Abstract: Methods are provided of fabricating a nitride semiconductor structure. A group-III precursor and a nitrogen precursor are flowed into a processing chamber to deposit a first layer over one side of the substrate with a thermal chemical-vapor-deposition process. A second layer is similarly deposited over an opposite side of the substrate using the group-III precursor and the nitrogen precursor. The substrate is cooled after depositing the first and second layers without substantially deforming a shape of the substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide a substrate support assembly. In one embodiment, a substrate support assembly includes a substrate support plate, a thermal regulating plate coupled in a spaced-apart relation to the substrate support plate and a main actuator coupled in a spaced-apart relation to the thermal regulating plate. The main actuator is adapted to move the substrate support plate laterally. The substrate support assembly is configured to limit the thermal influence of the main actuator on a substrate positioned on the substrate support plate.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel cleaning method and a solution for use in a single wafer cleaning process. According to the present invention the cleaning solution comprises ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), water (H2O) and a chelating agent. In an embodiment of the present invention the cleaning solution also contains a surfactant. And still yet another embodiment of the present invention the cleaning solution also comprises a dissolved gas such as H2. In a particular embodiment of the present invention, this solution is used by spraying or dispensing it on a spinning wafer.

Abstract: A plasma reactor chamber is characterized by performing two steps for each one of plural selected chamber parameters. The first step consists of ramping the level of the one chamber parameter while sampling RF electrical parameters at an RF bias power input to said wafer support pedestal and computing from each sample of said RF electrical parameters the values of the plasma parameters. The second step consists of deducing, from the corresponding chamber parameter data generated in the first step, a single variable function for each of the plural plasma parameters having said one chamber parameter as an independent variable, and constructing combinations of these functions that are three variable functions having each of the chamber parameters as a variable.

Abstract: A method for scanning a surface, consisting of focusing an array of beams using optics having an axis, so as to irradiate a region of the surface intercepted by the axis, such that each beam irradiates a portion of a respective sub-region within the region. The method further includes moving at least one of the array and the surface so as to cause a translation of the surface relative to the axis in a first direction. During the translation in the first direction, each of the beams is scanned over the respective sub-region in a second direction, which is different from the first direction.

Abstract: A wafer carrier opener is provided. The wafer carrier opener may eliminate the use of two separate actuators by using a four-bar linkage mechanism. The wafer carrier opener includes a wafer carrier door receiver, a horizontally stationary member, and a link coupled between the wafer carrier door receiver and the horizontally stationary member so as to allow horizontal movement of the wafer carrier door receiver.

Abstract: We are able to reduce the average process bias in a patterned reticle by treating the developed, patterned photoresist which is used to transfer a pattern to the reticle with a silicon-containing reagent prior to the pattern transfer. The process bias is a measure of the difference between a nominal feature critical dimension (CD) produced in a patterned reticle and the nominal isofocal CD for the feature. Improvement of the average process bias is directly related to an improved resolution in the mask features. The reduction in average process bias achievable using the method of the invention typically ranges from about 30% to about 70%. This reduction in average process bias enables the printing of smaller features.

Abstract: A method for scanning a surface, consisting of focusing an array of optical beams using optics having an axis, so as to illuminate a region of the surface intercepted by the axis, such that each optical beam illuminates a portion of a respective sub-region within the region. The method further includes moving at least one of the array and the surface so as to cause a translation of the surface relative to the axis in a first direction. During the translation in the first direction, each of the optical beams is scanned over the respective sub-region in a second direction, which is different from the first direction.

Abstract: A method of forming and removing a sacrificial oxide layer is described. The method includes forming a step on a substrate, where the step has a top and sidewalls. The method may also include forming the sacrificial oxide layer around the step by chemical vapor deposition of molecular oxygen and TEOS, where the oxide layer is formed on the top and sidewalls of the step. The method may also include removing a top portion of the oxide layer and the step; removing a portion of the substrate exposed by the removal of the step to form a etched substrate; and removing the entire sacrificial oxide layer from the etched substrate.

