Abstract: A process gas is flowed from an input metal gas line that is electrically grounded to an output metal gas line via a connecting tube which is electrically insulating. Couplings between the metal gas lines and the connecting tube are sealed with gas couplings. Each gas coupling includes a sealing gasket, and a clamp compressing the sealing gasket between an end of the respective metal gas line and a corresponding end of the connecting tube. The process gas is delivered to a semiconductor processing tool via the output metal gas line. At least one operation is performed at the semiconductor processing tool that utilizes both the process gas delivered to the process tool via the output metal gas line and an electrical voltage of at least 2 kilovolts. The connecting tube may be sapphire. The sealing gaskets may be polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) sealing gaskets.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and a system therefore for processing wafer. The method includes: extracting a first gas from a chamber via a first route; blocking a second route used to be pumped down to chuck a wafer placed in the chamber, wherein the second route connects the chamber and the first route; and providing a second gas via a third route to purge a junction of the first route and the second route.

Abstract: A method includes loading a wafer over a wafer chuck in a process chamber; performing a deposition process on the loaded wafer; supplying a fluid medium to a fluid guiding structure in the wafer chuck from a fluid inlet port on the wafer chuck, the fluid guiding structure comprising a plurality of arc-shaped channels fluidly communicated with each other; guiding the fluid medium from a first one of the arc-shaped channels of the fluid guiding structure to a second one of the arc-shaped channels of the fluid guiding structure. The second one of the arc-shaped channels of the fluid guiding structure is concentric with the first one of the arc-shaped channels of the fluid guiding structure from a top view.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices that include the operations of forming an isolation structure in a semiconductor substrate, forming an active region adjacent the isolation structure, forming at least two primary polysilicon structures over the active region, the primary polysilicon structures defining a contacted polysilicon pitch (CPP), and forming a secondary polysilicon structure over the isolation structure. In some methods, the secondary polysilicon structure is further modified and/or replaced in order to provide additional functional elements on the semiconductor devices.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a gas curtain over an access port of a processing chamber for a semiconductor substrate. A gas flow stabilizer and a gas flow receiver, each including a horizontal flow section and a vertical flow section cooperate to generate a gas curtain that impedes gas, e.g., oxygen, from outside the processing chamber, from flowing into the chamber, for example, when the access port is opened to add/or to remove a workpiece from the processing chamber.

Abstract: A semiconductor processing tool includes: a process chamber into which a semiconductor wafer is loaded; a support for securing the wafer loaded into the chamber tool; an inlet which introduces a first gas into the chamber for processing the wafer; and an exhaust system that exhausts gas from the chamber. The exhaust system includes: a first line coupled to the chamber to exhaust gas from the chamber; and a pump to draw gas through the first line from the chamber. The tool further includes a heating module having: a second line coupled to the first and a supply of a second gas, the second gas being flowed through the second line from the supply into the first line; and a heating element contained in the second line, the heating element heating the second gas in the second line before the second gas is flowed into the first line.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) screen for a microwave powered ultraviolet (UV) lamp system is disclosed. In one example, a disclosed RF screen includes: a sheet comprising a conductive material; and a frame around edges of the sheet. The conductive material defines a predetermined mesh pattern of individual openings across substantially an operative area of the screen. Each of the individual openings has a triangular shape.

Abstract: A valve for throttling gas flow from a semiconductor processing tool includes a valve body. A shaft extends through the valve body. The shaft defines an internal cavity and a first opening communicating with the internal cavity. A first deflector is positioned on the shaft proximate the first opening and directed at a first interface between the shaft and the valve body. A method for throttling gas flow from a semiconductor processing tool includes providing a gas in an internal cavity defined in a shaft of a valve and directing the gas through an opening defined in the shaft and communicating with the bore toward an interface between the shaft and a valve body of the valve supporting the shaft.

Abstract: A gas flow accelerator may include a body portion, and a tapered body portion including a first end integrally formed with the body portion. The gas flow accelerator may include an inlet port connected to the body portion and to receive a process gas to be removed from a semiconductor processing tool by a main pumping line. The semiconductor processing tool may include a chuck and a chuck vacuum line to apply a vacuum to the chuck to retain a semiconductor device. The tapered body portion may be configured to generate a rotational flow of the process gas to prevent buildup of processing byproduct on interior walls of the main pumping line. The gas flow accelerator may include an outlet port integrally formed with a second end of the tapered body portion. An end portion of the chuck vacuum line may be provided through the outlet port.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) screen for a microwave powered ultraviolet (UV) lamp system is disclosed. In one example, a disclosed RF screen includes: a sheet comprising a conductive material; and a frame around edges of the sheet. The conductive material defines a predetermined mesh pattern of individual openings across substantially an operative area of the screen. Each of the individual openings has a triangular shape.

