Abstract: An atmospheric pressure wafer processing system for delivering at least one gas is provided, having an exhaust control feedback system that utilizes sensors to measure the pressure within the system and adjusts control units to maintain the desired set pressures within the system. In particular the sensors measure the small differential pressures inside a muffle, and specifically the load, bypass center and unload sections of the muffle, relative to the chase ambient pressure. Controlling the muffle pressures directly within the atmospheric system yields a more stable pressure balance for processing wafers less subject to changes in the external environment and allows for compensation of varying input gas flows as occurs when the supply pressure to the system may vary. This system and method of pressure control is particularly advantageous for chemical vapor deposition application yielding improved process repeatability over an extended period of runtime.

Abstract: A method of depositing a silicon dioxide film on the surface of a semiconductor substrate or wafer is particularly useful for improved film integrity on difficult topologies such as sub-0.1 micron topologies, high aspect ratio trenches in sub-micron topologies, sidewalls having slight overhangs at layer interfaces, and sidewalls having slightly reentrant areas. In one embodiment, the method involves the deposition of successive thin layers with a silicon-containing source and an oxygen-containing source, each layer deposition being preceded by a pre-treatment of the prior layer involving exposure of the surface to an oxygen-containing source without a silicon-containing source. The deposition of multiple thin silicon dioxide layers continues until a film of desired thickness is formed. For structures containing trenches to be filled, each thin layer is less than half the width of the smallest trench so that preferably multiple layers are used to fill the trenches.

Abstract: An atmospheric pressure wafer processing system for delivering at least one gas is provided, having an exhaust control feedback system that utilizes sensors to measure the pressure within the system and adjusts control units to maintain the desired set pressures within the system. In particular the sensors measure the small differential pressures inside a muffle, and specifically the load, bypass center and unload sections of the muffle, relative to the chase ambient pressure. Controlling the muffle pressures directly within the atmospheric system yields a more stable pressure balance for processing wafers less subject to changes in the external environment and allows for compensation of varying input gas flows as occurs when the supply pressure to the system may vary. This system and method of pressure control is particularly advantageous for chemical vapor deposition application yielding improved process repeatability over an extended period of runtime.