Abstract: Chemical vapor deposition processes result in films having low dielectric constants when suitable chemical precursors are utilized. Preferred chemical precursors include siloxanes, (fluoroalkyl)fluorosiloxanes, (fluoroalkyl)silanes, (alkyl)fluorosilanes, (fluoroalkyl)fluorosilanes, alkylsiloxysilanes, alkoxysilanes, alkylalkoxysilanes, silylmethanes, alkoxysilylmethanes, alkylalkoxysilylmethanes, alkoxymethanes, alkylalkoxymethanes, and mixtures thereof. The precursors are particularly suited to thermal CVD for producing low dielectric constant films at relatively low temperatures, particularly without the use of additional oxidizing agents. Such films are useful in the microelectronics industry.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to low temperature epitaxy. More specifically, this invention relates to processes for achieving low temperature selective epitaxial growth by chemical vapor deposition of source precursors containing Si or Ge in the presence of bromine or iodine, compositions containing precursors and brominated or iodinated compounds suitable for achieving selective epitaxial growth using the processes, epitaxial layers made using the processes, devices and other types of structures made using the processes, and processes for cleaning epitaxy reactor chambers using a bromine etchant source.

Abstract: A method for making a Si-containing material comprises transporting a pyrolyzed Si-precursor to a substrate and polymerizing the pyrolyzed Si-precursor on the substrate to form a Si-containing film. Polymerization of the pyrolyzed Si-precursor may be carried out in the presence of a porogen to thereby form a porogen-containing Si-containing film. The porogen may be removed from the porogen-containing Si-containing film to thereby form a porous Si-containing film. Preferred porous Si-containing films have low dielectric constants and thus are suitable for various low-k applications such as in microelectronics and microelectromechanical systems.

Abstract: Multiple sequential processes are conducted in a reaction chamber to form ultra high quality silicon-containing compound layers, including silicon nitride layers. In a preferred embodiment, a silicon layer is deposited on a substrate using trisilane as the silicon precursor. A silicon nitride layer is then formed by nitriding the silicon layer. By repeating these steps, a silicon nitride layer of a desired thickness is formed.

Abstract: Sequential processes are conducted in a batch reaction chamber to form ultra high quality silicon-containing compound layers, e.g., silicon nitride layers, at low temperatures. Under reaction rate limited conditions, a silicon layer is deposited on a substrate using trisilane as the silicon precursor. Trisilane flow is interrupted. A silicon nitride layer is then formed by nitriding the silicon layer with nitrogen radicals, such as by pulsing the plasma power (remote or in situ) on after a trisilane step. The nitrogen radical supply is stopped. Optionally non-activated ammonia is also supplied, continuously or intermittently. If desired, the process is repeated for greater thickness, purging the reactor after each trisilane and silicon compounding step to avoid gas phase reactions, with each cycle producing about 5-7 angstroms of silicon nitride.

Abstract: Thin, smooth silicon-containing films are prepared by deposition methods that utilize a silicon containing precursor. In preferred embodiments, the methods result in Si-containing films that are continuous and have a thickness of about 150 ? or less, a surface roughness of about 5 ? rms or less, and a thickness non-uniformity of about 20% or less. Preferred silicon-containing films display a high degree of compositional uniformity when doped or alloyed with other elements. Preferred deposition methods provide improved manufacturing efficiency and can be used to make various useful structures such as wetting layers, HSG silicon, quantum dots, dielectric layers, anti-reflective coatings (ARC's), gate electrodes and diffusion sources.

Abstract: Chemical vapor deposition methods are used to deposit silicon-containing films over mixed substrates. Such methods are useful in semiconductor manufacturing to provide a variety of advantages, including uniform deposition over heterogeneous surfaces, high deposition rates, and higher manufacturing productivity. An example is in forming the base region of a heterojunction bipolar transistor, including simultaneous deposition over both single crystal semiconductor surfaces and amorphous insulating regions.

Abstract: A liquid injector is used to vaporize and inject a silicon precursor into a process chamber to form silicon-containing layers during a semiconductor fabrication process. The injector is connected to a source of silicon precursor, which preferably comprises liquid trisilane in a mixture with one or more dopant precursors. The mixture is metered as a liquid and delivered to the injector, where it is then vaporized and injected into the process chamber.

Abstract: Chemical vapor deposition processes utilize higher order silanes and germanium precursors as chemical precursors. The processes have high deposition rates yet produce more uniform films, both compositionally and in thickness, than films prepared using conventional chemical precursors. In preferred embodiments, trisilane is employed to deposit SiGe-containing films that are useful in the semiconductor industry in various applications such as transistor gate electrodes.

Abstract: Chemical vapor deposition methods are used to deposit amorphous silicon-containing films over various substrates. Such methods are useful in semiconductor manufacturing to provide a variety of advantages, including uniform deposition over heterogeneous surfaces, high deposition rates, and higher manufacturing productivity. Preferably, the deposited amorphous silicon-containing film is annealed to produce crystalline regions over all or part of an underlying substrate.

