Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080213496 | Method of coating semiconductor processing apparatus with protective yttrium-containing coatings - Methods of applying specialty ceramic materials to semiconductor processing apparatus, where the specialty ceramic materials are resistant to halogen-comprising plasmas. The specialty ceramic materials contain at least one yttrium oxide-comprising solid solution. Some embodiments of the specialty ceramic materials have been modified to provide a resistivity which reduces the possibility of arcing within a semiconductor processing chamber. | 09-04-2008 |
20080257261 | PLASMA PROCESSING APPARATUS - Embodiments of the present invention relate to plasma processing apparatus and methods of use thereof. In some embodiments, a plasma control magnet assembly includes a plurality of magnets arranged in a predetermined pattern that generate a magnetic field having a strength greater than 10 Gauss in a region proximate the assembly and less than 10 Gauss in a region remote from the assembly. | 10-23-2008 |
20080260966 | PLASMA PROCESSING METHOD - Embodiments of the present invention relate to plasma processing apparatus and methods of use thereof. In some embodiments, a method of controlling a plasma in a process chamber includes providing a chamber for processing a substrate and having a processing volume defined therein wherein a plasma is to be formed during operation, the chamber further having a plasma control magnet assembly comprising a plurality of magnets that provide a magnetic field having a magnitude is greater than about 10 Gauss in an upper region of the processing volume and less than about 10 Gauss in a lower region of the processing volume proximate a substrate to be processed; supplying a process gas to the chamber; and forming a plasma in the processing volume from the process gas. | 10-23-2008 |
20080264564 | Method of reducing the erosion rate of semiconductor processing apparatus exposed to halogen-containing plasmas - A ceramic article useful in semiconductor processing, which is resistant to erosion by halogen-containing plasmas. The ceramic article is formed from a combination of yttrium oxide and zirconium oxide. In a first embodiment, the ceramic article includes ceramic which is formed from yttrium oxide at a molar concentration ranging from about 90 mole % to about 70 mole %, and zirconium oxide at a molar concentration ranging from about 10 mole % to about 30 mole %. In a second embodiment, the ceramic article includes ceramic which is formed from zirconium oxide at a molar concentration ranging from about 96 mole % to about 94 mole %, and yttrium oxide at a molar concentration ranging from about 4 mole % to about 6 mole %. | 10-30-2008 |
20080264565 | Method and apparatus which reduce the erosion rate of surfaces exposed to halogen-containing plasmas - A ceramic article which is resistant to erosion by halogen-containing plasmas used in semiconductor processing. The ceramic article includes ceramic which is multi-phased, typically including two phase to three phases. The ceramic is formed from yttrium oxide at a molar concentration ranging from about 50 mole % to about 75 mole %; zirconium oxide at a molar concentration ranging from about 10 mole % to about 30 mole %; and at least one other component, selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide, hafnium oxide, scandium oxide, neodymium oxide, niobium oxide, samarium oxide, ytterbium oxide, erbium oxide, cerium oxide, and combinations thereof, at a molar concentration ranging from about 10 mole % to about 30 mole %. | 10-30-2008 |
20080283387 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING CONDUCTIVE PIECES DURING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE FABRICATION - In a first aspect, a programmable transfer device is provided for transferring conductive pieces to electrode pads of a target substrate. The programmable transfer device includes (1) a transfer substrate; and (2) a plurality of individually addressable electrodes formed on the transfer substrate. Each electrode is adapted to selectively attract and hold a conductive piece during transfer of the conductive piece to an electrode pad of a target substrate. Numerous other aspects are provided. | 11-20-2008 |
