Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090029528 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLEANING A SUBSTRATE SURFACE - The present invention generally provides apparatus and method for forming a clean and damage free surface on a semiconductor substrate. One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that contains a cleaning chamber that is adapted to expose a surface of substrate to a plasma cleaning process prior to forming an epitaxial layer thereon. In one embodiment, a method is employed to reduce the contamination of a substrate processed in the cleaning chamber by depositing a gettering material on the inner surfaces of the cleaning chamber prior to performing a cleaning process on a substrate. In one embodiment, oxidation and etching steps are repeatedly performed on a substrate in the cleaning chamber to expose or create a clean surface on a substrate that can then have an epitaxial placed thereon. In one embodiment, a low energy plasma is used during the cleaning step. | 01-29-2009 |
20110100554 | PARALLEL SYSTEM FOR EPITAXIAL CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION - Embodiments of a parallel system for epitaxial deposition are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a parallel system for epitaxial deposition includes a first body having a first process chamber and a second process chamber disposed within the first body; a shared gas injection system coupled to each of the first and the second process chambers; and a shared exhaust system coupled to each of the first and second process chambers, the exhaust system having independent control of an exhaust pressure from each chamber. In some embodiments, the gas injection system provides independent control of flow rate of a gas entering each chamber. | 05-05-2011 |
20110174212 | EPITAXIAL CHAMBER WITH CROSS FLOW - Methods and apparatus for processing a substrate are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for processing a substrate includes a process chamber having a substrate support disposed therein to support a processing surface of a substrate at a desired position within the process chamber; a first inlet port to provide a first process gas over the processing surface of the substrate in a first direction; a second inlet port to provide a second process gas over the processing surface of the substrate in a second direction different from the first direction, wherein an azimuthal angle measured between the first direction and the second direction with respect to a central axis of the substrate support is up to about 145 degrees; and an exhaust port disposed opposite the first inlet port to exhaust the first and second process gases from the process chamber. | 07-21-2011 |
20110217466 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION - Methods and apparatus are disclosed for the formation of vaporizing liquid precursor materials. The methods or apparatus can be used as part of a chemical vapor deposition apparatus or system, for example for forming films on substrates. The methods and apparatus involve providing a vessel for containing a liquid precursor and diffusing element having external cross-section dimensions substantially equal to the internal cross-sectional dimensions of the vessel. | 09-08-2011 |
20110263103 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLEANING A SUBSTRATE SURFACE - Embodiments described herein provide methods for processing a substrate. One embodiment comprises positioning a substrate in a processing region of a processing chamber, exposing a surface of the substrate disposed in the processing chamber to an oxygen containing gas to form a first oxygen containing layer on the surface, removing at least a portion of the first oxygen containing layer to expose at least a portion of the surface of the substrate, and exposing the surface of the substrate to an oxygen containing gas to form a second oxygen containing layer on the surface. | 10-27-2011 |
20110306186 | METHODS FOR LOW TEMPERATURE CONDITIONING OF PROCESS CHAMBERS - Methods for removing residue from interior surfaces of process chambers are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of conditioning interior surfaces of a process chamber may include maintaining a process chamber at a first pressure and at a first temperature of less than about 800 degrees Celsius; providing a process gas to the process chamber at the first pressure and the first temperature, wherein the process gas comprises chlorine and nitrogen to remove residue disposed on interior surfaces of the process chamber; and increasing the pressure in the process chamber from the first pressure to a second pressure while continuing to provide the process gas to the process chamber. | 12-15-2011 |
20120247386 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE SELECTIVE DEPOSITION OF EPITAXIAL GERMANIUM STRESSOR ALLOYS - A method and apparatus for forming heterojunction stressor layers is described. A germanium precursor and a metal precursor are provided to a chamber, and an epitaxial layer of germanium-metal alloy formed on the substrate. The metal precursor is typically a metal halide, which may be provided by subliming a solid metal halide or by contacting a pure metal with a halogen gas. The precursors may be provided through a showerhead or through a side entry point, and an exhaust system coupled to the chamber may be separately heated to manage condensation of exhaust components. | 10-04-2012 |
