Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for forming thin polymer layers on semiconductor substrates. In one embodiment, the method and apparatus include the vaporization of stable di-pxylylene, the pyrolytic conversion of such gaseous dimer material into reactive monomers, and the optional blending of the resulting gaseous p-xylylene monomers with one or more polymerizable materials in gaseous form capable of copolymerizing with the p-xylylene monomers to form a low dielectric constant polymerized parylene material. An apparatus is also disclosed which provides for the distribution of the polymerizable gases into the deposition chamber, for cooling the substrate down to a temperature at which the gases will condense to form a polymerized dielectric material, for heating the walls of the deposition chamber to inhibit formation and accumulation of polymerized residues thereon, and for recapturing unreacted monomeric vapors exiting the deposition chamber.

Abstract: A chemical vapor deposition system that includes a housing configured to form a processing chamber, a substrate holder configured to hold a substrate within the processing chamber, a gas distribution system configured to introduce gases into the processing chamber, a plasma generation system configured to form a plasma within the processing chamber, a processor operatively coupled to control the gas distribution system and the plasma generation system, and a computer-readable memory coupled to the processor that stores a computer-readable program which directs the operation of the chemical vapor deposition system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for abating a compound in a substrate processing system's effluent gases. The method of the present invention begins by introducing ozone and the effluent gases into an abatement device's combustion chamber. Energy is then applied to the effluent gas and ozone. The application of energy, such as thermal or radio frequency energy, then causes a reaction in and between the effluent gases and the ozone, thereby rendering the compound inert. The resultant gases produced are then exhausted out of the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a halogen-doped silicon oxide film, preferably a fluorinated silicon glass (FSG) film, having compressive stress less than about -5.times.10.sup.8 dynes/cm.sup.2. In a specific embodiment, the FSG film is formed by a sub-atmospheric CVD thermal process at a pressure of between about 60-650 torr. The relatively thin film, besides having a low dielectric constant and good gap fill capability, has low compressive stress, and is particularly suitable for use as an intermetal (IMD) layer.

Abstract: A fluorine-doped silicate glass (FSG) layer having a low dielectric constant and a method of forming such an insulating layer is described. The FSG layer is treated with a post-treatment step to make the layer resistant to moisture absorption and outgassing of fluorine atoms. In one embodiment, the post-treatment step includes forming a thin, undoped silicate glass layer on top of the FSG layer, and in another embodiment, the stability of the FSG film is increased by a post-treatment plasma step.

Abstract: An improved method of in-situ cleaning a throttle valve in a CVD device and exhaust flow control apparatus for facilitating such cleaning. The throttle valve is repositioned such that it is juxtaposed in close proximity to the exhaust gas port of the reaction chamber. A plasma is then ignited in a cleaning gas mixture of nitrogen trifluoride, hexafluoroethane and oxygen.

Abstract: A process for depositing a dielectric film having a reduced dielectric constant and desirable gap-fill characteristics, at an acceptable deposition rate is disclosed. A filmed deposited according to the present invention possesses acceptable stability, and avoids outgassing of the halogen dopant while resisting shrinkage.A carbon-based dielectric film is deposited on a substrate in a processing chamber by first flowing a process gas into the processing chamber. The process gas includes a gaseous source of carbon (such as methane (CH.sub.4)) and a gaseous source of a halogen (such as a source of fluorine (e.g., C.sub.4 F.sub.8)). A plasma is then formed from the process gas by applying a first and a second RF power component. Preferably, the second RF component has a frequency of between about 200 kHz and 2 MHz and a power level of between about 5 W and 75 W. The first and a second RF power components are applied for a period of time to deposit a halogen-doped carbon-based layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ramping down the deposition pressure in a SACVD process. The present invention also provides a method and apparatus for subsequently ramping up the pressure for a PECVD process in such a manner as to prevent unwanted reactions which could form a weak interlayer interface. In particular, the deposition pressure in the SACVD process is ramped down by stopping the flow of the silicon containing gas (preferably TEOS) and/or the carrier gas (preferably helium), while diluting the flow of ozone with oxygen. A ramp down of the pressure starts at the same time. The diluting of the ozone with oxygen limits reactions with undesired reactants at the end of a process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for forming thin polymer layers on semiconductor substrates. In one embodiment, the method and apparatus include the sublimation of stable dimer parylene material, the pyrolytic conversion of such gaseous dimer material into reactive monomers, and for the optional blending of the resulting gaseous parylene monomers with one or more polymerizable materials in gaseous form capable of copolymerizing with the parylene monomers to form a low dielectric constant polymerized parylene material. An apparatus is also disclosed which provides for the distribution of the polymerizable gases into the deposition chamber, for cooling the substrate down to a temperature at which the gases will condense to form a polymerized dielectric material, for heating the walls of the deposition chamber to inhibit formation and accumulation of polymerized residues thereon, and for recapturing unreacted monomeric vapors exiting the deposition chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ramping down the deposition pressure in a SACVD process. The present invention also provides a method and apparatus for subsequently ramping up the pressure for a PECVD process in such a manner as to prevent unwanted reactions which could form a weak interlayer interface. In particular, the deposition pressure in the SACVD process is ramped down by stopping the flow of the silicon containing gas (preferably TEOS) and/or the carrier gas (preferably helium), while diluting the flow of ozone with oxygen. A ramp down of the pressure starts at the same time. The diluting of the ozone with oxygen, limits reactions with undesired reactants at the end of a process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a multilayer insulating film on a substrate involves forming a number of carbon-based layers on the substrate, each interlaid with layers of organic material, such as parylene. Preferably, the carbon-based layers are formed using a high-density plasma chemical vapor deposition system, although other CVD systems may also be used. The result is a multilayer insulating film having a low overall dielectric constant, excellent gap-fill characteristics, and desirable thermal properties.

Abstract: An improved method of in-situ cleaning a throttle valve in a CVD device and exhaust flow control apparatus for facilitating such cleaning. The throttle valve is repositioned such that it is juxtaposed in close proximity to the exhaust gas port of the reaction chamber. A plasma is then ignited in a cleaning gas mixture of nitrogen trifluoride, hexafluoroethane and oxygen.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for depositing a silicon oxide layer onto a wafer or substrate is provided. The present method includes introducing into a processing chamber a process gas including silicon, oxygen, boron, phosphorus and germanium to form a germanium doped BPSG oxide layer having a reflow temperature of less than 800.degree. C. Preferred embodiments of the present method are performed in either a subatmospheric CVD or a plasma enhanced CVD processing apparatus.