SUPPORT ASSEMBLY
A method and apparatus for removing native oxides from a substrate surface is provided. In one aspect, the apparatus comprises a support assembly. In one embodiment, the support assembly includes a shaft coupled to a disk-shaped body. The shaft has a vacuum conduit, a heat transfer fluid conduit and a gas conduit formed therein. The disk-shaped body includes an upper surface, a lower surface and a cylindrical outer surface. A thermocouple is embedded in the disk-shaped body. A flange extends radially outward from the cylindrical outer surface, wherein the lower surface of the disk-shaped body comprises one side of the flange. A fluid channel is formed in the disk-shaped body proximate the flange and lower surface. The fluid channel is coupled to the heat transfer fluid conduit of the shaft. A plurality of grooves are formed in the upper surface of the disk-shaped body, and are coupled by a hole in the disk-shaped body to the vacuum conduit of the shaft. A gas conduit is formed through the disk-shaped body and couples the gas conduit of the shaft to the cylindrical outer surface of the disk-shaped body. The gas conduit in the disk-shaped body has an orientation substantially perpendicular to a centerline of the disk-shaped body.
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This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/567,818, filed Sep. 11, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/257,093, filed Oct. 23, 2008, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/063,645, filed Feb. 22, 2005, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/547,839, filed Feb. 26, 2004, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the InventionEmbodiments of the present invention generally relate to semiconductor processing equipment. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) system for semiconductor fabrication and in situ dry cleaning methods using the same.
Description of the Related ArtA native oxide typically forms when a substrate surface is exposed to oxygen. Oxygen exposure occurs when the substrate is moved between processing chambers at atmospheric conditions, or when a small amount of oxygen remaining in a vacuum chamber contacts the substrate surface. Native oxides may also result if the substrate surface is contaminated during etching. Native oxides typically form an undesirable film on the substrate surface. Native oxide films are usually very thin, such as between 5 and 20 angstroms, but thick enough to cause difficulties in subsequent fabrication processes.
Such difficulties usually affect the electrical properties of semiconductor devices formed on the substrate. For example, a particular problem arises when native silicon oxide films are formed on exposed silicon containing layers, especially during processing of Metal Oxide Silicon Field Effect Transistor (“MOSFET”) structures. Silicon oxide films are electrically insulating and are undesirable at interfaces with contact electrodes or interconnecting electrical pathways because they cause high electrical contact resistance. In MOSFET structures, the electrodes and interconnecting pathways include silicide layers formed by depositing a refractory metal on bare silicon and annealing the layer to produce the metal silicide layer. Native silicon oxide films at the interface between the substrate and the metal reduce the compositional uniformity of the silicide layer by impeding the diffusional chemical reaction that forms the metal silicide. This results in lower substrate yields and increased failure rates due to overheating at the electrical contacts. The native silicon oxide film can also prevent adhesion of other CVD or sputtered layers which are subsequently deposited on the substrate.
Sputter etch processes have been tried to reduce contaminants in large features or in small features having aspect ratios smaller than about 4:1. However, sputter etch processes can damage delicate silicon layers by physical bombardment. In response, wet etch processes using hydrofluoric (HF) acid and deionized water, for example, have also been tried. Wet etch processes such as this, however, are disadvantageous in today's smaller devices where the aspect ratio exceeds 4:1, and especially where the aspect ratio exceeds 10:1. Particularly, the wet solution cannot penetrate into those sizes of vias, contacts, or other features formed within the substrate surface. As a result, the removal of the native oxide film is incomplete. Similarly, a wet etch solution, if successful in penetrating a feature of that size, is even more difficult to remove from the feature once etching is complete.
Another approach for eliminating native oxide films is a dry etch process, such as one utilizing fluorine-containing gases. One disadvantage to using fluorine-containing gases, however, is that fluorine is typically left behind on the substrate surface. Fluorine atoms or fluorine radicals left behind on the substrate surface can be detrimental. For example, the fluorine atoms left behind can continue to etch the substrate causing voids therein.
A more recent approach to remove native oxide films has been to form a fluorine/silicon-containing salt on the substrate surface that is subsequently removed by thermal anneal. In this approach, a thin layer of the salt is formed by reacting a fluorine-containing gas with the silicon oxide surface. The salt is then heated to an elevated temperature sufficient to dissociate the salt into volatile by-products which are then removed from the processing chamber. The formation of a reactive fluorine-containing gas is usually assisted by thermal addition or by plasma energy. The salt is usually formed at a reduced temperature that requires cooling of the substrate surface. This sequence of cooling followed by heating is usually accomplished by transferring the substrate from a cooling chamber where the substrate is cooled to a separate anneal chamber or furnace where the substrate is heated.
For various reasons, this reactive fluorine processing sequence is not desirable. Namely, wafer throughput is greatly diminished because of the time involved to transfer the wafer. Also, the wafer is highly susceptible to further oxidation or other contamination during the transfer. Moreover, the cost of ownership is doubled because two separate chambers are needed to complete the oxide removal process.
There is a need, therefore, for a processing chamber capable of remote plasma generation, heating and cooling, and thereby capable of performing a single dry etch process in a single chamber (i.e. in-situ).
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA plasma processing chamber and components thereof are provided. In one embodiment, a support assembly for a plasma processing chamber is provided that includes a shaft coupled to a disk-shaped body. The shaft has a vacuum conduit, a heat transfer fluid conduit and a gas conduit formed therein. The disk-shaped body includes an upper surface, a lower surface and a cylindrical outer surface. A thermocouple is embedded in the disk-shaped body. A flange extends radially outward from the cylindrical outer surface, wherein the lower surface of the disk-shaped body comprises one side of the flange. A fluid channel is formed in the disk-shaped body proximate the flange and lower surface. The fluid channel is coupled to the heat transfer fluid conduit of the shaft. A plurality of grooves are formed in the upper surface of the disk-shaped body, and are coupled by a hole in the disk-shaped body to the vacuum conduit of the shaft. A gas conduit is formed through the disk-shaped body and couples the gas conduit of the shaft to the cylindrical outer surface of the disk-shaped body. The gas conduit in the disk-shaped body has an orientation substantially perpendicular to a centerline of the disk-shaped body.
