Abstract: Embodiments of substrate supports for use in substrate processing chambers are provided herein. In some embodiments, a substrate support includes: an upper assembly having a base plate assembly coupled to a lower surface of a cooling plate, wherein the base plate assembly includes a plurality of electrical feedthroughs, and wherein the cooling plate includes a plurality of openings aligned with the plurality of electrical feedthroughs; an electrostatic chuck disposed on the upper assembly and removably coupled to the cooling plate, wherein the electrostatic chuck has a chucking electrode disposed therein that is electrically coupled to a first pair of electrical feedthroughs of the plurality of electrical feedthroughs; and an inner tube coupled to the cooling plate and configured to provide an RF delivery path to the electrostatic chuck.

Abstract: Apparatus that forms low resistivity tungsten film on substrates. In some embodiments, the apparatus may provide reduced resistivity of tungsten by being configured to generate a plasma in a processing volume of a physical vapor deposition (PVD) chamber with a process gas of krypton and using an RF power with a frequency of approximately 60 MHz, apply bias power at frequency of approximately 13.56 MHz to a substrate, and sputter a tungsten target to deposit a tungsten thin film on the substrate. At least approximately 90% of the deposited tungsten thin film has a <110> crystalline orientation plane approximately parallel to a top surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatus for high pressure plasma processing are provided herein. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an isolator plate and grounding bracket for a substrate support, such as an electrostatic chuck, in a plasma processing chamber. In some embodiments, apparatus for high pressure plasma processing includes: an electrostatic chuck; a ground return bracket spaced apart from the electrostatic chuck; and a dielectric plate disposed between the electrostatic chuck and the ground return bracket.

Abstract: Apparatus that forms low resistivity tungsten film on substrates. In some embodiments, the apparatus may provide reduced resistivity of tungsten by being configured to generate a plasma in a processing volume of a physical vapor deposition (PVD) chamber with a process gas of krypton and using an RF power with a frequency of approximately 60 MHz, apply bias power at frequency of approximately 13.56 MHz to a substrate, and sputter a tungsten target to deposit a tungsten thin film on the substrate. At least approximately 90% of the deposited tungsten thin film has a <110> crystalline orientation plane approximately parallel to a top surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Method and apparatus that forms low resistivity tungsten film on substrates. In some embodiments, a method of reducing resistivity of tungsten includes generating a plasma in a processing volume of a physical vapor deposition (PVD) chamber with a process gas of krypton and using an RF power with a frequency of approximately 60 MHz and a magnetron, applying bias power at frequency of approximately 13.56 MHz to a substrate, and sputtering a tungsten target to deposit a tungsten thin film on the substrate. At least approximately 90% of the deposited tungsten thin film has a <110> crystalline orientation plane approximately parallel to a top surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning an electrostatic chuck (ESC) in a semiconductor chamber allow in-situ cleaning of the ESC. An apparatus may include an adapter or cover ring that is electrically isolated from a deposition ring; an annular grounding bracket mounted to and surrounding a pedestal, the annular grounding bracket has at least one horizontal grounding loop on an upper perimeter surface configured to provide electrical contact with the adapter or cover ring and to provide an RF return path to the ESC during plasma generation; and a bracket with a horizontal grounding loop on a first end to make electrical contact with the deposition ring and a vertical grounding loop on a second end to make electrical contact with a lift hoop which is electrically grounded, the bracket is mounted to, but electrically isolated from, the annular grounding bracket.

Abstract: Method and apparatus that forms low resistivity tungsten film on substrates. In some embodiments, a method of reducing resistivity of tungsten includes generating a plasma in a processing volume of a physical vapor deposition (PVD) chamber with a process gas of krypton and using an RF power with a frequency of approximately 60 MHz and a magnetron, applying bias power at frequency of approximately 13.56 MHz to a substrate, and sputtering a tungsten target to deposit a tungsten thin film on the substrate. At least approximately 90% of the deposited tungsten thin film has a <110> crystalline orientation plane approximately parallel to a top surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning an electrostatic chuck (ESC) in a semiconductor chamber allow in-situ cleaning of the ESC. An apparatus may include an adapter or cover ring that is electrically isolated from a deposition ring; an annular grounding bracket mounted to and surrounding a pedestal, the annular grounding bracket has at least one horizontal grounding loop on an upper perimeter surface configured to provide electrical contact with the adapter or cover ring and to provide an RF return path to the ESC during plasma generation; and a bracket with a horizontal grounding loop on a first end to make electrical contact with the deposition ring and a vertical grounding loop on a second end to make electrical contact with a lift hoop which is electrically grounded, the bracket is mounted to, but electrically isolated from, the annular grounding bracket.

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: A shield kit for use in a process chamber includes a body configured to be inserted into a source disposed on a top surface of the process chamber. The body includes a top plate, a pair of far plates connected to the top plate, and a pair of side plates connected to the pair of far plates. The shield kit further includes a cooling manifold disposed on an outer surface the top plate within an opening of the source, and a vacuum seal disposed on the outer surface of the top plate and configured to vacuum seal the opening of the source. At least one of the pair of side plates has a gap extending that is aligned with at least one cathode opening on a top surface of the source.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to shields for use in target assemblies in semiconductor process chambers. The shields can be used to shield exposed surfaces and chamber components within the process chambers such that unwanted redeposits are prevented from forming on the exposed surfaces and other chamber components. In some embodiments, the shields are electrically floating and are configured to cover the ends of the target. The target assembly has a target support secured to a mounting plate and a plurality of pins extending therefrom. Each of the shields has a shield body with an opening. The shield body has alignment features configured to align with the plurality pins such that the shield connects with the target support. Shields as described herein can be made of smooth edges, helping to minimize particle generation and to prevent arcing at least partially caused by sharp edges of shields.

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: Disclosed is a system and method for detecting the position of a wafer with respect to a calibrated reference position. In one embodiment of the invention, sensors are used to detect the edges of the wafer as the wafer is being passed over the sensors. This wafer detection information is then used to calculate the amount by which the wafer is off-centered such that corrections can be made before the wafer is placed onto a destination location.