Abstract: A plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition processing method is provided and includes: preheating a showerhead to a preheated state prior to and in preparation of a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition process of a substrate; determining at least one temperature of the showerhead while preheating the showerhead; determining based on the at least one temperature whether to continue preheating the showerhead; ceasing to preheat the showerhead in response to the at least one temperature satisfying a temperature criterion; and initiating the plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition process while the showerhead is in the preheated state to package previously fabricated integrated circuits disposed on the substrate, wherein the plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition process includes forming one or more film protective layers over the integrated circuits.

Abstract: A carrier ring configured to support a substrate during transport to or from a pedestal of a process tool and surrounding the substrate during processing is defined by, an inner annular portion having a first thickness, the inner annular portion defined to be adjacent a substrate support region of the pedestal; a middle annular portion surrounding the inner annular portion, the middle annular portion having a second thickness greater than the first thickness, such that a transition from a top surface of the inner annular portion to a top surface of the middle annular portion defines a first step; an outer annular portion surrounding the middle annular portion, the outer annular portion having a third thickness greater than the second thickness, such that a transition from the top surface of the middle annular portion to a top surface of the outer annular portion defines a second step.

Abstract: A carrier ring configured to support a substrate during transport to or from a pedestal of a process tool and surrounding the substrate during processing is defined by, an inner annular portion having a first thickness, the inner annular portion defined to be adjacent a substrate support region of the pedestal; a middle annular portion surrounding the inner annular portion, the middle annular portion having a second thickness greater than the first thickness, such that a transition from a top surface of the inner annular portion to a top surface of the middle annular portion defines a first step; an outer annular portion surrounding the middle annular portion, the outer annular portion having a third thickness greater than the second thickness, such that a transition from the top surface of the middle annular portion to a top surface of the outer annular portion defines a second step.