In another embodiment, an edge ring is provided. In one embodiment, an edge ring is configured to engage a substrate support member having a flange extending from a cylindrical outer surface of a disk-shaped body. The edge ring includes a cylindrical aluminum ring body, a top lip and a bottom lip. An inner wall of the cylindrical aluminum ring body is sized to maintain a gap between the cylindrical outer surface of the disk-shaped body. The top lip extends radially inward from the ring body over a top surface of the disk-shaped body. The bottom lip extends downward from of the ring body and circumscribing the flange. The bottom lip has an inner wall which is orientated concentric to the ring body.
In another embodiment, an electrode for a plasma processing chamber is provided. In one embodiment, an electrode includes a nickel plated body having a gas inlet formed therethrough. The body has an upper section and an expanding section. The upper section has a lower disk surface, an upper disk surface and an outer disk diameter. The expanding section extends from the lower disk surface to a lower body surface. An outer body diameter of the expanding section has a diameter less than a diameter of the outer disk diameter. A conical inner diameter wall of the expanding section extends tapering towards the upper section into the expanding section from the lower disk surface. The gas inlet opens to a cavity defined by the inner diameter wall.
A processing chamber for removing native oxides from a substrate surface is also provided. In one aspect, the chamber comprises a chamber body and a support assembly at least partially disposed within the chamber body and adapted to support a substrate thereon. The support assembly includes one or more fluid channels at least partially formed therein that are capable of providing a fluid for cooling the substrate. The chamber further comprises a lid assembly disposed on an upper surface of the chamber body. The lid assembly includes a first electrode and a second electrode which define a plasma cavity therebetween, wherein the second electrode is heated and adapted to connectively heat the substrate.
A method for etching native oxides from a substrate surface is also provided. In one aspect, the method comprises loading a substrate to be processed within a processing chamber comprising a chamber body and a support assembly at least partially disposed within the chamber body and adapted to support a substrate thereon. The support assembly includes one or more fluid channels at least partially formed therein that are capable of providing a fluid for cooling the substrate. The chamber further comprises a lid assembly disposed on an upper surface of the chamber body. The lid assembly includes a first electrode and a second electrode which define a plasma cavity therebetween, wherein the second electrode is adapted to connectively heat the substrate.
The method further comprises generating a plasma of reactive gas within the plasma cavity, cooling the substrate by flowing a heat transfer medium through the one or more fluid channels of the support assembly, flowing the reactive gas through the second electrode to the substrate surface, etching the substrate surface with the reactive gas, heating the second electrode by applying power to a heating element in contact therewith, and heating the substrate using the heated second electrode by placing the support assembly in close proximity to the heated electrode.
So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
A processing chamber for any number of substrate processing techniques is provided.
The chamber is particularly useful for performing a plasma assisted dry etch process that requires both heating and cooling of the substrate surface without breaking vacuum. For example, the processing chamber described herein is envisioned to be best suited for a front-end-of line (FEOL) clean chamber for removing oxides and other contaminants from a substrate surface.
A “substrate surface”, as used herein, refers to any substrate surface upon which processing is performed. For example, a substrate surface may include silicon, silicon oxide, doped silicon, germanium, gallium arsenide, glass, sapphire, and any other materials such as metals, metal nitrides, metal alloys, and other conductive materials, depending on the application. A substrate surface may also include dielectric materials such as silicon dioxide, organosilicates, and carbon doped silicon oxides. The substrate itself is not limited to any particular size or shape. In one aspect, the term “substrate” refers to a round wafer having a 200 mm diameter or 300 mm diameter. In another aspect, the term “substrate” refers to any polygonal, squared, rectangular, curved or otherwise non-circular workpiece, such as a glass substrate used in the fabrication of flat panel displays, for example.
The chamber body 112 includes a slit valve opening 160 formed in a sidewall thereof to provide access to the interior of the processing chamber 100. The slit valve opening 160 is selectively opened and closed to allow access to the interior of the chamber body 112 by a wafer handling robot (not shown). Wafer handling robots are well known to those with skill in the art, and any suitable robot may be used. For example, an exemplary robotic transfer assembly has been described in a commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,601, entitled “Multi-chamber Integrated Process System,” issued Aug. 28, 1990, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In one embodiment, a wafer can be transported in and out of the processing chamber 100 through the slit valve opening 160 to an adjacent transfer chamber and/or load-lock chamber, or another chamber within a cluster tool. A cluster tool of a type that can be coupled to the processing chamber 100 is described in a commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,718, entitled “Staged-Vacuum Wafer Processing System and Method”, issued Feb. 16, 1993, and is herein incorporated by reference.
In one or more embodiments, the chamber body 112 includes a channel 113 formed therein for flowing a heat transfer fluid therethrough. The heat transfer fluid can be a heating fluid or a coolant and is used to control the temperature of the chamber body 112 during processing and substrate transfer. The temperature of the chamber body 112 is important to prevent unwanted condensation of the gas or byproducts on the chamber walls. Exemplary heat transfer fluids include water, ethylene glycol, or a mixture thereof. An exemplary heat transfer fluid may also include nitrogen gas.
The chamber body 112 can further include a liner 133 that surrounds the support assembly 300. The liner 133 is preferably removable for servicing and cleaning. The liner 133 can be made of a metal such as aluminum, or a ceramic material. However, the liner 133 can be any process compatible material. The liner 133 can be bead blasted to increase the adhesion of any material deposited thereon, thereby preventing flaking of material which results in contamination of the processing chamber 100. In one or more embodiments, the liner 133 includes one or more apertures 135 and a pumping channel 129 formed therein that is in fluid communication with a vacuum system. The apertures 135 provide a flow path for gases into the pumping channel 129, which provides an egress for the gases within the processing chamber 100.
