Abstract: A vacuum plasma system has a table with a table power connector, and a fixture spaced apart from the table for defining a chamber between the table and the fixture. An electrostatic chuck (ESC) is mounted to the table in the chamber. The ESC has a side for supporting a workpiece, and an ESC power connector that electrically couples with the table power connector. A coupling extends between the table and ESC power connectors to provide electrical connection therebetween. A shield surrounds the coupling and portions of the table and ESC power connectors to reduce external fields applied to the coupling.

Abstract: A process of forming an electronic device can include placing a seed layer into an electroplating solution within an electroplating tool. The electroplating tool can include a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first electrode is electrically connected to the seed layer. The process can also include depositing a first portion of a conductive layer using a first signal of a first type (e.g., direct current) between the first electrode and a second electrode, and depositing a second portion of the conductive layer over the first portion of the conductive layer, using a second signal of a second type (e.g., alternating current) between the first electrode and the second electrode of the electroplating tool.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a low thermal budget MOL liner to be used in the fabrication of a semiconductor device. The low thermal budget MOL liner of the present invention, which is formed by treating a titanium-deposited layer with an in-situ plasma nitridization step, results in a significantly improved high performance device as the need for the higher thermal annealing process presently used in the making of such devices can be avoided. The present invention is further directed to a method of making the resulting semiconductor device, as well as the semi-conductor device itself.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the disclosure, the present invention provides methods and arrangements for controlling supply process gas to a process chamber for use in the manufacturing industry. Methods include controlling the operation of a valve coupled to the supply process gas line in a way such that pressure bursts in the process chamber due to the operation of the valve are reduced, or even eliminated.

Abstract: A circuit device incorporating an anti-reflective coating and methods of fabricating the same are provided. In one aspect, a method of processing a substrate is provided that includes forming a film on the substrate and forming an anti-reflective coating on the film by first forming a silicon-rich nitride film on the film in a first plasma atmosphere and thereafter exposing the silicon-rich nitride film in-situ to a second plasma atmosphere containing oxygen to convert an upper portion of the silicon-rich nitride film to silicon oxynitride. Variability in the optical properties of the anti-reflective coating substantially reduced, resulting in improved UV lithographic patterning of etch masking.

Abstract: A processing line includes a processing tool and an automatic process controller. The processing tool is adapted to deposit a layer of material on a semiconductor wafer based on an operating recipe. The automatic process controller is adapted to identify a post-idle set of wafers to be processed in the processing tool after an idle period, determine deposition times for wafers in the set of post-idle wafers, and modify the operating recipe of the processing tool for each of the wafers in the post-idle set based on the deposition times. A method for reducing wafer to wafer deposition variation includes designating a set of post-idle wafers; determining a deposition time for each of the wafers in the post-idle set, at least two of the deposition times being different; and depositing a layer on the wafers in the post-idle set based on the deposition times determined.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a magnet assembly for a sputtering chamber that allows for an even erosion of a target in the sputtering chamber so that atoms on the target are deposited on a wafer. This magnet assembly has a side magnet which is thinner than a center and ring magnet. This side magnet's centerplane is positioned above the centerplane of the other magnets. Additionally, this magnet assembly uses a center magnet in the range of substantially 350-450 Gauss and a side magnet of in the range of substantially 680-780 Gauss so that an asymmetrical magnetic field will be created which will cause an even erosion of the target and prevent re-deposition.

Abstract: A sputter target assembly includes a main target plate formed of a refractory material, such as Ti/W, which provides a target surface which is bombarded by ions and from which is ejected refractory material for thin-film deposition. A removable center piece is formed of a refractory material and fits within a recess formed in the center region of the main target plate to provide a surface which is substantially coplanar with the target surface of the main target. The removable center piece is attached to the main target plate with a screw formed of a refractory material. The main target plate is bonded to a backing plate for cooling.