Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure generally relate to an improved factory interface that is coupled to an on-board metrology housing configured for measuring film properties of a substrate. In one implementation, an apparatus comprises a factory interface, and a metrology housing removably coupled to the factory interface through a load port, the metrology housing comprises an on-board metrology assembly for measuring properties of a substrate to be transferred into the metrology housing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to methods for conditioning an interior wall surface of a remote plasma generator. In one embodiment, a method for processing a substrate is provided. The method includes exposing an interior wall surface of a remote plasma source to a conditioning gas that is in excited state to passivate the interior wall surface of the remote plasma source, wherein the remote plasma source is coupled through a conduit to a processing chamber in which a substrate is disposed, and the conditioning gas comprises an oxygen-containing gas, a nitrogen-containing gas, or a combination thereof. The method has been observed to be able to improve dissociation/recombination rate and plasma coupling efficiency in the processing chamber, and therefore provides repeatable and stable plasma source performance from wafer to wafer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a batch processing chamber that is adapted to simultaneously cure multiple substrates at one time. The batch processing chamber includes multiple processing sub-regions that are each independently temperature controlled. The batch processing chamber may include a first and a second sub-processing region that are each serviced by a substrate transport device external to the batch processing chamber. In addition, a slotted cover mounted on the loading opening of the batch curing chamber reduces the effect of ambient air entering the chamber during loading and unloading.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to methods for conditioning an interior wall surface of a remote plasma generator. In one embodiment, a method for processing a substrate is provided. The method includes exposing an interior wall surface of a remote plasma source to a conditioning gas that is in excited state to passivate the interior wall surface of the remote plasma source, wherein the remote plasma source is coupled through a conduit to a processing chamber in which a substrate is disposed, and the conditioning gas comprises an oxygen-containing gas, a nitrogen-containing gas, or a combination thereof. The method has been observed to be able to improve dissociation/recombination rate and plasma coupling efficiency in the processing chamber, and therefore provides repeatable and stable plasma source performance from wafer to wafer.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include integrated systems used to directly monitor a substrate temperature during a plasma enhanced deposition process and methods related thereto. In one embodiment, a substrate support assembly includes a support shaft, a substrate support disposed on the support shaft, and a substrate temperature monitoring system for measuring a temperature of a substrate to be disposed on the substrate support. The substrate temperature monitoring system includes a optical fiber tube, a light guide coupled to the optical fiber tube, and a cooling assembly disposed about a junction of the optical fiber tube and the light guide. Herein, at least a portion of the light guide is disposed in an opening extending through the support shaft and into the substrate support and the cooling assembly maintains the optical fiber tube at a temperature of less than about 100° C. during substrate processing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a batch processing chamber that is adapted to simultaneously cure multiple substrates at one time. The batch processing chamber includes multiple processing sub-regions that are each independently temperature controlled. The batch processing chamber may include a first and a second sub-processing region that are each serviced by a substrate transport device external to the batch processing chamber. In addition, a slotted cover mounted on the loading opening of the batch curing chamber reduces the effect of ambient air entering the chamber during loading and unloading.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus is provided including a radio frequency power source; a direct current power source; a chamber enclosing a process volume; and a substrate support assembly disposed in the process volume. The substrate support assembly includes a substrate support having a substrate supporting surface; an electrode disposed in the substrate support; and an interconnect assembly coupling the radio frequency power source and the direct current power source with the electrode.

Abstract: A remote plasma source is disclosed that includes a core element and a first plasma block including one or more surfaces at least partially enclosing an annular-shaped plasma generating region that is disposed around a first portion of the core element. The remote plasma source further comprises one or more coils disposed around respective second portions of the core element. The remote plasma source further includes an RF power source configured to drive a RF power signal onto the one or more coils that is based on a determined impedance of the plasma generating region. Energy from the RF power signal is coupled with the plasma generating region via the one or more coils and the core element.

Abstract: A voltage-current sensor enables more accurate measurement of the voltage, current, and phase of RF power that is delivered to high-temperature processing region. The sensor includes a planar body comprised of a non-organic, electrically insulative material, a measurement opening formed in the planar body, a voltage pickup disposed around the measurement opening, and a current pickup disposed around the measurement opening. Because of the planar configuration and material composition of the sensor, the sensor can be disposed proximate to or in contact with a high-temperature surface of a plasma processing chamber.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a plasma processing system. The plasma processing system includes a processing chamber, a chamber seasoning system, and a remote plasma cleaning system. The processing chamber has a chamber body defining a processing region and a plasma field. The chamber seasoning system is coupled to the processing chamber. The chamber seasoning system is configured to season the processing region and the plasma field. The remote plasma cleaning system is in communication with the processing chamber. The remote plasma cleaning system is configured to clean the processing region and the plasma field.