20090025878 | PLASMA REACTOR WITH REDUCED ELECTRICAL SKEW USING ELECTRICAL BYPASS ELEMENTS - RF ground return current flow is diverted away from asymmetrical features of the reactor chamber by providing bypass current flow paths. One bypass current flow path avoids the pumping port in the chamber floor, and comprises a conductive symmetrical grill extending from the side wall to the grounded pedestal base. Another bypass current flow path avoids the wafer slit valve, and comprises an array of conductive straps bridging the section of the sidewall occupied by the slit valve. | 01-29-2009 |
20090025879 | PLASMA REACTOR WITH REDUCED ELECTRICAL SKEW USING A CONDUCTIVE BAFFLE - RF ground return current flow is diverted away from asymmetrical features of the reactor chamber by providing a bypass current flow path. The bypass current flow path avoids the pumping port in the chamber floor and avoids the wafer slit valve, and is provided by a conductive annular baffle grounded to and extending from the wafer pedestal. Current flow below the level of the annular baffle can be blocked by providing one or more insulating rings in the sidewall or by providing a dielectric sidewall. | 01-29-2009 |
20090036292 | Plasma-resistant ceramics with controlled electrical resistivity - Specialty ceramic materials which resist corrosion/erosion under semiconductor processing conditions which employ a corrosive/erosive plasma. The corrosive plasma may be a halogen-containing plasma. The specialty ceramic materials have been modified to provide a controlled electrical resistivity which suppresses plasma arcing potential. | 02-05-2009 |
20090140828 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING CHARACTERISTICS OF A PLASMA - Methods and apparatus for controlling characteristics of a plasma, such as the spatial distribution of RF power and plasma uniformity, are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for controlling characteristics of a plasma includes a resonator for use in conjunction with a plasma reactor, the resonator including a source resonator for receiving an RF signal having a first frequency; a return path resonator disposed substantially coaxially with, and at least partially within, the source resonator; and an outer conductor having the source resonator and the return path resonator disposed substantially coaxially with, and at least partially within, the outer conductor, the outer conductor for providing an RF ground connection. | 06-04-2009 |
20090142247 | Chemical treatment to reduce machining-induced sub-surface damage in semiconductor processing components comprising silicon carbide - Method of removing damaged silicon carbide crystalline structure from the surface of a silicon carbide component. The method comprises at least two liquid chemical treatment processes, where one treatment converts silicon carbide to silicon oxide, and another treatment removes silicon oxide. The liquid chemical treatments are typically carried out at a temperature below about 100° C. The time period required to carry out the method is generally less than about 100 hours. | 06-04-2009 |
20090162647 | Erosion resistant yttrium comprising metal with oxidized coating for plasma chamber components - An article which is resistant to corrosion or erosion by chemically active plasmas and a method of making the article are described. The article is comprised of a metal or metal alloy substrate having on its surface a coating which is an oxide of the metal or metal alloy. The structure of the oxide coating is columnar in nature. The grain size of the crystals which make up the oxide is larger at the surface of the oxide coating than at the interface between the oxide coating and the metal or metal alloy substrate, and wherein the oxide coating is in compression at the interface between the oxide coating and the metal or metal alloy substrate. Typically the metal is selected from the group consisting of yttrium, neodymium, samarium, terbium, dysprosium, erbium, ytterbium, scandium, hafnium, niobium or combinations thereof. | 06-25-2009 |
