Abstract: Physical vapor deposition methods for reducing the particulates deposited on the substrate are disclosed. The pressure during sputtering can be increased to cause agglomeration of the particulates formed in the plasma. The agglomerated particulates can be moved to an outer portion of the process chamber prior to extinguishing the plasma so that the agglomerates fall harmlessly outside of the diameter of the substrate.

Abstract: A process kit comprises a shield and ring assembly for positioning about a substrate support in a processing chamber to reduce deposition of process deposits on internal chamber components and an overhang edge of the substrate. The shield comprises a cylindrical band having a top wall configured to surround a sputtering target and a sloped portion of a bottom wall having a substantially straight profile with gas conductance holes configured to surround the substrate support. The ring assembly comprises a cover ring having a bulb-shaped protuberance about the periphery of the ring. The bulb-shaped protuberance of the cover ring is able to block a line-of-sight between the gas conductance holes on the shield and an entrance to a chamber body cavity in the processing chamber.

Abstract: Physical vapor deposition methods for reducing the particulates deposited on the substrate are disclosed. The pressure during sputtering can be increased to cause agglomeration of the particulates formed in the plasma. The agglomerated particulates can be moved to an outer portion of the process chamber prior to extinguishing the plasma so that the agglomerates fall harmlessly outside of the diameter of the substrate.

Abstract: Physical vapor deposition methods for reducing the particulates deposited on the substrate are disclosed. The pressure during sputtering can be increased to cause agglomeration of the particulates formed in the plasma. The agglomerated particulates can be moved to an outer portion of the process chamber prior to extinguishing the plasma so that the agglomerates fall harmlessly outside of the diameter of the substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments of process kit shields and process chambers incorporating same are provided herein. In some embodiments a process kit configured for use in a process chamber for processing a substrate includes a shield having a cylindrical body having an upper portion and a lower portion; an adapter section configured to be supported on walls of the process chamber and having a resting surface to support the shield; and a heater coupled to the adapter section and configured to be electrically coupled to at least one power source of the processes chamber to heat the shield.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for reducing and eliminating accumulation of excessive charged particles from substrate processing systems are provided herein. In some embodiments a process kit for a substrate process chamber includes: a cover ring having a body and a lip extending radially inward from the body, wherein the body has a bottom, a first wall, and a second wall, and wherein a first channel is formed between the second wall and the lip; a grounded shield having a lower inwardly extending ledge that terminates in an upwardly extending portion configured to interface with the first channel of the cover ring; and a bias power receiver coupled to the body and extending through an opening in the grounded shield.

Abstract: Embodiments of magnetron assemblies and processing systems incorporating same are provided herein. In some embodiments, a magnetron assembly includes a rotatable magnet assembly coupled to a bottom of the body and having a plurality of magnets spaced apart from each other; and an encapsulating body disposed in a space between the plurality of magnets. In some embodiments, the magnetron assembly further includes a body extending along a central axis of the magnetron assembly and having a coolant feedthrough channel to provide a coolant to an area beneath the body.

Abstract: Embodiments of process kit shields and process chambers incorporating same are provided herein. In some embodiments a process kit configured for use in a process chamber for processing a substrate includes a shield having a cylindrical body having an upper portion and a lower portion; an adapter section configured to be supported on walls of the process chamber and having a resting surface to support the shield; and a heater coupled to the adapter section and configured to be electrically coupled to at least one power source of the processes chamber to heat the shield.

Abstract: Physical vapor deposition methods for reducing the particulates deposited on the substrate are disclosed. The pressure during sputtering can be increased to cause agglomeration of the particulates formed in the plasma. The agglomerated particulates can be moved to an outer portion of the process chamber prior to extinguishing the plasma so that the agglomerates fall harmlessly outside of the diameter of the substrate.

Abstract: A process kit comprises a shield and ring assembly for positioning about a substrate support in a processing chamber to reduce deposition of process deposits on internal chamber components and an overhang edge of the substrate. The shield comprises a cylindrical band having a top wall configured to surround a sputtering target and a sloped portion of a bottom wall having a substantially straight profile with gas conductance holes configured to surround the substrate support. The ring assembly comprises a cover ring having a bulb-shaped protuberance about the periphery of the ring. The bulb-shaped protuberance of the cover ring is able to block a line-of-sight between the gas conductance holes on the shield and an entrance to a chamber body cavity in the processing chamber.

Abstract: Embodiments of magnetron assemblies and processing systems incorporating same are provided herein. In some embodiments, a magnetron assembly includes a rotatable magnet assembly coupled to a bottom of the body and having a plurality of magnets spaced apart from each other; and an encapsulating body disposed in a space between the plurality of magnets. In some embodiments, the magnetron assembly further includes a body extending along a central axis of the magnetron assembly and having a coolant feedthrough channel to provide a coolant to an area beneath the body.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of forming a dielectric film layer using a physical vapor deposition process include delivering a sputter gas to a substrate positioned in a processing region of a process chamber, the process chamber having a dielectric-containing sputter target, delivering an energy pulse to the sputter gas to create a sputtering plasma, the sputtering plasma being formed by energy pulses having an average voltage between about 800 volts and about 2000 volts and an average current between about 50 amps and about 300 amps at a frequency which is less than 50 kHz and greater than 5 kHz and directing the sputtering plasma toward the dielectric-containing sputter target to form an ionized species comprising dielectric material sputtered from the dielectric-containing sputter target, the ionized species forming a dielectric-containing film on the substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for reducing and eliminating accumulation of excessive charged particles from substrate processing systems are provided herein. In some embodiments a process kit for a substrate process chamber includes: a cover ring having a body and a lip extending radially inward from the body, wherein the body has a bottom, a first wall, and a second wall, and wherein a first channel is formed between the second wall and the lip; a grounded shield having a lower inwardly extending ledge that terminates in an upwardly extending portion configured to interface with the first channel of the cover ring; and a bias power receiver coupled to the body and extending through an opening in the grounded shield.

Abstract: A system for the generation and delivery of a pulsed, high voltage signal for a process chamber includes a remotely disposed high voltage supply to generate a high voltage signal, a pulser disposed relatively closer to the process chamber than the high voltage supply, a first shielded cable to deliver the high voltage signal from the remotely disposed high voltage supply to the pulser to be pulsed, and a second shielded cable to deliver a pulsed, high voltage signal from the pulser to the process chamber. A method for generating and delivering a pulsed, high voltage signal to a process chamber includes generating a high voltage signal at a location remote from the process chamber, delivering the high voltage signal to a location relatively closer to the process chamber be pulsed, pulsing the delivered, high voltage signal, and delivering the pulsed, high voltage signal to the process chamber.