Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for controlling precursor flow in a semiconductor processing tool are disclosed. A method may include flowing gas through a gas line, opening an ampoule valve(s), before a dose step, to start a flow of precursor from the ampoule to a process chamber through the gas line, closing the ampoule valve(s) to stop the precursor from flowing out of the ampoule, opening a process chamber valve, at the beginning of the dose step, to allow the flow of precursor to enter the process chamber, and closing the process chamber valve, at the end of the dose step, to stop the flow of precursor from entering the process chamber. A controller may include at least one memory and at least one processor and the at least one memory may store instructions for controlling the at least one processor to control precursor flow in a semiconductor processing tool.

Abstract: A wafer is positioned on a wafer support apparatus beneath an electrode such that a plasma generation region exists between the wafer and the electrode. Radiofrequency power is supplied to the electrode to generate a plasma within the plasma generation region during multiple sequential plasma processing cycles of a plasma processing operation. At least one electrical sensor connected to the electrode measures a radiofrequency parameter on the electrode during each of the multiple sequential plasma processing cycles. A value of the radiofrequency parameter as measured on the electrode is determined for each of the multiple sequential plasma processing cycles. A determination is made as to whether or not any indicatory trend or change exists in the values of the radiofrequency parameter as measured on the electrode over the multiple sequential plasma processing cycles, where the indicatory trend or change indicates formation of a plasma instability during the plasma processing operation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for depositing films in high aspect ratio features and trenches using a post-dose treatment operation during atomic layer deposition are provided. Post-dose treatment operations are performed after adsorbing precursors onto the substrate to remove adsorbed precursors at the tops of features prior to converting the adsorbed precursors to a silicon-containing film. Post-dose treatments include exposure to non-oxidizing gas, exposure to non-oxidizing plasma, and exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for controlling precursor flow in a semiconductor processing tool are disclosed. A method may include flowing gas through a gas line, opening an ampoule valve(s), before a dose step, to start a flow of precursor from the ampoule to a process chamber through the gas line, closing the ampoule valve(s) to stop the precursor from flowing out of the ampoule, opening a process chamber valve, at the beginning of the dose step, to allow the flow of precursor to enter the process chamber, and closing the process chamber valve, at the end of the dose step, to stop the flow of precursor from entering the process chamber. A controller may include at least one memory and at least one processor and the at least one memory may store instructions for controlling the at least one processor to control precursor flow in a semiconductor processing tool.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for depositing low density spacers using atomic layer deposition for negative patterning schemes are provided herein. Methods involve one or more of: (1) exposing a substrate to a plasma for a duration less than about 300 ms in each cycle of alternating pulses of a deposition precursor and oxidizing plasma; (2) exposing the substrate to the plasma at a radio frequency power density of less than about 0.2 W/cm2; and (3) exposing the substrate to the plasma produced from a process gas having an argon to oxidant ratio of at least about 1:12.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for depositing films in high aspect ratio features and trenches using a post-dose treatment operation during atomic layer deposition are provided. Post-dose treatment operations are performed after adsorbing precursors onto the substrate to remove adsorbed precursors at the tops of features prior to converting the adsorbed precursors to a silicon-containing film. Post-dose treatments include exposure to non-oxidizing gas, exposure to non-oxidizing plasma, and exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for depositing films in high aspect ratio features and trenches on substrates using atomic layer deposition and deposition of a sacrificial layer during atomic layer deposition are provided. Sacrificial layers are materials deposited at or near the top of features and trenches prior to exposing the substrate to a deposition precursor such that adsorbed precursor on the sacrificial layer is removed in an etching operation for etching the sacrificial layer prior to exposing the substrate to a second reactant and a plasma to form a film.

Abstract: A semiconductor system includes a chamber, a pedestal disposed in the chamber, and a focus ring that surrounds the pedestal. The pedestal has a center region for supporting a central region of a substrate, e.g., a wafer. The focus ring is configured to surround the center region of the pedestal. The focus ring has an annular support region that extends between an inner portion of the focus ring and an outer portion of the focus ring. The annular support region, which is disposed at an angle relative to a horizontal line, provides a knife-edge contact for the substrate when present over the center region of the pedestal and the annular support region of the focus ring. The knife-edge contact between the edge of the substrate and the annular support region of the focus ring disables chemical access to the substrate backside and thereby reduces unwanted backside deposition.

Abstract: A wafer is positioned on a wafer support apparatus beneath an electrode such that a plasma generation region exists between the wafer and the electrode. Radiofrequency signals of a first signal frequency are supplied to the plasma generation region to generate a plasma within the plasma generation region. Formation of a plasma instability is detected within the plasma based on supply of the radiofrequency signals of the first signal frequency. After detecting formation of the plasma instability, radiofrequency signals of a second signal frequency are supplied to the plasma generation region in lieu of the radiofrequency signals of the first signal frequency to generate the plasma. The second signal frequency is greater than the first signal frequency and is set to cause a reduction in ion energy within the plasma and a corresponding reduction in secondary electron emission from the wafer caused by ion interaction with the wafer.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for plasma enabled film deposition on a wafer in which a plasma is generated using radiofrequency signals of multiple frequencies and in which a phase angle relationship is controlled between the radiofrequency signals of multiple frequencies. In the system, a pedestal is provided to support the wafer. A plasma generation region is formed above the pedestal. An electrode is disposed in proximity to the plasma generation region to provide for transmission of radiofrequency signals into the plasma generation region. A radiofrequency power supply provides multiple radiofrequency signals of different frequencies to the electrode. A lowest of the different frequencies is a base frequency, and each of the different frequencies that is greater than the base frequency is an even harmonic of the base frequency. The radiofrequency power supply provides for variable control of the phase angle relationship between each of the multiple radiofrequency signals.

