Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming tungsten features in semiconductor devices is provided. The method includes exposing a top opening of a feature formed in a substrate to a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process to deposit a tungsten liner layer within the feature. The PVD process is performed in a first processing region of a first processing chamber and the tungsten liner layer forms an overhang portion, which partially obstructs the top opening of the feature. The substrate is transferred from the first processing region of the first processing chamber to a second processing region of a second processing chamber without breaking vacuum. The overhang portion is exposed to nitrogen-containing radicals in the second processing region to inhibit subsequent growth of tungsten along the overhang portion. The feature is exposed to a tungsten-containing precursor gas to form a tungsten fill layer over the tungsten liner layer within the feature.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning an atomic layer deposition chamber are provided herein. In some embodiments, a chamber lid assembly includes: a housing enclosing a central channel that extends along a central axis and has an upper portion and a lower portion; a lid plate coupled to the housing and having a contoured bottom surface that extends downwardly and outwardly from a central opening coupled to the lower portion of the central channel to a peripheral portion of the lid plate; a first heating element to heat the central channel; a second heating element to heat the bottom surface of the lid plate; a remote plasma source fluidly coupled to the central channel; and an isolation collar coupled between the remote plasma source and the housing, wherein the isolation collar has an inner channel extending through the isolation collar to fluidly couple the remote plasma source and the central channel.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a thermal chlorine gas cleaning process. In one embodiment, a method for cleaning N-Metal film deposition in a processing chamber includes positioning a dummy substrate on a substrate support. The processing chamber is heated to at least about 50 degrees Celsius. The method further includes flowing chlorine gas into the processing chamber and evacuating chlorine gas from the processing chamber. In another embodiment, a method for cleaning titanium aluminide film deposition in a processing chamber includes heating the processing chamber to a temperature between about 70 about degrees Celsius and about 100 degrees Celsius, wherein the processing chamber and the substrate support include one or more fluid channels configured to heat or cool the processing chamber and the substrate support.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning an atomic layer deposition chamber are provided herein. In some embodiments, a chamber lid assembly includes: a housing enclosing a central channel that extends along a central axis and has an upper portion and a lower portion; a lid plate coupled to the housing and having a contoured bottom surface that extends downwardly and outwardly from a central opening coupled to the lower portion of the central channel to a peripheral portion of the lid plate; a first heating element to heat the central channel; a second heating element to heat the bottom surface of the lid plate; a remote plasma source fluidly coupled to the central channel; and an isolation collar coupled between the remote plasma source and the housing, wherein the isolation collar has an inner channel extending through the isolation collar to fluidly couple the remote plasma source and the central channel.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a thermal chlorine gas cleaning process. In one embodiment, a method for cleaning N-Metal film deposition in a processing chamber includes positioning a dummy substrate on a substrate support. The processing chamber is heated to at least about 50 degrees Celsius. The method further includes flowing chlorine gas into the processing chamber and evacuating chlorine gas from the processing chamber. In another embodiment, a method for cleaning titanium aluminide film deposition in a processing chamber includes heating the processing chamber to a temperature between about 70 about degrees Celsius and about 100 degrees Celsius, wherein the processing chamber and the substrate support include one or more fluid channels configured to heat or cool the processing chamber and the substrate support.