Abstract: A method of scanning a wafer includes placing the wafer over a substrate holder inside a processing chamber, where the wafer is placed at a first twist angle relative to a reference axis of a rotatable feedthrough of the processing chamber. The method further includes performing a first pass scan by exposing the wafer to an ion beam while driving two rotary drives disposed in a scanning chamber synchronously to generate a planar motion of the wafer from a rotational motion of the two rotary drives, where the wafer is oriented continuously at the first twist angle when performing the first pass scan.

Abstract: A method for processing a substrate that includes: applying, at an ionizer, a drive pulse train to an ion source to ionize a gas cluster beam and transfer the drive pulse train to the gas cluster beam; measuring, at a detector exposed to the gas cluster beam, a beam current synchronously with the drive pulse train; obtaining time-of-flight information of the clusters and the monomers in the gas cluster beam based on the beam current and the drive pulse train; determining size information relating to a size distribution of clusters and monomers in the gas cluster ion beam based on the time-of-flight information; adjusting a process parameter of the gas cluster beam based on the size information; and exposing the substrate to the gas cluster beam with the adjusted process parameter.

Abstract: A method of processing a substrate includes loading the substrate on a substrate holder. The substrate includes a major surface and a feature disposed over the major surface. The feature has a first width along an etch direction. The method includes exposing portions of the major surface and changing the first width of the feature to a second width along the etch direction by etching a first portion of the sidewalls of the feature with a gas cluster ion beam oriented along a beam direction.

Abstract: A method of scanning a wafer includes placing the wafer over a substrate holder inside a processing chamber, where the wafer is placed at a first twist angle relative to a reference axis of a rotatable feedthrough of the processing chamber. The method further includes performing a first pass scan by exposing the wafer to an ion beam while driving two rotary drives disposed in a scanning chamber synchronously to generate a planar motion of the wafer from a rotational motion of the two rotary drives, where the wafer is oriented continuously at the first twist angle when performing the first pass scan.

Abstract: A scanning system includes a scanning chamber; a first rotary drive disposed in the scanning chamber and configured to rotate around a first axis; a second rotary drive disposed in the scanning chamber and configured to rotate around the first axis synchronously with the first rotary drive; and a bar-and-hinge system disposed in the scanning chamber and mechanically coupled to a substrate holder, the hinge system configured to translate a rotary motion of the first rotary drive and the second rotary drive to a planar motion of the substrate holder.

Abstract: A method of scanning a substrate includes immobilizing a substrate on a substrate holder within a processing chamber and performing a pass of a parallel raster pattern by synchronously driving a first rotary drive and a second rotary drive to move the substrate relative to a processing apparatus focused on a localized spot on the substrate, the first rotary drive being coupled to a proximal end of a pendulum arm and the second rotary drive being mounted at a distal end of the pendulum arm and to the substrate holder. Driving the first rotary drive during the pass includes moving the pendulum arm in a first arc motion for a first portion of the pass while the localized spot is on the substrate, and then moving the pendulum arm in an opposite second arc motion for a second portion of the pass while the localized spot is on the substrate.

Abstract: A method for processing a substrate that includes: applying, at an ionizer, a drive pulse train to an ion source to ionize a gas cluster beam and transfer the drive pulse train to the gas cluster beam; measuring, at a detector exposed to the gas cluster beam, a beam current synchronously with the drive pulse train; obtaining time-of-flight information of the clusters and the monomers in the gas cluster beam based on the beam current and the drive pulse train; determining size information relating to a size distribution of clusters and monomers in the gas cluster ion beam based on the time-of-flight information; adjusting a process parameter of the gas cluster beam based on the size information; and exposing the substrate to the gas cluster beam with the adjusted process parameter.

Abstract: A method including: collecting first processing tool machine data from a first processing tool while treating semiconductor substrates, the first processing tool machine data including process data and operational codes associated with one or more discrete intervals of time during the treatments, training a first neural network with the first processing tool machine data from the first processing tool, and generating a first output indicative of a fault of the first processing tool from the first neural network, based, at least in part, on applying subsequent machine data from at least one processing tool.

Abstract: A method of processing a substrate includes loading the substrate on a substrate holder. The substrate includes a major surface and a feature disposed over the major surface. The feature has a first width along an etch direction. The method includes exposing portions of the major surface and changing the first width of the feature to a second width along the etch direction by etching a first portion of the sidewalls of the feature with a gas cluster ion beam oriented along a beam direction.

Abstract: A method of processing a substrate includes loading the substrate on a substrate holder. The substrate includes a major surface and a feature disposed over the major surface. The feature has a first width along an etch direction. The method includes exposing portions of the major surface and changing the first width of the feature to a second width along the etch direction by etching a first portion of the sidewalls of the feature with a gas cluster ion beam oriented along a beam direction.

Abstract: A method of processing a substrate includes loading the substrate on a substrate holder. The substrate includes a major surface and a feature disposed over the major surface. The feature has a first width along an etch direction. The method includes exposing portions of the major surface and changing the first width of the feature to a second width along the etch direction by etching a first portion of the sidewalls of the feature with a gas cluster ion beam oriented along a beam direction.

Abstract: A scanning system includes a scanning chamber; a first rotary drive disposed in the scanning chamber and configured to rotate around a first axis; a second rotary drive disposed in the scanning chamber and configured to rotate around the first axis synchronously with the first rotary drive; and a bar-and-hinge system disposed in the scanning chamber and mechanically coupled to a substrate holder, the hinge system configured to translate a rotary motion of the first rotary drive and the second rotary drive to a planar motion of the substrate holder.

Abstract: A pre-aligned multi-output nozzle/skimmer (PMNS) module includes a pre-aligned nozzle assembly having at least two nozzles and a pre-aligned skimmer subassembly. The PMNS module can be pre-aligned to more accurately position a Multi-Beam Gas Cluster Ion Beam (MBGCIB), and to more accurately control the formation of the multi-beam gas clusters of a pre-aligned MBGCIB.

Abstract: A method and apparatus 300 for better controlling scanning of a workpiece 330 through an ion beam path 306 provide for mounting a workpiece 330 on an elongated member, partially repetitively rotating the elongated member 500 around a point of rotation 368 to make repetitive scans of the workpiece 330 along and arcuate path 504 and bending the elongated member 500 at a joint 322 to move the one and out of the ion beam path 306 to facilitate attachment and removal of individual workpieces 330. A motor 315 used for the rotating may be suspended within a partial vacuum enclosure 304 against gravity for raising and lowering the elongated member and 500 a workpiece 306 for linear vertical scanning.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for improving processing of workpieces with gas-cluster ion beams and modifying the gas-cluster ion energy distribution in the GCIB. In a reduced-pressure environment, generating an energetic gas-cluster ion beam and subjecting the beam to increased pressure region.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for improving beam stability in high current gas-cluster ion beam systems by reducing the frequency of transients occurring in the vicinity of the ionizer through use of shielding conductors and distinct component electrical biasing to inhibit backward extraction of ions from the ionizer towards the gas-jet generator.