Abstract: A high-pressure processing system for processing a substrate includes a first chamber, a pedestal positioned within the first chamber to support the substrate, a second chamber adjacent the first chamber, a vacuum processing system configured to lower a pressure within the second chamber to near vacuum, a valve assembly between the first chamber and the second chamber to isolate the pressure within the first chamber from the pressure within the second chamber, and a gas delivery system configured to introduce a processing gas into the first chamber and to increase the pressure within the first chamber to at least 10 atmospheres while the processing gas is in the first chamber and while the first chamber is isolated from the second chamber.

Abstract: A high-pressure processing system includes a first chamber, a second chamber adjacent the first chamber, a foreline to remove gas from the second chamber, a vacuum processing system configured to lower a pressure within the second, a valve assembly to isolate the pressure within the first chamber from the pressure within the second chamber, a gas delivery system configured to introduce a gas into the first chamber and to increase the pressure within the first chamber to at least 10 atmospheres, an exhaust line to remove gas from the first chamber, and a containment enclosure surrounding a portion of the gas delivery system and the exhaust line to divert gas leaking from the portion of the gas delivery system and the exhaust line to the foreline.

Abstract: A high-pressure processing system includes a first chamber, a second chamber adjacent the first chamber, a foreline to remove gas from the second chamber, a vacuum processing system configured to lower a pressure within the second, a valve assembly to isolate the pressure within the first chamber from the pressure within the second chamber, a gas delivery system configured to introduce a gas into the first chamber and to increase the pressure within the first chamber to at least 10 atmospheres, an exhaust line to remove gas from the first chamber, and a containment enclosure surrounding a portion of the gas delivery system and the exhaust line to divert gas leaking from the portion of the gas delivery system and the exhaust line to the foreline.

Abstract: A high-pressure processing system for processing a substrate includes a first chamber, a pedestal positioned within the first chamber to support the substrate, a second chamber adjacent the first chamber, a vacuum processing system configured to lower a pressure within the second chamber to near vacuum, a valve assembly between the first chamber and the second chamber to isolate the pressure within the first chamber from the pressure within the second chamber, and a gas delivery system configured to introduce a processing gas into the first chamber and to increase the pressure within the first chamber to at least 10 atmospheres while the processing gas is in the first chamber and while the first chamber is isolated from the second chamber.

Abstract: A high-pressure processing system for processing a substrate includes a first chamber, a pedestal positioned within the first chamber to support the substrate, a second chamber adjacent the first chamber, a vacuum processing system configured to lower a pressure within the second chamber to near vacuum, a valve assembly between the first chamber and the second chamber to isolate the pressure within the first chamber from the pressure within the second chamber, and a gas delivery system configured to introduce a processing gas into the first chamber and to increase the pressure within the first chamber to at least 10 atmospheres while the processing gas is in the first chamber and while the first chamber is isolated from the second chamber.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus for processing a substrate are provided herein. In some embodiments, a substrate support includes a base having a first support surface designed to support a substrate having a given width; a plurality of arcuate slots formed through the base; a corresponding plurality of lift pins disposed through the arcuate slots, wherein the lift pins are rotationally and vertically movable with respect to the base; and a cover plate disposed on but not coupled to the base to cover the first support surface, wherein the cover plate has a diameter greater than the given width, and wherein the cover plate includes a second support surface designed to support a substrate having the given width.

Abstract: A wafer chuck assembly includes a puck, a shaft and a base. An insulating material defines a top surface of the puck, a heater element is embedded within the insulating material, and a conductive plate lies beneath the insulating material. The shaft includes a housing coupled with the plate, and electrical connectors for the heater elements and the electrodes. A conductive base housing couples with the shaft housing, and the connectors pass through a terminal block within the base housing. A method of plasma processing includes loading a workpiece onto a chuck having an insulating top surface, providing a DC voltage differential across two electrodes within the top surface, heating the chuck by passing current through heater elements, providing process gases in a chamber surrounding the chuck, and providing an RF voltage between a conductive plate beneath the chuck, and one or more walls of the chamber.

Abstract: A wafer chuck assembly includes a puck, a shaft and a base. An insulating material defines a top surface of the puck, a heater element is embedded within the insulating material, and a conductive plate lies beneath the insulating material. The shaft includes a housing coupled with the plate, and electrical connectors for the heater elements and the electrodes. A conductive base housing couples with the shaft housing, and the connectors pass through a terminal block within the base housing. A method of plasma processing includes loading a workpiece onto a chuck having an insulating top surface, providing a DC voltage differential across two electrodes within the top surface, heating the chuck by passing current through heater elements, providing process gases in a chamber surrounding the chuck, and providing an RF voltage between a conductive plate beneath the chuck, and one or more walls of the chamber.

Abstract: A wafer chuck assembly includes a puck, a shaft and a base. An insulating material defines a top surface of the puck, a heater element is embedded within the insulating material, and a conductive plate lies beneath the insulating material. The shaft includes a housing coupled with the plate, and electrical connectors for the heater elements and the electrodes. A conductive base housing couples with the shaft housing, and the connectors pass through a terminal block within the base housing. A method of plasma processing includes loading a workpiece onto a chuck having an insulating top surface, providing a DC voltage differential across two electrodes within the top surface, heating the chuck by passing current through heater elements, providing process gases in a chamber surrounding the chuck, and providing an RF voltage between a conductive plate beneath the chuck, and one or more walls of the chamber.