Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to planarization of surfaces on substrates and on layers formed on substrates. More specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to planarization of surfaces on substrates for advanced packaging applications, such as surfaces of polymeric material layers. In one implementation, the method includes mechanically grinding a substrate surface against a polishing surface in the presence of a grinding slurry during a first polishing process to remove a portion of a material formed on the substrate; and then chemically mechanically polishing the substrate surface against the polishing surface in the presence of a polishing slurry during a second polishing process to reduce any roughness or unevenness caused by the first polishing process.

Abstract: Methods for etching alkali metal compounds are disclosed. Some embodiments of the disclosure expose an alkali metal compound to an alcohol to form a volatile metal alkoxide. Some embodiments of the disclosure expose an alkali metal compound to a ?-diketone to form a volatile alkali metal ?-diketonate compound. Some embodiments of the disclosure are performed in-situ after a deposition process. Some embodiments of the disclosure provide methods which selectively etch alkali metal compounds.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to micro-via structures for interconnects in advanced wafer level semiconductor packaging. The methods described herein enable the formation of high-quality, low-aspect-ratio micro-via structures with improved uniformity, thus facilitating thin and small-form-factor semiconductor devices having high I/O density with improved bandwidth and power.

Abstract: Methods for etching alkali metal compounds are disclosed. Some embodiments of the disclosure expose an alkali metal compound to an alcohol to form a volatile metal alkoxide. Some embodiments of the disclosure expose an alkali metal compound to a ?-diketone to form a volatile alkali metal ?-diketonate compound. Some embodiments of the disclosure are performed in-situ after a deposition process. Some embodiments of the disclosure provide methods which selectively etch alkali metal compounds.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to micro-via structures for interconnects in advanced wafer level semiconductor packaging. The methods described herein enable the formation of high-quality, low-aspect-ratio micro-via structures with improved uniformity, thus facilitating thin and small-form-factor semiconductor devices having high I/O density with improved bandwidth and power.

Abstract: Methods for forming circuit boards and circuit boards using an adhesion layer are described. A substrate with two surfaces is exposed to a bifunctional organic compound to form an adhesion layer on the first substrate surface. A resin layer is then deposited on the adhesion layer and the exposed substrate surfaces. Portions of the resin layer may be removed to expose metal pads for contacts.

Abstract: Exemplary methods of removing lithium-containing deposits may include heating a surface of a lithium-containing deposit. The surface may include oxygen or nitrogen, and the lithium-containing deposit may be disposed on a surface of a processing chamber. The methods may include contacting the surface of the lithium-containing deposit with a hydrogen-containing precursor. The contacting may hydrogenate the surface of the lithium-containing deposit. The methods may include contacting the lithium-containing deposit with a nitrogen-containing precursor to form volatile byproducts. The methods may include exhausting the volatile byproducts of the lithium-containing deposit from the processing chamber.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to methods of selectively depositing organic and hybrid organic/inorganic layers. More particularly, embodiments of the disclosure are directed to methods of modifying hydroxyl terminated surfaces for selective deposition of molecular layer organic and hybrid organic/inorganic films. Additional embodiments of the disclosure relate to cyclic compounds for use in molecular layer deposition processes.

Abstract: Methods for forming circuit boards and circuit boards using an adhesion layer are described. A substrate with two surfaces is exposed to a bifunctional organic compound to form an adhesion layer on the first substrate surface. A resin layer is then deposited on the adhesion layer and the exposed substrate surfaces. Portions of the resin layer may be removed to expose metal pads for contacts.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to flat optical devices and methods of forming flat optical devices. One embodiment includes a substrate having a first arrangement of a first plurality of pillars formed thereon. The first arrangement of the first plurality of pillars includes pillars having a height h and a lateral distance d, and a gap g corresponding to a distance between adjacent pillars of the first plurality of pillars. An aspect ratio of the gap g to the height h is between about 1:1 and about 1:20. A first encapsulation layer is disposed over the first arrangement of the first plurality of pillars. The first encapsulation layer has a refractive index of about 1.0 to about 1.5. The first encapsulation layer, the substrate, and each of the pillars of the first arrangement define a first space therebetween. The first space has a refractive index of about 1.0 to about 1.5.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to planarization of surfaces on substrates and on layers formed on substrates. More specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to planarization of surfaces on substrates for advanced packaging applications, such as surfaces of polymeric material layers. In one implementation, the method includes mechanically grinding a substrate surface against a polishing surface in the presence of a grinding slurry during a first polishing process to remove a portion of a material formed on the substrate; and then chemically mechanically polishing the substrate surface against the polishing surface in the presence of a polishing slurry during a second polishing process to reduce any roughness or unevenness caused by the first polishing process.