20090162996 | REMOVAL OF SURFACE DOPANTS FROM A SUBSTRATE - A method and apparatus for removing excess dopant from a doped substrate is provided. In one embodiment, a substrate is doped by surfaced deposition of dopant followed by formation of a capping layer and thermal diffusion drive-in. A reactive etchant mixture is provided to the process chamber, with optional plasma, to etch away the capping layer and form volatile compounds by reacting with excess dopant. In another embodiment, a substrate is doped by energetic implantation of dopant. A reactive gas mixture is provided to the process chamber, with optional plasma, to remove excess dopant adsorbed on the surface and high-concentration dopant near the surface by reacting with the dopant to form volatile compounds. The reactive gas mixture may be provided during thermal treatment, or it may be provided before or after at temperatures different from the thermal treatment temperature. The volatile compounds are removed. Substrates so treated do not form toxic compounds when stored or transported outside process equipment. | 06-25-2009 |
20090188624 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENHANCING FLOW UNIFORMITY IN A PROCESS CHAMBER - Methods and apparatus for processing substrates are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for processing a substrate may include a process chamber having an inner volume and an exhaust system coupled thereto, wherein the exhaust system includes a plurality of first conduits, each first conduit having an inlet adapted to receive exhaust from the inner volume of the process chamber. A pumping plenum is coupled to each of the plurality of first conduits. The pumping plenum has a pumping port adapted to pump the exhaust from the chamber. The conductance between each inlet of the plurality of first conduits and the pumping port is substantially equivalent. | 07-30-2009 |
20090214825 | Ceramic coating comprising yttrium which is resistant to a reducing plasma - Particulate generation has been a problem in semiconductor device processing in highly corrosive plasma environments. The problem is exacerbated when the plasma is a reducing plasma. Empirically produced data has shown that the formation of a plasma spray coated yttrium-comprising ceramic such as yttrium oxide, Y | 08-27-2009 |
20090230089 | ELECTRICAL CONTROL OF PLASMA UNIFORMITY USING EXTERNAL CIRCUIT - A method and apparatus for controlling plasma uniformity is disclosed. When etching a substrate, a non-uniform plasma may lead to uneven etching of the substrate. Impedance circuits may alleviate the uneven plasma to permit more uniform etching. The impedance circuits may be disposed between the chamber wall and ground, the showerhead and ground, and the cathode can and ground. The impedance circuits may comprise one or more of an inductor and a capacitor. The inductance of the inductor and the capacitance of the capacitor may be predetermined to ensure the plasma is uniform. Additionally, the inductance and capacitance may be adjusted during processing or between processing steps to suit the needs of the particular process. | 09-17-2009 |
20090257927 | FOLDED COAXIAL RESONATORS - A method for constructing a distributed element coaxial resonator includes folding a coaxial resonator to provide a structure having a decreased physical length compared to its electrical length. In various embodiments, the resonator is tuned to affect a standing wave when excited by a signal of a specific wavelength. The coaxial resonator includes inner, middle and outer conductor sections, wherein the characteristic impedance is maintained throughout the resonator. | 10-15-2009 |
20090294061 | PLASMA REACTOR WITH PLASMA LOAD IMPEDANCE TUNING FOR ENGINEERED TRANSIENTS BY SYNCHRONIZED MODULATION OF AN UNMATCHED LOW POWER RF GENERATOR - A plasma reactor for processing a workpiece such as a semiconductor wafer using predetermined transients of plasma bias power or plasma source power has unmatched low power RF generators synchronized to the transients to minimize transient-induced changes in plasma characteristics. | 12-03-2009 |
20090294062 | PLASMA REACTOR WITH PLASMA LOAD IMPEDANCE TUNING FOR ENGINEERED TRANSIENTS BY SYNCHRONIZED MODULATION OF A SOURCE POWER OR BIAS POWER RF GENERATOR - In a plasma reactor employing source and bias RF power generators, plasma is stabilized against an engineered transient in the output of either the source or bias power generator by a compensating modulation in the other generator. | 12-03-2009 |
20090294275 | METHOD OF PLASMA LOAD IMPEDANCE TUNING BY MODULATION OF A SOURCE POWER OR BIAS POWER RF GENERATOR - A method of processing a workpiece in a plasma reactor chamber in which plasma RF source and bias power is delivered into the chamber, by sensing fluctuations in a plasma parameter such as load impedance or reflected power at one of the generators, and modulating the output of the other generator to minimize the fluctuation. | 12-03-2009 |