The vacuum system can include a vacuum pump 125 and a throttle valve 127 to regulate flow of gases through the processing chamber 100. The vacuum pump 125 is coupled to a vacuum port 131 disposed on the chamber body 112 and therefore, in fluid communication with the pumping channel 129 formed within the liner 133. The terms “gas” and “gases” are used interchangeably, unless otherwise noted, and refer to one or more precursors, reactants, catalysts, carrier, purge, cleaning, combinations thereof, as well as any other fluid introduced into the chamber body 112.
Considering the liner 133 in greater detail,
Referring to
Still referring to
In operation, one or more gases exiting the processing chamber 100 flow through the apertures 135 formed through the upper portion 133A of the liner 133 into the pumping channel 129. The gas then flows within the pumping channel 129 and through the ports 129B into the vacuum channel 129A. The gas exits the vacuum channel 129A through the vacuum port 131 into the vacuum pump 125.
Considering the lid assembly 200 in more detail,
Referring to
Referring to
The gas delivery assembly 220 can further include a blocker assembly 230 disposed adjacent the distribution plate 225. The blocker assembly 230 provides an even distribution of gas to the backside of the distribution plate 225. Preferably, the blocker assembly 230 is made of an aluminum alloy and is removably coupled to the distribution plate 225 to ensure good thermal contact. For example, the blocker assembly 230 can be coupled to the distribution plate 225 using a bolt 221 or similar fastener. Preferably, the blocker assembly 230 makes no thermal contact with the lid rim 210 as shown in
In one or more embodiments, the blocker assembly 230 includes a first blocker plate 233 mounted to a second blocker plate 235. The second blocker plate 235 includes a passage 259 formed therethrough. Preferably, the passage 259 is centrally located through the second blocker plate 235 such that the passage 259 is in fluid communication with a first cavity or volume 261 defined by a lower surface of the top plate 250 and an upper surface of the second blocker plate 235. The passage 259 is also in fluid communication with a second cavity or volume 262 defined by a lower surface of the second blocker plate 235 and an upper surface of the first blocker plate 233. The passage 259 is also in fluid communication with a third cavity or volume 263 defined by a lower surface of the first blocker plate 233 and an upper surface of the distribution plate 225. The passage 259 is coupled to a gas inlet 223. The gas inlet 223 is coupled to the top plate 250 at a first end thereof. Although not shown, the gas inlet 223 is coupled at a second end thereof to one or more upstream gas sources and/or other gas delivery components, such as gas mixers.
The first blocker plate 233 includes a plurality of passageways 233A formed therein that are adapted to disperse the gases flowing from the passage 259 to the gas distribution plate 225. Although the passageways 233A are shown as being circular or rounded, the passageways 233A can be square, rectangular, or any other shape. The passageways 233A can be sized and positioned about the blocker plate 233 to provide a controlled and even flow distribution across the surface of the substrate. As described above, the first blocker plate 233 can easily be removed from the second blocker plate 235 and from the distribution plate 225 to facilitate cleaning or replacement of those components.
In use, one or more process gases are introduced into the gas delivery assembly 220 via the gas inlet 223. The process gas flows into the first volume 261 and through the passage 259 of the second blocker plate 235 into the second volume 262. The process gas is then distributed through the holes 233A of the first blocker plate 233 into the third volume 263 and further distributed through the holes 225A of the distribution plate 225 until the gas meets the exposed surfaces of the substrate disposed within the chamber body 112.
A gas supply panel (not shown) is typically used to provide the one or more gases to the processing chamber 100. The particular gas or gases that are used depend upon the process or processes to be performed within the chamber 100. Illustrative gases can include, but are not limited to one or more precursors, reductants, catalysts, carriers, purge, cleaning, or any mixture or combination thereof. Typically, the one or more gases introduced to the processing chamber 100 flow through the inlet 223 into the lid assembly 200 and then into the chamber body 112 through the gas delivery assembly 220. An electronically operated valve and/or flow control mechanism (not shown) may be used to control the flow of gas from the gas supply into the processing chamber 100. Depending on the process, any number of gases can be delivered to the processing chamber 100, and can be mixed either in the processing chamber 100 or before the gases are delivered to the processing chamber 100, such as within a gas mixture (not shown), for example.
Still referring to
In one or more embodiments, the electrode 240 is coupled to a power source (not shown) while the gas delivery assembly 220 is connected to ground (i.e. the gas delivery assembly 220 serves as an electrode). Accordingly, a plasma of one or more process gases can be generated in the volumes 261, 262 and/or 263 between the electrode 240 (“first electrode”) and the gas delivery assembly 220 (“second electrode”). For example, the plasma can be struck and contained between the electrode 240 and the blocker assembly 230. Alternatively, the plasma can be struck and contained between the electrode 240 and the distribution plate 225, in the absence of the blocker assembly 230. In either embodiment, the plasma is well confined or contained within the lid assembly 200. Accordingly, the plasma is a “remote plasma” since no active plasma is in direct contact with the substrate disposed within the chamber body 112. As a result, plasma damage to the substrate is avoided because the plasma is sufficiently separated from the substrate surface.
Any power source capable of activating the gases into reactive species and maintaining the plasma of reactive species may be used. For example, radio frequency (RF), direct current (DC), or microwave (MW) based power discharge techniques may be used. The activation may also be generated by a thermally based technique, a gas breakdown technique, a high intensity light source (e.g., UV energy), or exposure to an x-ray source. Alternatively, a remote activation source may be used, such as a remote plasma generator, to generate a plasma of reactive species which are then delivered into the chamber 100. Exemplary remote plasma generators are available from vendors such as MKS Instruments, Inc. and Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. Preferably, an RF power supply is coupled to the electrode 240.
