Abstract: Embodiments provided herein generally include apparatus and methods in a plasma processing system for rapid and inexpensive repair and replacement of RF sensors necessary for the operation of radio frequency (RF) power generation and impedance matching equipment used for generating a plasma in a plasma chamber during semiconductor processing therein. Flexible communications between equipment of the plasma processing system allows sharing of process information and equipment settings for batch processing of a plurality of semiconductor wafers during the manufacturing process. Operational settings of a master plasma processing system may be used to control the operation of a plurality of slave processing systems. In addition, the operational settings of the master plasma processing system may be recorded and reused for controlling the plurality of slave processing systems.

Abstract: Methods of depositing a film using a plasma enhanced process are described. The method comprises providing continuous power from a power source connected to a microwave plasma source in a process chamber and a dummy load, the continuous power split into pulses having a first time and a second time defining a duty cycle of a pulse. The continuous power is directed to the microwave plasma source during the first time, and the continuous power is directed to the dummy load during the second time.

Abstract: Methods of depositing a film using a plasma enhanced process are described. The method comprises providing continuous power from a power source connected to a microwave plasma source in a process chamber and a dummy load, the continuous power split into pulses having a first time and a second time defining a duty cycle of a pulse. The continuous power is directed to the microwave plasma source during the first time, and the continuous power is directed to the dummy load during the second time.

Abstract: A method of producing a DN gel membrane includes a step (1) including producing a 1st gel membrane by (i) casting, on a substrate, a solution containing an ionic liquid A and an ionic liquid B, the ionic liquid A being made up of 1st monomers each of which has a polymerizable functional group and (ii) polymerizing the 1st monomers; and a step (2) including producing the DN gel membrane by (i) immersing the 1st gel membrane in a solution containing 2nd monomers which are different from the 1st monomers and (ii) polymerizing the 2nd monomers. This method allows for continuous-type production which is suitable for industrial mass production of DN gel membranes or acid gas separation membranes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing a low dielectric constant film by reaction of an organosilicon compound and an oxidizing gas comprising carbon at a constant RF power level. Dissociation of the oxidizing gas can be increased prior to mixing with the organosilicon compound, preferably within a separate microwave chamber, to assist in controlling the carbon content of the deposited film. The oxidized organosilane or organosiloxane film has good barrier properties for use as a liner or cap layer adjacent other dielectric layers. The oxidized organosilane or organosiloxane film may also be used as an etch stop and an intermetal dielectric layer for fabricating dual damascene structures. The oxidized organosilane or organosiloxane films also provide excellent adhesion between different dielectric layers.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing substrates is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a housing and a plurality of stacked cell structures in the housing. An actuator is adapted to move the plurality of stacked cell structures inside of the housing while substrates in the stacked cell structures are being heated.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing substrates is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a housing and a plurality of stacked cell structures in the housing. An actuator is adapted to move the plurality of stacked cell structures inside of the housing while substrates in the stacked cell structures are being heated.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a method for fabricating a dielectric film, comprising chemical vapor depositing a dielectric film, and curing the dielectric film, wherein the dielectric film comprises silicon and carbon, and the chemical vapor depositing utilizes a precursor comprising one or more organo-silicon compounds and one or more carbon-carbon bond containing hydrocarbon compounds.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a method for fabricating a low-k dielectric film that included steps of: (a) chemical vapor depositing a lower-k dielectric film; and (b) e-beam treating the lower-k dielectric film.

Abstract: A deposition/etching/deposition process is provided for filling a gap in a surface of a substrate. A liner is formed over the substrate so that distinctive reaction products are formed when it is exposed to a chemical etchant. The detection of such reaction products thus indicates that the portion of the film deposited during the first etching has been removed to an extent that further exposure to the etchant may remove the liner and expose underlying structures. Accordingly, the etching is stopped upon detection of distinctive reaction products and the next deposition in the deposition/etching/deposition process is begun.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide methods of filling contact level features formed in a semiconductor device by depositing a barrier layer over the contact feature and then filing the layer using an PVD, CVD, ALD, electrochemical plating process (ECP) and/or electroless deposition processes. In one embodiment, the barrier layer has a catalytically active surface that will allow the electroless deposition of a metal on the barrier layer. In one aspect, the electrolessly deposited metal is copper or a copper alloy. In one aspect, the contact level feature is filled with a copper alloy by use of an electroless deposition process. In another aspect, a copper alloy is used to from a thin conductive copper layer that is used to subsequently fill features with a copper containing material by use of an ECP, PVD, CVD, and/or ALD deposition process.