20120266819 | SEMICONDUCTOR SUBSTRATE PROCESSING SYSTEM - Apparatus for processing substrates are provided. In some embodiments, a processing system may include a first transfer chamber and a first process chamber coupled to the transfer chamber, the process chamber further comprising a substrate support to support a processing surface of a substrate within the process chamber, an injector disposed to a first side of the substrate support and having a first flow path to provide a first process gas and a second flow path to provide a second process gas independent of the first process gas, wherein the injector provides the first and second process gases across the processing surface of the substrate, a showerhead disposed above the substrate support to provide the first process gas to the processing surface, and an exhaust port disposed to a second side of the substrate support, opposite the injector, to exhaust the first and second process gases from the process chamber. | 10-25-2012 |
20120266984 | CHEMICAL DELIVERY SYSTEM - Embodiments of chemical delivery systems disclosed herein may include an enclosure; a first compartment disposed within the enclosure and having a plurality of first conduits to carry a first set of chemical species, the first compartment further having a first draw opening and a first exhaust opening to facilitate flow of a purge gas through the first compartment; and a second compartment disposed within the enclosure and having a plurality of second conduits to carry a second set of chemical species, the second compartment further having a second draw opening and a second exhaust opening to facilitate flow of the purge gas through the second compartment, wherein the first set of chemical species is different than the second set of chemical species, and wherein a draw velocity of the purge gas through the second compartment is higher than the draw velocity of the purge gas through the first compartment. | 10-25-2012 |
20120270384 | APPARATUS FOR DEPOSITION OF MATERIALS ON A SUBSTRATE - Methods and apparatus for deposition of materials on a substrate are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for processing a substrate may include a process chamber having a substrate support disposed therein to support a processing surface of a substrate, an injector disposed to a first side of the substrate support and having a first flow path to provide a first process gas and a second flow path to provide a second process gas independent of the first process gas, wherein the injector is positioned to provide the first and second process gases across the processing surface of the substrate, a showerhead disposed above the substrate support to provide the first process gas to the processing surface of the substrate, and an exhaust port disposed to a second side of the substrate support, opposite the injector, to exhaust the first and second process gases from the process chamber. | 10-25-2012 |
20120306054 | METHOD OF FORMING HIGH GROWTH RATE, LOW RESISTIVITY GERMANIUM FILM ON SILICON SUBSTRATE - A method of forming a doped semiconductor layer on a substrate is provided. A foundation layer having a crystal structure compatible with a thermodynamically favored crystal structure of the doped semiconductor layer is formed on the substrate and annealed, or surface annealed, to substantially crystallize the surface of the foundation layer. The doped semiconductor layer is formed on the foundation layer. Each layer may be formed by vapor deposition processes such as CVD. The foundation layer may be germanium and the doped semiconductor layer may be phosphorus doped germanium. | 12-06-2012 |
20120306055 | METHOD OF FORMING HIGH GROWTH RATE, LOW RESISTIVITY GERMANIUM FILM ON SILICON SUBSTRATE - A method of forming a doped semiconductor layer on a substrate is provided. A foundation layer having a crystal structure compatible with a thermodynamically favored crystal structure of the doped semiconductor layer is formed on the substrate and annealed, or surface annealed, to substantially crystallize the surface of the foundation layer. The doped semiconductor layer is formed on the foundation layer. Each layer may be formed by vapor deposition processes such as CVD. The foundation layer may be germanium and the doped semiconductor layer may be phosphorus doped germanium. | 12-06-2012 |
20130026540 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURES - Methods and apparatus for forming semiconductor structures are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a semiconductor structure may include a first germanium carbon layer having a first side and an opposing second side; a germanium-containing layer directly contacting the first side of the first germanium carbon layer; and a first silicon layer directly contacting the opposing second side of the first germanium carbon layer. In some embodiments, a method of forming a semiconductor structure may include forming a first germanium carbon layer atop a first silicon layer; and forming a germanium-containing layer atop the first germanium carbon layer. | 01-31-2013 |
