Abstract: In one embodiment, a susceptor for thermal processing is provided. The susceptor includes an outer rim surrounding and coupled to an inner dish, the outer rim having an inner edge and an outer edge. The susceptor further includes one or more structures for reducing a contacting surface area between a substrate and the susceptor when the substrate is supported by the susceptor. At least one of the one or more structures is coupled to the inner dish proximate the inner edge of the outer rim.

Abstract: A method for processing a substrate within a processing chamber comprises receiving a first radiation signal corresponding to a film on a target element disposed within the processing chamber, analyzing the first radiation signal, and controlling the processing of the substrate based on the analyzed first radiation signal. The processing chamber includes a substrate support configured to support the substrate within a processing volume and a controller coupled to a first sensing device configured to receive the first radiation signal.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to chamber liners with a multi-piece design for use in processing chambers. The multi-piece design can have an inner portion and an outer portion. A portion of the inner surface of the outer portion may be designed to be in contact with the outer surface of the inner portion at a single junction point, creating a thermal barrier between the inner portion and outer portion, thus reducing heat transfer from the inner portion and outer portion. The thermal barrier creates higher temperatures at the chamber liner inner surface and therefore leads to shorter heat up times within the chamber. Additionally, the thermal barrier also creates lower temperatures near the base ring and outer surface of the outer ring, thereby protecting the chamber walls and requiring less thermal regulation/dissipation at the chamber walls.

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: Methods and apparatus disclosed herein generally relate to lamp heating of process chambers used to process semiconductor substrates. More specifically, implementations disclosed herein relate to arrangement and control of lamps for heating of semiconductor substrates. In some implementations of the present disclosure, fine-tuning of temperature control is achieved by dividing different lamps within an array of lamps into various subgroups or lamp assemblies defined by a specific characteristic. These various subgroups may be based on characteristics such as lamp design and/or lamp positioning within the processing chamber.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a susceptor for thermal processing is provided. The susceptor includes an outer rim surrounding and coupled to an inner dish, the outer rim having an inner edge and an outer edge. The susceptor further includes one or more structures for reducing a contacting surface area between a substrate and the susceptor when the substrate is supported by the susceptor. At least one of the one or more structures is coupled to the inner dish proximate the inner edge of the outer rim.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a susceptor for thermal processing is provided. The susceptor includes an outer rim surrounding and coupled to an inner dish, the outer rim having an inner edge and an outer edge. The susceptor further includes one or more structures for reducing a contacting surface area between a substrate and the susceptor when the substrate is supported by the susceptor. At least one of the one or more structures is coupled to the inner dish proximate the inner edge of the outer rim.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing a substrate in a process chamber are provided here. In some embodiments, a gas injector for use in a process chamber includes a first set of outlet ports that provide an angled injection of a first process gas at an angle to a planar surface, and a second set of outlet ports proximate the first set of outlet ports that provide a pressurized laminar flow of a second process gas substantially along the planar surface, the planar surface extending normal to the second set of outlet ports.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting substrate misalignment (i.e., position displacement error) and/or substrate support misalignment. According to certain aspects, a method for detecting a misalignment of an object in a processing system is provided. The method generally includes obtaining a first image of the object, determining first values associated with pixels in at least one region of the first image, calculating at least one of a center of gravity value of the pixels in the at least one region or an average weight of the pixels in the at least one region, and detecting a misalignment of the object based on at least one of the calculated center of gravity or average weight of the pixels in the at least one region.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a susceptor is provided and includes a first major surface opposing a second major surface, and a plurality of contact structures disposed on the first major surface, each of the contact structures being at least partially surrounded by one or more of a plurality of radially oriented grooves and an annular groove, wherein each of the plurality of contact structures includes a substrate contact surface, each of the substrate contact surfaces is between two parallel planes separated by a distance of 0.1 millimeters, and the substrate contact surfaces define a substrate receiving surface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to susceptor support shafts and process chambers containing the same. A susceptor support shaft supports a susceptor thereon, which in turn, supports a substrate during processing. The susceptor support shaft reduces variations in temperature measurement of the susceptor and/or substrate by providing a consistent path for a pyrometer focal beam directed towards the susceptor and/or substrate, even when the susceptor support shaft is rotated. The susceptor support shafts also have a relatively low thermal mass which increases the ramp up and ramp down rates of a process chamber. In some embodiments, a custom made refractive element can be removably placed on the top of the solid disc to redistribute secondary heat distributions across the susceptor and/or substrate for optimum thickness uniformity of epitaxy process.

