Abstract: Aspects generally relate to methods, systems, and apparatus for processing substrates using one or more amorphous carbon hardmask layers. In one aspect, film stress is altered while facilitating enhanced etch selectivity. In one implementation, a method of processing a substrate includes depositing one or more amorphous carbon hardmask layers onto the substrate, and conducting a rapid thermal anneal operation on the substrate after depositing the one or more amorphous carbon hardmask layers. The rapid thermal anneal operation lasts for an anneal time that is 60 seconds or less. The rapid thermal anneal operation includes heating the substrate to an anneal temperature that is within a range of 600 degrees Celsius to 1,000 degrees Celsius. The method includes etching the substrate after conducting the rapid thermal anneal operation.

Abstract: Aspects generally relate to methods, systems, and apparatus for processing substrates using one or more amorphous carbon hardmask layers. In one aspect, film stress is altered while facilitating enhanced etch selectivity. In one implementation, a method of processing a substrate includes depositing one or more amorphous carbon hardmask layers onto the substrate, and conducting a rapid thermal anneal operation on the substrate after depositing the one or more amorphous carbon hardmask layers. The rapid thermal anneal operation lasts for an anneal time that is 60 seconds or less. The rapid thermal anneal operation includes heating the substrate to an anneal temperature that is within a range of 600 degrees Celsius to 1,000 degrees Celsius. The method includes etching the substrate after conducting the rapid thermal anneal operation.

Abstract: The present technology includes improved gas distribution designs for forming uniform plasmas during semiconductor processing operations or for treating the interior of semiconductor processing chambers. While conventional gas distribution assemblies may receive a specific reactant or reactant ratio which is then distributed into the plasma region, the presently described technology allows for improved control of the reactant input distribution. The technology allows for separate flows of reactants to different regions of the plasma to offset any irregularities observed in process uniformity. A first precursor may be delivered to the center of the plasma above the center of the substrate/pedestal while a second precursor may be delivered to an outer portion of the plasma above an outer portion of the substrate/pedestal. In so doing, a substrate residing on the pedestal may experience a more uniform etch or deposition profile across the entire surface.

Abstract: The present technology includes improved gas distribution designs for forming uniform plasmas during semiconductor processing operations or for treating the interior of semiconductor processing chambers. While conventional gas distribution assemblies may receive a specific reactant or reactant ratio which is then distributed into the plasma region, the presently described technology allows for improved control of the reactant input distribution. The technology allows for separate flows of reactants to different regions of the plasma to offset any irregularities observed in process uniformity. A first precursor may be delivered to the center of the plasma above the center of the substrate/pedestal while a second precursor may be delivered to an outer portion of the plasma above an outer portion of the substrate/pedestal. In so doing, a substrate residing on the pedestal may experience a more uniform etch or deposition profile across the entire surface.

Abstract: A memory array including a varying width channel is disclosed. The array includes a plurality of WLs, which are above a layer, where the layer can be, for example, a Select Gate Source (SGS) of the memory array, or an isolation layer to isolate a first deck of the array from a second deck of the array. The channel extends through the plurality of word lines and at least partially through the layer. In an example, the channel comprises a first region and a second region. The first region of the channel has a first width that is at least 1 nm different from a second width of the second region of the channel. In an example, the first region extends through the plurality of word lines, and the second region extends through at least a part of the layer underneath the plurality of word lines. In one case, the first width is at least 1 nm less than a second width of the second region of the channel.

Abstract: Aspects generally relate to methods, systems, and apparatus for processing substrates using one or more amorphous carbon hardmask layers. In one aspect, film stress is altered while facilitating enhanced etch selectivity. In one implementation, a method of processing a substrate includes depositing one or more amorphous carbon hardmask layers onto the substrate, and conducting a rapid thermal anneal operation on the substrate after depositing the one or more amorphous carbon hardmask layers. The rapid thermal anneal operation lasts for an anneal time that is 60 seconds or less. The rapid thermal anneal operation includes heating the substrate to an anneal temperature that is within a range of 600 degrees Celsius to 1,000 degrees Celsius. The method includes etching the substrate after conducting the rapid thermal anneal operation.

Abstract: The present technology includes improved gas distribution designs for forming uniform plasmas during semiconductor processing operations or for treating the interior of semiconductor processing chambers. While conventional gas distribution assemblies may receive a specific reactant or reactant ratio which is then distributed into the plasma region, the presently described technology allows for improved control of the reactant input distribution. The technology allows for separate flows of reactants to different regions of the plasma to offset any irregularities observed in process uniformity. A first precursor may be delivered to the center of the plasma above the center of the substrate/pedestal while a second precursor may be delivered to an outer portion of the plasma above an outer portion of the substrate/pedestal. In so doing, a substrate residing on the pedestal may experience a more uniform etch or deposition profile across the entire surface.

Abstract: The present technology includes improved gas distribution designs for forming uniform plasmas during semiconductor processing operations or for treating the interior of semiconductor processing chambers. While conventional gas distribution assemblies may receive a specific reactant or reactant ratio which is then distributed into the plasma region, the presently described technology allows for improved control of the reactant input distribution. The technology allows for separate flows of reactants to different regions of the plasma to offset any irregularities observed in process uniformity. A first precursor may be delivered to the center of the plasma above the center of the substrate/pedestal while a second precursor may be delivered to an outer portion of the plasma above an outer portion of the substrate/pedestal. In so doing, a substrate residing on the pedestal may experience a more uniform etch or deposition profile across the entire surface.