20130068390 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLEANING A SUBSTRATE SURFACE - Embodiments described herein provide apparatus and methods for processing a substrate. One embodiment comprises a cleaning chamber. The cleaning chamber comprises one or more walls that form a low energy processing region, a plasma generating source to deliver electromagnetic energy to the low energy processing region, a first gas source to deliver a silicon containing gas or a germanium containing gas to the low energy processing region, a second gas source to deliver a oxidizing gas to the low energy processing region, an etching gas source to deliver a etching gas to the low energy processing region, and a substrate support having a substrate supporting surface, a biasing electrode, and a substrate support heat exchanging device to control the temperature of the substrate supporting surface. | 03-21-2013 |
20130105483 | APPARATUS FOR SUBLIMATING SOLID STATE PRECURSORS | 05-02-2013 |
20130183814 | METHOD OF DEPOSITING A SILICON GERMANIUM TIN LAYER ON A SUBSTRATE - Methods of depositing silicon germanium tin (SiGeSn) layer on a substrate are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a method may include co-flowing a silicon source, a germanium source, and a tin source comprising a tin halide to a process chamber at a temperature of about 450 degrees Celsius or below and a pressure of about 100 Torr or below to deposit the SiGeSn layer on a first surface of the substrate. In some embodiments, the tin halide comprises tin tetrachloride (SnCl | 07-18-2013 |
20130183815 | METHODS FOR DEPOSITING GROUP III-V LAYERS ON SUBSTRATES - Methods for depositing a group III-V layer on a substrate are disclosed herein. In some embodiments a method includes depositing a first layer comprising at least one of a first Group III element or a first Group V element on a silicon-containing surface oriented in a <111> direction at a first temperature ranging from about 300 to about 400 degrees Celsius; and depositing a second layer comprising second Group III element and a second Group V element atop the first layer at a second temperature ranging from about 300 to about 600 degrees Celsius. | 07-18-2013 |
20130210221 | SELECTIVE EPITAXIAL GERMANIUM GROWTH ON SILICON-TRENCH FILL AND IN SITU DOPING - Methods and apparatus for forming a germanium containing film on a patterned substrate are described. The patterned substrate is a silicon, or silicon containing material, and may have a mask material formed on a surface thereof. The germanium containing material is formed selectively on exposed silicon in the recesses of the substrate, and an overburden of at least 50% is formed on the substrate. The germanium containing layer is thermally treated using pulsed laser radiation, which melts a portion of the overburden, but does not melt the germanium containing material in the recesses. The germanium containing material in the recesses is typically annealed, at least in part, by the thermal treatment. The overburden is then removed. | 08-15-2013 |
20130220221 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRECURSOR DELIVERY - Methods and apparatus for delivering a gas mixture to a process chamber are provided herein. In some embodiments, a precursor delivery apparatus may include an ampoule having a body with a first volume to hold a liquid precursor, an inlet to receive the liquid precursor and a carrier gas, and an outlet to flow a gas mixture of the liquid precursor and the carrier gas from the ampoule; a first heater disposed proximate to or in the first volume to heat the liquid precursor disposed in the first volume proximate to or at a first location within the first volume where the liquid precursor contacts the carrier gas; and a heat transfer apparatus disposed about the body to at least one of provide heat to or remove heat from the ampoule. | 08-29-2013 |
20130240478 | METHODS FOR DEPOSITING A TiN-CONTAINING LAYER ON A SUBSTRATE - Methods of depositing a tin-containing layer on a substrate are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a method of depositing a tin-containing layer on a substrate may include flowing a tin source comprising a tin halide into a reaction volume; flowing a hydrogen plasma into the reaction volume; forming one or more tin hydrides within the reaction volume from the tin source and the hydrogen plasma; and depositing the tin-containing layer on a first surface of the substrate using the one or more tin hydrides. | 09-19-2013 |
20130256760 | METHOD FOR FORMING GROUP III/V CONFORMAL LAYERS ON SILICON SUBSTRATES - A method for forming a conformal group III/V layer on a silicon substrate and the resulting substrate with the group III/V layers formed thereon. The method includes removing the native oxide from the substrate, positioning a substrate within a processing chamber, heating the substrate to a first temperature, cooling the substrate to a second temperature, flowing a group III precursor into the processing chamber, maintaining the second temperature while flowing a group III precursor and a group V precursor into the processing chamber until a conformal layer is formed, heating the processing chamber to an annealing temperature, while stopping the flow of the group III precursor, and cooling the processing chamber to the second temperature. Deposition of the III/V layer may be made selective through the use of halide gas etching which preferentially etches dielectric regions. | 10-03-2013 |
20130256838 | METHOD OF EPITAXIAL DOPED GERMANIUM TIN ALLOY FORMATION - A method for forming germanium tin layers and the resulting embodiments are described. A germanium precursor and a tin precursor are provided to a chamber, and an epitaxial layer of germanium tin is formed on the substrate. The germanium tin layer is selectively deposited on the semiconductor regions of the substrate and can include thickness regions of varying tin and dopant concentrations. The germanium tin layer can be selectively deposited by either alternating or concurrent flow of a halide gas to etch the surface of the substrate. | 10-03-2013 |
