Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and correcting incoming substrate deformation is disclosed. Substrates are positioned in a first process chamber, where the presence and type of substrate bow is detected. Based upon the detection of substrate bow, and a determination of whether the substrate has a compressive bow or a tensile bow, a substrate processing program is selected for execution. The substrate processing program can be executed in the first process chamber or in a second process chamber to correct or alleviate the bow prior to or during further processing of the substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods for forming memory devices, and more specifically to improved methods for forming a dielectric encapsulation layer over a memory material in a memory device. In one embodiment, the method includes thermally depositing a first material over a memory material at a temperature less than the temperature of the thermal budget of the memory material, exposing the first material to nitrogen plasma to incorporate nitrogen in the first material, and repeating the thermal deposition and nitrogen plasma operations to form a hermetic, conformal dielectric encapsulation layer over the memory material. Thus, a memory device having a hermetic, conformal dielectric encapsulation layer over the memory material is formed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to methods and apparatus for depositing metal silicide layers on substrates and chamber components. In one embodiment, a method of forming a hardmask includes positioning the substrate having a target layer within a processing chamber, forming a seed layer comprising metal silicide on the target layer and depositing a tungsten-based bulk layer on the seed layer, wherein the metal silicide layer and the tungsten-based bulk layer form the hardmask. In another embodiment, a method of conditioning the components of a plasma processing chamber includes flowing an inert gas comprising argon or helium from a gas applicator into the plasma processing chamber, exposing a substrate support to a plasma within the plasma processing chamber and forming a seasoning layer including metal silicide on an aluminum-based surface of the substrate support.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and correcting incoming substrate deformation is disclosed. Substrates are positioned in a first process chamber, where the presence and type of substrate bow is detected. Based upon the detection of substrate bow, and a determination of whether the substrate has a compressive bow or a tensile bow, a substrate processing program is selected for execution. The substrate processing program can be executed in the first process chamber or in a second process chamber to correct or alleviate the bow prior to or during further processing of the substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to methods and apparatus for depositing metal silicide layers on substrates and chamber components. In one embodiment, a method of forming a hardmask includes positioning the substrate having a target layer within a processing chamber, forming a seed layer comprising metal silicide on the target layer and depositing a tungsten-based bulk layer on the seed layer, wherein the metal silicide layer and the tungsten-based bulk layer form the hardmask. In another embodiment, a method of conditioning the components of a plasma processing chamber includes flowing an inert gas comprising argon or helium from a gas applicator into the plasma processing chamber, exposing a substrate support to a plasma within the plasma processing chamber and forming a seasoning layer including metal silicide on an aluminum-based surface of the substrate support.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and correcting incoming substrate deformation is disclosed. Substrates are positioned in a first process chamber, where the presence and type of substrate bow is detected. Based upon the detection of substrate bow, and a determination of whether the substrate has a compressive bow or a tensile bow, a substrate processing program is selected for execution. The substrate processing program can be executed in the first process chamber or in a second process chamber to correct or alleviate the bow prior to or during further processing of the substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to methods and apparatus for depositing metal silicide layers on substrates and chamber components. In one embodiment, a method of forming a hardmask includes positioning the substrate having a target layer within a processing chamber, forming a seed layer comprising metal silicide on the target layer and depositing a tungsten-based bulk layer on the seed layer, wherein the metal silicide layer and the tungsten-based bulk layer form the hardmask. In another embodiment, a method of conditioning the components of a plasma processing chamber includes flowing an inert gas comprising argon or helium from a gas applicator into the plasma processing chamber, exposing a substrate support to a plasma within the plasma processing chamber and forming a seasoning layer including metal silicide on an aluminum-based surface of the substrate support.

Abstract: Aspects disclosed herein relate to methods of depositing pure silicon oxide on a substrate using Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (OMCTS) precursor. In one aspect, the method generally includes positioning a substrate in a processing chamber, introducing an oxygen-containing gas into the processing chamber, introducing OMCTS precursor into the processing chamber, and reacting the oxygen-containing gas and the OMCTS precursor to remove carbon and deposit pure silicon oxide on the substrate.

