Abstract: A method of processing a substrate, such as a semiconductor wafer, in a vacuum processing chamber includes the steps of depositing a material on a surface of the substrate using a gas mixture, and purging the chamber of residual gases by flowing SiH4 into the chamber. Preferably, WSix is deposited on a semiconductor wafer using a mixture comprising WF6, dichlorosilane and a noble gas, and the chamber is subsequently purged of residual WF6 and dichlorosilane by flowing SiH4 into the chamber. A further method of processing a substrate in a vacuum processing chamber includes the step of conditioning the chamber by flowing SiH4 into the chamber prior to depositing a material on the surface of the substrate. Semiconductor wafers processed according to the inventive method are characterized by more uniform sheet resistance values and reduced film stress.

Abstract: A method of processing a substrate, such as a semiconductor wafer, in a vacuum processing chamber includes the steps of depositing a material on a surface of the substrate using a gas mixture, and purging the chamber of residual gases by flowing SiH.sub.4 into the chamber. Preferably, WSi.sub.x is deposited on a semiconductor wafer using a mixture comprising WF.sub.6, dichlorosilane and a noble gas, and the chamber is subsequently purged of residual WF.sub.6 and dichlorosilane by flowing SiH.sub.4 into the chamber. A further method of processing a substrate in a vacuum processing chamber includes the step of conditioning the chamber by flowing SiH.sub.4 into the chamber prior to depositing a material on the surface of the substrate. Semiconductor wafers processed according to the inventive method are characterized by more uniform sheet resistance values and reduced film stress.

Abstract: A process and is described for forming a tungsten silicide layer on a semiconductor wafer in a deposition chamber which comprises mounting a wafer on a susceptor having a fixed outer diameter regardless of the diameter wafer thereon to be processed in said chamber, and flowing into a deposition chamber a mixture of gases, including dichlorosilane gas and a gaseous source of tungsten through a fixed gas inlet pattern formed in a fixed diameter inlet receptacle, whereby a constant gas flow will be maintained in the deposition chamber regardless of wafer diameter being processed to thereby provide uniform deposition conditions in the deposition chamber, independent of wafer diameter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the formation of a tungsten silicide layer on an integrated circuit structure of a semiconductor wafer mounted on a susceptor in a vacuum chamber, wherein the tungsten silicide layer is applied at a temperature of at least 500.degree. C. and the susceptor has an aluminum nitride surface. After the chamber has been cleaned with one or more fluorine-containing etchant gases, the improvement comprises depositing a layer of tungsten silicide on the surface of the susceptor prior to an initial deposition of tungsten silicide on a wafer mounted on the susceptor after cleaning with the fluorine-containing etchant gases.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for pretreating aluminum-bearing surfaces in a vacuum deposition chamber after a previous step of cleaning the chamber, and prior to depositing tungsten silicide on substrates in the chamber, which first comprises treating the aluminum-bearing surfaces with a mixture of silane and a tungsten-bearing gas, such as WF.sub.6, to form a first deposition of a silane-based tungsten silicide on the aluminum-bearing surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the process further comprises subsequently treating the already coated aluminum-bearing surfaces of the chamber in a second step with a mixture of a tungsten-bearing gas, such as WF.sub.6, and a chlorine-substituted silane such as dichlorosilane (SiH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2), monochlorosilane (SiH.sub.3 Cl), or trichlorosilane (SiHCl.sub.3) to form a chlorine-substituted silane-based tungsten silicide deposition over the previous deposited silane-based tungsten silicide.

Abstract: A clamping ring having a downwardly extending finger that mates with a pocket in the periphery of a susceptor for supporting a wafer in a chemical vapor deposition chamber, provides alignment of the clamping ring, the wafer and the susceptor. A source of inert gas connected to the pocket provides a positive pressure in the pocket that prevents reactive gas in the chamber from reaching the edge and backside of the wafer. A source of vacuum connected to the susceptor support surface ensures good contact between the wafer and the susceptor.The clamping ring also has a lip extending over the top surface of the wafer having a rear surface that has a negative angle with respect to the upper surface of the clamping ring, providing a knife edge seal to the wafer, reducing the area of contact between the clamping ring and the wafer and providing a reduced area of thermal contact between the clamping ring and the wafer.