Abstract: Methods are disclosed of depositing a silicon oxide film on a substrate disposed in a substrate processing chamber. The substrate has a gap formed between adjacent raised surfaces. A first portion of the silicon oxide film is deposited over the substrate and within the gap using a high-density plasma process. Thereafter, a portion of the deposited first portion of the silicon oxide film is etched back. This includes flowing a halogen precursor through a first conduit from a halogen-precursor source to the substrate processing chamber, forming a high-density plasma from the halogen precursor, and terminating flowing the halogen precursor after the portion has been etched back. Thereafter, a halogen scavenger is flowed to the substrate processing chamber to react with residual halogen in the substrate processing chamber. Thereafter, a second portion of the silicon oxide film is deposited over the first portion of the silicon oxide film and within the gap using a high-density plasma process.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to implement techniques for monitoring polishing a substrate. Two or more data points are acquired, where each data point has a value affected by features inside a sensing region of a sensor and corresponds to a relative position of the substrate and the sensor as the sensing region traverses through the substrate. A set of reference points is used to modify the acquired data points. The modification compensates for distortions in the acquired data points caused by the sensing region traversing through the substrate. Based on the modified data points, a local property of the substrate is evaluated to monitor polishing.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for cleaning a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) chamber using cleaning gas energized to a plasma in a gas mixing volume separated by an electrode from a reaction volume of the chamber. In one embodiment, a source of RF power is coupled to a lid of the chamber, while a switch is used to couple a showerhead to ground terminals or the source of RF power.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for depositing a boride-containing barrier layer on a substrate is provided which includes exposing the substrate sequentially to a boron-containing compound and a metal precursor to form a first boride-containing layer during a first sequential chemisorption process and exposing the substrate to the boron-containing compound, the metal precursor, and a second precursor to form a second boride-containing layer on the first boride-containing layer during a second sequential chemisorption process. In one example, the metal precursor contains tungsten hexafluoride and the boron-containing compound contains diborane. In another embodiment, a contact layer is deposited over the second boride-containing layer. The contact layer may contain tungsten and be deposited by a chemical vapor deposition process. Alternatively, the contact layer may contain copper and be deposited by a physical vapor deposition process.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a method is provided for use during plasma processing. The first method includes the steps of (1) placing a substrate on a substrate holder of a plasma chamber; (2) positioning a cover frame adjacent and below a perimeter of the substrate; and (3) employing the cover frame to reduce arcing during plasma processing within the plasma chamber. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: Nano-porous low dielectric constant films are deposited utilizing materials having reactive by-products readily removed from a processing chamber by plasma cleaning. In accordance with one embodiment, an oxidizable silicon containing compound is reacted with an oxidizable non-silicon component having thermally labile groups, in a reactive oxygen ambient and in the presence of a plasma. The deposited silicon oxide film is annealed to form dispersed microscopic voids or pores that remain in the nano-porous silicon. Oxidizable non-silicon components with thermally labile groups that leave by-products readily removed from the chamber, include but are not limited to, limonene, carene, cymene, fenchone, vinyl acetate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl vinyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, furan, 2,5 Norbornadiene, cyclopentene, cyclopentene oxide, methyl cyclopentene, 2-cyclopentene-1-one, and 1-butene.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for depositing a boride-containing barrier layer on a substrate is provided which includes exposing the substrate sequentially to a boron-containing compound and a tungsten precursor to form a first boride-containing layer during a first sequential chemisorption process, and exposing the substrate to the boron-containing compound, the tungsten precursor, and ammonia to form a second boride-containing layer over the first boride-containing layer during a second sequential chemisorption process. In one example, the tungsten precursor contains tungsten hexafluoride and the boron-containing compound contains diborane. In another embodiment, a contact layer is deposited over the second boride-containing layer. The contact layer may contain tungsten and be deposited by a chemical vapor deposition process. Alternatively, the contact layer may contain copper and be deposited by a physical vapor deposition process.

Abstract: Methods for forming silicon nitride hard masks are provided. The silicon nitride hard masks include carbon-doped silicon nitride layers and undoped silicon nitride layers. Carbon-doped silicon nitride layers that are deposited from a mixture comprising a carbon source compound, a silicon source compound, and a nitrogen source in the presence of RF power are provided. Also provided are methods of UV post-treating silicon nitride layers to provide silicon nitride hard masks. The carbon-doped silicon nitride layers and UV post-treated silicon nitride layers have desirable wet etch rates and dry etch rates for hard mask layers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a backside contact of a semiconductor component, in particular, of a solar cell, comprising a metallic layer on the backside of a substrate in a vacuum treatment chamber, and the use of a vacuum treatment system for performing said method. Through this method and its use, in particular silicon based solar cells, can be provided with a back contact in a simple manner in a continuous process sequence, wherein the process sequence can be provided particularly efficient and economical, since no handling systems for rotating the substrate are required, and in particular silk screening steps can be dispensed with.