Abstract: Implementations described herein generally relate to the fabrication of integrated circuits and particularly to the deposition of a boron-doped amorphous silicon (a-Si) layers on a semiconductor substrate. In one implementation, a method is provided. The method comprises generating a pressure within a processing volume between 2 Torr and 60 Torr. The method further comprises heating a substrate in the processing volume to a temperature between 300 degrees Celsius and 550 degrees Celsius. The method further comprises flowing a silane-containing gas mixture into the processing volume having the substrate positioned therein. The method further comprises flowing a borane-containing gas mixture into the processing volume having the substrate positioned therein and depositing a boron-doped amorphous silicon layer on the substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and correcting incoming substrate deformation is disclosed. Substrates are positioned in a first process chamber, where the presence and type of substrate bow is detected. Based upon the detection of substrate bow, and a determination of whether the substrate has a compressive bow or a tensile bow, a substrate processing program is selected for execution. The substrate processing program can be executed in the first process chamber or in a second process chamber to correct or alleviate the bow prior to or during further processing of the substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods for forming memory devices, and more specifically to improved methods for forming a dielectric encapsulation layer over a memory material in a memory device. In one embodiment, the method includes thermally depositing a first material over a memory material at a temperature less than the temperature of the thermal budget of the memory material, exposing the first material to nitrogen plasma to incorporate nitrogen in the first material, and repeating the thermal deposition and nitrogen plasma operations to form a hermetic, conformal dielectric encapsulation layer over the memory material. Thus, a memory device having a hermetic, conformal dielectric encapsulation layer over the memory material is formed.

Abstract: Implementations described herein generally relate to the fabrication of integrated circuits and particularly to the deposition of a boron-doped amorphous silicon layers on a semiconductor substrate. In one implementation, a method of forming a boron-doped amorphous silicon layer on a substrate is provided.

Abstract: Aspects disclosed herein relate to methods of depositing pure silicon oxide on a substrate using Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (OMCTS) precursor. In one aspect, the method generally includes positioning a substrate in a processing chamber, introducing an oxygen-containing gas into the processing chamber, introducing OMCTS precursor into the processing chamber, and reacting the oxygen-containing gas and the OMCTS precursor to remove carbon and deposit pure silicon oxide on the substrate.

Abstract: Implementations described herein generally relate to the fabrication of integrated circuits and particularly to the deposition of a boron-doped amorphous silicon (a-Si) layers on a semiconductor substrate. In one implementation, a method is provided. The method comprises generating a pressure within a processing volume between 2 Torr and 60 Torr. The method further comprises heating a substrate in the processing volume to a temperature between 300 degrees Celsius and 550 degrees Celsius. The method further comprises flowing a silane-containing gas mixture into the processing volume having the substrate positioned therein. The method further comprises flowing a borane-containing gas mixture into the processing volume having the substrate positioned therein and depositing a boron-doped amorphous silicon layer on the substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to methods and apparatus for depositing metal silicide layers on substrates and chamber components. In one embodiment, a method of forming a hardmask includes positioning the substrate having a target layer within a processing chamber, forming a seed layer comprising metal silicide on the target layer and depositing a tungsten-based bulk layer on the seed layer, wherein the metal silicide layer and the tungsten-based bulk layer form the hardmask. In another embodiment, a method of conditioning the components of a plasma processing chamber includes flowing an inert gas comprising argon or helium from a gas applicator into the plasma processing chamber, exposing a substrate support to a plasma within the plasma processing chamber and forming a seasoning layer including metal silicide on an aluminum-based surface of the substrate support.

Abstract: Implementations described herein generally relate to the fabrication of integrated circuits and particularly to the deposition of a boron-doped amorphous silicon layers on a semiconductor substrate. In one implementation, a method of forming a boron-doped amorphous silicon layer on a substrate is provided.

Abstract: A pedestal is provided that includes a body, a heater embedded in the body, a support pocket formed within the body having a surface disposed in a first plane, a peripheral surface disposed in a second plane surrounding the support pocket, and a plurality of centering tabs positioned between the support pocket and the peripheral surface, each of the centering tabs having a surface disposed in a third plane that is between both of the first and second planes.

Abstract: The invention provides a technique for computerized multi-variable negotiation in networking environment. A user initiates a transaction by identifying a variety of parameters, specifying which parameters may be modified, and indicating limits of acceptable modification. This latter feature is particularly important with respect to entertaining counteroffers. The initiator of a negotiation selects the parties with whom they wish to negotiate. The parameters describing a transaction are sent to negotiating parties who may submit bids. The bids may contain new terms created by altering one or more of the parameters. These bids are summarized and presented to the initiator. The initiator of the negotiation reviews the bids and (1) eliminates bids from consideration, 2) accepts a bid, or (3) selects bids for advanced negotiations. This process continues until the parties decide to close the deal. A history of each involved in a negotiation is maintained in a database.