Abstract: An image sensor may include a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer that is subwavelength, hydrophobic, and/or antireflective. The PDMS layer may be fabricated to include a surface having a plurality of nanostructures (e.g., an array of convex protuberances and/or an array of concave recesses). The nanostructures may be formed through the use of a porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template that uses a plurality of nanopores to form the array of convex protuberances and/or the array of concave recesses. The nanostructures may each have a respective width that is less than the wavelength of incident light that is to be collected by the image sensor to increase light absorption by increasing the angle of incidence for which the image sensor is capable of collecting incident light. This may increase the quantum efficiency of the image sensor and may increase the sensitivity of the image sensor.

Abstract: A gas flow accelerator may include a body portion, and a tapered body portion including a first end integrally formed with the body portion. The gas flow accelerator may include an inlet port connected to the body portion and to receive a process gas to be removed from a semiconductor processing tool by a main pumping line. The semiconductor processing tool may include a chuck and a chuck vacuum line to apply a vacuum to the chuck to retain a semiconductor device. The tapered body portion may be configured to generate a rotational flow of the process gas to prevent buildup of processing byproduct on interior walls of the main pumping line. The gas flow accelerator may include an outlet port integrally formed with a second end of the tapered body portion. An end portion of the chuck vacuum line may be provided through the outlet port.

Abstract: A device and method for fabricating the same is disclosed. For example, the device includes a sensor having a front side and a back side, a metal interconnect layer formed on the front side of the sensor, an anti-reflective coating formed on the back side of the sensor, a composite etch stop mask layer formed on the anti-reflective coating. wherein the composite etch stop mask layer includes a silicon nitride layer and a stressed layer. A percentage of Si—H bonds in the silicon nitride layer is greater than a percentage of Si—H bonds in the stressed layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure, along with methods of forming such, are described. The semiconductor device structure includes a first gate electrode, which includes a first section having a slanted sidewall and an imaginary sidewall, a second section extending radially from the imaginary sidewall of the first section, the second section has a curved bottom, and a third section extending downwardly from the first section, wherein the third section has a straight sidewall, and the slanted sidewall of the first section connects the straight sidewall of the third section to the curved bottom of the second section. The semiconductor device structure also includes a first gate dielectric layer in contact with the straight sidewall of the third section and the slanted sidewall of the first section, and a first gate spacer in contact with the first gate dielectric layer and the slanted sidewall of the first section.

Abstract: A device and method for fabricating the same is disclosed. For example, the device includes a sensor having a front side and a back side, a metal interconnect layer formed on the front side of the sensor, an anti-reflective coating formed on the back side of the sensor, a composite etch stop mask layer formed on the anti-reflective coating wherein the composite etch stop mask layer includes a hydrogen rich layer and a compressive high density layer, and a light filter formed on the composite etch stop mask layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating a semiconductor device has a housing defining a buffer chamber, a plurality of reactor ports formed in the housing for establishing interfaces with a plurality of process chambers that are to receive a wafer during a fabrication process to fabricate the semiconductor device, a wafer positioning robot positioned within the buffer chamber to transport the wafer between the plurality of process chambers through the plurality of reactor ports, a purge port formed in the housing for introducing a purge gas into the buffer chamber, a pump port formed in the housing for exhausting a portion of the purge gas from the buffer chamber, and a first flow enhancer that directs the purge gas flowing in an axial direction along a longitudinal axis of the purge port into the buffer chamber in a plurality of radial directions relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) screen for a microwave powered ultraviolet (UV) lamp system is disclosed. In one example, a disclosed RF screen includes: a sheet comprising a conductive material; and a frame around edges of the sheet. The conductive material defines a predetermined mesh pattern of individual openings across substantially an operative area of the screen. Each of the individual openings has a triangular shape.

Abstract: Pumping liners for use in an apparatus for depositing a material on a work piece by chemical vapor deposition includes a plurality of unevenly spaced apertures are disclosed. Uneven spacing of the plurality of apertures produces a uniform flow of processing gases within a processing chamber with which the pumping liner is associated. Films of materials deposited onto a work piece by chemical vapor deposition techniques using disclosed pumping liners exhibit desirable properties such as uniform thickness and smooth and uniform surfaces.

Abstract: A method includes loading a wafer over a wafer chuck in a process chamber; performing a deposition process on the loaded wafer; supplying a fluid medium to a fluid guiding structure in the wafer chuck from a fluid inlet port on the wafer chuck, the fluid guiding structure comprising a plurality of arc-shaped channels fluidly communicated with each other; guiding the fluid medium from a first one of the arc-shaped channels of the fluid guiding structure to a second one of the arc-shaped channels of the fluid guiding structure. The second one of the arc-shaped channels of the fluid guiding structure is concentric with the first one of the arc-shaped channels of the fluid guiding structure from a top view.

Abstract: A method of forming a process film includes the following operations. A substrate is transferred into a process chamber having an interior surface. A process film is formed over the substrate, and the process film is also formed on the interior surface of the process chamber. The substrate is transferred out of the process chamber. A non-process film is formed on the interior surface of the process chamber. In some embodiments, porosity of the process film is greater than a porosity of the non-process film.