Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include an abatement system for abating compounds produced in semiconductor processes. The abatement system includes an exhaust cooling apparatus located downstream of a plasma source. The exhaust cooling apparatus includes at least one cooling plate a device for introducing turbulence to the exhaust flowing within the exhaust cooling apparatus. The device may be a plurality of fins, a cylinder with a curved top portion, or a diffuser with angled blades. The turbulent flow of the exhaust within the exhaust cooling apparatus causes particles to drop out of the exhaust, minimizing particles forming in equipment downstream of the exhaust cooling apparatus.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate techniques for abating N2O gas present in the effluent of semiconductor manufacturing processes. In one embodiment, a method includes injecting hydrogen gas or ammonia gas into a plasma source, and an effluent containing N2O gas and the hydrogen or ammonia gas are energized and reacted to form an abated material. By using the hydrogen gas or the ammonia gas, the destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) of the N2O gas is at least 50 percent while the concentration of nitric oxide (NO) and/or nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the abated material is substantially reduced, such as at most 5000 parts per million (ppm) by volume.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include an abatement system for abating compounds produced in semiconductor processes. The abatement system includes an exhaust cooling apparatus located downstream of a plasma source. The exhaust cooling apparatus includes at least one cooling plate a device for introducing turbulence to the exhaust flowing within the exhaust cooling apparatus. The device may be a plurality of fins, a cylinder with a curved top portion, or a diffuser with angled blades. The turbulent flow of the exhaust within the exhaust cooling apparatus causes particles to drop out of the exhaust, minimizing particles forming in equipment downstream of the exhaust cooling apparatus.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to plasma abatement processes and apparatuses. A plasma abatement process takes effluent from a foreline of a processing chamber, such as an implant chamber, and reacts the effluent with a reagent. The effluent contains a pyrophoric byproduct. A plasma generator placed within the foreline path may ionize the effluent and the reagent to facilitate a reaction between the effluent and the reagent. The ionized species react to form compounds which remain in a gaseous phase at conditions within the exhaust stream path. In another embodiment, the ionized species may react to form compounds which condense out of the gaseous phase. The condensed particulate matter is then removed from the effluent by a trap. The apparatuses may include an implant chamber, a plasma generator, one or more pumps, and a scrubber.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include an abatement system for abating compounds produced in semiconductor processes. The abatement system includes a foreline having a first end configured to couple to an exhaust port of a vacuum processing chamber, and an injection port is formed in the foreline. The abatement system further includes a scrubber coupled to a second end of the foreline. There is no effluent burner or plasma source interfaced with the foreline between the first end and the scrubber. Low temperature steam is injected into the foreline through the injection port to abate the PFCs flowing out of the vacuum processing chamber.

Abstract: A filter for filtering a fluid in a substrate processing apparatus comprises first and second stages that are connected to one another. A delivery system provides a vaporized liquid to the filter. The first stage of the filter comprises a basic compound, and the second stage of the filter comprises a desiccant. A second filter comprises a permeation filter with permeable membrane to filter the fluid. Methods of filtering the fluid to reduce formation of undesirable process residues using the filter(s) are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for depositing amorphous and microcrystalline silicon films during the formation of solar cells are provided. In one embodiment, a method and apparatus is provided for generating and introducing hydrogen radicals directly into a processing region of a processing chamber for reaction with a silicon-containing precursor for film deposition on a substrate. In one embodiment, the hydrogen radicals are generated by a remote plasma source and directly introduced into the processing region via a line of sight path to minimize the loss of energy by the hydrogen radicals prior to reaching the processing region.

Abstract: A reflector for an ultraviolet lamp can be used in a substrate processing apparatus. The reflector comprises a centrally positioned longitudinal strip and first and second side reflectors to form a parabolic-type surface. The longitudinal strip and first and second side reflectors have curved reflective surfaces with dichroic coatings and the longitudinal strip comprises a plurality of through holes to direct a coolant gas toward the ultraviolet lamp. A chamber that uses an ultraviolet lamp module with the reflector, and a method of ultraviolet treatment are also described.

Abstract: Methods for forming and treating a silicon containing layer in a thin film transistor structure or solar cell devices are provided. In one embodiment, a method for forming a silicon containing layer on a substrate includes providing a substrate into a processing chamber, providing a gas mixture having a silicon containing gas into the processing chamber, providing a hydrogen containing gas from a remote plasma source coupled to the processing chamber, applying a RF power less than 17.5 mWatt/cm2 to the processing chamber, and forming a silicon containing layer on the substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to an ultraviolet (UV) cure chamber for curing a dielectric material disposed on a substrate and to methods of curing dielectric materials using UV radiation. A substrate processing tool according to one embodiment comprises a body defining a substrate processing region; a substrate support adapted to support a substrate within the substrate processing region; an ultraviolet radiation lamp spaced apart from the substrate support, the lamp configured to transmit ultraviolet radiation to a substrate positioned on the substrate support; and a motor operatively coupled to rotate at least one of the ultraviolet radiation lamp or substrate support at least 180 degrees relative to each other.

