for a plasma processing apparatus are provided. The method includes cleaning a surface of the component with a cleaning liquid that includes at least one acid selected from oxalic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, citric acid, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Components of semiconductor processing apparatus comprise thermal sprayed yttria-containing coatings that provide erosion, corrosion and/or corrosion-erosion resistance in plasma atmospheres. The coatings can protect substrates from physical and/or chemical attack.

Abstract: Components of semiconductor processing apparatus comprise thermal sprayed yttria-containing coatings that provide erosion, corrosion and/or corrosion-erosion resistance in plasma atmospheres. The coatings can protect substrates from physical and/or chemical attack.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant component of semiconductor processing equipment such as a plasma chamber comprises zirconia toughened ceramic material as an outermost surface of the component. The component can be made entirely of the ceramic material or the ceramic material can be provided as a coating on a substrate such as aluminum or aluminum alloy, stainless steel, or refractory metal. The zirconia toughened ceramic can be tetragonal zirconia polycrystalline (TZP) material, partially-stabilized zirconia (PSZ), or a zirconia dispersion toughened ceramic (ZTC) such as zirconia-toughened alumina (tetragonal zirconia particles dispersed in Al2O3). In the case of a ceramic zirconia toughened coating, one or more intermediate layers may be provided between the component and the ceramic coating. To promote adhesion of the ceramic coating, the component surface or the intermediate layer surface may be subjected to a surface roughening treatment prior to depositing the ceramic coating.

Abstract: Methods of surface finishing a component useful for a plasma processing apparatus are provided. The component includes at least one plasma-exposed quartz glass surface. The method includes mechanically polishing, chemically etching and cleaning the plasma-exposed surface to achieve a desired surface morphology. Quartz glass sealing surfaces of the component also can be finished by the methods. Plasma-exposed surface and sealing surfaces of the same component can be finished to different surface morphologies from each other.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant component of a plasma chamber includes a liquid crystalline polymer. In a preferred embodiment, the liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) is provided on an aluminum component having an anodized or non-anodized surface. The liquid crystalline polymer can also be provided on an alumina component. The liquid crystalline polymer can be deposited by a method such as plasma spraying. The liquid crystalline polymer may also be provided as a preformed sheet or other shape adapted to cover the exposed surfaces of the reaction chamber. Additionally, the reactor components may be made entirely from liquid crystalline polymer by machining the component from a solid block of liquid crystalline polymer or molding the component from the polymer. The liquid crystalline polymer may contain reinforcing fillers such as glass or mineral fillers.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to remove chamber deposits between process operations is provided. The processing chamber includes a top electrode in communication with a power supply. A processing chamber defined within a base, a sidewall extending from the base, and a top disposed on the sidewall is provided. The processing chamber has an outlet enabling removal of fluids within the processing chamber. The processing chamber includes a substrate support and an inner surface of the processing chamber defined by the base, the sidewall and the top. The inner surface is coated with a fluorine containing polymer coating. The fluorine containing polymer coating is configured to release fluorine upon creation of an oxygen plasma in the processing chamber to remove a residue deposited on the fluorine containing polymer coating. The residue was deposited on the polymer coating from a processing operation performed in the processing chamber.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant component of semiconductor processing equipment such as a plasma chamber comprises a cerium oxide containing ceramic material as an outermost surface of the component. The cerium oxide containing ceramic material comprises one or more cerium oxides as the single largest constituent thereof. The component can be made entirely of the cerium oxide containing ceramic material or, alternatively, the cerium oxide containing ceramic can be provided as a layer on a substrate such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy, a ceramic material, stainless steel, or a refractory metal. The cerium oxide containing ceramic layer can be provided as a coating by a technique such as plasma spraying. One or more intermediate layers may be provided between the component and the cerium oxide containing ceramic coating.

Abstract: Methods of surface finishing a component useful for a plasma processing apparatus are provided. The component includes at least one plasma-exposed quartz glass surface. The method includes mechanically polishing, chemically etching and cleaning the plasma-exposed surface to achieve a desired surface morphology. Quartz glass sealing surfaces of the component also can be finished by the methods. Plasma-exposed surface and sealing surfaces of the same component can be finished to different surface morphologies from each other.

