Abstract: A method includes receiving first data associated with an equipment parameter. The first data is indicative of an equipment setting of a process tool of a plurality of process tools at a first manufacturing system. The method further includes providing the first data as input to a trained machine learning model. The trained machine learning model is trained using historical data pertaining to equipment parameters of the plurality of process tools at the first manufacturing system. The method further includes obtaining, as output of the trained machine learning model, a predicted value of a metric corresponding to the equipment parameter. The method further includes comparing the predicted value of the metric with the first data, and performing a corrective action based on the comparing.

Abstract: A post-etch structure resulting in the inverse of a sidewall spacer etch, i.e. removal of the spacer. A vertical portion of a film is removed while leaving horizontal portions substantially intact. A facet is left in the film in register with an upper corner formed by the vertical and horizontal portions of the underlying body.

Abstract: A process for etching silicon nitride from a multilayer structure which uses an etchant gas including a fluorocarbon gas, a hydrogen source, and a weak oxidant. A power source, such as an RF power source, is applied to the structure to control the directionality of the high density plasma formed by exciting the etchant gas. The power source that controls the directionality of the plasma is decoupled from the power source used to excite the etchant gas. The fluorocarbon gas is selected from CF.sub.4, C.sub.2 F.sub.6, and C.sub.3 F.sub.8 ; the hydrogen source is selected from CH.sub.2 F.sub.2, CH.sub.3 F, and H.sub.2 ; and the weak oxidant is selected from CO, CO.sub.2, and O.sub.2.

Abstract: A method of forming interlevel studs in an insulating layer on a semiconductor wafer. First, a conformal BPSG layer is formed on a Front End of the Line (FEOL) semiconductor structure. Vias are opened through the BPSG layer to the FEOL structure. A layer of poly is formed (deposited) on the BPSG layer, filling the vias. The poly layer may be insitu doped poly or implanted after it is deposited. The wafer is annealed to diffuse dopant from the poly to form diffusions wherever the poly contacts the substrate. A non-selective slurry of colloidal silica and at least 1% ammonium hydroxide is used to chem-mech polish the poly from the BPSG layer and, simultaneously, planarize the BPSG layer.

Abstract: A body is provided with a substantially horizontal surface and a substantially vertical surface. A film is formed on the body with a substantially horizontal portion on the substantially horizontal surface, a substantially vertical portion on the substantially vertical surface, and a corner region joining the substantially horizontal and substantially vertical portions. The corner region and the substantially vertical portion of the film are removed while the body and the substantially horizontal portion of the film are left substantially intact. A high density plasma with a fluorocarbon-based etching gas may be used to remove the vertical portion and corner region.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for depositing a conformal polymer coating on selected areas of a silicon substrate. The substrate is first exposed through a mask to a gaseous plasma so as to form a film of desired pattern, the plasma comprising a compound having strong electron donating characteristics. Then, the patterned film and the remaining substrate not covered by the film are exposed to the vapor of a monomer, which condenses and polymerizes on the exposed substrate surfaces, but not on the film. The film serves to inhibit substantial deposition of the coating, so as to provide a selective deposition, where the coating is formed only on those areas of the substrate where desired.