Referring to
Referring to
In one or more embodiments, the lid assembly 200 can include one or more fluid channel 202 formed therein for flowing a heat transfer medium to provide temperature control of the gas delivery assembly 220. In one embodiment, the fluid channel 202 can be formed within the lid rim 210, as shown in
In one or more embodiments, the gas delivery assembly 220 can be heated using one or more heat lamps (not shown). Typically, the heat lamps are arranged about an upper surface of the distribution plate 225 to heat the distribution plate 225 by radiation.
In one or more embodiments, the support member 310 or the top plate 311 can include a plurality of extensions or dimples 311A arranged on the upper surface thereof. In
In one or more embodiments, the substrate (not shown) may be secured to the support assembly 300 using a vacuum chuck. The top plate 311 can include a plurality of holes 312 in fluid communication with one or more grooves 316 formed in the support member 310. The grooves 316 are in fluid communication with a vacuum pump (not shown) via a vacuum conduit 313 disposed within the shaft 314 and the support member 310. Under certain conditions, the vacuum conduit 313 can be used to supply a purge gas to the surface of the support member 310 to prevent deposition when a substrate is not disposed on the support member 310. The vacuum conduit 313 can also pass a purge gas during processing to prevent a reactive gas or byproduct from contacting the backside of the substrate.
In one or more embodiments, the substrate (not shown) may be secured to the support member 310 using an electrostatic chuck. In one or more embodiments, the substrate can be held in place on the support member 310 by a mechanical clamp (not shown), such as a conventional clamp ring.
Preferably, the substrate is secured using an electrostatic chuck. An electrostatic chuck typically includes at least a dielectric material that surrounds an electrode (not shown), which may be located on an upper surface of the support member 310 or formed as an integral part of the support member 310. The dielectric portion of the chuck electrically insulates the chuck electrode from the substrate and from the remainder of the support assembly 300.
In one or more embodiments, the perimeter of the chuck dielectric can be is slightly smaller than the perimeter of the substrate. In other words, the substrate slightly overhangs the perimeter of the chuck dielectric so that the chuck dielectric will remain completely covered by the substrate even if the substrate is misaligned off center when positioned on the chuck. Assuring that the substrate completely covers the chuck dielectric ensures that the substrate shields the chuck from exposure to potentially corrosive or damaging substances within the chamber body 112.
The voltage for operating the electrostatic chuck can be supplied by a separate “chuck” power supply (not shown). One output terminal of the chucking power supply is connected to the chuck electrode. The other output terminal typically is connected to electrical ground, but alternatively may be connected to a metal body portion of the support assembly 300. In operation, the substrate is placed in contact with the dielectric portion, and a direct current voltage is placed on the electrode to create the electrostatic attractive force or bias to adhere the substrate on the upper surface of the support member 310.
Still referring to
When activated, the lift pins 325 push against a lower surface of the substrate, lifting the substrate off the support member 310. Conversely, the lift pins 325 may be de-activated to lower the substrate, thereby resting the substrate on the support member 310. The lift pins 325 can include enlarged upper ends or conical heads to prevent the pins 325 from falling out from the support member 310. Other pin designs can also be utilized and are well known to those skilled in the art.
In one embodiment, one or more of the lift pins 325 include a coating or an attachment disposed thereon that is made of a non-skid or highly frictional material to prevent the substrate from sliding when supported thereon. A preferred material is a high temperature, polymeric material that does not scratch or otherwise damage the backside of the substrate which would create contaminants within the processing chamber 100. Preferably, the coating or attachment is KALREZ™ coating available from DuPont.
To drive the lift ring 320, an actuator, such as a conventional pneumatic cylinder or a stepper motor (not shown), is generally used. The stepper motor or cylinder drives the lift ring 320 in the up or down positions, which in turn drives the lift-pins 325 that raise or lower the substrate. In a specific embodiment, a substrate (not shown) is supported on the support member 310 by three lift-pins 325 (not shown in this view) dispersed approximately 120 degrees apart and projecting from the lift ring 320.
In one embodiment, the support (pedestal) assembly 300 can include a support member 310 in the form of a substantially disk-shaped body 380. A shaft 314 is coupled to the disk-shaped body 380. The shaft 314 has a vacuum conduit 313, a heat transfer fluid conduit 361 and a gas conduit 335. The disk-shaped body 380 comprises an upper surface 382, a lower surface 384 and a cylindrical outer surface 388. A thermocouple (not shown) is embedded in the disk-shaped body 380. A flange 390 extends radially outward from the cylindrical outer surface 388. The lower surface 384 comprise one side of the flange 390. A fluid channel 360 is formed in the disk-shaped body 380 proximate the flange 390 and lower surface 384. The fluid channel 360 is coupled to the heat transfer fluid conduit 361 of the shaft 314. A plurality of grooves 316 are formed in the upper surface 382 of the disk-shaped body 380. A hole (not shown) is formed through the body 380 to couple at least one of the grooves 316 to the vacuum conduit 313 of the shaft 314. A gas conduit 335 is formed through the disk-shaped body 380 and exits the cylindrical outer surface 388 of the body 380. The gas conduit 335 has an orientation substantially perpendicular to a centerline of the disk-shaped body 380.
Referring again to
In one embodiment, the edge ring 305 is an annular ring that includes a cylindrical ring body 370 having an inner wall 372 sized to maintain a gap between the cylindrical outer surface 382 of the disk-shaped body 380. The ring 305 also includes a top lip 374 and a bottom 376 extending from the body 370. The top lip 374 extends radially inward from the ring body 370 over the upper surface 382 of the disk-shaped body 380. The bottom lip 376 extends downward from of the ring body 370 and circumscribing the flange 390. The bottom lip 376 has an inner wall 378 which is orientated concentrically .relative to the body 370.
