Abstract: A piezoelectric device comprises: a substrate (12) and a lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (PMNPT) piezoelectric film on the substrate (12). The PMNPT film comprises: a thermal oxide layer (20) on the substrate (12); a first electrode above on the thermal oxide layer (20); a seed layer (26) above the first electrode; a lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (PMNPT) piezoelectric layer (16) on the seed layer (26), and a second electrode on the PMNPT piezoelectric layer (16). The PMNPT film comprises a piezoelectric coefficient (d33) of greater than or equal to 200 pm/V.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to piezoelectric devices and methods of patterning piezoelectric layers for piezoelectric device fabrication. In certain embodiments, a piezoelectric layer disposed over a bottom electrode layer on a substrate is selectively etched via a laser etching process to expose portions of the bottom electrode layer. The laser etching process of the piezoelectric layer facilitates improvement of throughput and reduces hazardous byproduct production during fabrication of piezoelectric devices.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for depositing uniform layers on a substrate (201) for piezoelectric applications. An ultra-thin seed layer (308) having a uniform thickness from center to edge thereof is deposited on a substrate (201). A template layer (310) closely matching the crystal structure of a subsequently formed piezoelectric material layer (312) is deposited on a substrate (201). The uniform thickness and orientation of the seed layer (308) and the template layer (310), in turn, facilitate the growth of piezoelectric materials with improved crystallinity and piezoelectric properties.

Abstract: A physical vapor deposition system includes a deposition chamber, a support to hold a substrate in the deposition chamber, a target in the chamber, a power supply configured to apply power to the target to generate a plasma in the chamber to sputter material from the target onto the substrate to form a piezoelectric layer on the substrate, and a controller configured to cause the power supply to alternate between deposition phases in which the power supply applies power to the target and cooling phases in which power supply does not apply power to the target. Each deposition phase lasts at least 30 seconds and each cooling phase lasts at least 30 seconds.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a piezoelectric layer includes depositing a piezoelectric material onto a substrate in a first crystallographic phase by physical vapor deposition while the substrate remains at a temperature below 400° C., and thermally annealing the substrate at a temperature above 500° C. to convert the piezoelectric material to a second crystallographic phase. The physical vapor deposition includes sputtering from a target in a plasma deposition chamber.

Abstract: A hybrid halide perovskite film and methods of forming a hybrid halide perovskite film on a substrate are described. The film is formed on the substrate by depositing an organic solution on a substrate, heating the substrate and the organic solution to form an organic layer on the substrate, depositing an inorganic layer on the organic layer, and heating the substrate having the inorganic layer thereon to form a hybrid halide perovskite film. In some embodiments, the hybrid halide perovskite film comprises a CH[NH2]2+MX3 compound, where M is selected from the group consisting of Sn, Pb, Bi, Mg and Mn, and where X is selected from the group consisting of I, Br and Cl. In other embodiments, the hybrid halide perovskite film comprises a FAMX3 compound. Methods of forming a piezoelectric device are also disclosed.

Abstract: Doped-aluminum nitride (doped-AlN) films and methods of manufacturing doped-AlN films are disclosed. Some methods comprise forming alternating pinning layers and doped-AlN layers including a dopant selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, Hf, Mg, Zr and Cr, wherein the pinning layers pin the doped-AlN layers to a c-axis orientation. Some methods include forming a conducting layer including a material selected from the group consisting of Mo, Pt, Ta, Ru, LaNiO3 and SrRuO3. Some methods include forming a thermal oxide layer having silicon oxide on a silicon substrate. Piezoelectric devices comprising the doped-AlN film are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vapor deposition system and methods of operation thereof are disclosed. The vapor deposition system includes a vacuum chamber; a dielectric target within the vacuum chamber, the dielectric target having a front surface and a thickness; a substrate support within the vacuum chamber, the substrate support having a front surface spaced from the front surface of the dielectric target to form a process gap; and a signal generator connected to the dielectric target to generate a plasma in the vacuum chamber, the signal generator comprises a power source, the power source configured to prevent charge accumulation in the dielectric target. The method includes applying power to a dielectric target within a vacuum chamber to generate a plasma in a process gap between the dielectric target and a substrate support and pulsing the power applied to the dielectric target to prevent charge accumulation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing a substrate using improved shield configurations are provided herein. For example, a process kit for use in a physical vapor deposition chamber includes a shield comprising an inner wall with an innermost diameter configured to surround a target when disposed in the physical vapor deposition chamber, wherein a ratio of a surface area of the shield to a planar area of the inner diameter is about 3 to about 10.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device includes a substrate, a thermal oxide layer on the substrate, a metal or metal oxide adhesion layer on the thermal oxide layer, a lower electrode on the metal oxide adhesion layer, a seed layer on the lower electrode, a lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (PMNPT) piezoelectric layer on the seed layer, and an upper electrode on the PMNPT piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a piezoelectric layer includes depositing a piezoelectric material onto a substrate in a first crystallographic phase by physical vapor deposition while the substrate remains at a temperature below 400° C., and thermally annealing the substrate at a temperature above 500° C. to convert the piezoelectric material to a second crystallographic phase. The physical vapor deposition includes sputtering from a target in a plasma deposition chamber.

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: 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 and apparatuses for the analysis and detection of nanoparticles in a liquid from a semiconductor manufacturing component are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of determining particle count, particle size, and zeta potential of nanoparticles in a substrate processing chamber component cleaning solution, includes (a) filling a sample cell with a cleaning solution from a substrate processing chamber component cleaning tank holding a semiconductor processing chamber component; (b) directing a light from a laser to the sample cell, wherein nanoparticles within the cleaning solution scatter the light from the laser; and (c) detecting the scattered light via one or more detectors proximate the sample cell to determine the zeta potential, the particle size and particle count of nanoparticles in the cleaning solution.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus for removing a metal nitride selectively with respect to exposed or underlying dielectric or metal layers are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of etching a metal nitride layer atop a substrate, includes: (a) oxidizing a metal nitride layer to form a metal oxynitride layer (MN1-xOx) at a surface of the metal nitride layer, wherein M is one of titanium or tantalum and x is an integer from 0.05 to 0.95; and (b) exposing the metal oxynitride layer (MN1-xOx) to a process gas, wherein the metal oxynitride layer (MN1-xOx) reacts with the process gas to form a volatile compound which desorbs from the surface of the metal nitride layer.