Abstract: Chemical vapor deposition processes result in films having low dielectric constants when suitable chemical precursors are utilized. Preferred chemical precursors include siloxanes, (fluoroalkyl)fluorosiloxanes, (fluoroalkyl)silanes, (alkyl)fluorosilanes, (fluoroalkyl)fluorosilanes, alkylsiloxysilanes, alkoxysilanes, alkylalkoxysilanes, silylmethanes, alkoxysilylmethanes, alkylalkoxysilylmethanes, alkoxymethanes, alkylalkoxymethanes, and mixtures thereof. The precursors are particularly suited to thermal CVD for producing low dielectric constant films at relatively low temperatures, particularly without the use of additional oxidizing agents. Such films are useful in the microelectronics industry.

Abstract: Methods for forming epitaxial films involve forming a buffer layer on a single crystal substrate, depositing an amorphous layer on the buffer layer, then forming an epitaxial film from the amorphous layer by solid phase epitaxy.

Abstract: Methods are provided herein for forming electrode layers over high dielectric constant (“high k”) materials. In the illustrated embodiments, a high k gate dielectric, such as zirconium oxide, is protected from reduction during a subsequent deposition of silicon-containing gate electrode. In particular, a seed deposition phase includes conditions designed for minimizing hydrogen reduction of the gate dielectric, including low hydrogen content, low temperatures and/or low partial pressures of the silicon source gas. Conditions are preferably changed for higher deposition rates and deposition continues in a bulk phase. Desirably, though, hydrogen diffusion is still minimized by controlling the above-noted parameters. In one embodiment, high k dielectric reduction is minimized through omission of a hydrogen carrier gas. In another embodiment, higher order silanes aid in reducing hydrogen content for a given deposition rate.

Abstract: Methods for controlling the grain structure of a polycrystalline Si-containing film involve depositing the film in stages so that the morphology of a first film layer deposited in an initial stage favorably influences the morphology of a second film layer deposited in a later stage. In an illustrated embodiment, the initial stage includes an anneal step. In another embodiment, the later stage involves depositing the second layer under different deposition conditions than for the first layer.

Abstract: Thin, smooth silicon-containing films are prepared by deposition methods that utilize a silicon-containing precursor. In preferred embodiments, the methods result in Si-containing films that are continuous and have a thickness of about 150 ? or less, a surface roughness of about 5 ? rms or less, and a thickness non-uniformity of about 20% or less. Preferred silicon-containing films display a high degree of compositional uniformity when doped or alloyed with other elements. Preferred deposition methods provide improved manufacturing efficiency and can be used to make various useful structures such as wetting layers, HSG silicon, quantum dots, dielectric layers, anti-reflective coatings (ARC's), gate electrodes and diffusion sources.

Abstract: Chemical vapor deposition processes utilize higher order silanes and germanium precursors as chemical precursors. The processes have high deposition rates yet produce more uniform films, both compositionally and in thickness, than films prepared using conventional chemical precursors. In preferred embodiments, higher order silanes are employed to deposit SiGe-containing films that are useful in the semiconductor industry in various applications such as transistor gate electrodes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for annealing an integrated ferroelectric device (10) is disclosed in which the device (10) comprises a first layer of material capable of existing in a ferroelectric state and a second layer of material defining an integrated circuit below the first layer such as a microbridge thermal detector. The method comprises producing a pulse of energy, extending the pulse temporally using a pulse extender (200) and illuminating the first layer with the extended pulse. The duration and wavelength and fluence of the extended pulse are selected so that the material of the first layer is annealed into a ferroelectric state without exceeding the temperature budget of the integrated circuit. Application of the method in heating other articles which comprise a layer to be heated and a temperature sensitive layer is also disclosed.

Abstract: Improved dielectric materials suitable for use in integrated circuits and computer systems are provided by a chemical vapor deposition process employing fluoroalkane precursors.

Abstract: Chemical vapor deposition methods are used to deposit silicon-containing films over mixed substrates. Such methods are useful in semiconductor manufacturing to provide a variety of advantages, including uniform deposition over heterogeneous surfaces, high deposition rates, and higher manufacturing productivity. An example is in forming the base region of a heterojunction bipolar transistor, including simultaneous deposition over both single crystal semiconductor surfaces and amorphous insulating regions.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for synthesis and collection of higher order chemical compounds from lower order precursors. The apparatus includes a first silent electric discharge reactor configured to synthesize an intermediate product (e.g., disilane) from a precursor chemical (e.g., monosilane). A second silent electric discharge reactor is connected downstream of the first reactor. This second reactor is configured to convert the intermediate product into the higher order chemical compound (e.g., trisilane). Multiple condensation traps are also connected to receive effluent from the second reactor, which will generally include the compound of interest as well as unreacted precursor and intermediate product. In the illustrated embodiment, a parallel second condensation traps is also included to shunt flow and continue collection while the chemical of interest is removed for purification.