Abstract: Conductive contacts and methods for fabricating conductive contacts for electrochemical mechanical planarization are provided. A conductive contact in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention includes, but is not limited to, a first conductive surface formed of a flexible material, a conductive element that is disposed remote from the first conductive surface and that is configured for electrical coupling to an external circuit, and an intermediate portion that electrically couples the first conductive surface and the conductive element.

Abstract: Methods are provided for electrochemically depositing copper on a work piece. One method includes the step of depositing overlying the work piece a barrier layer having a surface and subjecting the barrier layer surface to a surface treatment adapted to facilitate deposition of copper on the barrier layer. Copper then is electrochemically deposited overlying the barrier layer.

Abstract: Methods for depositing a ruthenium metal layer on a dielectric substrate are provided. The methods involve, for instance, exposing the dielectric substrate to an amine-containing compound, followed by exposing the substrate to a ruthenium precursor and an optional co-reactant such that the amine-containing compound facilitates the nucleation on the dielectric surface.

Abstract: Methods are provided for electrochemically depositing copper on a work piece. One method includes the step of depositing overlying the work piece a barrier layer having a surface and subjecting the barrier layer surface to a surface treatment adapted to facilitate deposition of copper on the barrier layer. Copper then is electrochemically deposited overlying the barrier layer.

Abstract: A plasma processing system efficiently couples radiofrequency energy to a plasma confined within a vacuum processing space inside a vacuum chamber. The plasma processing system comprises a frustoconical dielectric window, an inductive element disposed outside of the dielectric window, and a frustoconical support member incorporated into an opening in the chamber wall. The support member has a frustoconical panel that mechanically supports a frustoconical section of the dielectric window. The dielectric window is formed of a dielectric material, such as a ceramic or a polymer, and has a reduced thickness due to the mechanical support provided by the support member. The processing system may include a gas source positioned above the substrate support for introducing the process gas into the vacuum processing space.

Abstract: Deposition of ionized material at a beveled or non-flat edge of a semiconductor wafer and the etching by the ionized material at such edge is controlled in a high density plasma processing machine by surrounding the wafer with a conducting ring to affect sheath potential and deflecting the ions of the material in such a way that the deposition and etching rate changes in a controlled way over the region immediately adjacent the wafer edge. The ring may be biased in several ways to control the ion flux to the wafer edge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided by which the effects of the plasma power RF source and substrate bias are decoupled to reduce the effect of plasma power on the wafer bias and to improve process control. A technique is provided that includes establishing a high density plasma adjacent to a semiconductor wafer, such as by inductive coupling, at some RF plasma excitation frequency, preferably at a frequency between 50 kHz and 50 MHz. RF power from a bias power source is applied to a chuck on which a wafer is supported which exhibits high capacitance between the RF feed of the bias power source and the wafer. The RF power to the substrate support is applied through a matching unit at a frequency that is identical to or close to that of the frequency of the primary power to the plasma.

Abstract: Deposition of ionized material at a beveled or non-flat edge of a semiconductor wafer and the etching by the ionized material at such edge is controlled in a high density plasma processing machine by surrounding the wafer with a conducting ring to affect sheath potential and deflecting the ions of the material in such a way that the deposition and etching rate changes in a controlled way over the region immediately adjacent the wafer edge. The ring may be biased in several ways to control the ion flux to the wafer edge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided by which the effects of the plasma power RF source and substrate bias are decoupled to reduce the effect of plasma power on the wafer bias and to improve process control. A technique is provided that includes establishing a high density plasma adjacent to a semiconductor wafer, such as by inductive coupling, at some RF plasma excitation frequency, preferably at a frequency between 50 kHz and 50 MHz. RF power from a bias power source is applied to a chuck on which a wafer is supported which exhibits high capacitance between the RF feed of the bias power source and the wafer. The RF power to the substrate support is applied through a matching unit at a frequency that is identical to or close to that of the frequency of the primary power to the plasma.

Abstract: A plasma processing system efficiently couples radiofrequency energy to a plasma confined within a vacuum processing space inside a vacuum chamber. The plasma processing system comprises a frustoconical dielectric window, an inductive element disposed outside of the dielectric window, and a frustoconical support member incorporated into an opening in the chamber wall. The support member has a frustoconical panel that mechanically supports a frustoconical section of the dielectric window. The dielectric window is formed of a dielectric material, such as a ceramic or a polymer, and has a reduced thickness due to the mechanical support provided by the support member. The processing system may include a gas source positioned above the substrate support for introducing the process gas into the vacuum processing space.

Abstract: A plasma processing system having a plasma source that efficiently couple radiofrequency energy to a plasma within a vacuum processing space of a vacuum chamber. The plasma source comprises a dielectric trough, an inductive element, and a pair of slotted deposition shields. A chamber wall of the vacuum chamber includes an annular opening that receives the dielectric trough. The trough projects into the vacuum processing space to immerse the inductive element within the plasma. The spatial distribution of the RF energy inductively coupled from the inductive element to the plasma may be tailored by altering the slots in the slotted deposition shields, the configuration of the inductive element, and the thickness or geometry of the trough. The efficient inductive coupling of radiofrequency energy is particularly effective for creating a spatially-uniform large-area plasma for the processing of large-area substrates.