Abstract: A gas injection system includes (a) a side gas plenum, (b) a plurality of N gas inlets coupled to said side gas plenum, (c) plural side gas outlets extending radially inwardly from said plenum, (d) an N-way gas flow ratio controller having N outputs coupled to said N gas inlets respectively, and (e) an M-way gas flow ratio controller having M outputs, respective ones of said M outputs coupled to said tunable gas nozzle and a gas input of said N-way gas flow ratio controller.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck (ESC) with a cooling base for plasma processing chambers, such as a plasma etch chamber. In embodiments, a plasma processing chuck includes a plurality of independent edge zones. In embodiments, the edge zones are segments spanning different azimuth angles of the chuck to permit independent edge temperature tuning, which may be used to compensate for other chamber related non-uniformities or incoming wafer non-uniformities. In embodiments, the chuck includes a center zone having a first heat transfer fluid supply and control loop, and a plurality of edge zones, together covering the remainder of the chuck area, and each having separate heat transfer fluid supply and control loops. In embodiments, the base includes a diffuser, which may have hundreds of small holes over the chuck area to provide a uniform distribution of heat transfer fluid.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing substrates are provided herein. In some embodiments, a plasma processing apparatus may include a process chamber having a dielectric lid and an interior processing volume beneath the dielectric lid, a first RF coil to couple RF energy into the processing volume, and an RF shielded lid heater coupled to a top surface of the dielectric lid comprising an annular member, and a plurality of spokes, wherein each of the plurality of spokes includes one of (a) a first portion that extends downward from the annular and couples the annular member to a second portion of the spoke that extends radially inward, or (b) a first portion that extends radially outward from the annular member.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide apparatus and methods for improving plasma uniformity around edge regions and/or reducing non-symmetry in a plasma processing chamber. One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a plasma tuning assembly having one or more conductive bodies disposed around an edge region of a substrate support in a plasma processing chamber. The one or more conductive bodies are isolated from other chamber components and electrically floating in the processing chamber near the edge region without connecting to active electrical potentials. During operation, when a plasma is maintained in the plasma processing chamber, the presence of the one or more conductive bodies affects the plasma distribution near the one or more conductive bodies.

Abstract: A low inductance coil antenna for a plasma reactor has multiple radial zones of plural conductor lobes extending radially from respective RF supply and ground rings.

Abstract: A low inductance coil antenna for a plasma reactor has plural conductor lobes extending radially from respective RF supply connections.

Abstract: Embodiments of inductively coupled plasma (ICP) reactors are provided herein. In some embodiments, a dielectric window for an inductively coupled plasma reactor includes: a body including a first side, a second side opposite the first side, an edge, and a center, wherein the dielectric window has a dielectric coefficient that varies spatially. In some embodiments, an apparatus for processing a substrate includes: a process chamber having a processing volume disposed beneath a lid of the process chamber; and one or more inductive coils disposed above the lid to inductively couple RF energy into and to form a plasma in the processing volume above a substrate support disposed within the processing volume; wherein the lid is a dielectric window comprising a first side and an opposing second side that faces the processing volume, and wherein the lid has a dielectric coefficient that spatially varies to provide a varied power coupling of RF energy from the one or more inductive coils to the processing volume.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus for providing processing gases to a process chamber with improved uniformity. One embodiment of the present invention provides a gas delivery assembly. The gas delivery assembly includes a hub, a nozzle, and one or more gas diffusers disposed in the nozzle. The nozzle has a cylindrical body with a side wall and a top surface. A plurality of injection passages are formed inside the nozzle to deliver processing gases into the process chamber via a plurality of outlets disposed in the side wall. The injection passages are configured to direct process gases out of each outlet disposed in the side wall in a direction which is not radially aligned with a centerline of the hub.

Abstract: Embodiments of showerheads having a detachable gas distribution plate are provided herein. In some embodiments, a showerhead for use in a semiconductor processing chamber may include a base having a first side and a second side; a gas distribution plate disposed proximate the second side of the base; a clamp disposed about a peripheral edge of the gas distribution plate to removably couple the gas distribution plate to the base; and a thermal gasket disposed between the base and gas distribution plate.

Abstract: An apparatus of the invention comprises a tube with a vacuum chamber located in its middle portion and a rod inserted in the tube so that the gap between the rod and inner surface of the tube is narrow, e.g. within the range from 5 to 10 microns. Compressed air is injected to the gap between the inner surface of the tube and the rod via orifices at the ends of the tube to form air bearings, which allow moving the rod along its axis. A sample is placed in a recess in the rod, so that it can be inserted from the ambient atmosphere into the vacuum chamber by moving the rod along its axis. Since the gap between the rod and inner surface of the tube is narrow, the air leakage to vacuum chamber is insignificant. This leakage can be further decreased by evacuating an excess air from the gap in one or more areas between the vacuum chamber and orifices.

Abstract: An optical memory card including a substrate with a data zone covered by an information carrying layer, at least one diffractive optical element (DOE) that is positioned on the substrate, and a metal element coupled to the substrate. The data zone advantageously has a small inner radius, e.g., 12 mm. The DOE may be embossed in the substrate within the data zone formed on the substrate. The metal element may include a hole or protrusion to align the card with a driver. A method for making the card includes embossing a substrate with DOE and grooves, and provides an information carrying layer. A driver for the memory card including a magnetic chuck and a reading laser.