Abstract: In one implementation, a method of depositing a material on a substrate is provided. The method comprises positioning an aluminum-containing substrate in an electroplating solution, the electroplating solution comprising a non-aqueous solvent and a deposition precursor. The method further comprises depositing a coating on the aluminum-containing substrate, the coating comprising aluminum or aluminum oxide. Depositing the coating comprises applying a first current for a first time-period to nucleate a surface of the aluminum-containing substrate and applying a second current for a second time-period, wherein the first current is greater than the second current and the first time-period is less than the second time-period to form the coating on the nucleated surface of the aluminum-containing substrate.

Abstract: Single source precursors, methods to synthesize single source precursors and methods to deposit nanowire based thin films using single source precursors for high efficiency thermoelectric devices are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of forming a single source precursor includes mixing a first compound with one of SbX3, SbX5, Sb2(SO4)3 or with one of BiX3, Bi(NO3)3, Bi(OTf)3, Bi(PO4), Bi(OAc)3, wherein the first compound is one of a lithium selenolate, a lithium tellurolate, a monoselenide, or a monotelluride.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to methods of selectively depositing or etching conductive materials from a substrate comprising conductive materials and nonconductive materials. More particularly, embodiments of the disclosure are directed to methods of using electrical bias and aerosol assisted chemical vapor deposition to deposit metal on conductive metal pillars. Additional embodiments of the disclosure relate to methods of using electrical bias and aerosol assisted chemical vapor deposition to etch metal from conductive metal pillars.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to methods of selectively depositing organic and hybrid organic/inorganic layers. More particularly, embodiments of the disclosure are directed to methods of modifying hydroxyl terminated surfaces for selective deposition of molecular layer organic and hybrid organic/inorganic films. Additional embodiments of the disclosure relate to cyclic compounds for use in molecular layer deposition processes.

Abstract: Methods of discouraging poreseal deposition on metal (e.g. copper) at the bottom of a via during a poresealing process are described. A self-assembled monolayer (SAM) is selectively formed on the exposed metal surface and prevents or discourages formation of poreseal on the metal. The SAM is selectively formed by exposing a patterned substrate to a SAM molecule which preferentially binds to exposed metal surfaces rather than exposed dielectric surfaces. The selected SAM molecules tend to not bind to low-k films. The SAM and SAM molecule are also chosen so the SAM tolerates subsequent processing at relatively high processing temperatures above 140° C. or 160° C. Aliphatic or aromatic SAM molecules with thiol head moieties may be used to form the SAM.

Abstract: Methods of discouraging poreseal deposition on metal (e.g. copper) at the bottom of a via during a poresealing process are described. A self-assembled monolayer (SAM) is selectively formed on the exposed metal surface and prevents or discourages formation of poreseal on the metal. The SAM is selectively formed by exposing a patterned substrate to a SAM molecule which preferentially binds to exposed metal surfaces rather than exposed dielectric surfaces. The selected SAM molecules tend to not bind to low-k films. The SAM and SAM molecule are also chosen so the SAM tolerates subsequent processing at relatively high processing temperatures above 140° C. or 160° C. Aliphatic or aromatic SAM molecules with thiol head moieties may be used to form the SAM.

Abstract: In one implementation, a method of depositing a material on a substrate is provided. The method comprises positioning an aluminum-containing substrate in an electroplating solution, the electroplating solution comprising a non-aqueous solvent and a deposition precursor. The method further comprises depositing a coating on the aluminum-containing substrate, the coating comprising aluminum or aluminum oxide. Depositing the coating comprises applying a first current for a first time-period to nucleate a surface of the aluminum-containing substrate and applying a second current for a second time-period, wherein the first current is greater than the second current and the first time-period is less than the second time-period to form the coating on the nucleated surface of the aluminum-containing substrate.

Abstract: Methods for selective dielectric deposition using self-assembled monolayer (SAM) are provided herein. A method of selectively depositing a low-k dielectric layer atop a substrate having an exposed silicon surface and an exposed silicon-containing surface, includes: (a) growing an organosilane based self-assembled monolayer atop the exposed silicon-containing surface, wherein the organosilane based self-assembled monolayer is thermally stable at a first temperature of greater than about 300 degrees Celsius; and (b) selectively depositing a low-k dielectric layer atop the exposed silicon surface of the substrate, wherein the organosilane based self-assembled monolayer inhibits deposition of the low-k dielectric layer atop the silicon-containing surface.

Abstract: An improved method of doping a workpiece is disclosed. The method is particularly beneficial to the creation of interdigitated back contact (IBC) solar cells. A patterned implant is performed on one surface of the workpiece. A self-aligned masking process is then performed, which is achieved by exploiting the changes in surface properties caused by the patterned implant. The masking process includes applying a coating that preferentially adheres to the previously implanted regions. A blanket implant is then performed, which serves to implant the portions of the workpiece that are not covered by the coating. Thus, the blanket implant is actually a complementary implant, doping the regions that were not implanted by the first patterned implant. The coating is then optionally removed from the workpiece.