Abstract: An endpoint detection device, a plasma reactor with the endpoint detection device, and an endpoint detection method are provided. The endpoint detection device includes an OES data operation unit, a data selector, a product generator, an SVM, and an endpoint determiner. The OES data operation unit processes reference OES data by normalization and PCA. The data selector selects part of the linear reference loading vectors and selects part of the selected linear reference loading vectors. The product generator outputs at least one reference product value. The SVM performs regression and outputs a prediction product value. The endpoint determiner detects a process wafer etch or deposition endpoint and outputs a detection signal.

Abstract: A plasma reactor includes a vacuum enclosure including a side wall and a ceiling defining a vacuum chamber, and a workpiece support within the chamber and facing the ceiling for supporting a planar workpiece, the workpiece support and the ceiling together defining a processing region between the workpiece support and the ceiling. Process gas inlets furnish a process gas into the chamber. A plasma source power electrode is connected to an RF power generator for capacitively coupling plasma source power into the chamber for maintaining a plasma within the chamber. The reactor further includes at least a first overhead solenoidal electromagnet adjacent the ceiling, the overhead solenoidal electromagnet, the ceiling, the side wall and the workpiece support being located along a common axis of symmetry.

Abstract: The present invention includes a process for selectively etching a low-k dielectric material formed on a substrate using a plasma of a gas mixture in a plasma etch chamber. The gas mixture comprises a fluorine-rich fluorocarbon or hydrofluorocarbon gas, a nitrogen-containing gas, and one or more additive gases, such as a hydrogen-rich hydrofluorocarbon gas, an inert gas and/or a carbon-oxygen gas. The process provides a low-k dielectric to a photoresist mask etching selectivity ratio greater than about 5:1, a low-k dielectric to a barrier/liner layer etching selectivity ratio greater about 10:1, and a low-k dielectric etch rate higher than about 4000 ?/min.

Abstract: A plasma reactor includes a vacuum enclosure including a side wall and a ceiling defining a vacuum chamber, and a workpiece support within the chamber and facing the ceiling for supporting a planar workpiece, the workpiece support and the ceiling together defining a processing region between the workpiece support and the ceiling. Process gas inlets furnish a process gas into the chamber. A plasma source power electrode is connected to an RF power generator for capacitively coupling plasma source power into the chamber for maintaining a plasma within the chamber. The reactor further includes at least a first overhead solenoidal electromagnet adjacent the ceiling, the overhead solenoidal electromagnet, the ceiling, the side wall and the workpiece support being located along a common axis of symmetry.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the flow of a gas between a process region and an exhaust port in a semiconductor substrate processing chamber is provided. The apparatus includes at least one restrictor plate supported within the semiconductor processing chamber and at least partially circumscribing a substrate support pedestal. The restrictor plate is adapted to control the flow of at least one gas flowing between the process region and the exhaust port.

Abstract: A plasma reactor includes a vacuum enclosure including a side wall and a ceiling defining a vacuum chamber, and a workpiece support within the chamber and facing the ceiling for supporting a planar workpiece, the workpiece support and the ceiling together defining a processing region between the workpiece support and the ceiling. Process gas inlets furnish a process gas into the chamber. A plasma source power electrode is connected to an RF power generator for capacitively coupling plasma source power into the chamber for maintaining a plasma within the chamber. The reactor further includes at least a first overhead solenoidal electromagnet adjacent the ceiling, the overhead solenoidal electromagnet, the ceiling, the sidewall and the workpiece support being located along a common axis of symmetry.

Abstract: The present invention includes a process for selectively etching a low-k dielectric material formed on a substrate using a plasma of a gas mixture in a plasma etch chamber. The gas mixture comprises a fluorine-rich fluorocarbon or hydrofluorocarbon gas, a nitrogen-containing gas, and one or more additive gases, such as a hydrogen-rich hydrofluorocarbon gas, an inert gas and/or a carbon-oxygen gas. The process provides a low-k dielectric to a photoresist mask etching selectivity ratio greater than about 5:1, a low-k dielectric to a barrier/liner layer etching selectivity ratio greater about 10:1, and a low-k dielectric etch rate higher than about 4000 ?/min.

Abstract: A plasma reactor includes a vacuum enclosure including a side wall and a ceiling defining a vacuum chamber, and a workpiece support within the chamber and facing the ceiling for supporting a planar workpiece, the workpiece support and the ceiling together defining a processing region between the workpiece support and the ceiling. Process gas inlets furnish a process gas into the chamber. A plasma source power electrode is connected to an RF power generator for capacitively coupling plasma source power into the chamber for maintaining a plasma within the chamber. The reactor further includes at least a first overhead solenoidal electromagnet adjacent the ceiling, the overhead solenoidal electromagnet, the ceiling, the side wall and the workpiece support being located along a common axis of symmetry.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to a plasma etch reactor. In one embodiment, the reactor includes a chamber, a pedestal disposed within the chamber, a gas distribution plate disposed within the chamber overlying the pedestal, a ring surrounding the pedestal, and an upper electrically conductive mesh layer and a lower electrically conductive mesh layer disposed within the pedestal. The ring has a raised portion. The upper electrically conductive mesh layer is disposed substantially above the lower electrically conductive mesh layer and is substantially the same size as a substrate configured to be disposed on the pedestal. The lower electrically conductive mesh layer is substantially annular in shape and is disposed around the periphery of the upper electrically conductive mesh layer and below the raised portion of the ring.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dielectric etch process with good etch rate, good selectivity with respect to photoresist mask, and much reduced striation as compared with conventional dielectric etching processes having comparable etch rate and selectivity. In one embodiment of the present invention, the dielectric layer is formed on a substrate with an underlying layer of another material and an overlying photoresist mask. A process for etching the dielectric layer comprises introducing a novel process gas into a process zone and maintaining a plasma of the process gas for a period of time. The process gas comprises a fluorocarbon gas, oxygen, a hydrogen-containing gas, and, optionally, an inert gas.

Abstract: A plasma reactor includes a vacuum enclosure including a side wall and a ceiling defining a vacuum chamber, and a workpiece support within the chamber and facing the ceiling for supporting a planar workpiece, the workpiece support and the ceiling together defining a processing region between the workpiece support and the ceiling. Process gas inlets furnish a process gas into the chamber. A plasma source power electrode is connected to an RF power generator for capacitively coupling plasma source power into the chamber for maintaining a plasma within the chamber. The reactor further includes at least a first overhead solenoidal electromagnet adjacent the ceiling, the overhead solenoidal electromagnet, the ceiling, the sidewall and the workpiece support being located along a common axis of symmetry.