Abstract: Substrate supports, substrate support assemblies and methods of using an arc generated between a first electrode and a second electrode to clean a support surface. The first electrode comprises a plurality of first branches which are interdigitated with a plurality of branches of the second electrode in a finger-joint like pattern creating a gap between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: Substrate supports, substrate support assemblies and methods of using the substrate supports are described. The substrate support has a support surface with at least two electrodes and a plurality of purge channels bounded by a seal band. A power supply connected to the electrodes configured as an electrostatic chuck. A capacitance of the substrate is measured while on the substrate support to determine the chucking state of the substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing backside pressure control and edge purge gas to a substrate in a processing chamber. A support region of a substrate support is defined by an outer band. The support region comprises one or more openings in the top surface of the substrate support. The outer band comprises a plurality of spaced apart posts. Processing chambers, methods of processing a substrate and non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions to process a substrate are also disclosed.

Abstract: A substrate processing system includes a processing chamber that includes a substrate support positioned therein. The substrate processing system includes a valve system fluidly coupled to the processing chamber and configured to control flow of gas into the processing chamber. The valve system includes a primary flow line and a first gas source flow line fluidly coupled to the primary flow line through a first gas source valve. The valve system includes a second gas source flow line fluidly coupled to the primary flow line through a second gas source valve. The first gas source valve and the second gas source valve are positioned in series within the primary flow line.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to apparatus for improving quality of films deposited on a substrate by a CVD process. More specifically, a branched gas feed assembly uniformly distributes a process gas entering an annular plenum. Each conduit of a first plurality of conduits having substantially equal flow conductance is in fluid communication with one or more conduits of a second plurality of conduits having substantially equal flow conductance. Each conduit of the second plurality of conduits terminates at one of a plurality of outlets. Each outlet of the plurality of outlets is in fluid communication with one or more inlet ports of a plurality of inlet ports formed in the annular plenum. Each inlet port of the plurality of inlet ports is spaced equidistant about a central axis of the annular plenum.

Abstract: A gas distribution apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a faceplate and a blocker plate. An adjustment mechanism is coupled to the blocker plate and is operable to position the blocker plate relative to the faceplate in order to modify a flow profile of a gas flowing therethrough. A method of processing a substrate using the gas distribution is also disclosed.

Abstract: Substrate supports comprising a top plate positioned on a shaft are described. The top plate including a primary heating element a first depth from the surface of the top plate, a inner zone heating element a second depth from the surface of the top plate and an outer zone heating element a third depth from the surface of the top plate. Substrate support assemblies comprising a plurality of substrate supports and methods of processing a substrate are also disclosed.

Abstract: Substrate supports comprising a plurality of bonded plates forming a single component support body and methods of forming the substrate supports are described. The single component support body has an outer peripheral edge, a top surface and a bottom surface. A pocket is formed in the top surface and has a bottom surface, a depth and an outer peripheral edge. A purge ring is spaced a distance from the outer peripheral edge and comprises at least one opening in the top surface in fluid communication with a purge gas line within the body thickness.

Abstract: Process chambers and methods for leveling a motor shaft and substrate support plane are described. The process chamber includes a motor shaft connected to the process chamber with a plurality of motor bolts. A first plurality of sensors is arranged at about the same radial distance from the rotational axis and at different angular positions relative to the rotational axis and a second plurality of sensors are arranged to measure the support plane. An angle-dependent motor leveling profile is determined and shim values for the motor bolts are determined to level the motor shaft. The support plane is measured using the second plurality of sensors to level the support plane perpendicular to the motor shaft.

Abstract: Substrate supports, substrate support assemblies and methods of using an arc generated between a first electrode and a second electrode to clean a support surface. The first electrode comprises a plurality of first branches which are interdigitated with a plurality of branches of the second electrode in a finger-joint like pattern creating a gap between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A thermal management system comprising a fluid channel with a plurality of parallel first flow paths extending along a first level in a first thermal mass and a plurality of parallel second flow paths extending along a second level in a second thermal mass are described. Methods for controlling the temperature of a substrate or heater surface and fluid manifolds are also described.

