Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods for in-situ deposition and treatment of a thin film for improved step coverage. In one embodiment, the method for processing a substrate is provided. The method includes forming a dielectric layer on patterned features of the substrate by exposing the substrate to a gas mixture of a first precursor and a second precursor simultaneously with plasma present in a process chamber, wherein the plasma is formed by a first pulsed RF power, exposing the dielectric layer to a first plasma treatment using a gas mixture of nitrogen and helium in the process chamber, and performing a plasma etch process by exposing the dielectric layer to a plasma formed from a gas mixture of a fluorine-containing precursor and a carrier gas, wherein the plasma is formed in the process chamber by a second pulsed RF power.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods for in-situ deposition and treatment of a thin film for improved step coverage. In one embodiment, the method for processing a substrate is provided. The method includes forming a dielectric layer on patterned features of the substrate by exposing the substrate to a gas mixture of a first precursor and a second precursor simultaneously with plasma present in a process chamber, wherein the plasma is formed by a first pulsed RF power, exposing the dielectric layer to a first plasma treatment using a gas mixture of nitrogen and helium in the process chamber, and performing a plasma etch process by exposing the dielectric layer to a plasma formed from a gas mixture of a fluorine-containing precursor and a carrier gas, wherein the plasma is formed in the process chamber by a second pulsed RF power.

Abstract: An inlaid capacitor and method of forming the same on a semiconductor wafer provides for polishing a layer formed within a cavity and on a top surface of the semiconductor wafer. The layer may include a bottom electrode layer of the capacitor. The cavity, which remains open since a sacrificial material is not used to protect the cavity during polishing, contains residual particles after the polish process is completed. The particles are loosened from the surfaces of the bottom electrode layer by a megasonic cleaning process. In order to remove the loosened residual particles, the semiconductor wafers is subjected to a double-sided brush scrubbing. Following the removal of substantially all of the residual particles from within the cavity, and the surface of the bottom electrode layer, formation of the capacitor completed by the deposition of a dielectric material and a top electrode layer.