Abstract: Semiconductor processing systems and method are described that may include flowing deposition precursors into a substrate processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber, where the substrate processing region includes an electrostatic chuck. The methods may further include depositing a seasoning layer on the electrostatic chuck from the deposition precursors to form a seasoned electrostatic chuck. The seasoning layer may be characterized by a dielectric constant greater than or about 3.5. The methods may still further include applying a voltage to the seasoned electrostatic chuck of greater than or about 500 V. The seasoned electrostatic chuck may be characterized by a leakage current of less than or about 25 mA when the voltage is applied.

Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor structures and processing methods may include forming a first portion of a first semiconductor layer characterized by a first etch rate for an etch treatment, forming a second portion of the first semiconductor layer characterized by a second etch rate that is less than the first etch rate for the etch treatment, and forming a third portion of the first semiconductor layer characterized by a third etch rate that is greater than the second etch rate.

Abstract: Exemplary processing methods may include forming a plasma of a cleaning precursor in a remote region of a semiconductor processing chamber. The methods may include flowing plasma effluents of the cleaning precursor into a processing region of the semiconductor processing chamber. The methods may include contacting a substrate support with the plasma effluents for a first period of time. The methods may include lowering the substrate support from a first position to a second position while continuing to flow plasma effluents of the cleaning precursor. The methods may include cleaning the processing region of the semiconductor processing chamber for a second period of time.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to methods of depositing carbon film layers greater than 3,000 ? in thickness over a substrate and surface of a lid of a chamber using dual frequency, top, sidewall and bottom sources. The method includes introducing a gas to a processing volume of a chamber. A first radiofrequency (RF) power is provided having a first frequency of about 40 MHz or greater to a lid of the chamber. A second RF power is provided having a second frequency to a bias electrode disposed in a substrate support within the processing volume. The second frequency is about 10 MHz to about 40 MHz. An additional third RF power is provided having lower frequency of about 400 kHz to about 2 MHz to the bias electrode.

Abstract: A system for modifying the uniformity pattern of a thin film deposited in a plasma processing chamber includes a single radio-frequency (RF) power source that is coupled to multiple points on the discharge electrode of the plasma processing chamber. Positioning of the multiple coupling points, a power distribution between the multiple coupling points, or a combination of both are selected to at least partially compensate for a consistent non-uniformity pattern of thin films produced by the chamber. The power distribution between the multiple coupling points may be produced by an appropriate RF phase difference between the RF power applied at each of the multiple coupling points.

Abstract: A lid for a process chamber includes a plate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface has a recess and a seal groove formed in the first surface and surrounding the recess. The lid further includes an array of holes extending from the recess to the second surface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to articles, coated chamber components and methods of coating chamber components with a protective coating that includes at least one metal fluoride having a formula selected from the group consisting of M1xFw, M1xM2yFw and M1xM2yM3zFw, where at least one of M1, M2, or M3 is magnesium or lanthanum. The protective coating can be deposited by atomic layer deposition, chemical vapor deposition, electron beam ion assisted deposition, or physical vapor deposition.

Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing systems may include a processing chamber including a lid stack having an output manifold. The systems may include a gas panel. The systems may include an input manifold. The input manifold may fluidly couple the gas panel with the output manifold of the processing chamber. A delivery line may extend from the input manifold to the output manifold. The systems may include a first transmission line extending from a first set of precursor sources of the gas panel to the delivery line. The systems may include a second transmission line extending from a second set of precursor sources of the gas panel to the delivery line. The second transmission line may be switchably coupled between the delivery line and an exhaust of the semiconductor processing system.

Abstract: A valve assembly that can be deployed in a subterranean well that includes a valve adapted to selectively isolate a region of the subterranean well, and a separating apparatus. The separating apparatus may further include at least one member being formed from a functional material and at least two sleeves connected by the at least one member.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to construct an email message addressed to a plurality of recipients. The apparatus is further configured to apply a cipher and a first encryption key to a first portion of the email message, which will be viewable by each of the recipients. The apparatus applies the cipher and a second encryption key to a second portion of the email message, which will be viewable by a first recipient from among the recipients. The apparatus further applies the cipher and a third encryption key to a third portion of the mail message, which will be viewable by a second recipient from among the recipients. The apparatus then transmits the email message to a server.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to generate responses to a multi-encrypted email message. The apparatus is configured to receive an email message comprising a first portion having a first level of encryption and a second portion having a second level of encryption. The apparatus is configured to receive an indication that a first portion of a reply message is in response to the first portion of the received email message. The apparatus is further configured to receive an indication that a second portion of the reply message is in response to the second portion of the received email message. The apparatus encrypts the first portion of the reply message using a first encryption key. The apparatus further encrypts the second portion of the reply message using a second encryption key. Finally, the apparatus transmits the reply message to a server.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for generating a flow of radicals are provided. An ion blocker is positioned a distance from a faceplate of a remote plasma source. The ion blocker has openings to allow the plasma to flow through. The ion blocker is polarized relative to a showerhead positioned on an opposite side of the ion blocker so that there are substantially no plasma gas ions passing through the showerhead.