20130269613 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING AND DELIVERING A PROCESS GAS FOR PROCESSING A SUBSTRATE - Methods and apparatus for generating and delivering process gases for processing substrates are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for processing a substrate may include a container comprising a lid, a bottom, and a sidewall, wherein the lid, the bottom, and the sidewall define an open area; a solid precursor collection tray disposed within the open area; a gas delivery tube disposed within the open area and extending toward the solid precursor collection tray to provide a gas proximate the solid precursor collection tray; and a purge flow conduit coupled to the open area. | 10-17-2013 |
20130280891 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GERMANIUM TIN ALLOY FORMATION BY THERMAL CVD - A method and apparatus for forming semiconductive semiconductor-metal alloy layers is described. A germanium precursor and a metal precursor are provided to a chamber, and an epitaxial layer of germanium-metal alloy, optionally including silicon, is formed on the substrate. The metal precursor is typically a metal halide, which may be provided by evaporating a liquid metal halide, subliming a solid metal halide, or by contacting a pure metal with a halogen gas. A group IV halide deposition control agent is used to provide selective deposition on semiconductive regions of the substrate relative to dielectric regions. The semiconductive semiconductor-metal alloy layers may be doped, for example with boron, phosphorus, and/or arsenic. The precursors may be provided through a showerhead or through a side entry point, and an exhaust system coupled to the chamber may be separately heated to manage condensation of exhaust components. | 10-24-2013 |
20130288480 | METHOD OF EPITAXIAL GERMANIUM TIN ALLOY SURFACE PREPARATION - Methods of preparing a clean surface of germanium tin or silicon germanium tin layers for subsequent deposition are provided. An overlayer of Ge, doped Ge, another GeSn or SiGeSn layer, a doped GeSn or SiGeSn layer, an insulator, or a metal can be deposited on a prepared GeSn or SiGeSn layer by positioning a substrate with an exposed germanium tin or silicon germanium tin layer in a processing chamber, heating the processing chamber and flowing a halide gas into the processing chamber to etch the surface of the substrate using either thermal or plasma assisted etching followed by depositing an overlayer on the substantially oxide free and contaminant free surface. Methods can also include the placement and etching of a sacrificial layer, a thermal clean using rapid thermal annealing, or a process in a plasma of nitrogen trifluoride and ammonia gas. | 10-31-2013 |
20130295752 | METHODS FOR CHEMICAL MECHANICAL PLANARIZATION OF PATTERNED WAFERS - Methods for chemical mechanical planarization of patterned wafers are provided herein. In some embodiments, methods of processing a substrate having a first surface and a plurality of recesses disposed within the first surface may include: depositing a first material into the plurality of recesses to predominantly fill the plurality of recesses with the first material; depositing a second material different from the first material into the plurality of recesses and atop the substrate to fill the plurality of recesses and to form a layer atop the first surface; and planarizing the second material using a first slurry in a chemical mechanical polishing tool until the first surface is reached. In some embodiments, a second slurry, different than the first slurry, is used to planarize the substrate to a first level. | 11-07-2013 |
20130319013 | COMPACT AMPOULE THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - Apparatus for thermal management of a precursor for use in substrate processing are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for thermal management of a precursor for use in substrate processing may include a body having an opening sized to receive a storage container having a liquid or solid precursor disposed therein, the body fabricated from thermally conductive material; one or more thermoelectric devices coupled to the body proximate the opening; and a heat sink coupled to the one or more thermoelectric devices. | 12-05-2013 |
20130319015 | COMPACT AMPOULE THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - Methods and apparatus for thermal management of a precursor for use in substrate processing are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for thermal management of a precursor for use in substrate processing may include a body having an opening sized to receive a storage container having a liquid or solid precursor disposed therein, the body fabricated from thermally conductive material; one or more thermoelectric devices coupled to the body proximate the opening; a heat sink coupled to the one or more thermoelectric devices; and a fan disposed proximate to a back side of the heat sink to provide a flow of air to the heat sink. | 12-05-2013 |