Abstract: A wafer is positioned on a wafer support apparatus beneath an electrode such that a plasma generation region exists between the wafer and the electrode. Radiofrequency power is supplied to the electrode to generate a plasma within the plasma generation region during multiple sequential plasma processing cycles of a plasma processing operation. At least one electrical sensor connected to the electrode measures a radiofrequency parameter on the electrode during each of the multiple sequential plasma processing cycles. A value of the radiofrequency parameter as measured on the electrode is determined for each of the multiple sequential plasma processing cycles. A determination is made as to whether or not any indicatory trend or change exists in the values of the radiofrequency parameter as measured on the electrode over the multiple sequential plasma processing cycles, where the indicatory trend or change indicates formation of a plasma instability during the plasma processing operation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for depositing low density spacers using atomic layer deposition for negative patterning schemes are provided herein. Methods involve one or more of: (1) exposing a substrate to a plasma for a duration less than about 300 ms in each cycle of alternating pulses of a deposition precursor and oxidizing plasma; (2) exposing the substrate to the plasma at a radio frequency power density of less than about 0.2 W/cm2; and (3) exposing the substrate to the plasma produced from a process gas having an argon to oxidant ratio of at least about 1:12.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for depositing films in high aspect ratio features and trenches on substrates using atomic layer deposition and deposition of a sacrificial layer during atomic layer deposition are provided. Sacrificial layers are materials deposited at or near the top of features and trenches prior to exposing the substrate to a deposition precursor such that adsorbed precursor on the sacrificial layer is removed in an etching operation for etching the sacrificial layer prior to exposing the substrate to a second reactant and a plasma to form a film.

Abstract: A process tuning kit for use in a chemical deposition apparatus wherein the process tuning kit includes a carrier ring, horseshoes and shims. The horseshoes have the same dimensions and the shims are provided in sets with different thicknesses to control the height of the horseshoes with respect to an upper surface of a pedestal assembly on which the horseshoes and shims are mounted. A semiconductor substrate is transported into a vacuum chamber of the chemical deposition apparatus by the carrier ring which is placed on the horseshoes such that minimum contact area supports lift the substrate from the carrier ring and support the substrate at a predetermined offset with respect to an upper surface of the pedestal assembly. During processing of the substrate, backside deposition can be reduced by using shims of desired thickness to control the predetermined offset.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for depositing films in high aspect ratio features and trenches using a post-dose treatment operation during atomic layer deposition are provided. Post-dose treatment operations are performed after adsorbing precursors onto the substrate to remove adsorbed precursors at the tops of features prior to converting the adsorbed precursors to a silicon-containing film. Post-dose treatments include exposure to non-oxidizing gas, exposure to non-oxidizing plasma, and exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for controlling precursor flow in a semiconductor processing tool are disclosed. A method may include flowing gas through a gas line, opening an ampoule valve(s), before a dose step, to start a flow of precursor from the ampoule to a process chamber through the gas line, closing the ampoule valve(s) to stop the precursor from flowing out of the ampoule, opening a process chamber valve, at the beginning of the dose step, to allow the flow of precursor to enter the process chamber, and closing the process chamber valve, at the end of the dose step, to stop the flow of precursor from entering the process chamber. A controller may include at least one memory and at least one processor and the at least one memory may store instructions for controlling the at least one processor to control precursor flow in a semiconductor processing tool.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of and systems for depositing a film. The methods may include: (a) determining process conditions, including a flow condition of a curtain gas that flows around the periphery of each station in the chamber, for performing film deposition in the chamber, (b) flowing the curtain gas to each station in the chamber during film deposition according to the process conditions determined in (a), (c) determining, during or after (b), an adjusted flow condition of the curtain gas in the chamber to improve substrate nonuniformity, and (d) flowing, after (c), the curtain gas during film deposition according to the adjusted flow condition determined in (c). The systems may include a gas delivery system, a processing chamber, and a controller having control logic for performing one or more of (a)-(d).

Abstract: A wafer is positioned on a wafer support apparatus beneath an electrode such that a plasma generation region exists between the wafer and the electrode. Radiofrequency power is supplied to the electrode to generate a plasma within the plasma generation region during multiple sequential plasma processing cycles of a plasma processing operation. At least one electrical sensor connected to the electrode measures a radiofrequency parameter on the electrode during each of the multiple sequential plasma processing cycles. A value of the radiofrequency parameter as measured on the electrode is determined for each of the multiple sequential plasma processing cycles. A determination is made as to whether or not any indicatory trend or change exists in the values of the radiofrequency parameter as measured on the electrode over the multiple sequential plasma processing cycles, where the indicatory trend or change indicates formation of a plasma instability during the plasma processing operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for plasma enabled film deposition on a wafer in which a plasma is generated using radiofrequency signals of multiple frequencies and in which a phase angle relationship is controlled between the radiofrequency signals of multiple frequencies. In the system, a pedestal is provided to support the wafer. A plasma generation region is formed above the pedestal. An electrode is disposed in proximity to the plasma generation region to provide for transmission of radiofrequency signals into the plasma generation region. A radiofrequency power supply provides multiple radiofrequency signals of different frequencies to the electrode. A lowest of the different frequencies is a base frequency, and each of the different frequencies that is greater than the base frequency is an even harmonic of the base frequency. The radiofrequency power supply provides for variable control of the phase angle relationship between each of the multiple radiofrequency signals.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for depositing approximately equal thicknesses of a material on at least two substrates concurrently processed in separate stations of a multi-station deposition apparatus are provided.