Abstract: A method of forming a film stack with reduced defects is provided and includes positioning a substrate on a substrate support within a processing chamber and sequentially depositing polysilicon layers and silicon oxide layers to produce the film stack on the substrate. The method also includes supplying a current of greater than 5 ampere (A) to a plasma profile modulator while generating a deposition plasma within the processing chamber, exposing the substrate to the deposition plasma while depositing the polysilicon layers and the silicon oxide layers, and maintaining the processing chamber at a pressure of greater than 2 Torr to about 100 Torr while depositing the polysilicon layers and the silicon oxide layers.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention contemplate a shadow ring that provides increased or decreased and more uniform deposition on the edge of a wafer. By removing material from the top and/or bottom surfaces of the shadow ring, increased edge deposition and bevel coverage can be realized. In one embodiment, the material on the bottom surface is reduced by providing a recessed slot on the bottom surface. By increasing the amount of material of the shadow ring, the edge deposition and bevel coverage is reduced. Another approach to adjusting the deposition at the edge of the wafer includes increasing or decreasing the inner diameter of the shadow ring. The material forming the shadow ring may also be varied to change the amount of deposition at the edge of the wafer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning and heating a substrate in a chamber are provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a substrate support assembly having a support surface adapted to receive the substrate and a plurality of centering fingers for supporting the substrate at a distance parallel to the support surface and for centering the substrate relative to a reference axis substantially perpendicular to the support surface. The plurality of the centering fingers are movably disposed along a periphery of the support surface, and each of the plurality of centering fingers comprises a first end portion for either contacting or supporting a peripheral edge of the substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a plasma processing chamber includes performing a plasma process at a process pressure and a pressure power to generate a plasma. A first ramping-down stage starts in which the process power and the process pressure are ramped down substantially simultaneously to an intermediate power level and an intermediate pressure level, respectively. The intermediate power level and intermediate pressure level are preselected so as to raise a plasma sheath boundary above a threshold height from a surface of a substrate. A purge gas is flowed from a showerhead assembly at a sufficiently high rate to sweep away contaminant particles trapped in the plasma such that one or more contaminant particles move outwardly of an edge of the substrate. A second ramping-down stage starts where the intermediate power level and the intermediate pressure level decline to a zero level and a base pressure, respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to receive an email message that is addressed to a plurality of recipients. The email message comprises a first portion with a first level of encryption and a second portion with a second level of encryption. The apparatus creates a first instance of the message to be sent to a first recipient from among the plurality of recipients. In the first instance, the apparatus masks the portions of the message that are not of the first level of encryption. The apparatus creates a second instance of the message to be sent to a second recipient from among the plurality of recipients. In the second instance, the apparatus masks the portions of the message that are not of the first or second levels of encryption. The apparatus is further configured to transmit the first instance to the first recipient and the second instance to the second recipient.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for generating a flow of radicals are provided. An ion blocker is positioned a distance from a faceplate of a remote plasma source. The ion blocker has openings to allow the plasma to flow through. The ion blocker is polarized relative to a showerhead positioned on an opposite side of the ion blocker so that there are substantially no plasma gas ions passing through the showerhead.

Abstract: Implementations disclosed herein describe a bevel etch apparatus within a loadlock bevel etch chamber and methods of using the same. The bevel etch apparatus has a mask assembly within the loadlock bevel etch chamber. During an etch process, the mask assembly delivers a gas flow to control bevel etch without the use of a shadow frame. As such, the edge exclusion at the bevel edge can be reduced, thus increasing product yield.

Abstract: The present disclosure relate to methods and apparatus for temperature sensing and control during substrate processing. Substrate temperatures during processing, which are difficult to measure directly, may be determined by examination of deposited film properties or by measuring changes in power output over time of the substrate heating apparatus. Temperatures are determined for many substrates during processing, showing how substrate temperatures change over time, and the temperature changes are then used to build models via machine learning techniques. The models are used to adjust heating apparatus setpoints for future processing operations.