20130330911 | METHOD OF SEMICONDUCTOR FILM STABILIZATION - Embodiments of the invention generally relate to methods for forming silicon-germanium-tin alloy epitaxial layers, germanium-tin alloy epitaxial layers, and germanium epitaxial layers that may be doped with boron, phosphorus, arsenic, or other n-type or p-type dopants. The methods generally include positioning a substrate in a processing chamber. A germanium precursor gas is then introduced into the chamber concurrently with a stressor precursor gas, such as a tin precursor gas, to form an epitaxial layer. The flow of the germanium gas is then halted, and an etchant gas is introduced into the chamber. An etch back is then performed while in the presence of the stressor precursor gas used in the formation of the epitaxial film. The flow of the etchant gas is then stopped, and the cycle may then be repeated. In addition to or as an alternative to the etch back process, an annealing processing may be performed. | 12-12-2013 |
20140137801 | EPITAXIAL CHAMBER WITH CUSTOMIZABLE FLOW INJECTION - Apparatus for processing a substrate in a process chamber are provided here. In some embodiments, a gas injector for use in a process chamber includes a first set of outlet ports that provide an angled injection of a first process gas at an angle to a planar surface, and a second set of outlet ports proximate the first set of outlet ports that provide a pressurized laminar flow of a second process gas substantially along the planar surface, the planar surface extending normal to the second set of outlet ports. | 05-22-2014 |
20140154875 | METHOD OF EPITAXIAL GERMANIUM TIN ALLOY SURFACE PREPARATION - Methods of preparing a clean surface of germanium tin or silicon germanium tin layers for subsequent deposition are provided. An overlayer of Ge, doped Ge, another GeSn or SiGeSn layer, a doped GeSn or SiGeSn layer, an insulator, or a metal can be deposited on a prepared GeSn or SiGeSn layer by positioning a substrate with an exposed germanium tin or silicon germanium tin layer in a processing chamber, heating the processing chamber and flowing a halide gas into the processing chamber to etch the surface of the substrate using either thermal or plasma assisted etching followed by depositing an overlayer on the substantially oxide free and contaminant free surface. Methods can also include the placement and etching of a sacrificial layer, a thermal clean using rapid thermal annealing, or a process in a plasma of nitrogen trifluoride and ammonia gas. | 06-05-2014 |
20140159112 | METHOD FOR FORMING GROUP III/V CONFORMAL LAYERS ON SILICON SUBSTRATES - A method for forming a conformal group III/V layer on a silicon substrate and the resulting substrate with the group III/V layers formed thereon. The method includes removing the native oxide from the substrate, positioning a substrate within a processing chamber, heating the substrate to a first temperature, cooling the substrate to a second temperature, flowing a group III precursor into the processing chamber, maintaining the second temperature while flowing a group III precursor and a group V precursor into the processing chamber until a conformal layer is formed, heating the processing chamber to an annealing temperature, while stopping the flow of the group III precursor, and cooling the processing chamber to the second temperature. Deposition of the III/V layer may be made selective through the use of halide gas etching which preferentially etches dielectric regions. | 06-12-2014 |
20140329376 | STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF FORMING METAMORPHIC HETEROEPI MATERIALS AND III-V CHANNEL STRUCTURES ON SI - Embodiments described herein generally relate to a method of fabrication of a device structure comprising Group III-V elements on a substrate. A <111> surface may be formed on a substrate and a Group III-V material may be grown from the <111> surface to form a Group III-V device structure in a trench isolated between a dielectric layer. A final critical dimension of the device structure may be trimmed to achieve a suitably sized node structure. | 11-06-2014 |
20140357057 | STRUCTURE FOR III-V DEVICES ON SILICON - Embodiments described herein relate to a structure for III-V devices on silicon. A Group IV substrate is provided and a III-V structure may be formed thereon. The III-V structure generally comprises one or more buffer layers and a channel layer disposed on the one or more buffer layers. The one or more buffer layers may be selected to provide optimal microelectronic device properties, such as minimal defects, reduced charge accumulation, and reduced current leakage. | 12-04-2014 |
20150047566 | APPARATUS FOR IMPURITY LAYERED EPITAXY - Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an apparatus for processing a semiconductor substrate. The apparatus includes a process chamber having a substrate support for supporting a substrate, a lower dome and an upper dome opposing the lower dome, a plurality of gas injects disposed within a sidewall of the process chamber. The apparatus includes a gas delivery system coupled to the process chamber via the plurality of gas injects, the gas delivery system includes a gas conduit providing one or more chemical species to the plurality of gas injects via a first fluid line, a dopant source providing one or more dopants to the plurality of gas injects via a second fluid line, and a fast switching valve disposed between the second fluid line and the process chamber, wherein the fast switching valve switches flowing of the one or more dopants between the process chamber and an exhaust. | 02-19-2015 |