Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to apparatus and methods for cleaning chamber components using a cleaning plate. The cleaning plate is adapted to be positioned on a substrate support during a cleaning process, and includes a plurality of turbulence-inducing structures. The turbulence-inducing structures induce a turbulent flow of cleaning gas while the cleaning plate is rotated during a cleaning process. The cleaning plate increases the retention time of the cleaning gas near the showerhead during cleaning. Additionally, the cleaning plate reduces concentration gradients within the cleaning plate to provide a more effective clean. The method includes positioning a cleaning plate adjacent to a showerhead, and introducing cleaning gas to the space between the showerhead and the cleaning plate. A material deposited on the surface of the showerhead is then heated and vaporized in the presence of the cleaning gas, and then exhausted from the processing chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that may be utilized for chemical vapor deposition and/or hydride vapor phase epitaxial (HVPE) deposition are provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus is a processing chamber that includes a showerhead with separate inlets and channels for delivering separate processing gases into a processing volume of the chamber without mixing the gases prior to entering the processing volume. In one embodiment, the showerhead includes metrology ports with purge gas assemblies configured and positioned to deliver a purge gas to prevent deposition thereon. In one embodiment, the metrology port is configured to receive a temperature measurement device, and the purge gas assembly is a concentric tube configuration configured to prevent deposition on components of the temperature measurement device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that may be utilized for chemical vapor deposition and/or hydride vapor phase epitaxial (HVPE) deposition are provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus provides a processing chamber that includes a showerhead with separate inlets and channels for delivering separate processing gases into a processing volume of the chamber without mixing the gases prior to entering the processing volume. In one embodiment, a plurality of concentric tube assemblies are disposed within the showerhead to separately deliver a first gas from a first gas channel and a second gas from a second gas channel into the processing volume of the chamber. In one embodiment, the showerhead further includes a heat exchanging channel through which the plurality of concentric tube assemblies is disposed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that may be utilized for chemical vapor deposition and/or hydride vapor phase epitaxial (HVPE) deposition are provided. The apparatus includes a showerhead assembly with separate inlets and manifolds for delivering separate processing gases into a processing volume of the chamber without mixing the gases prior to entering the processing volume. The showerhead includes a plurality of gas distribution devices disposed within a plurality of gas inlets for injecting one of the processing gases into and distributing it across a manifold for uniform delivery into the processing volume of the chamber. Each of the gas distribution devices preferably has a nozzle configured to evenly distribute the processing gas flowing therethrough while minimizing recirculation of the processing gas within the manifold. As a result, improved deposition uniformity is achieved on a plurality of substrates positioned in the processing volume of the processing chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that may be utilized for chemical vapor deposition and/or hydride vapor phase epitaxial (HVPE) deposition are provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus a processing chamber that includes a showerhead with separate inlets and channels for delivering separate processing gases into a processing volume of the chamber without mixing the gases prior to entering the processing volume. In one embodiment, the showerhead includes one or more cleaning gas conduits configured to deliver a cleaning gas directly into the processing volume of the chamber while by-passing the processing gas channels. In one embodiment, the showerhead includes a plurality of metrology ports configured to deliver a cleaning gas directly into the processing volume of the chamber while by-passing the processing gas channels. As a result, the processing chamber components can be cleaned more efficiently and effectively than by introducing cleaning gas into the chamber only through the processing gas channels.

Abstract: A container storage yard transportation system comprises a container storage yard having at least one container stacking area, at least one container handling cart delivery lane disposed alongside the container storage area, a container handling cart return lane associated with the delivery lane, a plurality of container handling carts disposed in the delivery and return lanes, gate handling equipment for transferring containers from ground transportation vehicles to handling carts in a loading position in the delivery lane such that the containers 1 an be transported to the container stacking area on the handling carts via the delivery lane, one or more yard gantry cranes for transferring the containers from the handling carts to the container stacking area, and cart shifting equipment for shifting empty handling carts between the delivery and return lanes such that the empty carts can be returned to the loading position via the return lane.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that may be utilized for chemical vapor deposition and/or hydride vapor phase epitaxial (HVPE) deposition are provided. In one embodiment, a metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) process is used to deposit a Group III-nitride film on a plurality of substrates. A Group III precursor, such as trimethyl gallium, trimethyl aluminum or trimethyl indium and a nitrogen-containing precursor, such as ammonia, are delivered to a plurality of straight channels which isolate the precursor gases. The precursor gases are injected into mixing channels where the gases are mixed before entering a processing volume containing the substrates. Heat exchanging channels are provided for temperature control of the mixing channels to prevent undesirable condensation and reaction of the precursors.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods and apparatus for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on a substrate, and, in particular, to a process chamber and components for use in metal organic chemical vapor deposition. The apparatus comprises a chamber body defining a process volume. A showerhead in a first plane defines a top portion of the process volume. A carrier plate extends across the process volume in a second plane forming an upper process volume between the showerhead and the susceptor plate. A transparent material in a third plane defines a bottom portion of the process volume forming a lower process volume between the carrier plate and the transparent material. A plurality of lamps forms one or more zones located below the transparent material. The apparatus provides uniform precursor flow and mixing while maintaining a uniform temperature over larger substrates thus yielding a corresponding increase in throughput.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a substrate utilizing a rotating substrate support are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus for processing a substrate includes a chamber having a substrate support assembly disposed within the chamber. The substrate support assembly includes a substrate support having a support surface and a heater disposed beneath the support surface. A shaft is coupled to the substrate support and a motor is coupled to the shaft through a rotor to provide rotary movement to the substrate support. A seal block is disposed around the rotor and forms a seal therewith. The seal block has at least one seal and at least one channel disposed along the interface between the seal block and the shaft. A port is coupled to each channel for connecting to a pump. A lift mechanism is coupled to the shaft for raising and lowering the substrate support.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that may be utilized in deposition processes, such as hydride vapor phase epitaxial (HVPE) deposition of metal nitride films, are provided. A first set of passages may introduce a metal containing precursor gas. A second set of passages may provide a nitrogen-containing precursor gas. The first and second sets of passages may be interspersed in an effort to separate the metal containing precursor gas and nitrogen-containing precursor gas until they reach a substrate. An inert gas may also be flowed down through the passages to help keep separation and limit reaction at or near the passages, thereby preventing unwanted deposition on the passages.

