Abstract: A reflector includes a reflector body arranged to overlap a reaction chamber of a semiconductor processing system. The reflector body has a grooved surface and a reflective surface extending between a first longitudinal edge of the reflector body and a second longitudinal edge of the reflector body, the reflective surface spaced apart from the grooved surface by a thickness of the reflector body. The grooved surface and the reflective surface define a pyrometer port, two or more elongated slots, and two or more shortened extending through the thickness of the reflector body. The shortened slots outnumber the elongated slots to bias issue of a coolant against the reaction chamber toward the second longitudinal edge of the reflector body. Cooling kits, semiconductor processing systems, and methods of cooling a reaction chamber during deposition of a film onto a substrate supported within the reaction chamber are also described.

Abstract: A susceptor has a circular pocket portion, an annular ledge portion, and an annular rim ledge portion. The circular pocket portion is arranged along a rotation axis and has a perforated surface. The annular ledge portion extends circumferentially about pocket portion and has ledge surface that slopes axially upward from the perforated surface. The rim portion extends circumferentially about the ledge portion and is connected to the pocket portion by the ledge portion of the susceptor. The susceptor has one or more of a tuned pocket, a contact break, a precursor vent, and a purge channel located radially outward of the perforated surface to control deposition of a film onto a substrate supported by the susceptor. Semiconductor processing systems, film deposition methods, and methods of making susceptors are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for forming a 3-D NAND device are disclosed. The method of forming the 3-D NAND device may include forming a plug fill and a void. Advantages gained by the apparatus and method may include a lower cost, a higher throughput, little to no contamination of the device, little to no damage during etching steps, and structural integrity to ensure formation of a proper stack of oxide-nitride bilayers.

Abstract: A method of operating a reactor system to provide multi-zone substrate temperature control. The method includes, with a first pyrometer, sensing a temperature of a first zone of a substrate supported in the reactor system, and, with a second pyrometer, sensing a temperature of a second zone of the substrate. The method further includes, with a controller, comparing the temperatures of the first and second zones to setpoint temperatures for the first and second zones and, in response, generating control signals to control heating of the substrate. The method also includes controlling, based on the control signals, operations of a heater assembly operating to heat the substrate.

Abstract: A method of operating a reactor system to provide wafer temperature gradient control is provided. The method includes operating a center temperature sensor, a middle temperature sensor, and an edge temperature sensor to sense a temperature of a center zone of a wafer on a susceptor in reaction chamber of the reactor system, to sense a temperature of a middle zone of the wafer, and to sense a temperature of an edge zone of the wafer. The temperatures of the center, middle, and edge zones of the wafer are processed with a controller to generate control signals based on a predefined temperature gradient for the wafer. First, second, and third sets of heater lamps are operated based on the temperature of the center, middle, and edge zones to heat the center, the middle, and the edge zone of the wafer. Reactor systems are also described.

Abstract: A fixture includes a frame, a leveling plate, a bracket, and a laser profiler. The frame is arranged for fixation above a reaction chamber arranged to deposit a film onto a substrate. The leveling plate is supported on the frame. The bracket is supported on the leveling plate. The laser profiler is suspended from the bracket, overlays the reaction chamber, and has a field of view that extends through the leveling plate and the frame to determine position of a target within the reaction chamber. Semiconductor processing systems and methods of determining position of targets within reaction chambers in semiconductor processing systems are also described.

Abstract: A substrate support and lift assembly configured to support and lift a substrate from a susceptor is disclosed. The substrate support and lift assembly can include a susceptor support and a lift pin. The susceptor support can be configured to support the susceptor thereon. The susceptor support includes a plurality of support arms each extending radially from a central portion of the susceptor support to a terminus. Each of the plurality of support arms includes an aperture extending therethrough. The lift pin can be configured to fit through the aperture of a corresponding support arm to lift a substrate on the susceptor.

Abstract: A method for depositing a phosphorus doped silicon arsenide film is disclosed. The method may include, providing a substrate within a reaction chamber, heating the substrate to a deposition temperature, exposing the substrate to a silicon precursor, an arsenic precursor, and a phosphorus dopant precursor, and depositing the phosphorus doped silicon arsenide film over a surface of the substrate. Semiconductor device structures including a phosphorus doped silicon arsenide film deposited by the methods of the disclosure are also provided.

Abstract: A gas injection system, a reactor system including the gas injection system, and methods of using the gas injection system and reactor system are disclosed. The gas injection system can be used in gas-phase reactor systems to independently monitor and control gas flow rates in a plurality of channels of a gas injection system coupled to a reaction chamber.