Referring again to
Referring back to
In operation, the support member 310 can be elevated to a close proximity of the lid assembly 200 to control the temperature of the substrate being processed. As such, the substrate can be heated via radiation emitted from the distribution plate 225 that is controlled by the heating element 270. Alternatively, the substrate can be lifted off the support member 310 to close proximity of the heated lid assembly 200 using the lift pins 325 activated by the lift ring 320.
After extended periods of use or at designated times for scheduled maintenance, certain components of the processing chamber 100 including those described above can be regularly inspected, replaced, or cleaned. These components are typically parts that are collectively known as the “process kit.” Illustrative components of the process kit can include, but are not limited to the showerhead 225, the top plate 311, the edge ring 305, the liner 133, and the lift pins 325, for example. Any one or more of these components are typically removed from the chamber 100 and cleaned or replaced at regular intervals or according to an as-needed basis.
In one or more embodiments, the lid assembly 400 includes one or more gas inlets 412 (only one is shown) that are at least partially formed within an upper section 413 of the first electrode 410. The one or more process gases enter the lid assembly 400 via the one or more gas inlets 412. The one or more gas inlets 412 are in fluid communication with the plasma cavity 425 at a first end thereof and coupled to one or more upstream gas sources and/or other gas delivery components, such as gas mixers, at a second end thereof. The first end of the one or more gas inlets 412 can open into the plasma cavity 425 at the upper most point of the inner diameter 430 of the expanding section 420 as shown in
In one or more embodiments, the first electrode 410 has an expanding section 420 that houses the plasma cavity 425. As shown in
In one or more embodiments, the expanding section 420 resembles a cone or “funnel,” as is shown in
In one or more embodiments, the expanding section 420 can be curved or arced although not shown in the figures. For example, the inner surface 430 of the expanding section 420 can be curved or arced to be either convexed or concaved. In one or more embodiments, the inner surface 430 of the expanding section 420 can have a plurality of sections that are each sloped, tapered, convexed, or concaved.
As mentioned above, the expanding section 420 of the first electrode 410 varies the vertical distance between the first electrode 410 and the second electrode 450 because of the gradually increasing inner surface 430 of the first electrode 410. That variable distance is directly related to the power level within the plasma cavity 425. Not wishing to be bound by theory, the variation in distance between the two electrodes 410, 450 allows the plasma to find the necessary power level to sustain itself within some portion of the plasma cavity 425 if not throughout the entire plasma cavity 425. The plasma within the plasma cavity 425 is therefore less dependent on pressure, allowing the plasma to be generated and sustained within a wider operating window. As such, a more repeatable and reliable plasma can be formed within the lid assembly 400.
The first electrode 410 can be constructed from any process compatible materials, such as aluminum, anodized aluminum, nickel plated aluminum, nickel plated aluminum 6061-T6, stainless steel as well as combinations and alloys thereof, for example. In one or more embodiments, the entire first electrode 410 or portions thereof are nickel coated to reduce unwanted particle formation. Preferably, at least the inner surface 430 of the expanding section 420 is nickel plated.
In one embodiment, the first electrode 410 includes a nickel plated body having a gas inlet 412 formed therethrough. The body of the first electrode 410 includes an upper section 413 and expanding section 420. The upper section 413 has lower disk surface 350, an upper disk surface 352 and an outer disk diameter 356. The expanding section 420 has a cylindrical body having extending from the lower disk surface 350 to a lower body surface 356. The cylindrical body of the expanding section 420 has an outer body diameter wall 358 that has a diameter less than a diameter of the outer disk diameter wall 354. The cylindrical body of the expanding section 420 has a conical inner diameter wall 430 extending into the cylindrical body from the lower body surface 356 tapering towards the upper section 413. The gas inlet 412 has a first opening 362 connecting the inlet 412 to a cavity 425 and a second opening 34 formed on the outer disk diameter wall 354.
The second electrode 450 can include one or more stacked plates. When two or more plates are desired, the plates should be in electrical communication with one another. Each of the plates should include a plurality of apertures or gas passages to allow the one or more gases from the plasma cavity 425 to flow through.
Referring to
Referring again to the specific embodiment shown in
In one or more embodiments, the top plate 460 includes a plurality of gas passages or apertures 465 formed beneath the plasma cavity 425 to allow gas from the plasma cavity 425 to flow therethrough. In one or more embodiments, the top plate 460 can include a recessed portion 462 that is adapted to house at least a portion of the first electrode 410. In one or more embodiments, the apertures 465 are through the cross section of the top plate 460 beneath the recessed portion 462. The recessed portion 462 of the top plate 460 can be stair stepped as shown in
In one or more embodiments, the distribution plate 470 is identical to the distribution plate 225 shown and described above with reference to
The distribution plate 470 can also include an annular mounting flange 472 formed at an outer perimeter thereof. The mounting flange 472 can be sized to rest on an upper surface of the lid rim 490. An o-ring type seal, such as an elastomeric o-ring, can be at least partially disposed within the annular mounting flange 472 to ensure a fluid-tight contact with the lid rim 490.
In one or more embodiments, the distribution plate 470 includes one or more embedded channels or passages 474 for housing a heater or heating fluid to provide temperature control of the lid assembly 400. Similar to the lid assembly 200 described above, a resistive heating element can be inserted within the passage 474 to heat the distribution plate 470. A thermocouple can be connected to the distribution plate 470 to regulate the temperature thereof. The thermocouple can be used in a feedback loop to control electric current applied to the heating element, as described above.
Alternatively, a heat transfer medium can be passed through the passage 474. The one or more passages 474 can contain a cooling medium, if needed, to better control temperature of the distribution plate 470 depending on the process requirements within the chamber body 112. As mentioned above, any heat transfer medium may be used, such as nitrogen, water, ethylene glycol, or mixtures thereof, for example.