20090294414 | METHOD OF PLASMA LOAD IMPEDANCE TUNING FOR ENGINEERED TRANSIENTS BY SYNCHRONIZED MODULATION OF A SOURCE POWER OR BIAS POWER RF GERERATOR - A method processing a workpiece in a plasma reactor chamber in which a first one of plural applied RF plasma powers is modulated in accordance with a time-varying modulation control signal corresponding to a desired process transient cycle. The method achieves a reduction in reflected power by modulating a second one of the plural plasma powers in response to the time-varying modulation control signal. | 12-03-2009 |
20090295295 | PLASMA REACTOR WITH HIGH SPEED PLASMA LOAD IMPEDANCE TUNING BY MODULATION OF DIFFERENT UNMATCHED FREQUENCY SOURCES - Fluctuations in a plasma characteristic such as load impedance are compensated by a controller that modulates a stabilization RF generator coupled to the plasma having a frequency suitable for stabilizing the plasma characteristic, the controller being responsive to the fluctuations in the plasma characteristic. | 12-03-2009 |
20090295296 | METHOD OF PLASMA LOAD IMPEDANCE TUNING BY MODULATION OF AN UNMATCHED LOW POWER RF GENERATOR - A workpiece is processed in a plasma reactor chamber using stabilization RF power delivered into the chamber, by determining changes in load impedance from RF parameters sensed at an RF source or bias power generator and resolving the changes in load impedance into first and second components thereof, and changing the power level of the stabilization RF power as a function one of the components of changes in load impedance. | 12-03-2009 |
20090297404 | PLASMA REACTOR WITH HIGH SPEED PLASMA IMPEDANCE TUNING BY MODULATION OF SOURCE POWER OR BIAS POWER - A plasma reactor, having source and bias RF power generators of different frequencies, is provided with a controller responsive to fluctuations in plasma load impedance measured at one of the generators to modulate the output of the other generator to compensate for the fluctuations. | 12-03-2009 |
20090298287 | METHOD OF PLASMA LOAD IMPEDANCE TUNING FOR ENGINEERED TRANSIENTS BY SYNCHRONIZED MODULATION OF AN UNMATCHED LOW POWER RF GENERATOR - A method is provided in plasma processing of a workpiece for stabilizing the plasma against engineered transients in applied RF power, by modulating an unmatched low power RF generator in synchronism with the transient. | 12-03-2009 |
20100018648 | WORKPIECE SUPPORT FOR A PLASMA REACTOR WITH CONTROLLED APPORTIONMENT OF RF POWER TO A PROCESS KIT RING - In an electrostatic chuck, RF bias power is separately applied to a workpiece and to a process kit collar surrounding the workpiece. At least one variable impedance element governed by a system controller adjusts the apportionment of RF bias power between the workpiece and the process kit collar, allowing dynamic adjustment of the plasma sheath electric field at the extreme edge of the workpiece, for optimum electric field uniformity under varying plasma conditions, for example. | 01-28-2010 |
20100119844 | Corrosion-resistant bonding agents for bonding ceramic components which are exposed to plasmas - Embodiments of the invention relate to component structures which are useful as apparatus in plasma processing chambers. Portions of the component structures are bonded together using oxyfluoride-comprising glazes, glass ceramics, and combinations thereof. The bonding material is resistant to halogen-containing plasmas and exhibits desirable mechanical properties. | 05-13-2010 |
20100129670 | Protective coatings resistant to reactive plasma processing - Embodiments of the invention relate to compositions of metal oxyfluoride-comprising glazes or metal fluoride-comprising glazes, glass ceramics, and combinations thereof which are useful as plasma-resistant solid substrates or plasma resistant protective coatings over other substrates. Also described are methods of fabricating various structures which incorporate such compositions, including solid substrates and coatings over the surface of a substrate which has a melting point which is higher than about 1600° C., such as aluminum oxide, aluminum nitride, quartz, silicon carbide, silicon nitride. | 05-27-2010 |