Abstract: A gas injection system, a reactor system including the gas injection system, and methods of using the gas injection system and reactor system are disclosed. The gas injection system can be used in gas-phase reactor systems to independently monitor and control gas flow rates in a plurality of channels of a gas injection system coupled to a reaction chamber.

Abstract: A susceptor for semiconductor substrate processing is disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the susceptor may comprise an inner susceptor portion and an outer susceptor portion. The susceptor portions may self-align via complementary features, such as tabs on the outer susceptor and recesses on the inner susceptor portion. The inner susceptor portion may contain several contact pads with which to support a wafer during semiconductor processing. In some embodiments, the contact pads are hemispherical to reduce contact area with the wafer, thereby reducing risk of backside damage. The inner susceptor portion may contain a cavity with which to receive a thermocouple. In some embodiments, the diameter of the cavity is greater than the diameter of the thermocouple such that the thermocouple does not contact the walls of the cavity during processing, thereby providing highly accurate temperature measurements.

Abstract: A gas injection system, a reactor system including the gas injection system, and methods of using the gas injection system and reactor system are disclosed. The gas injection system can be used in gas-phase reactor systems to independently monitor and control gas flow rates in a plurality of channels of a gas injection system coupled to a reaction chamber.

Abstract: A reactor system including a gas distribution assembly and method of using the reactor system are disclosed. The gas distribution assembly includes a gas distribution device, a gas expansion area, and a showerhead plate downstream of the gas distribution device and the expansion area.

Abstract: A method for depositing a phosphorus doped silicon arsenide film is disclosed. The method may include, providing a substrate within a reaction chamber, heating the substrate to a deposition temperature, exposing the substrate to a silicon precursor, an arsenic precursor, and a phosphorus dopant precursor, and depositing the phosphorus doped silicon arsenide film over a surface of the substrate. Semiconductor device structures including a phosphorus doped silicon arsenide film deposited by the methods of the disclosure are also provided.

Abstract: A method for depositing a phosphorus doped silicon arsenide film is disclosed. The method may include, providing a substrate within a reaction chamber, heating the substrate to a deposition temperature, exposing the substrate to a silicon precursor, an arsenic precursor, and a phosphorus dopant precursor, and depositing the phosphorus doped silicon arsenide film over a surface of the substrate. Semiconductor device structures including a phosphorus doped silicon arsenide film deposited by the methods of the disclosure are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for forming a 3-D NAND device are disclosed. The method of forming the 3-D NAND device may include forming a plug fill and a void. Advantages gained by the apparatus and method may include a lower cost, a higher throughput, little to no contamination of the device, little to no damage during etching steps, and structural integrity to ensure formation of a proper stack of oxide-nitride bilayers.

Abstract: A coating and a method to form the coating is proposed for a semiconductor film pre-clean and etch apparatus. The coating may be employed in environments where it is difficult to use a traditional coating or coating method. The coatings provide advantages including: an ability to effectively deliver hydrogen radicals and fluorine radicals to a wafer surface in one apparatus or individually in two apparatuses; a coverage of high aspect ratio features on critical components; an operability in high temperatures exceeding 150° C.; and a protection of a part with high aspect ratio features underneath the coating, thereby preventing metal and particles on a processed wafer.

Abstract: A gas injection system, a reactor system including the gas injection system, and methods of using the gas injection system and reactor system are disclosed. The gas injection system can be used in gas-phase reactor systems to independently monitor and control gas flow rates in a plurality of channels of a gas injection system coupled to a reaction chamber.

Abstract: A method for depositing a phosphorus doped silicon arsenide film is disclosed. The method may include, providing a substrate within a reaction chamber, heating the substrate to a deposition temperature, exposing the substrate to a silicon precursor, an arsenic precursor, and a phosphorus dopant precursor, and depositing the phosphorus doped silicon arsenide film over a surface of the substrate. Semiconductor device structures including a phosphorus doped silicon arsenide film deposited by the methods of the disclosure are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a structure and method for forming a structure including a SiCOH layer having increased mechanical strength. The structure includes a substrate having a layer of dielectric or conductive material, a layer of oxide on the layer of dielectric or conductive material, the oxide layer having essentially no carbon, a graded transition layer on the oxide layer, the graded transition layer having essentially no carbon at the interface with the oxide layer and gradually increasing carbon towards a porous SiCOH layer, and a porous SiCOH (pSiCOH) layer on the graded transition layer, the porous pSiCOH layer having an homogeneous composition throughout the layer. The method includes a process wherein in the graded transition layer, there are no peaks in the carbon concentration and no dips in the oxygen concentration.