In one embodiment, the distribution plate (e.g., showerhead) 470 includes a hollow cylinder 920, a disc 902 and the annular mounting flange 472. The hollow cylinder 920 has a top wall 926, a bottom wall 928, an inner diameter wall 922 and an outer diameter wall 924. The disc 902 has a top surface 904 and a lower surface 906. The top surface 904 is coupled to the inner diameter wall 944. The lower surface 906 is coupled to the bottom wall 928. The disc 902 has a plurality of apertures 475 connecting the lower surface 906 to the top surface 904. The annular mounting flange 472 extends from the outer diameter wall 924 of the hollow cylinder 920. The mounting flange 472 has an upper surface 912 and a lower surface 914. The upper surface 912 of the mounting flange 472 is coplanar with the top wall 926 of the hollow cylinder 920. The lower surface 914 has an elevation above the top surface 904 of the disc 902. In another embodiment, a resistive heater (as discussed above with reference to
In one or more embodiments, the lid assembly 400 can be heated using one or more heat lamps (not shown). Typically, the heat lamps are arranged about an upper surface of the distribution plate 470 to heat the components of the lid assembly 400 including the distribution plate 470 by radiation.
The blocker plate 480 is optional and would be disposed between the top plate 460 and the distribution plate 470. Preferably, the blocker plate 480 is removably mounted to a lower surface of the top plate 460. The blocker plate 480 should make good thermal and electrical contact with the top plate 460. In one or more embodiments, the blocker plate 480 can be coupled to the top plate 460 using a bolt or similar fastener. The blocker plate 480 can also be threaded or screwed onto an out diameter of the top plate 460.
The blocker plate 480 includes a plurality of apertures 485 to provide a plurality of gas passages from the top plate 460 to the distribution plate 470. The apertures 485 can be sized and positioned about the blocker plate 480 to provide a controlled and even flow distribution the distribution plate 470.
It is believed that the confinement of the plasma within the centrally located plasma cavity 425 and the variable distance between the first electrode 410 and the second electrode 450 generate a stable and reliable plasma within the lid assembly 400.
For simplicity and ease of description, an exemplary dry etch process for removing silicon oxide using an ammonia (NH3) and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) gas mixture performed within the processing chamber 100 will now be described. It is believed that the processing chamber 100 is advantageous for any dry etch process that benefits from a plasma treatment in addition to both substrate heating and cooling all within a single processing environment, including an anneal process.
Referring to
The substrate is cooled below 65° C., such as between 15° C. and 50° C., by passing a heat transfer medium or coolant through the fluid channel 360 formed within the support assembly 300. In one embodiment, the substrate is maintained below room temperature. In another embodiment, the substrate is maintained at a temperature of between 22° C. and 40° C. Typically, the support member 310 is maintained below about 22° C. to reach the desired substrate temperatures specified above. To cool the support member 310, the coolant is passed through the fluid channel 360. A continuous flow of coolant is preferred to better control the temperature of the support member 310. The coolant is preferably 50 percent by volume ethylene glycol and 50 percent by volume water. Of course, any ratio of water and ethylene glycol can be used so long as the desired temperature of the substrate is maintained.
The ammonia and nitrogen trifluoride gases are then introduced into the chamber 100 to form a cleaning gas mixture. The amount of each gas introduced into the chamber is variable and may be adjusted to accommodate, for example, the thickness of the oxide layer to be removed, the geometry of the substrate being cleaned, the volume capacity of the plasma, the volume capacity of the chamber body 112, as well as the capabilities of the vacuum system coupled to the chamber body 112. In one aspect, the gases are added to provide a gas mixture having at least a 1:1 molar ratio of ammonia to nitrogen trifluoride. In another aspect, the molar ratio of the gas mixture is at least about 3 to 1 (ammonia to nitrogen trifluoride). Preferably, the gases are introduced in the chamber 100 at a molar ratio of from 5:1 (ammonia to nitrogen trifluoride) to 30:1. More preferably, the molar ratio of the gas mixture is of from about 5 to 1 (ammonia to nitrogen trifluoride) to about 10 to 1. The molar ratio of the gas mixture may also fall between about 10:1 (ammonia to nitrogen trifluoride) and about 20:1.
A purge gas or carrier gas may also be added to the gas mixture. Any suitable purge/carrier gas may be used, such as argon, helium, hydrogen, nitrogen, or mixtures thereof, for example. Typically, the overall gas mixture is from about 0.05% to about 20% by volume of ammonia and nitrogen trifluoride. The remainder being the carrier gas. In one embodiment, the purge or carrier gas is first introduced into the chamber body 112 before the reactive gases to stabilize the pressure within the chamber body 112.
The operating pressure within the chamber body 112 can be variable. Typically, the pressure is maintained between about 500 mTorr and about 30 Torr. Preferably, the pressure is maintained between about 1 Torr and about 10 Torr. More preferably, the operating pressure within the chamber body 112 is maintained between about 3 Torr and about 6 Torr.
An RF power of from about 5 and about 600 Watts is applied to the electrode 240 to ignite a plasma of the gas mixture within the volumes 261, 262, and 263 contained in the gas delivery assembly 220. Preferably, the RF power is less than 100 Watts. More preferable is that the frequency at which the power is applied is very low, such as less than 100 kHz. Preferably, the frequency ranges from about 50 kHz to about 90 kHz.
The plasma energy dissociates the ammonia and nitrogen trifluoride gases into reactive species that combine to form a highly reactive ammonia fluoride (NH4F) compound and/or ammonium hydrogen fluoride (NH4F.HF) in the gas phase. These molecules then flow through the gas delivery assembly 220 via the holes 225A of the distribution plate 225 to react with the substrate surface to be cleaned. In one embodiment, the carrier gas is first introduced into the chamber 100, a plasma of the carrier gas is generated, and then the reactive gases, ammonia and nitrogen trifluoride, are added to the plasma.
