Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a metrology system. In one example, a metrology system includes a laser source adapted to transmit a light beam, a lens adapted to receive at least a portion of the light beam from the laser source, a first beam splitter positioned to receive at least the portion of the light beam passing through the lens, a first beam displacing device adapted to cause a portion of the light beam received from the beam splitter to be split into two or more sub-light beams a first recording device having a detection surface, and a first polarizer that is positioned between the first displacing device and the first recording device, wherein the first polarizer is configured to cause the two or more sub-light beams provided from the first displacing device to form an interference pattern on the detection surface of the first recording device.

Abstract: In some examples, portable electronic device sales, provisioning, and user care may include authenticating a user associated with a user portable electronic device. A user portable electronic device connector may be used to communicatively connect to a portable electronic device receptacle of the user portable electronic device, and transfer data and/or configurations associated with the user portable electronic device to a data storage. Options to purchase a new portable electronic device may be displayed. Selection of a new portable electronic device may be received from a display of at least one new portable electronic device, and the selected new portable electronic device may be configured by transferring, from the data storage, the data and/or the configurations associated with the user portable electronic device to the selected new portable electronic device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of dimension control and monitoring between a processes fixture and a susceptor, and position determination of wafers are described.

Abstract: In some examples, portable electronic device sales, provisioning, and user care may include authenticating a user associated with a user portable electronic device. A user portable electronic device connector may be used to communicatively connect to a portable electronic device receptacle of the user portable electronic device, and transfer data and/or configurations associated with the user portable electronic device to a data storage. Options to purchase a new portable electronic device may be displayed. Selection of a new portable electronic device may be received from a display of at least one new portable electronic device, and the selected new portable electronic device may be configured by transferring, from the data storage, the data and/or the configurations associated with the user portable electronic device to the selected new portable electronic device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for dicing substrates by both laser scribing and plasma etching. A method includes laser ablating material layers, the ablating by a laser beam with a centrally peaked spatial power profile to form an ablated trench in the substrate below thin film device layers which is positively sloped. In an embodiment, a femtosecond laser forms a positively sloped ablation profile which facilitates vertically-oriented propagation of microcracks in the substrate at the ablated trench bottom. With minimal lateral runout of microcracks, a subsequent anisotropic plasma etch removes the microcracks for a cleanly singulated chip with good reliability.

Abstract: In some examples, portable electronic device sales, provisioning, and user care may include authenticating a user associated with a user portable electronic device. A user portable electronic device connector may be used to communicatively connect to a portable electronic device receptacle of the user portable electronic device, and transfer data and/or configurations associated with the user portable electronic device to a data storage. Options to purchase a new portable electronic device may be displayed. Selection of a new portable electronic device may be received from a display of at least one new portable electronic device, and the selected new portable electronic device may be configured by transferring, from the data storage, the data and/or the configurations associated with the user portable electronic device to the selected new portable electronic device.

Abstract: A method of processing a substrate according to a PECVD process is described. Temperature profile of the substrate is adjusted to change deposition rate profile across the substrate. Plasma density profile is adjusted to change deposition rate profile across the substrate. Chamber surfaces exposed to the plasma are heated to improve plasma density uniformity and reduce formation of low quality deposits on chamber surfaces. In situ metrology may be used to monitor progress of a deposition process and trigger control actions involving substrate temperature profile, plasma density profile, pressure, temperature, and flow of reactants.

Abstract: A method of processing a substrate according to a PECVD process is described. Temperature profile of the substrate is adjusted to change deposition rate profile across the substrate. Plasma density profile is adjusted to change deposition rate profile across the substrate. Chamber surfaces exposed to the plasma are heated to improve plasma density uniformity and reduce formation of low quality deposits on chamber surfaces. In situ metrology may be used to monitor progress of a deposition process and trigger control actions involving substrate temperature profile, plasma density profile, pressure, temperature, and flow of reactants.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of processing a substrate according to a PECVD process is described. Temperature profile of the substrate is adjusted to change deposition rate profile across the substrate. Plasma density profile is adjusted to change deposition rate profile across the substrate. Chamber surfaces exposed to the plasma are heated to improve plasma density uniformity and reduce formation of low quality deposits on chamber surfaces. In situ metrology may be used to monitor progress of a deposition process and trigger control actions involving substrate temperature profile, plasma density profile, pressure, temperature, and flow of reactants.

Abstract: A monitoring and deposition control system and method of operation thereof including: a deposition chamber for depositing a material layer on a substrate; a sensor array for monitoring deposition of the material layer for changes in a layer thickness of the material layer during deposition; and a processing unit for adjusting deposition parameters based on the changes in the layer thickness during deposition.

