Abstract: A process for fabricating electronic devices which includes the steps of providing a structure that includes a substrate with an overlying dielectric layer having one or more contact holes and/or vias formed therein; depositing a barrier layer over the structure so that the barrier layer penetrates into the contact holes and/or vias; plasma etching the deposited barrier layer so as to modify its surface morphology; and after modifying the surface morphology of the deposited barrier layer, depositing a metalization layer over the barrier layer. A two-step preclean to facet upper corners of the holes and/or vias and to clean bottoms of the holes and/or vias is performed prior to the deposition of the barrier layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conditioning a surface of a ceramic body in a process chamber when the process chamber has a vacuum pump, an anode and a cathode. The conditioning method consists of pumping the process chamber down to a vacuum with the vacuum pump, introducing a gas into the chamber, energizing the anode and cathode with RF power to ignite the gas into a plasma, sputter etching the surface with ions from the plasma to remove contaminants therefrom. The method is accomplished either within a process chamber to condition, in situ, a ceramic chuck or within a cleaning chamber to condition any form of ceramic body or component.

Abstract: Sputtering apparatus and method suitable for forming a step coating on a workpiece. A workpiece is supported in a chamber, particles are emitted from a sputtering source, and the particles are passed through a collimating filter having a plurality of transmissive cells positioned between the sputtering source and the workpiece to limit the angles at which the particles can be deposited onto the workpiece. The collimating filter varies in height from a center portion to an outer portion while preferably maintaining a constant cell aspect ratio.