Abstract: Forming a protective coating ex situ in an atomic layer deposition process to coat one or more chamber components subsequently installed in a reaction chamber provides a number of benefits over more conventional coating methods such as in situ deposition of an undercoat. In certain cases the protective coating may have a particular composition such as aluminum oxide, aluminum fluoride, aluminum nitride, yttrium oxide, and/or yttrium fluoride. The protective coating may help reduce contamination on wafers processed using the coated chamber component. Further, the protective coating may act to stabilize the processing conditions within the reaction chamber, thereby achieving very stable/uniform processing results over the course of processing many batches of wafers, and minimizing radical loss. Also described are a number of techniques that may be used to restore the protective coating after the coated chamber component is used to process semiconductor wafers.

Abstract: In some examples, a method for conditioning a wafer processing chamber comprises setting a pressure in the chamber to a predetermined pressure range, setting a temperature of the chamber to a predetermined temperature, and supplying a process gas mixture to a gas distribution device within the chamber. A plasma is struck within the chamber and a condition in the chamber is monitored. Based on a detection of the monitored condition meeting or transgressing a threshold value, a chamber conditioning operation is implemented. The chamber conditioning operation may include depositing a preconditioning film onto an internal surface of the chamber, depositing a silicon oxycarbide (SiCO) film onto the preconditioning film, and depositing a protective layer onto the SiCO film.

Abstract: In some examples, a method for conditioning a wafer processing chamber comprises setting a pressure in the chamber to a predetermined pressure range, setting a temperature of the chamber to a predetermined temperature, and supplying a process gas mixture to a gas distribution device within the chamber. A plasma is struck within the chamber and a condition in the chamber is monitored. Based on a detection of the monitored condition meeting or transgressing a threshold value, a chamber conditioning operation is implemented. The chamber conditioning operation may include depositing a preconditioning film onto an internal surface of the chamber, depositing a silicon oxycarbide (SiCO) film onto the preconditioning film, and depositing a protective layer onto the SiCO film.

Abstract: Forming a protective coating ex situ in an atomic layer deposition process to coat one or more chamber components subsequently installed in a reaction chamber provides a number of benefits over more conventional coating methods such as in situ deposition of an undercoat. In certain cases the protective coating may have a particular composition such as aluminum oxide, aluminum fluoride, aluminum nitride, yttrium oxide, and/or yttrium fluoride. The protective coating may help reduce contamination on wafers processed using the coated chamber component. Further, the protective coating may act to stabilize the processing conditions within the reaction chamber, thereby achieving very stable/uniform processing results over the course of processing many batches of wafers, and minimizing radical loss. Also described are a number of techniques that may be used to restore the protective coating after the coated chamber component is used to process semiconductor wafers.

Abstract: Forming a protective coating ex situ in an atomic layer deposition process to coat one or more chamber components subsequently installed in a reaction chamber provides a number of benefits over more conventional coating methods such as in situ deposition of an undercoat. In certain cases the protective coating may have a particular composition such as aluminum oxide, aluminum fluoride, aluminum nitride, yttrium oxide, and/or yttrium fluoride. The protective coating may help reduce contamination on wafers processed using the coated chamber component. Further, the protective coating may act to stabilize the processing conditions within the reaction chamber, thereby achieving very stable/uniform processing results over the course of processing many batches of wafers, and minimizing radical loss. Also described are a number of techniques that may be used to restore the protective coating after the coated chamber component is used to process semiconductor wafers.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the disclosed subject matter is a method to produce a substantially uniform, silicon-carbide layer over both dielectric materials and metal materials. In one example, the method includes forming a silicon-nitride layer over the dielectric materials and the metal materials, and forming the silicon carbide layer over the silicon-nitride layer. Other methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Forming a protective coating ex situ in an atomic layer deposition process to coat one or more chamber components subsequently installed in a reaction chamber provides a number of benefits over more conventional coating methods such as in situ deposition of an undercoat. In certain cases the protective coating may have a particular composition such as aluminum oxide, aluminum fluoride, aluminum nitride, yttrium oxide, and/or yttrium fluoride. The protective coating may help reduce contamination on wafers processed using the coated chamber component. Further, the protective coating may act to stabilize the processing conditions within the reaction chamber, thereby achieving very stable/uniform processing results over the course of processing many batches of wafers, and minimizing radical loss. Also described are a number of techniques that may be used to restore the protective coating after the coated chamber component is used to process semiconductor wafers.

Abstract: In some examples, a method for conditioning a wafer processing chamber comprises setting a pressure in the chamber to a predetermined pressure range, setting a temperature of the chamber to a predetermined temperature, and supplying a process gas mixture to a gas distribution device within the chamber. A plasma is struck within the chamber and a condition in the chamber is monitored. Based on a detection of the monitored condition meeting or transgressing a threshold value, a chamber conditioning operation is implemented. The chamber conditioning operation may include depositing a preconditioning film onto an internal surface of the chamber, depositing a silicon oxycarbide (SiCO) film onto the preconditioning film, and depositing a protective layer onto the SiCO film.

Abstract: Forming a protective coating ex situ in an atomic layer deposition process to coat one or more chamber components subsequently installed in a reaction chamber provides a number of benefits over more conventional coating methods such as in situ deposition of an undercoat. In certain cases the protective coating may have a particular composition such as aluminum oxide, aluminum fluoride, aluminum nitride, yttrium oxide, and/or yttrium fluoride. The protective coating may help reduce contamination on wafers processed using the coated chamber component. Further, the protective coating may act to stabilize the processing conditions within the reaction chamber, thereby achieving very stable/uniform processing results over the course of processing many batches of wafers, and minimizing radical loss. Also described are a number of techniques that may be used to restore the protective coating after the coated chamber component is used to process semiconductor wafers.

