Abstract: A plasma reactor includes a chamber body having an interior space that provides a plasma chamber, a gas distributor, a pump coupled to the plasma chamber, a workpiece support to hold a workpiece, an intra-chamber electrode assembly comprising a plurality of filaments extending laterally through the plasma chamber, each filament including a conductor surrounded by a cylindrical insulating shell, the plurality of filaments including a first multiplicity of filaments and a second multiplicity of filaments arranged in an alternating pattern with the first multiplicity of filaments, a first bus coupled to the first multiplicity of filaments and a second bus coupled to the second multiplicity of filaments, an RF power source to apply RF signal the intra-chamber electrode assembly, and at least one RF switch configured to controllably electrically couple and decouple the first bus from one of i) ground, ii) the RF power source, or iii) the second bus.

Abstract: Embodiments include a modular high-frequency emission source. In an embodiment, the modular high-frequency emission source includes a plurality of high-frequency emission modules, where each high-frequency emission module comprises and oscillator module, an amplification module, and an applicator. In an embodiment the oscillator module comprises a voltage control circuit and a voltage controlled oscillator. In an embodiment, the amplification module is coupled to the oscillator module. In an embodiment, the applicator is coupled to the amplification module. In an embodiment, each high-frequency emission module includes a different oscillator module.

Abstract: Gas distribution modules comprising a housing with an upper plenum and a lower plenum are described. One of the upper plenum and lower plenum is in fluid communication with an inlet and the other is in fluid communication with an outlet. A plurality of upper passages connects the upper plenum to the bottom of the housing to allow a flow of gas to pass through and be isolated from the first plenum.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the thermal uniformity of a substrate can control the thermal uniformity of the substrate to be more uniform or to be non-uniform. In some embodiments, an apparatus for controlling the thermal uniformity of a substrate includes: a substrate support having a support surface to support a substrate thereon. A flow path is disposed within the substrate support to flow a heat transfer fluid beneath the support surface. The flow path comprises a first portion and a second portion, each portion having a substantially equivalent axial length. The first portion is spaced about 2 mm to about 10 mm from the second portion. The first portion provides a flow of heat transfer fluid in a direction opposite a flow of heat transfer fluid of the second portion.

Abstract: Plasma source assemblies comprising an RF hot electrode having a body and at least one return electrode spaced from the RF hot electrode to provide a gap in which a plasma can be formed. An RF feed is connected to the RF hot electrode at a distance from the inner peripheral end of the RF hot electrode that is less than or equal to about 25% of the length of the RF hot electrode. The RF hot electrode can include a leg and optional triangular portion near the leg that extends at an angle to the body of the RF hot electrode. A cladding material on one or more of the RF hot electrode and the return electrode can be variably spaced or have variable properties along the length of the plasma gap.

Abstract: A heating module for use in a substrate processing chamber. The heating module having a housing with a heat source therein. The heating module can be part of a gas distribution assembly positioned above a susceptor assembly to heat the top surface of the susceptor and wafers directly. The heating module can have constant or variable power output. Processing chambers and methods of processing a wafer using the heating module are described.

Abstract: A plasma reactor includes a chamber body having an interior space that provides a plasma chamber, a gas distributor to deliver a processing gas to the plasma chamber, a workpiece support to hold a workpiece, an electrode assembly comprising a plurality of conductors spaced apart from and extending laterally across the workpiece support in a parallel coplanar array, a first RF power source to supply a first RF power to the electrode assembly, and a dielectric bottom plate between the electrode assembly and the workpiece support, the dielectric bottom plate providing an RF window between the electrode assembly and the plasma chamber.

Abstract: A plasma reactor includes a chamber body having an interior space that provides a plasma chamber, a gas distributor, a pump coupled to the plasma chamber, a workpiece support to hold a workpiece, an intra-chamber electrode assembly comprising a plurality of filaments extending laterally through the plasma chamber, each filament including a conductor surrounded by a cylindrical insulating shell, the plurality of filaments including a first multiplicity of filaments and a second multiplicity of filaments arranged in an alternating pattern with the first multiplicity of filaments, a first bus coupled to the first multiplicity of filaments and a second bus coupled to the second multiplicity of filaments, an RF power source to apply RF signal the intra-chamber electrode assembly, and at least one RF switch configured to controllably electrically couple and decouple the first bus from one of i) ground, ii) the RF power source, or iii) the second bus.

Abstract: Plasma source assemblies comprising an RF hot electrode having a body and at least one return electrode spaced from the RF hot electrode to provide a gap in which a plasma can be formed. An RF feed is connected to the RF hot electrode at a distance from the inner peripheral end of the RF hot electrode that is less than or equal to about 25% of the length of the RF hot electrode.