Abstract: Implementations of the disclosure generally relate to a semiconductor processing chamber and, more specifically, a heated support pedestal for a semiconductor processing chamber. In one implementation, a pedestal assembly is disclosed and includes a substrate support comprising a dielectric material and having a support surface for receiving a substrate, a resistive heater encapsulated within the substrate support, a hollow shaft coupled to a support member of the substrate support at a first end of the shaft, and a thermally conductive material disposed at an interface between the support member and the first end of the shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing backside pressure control and edge purge gas to a substrate in a processing chamber. A seal band within a pocket of a substrate support defines an inner pocket region and an outer pocket region. The seal band has a pressure dependent controlled leakage rate so that a backside gas flow to the inner pocket region can diffuse through the seal band to the outer pocket region to create an edge purge while providing backside pressure to the substrate. Processing chambers, methods of processing a substrate and non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions to process a substrate are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to process one or more wafers are described. A processing chamber comprises a first processing station comprising a first gas injector having a first face, a first emissivity and a first temperature, a second processing station comprising a second gas injector having a second face, a second emissivity and a second temperature, and a substrate support assembly comprising a plurality of substantially coplanar support surfaces, the substrate support assembly configured to move the support surfaces between the first processing station and the second processing station. When a wafer is on the support surfaces, a temperature skew of less than about 0.5° C. is developed upon moving the wafer between the stations in about 0.5 seconds.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to process one or more wafers are described. A processing chamber comprises a first processing station comprising a first gas injector having a first face, a first emissivity and a first temperature, a second processing station comprising a second gas injector having a second face, a second emissivity and a second temperature, and a substrate support assembly comprising a plurality of substantially coplanar support surfaces, the substrate support assembly configured to move the support surfaces between the first processing station and the second processing station. When a wafer is on the support surfaces, a temperature skew of less than about 0.5° C. is developed upon moving the wafer between the stations in about 0.5 seconds.

Abstract: Implementations disclosed herein generally relate to systems and methods of protecting a substrate support in a process chamber from cleaning fluid during a cleaning process. The method of cleaning the process chamber includes positioning in the process chamber a cover substrate above a substrate support and a process kit that separates a purge volume from a process volume. The method of cleaning includes flowing a purge gas in the purge volume to protect the substrate support and flowing a cleaning fluid to a process volume above the cover substrate, flowing the cleaning fluid in the process volume to an outer flow path, and to an exhaust outlet in the chamber body. The purge volume is maintained at a positive pressure with respect to the process volume to block the cleaning fluid from the purge volume.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to process one or more wafers are described. A processing chamber comprises a first processing station comprising a first gas injector having a first face, a first emissivity and a first temperature, a second processing station comprising a second gas injector having a second face, a second emissivity and a second temperature, and a substrate support assembly comprising a plurality of substantially coplanar support surfaces, the substrate support assembly configured to move the support surfaces between the first processing station and the second processing station. When a wafer is on the support surfaces, a temperature skew of less than about 0.5° C. is developed upon moving the wafer between the stations in about 0.5 seconds.

Abstract: Implementations disclosed herein generally relate to systems and methods of protecting a substrate support in a process chamber from cleaning fluid during a cleaning process. The method of cleaning the process chamber includes positioning in the process chamber a cover substrate above a substrate support and a process kit that separates a purge volume from a process volume. The method of cleaning includes flowing a purge gas in the purge volume to protect the substrate support and flowing a cleaning fluid to a process volume above the cover substrate, flowing the cleaning fluid in the process volume to an outer flow path, and to an exhaust outlet in the chamber body. The purge volume is maintained at a positive pressure with respect to the process volume to block the cleaning fluid from the purge volume.

Abstract: Systems and methods for depositing a film in a PECVD chamber while reducing residue buildup in the chamber. In some embodiments disclosed herein, a processing chamber includes a chamber body, a substrate support, a showerhead, and one or more heaters configured to heat the showerhead. In some embodiments, the processing chamber includes a controller.

Abstract: A thermal management system comprising a fluid channel with a plurality of parallel first flow paths extending along a first level in a first thermal mass and a plurality of parallel second flow paths extending along a second level in a second thermal mass are described. Methods for controlling the temperature of a substrate or heater surface and fluid manifolds are also described.