Not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the etchant gas, NH4F and/or NH4F.HF, reacts with the silicon oxide surface to form ammonium hexafluorosilicate (NH4)2SiF6, NH3, and H2O products. The NH3, and H2O are vapors at processing conditions and removed from the chamber 100 by the vacuum pump 125. In particular, the volatile gases flow through the apertures 135 formed in the liner 133 into the pumping channel 129 before the gases exit the chamber 100 through the vacuum port 131 into the vacuum pump 125. A thin film of (NH4)2SiF6 is left behind on the substrate surface. This reaction mechanism can be summarized as follows:
NF3+NH3→NH4F+NH4F.HF+N2
6NH4F+SiO2→(NH4)2SiF6+H2O
(NH4)2SiF6+heat→NH3+HF+SiF4
After the thin film is formed on the substrate surface, the support member 310 having the substrate supported thereon is elevated to an anneal position in close proximity to the heated distribution plate 225. The heat radiated from the distribution plate 225 should be sufficient to dissociate or sublimate the thin film of (NH4)2SiF6 into volatile SiF4, NH3, and HF products. These volatile products are then removed from the chamber 100 by the vacuum pump 125 as described above. Typically, a temperature of 75° C. or more is used to effectively sublimate and remove the thin film from the substrate. Preferably, a temperature of 100° C. or more is used, such as between about 115° C. and about 200° C.
The thermal energy to dissociate the thin film of (NH4)2SiF6 into its volatile components is convected or radiated by the distribution plate 225. As described above, a heating element 270 is directly coupled to the distribution plate 225, and is activated to heat the distribution plate 225 and the components in thermal contact therewith to a temperature between about 75° C. and 250° C. In one aspect, the distribution plate 225 is heated to a temperature of between 100° C. and 150° C., such as about 120° C.
This elevation change can be effectuated various ways. For example, the lift mechanism 330 can elevate the support member 310 toward a lower surface of the distribution plate 225. During this lifting step, the substrate is secured to the support member 310, such as by the vacuum chuck or electrostatic chuck described above. Alternatively, the substrate can be lifted off the support member 310 and placed in close proximity to the heated distribution plate 225 by elevating the lift pins 325 via the lift ring 320.
The distance between the upper surface of the substrate having the thin film thereon and the distribution plate 225 is not critical and is a matter of routine experimentation. A person of ordinary skill in the art can easily determine the spacing required to efficiently and effectively vaporize the thin film without damaging the underlying substrate. It is believed, however, that a spacing of between about 0.254 mm (10 mils) and 5.08 mm (200 mils) is effective.
Once the film has been removed from the substrate, the chamber is purged and evacuated. The cleaned substrate is then removed from the chamber body 112 by lowering the substrate to the transfer position, de-chucking the substrate, and transferring the substrate through the slit valve opening 160.
A system controller (not shown) can be used to regulate the operations of the processing chamber 100. The system controller can operate under the control of a computer program stored on a hard disk drive of a computer. For exemplary, the computer program can dictate the process sequencing and timing, mixture of gases, chamber pressures, RF power levels, susceptor positioning, slit valve opening and closing, wafer cooling and other parameters of a particular process. The interface between a user and the system controller can be made via a CRT monitor and light pen (not shown). In a preferred embodiment, two monitors are used, one monitor mounted in the clean room wall for the operators and the other monitor behind the wall for the service technicians. Also preferred is that both monitors simultaneously display the same information but only one light pen is enabled. The light pen detects light emitted by the CRT display with a light sensor in the tip of the pen. To select a particular screen or function, the operator can touch a designated area of the display screen and push the button on the pen. The display screen generally confirms communication between the light pen and the touched area by changing its appearance, i.e. highlight or color, or displaying a new menu or screen.
A variety of processes can be implemented using a computer program product that runs on, for example, the system controller. The computer program code can be written in any conventional computer readable programming language such as for example 68000 assembly language, C, C++, or Pascal. Suitable program code can be entered into a single file, or multiple files, using a conventional text editor, and stored or embodied in a computer usable medium, such as a memory system of the computer. If the entered code text is in a high level language, the code is compiled, and the resultant compiler code is then linked with an object code of precompiled library routines. To execute the linked compiled object code, the system user invokes the object code, causing the computer system to load the code in memory, from which the CPU reads and executes the code to perform the tasks identified in the program.
Referring to
Referring to
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Referring to
Thereafter, as illustrated in
Annealing typically involves heating the substrate 500 to a temperature of between 600° C. and 800° C. in an atmosphere of nitrogen for about 30 minutes. Alternatively, the metal silicide 595 can be formed utilizing a rapid thermal annealing process in which the substrate 500 is rapidly heated to about 1000° C. for about 30 seconds. Suitable conductive metals include cobalt, titanium, nickel, tungsten, platinum, and any other metal that has a low contact resistance and that can form a reliable metal silicide contact on both polysilicon and monocrystalline silicon.
Unreacted portions of the metal layer 590 can be removed by a wet etch using aqua regia, (HCl and HNO3) which removes the metal without attacking the metal silicide 595; the spacer 580, or the field oxide 545A,B, thus leaving a self-aligned metal silicide contact 595 on the gate 555, source 570A, and drain 570B, as shown in
Thereafter, the structure 500 is annealed at glass transition temperatures to form a smooth planarized surface.
In one or more embodiments, the processing chamber 100 can be integrated into a multi-processing platform, such as an Endura™ platform available from Applied Materials, Inc. located in Santa Clara, Calif. Such a processing platform is capable of performing several processing operations without breaking vacuum. Details of the Endura™ platform are described in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/451,628, entitled “Integrated Modular Processing Platform”, filed on Nov. 30, 1999, which is incorporated by reference herein.