Abstract: A method of processing a substrate according to a PECVD process is described. Temperature profile of the substrate is adjusted to change deposition rate profile across the substrate. Plasma density profile is adjusted to change deposition rate profile across the substrate. Chamber surfaces exposed to the plasma are heated to improve plasma density uniformity and reduce formation of low quality deposits on chamber surfaces. In situ metrology may be used to monitor progress of a deposition process and trigger control actions involving substrate temperature profile, plasma density profile, pressure, temperature, and flow of reactants.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and methods for detecting an endpoint for a cleaning process. In one example, a method of determining a cleaning endpoint includes performing a cleaning process in a plasma processing chamber, directing an optical signal to a surface of a shadow frame during the cleaning process, collecting a return reflected optical signal reflected from the surface of the shadow frame, determining a change of reflectance intensity of the return reflected optical signal as collected, and determining an endpoint of the cleaning process based on the change of the reflected intensity. In another example, an apparatus for performing a plasma process and a cleaning process after the plasma process includes an optical monitoring system coupled to a processing chamber, the optical monitoring system configured to direct an optical beam light to a surface of a shadow frame disposed in the processing chamber.

Abstract: A monitoring and deposition control system and method of operation thereof including: a deposition chamber for depositing a material layer on a substrate; a sensor array for monitoring deposition of the material layer for changes in a layer thickness of the material layer during deposition; and a processing unit for adjusting deposition parameters based on the changes in the layer thickness during deposition.

Abstract: A method of processing a substrate according to a PECVD process is described. Temperature profile of the substrate is adjusted to change deposition rate profile across the substrate. Plasma density profile is adjusted to change deposition rate profile across the substrate. Chamber surfaces exposed to the plasma are heated to improve plasma density uniformity and reduce formation of low quality deposits on chamber surfaces. In situ metrology may be used to monitor progress of a deposition process and trigger control actions involving substrate temperature profile, plasma density profile, pressure, temperature, and flow of reactants.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide an integrated system for performing a measurement process and a lithographic overlay error correction process on a semiconductor substrate in a single processing system. In one embodiment, a processing system includes at least a load lock chamber, a transfer chamber coupled to the load lock chamber, an ion implantation processing chamber coupled to or in the transfer chamber, and a metrology tool coupled to the transfer chamber, wherein the metrology tool is adapted to obtain stress profile or an overlay error on a substrate disposed in the metrology tool.

Abstract: Methods of dicing substrates having a plurality of ICs. A method includes forming a multi-layered mask comprising a laser energy absorbing, non-photodefinable topcoat disposed over a water-soluble base layer disposed over the semiconductor substrate. Because the laser light absorbing material layer is non-photodefinable, material costs associated with conventional photo resist formulations may be avoided. The mask is direct-write patterned with a laser scribing process to provide a patterned mask with gaps. The patterning exposes regions of the substrate between the ICs. Absorption of the mask layer within the laser emission band (e.g., UV band and/or green band) promotes good scribe line quality. The substrate may then be plasma etched through the gaps in the patterned mask to singulate the IC with the mask protecting the ICs during the plasma etch. The soluble base layer of the mask may then be dissolved subsequent to singulation, facilitating removal of the layer.

Abstract: A method of processing a substrate according to a PECVD process is described. Temperature profile of the substrate is adjusted to change deposition rate profile across the substrate. Plasma density profile is adjusted to change deposition rate profile across the substrate. Chamber surfaces exposed to the plasma are heated to improve plasma density uniformity and reduce formation of low quality deposits on chamber surfaces. In situ metrology may be used to monitor progress of a deposition process and trigger control actions involving substrate temperature profile, plasma density profile, pressure, temperature, and flow of reactants.

Abstract: A substrate cleaning apparatus may include a substrate support having a support surface to support a substrate to be cleaned, wherein the substrate support is rotatable about a central axis normal to the support surface; a first nozzle to provide a first cleaning gas to a region of the inner volume corresponding to the position of an edge of the substrate when the substrate is supported by the support surface of the substrate support; a first annular body disposed opposite and spaced apart from the support surface of the substrate support by a gap, the first annular body having a central opening defined by an inner wall shaped to provide a reducing size of the gap between the first annular body and the support surface in a radially outward direction; and a first gas inlet to provide a first gas to the central opening of the first annular body.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to apparatus and methods for forming films having uniformity of thickness on substrates. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be used to measure thickness or other properties of films being deposited on a substrate without knowing beforehand the surface properties of the substrate. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be used to measure thickness or other properties of a plurality of layers being formed. For example, embodiments of the present disclosure may be used in measuring thickness of vertical memory stacks.

Abstract: Methods and systems for alignment of substrate-scale masks are described. The alignment methods presented may improve the uniformity and repeatability of processes which are impacted by the relative lateral position of a substrate-scale mask and a substrate. The methods involve measuring the “overhang” of the substrate at multiple locations around the periphery of the substrate-scale mask. Based on the measurements, the relative position of the substrate relative to the substrate-scale mask is modified by adjustment of the substrate and/or mask position. The adjustment of the relative position is made in one adjustment in embodiments. A feature of hardware and methods involves the capability of making measurements and adjustments while a substrate processing system is fully assembled and possibly under vacuum.