Abstract: A method for removing chamber deposits in between process operations in a semiconductor process chamber is provided. The method initiates with depositing a fluorine containing polymer layer over an inner surface of a semiconductor process chamber where the semiconductor chamber is empty. Then, a wafer is introduced into the semiconductor process chamber after depositing the fluorine containing polymer layer. Next, a process operation is performed on the wafer. The process operation deposits a residue on the fluorine containing polymer layer covering the inner surface of the semiconductor process chamber. Then, the wafer is removed from the semiconductor process chamber. Next, an oxygen based cleaning operation is performed. The oxygen based cleaning operation liberates fluorine from the fluorine containing polymer layer to remove a silicon based residue. An apparatus configured to remove chamber deposits between process operations is also provided.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant component of semiconductor processing equipment such as a plasma chamber includes a fullerene containing surface and process for manufacturing thereof.

Abstract: A method for removing chamber deposits in between process operations in a semiconductor process chamber is provided. The method initiates with depositing a fluorine containing polymer layer over an inner surface of a semiconductor process chamber where the semiconductor chamber is empty. Then, a wafer is introduced into the semiconductor process chamber after depositing the fluorine containing polymer layer. Next, a process operation is performed on the wafer. The process operation deposits a residue on the fluorine containing polymer layer covering the inner surface of the semiconductor process chamber. Then, the wafer is removed from the semiconductor process chamber. Next, an oxygen based cleaning operation is performed. The oxygen based cleaning operation liberates fluorine from the fluorine containing polymer layer to remove a silicon based residue. An apparatus configured to remove chamber deposits between process operations is also provided.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant component of semiconductor processing equipment such as a plasma chamber includes a boron nitride/yttria composite containing surface and process for manufacture thereof.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant component of semiconductor processing equipment such as a plasma chamber includes a boron nitride/yttria composite containing surface and process for manufacture thereof.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant component of semiconductor processing equipment such as a plasma chamber comprises zirconia toughened ceramic material as an outermost surface of the component. The component can be made entirely of the ceramic material or the ceramic material can be provided as a coating on a substrate such as aluminum or aluminum alloy, stainless steel, or refractory metal. The zirconia toughened ceramic can be tetragonal zirconia polycrystalline (TZP) material, partially-stabilized zirconia (PSZ), or a zirconia dispersion toughened ceramic (ZTC) such as zirconia-toughened alumina (tetragonal zirconia particles dispersed in Al2O3). In the case of a ceramic zirconia toughened coating, one or more intermediate layers may be provided between the component and the ceramic coating. To promote adhesion of the ceramic coating, the component surface or the intermediate layer surface may be subjected to a surface roughening treatment prior to depositing the ceramic coating.

Abstract: Components of semiconductor processing apparatus comprise thermal sprayed yttria-containing coatings that provide erosion, corrosion and/or corrosion-erosion resistance in plasma atmospheres. The coatings can protect substrates from physical and/or chemical attack.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant component of semiconductor processing equipment such as a plasma chamber comprises zirconia toughened ceramic material as an outermost surface of the component. The component can be made entirely of the ceramic material or the ceramic material can be provided as a coating on a substrate such as aluminum or aluminum alloy, stainless steel, or refractory metal. The zirconia toughened ceramic can be tetragonal zirconia polycrystalline (TZP) material, partially-stabilized zirconia (PSZ), or a zirconia dispersion toughened ceramic (ZTC) such as zirconia-toughened alumina (tetragonal zirconia particles dispersed in Al2O3). In the case of a ceramic zirconia toughened coating, one or more intermediate layers may be provided between the component and the ceramic coating. To promote adhesion of the ceramic coating, the component surface or the intermediate layer surface may be subjected to a surface roughening treatment prior to depositing the ceramic coating.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant component of semiconductor processing equipment such as a plasma chamber includes a boron nitride/yttria composite containing surface and process for manufacture thereof.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant component of semiconductor processing equipment such as a plasma chamber includes a diamond containing surface and process for manufacture thereof.