Abstract: A deposition/etching/deposition process is provided for filling a gap in a surface of a substrate. A liner is formed over the substrate so that distinctive reaction products are formed when it is exposed to a chemical etchant. The detection of such reaction products thus indicates that the portion of the film deposited during the first etching has been removed to an extent that further exposure to the etchant may remove the liner and expose underlying structures. Accordingly, the etching is stopped upon detection of distinctive reaction products and the next deposition in the deposition/etching/deposition process is begun.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing substrates is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a housing and a plurality of stacked cell structures in the housing. An actuator is adapted to move the plurality of stacked cell structures inside of the housing while substrates in the stacked cell structures are being heated.

Abstract: A silicon oxide layer is produced by plasma enhanced decomposition of an organosilicon compound to deposit films having a carbon content of at least 1% by atomic weight. An optional carrier gas may be introduced to facilitate the deposition process at a flow rate less than or equal to the flow rate of the organosilicon compounds. An oxygen rich surface may be formed adjacent the silicon oxide layer by temporarily increasing oxidation of the organosilicon compound.

Abstract: Methods are provided for depositing an oxygen-doped dielectric layer. The oxygen-doped dielectric layer may be used for a barrier layer or a hardmask. In one aspect, a method is provided for processing a substrate including positioning the substrate in a processing chamber, introducing a processing gas comprising an oxygen-containing organosilicon compound, carbon dioxide, or combinations thereof, and an oxygen-free organosilicon compound to the processing chamber, and reacting the processing gas to deposit an oxygen-doped dielectric material on the substrate, wherein the dielectric material has an oxygen content of about 15 atomic percent or less. The oxygen-doped dielectric material may be used as a barrier layer in damascene or dual damascene applications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing a low dielectric constant film by reaction of an organosilicon compound and an oxidizing gas comprising carbon at a constant RF power level. Dissociation of the oxidizing gas can be increased prior to mixing with the organosilicon compound, preferably within a separate microwave chamber, to assist in controlling the carbon content of the deposited film. The oxidized organosilane or organosiloxane film has good barrier properties for use as a liner or cap layer adjacent other dielectric layers. The oxidized organosilane or organosiloxane film may also be used as an etch stop and an intermetal dielectric layer for fabricating dual damascene structures. The oxidized organosilane or organosiloxane films also provide excellent adhesion between different dielectric layers.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a method for fabricating a low-k dielectric film that includes steps of: (a) chemical vapor depositing a lower-k dielectric film; and (b) e-beam treating the lower-k dielectric film.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrolessly depositing a multilayer film using a fluid processing solution(s) that can clean and then electrolessly deposit a metal films having discrete or varying composition onto a conductive surface using a single processing cell. The process advantageously includes in-situ cleaning step in order to minimize the formation of oxides on the conductive surfaces, by minimizing or preventing the exposure of the conductive surfaces to oxygen (e.g., air) between the cleaning step and an electroless deposition process step(s). In one aspect, the chemical components used in the fluid processing solution(s) are selected so that the interaction of various chemical components will not drastically change the desirable properties of each of the interacting fluids, generate particles in the fluid lines or on the surface of the substrate, and/or generate a significant amount of heat which can damage the hardware or significantly change the electroless process results.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing a low dielectric constant film by reaction of an organosilicon compound and an oxidizing gas at a constant RF power level from about 10 W to about 200 W or a pulsed RF power level from about 20 W to about 500 W. Dissociation of the oxidizing gas can be increased prior to mixing with the organosilicon compound, preferably within a separate microwave chamber, to assist in controlling the carbon content of the deposited film. The oxidized organosilane or organosiloxane film has good barrier properties for use as a liner or cap layer adjacent other dielectric layers. The oxidized organosilane or organosiloxane film may also be used as an etch stop and an intermetal dielectric layer for fabricating dual damascene structures. The oxidized organosilane or organosiloxane films also provide excellent adhesion between different dielectric layers.

Abstract: A SiC-based layer is deposited on a substrate having an electrical resistivity between about 1 and 100 ? cm. The substrate is disposed in a process chamber. A gaseous mixture having a silicon-containing gas and a hydrocarbon-containing gas is flowed to the process chamber. A high-density plasma, having an ion density greater than about 1011 ions/cm3 is generated from the plasma. A small electrical bias, between about 0.65 and 1.30 W/cm2, is applied to the substrate. The low bias compensates for an unexpected cooling that results when depositing the SiC-based layer but is low enough that implantation of hydrogen is minimized.