Abstract: A photoresist vapor deposition system includes: a vacuum chamber having a heating element and cooled chuck for holding a substrate, the vacuum chamber having a heated inlet; and a vapor deposition system connected to the heated inlet for volatilizing a precursor into the vacuum chamber for condensing a photoresist over the substrate cooled by the cooled chuck. The deposition system creates a semiconductor wafer system that includes: a semiconductor wafer; and a vapor deposited photoresist over the semiconductor wafer. An extreme ultraviolet lithography system requiring the semiconductor wafer system includes: an extreme ultraviolet light source; a mirror for directing light from the extreme ultraviolet light source; a reticle stage for imaging the light from the extreme ultraviolet light source; and a wafer stage for placing a semiconductor wafer with a vapor deposited photoresist.

Abstract: A photoresist vapor deposition system includes: a vacuum chamber having a heating element and cooled chuck for holding a substrate, the vacuum chamber having a heated inlet; and a vapor deposition system connected to the heated inlet for volatilizing a precursor into the vacuum chamber for condensing a photoresist over the substrate cooled by the cooled chuck. The deposition system creates a semiconductor wafer system that includes: a semiconductor wafer; and a vapor deposited photoresist over the semiconductor wafer. An extreme ultraviolet lithography system requiring the semiconductor wafer system includes: an extreme ultraviolet light source; a mirror for directing light from the extreme ultraviolet light source; a reticle stage for imaging the light from the extreme ultraviolet light source; and a wafer stage for placing a semiconductor wafer with a vapor deposited photoresist.

Abstract: A photoresist vapor deposition system includes: a vacuum chamber having a heating element and cooled chuck for holding a substrate, the vacuum chamber having a heated inlet; and a vapor deposition system connected to the heated inlet for volatilizing a precursor into the vacuum chamber for condensing a photoresist over the substrate cooled by the cooled chuck. The deposition system creates a semiconductor wafer system that includes: a semiconductor wafer; and a vapor deposited photoresist over the semiconductor wafer. An extreme ultraviolet lithography system requiring the semiconductor wafer system includes: an extreme ultraviolet light source; a mirror for directing light from the extreme ultraviolet light source; a reticle stage for imaging the light from the extreme ultraviolet light source; and a wafer stage for placing a semiconductor wafer with a vapor deposited photoresist.

Abstract: Provided are methods of depositing hafnium or zirconium containing metal alloy films. Certain methods comprise sequentially exposing a substrate surface to alternating flows of an organometallic precursor and a reductant comprising M(BH4)4 to produce a metal alloy film on the substrate surface, wherein M is selected from hafnium and zirconium, and the organometallic precursor contains a metal N. Gate stacks are described comprising a copper barrier layer comprising boron, a first metal M selected from Hf and Zr, and a second metal N selected from tantalum, tungsten, copper, ruthenium, rhodium, cobalt and nickel; and a copper layer overlying the copper barrier seed layer.

Abstract: A photoresist vapor deposition system includes: a vacuum chamber having a heating element and cooled chuck for holding a substrate, the vacuum chamber having a heated inlet; and a vapor deposition system connected to the heated inlet for volatilizing a precursor into the vacuum chamber for condensing a photoresist over the substrate cooled by the cooled chuck. The deposition system creates a semiconductor wafer system that includes: a semiconductor wafer; and a vapor deposited photoresist over the semiconductor wafer. An extreme ultraviolet lithography system requiring the semiconductor wafer system includes: an extreme ultraviolet light source; a mirror for directing light from the extreme ultraviolet light source; a reticle stage for imaging the light from the extreme ultraviolet light source; and a wafer stage for placing a semiconductor wafer with a vapor deposited photoresist.

Abstract: Provided are processes for the low temperature deposition of silicon-containing films using activated SiH-containing precursors. The SiH-containing precursors may have reactive functionality such as halogen or cyano moieties. Described are processes in which halogenated or cyanated silanes are used to deposit SiN films. Plasma processing conditions can be used to adjust the carbon, hydrogen and/or nitrogen content of the films.

Abstract: Provided are methods of depositing hafnium or zirconium containing metal alloy films. Certain methods comprise sequentially exposing a substrate surface to alternating flows of an organometallic precursor and a reductant comprising M(BH4)4 to produce a metal alloy film on the substrate surface, wherein M is selected from hafnium and zirconium, and the organometallic precursor contains a metal N. Gate stacks are described comprising a copper barrier layer comprising boron, a first metal M selected from Hf and Zr, and a second metal N selected from tantalum, tungsten, copper, ruthenium, rhodium, cobalt and nickel; and a copper layer overlying the copper barrier seed layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention also generally provide a solar cell formation process that includes the formation of metal contacts over heavily doped regions that are formed in a desired pattern on a surface of a substrate. Embodiments of the invention also provide an inspection system and supporting hardware that is used to reliably position a similarly shaped, or patterned, metal contact structure on the patterned heavily doped regions to allow an Ohmic contact to be made. The metal contact structure, such as fingers and busbars, are formed on the heavily doped regions so that a high quality electrical connection can be formed between these two regions.

Abstract: Provided are processes for the low temperature deposition of silicon-containing films using carbosilane precursors containing a carbon atom bridging at least two silicon atoms. Certain methods comprise providing a substrate; in a PECVD process, exposing the substrate surface to a carbosilane precursor containing at least one carbon atom bridging at least two silicon atoms; exposing the carbosilane precursor to a low-powered energy sourcedirect plasma to provide a carbosilane at the substrate surface; and densifying the carbosilanestripping away at least some of the hydrogen atoms to provide a film comprising SiC. The SiC film may be exposed to the carbosilane surface to a nitrogen source to provide a film comprising SiCN.

Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatus for low temperature atomic layer deposition of a densified film. A low temperature film is formed and densified by exposure to one or more of a plasma or radical species. The resulting densified film has superior properties to low temperature films formed without densification.

Abstract: Methods for forming photoresists sensitive to radiation on substrate are provided. Atomic layer deposition methods of forming films (e.g., silicon-containing films) photoresists are described. The process can be repeated multiple times to deposit a plurality of silicon photoresist layers. Process of depositing photoresist and forming patterns in photoresist are also disclosed which utilize carbon containing underlayers such as amorphous carbon layers.

Abstract: Methods for forming photoresists sensitive to radiation on a substrate are provided. Described are chemical vapor deposition methods of forming films (e.g., silicon-containing films) as photoresists using a plasma which may be exposed to radiation to form a pattern. The deposition methods utilize precursors with cross-linkable moieties that will cross-link upon exposure to radiation. Radiation may be carried out in the with or without the presence of oxygen. Exposed or unexposed areas may then be developed in an aqueous base developer.

Abstract: Methods for deposition of silicon carbide films on a substrate surface are provided. The methods include the use of vapor phase carbosilane precursors and may employ plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition processes. The methods may be carried out at temperatures less than 600° C., for example between about 23° C. and about 200° C. or at about 100° C. This silicon carbide layer may then be densified to remove hydrogen content. Additionally, the silicon carbide layer may be exposed to a nitrogen source to provide reactive N—H groups, which can then be used to continue film deposition using other methods. Plasma processing conditions can be used to adjust the carbon, hydrogen and/or nitrogen content of the films.

Abstract: Provided are low temperature methods of depositing hafnium or zirconium containing films using a Hf(BH4)4 precursor, or Zr(BH4)4 precursor, respectively, as well as a co-reactant. The co-reactant can be selected to obtain certain film compositions. Co-reactants comprising an oxidant can be used to deposit oxygen into the film. Accordingly, also provided are films comprising a metal, boron and oxygen, wherein the metal comprises hafnium where a Hf(BH4)4 precursor is used, or zirconium, where a Zr(BH4)4 precursor is used.

Abstract: Provided methods of etching and/or patterning films. Certain methods comprise exposing at least part of a film on a substrate, the film comprising one or more of HfO2, HfBxOy, ZrO2, ZrBxOy, to a plasma comprising BCl3 and argon to etch away said at least part of the film. Certain other methods relate to patterning substrates using said methods of etching films.

Abstract: Provided are processes for the low temperature deposition of silicon-containing films using activated SiH-containing precursors. The SiH-containing precursors may have reactive functionality such as halogen or cyano moieties. Described are processes in which halogenated or cyanated silanes are used to deposit SiN films. Plasma processing conditions can be used to adjust the carbon, hydrogen and/or nitrogen content of the films.

Abstract: Provided are processes for the low temperature deposition of silicon-containing films using carbosilane precursors containing a carbon atom bridging at least two silicon atoms. Certain methods comprise providing a substrate; in a PECVD process, exposing the substrate surface to a carbosilane precursor containing at least one carbon atom bridging at least two silicon atoms; exposing the carbosilane precursor to a low-powered energy sourcedirect plasma to provide a carbosilane at the substrate surface; and densifying the carbosilanestripping away at least some of the hydrogen atoms to provide a film comprising SiC. The SiC film may be exposed to the carbosilane surface to a nitrogen source to provide a film comprising SiCN.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods for forming conductive materials within contact features on a substrate by depositing a seed layer within a feature and subsequently filling the feature with a copper-containing material during an electroless deposition process. In one example, a copper electroless deposition solution contains levelers to form convexed or concaved copper surfaces. In another example, a seed layer is selectively deposited on the bottom surface of the aperture while leaving the sidewalls substantially free of the seed material during a collimated PVD process. In another example, the seed layer is conformably deposited by a PVD process and subsequently, a portion of the seed layer and the underlayer are plasma etched to expose an underlying contact surface. In another example, a ruthenium seed layer is formed on an exposed contact surface by an ALD process utilizing the chemical precursor ruthenium tetroxide.

Abstract: Embodiments as described herein provide methods for depositing a material on a substrate during electroless deposition processes, as well as compositions of the electroless deposition solutions. In one embodiment, the substrate contains a contact aperture having an exposed silicon contact surface. In another embodiment, the substrate contains a contact aperture having an exposed silicide contact surface. The apertures are filled with a metal contact material by exposing the substrate to an electroless deposition process. The metal contact material may contain a cobalt material, a nickel material, or alloys thereof. Prior to filling the apertures, the substrate may be exposed to a variety of pretreatment processes, such as preclean processes and activations processes. A preclean process may remove organic residues, native oxides, and other contaminants during a wet clean process or a plasma etch process. Embodiments of the process also provide the deposition of additional layers, such as a capping layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention contemplate the formation of a high efficiency solar cell using a novel processing sequence to form a solar cell device. In one embodiment, the methods include forming a doping layer on a back surface of a substrate, heating the doping layer and substrate to cause the doping layer diffuse into the back surface of the substrate, texturing a front surface of the substrate after heating the doping layer and the substrate, forming a dielectric layer on the back surface of the substrate, removing portions of the dielectric layer from the back surface to from a plurality of exposed regions of the substrate, and depositing a metal layer over the back surface of the substrate, wherein the metal layer is in electrical communication with at least one of the plurality of exposed regions on the substrate, and at least one of the exposed regions has dopant atoms provided from the doping layer.