Abstract: A mobile cargo container handling buffer crane having a bridge crane mounted thereon for transferring cargo containers between a ship and land transportation with nonintrusive inspection apparatus located at an intermediate transfer position past which a container can be longitudinally translated on a shuttle and thereby non-intrusively inspected.

Abstract: A mobile cargo container handling buffer crane having a bridge crane mounted thereon for transferring cargo containers between a ship and land transportation with an intermediate transfer position at which a suspended container can be noninvasively inspected by a longitudinally reciprocating container traversing nonintrusive inspection apparatus.

Abstract: A gaseous mixture is deposited onto a substrate surface using a showerhead. A first plenum of the showerhead has a plurality of channels fluidicly coupled with an interior of a processing chamber. A second plenum gas flows through a plurality of tubes extending from a second plenum of the showerhead through the channels into the interior of the processing chamber. The diameter of the tubes is smaller than the diameter of the channels such that a first plenum gas flows into the interior of the processing chamber through a space defined between the outer surface of the tubes and the surface of the channels. The length and diameter of the tubes determine the level of distribution and the molar ratio of the first gas and the second gas in the gaseous mixture that is deposited on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus, reactors, and methods for heating substrates are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a stage comprising a body and a surface having an area to support a substrate, a shaft coupled to the stage, a first heating element disposed within a central region of the body of the stage, and at least second and third heating elements disposed within the body of the stage, the at least second and third heating elements each partially surrounding the first heating element and wherein the at least second and third heating elements are circumferentially adjacent to each other.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods and apparatus for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on a substrate, and, in particular, to a process chamber and components for use in metal organic chemical vapor deposition. The apparatus comprises a chamber body defining a process volume. A showerhead in a first plane defines a top portion of the process volume. A carrier plate extends across the process volume in a second plane forming an upper process volume between the showerhead and the susceptor plate. A transparent material in a third plane defines a bottom portion of the process volume forming a lower process volume between the carrier plate and the transparent material. A plurality of lamps forms one or more zones located below the transparent material. The apparatus provides uniform precursor flow and mixing while maintaining a uniform temperature over larger substrates thus yielding a corresponding increase in throughput.

Abstract: One embodiment of a processing system for fabricating compound nitride semiconductor devices comprises one or more processing chamber operable with form a compound nitride semiconductor layer on a substrate, a transfer chamber coupled with the processing chamber, a loadlock chamber coupled with the transfer chamber, and a load station coupled with the loadlock chamber, wherein the load station comprises a conveyor tray movable to convey a carrier plate loaded with one or more substrates into the loadlock chamber. Compared to a single chamber reactor, the multi-chamber processing system expands the potential complexity and variety of compound structures. Additionally, the system can achieve higher quality and yield by specialization of individual chambers for specific epitaxial growth processes. Throughput is increased by simultaneous processing in multiple chambers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that may be utilized for chemical vapor deposition and/or hydride vapor phase epitaxial (HVPE) deposition are provided. In one embodiment, a metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) process is used to deposit a Group III-nitride film on a plurality of substrates. A Group III precursor, such as trimethyl gallium, trimethyl aluminum or trimethyl indium and a nitrogen-containing precursor, such as ammonia, are separately delivered to a plurality of concentric gas injection ports. The precursor gases are injected into mixing zones where the gases are mixed before entering a processing volume containing the substrates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that may be utilized for chemical vapor deposition and/or hydride vapor phase epitaxial (HVPE) deposition are provided. In one embodiment, a metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) process is used to deposit a Group III-nitride film on a plurality of substrates. A Group III precursor, such as trimethyl gallium, trimethyl aluminum or trimethyl indium and a nitrogen-containing precursor, such as ammonia, are delivered to a plurality of straight channels which isolate the precursor gases. The precursor gases are injected into mixing channels where the gases are mixed before entering a processing volume containing the substrates. Heat exchanging channels are provided for temperature control of the mixing channels to prevent undesirable condensation and reaction of the precursors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that may be utilized for chemical vapor deposition and/or hydride vapor phase epitaxial (HVPE) deposition are provided. In one embodiment, a metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) process is used to deposit a Group III-nitride film on a plurality of substrates. A Group III precursor, such as trimethyl gallium, trimethyl aluminum or trimethyl indium and a nitrogen-containing precursor, such as ammonia, are delivered to a plurality of spiral channels which isolate the precursor gases. The precursor gases are injected into a mixing channel where the gases are mixed before entering a processing volume containing the substrates.