Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to magnetic and electromagnetic systems and a method for controlling the density profile of plasma generated in a process volume of a PECVD chamber to affect deposition profile of a film. In one embodiment, a plurality of retaining brackets is disposed in a rotational magnetic housing of the magnetic housing systems. Each retaining bracket of the plurality of retaining brackets is disposed in the rotational magnetic housing with a distance d between each retaining bracket. The plurality of retaining brackets has a plurality of magnets removably disposed therein. The plurality of magnets is configured to travel in a circular path when the rotational magnetic housing is rotated around the round central opening.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods for depositing an amorphous carbon layer onto a substrate, including over previously formed layers on the substrate, using a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process. In particular, the methods described herein utilize a combination of RF AC power and pulsed DC power to create a plasma which deposits an amorphous carbon layer with a high ratio of sp3 (diamond-like) carbon to sp2 (graphite-like) carbon. The methods also provide for lower processing pressures, lower processing temperatures, and higher processing powers, each of which, alone or in combination, may further increase the relative fraction of sp3 carbon in the deposited amorphous carbon layer. As a result of the higher sp3 carbon fraction, the methods described herein provide amorphous carbon layers having improved density, rigidity, etch selectivity, and film stress as compared to amorphous carbon layers deposited by conventional methods.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to deposition of high transparency, high-density carbon films for patterning applications. In one embodiment, a method of forming a carbon film on a substrate is provided. The method includes flowing a hydrocarbon-containing gas mixture into a process chamber having a substrate positioned on an electrostatic chuck, wherein the substrate is maintained at a temperature of about ?10° C. to about 20° C. and a chamber pressure of about 0.5 mTorr to about 10 Torr, and generating a plasma by applying a first RF bias to the electrostatic chuck to deposit a diamond-like carbon film containing about 60% or greater hybridized sp3 atoms on the substrate, wherein the first RF bias is provided at a power of about 1800 Watts to about 2200 Watts and at a frequency of about 40 MHz to about 162 MHz.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods of processing substrates. A first hardmask gas is introduced to a processing volume of a processing chamber to form an amorphous carbon hardmask film on a substrate disposed in the processing volume. The first hardmask gas includes a carbon containing gas. A second hardmask gas is introduced to the processing volume to form a silicon hardmask film on the amorphous carbon hardmask film. The second hardmask gas includes a silicon containing gas. An underlayer gas mixture is introduced to the processing volume to deposit a resist underlayer on the silicon hardmask film.

Abstract: A process chamber for forming film high density and modulus films is provided. The process chamber includes a lid assembly, an inductively coupled plasma source disposed on the lid assembly, and a chamber body coupled to the lid assembly, wherein the lid assembly comprises a non-conductive material for providing a dielectric break between the inductively coupled plasma source and the chamber body. The process chamber also includes a substrate support comprising a powered electrode and a grounding plate coupled to an electrical ground and disposed between the lid assembly and the chamber body. The grounding plate is configured to operate as part of a grounded electrode for generating a plasma in the processing volume between the powered electrode and the grounded electrode.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to the fabrication of integrated circuits. More particularly, embodiments described herein provide techniques for forming resist underlayers having reduced sp2 hybridized carbon content for improving EUV lithography performance. In one embodiment, a method of processing a substrate is provided. The method includes flowing an underlayer precursor gas into a process chamber having a substrate and generating a plasma in the process chamber by applying a first RF bias for forming a resist underlayer on the substrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to the fabrication of integrated circuits. More particularly, embodiments described herein provide techniques for forming resist underlayers having reduced sp2 hybridized carbon content for improving EUV lithography performance. In one embodiment, a method of processing a substrate is provided. The method includes flowing a resist underlayer gas mixture into a process chamber having a substrate and generating a plasma in the process chamber by applying a first RF bias for forming a resist underlayer on the substrate.

Abstract: A method of processing a substrate is provided including flowing a deposition gas comprising a hydrocarbon compound and a dopant compound into a process volume having a substrate disposed positioned on a substrate support. The process volume is maintained at a pressure of about 0.5 mTorr to about 10 mTorr. The method includes generating a plasma at the substrate by applying a first RF bias to the substrate support to deposit a doped diamond-like carbon film on the substrate. The doped diamond-like carbon film includes about 5 at. % to about 25 at. % of dopant and a first stress property. The method includes annealing the doped diamond-like carbon film at about 220° C. to about 450° C. to form an annealed film. The annealed film includes a second stress property. The second stress property having an absolute value less than or within 10% the first stress property.

Abstract: Methods for depositing film comprising cyclical exposure of a substrate surface to a precursor and a degas environment to remove gas evolved from the film. Some embodiments further comprise the incorporation poisoning the top of a feature to inhibit film growth at the top of the feature. Some embodiments further comprising etching a portion of the film deposited at the top of a feature between cycles to increase gap-fill uniformity.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relate to the field of semiconductor processing and, in particular, to methods of forming a resist underlayer for use in EUV lithography processing. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method for forming a resist underlayer having improved adhesion using a resist underlayer agent. In some embodiments, the resist underlayer is formed using the resist underlayer agent in a UV-assisted deposition process.