Abstract: Forming a protective coating ex situ in an atomic layer deposition process to coat one or more chamber components subsequently installed in a reaction chamber provides a number of benefits over more conventional coating methods such as in situ deposition of an undercoat. In certain cases the protective coating may have a particular composition such as aluminum oxide, aluminum fluoride, aluminum nitride, yttrium oxide, and/or yttrium fluoride. The protective coating may help reduce contamination on wafers processed using the coated chamber component. Further, the protective coating may act to stabilize the processing conditions within the reaction chamber, thereby achieving very stable/uniform processing results over the course of processing many batches of wafers, and minimizing radical loss. Also described are a number of techniques that may be used to restore the protective coating after the coated chamber component is used to process semiconductor wafers.

Abstract: Forming a protective coating ex situ in an atomic layer deposition process to coat one or more chamber components subsequently installed in a reaction chamber provides a number of benefits over more conventional coating methods such as in situ deposition of an undercoat. In certain cases the protective coating may have a particular composition such as aluminum oxide, aluminum fluoride, aluminum nitride, yttrium oxide, and/or yttrium fluoride. The protective coating may help reduce contamination on wafers processed using the coated chamber component. Further, the protective coating may act to stabilize the processing conditions within the reaction chamber, thereby achieving very stable/uniform processing results over the course of processing many batches of wafers, and minimizing radical loss. Also described are a number of techniques that may be used to restore the protective coating after the coated chamber component is used to process semiconductor wafers.

Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatuses for depositing a graded or multi-layered silicon carbide film using remote plasma. A graded or multi-layered silicon carbide film can be formed under process conditions that provide one or more organosilicon precursors onto a substrate in a reaction chamber. Radicals of source gas in a substantially low energy state, such as radicals of hydrogen in the ground state, are provided from a remote plasma source into reaction chamber. In addition, co-reactant gas is flowed towards the reaction chamber. In some implementations, radicals of the co-reactant gas are provided from the remote plasma source into the reaction chamber. A flow rate of the co-reactant gas can be changed over time, incrementally or gradually, to form a multi-layered silicon carbide film or a graded silicon carbide film having a composition gradient from a first surface to a second surface of the graded silicon carbide film.

Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatuses for depositing a graded or multi-layered silicon carbide film using remote plasma. A graded or multi-layered silicon carbide film can be formed under process conditions that provide one or more organosilicon precursors onto a substrate in a reaction chamber. Radicals of source gas in a substantially low energy state, such as radicals of hydrogen in the ground state, are provided from a remote plasma source into reaction chamber. In addition, co-reactant gas is flowed towards the reaction chamber. In some implementations, radicals of the co-reactant gas are provided from the remote plasma source into the reaction chamber. A flow rate of the co-reactant gas can be changed over time, incrementally or gradually, to form a multi-layered silicon carbide film or a graded silicon carbide film having a composition gradient from a first surface to a second surface of the graded silicon carbide film.

Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatuses for depositing a graded or multi-layered silicon carbide film using remote plasma. A graded or multi-layered silicon carbide film can be formed under process conditions that provide one or more organosilicon precursors onto a substrate in a reaction chamber. Radicals of source gas in a substantially low energy state, such as radicals of hydrogen in the ground state, are provided from a remote plasma source into reaction chamber. In addition, co-reactant gas is flowed towards the reaction chamber. In some implementations, radicals of the co-reactant gas are provided from the remote plasma source into the reaction chamber. A flow rate of the co-reactant gas can be changed over time, incrementally or gradually, to form a multi-layered silicon carbide film or a graded silicon carbide film having a composition gradient from a first surface to a second surface of the graded silicon carbide film.

Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatuses for densifying a silicon carbide film using remote plasma treatment. Operations of remote plasma deposition and remote plasma treatment of the silicon carbide film alternatingly occur to control film density. A first thickness of silicon carbide film is deposited followed by a remote plasma treatment, and then a second thickness of silicon carbide film is deposited followed by another remote plasma treatment. The remote plasma treatment can flow radicals of source gas in a substantially low energy state, such as radicals of hydrogen in a ground state, towards silicon carbide film deposited on a substrate. The radicals of source gas in the substantially low energy state promote cross-linking and film densification in the silicon carbide film.

Abstract: A composite structure provides high thermal conductivity as a thermal interface structure with a relatively low filler loading. The composite structure is formed by dispersing nanoparticles in a matrix at a low filler loading, and controlled sintering of the composite structure to induce agglomeration of the nanoparticles into a connected percolating thermally conducting network structure within the matrix.

Abstract: A composite structure provides high thermal conductivity as a thermal interface structure with a relatively low filler loading. The composite structure is formed by dispersing nanoparticles in a matrix at a low filler loading, and controlled sintering of the composite structure to induce agglomeration of the nanoparticles into a connected percolating thermally conducting network structure within the matrix.

Abstract: A composite structure provides high thermal conductivity as a thermal interface structure with a relatively low filler loading. The composite structure is formed by dispersing nanoparticles in a matrix at a low filler loading, and controlled sintering of the composite structure to induce agglomeration of the nanoparticles into a connected percolating thermally conducting network structure within the matrix.

Abstract: A composite structure provides high thermal conductivity as a thermal interface structure with a relatively low filler loading. The composite structure is formed by dispersing nanoparticles in a matrix at a low filler loading, and controlled sintering of the composite structure to induce agglomeration of the nanoparticles into a connected percolating thermally conducting network structure within the matrix.