Abstract: Methods and apparatus for deposition processes are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus may include a substrate support comprising a susceptor plate having a pocket disposed in an upper surface of the susceptor plate and having a lip formed in the upper surface and circumscribing the pocket, the lip configured to support a substrate on the lip; and a plurality of vents extending from the pocket to the upper surface of the susceptor plate to exhaust gases trapped between the backside of the substrate and the pocket when a substrate is disposed on the lip. Methods of utilizing the inventive apparatus for depositing a layer on a substrate are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing a substrate are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for processing a substrate includes a process chamber having a substrate support disposed therein to support a processing surface of a substrate at a desired position within the process chamber; a first inlet port to provide a first process gas over the processing surface of the substrate in a first direction; a second inlet port to provide a second process gas over the processing surface of the substrate in a second direction different from the first direction, wherein an azimuthal angle measured between the first direction and the second direction with respect to a central axis of the substrate support is up to about 145 degrees; and an exhaust port disposed opposite the first inlet port to exhaust the first and second process gases from the process chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that may be utilized for chemical vapor deposition and/or hydride vapor phase epitaxial (HVPE) deposition are provided. In one embodiment, a metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) process is used to deposit a Group III-nitride film on a plurality of substrates. A Group III precursor, such as trimethyl gallium, trimethyl aluminum or trimethyl indium and a nitrogen-containing precursor, such as ammonia, are delivered to a plurality of straight channels which isolate the precursor gases. The precursor gases are injected into mixing channels where the gases are mixed before entering a processing volume containing the substrates. Heat exchanging channels are provided for temperature control of the mixing channels to prevent undesirable condensation and reaction of the precursors.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus and methods for supporting, positioning or rotating a semiconductor substrate during processing. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for processing a substrate comprising positioning the substrate on a substrate receiving surface of a susceptor, and rotating the susceptor and the substrate by delivering flow of fluid from one or more rotating ports.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a substrate, comprising a processing chamber and a substrate support and lift pin assembly disposed within the chamber. The substrate support and lift pin assembly are coupled to a lift mechanism that controls positioning of the substrate support and the lift pins and provides rotation for the substrate support. The lift mechanism includes at least one sensor capable of generating a signal when clearance between the substrate support and the lift pins allows rotation of the substrate support to begin. The substrate support capable of concurrent axial motion and rotation may be used in a processing chamber comprising multiple processing zones separated by edge rings. Substrates may be subjected to successive or cyclical processes by moving between the multiple processing zones.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that may be utilized for chemical vapor deposition and/or hydride vapor phase epitaxial (HVPE) deposition are provided. In one embodiment, a metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) process is used to deposit a Group III-nitride film on a plurality of substrates. A Group III precursor, such as trimethyl gallium, trimethyl aluminum or trimethyl indium and a nitrogen-containing precursor, such as ammonia, are delivered to a plurality of straight channels which isolate the precursor gases. The precursor gases are injected into mixing channels where the gases are mixed before entering a processing volume containing the substrates. Heat exchanging channels are provided for temperature control of the mixing channels to prevent undesirable condensation and reaction of the precursors.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for depositing a Group III-V for a hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) process are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus for a hydride vapor phase epitaxy process may include an elongated body having a trough defined between a first and a second wall, a channel formed in the first wall configured to provide a gas to the trough, and an inlet port formed in the body coupled to the channel. In another embodiment, a method for a hydride vapor phase epitaxy process may include providing Group III metal liquid precursor in a container disposed in a chamber, flowing a halogen containing gas across the container to form a Group III metal halide vapor to a reacting zone in the chamber, and mixing the Group III metal halide vapor with a Group V gas supplied in the chamber in the reacting zone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for hydride vapor phase epitaxial (HVPE) deposition is disclosed. In the HVPE process, a hydride gas flows over a metal source to react with the metal source, which then reacts at the surface of a substrate to deposit a metal nitride layer. The metal source comprises gallium, aluminum, and/or indium. The hydride gas is evenly provided over the metal source to increase efficiency of hydride-metal source reaction. An exhaust positioned diametrically across the chamber from the metal source creates a cross flow of the hydride-metal source product and nitrogen precursor across the chamber tangential to the substrate. A purge gas flowing perpendicular to the cross flow directs the hydride-metal source product and nitrogen precursor to remain as close to the substrate as possible.

Abstract: A gaseous mixture is deposited onto a substrate surface using a showerhead. A first plenum of the showerhead has a plurality of channels fluidicly coupled with an interior of a processing chamber. A second plenum gas flows through a plurality of tubes extending from a second plenum of the showerhead through the channels into the interior of the processing chamber. The diameter of the tubes is smaller than the diameter of the channels such that a first plenum gas flows into the interior of the processing chamber through a space defined between the outer surface of the tubes and the surface of the channels. The length and diameter of the tubes determine the level of distribution and the molar ratio of the first gas and the second gas in the gaseous mixture that is deposited on the surface of the substrate.