Abstract: A method for etching a metal containing feature is provided. Using a pattern mask, layers of material are etched to expose a portion of a metal containing feature. At least a portion of the exposed metal containing feature is etched, and is replaced by the growth of a filler dielectric. The etched portion of the metal containing feature and the filler dielectric reduce the unwanted conductivity between adjacent metal containing features.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to process one or more wafers are described. A substrate is exposed to a plurality of process stations to deposit, anneal, treat and optionally etch a film in small increments to provide self-aligned growth of the film on a substrate surface.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for classifying runs of a recipe within a manufacturing environment. Embodiments monitor a plurality of runs of a recipe to collect runtime data from a plurality of sensors within a manufacturing environment. Qualitative data describing each semiconductor devices produced by the plurality of runs is determined. Embodiments characterize each run into a respective group, based on an analysis of the qualitative data, and generate a data model based on the collected runtime data. A multivariate analysis of additional runtime data collected during at least one subsequent run of the recipe is performed to classify the at least one subsequent run into a first group. Upon classifying the at least one subsequent run, embodiments output for display an interface depicting a ranking sensor types based on the additional runtime data and the description of relative importance of each sensor type for the first group within the data model.

Abstract: Electronic devices and methods to form electronic devices having a self-aligned via are described. An adhesion enhancement layer is utilized to promote adhesion between the conductive material and the sidewalls of the at least one via opening. The self-aligned vias decrease via resistance and reduce the potential to short to the wrong metal line.

Abstract: Electronic devices and methods to form electronic devices having a self-aligned via are described. An adhesion enhancement layer is utilized to promote adhesion between the conductive material and the sidewalls of the at least one via opening. The self-aligned vias decrease via resistance and reduce the potential to short to the wrong metal line.

Abstract: Methods for forming a film stack comprising a hardmask layer and etching such hardmask layer to form features in the film stack are provided. The methods described herein facilitate profile and dimension control of features through a proper profile management scheme formed in the film stack. In one or more embodiments, a method for etching a hardmask layer includes forming a hardmask layer on a substrate, where the hardmask layer contains a metal-containing material containing a metal element having an atomic number greater than 28, supplying an etching gas mixture to the substrate, and etching the hardmask layer exposed by a photoresist layer.

Abstract: Electronic devices and methods to form electronic devices having a self-aligned via are described. An adhesion enhancement layer is utilized to promote adhesion between the conductive material and the sidewalls of the at least one via opening. The self-aligned vias decrease via resistance and reduce the potential to short to the wrong metal line.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a cleaning device and methods for cleaning an object. In one embodiment, the object is cleaned by moving a clean head along a surface of the object. Supercritical carbon dioxide fluid is delivered by supercritical carbon dioxide fluid vessel to the surface of the object. The supercritical carbon dioxide fluid and contamination material are removed from the object by a vacuum pump to a detector. One or more measurements of the contamination material are determined by the detector. Samples of the contamination material are collected by a collector. A contamination level of the surface of the object is determined by an analyzer.

Abstract: Electronic devices and methods to form electronic devices having a self-aligned via are described. An adhesion enhancement layer is utilized to promote adhesion between the conductive material and the sidewalls of the at least one via opening. The self-aligned vias decrease via resistance and reduce the potential to short to the wrong metal line.

Abstract: Electronic devices and methods to form electronic devices having a self-aligned via are described. An adhesion enhancement layer is utilized to promote adhesion between the conductive material and the sidewalls of the at least one via opening. The self-aligned vias decrease via resistance and reduce the potential to short to the wrong metal line.

Abstract: Logic devices and methods of forming logic devices are described. An epitaxial channel is formed orthogonally to a horizontal plane of a substrate surface with a stack or horizontal transistors on the substrate surface. The first horizontal transistor having a first length and a first step, the second horizontal transistor having a second length and a second step and a third horizontal transistor has a third length and a third step. Each of the horizontal transistors is separated from adjacent layers by a horizontal isolation layer.