Abstract: A method for cleaning one or more interior surfaces of a processing chamber includes removing a processed substrate from the processing chamber, and introducing a first cleaning chemistry into the processing chamber to generate a first internal pressure of greater than 1.1 atm within the processing chamber and remove deposited contaminants from the one or more interior surfaces of the processing chamber. The method further comprises removing the cleaning chemistry from the processing chamber.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to semiconductor processing and, in particular, provides methods of forming a resist underlayer on a substrate for use in EUV lithography processing. In an embodiment, the method includes flowing a precursor gas mixture into the processing region of the process chamber, applying a pulsed RF power to the precursor gas mixture to generate a plasma in the processing region, depositing a resist underlayer on the substrate with the plasma generated from the pulsed RF power, and forming a patterned chemically amplified photoresist (CAR) over the resist underlayer.

Abstract: A method for cleaning one or more interior surfaces of a processing chamber includes removing a processed substrate from the processing chamber, and introducing a first cleaning chemistry into the processing chamber to generate a first internal pressure of greater than 1.1 atm within the processing chamber and remove deposited contaminants from the one or more interior surfaces of the processing chamber. The method further comprises removing the cleaning chemistry from the processing chamber.

Abstract: Methods of processing thin film by oxidation at high pressure are described. The methods are generally performed at pressures greater than 2 bar. The methods can be performed at lower temperatures and have shorter exposure times than similar methods performed at lower pressures. Some methods relate to oxidizing tungsten films to form self-aligned pillars.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to methods for cleaning a chamber comprising introducing a gas to a processing volume of the chamber, providing a first radiofrequency (RF) power having a first frequency of about 40 MHz or greater to a lid of the chamber, providing a second RF power having a second frequency to an electrode disposed in a substrate support within the processing volume, and removing at least a portion of a film disposed on a surface of a chamber component of the chamber. The second frequency is about 10 MHz to about 20 MHz.

Abstract: Embodiments herein provide methods of plasma treating an amorphous silicon layer deposited using a flowable chemical vapor deposition (FCVD) process. In one embodiment, a method of processing a substrate includes plasma treating an amorphous silicon layer by flowing a substantially silicon-free hydrogen treatment gas into a processing volume of a processing chamber, the processing volume having the substrate disposed on a substrate support therein, forming a treatment plasma of the substantially silicon-free hydrogen treatment gas, and exposing the substrate having the amorphous silicon layer deposited on a surface thereof to the treatment plasma. Herein, the amorphous silicon layer is deposited using an FCVD process.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to deposition of high transparency, high-density carbon films for patterning applications. In one embodiment, a method of forming a carbon film on a substrate is provided. The method includes flowing a hydrocarbon-containing gas mixture into a process chamber having a substrate positioned on an electrostatic chuck, wherein the substrate is maintained at a temperature of about ?10° C. to about 20° C. and a chamber pressure of about 0.5 mTorr to about 10 Torr, and generating a plasma by applying a first RF bias to the electrostatic chuck to deposit a diamond-like carbon film containing about 60% or greater hybridized sp3 atoms on the substrate, wherein the first RF bias is provided at a power of about 1800 Watts to about 2200 Watts and at a frequency of about 40 MHz to about 162 MHz.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to deposition of high transparency, high-density carbon films for patterning applications. In one embodiment, a method of forming a carbon film on a substrate is provided. The method includes flowing a hydrocarbon-containing gas mixture into a process chamber having a substrate positioned on an electrostatic chuck, wherein the substrate is maintained at a temperature of about ?10° C. to about 20° C. and a chamber pressure of about 0.5 mTorr to about 10 Torr, and generating a plasma by applying a first RF bias to the electrostatic chuck to deposit a diamond-like carbon film containing about 60% or greater hybridized sp3 atoms on the substrate, wherein the first RF bias is provided at a power of about 1800 Watts to about 2200 Watts and at a frequency of about 40 MHz to about 162 MHz.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to methods for cleaning a chamber comprising introducing a gas to a processing volume of the chamber, providing a first radiofrequency (RF) power having a first frequency of about 40 MHz or greater to a lid of the chamber, providing a second RF power having a second frequency to an electrode disposed in a substrate support within the processing volume, and removing at least a portion of a film disposed on a surface of a chamber component of the chamber. The second frequency is about 10 MHz to about 20 MHz.

Abstract: A method of processing a substrate is provided including flowing a deposition gas comprising a hydrocarbon compound and a dopant compound into a process volume having a substrate disposed positioned on a substrate support. The process volume is maintained at a pressure of about 0.5 mTorr to about 10 mTorr. The method includes generating a plasma at the substrate by applying a first RF bias to the substrate support to deposit a doped diamond-like carbon film on the substrate. The doped diamond-like carbon film includes about 5 at. % to about 25 at. % of dopant and a first stress property. The method includes annealing the doped diamond-like carbon film at about 220° C. to about 450° C. to form an annealed film. The annealed film includes a second stress property. The second stress property having an absolute value less than or within 10% the first stress property.