Abstract: Methods of curing a silicon oxide layer on a substrate are provided. The methods may include the processes of providing a semiconductor processing chamber and a substrate and forming an silicon oxide layer overlying at least a portion of the substrate, the silicon oxide layer including carbon species as a byproduct of formation. The methods may also include introducing an acidic vapor into the semiconductor processing chamber, the acidic vapor reacting with the silicon oxide layer to remove the carbon species from the silicon oxide layer. The methods may also include removing the acidic vapor from the semiconductor processing chamber. Systems to deposit a silicon oxide layer on a substrate are also described.

Abstract: A cleaning process for recovering an anodized aluminum part is particularly useful when the part has been exposed to a fluorine-containing plasma in etch reactor. The part is bathed in an agitated solution of a fluoride acid, such as ammonium fluoride, which converts aluminum fluoride to a soluble fluoride. The part is rinsed in water. The pores of the cleaned anodization may be resealed by a submerging the part in hot agitated deionized water.

Abstract: A silicon-on-insulator transfer wafer having a front surface with a circumferential lip around a circular recess is polished. In one version, the circular recess on the front surface of the wafer is masked by filling the recess with spin-on-glass. The front surface of the wafer is exposed to an etchant to preferentially etch away the circumferential lip, while the circular recess is masked by the spin-on-glass. The spin-on glass is removed, and the front surface of the transfer wafer is polished. Other methods of removing the circumferential lip include applying a higher pressure to the circumferential lip in a polishing process, and directing a pressurized fluid jet at the base of the circumferential lip.

Abstract: A method of controlling a plasma processing according to trajectories connecting start and stop values of parameters controlling the plasma processing, for example, gas flow and power supplied to generate the plasma. The trajectories maybe based on equations including at least time as a variable. At set times within the processing, the values of the parameters are updated according to the predetermined trajectories. Sensors associated with the chamber may also adjust the trajectories, provide variables to the equations, and/or define the trajectories.

Abstract: Methods of depositing a dielectric layer in a gap formed on a substrate are described. The methods include introducing an organo-silicon precursor and an oxygen precursor to a deposition chamber. The organo-silicon precursor has a C:Si atom ratio of less than 8, and the oxygen precursor comprises atomic oxygen that is generated outside the deposition chamber. The precursors are reacted to form the dielectric layer in the gap. Methods of filling gaps with dielectric materials are also described. These methods include providing an organo-silicon precursor having a C:Si atom ratio of less than 8 and an oxygen precursor, and generating a plasma from the precursors to deposit a first portion of the dielectric material in the gap. The dielectric material may be etched, and a second portion of dielectric material may be formed in the gap. The first and second portions of the dielectric material may be annealed.

Abstract: The method involves detecting a first signal characterized by a periodically occurring first event, detecting a second signal characterized by a periodically occurring second event, and based on both the detected first and second signals, generating a third signal characterized by a periodically occurring third event. The method also involves automatically adjusting the phase of the third signal so that the periodically occurring third event occurs at a predetermined location between the first and second events of the first and second signals.

Abstract: A carrier head for chemical mechanical polishing is described. The carrier head includes a backing assembly, a housing and a damping material. The backing assembly includes a substrate support surface. The housing is connectable to a drive shaft to rotate with the drive shaft about a rotation axis. In one implementation, the damping material is in a load path between the backing assembly and the housing to reduce transmission of vibrations from the backing assembly to the housing.

Abstract: A cascaded image intensifier device is presented. In one embodiment the device comprises: at least two sections in cascade, each of a first section and a last section out of the at least two sections including a photocathode unit adapted to convert photons to electrons and a screen unit adapted to convert electrons to photons; wherein the first section includes a reducing element adapted to: (i) reduce ion-caused degradation of a photocathode unit of the first section, and (ii) reduce a number of photons exiting from the first section from a first value to a second value; and wherein the last section outputs a number of photons that equals or exceeds the first value. Also disclosed are methods and systems using the disclosed cascaded image intensifier device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting the surface of articles, such as chips and wafers, for defects, includes a first phase of optically examining the complete surface of the article inspected at a relatively high speed and with a relatively low spatial resolution, and a second phase of optically examining with a relatively high spatial resolution only the suspected locations for the presence or absence of a defect therein.

Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus for sealing a substrate transfer passage in a chamber are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus for sealing a substrate transfer passage in a chamber includes an elongated door member having a concave sealing face coupled to an actuator by a flexible coupling. The flexible coupling configured to allow movement of the door member relative to the lever arm in at least two planes.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a substrate positioning system includes a plurality of pushers arranged in a spaced relation about a stage adapted to support a substrate. Each pusher is adapted to assume a retracted position so as to permit the substrate to be loaded onto and unloaded from the stage, extend toward an edge of the substrate that is supported by the stage, contact the edge of the substrate, and continue extending so as to cause the substrate to move relative to the stage until the substrate is calibrated to the stage. Numerous other aspects are provided.