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: A method and apparatus for detecting substrate misalignment (i.e., position displacement error) and/or substrate support misalignment. According to certain aspects, a method for detecting a misalignment of an object in a processing system is provided. The method generally includes obtaining a first image of the object, determining first values associated with pixels in at least one region of the first image, calculating at least one of a center of gravity value of the pixels in the at least one region or an average weight of the pixels in the at least one region, and detecting a misalignment of the object based on at least one of the calculated center of gravity or average weight of the pixels in the at least one region.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a susceptor for a thermal processing chamber is provided. The susceptor includes a base having a front side and a back side made of a thermally conductive material opposite the front side, wherein the base includes a peripheral region surrounding a recessed area having a thickness that is less than a thickness of the peripheral region, and a plurality of raised features protruding from one or both of the front side and the back side.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a susceptor for thermal processing is provided. The susceptor includes an outer rim surrounding and coupled to an inner dish, the outer rim having an inner edge and an outer edge. The susceptor further includes one or more structures for reducing a contacting surface area between a substrate and the susceptor when the substrate is supported by the susceptor. At least one of the one or more structures is coupled to the inner dish proximate the inner edge of the outer rim.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to susceptor support shafts and process chambers containing the same. A susceptor support shaft supports a susceptor thereon, which in turn, supports a substrate during processing. The susceptor support shaft reduces variations in temperature measurement of the susceptor and/or substrate by providing a consistent path for a pyrometer focal beam directed towards the susceptor and/or substrate, even when the susceptor support shaft is rotated. The susceptor support shafts also have a relatively low thermal mass which increases the ramp up and ramp down rates of a process chamber. In some embodiments, a custom made refractive element can be removably placed on the top of the solid disc to redistribute secondary heat distributions across the susceptor and/or substrate for optimum thickness uniformity of epitaxy process.

Abstract: A pedestal positioning assembly system for use in a substrate processing system includes a pedestal rigidly attached to a pedestal shaft, a reference rigidly attached to the substrate processing system, a lateral adjustment assembly to adjust a lateral location of the pedestal relative to the reference, and a vertical adjustment assembly to adjust a tilt of the pedestal relative to the reference. The lateral adjustment assembly and the vertical adjustment assembly are external to a processing chamber and are coupled to the pedestal disposed within the processing chamber through the pedestal shaft. The reference can be a ring and the lateral adjustment assembly substantially centers the pedestal within the ring. A method of adjusting a pedestal includes leveling the pedestal, translating the pedestal, calibrating the pedestal height to a preheat ring level, and checking the level and location of the pedestal while rotating the pedestal.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing a substrate in a process chamber are provided here. In some embodiments, a gas injector for use in a process chamber includes a first set of outlet ports that provide an angled injection of a first process gas at an angle to a planar surface, and a second set of outlet ports proximate the first set of outlet ports that provide a pressurized laminar flow of a second process gas substantially along the planar surface, the planar surface extending normal to the second set of outlet ports.

Abstract: A substrate processing system includes an optical measurement assembly coupled to an exterior of a processing chamber that has a portion that is transparent. The processing chamber includes a reference object and a pedestal for supporting a work piece. The optical measurement assembly measures a lateral location, a height and a tilt of the pedestal by transmitting light into the processing chamber through the transparent portion of the processing chamber and detecting a reflected light from both the reference object and the portion of the pedestal after the reflected light leaves the chamber through the transparent portion of the processing chamber. A method of adjusting a pedestal includes analyzing the reflected light and leveling the pedestal, translating the pedestal, calibrating the pedestal height to a preheat ring level, and checking the level and location of the pedestal in response to the analyzed reflected light.

Abstract: A pedestal positioning assembly system for use in a substrate processing system includes a pedestal rigidly attached to a pedestal shaft, a reference rigidly attached to the substrate processing system, a lateral adjustment assembly to adjust a lateral location of the pedestal relative to the reference, and a vertical adjustment assembly to adjust a tilt of the pedestal relative to the reference. The lateral adjustment assembly and the vertical adjustment assembly are external to a processing chamber and are coupled to the pedestal disposed within the processing chamber through the pedestal shaft. The reference can be a ring and the lateral adjustment assembly substantially centers the pedestal within the ring. A method of adjusting a pedestal includes leveling the pedestal, translating the pedestal, calibrating the pedestal height to a preheat ring level, and checking the level and location of the pedestal while rotating the pedestal.