Abstract: Silyl pseudohalides having a general formula of R4?nSiXn, where n is a range of 1-4, each R is independently selected from H, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, amino, alkyl amino, alkoxide, and phosphine groups, and each X is a pseudohalide selected from nitrile, cyanate, isocyanate, thiocyanate, isothiocyanate, selenocyanate and isoselenocyanate are disclosed. Further, some embodiments of the disclosure provide methods for depositing silicon-containing films using silyl pseudohalides.

Abstract: Methods for filling a substrate feature with a seamless dielectric gap fill are described. Methods comprise sequentially depositing a film with a seam, etching the the film to form a recess, and depositing a second film in the recess to form a seamless gap fill.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming a conformal SiOC film on a surface are described. A SiCN film is formed on a substrate surface and exposed to a steam annealing process to decrease the nitrogen content, increase the oxygen content and leave the carbon content about the same. The annealed film has one or more of the wet etch rate or dielectric constant of the film.

Abstract: Electronic devices and methods to form electronic devices having a self-aligned via are described. An adhesion enhancement layer is utilized to promote adhesion between the conductive material and the sidewalls of the at least one via opening. The self-aligned vias decrease via resistance and reduce the potential to short to the wrong metal line.

Abstract: Processing platforms having a central transfer station with a robot and an environment having greater than or equal to about 0.1% by weight water vapor, a pre-clean chamber connected to a side of the transfer station and a batch processing chamber connected to a side of the transfer station. The processing platform configured to pre-clean a substrate to remove native oxides from a first surface, form a blocking layer using a alkylsilane and selectively deposit a film. Methods of using the processing platforms and processing a plurality of wafers are also described.

Abstract: Methods of depositing an encapsulation stack without damaging underlying layers are discussed. The encapsulation stacks are highly conformal, have low etch rates, low atomic oxygen concentrations, good hermeticity and good adhesion. These films may be used to protect chalcogen materials in PCRAM devices. Some embodiments utilize a two-step process comprising a first ALD process to form a protective layer and a second plasma ALD process to form an encapsulation layer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming a conformal SiCON film on a surface are described. A SiCN film is formed on a substrate surface and exposed to a low temperature steam annealing process to form a film resistant to damage by rapid thermal processing or ashing. The film is treated by rapid thermal processing and then subjected to a high temperature anneal to form a film with a low dielectric constant.

Abstract: Methods and precursors for selectively depositing a metal film on a silicon nitride surface relative to a silicon oxide surface are described. The substrate comprising both surfaces is exposed to a blocking compound to selectively block the silicon oxide surface. A metal film is then selectively deposited on the silicon nitride surface.

Abstract: Memory devices and methods of forming memory devices are described. The memory devices comprise a substrate with at least one film stack. The film stack comprises a polysilicon layer on the substrate; a bit line metal layer on the polysilicon layer; a cap layer on the bit line metal layer; and a hardmask on the cap layer. The memory device of some embodiments includes an optional barrier metal layer on the polysilicon layer and the bit line metal layer is on the barrier metal layer. Methods of forming electronic devices are described where one or more patterns are transferred through the films of the film stack to provide the bit line of a memory device.

Abstract: A method for forming a thermally stable spacer layer is disclosed. The method includes first disposing a substrate in an internal volume of a processing chamber. The substrate has a film formed thereon, the film including silicon, carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen. Next, high pressure steam is introduced into the processing chamber. The film is exposed to the high pressure steam to convert the film to reacted film, the reacted film including silicon, carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen.

Abstract: Electronic devices and methods to form electronic devices having a self-aligned via are described. An adhesion enhancement layer is utilized to promote adhesion between the conductive material and the sidewalls of the at least one via opening. The self-aligned vias decrease via resistance and reduce the potential to short to the wrong metal line.

Abstract: Memory devices and methods of forming memory devices are described. The memory devices comprise a substrate with at least one film stack. The film stack comprises a polysilicon layer on the substrate; a bit line metal layer on the polysilicon layer; a cap layer on the bit line metal layer; and a hardmask on the cap layer. The memory device of some embodiments includes an optional barrier metal layer on the polysilicon layer and the bit line metal layer is on the barrier metal layer. Methods of forming electronic devices are described where one or more patterns are transferred through the films of the film stack to provide the bit line of a memory device.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include methods of forming high quality silicon nitride films. In an embodiment, a method of depositing a film on a substrate may comprise forming a silicon nitride film over a surface of the substrate in a first processing volume with a deposition process, and treating the silicon nitride film in a second processing volume, wherein treating the silicon nitride film comprises exposing the film to a plasma induced by a modular high-frequency plasma source. In an embodiment, a sheath potential of the plasma is less than 100 V, and a power density of the high-frequency plasma source is approximately 5 W/cm2 or greater, approximately 10 W/cm2 or greater, or approximately 20 W/cm2 or greater.

Abstract: Electronic devices and methods to form electronic devices having a self-aligned via are described. An adhesion enhancement layer is utilized to promote adhesion between the conductive material and the sidewalls of the at least one via opening. The self-aligned vias decrease via resistance and reduce the potential to short to the wrong metal line.

Abstract: Electronic devices and methods to form electronic devices having a self-aligned via are described. An adhesion enhancement layer is utilized to promote adhesion between the conductive material and the sidewalls of the at least one via opening. The self-aligned vias decrease via resistance and reduce the potential to short to the wrong metal line.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming a conformal SiOC film on a surface are described. A SiCN film is formed on a substrate surface and exposed to a steam annealing process to decrease the nitrogen content, increase the oxygen content and leave the carbon content about the same. The annealed film has one or more of the wet etch rate or dielectric constant of the film.

Abstract: Processing methods for forming a silicon nitride film comprising exposing a metal surface to a silicon precursor, a nitrogen-containing reactant and a hydrogen-containing plasma at a temperature less than or equal to about 250° C. to form a silicon nitride film with a low etch rate without damaging the metal surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming a conformal SiOC film on a surface are described. A SiCN film is formed on a substrate surface and exposed to a steam annealing process to decrease the nitrogen content, increase the oxygen content and leave the carbon content about the same. The annealed film has one or more of the wet etch rate or dielectric constant of the film.

Abstract: Methods for depositing metal oxide layers on metal surfaces are described. The methods include exposing a substrate to separate doses of a metal precursor, which does not contain metal-oxygen bonds, and a modified alcohol with an electron withdrawing group positioned relative to a beta carbon so as to increase the acidity of a beta hydrogen attached to the beta carbon. These methods do not oxidize the underlying metal layer and are able to be performed at lower temperatures than processes performed with water or without modified alcohols.

Abstract: A method for forming a thermally stable spacer layer is disclosed. The method includes first disposing a substrate in an internal volume of a processing chamber. The substrate has a film formed thereon, the film including silicon, carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen. Next, high pressure steam is introduced into the processing chamber. The film is exposed to the high pressure steam to convert the film to reacted film, the reacted film including silicon, carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen.