Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to methods and apparatus for measuring and controlling local impedances at a substrate support in a plasma processing chamber during processing of a substrate. A substrate support includes a plurality of substrate support pins wherein the radio frequency voltage, current and phase of each of the plurality of substrate support pins are measured and impedances of the support pins are adjusted in real time. Each of the substrate support pins is coupled to an associated adjustable impedance circuit that may be remotely controlled. In one embodiment a variable capacitor is used to adjust the impedance of the impedance circuit coupled to the associated substrate support pin and may be remotely adjusted with a stepper motor.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an antenna array. The antenna array includes a plurality of dielectric windows coupled to a support structure comprising a plurality of gas ports, a primary frame comprising a primary conduit connected to a power source and a plurality of secondary frames supported by the primary frame. The secondary frame includes a secondary conduit connected to the primary conduit. A plurality of inductive couplers are disposed over the plurality of dielectric windows and supported by the secondary frames. The plurality of inductive couplers include a plurality of antenna connectors and a plurality of plurality of antennas. The plurality of antenna connectors connect the plurality of antennas to the secondary conduit.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a lid assembly of a chamber for independent control of plasma density and gas distribution within the interior volume of the chamber. The lid assembly includes a plasma generation system and a gas distribution assembly. The plasma generation system includes a plurality of dielectric plates having a bottom surface oriented with respect to vacuum pressure and a top surface operable to be oriented with respect to atmospheric pressure. One or more coils are positioned on or over the plurality of dielectric plates. The gas distribution assembly includes a first diffuser and a second diffuser. The first diffuser includes a plurality of first channels intersecting a plurality of second channels of the second diffuser.

Abstract: A method of processing a material layer on a substrate is provided. The method includes delivering RF power from an RF power source through a match network to a showerhead of a capacitively coupled plasma chamber; igniting a plasma within the capacitively coupled plasma chamber; measuring one or more phase angles of one or more harmonic signals of the RF power relative to a phase of a fundamental frequency of the RF power; and adjusting at least one phase angle of at least one harmonic signal of the RF power relative to the phase of the fundamental frequency of the RF power based on the one or more phase angle measurements.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a lid assembly of a chamber for independent control of plasma density and gas distribution within the interior volume of the chamber. The lid assembly includes a plasma generation system and a gas distribution assembly. The plasma generation system includes a plurality of dielectric plates having a bottom surface oriented with respect to vacuum pressure and a top surface operable to be oriented with respect to atmospheric pressure. One or more coils are positioned on or over the plurality of dielectric plates. The gas distribution assembly includes a first diffuser and a second diffuser. The first diffuser includes a plurality of first channels intersecting a plurality of second channels of the second diffuser.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relates a shadow frame including two opposing major side frame members adjacent to two opposing minor side frame members coupled together with a corner bracket, wherein the corner bracket includes a corner inlay having legs that extend in directions generally orthogonal to each other.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a slit valve door assembly for sealing an opening in a chamber. A slit valve door that is pressed against the chamber to seal the slit valve opening moves with the chamber as the slit valve opening shrinks so that an o-ring pressed between the slit valve door and the chamber may move with the slit valve door and the chamber. Thus, less rubbing of the o-ring against the chamber may occur. With less rubbing, fewer particles may be generated and the o-ring lifetime may be extended. With a longer lifetime for the o-ring, substrate throughput may be increased.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally describe a method for depositing a barrier layer of SiN using a high density plasma chemical vapor deposition (HDP-CVD) process, and in particular, controlling a film stress of the deposited SiN layer by biasing the substrate during the deposition process.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method of depositing a thin film on a substrate is provided that includes placing a substrate on a substrate support that is mounted in a processing region of a processing chamber, flowing a process fluid through a plurality of gas passages in a diffuser plate toward the substrate supported on the substrate support, wherein the diffuser plate has an upstream side and a downstream side and the downstream side has a substantially concave curvature, and each of the gas passages are formed between the upstream side and the downstream side, and creating a plasma between the downstream side of the diffuser plate and the substrate support.

Abstract: Embodiments of a gas diffuser plate for distributing gas in a processing chamber are provided. The gas distribution plate includes a diffuser plate having an upstream side and a downstream side, and a plurality of gas passages passing between the upstream and downstream sides of the diffuser plate. The gas passages include hollow cathode cavities at the downstream side to enhance plasma ionization. The depths, the diameters, the surface area and density of hollow cathode cavities of the gas passages that extend to the downstream end can be gradually increased from the center to the edge of the diffuser plate to improve the film thickness and property uniformity across the substrate. The increasing diameters, depths and surface areas from the center to the edge of the diffuser plate can be created by bending the diffuser plate toward downstream side, followed by machining out the convex downstream side. Bending the diffuser plate can be accomplished by a thermal process or a vacuum process.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relates a shadow frame including two opposing major side frame members adjacent to two opposing minor side frame members coupled together with a corner bracket, wherein the corner bracket includes a corner inlay having legs that extend in directions generally orthogonal to each other.

Abstract: A method of processing a material layer on a substrate is provided. The method includes delivering RF power from an RF power source through a match network to a showerhead of a capacitively coupled plasma chamber; igniting a plasma within the capacitively coupled plasma chamber; measuring one or more phase angles of one or more harmonic signals of the RF power relative to a phase of a fundamental frequency of the RF power; and adjusting at least one phase angle of at least one harmonic signal of the RF power relative to the phase of the fundamental frequency of the RF power based on the one or more phase angle measurements.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally describe a method for depositing a barrier layer of SiN using a high density plasma chemical vapor deposition (HDP-CVD) process, and in particular, controlling a film stress of the deposited SiN layer by biasing the substrate during the deposition process.

Abstract: A compact configurable radio frequency (RF) matching network for matching RF energy output from an RF generator to a variable impedance load is disclosed. The matching network includes an input connector; an output connector; and a component assembly array including one or more tune and load electrical components. At least one of the electrical components is coupled to the input connector, at least one of the electrical components is coupled to the output connector, the component assembly array is adapted to be arranged in a selected topology, and the selected topology is adapted to reduce RF energy reflected from the variable impedance load. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a vertical CVD system having a processing chamber that is capable of processing multiple substrates. The multiple substrates are disposed on opposite sides of the processing source within the processing chamber, yet the processing environments are not isolated from each other. The processing source is a horizontally centered vertical plasma generator that permits multiple substrates to be processed simultaneously on either side of the plasma generator, yet independent of each other. The system is arranged as a twin system whereby two identical processing lines, each with their own processing chamber, are arranged adjacent to each other. Multiple robots are used to load and unload the substrates from the processing system. Each robot can access both processing lines within the system.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method of depositing a thin film on a substrate is provided that includes placing a substrate on a substrate support that is mounted in a processing region of a processing chamber, flowing a process fluid through a plurality of gas passages in a diffuser plate toward the substrate supported on the substrate support, wherein the diffuser plate has an upstream side and a downstream side and the downstream side has a substantially concave curvature, and each of the gas passages are formed between the upstream side and the downstream side, and creating a plasma between the downstream side of the diffuser plate and the substrate support.

Abstract: A transfer chamber for a processing system suitable for processing a plurality of substrates and a method of using the same is provided. The transfer chamber includes a lid, a bottom disposed opposite the lid, a plurality of sidewalls sealingly coupling the lid to the bottom and defining an internal volume, wherein the plurality of sidewalls form the faces of a dodecagon. An opening is formed in each of the faces, wherein the opening is configured for a substrate to pass therethrough. A transfer robot is disposed in the internal volume, wherein the transfer robot has effectors configured to support the substrate through one opening to another opening.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally include shield frame assembly for use with a showerhead assembly, and a showerhead assembly having a shield frame assembly that includes an insulator that tightly fits around the perimeter of a showerhead in a vacuum processing chamber. In one embodiment, a showerhead assembly includes a gas distribution plate and a multi-piece frame assembly that circumscribes a perimeter edge of the gas distribution plate. The multi-piece frame assembly allows for expansion of the gas distribution plate without creating gaps which may lead to arcing. In other embodiments, the insulator is positioned to be have the electric fields concentrated at the perimeter of the gas distribution plate located therein, thereby reducing arcing potential.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to a substrate support assembly. The substrate support assembly includes a support plate and a ceramic layer. The support plate has a top surface. The top surface includes a substrate receiving area configured to support a large area substrate and an outer area located outward of the substrate receiving area.

Abstract: A transmission line RF applicator apparatus and method for coupling RF power to a plasma in a plasma chamber. The apparatus comprises two conductors, one of which has a plurality of apertures. In one aspect, apertures in different portions of the conductor have different sizes, spacing or orientations. In another aspect, adjacent apertures at successive longitudinal positions are offset along the transverse dimension. In another aspect, the apparatus comprises an inner conductor and one or two outer conductors. The main portion of each of the one or two outer conductors includes a plurality of apertures that extend between an inner surface and an outer surface of the outer conductor.