Abstract: A method to form a silicon oxide layer, where the method includes the step of providing a continuous flow of a silicon-containing precursor to a chamber housing a substrate, where the silicon-containing precursor is selected from TMOS, TEOS, OMTS, OMCTS, and TOMCATS. The method may also include the steps of providing a flow of an oxidizing precursor to the chamber, and causing a reaction between the silicon-containing precursor and the oxidizing precursor to form a silicon oxide layer. The method may further include varying over time a ratio of the silicon-containing precursor:oxidizing precursor flowed into the chamber to alter a rate of deposition of the silicon oxide on the substrate.

Abstract: A chemical vapor deposition method for forming a dielectric material in a trench formed on a substrate. The method includes flowing a silicon-containing precursor into a process chamber housing the substrate, flowing an oxidizing gas into the chamber, and providing a hydroxyl-containing precursor in the process chamber. The method also includes reacting the silicon-containing precursor, oxidizing gas and hydroxyl-containing precursor to form the dielectric material in the trench. The ratio of the silicon-containing precursor to the oxidizing gas flowed into the chamber is increased over time to alter a rate of deposition of the dielectric material.

Abstract: A chemical vapor deposition method for forming a dielectric material in a trench formed on a substrate. The method includes flowing a silicon-containing precursor into a process chamber housing the substrate, flowing an oxidizing gas into the chamber, and providing a hydroxyl-containing precursor in the process chamber. The method also includes reacting the silicon-containing precursor, oxidizing gas and hydroxyl-containing precursor to form the dielectric material in the trench. The ratio of the silicon-containing precursor to the oxidizing gas flowed into the chamber is increased over time to alter a rate of deposition of the dielectric material.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for constraining and supporting the lift pins to prevent or minimize lateral movement of the lift pins that causes substrate hand-off problems and associated degradation in substrate processing characteristics and results. In one embodiment, a lift pin assembly for manipulating a substrate above a support surface of a substrate support comprises a plurality of lift pins movable between an up position and a down position. The lift pins include top ends and bottom ends. The top ends are configured to be lifted above the support surface of the substrate support to contact a bottom surface of the substrate in the up position. The top ends are configured to be positioned at or below the support surface of the substrate support in the down position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for constraining and supporting the lift pins to prevent or minimize lateral movement of the lift pins that causes substrate hand-off problems and associated degradation in substrate processing characteristics and results. In one embodiment, a lift pin assembly for manipulating a substrate above a support surface of a substrate support comprises a plurality of lift pins movable between an up position and a down position. The lift pins include top ends and bottom ends. The top ends are configured to be lifted above the support surface of the substrate support to contact a bottom surface of the substrate in the up position. The top ends are configured to be positioned at or below the support surface of the substrate support in the down position.