Abstract: A finFET device includes a doped source and/or drain extension that is disposed between a gate spacer of the finFET and a bulk semiconductor portion of the semiconductor substrate on which the n-doped or p-doped source or drain extension is disposed. The doped source or drain extension is formed by a selective epitaxial growth (SEG) process in a cavity formed proximate the gate spacer. After formation of the cavity, advanced processing controls (APC) (i.e., integrated metrology) is used to determine the distance of recess, without exposing the substrate to an oxidizing environment. The isotropic etch process, the metrology, and selective epitaxial growth may be performed in the same platform.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to process one or more wafers are described. A substrate is exposed to a plurality of process stations to deposit, anneal, treat and optionally etch a film in small increments to provide self-aligned growth of the film on a substrate surface.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a cleaning device and methods for cleaning an object. In one embodiment, the object is cleaned by moving a clean head along a surface of the object. Supercritical carbon dioxide fluid is delivered by supercritical carbon dioxide fluid vessel to the surface of the object. The supercritical carbon dioxide fluid and contamination material are removed from the object by a vacuum pump to a detector. One or more measurements of the contamination material are determined by the detector. Samples of the contamination material are collected by a collector. A contamination level of the surface of the object is determined by an analyzer.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for classifying runs of a recipe within a manufacturing environment. Embodiments monitor a plurality of runs of a recipe to collect runtime data from a plurality of sensors within a manufacturing environment. Qualitative data describing each semiconductor devices produced by the plurality of runs is determined. Embodiments characterize each run into a respective group, based on an analysis of the qualitative data, and generate a data model based on the collected runtime data. A multivariate analysis of additional runtime data collected during at least one subsequent run of the recipe is performed to classify the at least one subsequent run into a first group. Upon classifying the at least one subsequent run, embodiments output for display an interface depicting a ranking sensor types based on the additional runtime data and the description of relative importance of each sensor type for the first group within the data model.

Abstract: A fabrication line includes a texturizing module configured to texture a substrate, an emitter module configured to form an emitter region, a passivation layer module configured to form a passivation layer, a barrier contact module configured to form a barrier contact region, a firing module configured to anneal the barrier contact region, a top metal contact module configured to form a top metal contact region, and a soldering module configured to solder the barrier contact region to the top metal contact region. The modules are integrated by one or more automated substrate handlers into a single fabrication line. A method for fabricating a solar cell includes sequentially, in an automated fabrication line: doping a dopant in a substrate; disposing a passivation layer; disposing and annealing a barrier metal paste to form a barrier contact; and disposing and annealing a metal contact paste to form a top metal contact region.

Abstract: A factory control server stores module configuration data for modules. The modules include processes for producing a final product and have corresponding module requirements. The factory control server analyzes in real-time actual product output data that is generated by a final product tester after a factory produces at least one final product to determine whether the actual product output data meets an expected product output. The factory control server analyzes actual module data in real-time to determine a new module requirement to cause new actual product output data for a subsequent final product to meet the expected product output in response to a determination that the actual product output data does not meet the expected product output. The factory control server notifies a module controller in real-time of the new module requirement. The module controller changes parameters in real-time to manufacture the subsequent final product.

Abstract: A fabrication line includes a texturizing module configured to texture a substrate, an emitter module configured to form an emitter region, a passivation layer module configured to form a passivation layer, a barrier contact module configured to form a barrier contact region, a firing module configured to anneal the barrier contact region, a top metal contact module configured to form a top metal contact region, and a soldering module configured to solder the barrier contact region to the top metal contact region. The modules are integrated by one or more automated substrate handlers into a single fabrication line. A method for fabricating a solar cell includes sequentially, in an automated fabrication line: doping a dopant in a substrate; disposing a passivation layer; disposing and annealing a barrier metal paste to form a barrier contact; and disposing and annealing a metal contact paste to form a top metal contact region.

Abstract: A method of forming a sub-lithographic charge storage element on a semiconductor substrate is provided. The method can involve providing first and second layers on a semiconductor substrate, a thickness of the first layer being larger than a thickness of the second layer; forming a spacer adjacent a side surface of the first layer and on a portion of an upper surface of the second layer; and removing an exposed portion of the second layer that is not covered by the spacer. By removing the exposed portion of the second layer while leaving a portion of the second layer that is protected by the spacer, the method can make a sub-lithographic charge storage element from the remaining portion of the second layer on the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A method of forming an electronic device including forming a first trench in a workpiece including a substrate, the first trench having side walls and a bottom surface extending for a width between the side walls and forming a charge-storage layer along the side walls and bottom surface of the first trench. The method further includes implanting ions within the substrate underlying the bottom surface of the first trench to form an implant region and annealing the implant region, wherein after annealing, the implant region extends the width of the bottom surface and along a portion of the side walls.