Abstract: Atomic layer deposition (ALD) processes for forming Te-containing thin films, such as Sb—Te, Ge—Te, Ge—Sb—Te, Bi—Te, and Zn—Te thin films are provided. ALD processes are also provided for forming Se—containing thin films, such as Sb—Se, Ge—Se, Ge—Sb—Se, Bi—Se, and Zn—Se thin films are also provided. Te and Se precursors of the formula (Te,Se)(SiR1R2R3)2 are preferably used, wherein R1, R2, and R3 are alkyl groups. Methods are also provided for synthesizing these Te and Se precursors. Methods are also provided for using the Te and Se thin films in phase change memory devices.

Abstract: Methods are provided herein for forming transition metal oxide thin films, preferably Group IVB metal oxide thin films, by atomic layer deposition. The metal oxide thin films can be deposited at high temperatures using metalorganic reactants. Metalorganic reactants comprising two ligands, at least one of which is a cycloheptatriene or cycloheptatrienyl (CHT) ligand are used in some embodiments. The metal oxide thin films can be used, for example, as dielectric oxides in transistors, flash devices, capacitors, integrated circuits, and other semiconductor applications.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed herein for depositing a passivation layer comprising fluorine over a dielectric material that is sensitive to chlorine, bromine, and iodine. The passivation layer can protect the sensitive dielectric layer thereby enabling deposition using precursors comprising chlorine, bromine, and iodine over the passivation layer.

Abstract: An atomic layer deposition apparatus, having a first series of high pressure gas injection openings and a first series of exhaust openings that are positioned such that they together create a first high pressure/suction zone within each purge gas zone, wherein each first high pressure/suction zone extends over substantially the entire width of the process tunnel and wherein the distribution of the gas injection openings that are connected to the second purge gas source and the distribution of the gas exhaust openings within the first high pressure/suction zone, as well as the pressure of the second purge gas source and the pressure at the gas exhaust openings are such that the average pressure within the first high pressure/suction zone deviates less than 30% from a reference pressure which is defined by the average pressure within process tunnel when no substrate is present.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the deposition of dopant films, such as doped silicon oxide films, by atomic layer deposition processes. In some embodiments, a substrate in a reaction space is contacted with pulses of a silicon precursor and a dopant precursor, such that the silicon precursor and dopant precursor adsorb on the substrate surface. Oxygen plasma is used to convert the adsorbed silicon precursor and dopant precursor to doped silicon oxide.

Abstract: Atomic layer deposition (ALD) processes for forming Te-containing thin films, such as Sb—Te, Ge—Te, Ge—Sb—Te, Bi—Te, and Zn—Te thin films are provided. ALD processes are also provided for forming Se-containing thin films, such as Sb—Se, Ge—Se, Ge—Sb—Se, Bi—Se, and Zn—Se thin films are also provided. Te and Se precursors of the formula (Te,Se)(SiR1R2R3)2 are preferably used, wherein R1, R2, and R3 are alkyl groups. Methods are also provided for synthesizing these Te and Se precursors. Methods are also provided for using the Te and Se thin films in phase change memory devices.

Abstract: Metallic layers can be selectively deposited on one surface of a substrate relative to a second surface of the substrate. In some embodiments, the metallic layers are selectively deposited on copper instead of insulating or dielectric materials. In some embodiments, a first precursor forms a layer on the first surface and is subsequently reacted or converted to form a metallic layer. The deposition temperature may be selected such that a selectivity of above about 50% or even about 90% is achieved.

Abstract: Methods of producing metal-containing thin films with low impurity contents on a substrate by atomic layer deposition (ALD) are provided. The methods preferably comprise contacting a substrate with alternating and sequential pulses of a metal source chemical, a second source chemical and a deposition enhancing agent. The deposition enhancing agent is preferably selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons, hydrogen, hydrogen plasma, hydrogen radicals, silanes, germanium compounds, nitrogen compounds, and boron compounds. In some embodiments, the deposition-enhancing agent reacts with halide contaminants in the growing thin film, improving film properties.