Abstract: A filter for filtering a fluid in a substrate processing apparatus comprises first and second stages that are connected to one another. A delivery system provides a vaporized liquid to the filter. The first stage of the filter comprises a basic compound, and the second stage of the filter comprises a desiccant. A second filter comprises a permeation filter with permeable membrane to filter the fluid. Methods of filtering the fluid to reduce formation of undesirable process residues using the filter(s) are also described.

Abstract: A reflector for an ultraviolet lamp can be used in a substrate processing apparatus. The reflector comprises a centrally positioned longitudinal strip and first and second side reflectors to form a parabolic-type surface. The longitudinal strip and first and second side reflectors have curved reflective surfaces with dichroic coatings and the longitudinal strip comprises a plurality of through holes to direct a coolant gas toward the ultraviolet lamp. A chamber that uses an ultraviolet lamp module with the reflector, and a method of ultraviolet treatment are also described.

Abstract: A reflector for an ultraviolet lamp can be used in a substrate processing apparatus. The reflector comprises a longitudinal strip extending the length of the ultraviolet lamp. The longitudinal strip has a curved reflective surface and comprises a plurality of through holes to direct a coolant gas toward the ultraviolet lamp. A chamber that uses an ultraviolet lamp module with the reflector, and a method of ultraviolet treatment are also described.

Abstract: A method for depositing a low dielectric constant film by flowing a oxidizing gas into a processing chamber, flowing an organosilicon compound from a bulk storage container through a digital liquid flow meter at an organosilicon flow rate to a vaporization injection valve, vaporizing the organosilicon compound and flowing the organosilicon compound and a carrier gas into the processing chamber, maintaining the organosilicon flow rate to deposit an initiation layer, flowing a porogen compound from a bulk storage container through a digital liquid flow meter at a porogen flow rate to a vaporization injection valve, vaporizing the porogen compound and flowing the porogen compound and a carrier gas into the processing chamber, increasing the organosilicon flow rate and the porogen flow rate while depositing a transition layer, and maintaining a second organosilicon flow rate and a second porogen flow rate to deposit a porogen containing organosilicate dielectric layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to an ultraviolet (UV) cure chamber for curing a dielectric material disposed on a substrate and to methods of curing dielectric materials using UV radiation. A substrate processing tool according to one embodiment comprises a body defining a substrate processing region; a substrate support adapted to support a substrate within the substrate processing region; an ultraviolet radiation lamp spaced apart from the substrate support, the lamp configured to transmit ultraviolet radiation to a substrate positioned on the substrate support; and a motor operatively coupled to rotate at least one of the ultraviolet radiation lamp or substrate support at least 180 degrees relative to each other.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to an ultraviolet (UV) cure chamber for curing a dielectric material disposed on a substrate and to methods of curing dielectric materials using UV radiation. A substrate processing tool according to one embodiment comprises a body defining a substrate processing region; a substrate support adapted to support a substrate within the substrate processing region; an ultraviolet radiation lamp spaced apart from the substrate support, the lamp configured to transmit ultraviolet radiation to a substrate positioned on the substrate support; and a motor operatively coupled to rotate at least one of the ultraviolet radiation lamp or substrate support at least 180 degrees relative to each other.

Abstract: A reflector for an ultraviolet lamp can be used in a substrate processing apparatus. The reflector comprises a longitudinal strip extending the length of the ultraviolet lamp. The longitudinal strip has a curved reflective surface and comprises a plurality of through holes to direct a coolant gas toward the ultraviolet lamp. A chamber that uses an ultraviolet lamp module with the reflector, and a method of ultraviolet treatment are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to an ultraviolet (UV) cure chamber for curing a dielectric material disposed on a substrate and to methods of curing dielectric materials using UV radiation. A substrate processing tool according to one embodiment comprises a body defining a substrate processing region; a substrate support adapted to support a substrate within the substrate processing region; an ultraviolet radiation lamp spaced apart from the substrate support, the lamp configured to transmit ultraviolet radiation to a substrate positioned on the substrate support; and a motor operatively coupled to rotate at least one of the ultraviolet radiation lamp or substrate support at least 180 degrees relative to each other.

Abstract: An ultraviolet (UV) cure chamber enables curing a dielectric material disposed on a substrate and in situ cleaning thereof. A tandem process chamber provides two separate and adjacent process regions defined by a body covered with a lid having windows aligned respectively above each process region. One or more UV bulbs per process region that are covered by housings coupled to the lid emit UV light directed through the windows onto substrates located within the process regions. The UV bulbs can be an array of light emitting diodes or bulbs utilizing a source such as microwave or radio frequency. The UV light can be pulsed during a cure process. Using oxygen radical/ozone generated remotely and/or in-situ accomplishes cleaning of the chamber. Use of lamp arrays, relative motion of the substrate and lamp head, and real-time modification of lamp reflector shape and/or position can enhance uniformity of substrate illumination.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention relate to multi-stage curing processes for chemical vapor deposited low K materials. In certain embodiments, a combination of electron beam irradiation and thermal exposure steps may be employed to control selective outgassing of porogens incorporated into the film, resulting in the formation of nanopores. In accordance with one specific embodiment, a low K layer resulting from reaction between a silicon-containing component and a non-silicon containing component featuring labile groups, may be cured by the initial application of thermal energy, followed by the application of radiation in the form of an electron beam.