Abstract: Implementations described herein generally relate to an apparatus for forming flowable films. In one implementation, the apparatus is a processing chamber including a first RPS coupled to a lid of the processing chamber and a second RPS coupled to a side wall of the processing chamber. The first RPS is utilized for delivering deposition radicals into a processing region in the processing chamber and the second RPS is utilized for delivering cleaning radicals into the processing region. The processing chamber further includes a radical delivery ring disposed between a showerhead and a substrate support for delivering cleaning radicals from the second RPS into the processing region. Having separate RPSs for deposition and clean along with introducing radicals from the RPSs into the processing region using separate delivery channels minimizes cross contamination and cyclic change on the RPSs, leading to improved deposition rate drifting and particle performance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a deposition chamber is provided and includes a twin chamber that includes a first remote plasma system coupled and dedicated to a first processing region, a second remote plasma system coupled and dedicated to a second processing region, and a third remote plasma system shared by the first processing region and the second processing region.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure generally relate to an improved factory interface that is coupled to an on-board metrology housing configured for measuring film properties of a substrate. In one implementation, an apparatus comprises a factory interface, and a metrology housing removably coupled to the factory interface through a load port, the metrology housing comprises an on-board metrology assembly for measuring properties of a substrate to be transferred into the metrology housing.

Abstract: A plasma source is provided including a core element extending from a first end to a second end along a first axis. The plasma source further includes one or more coils disposed around respective one or more first portions of the core element. The plasma source further includes a plasma block having one or more interior walls at least partially enclosing an annular plasma-generating volume that is disposed around a second portion of the core element. The annular plasma-generating volume includes a first region that is symmetrical about a plurality of perpendicular axes that are perpendicular to a first point positioned on the first axis, the first region having a width in a direction parallel to the first axis and a depth in a direction perpendicular from the first axis. The first region has a width that is at least three times greater than the depth of the first region.

Abstract: A plasma source is provided including a core element extending from a first end to a second end along a first axis. The plasma source further includes one or more coils disposed around respective one or more first portions of the core element. The plasma source further includes a plasma block having one or more interior walls at least partially enclosing an annular plasma-generating volume that is disposed around a second portion of the core element. The annular plasma-generating volume includes a first region that is symmetrical about a plurality of perpendicular axes that are perpendicular to a first point positioned on the first axis, the first region having a width in a direction parallel to the first axis and a depth in a direction perpendicular from the first axis. The first region has a width that is at least three times greater than the depth of the first region.

Abstract: A plasma source includes a plasma vessel that includes a dielectric material that encloses a cavity of a toroidal shape. The toroidal shape defines a toroidal axis therethrough. The vessel forms input and output connections, each of the input and output connections being in fluid communication with the cavity. One or more metal plates are disposed adjacent to the plasma vessel for cooling the plasma vessel. A magnetic core is disposed along the toroidal axis such that respective first and second ends of the magnetic core extend beyond axially opposed sides of the plasma vessel. First and second induction coils are wound about the respective first and second ends of the magnetic core. A plasma is generated in the cavity when an input gas is supplied through the input connection and an oscillating electrical current is supplied to the first and second induction coils.

Abstract: A remote plasma source is disclosed that includes a core element and a first plasma block including one or more surfaces at least partially enclosing an annular-shaped plasma generating region that is disposed around a first portion of the core element. The remote plasma source further comprises one or more coils disposed around respective second portions of the core element. The remote plasma source further includes an RF power source configured to drive a RF power signal onto the one or more coils that is based on a determined impedance of the plasma generating region. Energy from the RF power signal is coupled with the plasma generating region via the one or more coils and the core element.

Abstract: A substrate processing system that has a plurality of deposition chambers, and one or more robotic arms for moving a substrate between one or more of a deposition chamber, load lock holding area, and a curing and treatment module. The substrate curing and treatment module is attached to the load-lock substrate holding area, and may include: The curing chamber for curing a dielectric layer in an atmosphere comprising ozone, and a treatment chamber for treating the cured dielectric layer in an atmosphere comprising water vapor. The chambers may be vertically aligned, have one or more access doors, and may include a heating system to adjust the curing and/or heating chambers between two or more temperatures respectively.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an electrostatic chuck for maintaining a flatness of a substrate being processed in a plasma reactor at high temperatures. In one embodiment, the electrostatic chuck comprises a chuck body coupled to a support stem, the chuck body having a substrate supporting surface, and the chuck body has a volume resistivity value of about 1×107 ohm-cm to about 1×1015 ohm-cm in a temperature of about 250° C. to about 700° C., and an electrode embedded in the body, the electrode is coupled to a power supply. In one example, the chuck body is composed of an aluminum nitride material which has been observed to be able to optimize chucking performance around 600° C. or above during a deposition or etch process, or any other process that employ both high operating temperature and substrate clamping features.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to methods for conditioning an interior wall surface of a remote plasma generator. In one embodiment, a method for processing a substrate is provided. The method includes exposing an interior wall surface of a remote plasma source to a conditioning gas that is in excited state to passivate the interior wall surface of the remote plasma source, wherein the remote plasma source is coupled through a conduit to a processing chamber in which a substrate is disposed, and the conditioning gas comprises an oxygen-containing gas, a nitrogen-containing gas, or a combination thereof. The method has been observed to be able to improve dissociation/recombination rate and plasma coupling efficiency in the processing chamber, and therefore provides repeatable and stable plasma source performance from wafer to wafer.