Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing methods may include providing one or more deposition precursors to a semiconductor processing chamber. A substrate may be disposed within a processing region of the semiconductor processing chamber. The methods may include depositing a silicon-containing material on the substrate and on one or more components of the semiconductor processing chamber. The methods may include providing a fluorine-containing precursor to the processing region. The fluorine-containing precursor may be plasma-free when provided to the processing region. The methods may include contacting the silicon-containing material on the one or more components of the semiconductor processing chamber with the fluorine-containing precursor. The methods may include removing at least a portion of the silicon-containing material on the one or more components of the semiconductor processing chamber with the fluorine-containing precursor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a process chamber for thermal processing is described herein. The process chamber is a dual process chamber and shares a chamber body. The chamber body includes a first and a second set of gas inject passages. The chamber body may also include a first and a second set of exhaust ports. The process chamber may have a shared gas panel and/or a shared exhaust conduit. The process chamber described herein enables for the processing of multiple substrates simultaneously with improved process gas flow and heat distribution.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure generally relate to a susceptor for thermal processing of semiconductor substrates. In one implementation, the susceptor includes a first rim surrounding and coupled to an inner region, and a second rim disposed between the inner rim and the first rim. The second rim includes an angled support surface having a plurality of cut-outs formed therein, and the angled support surface is inclined with respect to a top surface of the inner region.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure generally relate to a susceptor for thermal processing of semiconductor substrates. In one implementation, the susceptor includes a first rim surrounding and coupled to an inner region, and a second rim disposed between the inner rim and the first rim. The second rim includes an angled support surface having a plurality of cut-outs formed therein, and the angled support surface is inclined with respect to a top surface of the inner region.

Abstract: Systems and apparatus are disclosed for adjusting the temperature of at least a portion of the surface of a reaction chamber during a film formation process to control film properties. More than one portion of the chamber surface may be temperature-modulated.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods for removing contaminants and native oxides from substrate surfaces. The methods generally include exposing a substrate having an oxide layer thereon to an oxidizing source. The oxidizing source oxidizes an upper portion of the substrate beneath the oxide layer to form an oxide layer having an increased thickness. The oxide layer with the increased thickness is then removed to expose a clean surface of the substrate. The removal of the oxide layer generally includes removal of contaminants present in and on the oxide layer, especially those contaminants present at the interface of the oxide layer and the substrate. An epitaxial layer may then be formed on the clean surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods for removing contaminants and native oxides from substrate surfaces. The methods generally include exposing a substrate having an oxide layer thereon to an oxidizing source. The oxidizing source oxidizes an upper portion of the substrate beneath the oxide layer to form an oxide layer having an increased thickness. The oxide layer with the increased thickness is then removed to expose a clean surface of the substrate. The removal of the oxide layer generally includes removal of contaminants present in and on the oxide layer, especially those contaminants present at the interface of the oxide layer and the substrate. An epitaxial layer may then be formed on the clean surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the manufacture of semiconductor devices suitable for narrow pitch applications and methods of fabrication thereof are described herein. Disclosed are various single chambers configured to form and/or shape a material layer by oxidizing a surface of a material layer to form an oxide layer; removing at least some of the oxide layer by an etching process; and cyclically repeating the oxidizing and removing processes until the material layer is formed to a desired shape. In some embodiments, the material layer may be a floating gate of a semiconductor device.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for adjusting the temperature of at least a portion of the surface of a reaction chamber during a film formation process to control film properties. More than one portion of the chamber surface may be temperature-modulated, and may be accomplished by actively keeping the temperature of a first wall of the reaction chamber above the temperature of a second wall during the film formation process.

Abstract: Systems and apparatus are disclosed for adjusting the temperature of at least a portion of the surface of a reaction chamber during a film formation process to control film properties. More than one portion of the chamber surface may be temperature-modulated.

Abstract: A method of preparing a clean substrate surface for blanket or selective epitaxial deposition of silicon-containing and/or germanium-containing films. In addition, a method of growing the silicon-containing and/or germanium-containing films, where both the substrate cleaning method and the film growth method are carried out at a temperature below 750° C., and typically at a temperature from about 700° C. to about 500° C. The cleaning method and the film growth method employ the use of radiation having a wavelength ranging from about 310 nm to about 120 nm in the processing volume in which the silicon-containing film is grown. Use of this radiation in combination with particular partial pressure ranges for the reactive cleaning or film-forming component species enable the substrate cleaning and epitaxial film growth at temperatures below those previously known in the industry.

Abstract: A method of preparing a clean substrate surface for blanket or selective epitaxial deposition of silicon-containing and/or germanium-containing films. In addition, a method of growing the silicon-containing and/or germanium-containing films, where both the substrate cleaning method and the film growth method are carried out at a temperature below 750° C., and typically at a temperature from about 700° C. to about 500° C. The cleaning method and the film growth method employ the use of radiation having a wavelength ranging from about 310 nm to about 120 nm in the processing volume in which the silicon-containing film is grown. Use of this radiation in combination with particular partial pressure ranges for the reactive cleaning or film-forming component species enable the substrate cleaning and epitaxial film growth at temperatures below those previously known in the industry.

Abstract: A method of preparing a clean substrate surface for blanket or selective epitaxial deposition of silicon-containing and/or germanium-containing films. In addition, a method of growing the silicon-containing and/or germanium-containing films, where both the substrate cleaning method and the film growth method are carried out at a temperature below 750° C., and typically at a temperature from about 700° C. to about 500° C. The cleaning method and the film growth method employ the use of radiation having a wavelength ranging from about 310 nm to about 120 nm in the processing volume in which the silicon-containing film is grown. Use of this radiation in combination with particular partial pressure ranges for the reactive cleaning or film-forming component species enable the substrate cleaning and epitaxial film growth at temperatures below those previously known in the industry.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus are disclosed for adjusting the temperature of at least a portion of the surface of a reaction chamber during a film formation process to control film properties. More than one portion of the chamber surface may be temperature-modulated.

Abstract: A method of preparing a clean substrate surface for blanket or selective epitaxial deposition of silicon-containing and/or germanium-containing films. In addition, a method of growing the silicon-containing and/or germanium-containing films, where both the substrate cleaning method and the film growth method are carried out at a temperature below 750° C., and typically at a temperature from about 700° C. to about 500° C. The cleaning method and the film growth method employ the use of radiation having a wavelength ranging from about 310 nm to about 120 nm in the processing volume in which the silicon-containing film is grown. Use of this radiation in combination with particular partial pressure ranges for the reactive cleaning or film-forming component species enable the substrate cleaning and epitaxial film growth at temperatures below those previously known in the industry.

Abstract: A method of preparing a clean substrate surface for blanket or selective epitaxial deposition of silicon-containing and/or germanium-containing films. In addition, a method of growing the silicon-containing and/or germanium-containing films, where both the substrate cleaning method and the film growth method are carried out at a temperature below 750° C., and typically at a temperature from about 700° C. to about 500° C. The cleaning method and the film growth method employ the use of radiation having a wavelength ranging from about 310 nm to about 120 nm in the processing volume in which the silicon-containing film is grown. Use of this radiation in combination with particular partial pressure ranges for the reactive cleaning or film-forming component species enable the substrate cleaning and epitaxial film growth at temperatures below those previously known in the industry.