Abstract: A method of improving pattern loading in a deposition of a silicon oxide film is described. The method may include providing a deposition substrate to a deposition chamber, and adjusting a temperature of the deposition substrate to about 250° C. to about 325° C. An ozone containing gas may be introduced to the deposition chamber at a first flow rate of about 1.5 slm to about 3 slm, where the ozone concentration in the gas is about 6% to about 12%, by wt. TEOS may also be introduced to the deposition chamber at a second flow rate of about 2500 mgm to about 4500 mgm. The deposition rate of the silicon oxide film is controlled by a reaction rate of a reaction of the ozone and TEOS at a deposition surface of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods, and apparatus for abating effluent from an electronic device manufacturing system using cogeneration. The invention includes a pump adapted to couple to a processing chamber and adapted to draw effluent from the processing chamber; a reaction chamber coupled to the pump and adapted to receive the effluent from the pump; and a turbine coupled to the reaction chamber and adapted to be driven by combustion gases from the reaction chamber. The turbine is adapted to generate power which is applied to operate the pump. Numerous additional aspects are disclosed.

Abstract: A structure having a number of traces passing through a region is evaluated by using a beam of electromagnetic radiation to illuminate the region, and generating an electrical signal that indicates an attribute of a portion (also called “reflected portion”) of the beam reflected from the region. The just-described acts of “illuminating” and “generating” are repeated in another region, followed by a comparison of the generated signals to identify variation of a property between the two regions. Such measurements can identify variations in material properties (or dimensions) between different regions in a single semiconductor wafer of the type used in fabrication of integrated circuit dice, or even between multiple such wafers. In one embodiment, the traces are each substantially parallel to and adjacent to the other, and the beam has wavelength greater than or equal to a pitch between at least two of the traces. In one implementation the beam is polarized, and can be used in several ways, including, e.g.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for forming a tungsten-containing material on a substrate is provided which includes forming a tungsten-containing layer by sequentially exposing a substrate to a processing gas and a tungsten-containing gas during an atomic layer deposition process, wherein the processing gas comprises a boron-containing gas and a nitrogen-containing gas, and forming a tungsten bulk layer over the tungsten-containing layer by exposing the substrate to a deposition gas comprising the tungsten-containing gas and a reactive precursor gas during a chemical vapor deposition process. In one example, the tungsten-containing layer and the tungsten bulk layer are deposited within the same processing chamber.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods for fabricating a silicon nitride stack on a semiconductor substrate are provided herein. In one embodiment, a method for fabricating a silicon nitride stack on a semiconductor substrate includes depositing a base layer including silicon nitride on the substrate using a first set of process conditions that selectively control the stress of the base layer; and depositing an upper layer including silicon nitride using a second set of process conditions that selectively control at least one of an oxidation resistance and a refractive index of the upper layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide a fluid processing chamber, sensors and a controller and method for using the same. The fluid processing chamber includes an inlet region, a processing region and an outlet region. The inlet region generally contains one or more sensors and an external controller to monitor the characteristics of the processing fluid at the inlet to the processing region. The outlet region generally contains one or more sensors and an external controller to monitor the characteristics of the processing fluid leaving the processing region of the chamber. In one embodiment the processing region contains one or more sensors and an external controller to monitor the characteristics of the processing fluid in the processing region. The sensors may include, for example, an ORP probe, a temperature sensor, a conductivity sensor, a dissolved hydrogen sensor, a dissolved oxygen sensor, and a pH sensor.

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: Methods are provided for depositing a silicon carbide layer having significantly reduced current leakage. The silicon carbide layer may be a barrier layer or part of a barrier bilayer that also includes a barrier layer. Methods for depositing oxygen-doped silicon carbide barrier layers are also provided. The silicon carbide layer may be deposited by reacting a gas mixture comprising an organosilicon compound, an aliphatic hydrocarbon comprising a carbon-carbon double bond or a carbon-carbon triple bond, and optionally, helium in a plasma. Alternatively, the silicon carbide layer may be deposited by reacting a gas mixture comprising hydrogen or argon and an organosilicon compound in a plasma.

Abstract: A method of processing a workpiece includes placing the workpiece on a workpiece support pedestal in a main chamber with a gas distribution showerhead, introducing a process gas into a remote plasma source chamber and generating a plasma in the remote plasma source chamber, transporting plasma-generated species from the remote plasma source chamber to the gas distribution showerhead so as to distribute the plasma-generated species into the main chamber through the gas distribution showerhead, and applying plasma RF power into the main chamber.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for forming a tungsten material on a substrate surface is provide which includes positioning a substrate within a deposition chamber, heating the substrate to a deposition temperature, and exposing the substrate sequentially to diborane and a tungsten precursor gas to form a tungsten nucleation layer on the substrate during an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process. The method further provides exposing the substrate to a deposition gas comprising hydrogen gas and the tungsten precursor gas to form a tungsten bulk layer over the tungsten nucleation layer during a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. Examples are provided which include ALD and CVD processes that may be conducted in the same deposition chamber or in different deposition chambers.

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.