Abstract: A wafer boat cooldown device comprising a bottom plate and a rotatable table that is rotatable between a number of index positions. The rotatable table comprises at least two wafer boat positions for supporting a wafer boat. A vertically extending wall structure is mounted on the rotatable table and creates, at each wafer boat position, a wafer boat chamber having a gas supply area and a gas discharge area. The wafer boat cooldown device further comprises a plenum chamber which extends under the bottom plate. The plenum chamber accommodates at least one gas/liquid heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method of contactlessly advancing a substrate (140), comprising: —providing a process tunnel (102), extending in a longitudinal direction and bounded by at least a first (120) and a second (134) wall; —providing first and second gas bearings (124, 134) by providing substantially laterally flowing gas alongside the first and second walls respectively; —bringing about a first longitudinal division of the process tunnel into a plurality of pressure segments (116), wherein the gas bearings (124, 34) in a pressure segment have an average gas pressure that is different from an average gas pressure of the gas bearings in an adjacent pressure segment; —providing a substrate (140) in between the first wall (120) and the second wall (130); and 1—allowing differences in average gas pressure between adjacent pressure segments (116) to drive the substrate along the longitudinal direction of the process tunnel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the deposition of dopant films, such as doped silicon oxide films, by atomic layer deposition processes. In some embodiments, a substrate in a reaction space is contacted with pulses of a silicon precursor and a dopant precursor, such that the silicon precursor and dopant precursor adsorb on the substrate surface. Oxygen plasma is used to convert the adsorbed silicon precursor and dopant precursor to doped silicon oxide.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus (100) comprising a process tunnel (102) including a lower tunnel wall (122), an upper tunnel wall (142), and two lateral tunnel walls (128), said tunnel walls being configured to bound a process tunnel space (104) that extends in a longitudinal transport direction (7) and that is suitable for accommodating at least one substantially planar substrate (180) oriented parallel to the upper and lower tunnel walls (122, 142), the process tunnel being divided in a lower tunnel body (120) comprising the lower tunnel wall and an upper tunnel body (140) comprising the upper tunnel wall, which tunnel bodies (120, 140) are separably joinable to each other along at least one longitudinally extending join (160), such that they are mutually movable between a closed configuration in which the tunnel walls (122, 128, 142) bound the process tunnel space (104) and an open configuration that enables lateral maintenance access to an interior of the process tunnel.

Abstract: Atomic layer deposition (ALD) processes for forming thin films comprising InN are provided. The thin films may find use, for example, in light-emitting diodes.

Abstract: Antimony oxide thin films are deposited by atomic layer deposition using an antimony reactant and an oxygen source. Antimony reactants may include antimony halides, such as SbCl3, antimony alkylamines, and antimony alkoxides, such as Sb(OEt)3. The oxygen source may be, for example, ozone. In some embodiments the antimony oxide thin films are deposited in a batch reactor. The antimony oxide thin films may serve, for example, as etch stop layers or sacrificial layers.

Abstract: An atomic layer deposition apparatus, having a first series of high pressure gas injection openings and a first series of exhaust openings that are positioned such that they together create a first high pressure/suction zone within each purge gas zone, wherein each first high pressure/suction zone extends over substantially the entire width of the process tunnel and wherein the distribution of the gas injection openings that are connected to the second purge gas source and the distribution of the gas exhaust openings within the first high pressure/suction zone, as well as the pressure of the second purge gas source and the pressure at the gas exhaust openings are such that the average pressure within the first high pressure/suction zone deviates less than 30% from a reference pressure which is defined by the average pressure within process tunnel when no substrate is present.

Abstract: In one aspect, methods of silicidation and germanidation are provided. In some embodiments, methods for forming metal silicide can include forming a non-oxide interface, such as germanium or solid antimony, over exposed silicon regions of a substrate. Metal oxide is formed over the interface layer. Annealing and reducing causes metal from the metal oxide to react with the underlying silicon and form metal silicide. Additionally, metal germanide can be formed by reduction of metal oxide over germanium, whether or not any underlying silicon is also silicided. In other embodiments, nickel is deposited directly and an interface layer is not used. In another aspect, methods of depositing nickel thin films by vapor phase deposition processes are provided. In some embodiments, nickel thin films are deposited by ALD. Nickel thin films can be used directly in silicidation and germanidation processes.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed herein for depositing a passivation layer comprising fluorine over a dielectric material that is sensitive to chlorine, bromine, and iodine. The passivation layer can protect the sensitive dielectric layer thereby enabling deposition using precursors comprising chlorine, bromine, and iodine over the passivation layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the deposition of dopant films, such as doped silicon oxide films, by atomic layer deposition processes. In some embodiments, a substrate in a reaction space is contacted with pulses of a silicon precursor and a dopant precursor, such that the silicon precursor and dopant precursor adsorb on the substrate surface. Oxygen plasma is used to convert the adsorbed silicon precursor and dopant precursor to doped silicon oxide.

Abstract: Methods are provided herein for forming transition metal oxide thin films, preferably Group IVB metal oxide thin films, by atomic layer deposition. The metal oxide thin films can be deposited at high temperatures using metalorganic reactants. Metalorganic reactants comprising two ligands, at least one of which is a cycloheptatriene or cycloheptatrienyl (CHT) ligand are used in some embodiments. The metal oxide thin films can be used, for example, as dielectric oxides in transistors, flash devices, capacitors, integrated circuits, and other semiconductor applications.

Abstract: Atomic layer deposition (ALD) processes for forming Te-containing thin films, such as Sb—Te, Ge—Te, Ge—Sb—Te, Bi—Te, and Zn—Te thin films are provided. ALD processes are also provided for forming Se-containing thin films, such as Sb—Se, Ge—Se, Ge—Sb—Se, Bi—Se, and Zn—Se thin films are also provided. Te and Se precursors of the formula (Te,Se)(SiR1R2R3)2 are preferably used, wherein R1, R2, and R3 are alkyl groups. Methods are also provided for synthesizing these Te and Se precursors. Methods are also provided for using the Te and Se thin films in phase change memory devices.