Abstract: Methods for reducing contact resistance include performing a selective titanium silicide (TiSi) deposition process on a middle of the line (MOL) contact structure that includes a cavity in a substrate of dielectric material. The contact structure also includes a silicon-based connection portion at a bottom of the cavity. The selective TiSi deposition process is selective to silicon-based material over dielectric material. The methods also include performing a selective deposition process of a metal material on the MOL contact structure. The selective deposition process is selective to TiSi material over dielectric material and forms a silicide capping layer on the silicon-based connection portion. The methods further include performing a seed layer deposition process of the metal material on the contact structure.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a showerhead assembly includes a heated showerhead having a heater plate and a gas distribution plate coupled together; an ion filter spaced from the heated showerhead; a spacer ring in contact between the heated showerhead and the ion filter; a remote plasma region between the heated showerhead and the ion filter; an upper isolator spaced from the spacer ring and supported on the ion filter; a sealing ring fastened to the heated showerhead sealing against the upper isolator and pushing the upper isolator against the ion filter; a gap between a bottom of the gas distribution plate and a top of the ion filter, the gap being in fluid communication with the remote plasma region; a first passage extending through the heater plate; and a second passage in communication with the first passage and extending through the gas distribution plate, the second passage extending to the gap.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing a substrate are provided herein. For example, a method for processing a substrate comprises forming a plasma reaction between titanium tetrachloride (TlCl4), hydrogen (H2), and argon (Ar) in a region between a lid heater and a showerhead of a process chamber or the showerhead and a substrate while providing RF power at a pulse frequency of about 5 kHz to about 100 kHz and at a duty cycle of about 10% to about 20% and flowing reaction products into the process chamber to selectively form a titanium material layer upon a silicon surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a method for depositing a material layer on a substrate while controlling a bow of the substrate and a surface roughness of the material layer. A bias applied to the substrate while the material layer is deposited is adjusted to control the bow of the substrate. A bombardment process is performed on the material layer to improve the surface roughness of the material layer. The bias and bombardment process improve a uniformity of the material layer and reduce an occurrence of the material layer cracking due to the bow of the substrate.

Abstract: Methods for selectively depositing on self-assembled monolayer (SAM) are disclosed. Some embodiments of the disclosure utilize a precursor of a Formula (I), Formula (II), Formula (III), and Formula (IV): RnSi(NR?R?)(4-n) (III), RnSiX(4-n) (IV), wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from substituted or unsubstituted C1-C20 alkyl, or R1 and R2 form a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C20 cycloalkyl ring, and wherein R3, R4, R5, R6, Rn are independently selected from hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C20 alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C20 alkoxy, and substituted or unsubstituted C1-C20 vinyl, X is a halide selected from Cl, Br, and I, and n is an integer from 1 to 3, to form a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on a damaged silicon nitride layer to prevent critical dimension blow out of a feature in a silicon nitride layer substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a method for depositing a material layer on a substrate while controlling a bow of the substrate and a surface roughness of the material layer. A bias applied to the substrate while the material layer is deposited is adjusted to control the bow of the substrate. A bombardment process is performed on the material layer to improve the surface roughness of the material layer. The bias and bombardment process improve a uniformity of the material layer and reduce an occurrence of the material layer cracking due to the bow of the substrate.