Abstract: Plasma source assemblies comprising a housing with an RF hot electrode and a return electrode are described. The housing includes a gas inlet and a front face defining a flow path. The RF hot electrode includes a first surface oriented substantially parallel to the flow path. The return electrode includes a first surface oriented substantially parallel to the flow path and spaced from the first surface of the RF hot electrode to form a gap. Processing chambers incorporating the plasma source assemblies and methods of using the plasma source assemblies are also described.

Abstract: A plasma reactor includes a chamber body having an interior space that provides a plasma chamber, a gas distributor to deliver a processing gas to the plasma chamber, a pump coupled to the plasma chamber to evacuate the chamber, a workpiece support to hold a workpiece, and an intra-chamber electrode assembly including a plurality of filaments extending laterally through the plasma chamber between a ceiling of the plasma chamber and the workpiece support. At least one bus is electrically connected to a conductor of each filament. An RF power source is configured to apply a first RF signal of a first frequency to the plurality of filaments at a first location on at least one bus, and to apply a second RF signal of different second frequency to the plurality of filaments at a different second location on the at least one bus.

Abstract: A plasma reactor includes a chamber body having an interior space that provides a plasma chamber, a gas distributor to deliver a processing gas to the plasma chamber, a pump coupled to the plasma chamber to evacuate the chamber, a workpiece support to hold a workpiece, an intra-chamber electrode assembly including a plurality of filaments extending laterally through the plasma chamber between a ceiling of the plasma chamber and the workpiece support, each filament including a conductor surrounded by a cylindrical insulating shell, and an RF power source configured to apply a first RF signal to at least some of the plurality of filaments, to apply a second RF signal of equal frequency to at least some of the plurality of filaments, and to modulate a phase offset between the first RF signal and the second RF signal.

Abstract: A plasma reactor includes a chamber body having an interior space that provides a plasma chamber, a gas distributor to deliver a processing gas to the plasma chamber, a pump coupled to the plasma chamber to evacuate the chamber, a workpiece support to hold a workpiece, and an intra-chamber electrode assembly that includes a plurality of filaments extending laterally through the plasma chamber between a ceiling of the plasma chamber and the workpiece support. Each filament including a conductor surrounded by a cylindrical insulating shell. The plurality of filaments includes a first multiplicity of filaments and a second multiplicity of filaments arranged in an alternating pattern with the first multiplicity of filaments. An RF power source is configured to apply a first RF input signal to the first multiplicity of filaments.

Abstract: A baffle assembly for an etching apparatus is disclosed. The baffle assembly comprises a ring and a lower baffle portion having a curved wall extending between a flange portion and a lower frame portion. A heating assembly may be present within the lower frame portion to control the temperature of the baffle. The baffle assembly may help confine the plasma within the processing space in the chamber. The ring may comprise silicon carbide and the lower baffle portion may comprise aluminum.

Abstract: Susceptor assemblies comprising a susceptor base and a plurality of pie-shaped skins thereon are described. A pie anchor can be positioned in the center of the susceptor base to hold the pie-shaped skins in place during processing.

Abstract: Plasma source assemblies comprising a housing with an RF hot electrode having a body and a plurality of source electrodes extending vertically from the RF hot electrode toward the opening in a front face of the housing are described. Processing chambers incorporating the plasma source assemblies and methods of using the plasma source assemblies are also described.

Abstract: A plasma source assembly for use with a processing chamber is described. The assembly includes a multi-feed RF power connection to a single or multiple RF hot electrodes.

Abstract: Embodiments of multi-substrate thermal management apparatus are provided herein. In some embodiments, a multi-substrate thermal management apparatus includes a plurality of plates vertically arranged above one another; a plurality of channels extending through each of the plurality of plates; a supply manifold including a supply channel coupled to the plurality of plates at first locations; and a return manifold including a return channel coupled to the plurality of plates via a plurality of legs at second locations, wherein the supply and return channels are fluidly coupled to the plurality of channels to flow a heat transfer fluid through the plurality of plates.

Abstract: Plasma source assemblies comprising a housing with an RF hot electrode and a return electrode are described. The housing includes a gas inlet and a front face defining a flow path. The RF hot electrode includes a first surface oriented substantially parallel to the flow path. The return electrode includes a first surface oriented substantially parallel to the flow path and spaced from the first surface of the RF hot electrode to form a gap. Processing chambers incorporating the plasma source assemblies and methods of using the plasma source assemblies are also described.

Abstract: A liner for a semiconductor processing chamber and a semiconductor processing chamber are provided. In one embodiment, a liner for a semiconductor processing chamber includes a body having an outwardly extending flange. A plurality of protrusions extend from a bottom surface of the flange. The protrusions have a bottom surface defining a contact area that is asymmetrically distributed around the bottom surface of the flange.