The first robot 610 can also transfer substrates to/from one or more transfer chambers 622, 624. The transfer chambers 622, 624 can be used to maintain ultrahigh vacuum conditions while allowing substrates to be transferred within the system 600. A second robot 630 can transfer the substrates between the transfer chambers 622, 624 and a second set of one or more processing chambers 632, 634, 636, 638. Similar to processing chambers 612, 614, 616, 618, the processing chambers 632, 634, 636, 638 can be outfitted to perform a variety of substrate processing operations including the dry etch processes described herein in addition to cyclical layer deposition (CLD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD), etch, pre-clean, degas, and orientation, for example. Any of the substrate processing chambers 612, 614, 616, 618, 632, 634, 636, 638 may be removed from the system 600 if not necessary for a particular process to be performed by the system 600.
An illustrative multi-processing system 600 for forming the MOSFET structure of
Although the process sequence above has been described in relation to the formation of a MOSFET device, the dry etch process described herein can also be used to form other semiconductor structures and devices that have other metal silicide layers, for example, suicides of tungsten, tantalum, molybdenum. The cleaning process can also be used prior to the deposition of layers of different metals including, for example, aluminum, copper, cobalt, nickel, silicon, titanium, palladium, hafnium, boron, tungsten, tantalum, or mixtures thereof.
To provide a better understanding of the foregoing discussion, the following non-limiting example is offered. Although the example may be directed to specific embodiments, the example should not be interpreted as limiting the invention in any specific respect.
EXAMPLE:During etch, a gas mixture of 2 sccm of NF3, 10 sccm of NH3 and 2,500 sccm of argon was introduced into the chamber. A plasma of the gas mixture was ignited using 100 Watts of power. The bottom purge was 1,500 sccm of argon and the edge purge was 50 sccm of argon. The chamber pressure was maintained at about 6 Torr, and the substrate temperature was about 22° C. The substrate was etched for 120 seconds.
During subsequent annealing, the spacing was 750 mil and the lid temperature was 120° C. The substrate was annealed for about 60 seconds. About 50 angstroms of material was removed from the substrate surface. No anneal effect was observed. The etch rate was about 0.46 angstroms per second (28 Å/min). The observed etch uniformity was about 5% for the 50 Å etch.
Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties, reaction conditions, and so forth, used in the specification and claims are to be understood as approximations. These approximations are based on the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention, and the error of measurement, and should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Further, any of the quantities expressed herein, including temperature, pressure, spacing, molar ratios, flow rates, and so on, can be further optimized to achieve the desired etch selectivity and particle performance.
While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.
Claims
1. A method for removing native oxides from a substrate surface, comprising:
- supporting a substrate in a processing chamber;
- cooling the substrate to a first temperature within the processing chamber;
- directing gas species to the cooled substrate to react with the native oxides thereon while forming a film on the substrate, wherein the gas species are flowed through a gas distribution plate comprising a heating element coupled with the gas distribution plate;
- positioning the substrate in close proximity to the gas distribution plate; and
- heating the substrate to a second temperature of about 100° C. or greater within the processing chamber to sublimate the film.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the gas distribution plate is heated to a temperature within a range from about 100° C. and to about 150° C. while heating the substrate within the processing chamber to sublimate the film.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising removing the sublimated film from the chamber.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the film comprises a material comprising nitrogen and fluorine atoms.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein cooling the substrate comprises flowing a coolant through a support assembly having the substrate disposed thereon and maintaining the first temperature at about room temperature or less.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first temperature is at about 22° C. or less.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein heating the substrate comprises positioning the substrate adjacent a heated gas distribution plate disposed within the processing chamber.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the second temperature is at about 120° C.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the substrate is located within a range from about 10 mils and to about 200 mils from the heated gas distribution plate.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the gas species are reactive species generated from a gas mixture comprising ammonia and nitrogen fluoride.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the gas mixture further comprises a carrier gas.
12. The method of claim 2, wherein the substrate is located within a range from about 10 mils to about 200 mils from the heated gas distribution plate.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein the gas mixture comprises at least a 3 to 1 molar ratio of ammonia to nitrogen trifluoride.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the molar ratio of ammonia to nitrogen trifluoride is within a range from about 10:1 to about 20:1.
15. A method for removing native oxides from a substrate surface within a processing chamber, comprising:
- flowing etchant species into a processing chamber housing a substrate having the native oxides thereon to react with the substrate and form a film thereon, wherein the etchant species is flowed through a gas distribution plate, and wherein the substrate is maintained at a first temperature;
- heating the gas distribution plate;
- moving the substrate vertically within the chamber proximate the gas distribution plate; and
- heating the substrate to a second temperature within a range from about 100° C. to 150° C. subsequent moving the substrate to sublimate the film.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the substrate after moving is located within a range from about 10 mils to about 200 mils from the heated gas distribution plate.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the first temperature is maintained by flowing a coolant through a support assembly having the substrate disposed thereon.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first temperature is at about 22° C. or less.
19. A method for removing native oxides from a substrate within a processing chamber, comprising:
- cooling a substrate to a first temperature at about 22° C. or less;
- flowing etchant species comprising fluorine atoms through a gas distribution plate;
- exposing the substrate to the etchant species and forming a film comprising the fluorine atoms on the cooled substrate; and
- annealing the substrate at a second temperature of about 100° C. or greater to sublimate the film.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the gas distribution plate is heated to a temperature within a range from about 100° C. to about 150° C. while heating the substrate within the chamber to sublimate the film.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 8, 2021
Publication Date: Jul 22, 2021
Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc. (Santa Clara, CA)
Inventors: Chien-Teh Kao (Sunnyvale, CA), Joel M. Huston (San Jose, CA), Mei Chang (Saratoga, CA), Xiaoxiong Yuan (San Jose, CA)
Application Number: 17/225,311