Abstract: Exemplary methods for etching a germanium-containing material may include forming a plasma of a fluorine-containing precursor in a remote plasma region of a semiconductor processing chamber. The methods may include flowing effluents of the fluorine-containing precursor through apertures defined in a chamber component. The apertures may be coated with a catalytic material. The methods may include reducing a concentration of fluorine radicals in the plasma effluents with the catalytic material. The methods may also include delivering the plasma effluents to a processing region of the semiconductor processing chamber. A substrate having an exposed region of a germanium-containing material may be housed within the processing region. The methods may further include etching the germanium-containing material.

Abstract: The present technology includes improved gas distribution designs for forming uniform plasmas during semiconductor processing operations or for treating the interior of semiconductor processing chambers. While conventional gas distribution assemblies may receive a specific reactant or reactant ratio which is then distributed into the plasma region, the presently described technology allows for improved control of the reactant input distribution. The technology allows for separate flows of reactants to different regions of the plasma to offset any irregularities observed in process uniformity. A first precursor may be delivered to the center of the plasma above the center of the substrate/pedestal while a second precursor may be delivered to an outer portion of the plasma above an outer portion of the substrate/pedestal. In so doing, a substrate residing on the pedestal may experience a more uniform etch or deposition profile across the entire surface.

Abstract: Exemplary methods for etching a germanium-containing material may include forming a plasma of a fluorine-containing precursor in a remote plasma region of a semiconductor processing chamber. The methods may include flowing effluents of the fluorine-containing precursor through apertures defined in a chamber component. The apertures may be coated with a catalytic material. The methods may include reducing a concentration of fluorine radicals in the plasma effluents with the catalytic material. The methods may also include delivering the plasma effluents to a processing region of the semiconductor processing chamber. A substrate having an exposed region of a germanium-containing material may be housed within the processing region. The methods may further include etching the germanium-containing material.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for forming horizontal gate-all-around (hGAA) structure devices. In one example, a method includes selectively and laterally etching a first group of sidewalls of a first layer in a multi-material layer, wherein the multi-material layer comprises repeating pairs of the first layer and a second layer, the first and the second layers having the first group and a second group of sidewalls respectively, the first group of sidewalls from the first layer exposed through openings defined in the multi-material layer and a group of inner spacers formed atop of the second group of sidewalls from the second layer, forming a recess from the first group of sidewalls of the first layer and defining a vertical wall inward from an outer vertical surface of the inner spacer formed atop of the second layers, and forming an epi-silicon layer from the recess of the first layer.

Abstract: Exemplary methods for etching a germanium-containing material may include forming a plasma of a fluorine-containing precursor in a remote plasma region of a semiconductor processing chamber. The methods may include flowing effluents of the fluorine-containing precursor through apertures defined in a chamber component. The apertures may be coated with a catalytic material. The methods may include reducing a concentration of fluorine radicals in the plasma effluents with the catalytic material. The methods may also include delivering the plasma effluents to a processing region of the semiconductor processing chamber. A substrate having an exposed region of a germanium-containing material may be housed within the processing region. The methods may further include etching the germanium-containing material.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a locus control subregion that possesses chromatin opening domain activity, the activity conferring reproducible activation of tissue-specific expression on a linked transgene to a non-physiological level when the transgene is integrated in single copy in the genome of a host cell.

Abstract: The provision of cell lines from virtually any cell type of the animal body is greatly facilitated by transgenic non-human eukaryotic animals of the invention in which at least some cells have (i) a differentiation inhibiting sequence chromosomally incorporated under the control of a non-constitutive promotor and/or (ii) a differentiation inhibiting sequence which is itself conditionally active. Said genes are chromosomally incorporated under the control of a promotor such that expression of said sequence is normally held below an effective level, thus allowing normal cell development. However, cells taken from said animal may be prevented from completing differentiation to a non-dividing state in tissue culture by activating expression of said sequence.

Abstract: Vectors for the integration of a gene into the genetic material of a mammalian host cell such that the gene may be expressed by the host cell comprise a promoter and the gene and include a dominant activator sequence capable of eliciting host cell-type restricted, integration site independent, copy number dependent expression of the gene.

Abstract: Vectors for the integration of a gene into the genetic material of a mammalian host cell such that the gene may be expressed by the host cell comprise a promoter and the gene and include a dominant activator sequence capable of eliciting host cell-type restricted, integration site independent, copy number dependent expression of the gene.

Abstract: Vectors for the integration of a gene into the genetic material of a mammalian host cell such that the gene may be expressed by the host cell comprise a promoter and the gene and include a dominant activator sequence capable of eliciting host cell-type restricted, integration site independent, copy number dependent expression of the gene.

Abstract: Vectors for the integration of a gene into the genetic material of a mammalian host cell such that the gene may be expressed by the host cell comprise a promoter and the gene and include a dominant activator sequence capable of eliciting host cell-type restricted, integration site independent, copy number dependent expression of the gene.

Abstract: The provision of cell lines from virtually any cell type of the animal body is greatly facilitated by transgenic non-human eukaryotic animals of the invention in which at least some cells have (i) a differentiation inhibiting sequence chromosomally incorporated under the control of a non-constitutive promotor and/or (ii) a differentiation inhibiting sequence which is itself conditionally active. Said genes are chromosomally incorporated under the control of a promotor such that expression of said sequence is normally held below an effective level, thus allowing normal cell development. However, cells taken from said animal may be prevented from completing differentiation to a non-dividing state in tissue culture by activating expression of said sequence.