20100136793 | EFFICIENT AND ACCURATE METHOD FOR REAL-TIME PREDICTION OF THE SELF-BIAS VOLTAGE OF A WAFER AND FEEDBACK CONTROL OF ESC VOLTAGE IN PLASMA PROCESSING CHAMBER - In a plasma reactor having an electrostatic chuck, wafer voltage may be determined from RF measurements at the bias input using previously determined constants based upon transmission line properties of the bias input, and this wafer voltage may be used to accurately control the DC wafer clamping voltage. | 06-03-2010 |
20100160143 | Semiconductor processing apparatus comprising a solid solution ceramic of yttrium oxide and zirconium oxide - A solid solution-comprising ceramic article useful in semiconductor processing, which is resistant to erosion by halogen-containing plasmas. The solid solution-comprising ceramic article is formed from a combination of yttrium oxide and zirconium oxide. In a first embodiment, the ceramic article includes ceramic which is formed from yttrium oxide at a molar concentration ranging from about 90 mole % to about 70 mole %, and zirconium oxide at a molar concentration ranging from about 10 mole % to about 30 mole %. In a second embodiment, the ceramic article includes ceramic which is formed from zirconium oxide at a molar concentration ranging from about 96 mole % to about 94 mole %, and yttrium oxide at a molar concentration ranging from about 4 mole % to about 6 mole %. | 06-24-2010 |
20100248488 | PULSED PLASMA HIGH ASPECT RATIO DIELECTRIC PROCESS - Radial distribution of etch rate is controlled by controlling the respective duty cycles of pulsed VHF source power applied to the ceiling and pulsed HF or MF bias power on the workpiece. Net average electrical charging of the workpiece is controlled by providing an electronegative process gas and controlling the voltage of a positive DC pulse on the workpiece applied during pulse off times of the pulsed VHF source power. | 09-30-2010 |
20110023780 | APPARATUS FOR VHF IMPEDANCE MATCH TUNING - Embodiments of impedance matching networks are provided herein. In some embodiments, an impedance matching network may include a coaxial resonator having an inner and an outer conductor. A tuning capacitor may be provided for variably controlling a resonance frequency of the coaxial resonator. The tuning capacitor may be formed by a first tuning electrode and a second tuning electrode and an intervening dielectric, wherein the first tuning electrode is formed by a portion of the inner conductor. A load capacitor may be provided for variably coupling energy from the inner conductor to a load. The load capacitor may be formed by the inner conductor, an adjustable load electrode, and an intervening dielectric. | 02-03-2011 |
20110048644 | PLASMA REACTOR WITH TILTABLE OVERHEAD RF INDUCTIVE SOURCE - Correction of skew in plasma etch rate distribution is performed by tilting the overhead RF source power applicator about a tilt axis whose angle is determined from skew in processing data. Complete freedom of movement is provided by incorporating exactly three axial motion servos supporting a floating plate from which the overhead RF source power applicator is suspended. | 03-03-2011 |
20110094683 | RF FEED STRUCTURE FOR PLASMA PROCESSING - Apparatus for plasma processing are provided. In some embodiments, an RF feed structure includes a first RF feed to couple RF power to a plurality of symmetrically arranged stacked first RF coil elements; a second RF feed coaxially disposed about the first RF feed and electrically insulated therefrom, the second RF feed to couple RF power to a plurality of symmetrically arranged stacked second RF coil elements coaxially disposed with respect to the first RF coil elements. In some embodiments, a plasma processing apparatus includes a first RF coil; a second RF coil coaxially disposed with respect to the first RF coil; a first RF feed coupled to the first RF coil to provide RF power thereto; and a second RF feed coaxially disposed with respect to the first RF feed and electrically insulated therefrom, the second RF feed coupled to the second RF coil to provide RF power thereto. | 04-28-2011 |
20110097901 | DUAL MODE INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA REACTOR WITH ADJUSTABLE PHASE COIL ASSEMBLY - Embodiments of dual mode inductively coupled plasma reactors and methods of use of same are provided herein. In some embodiments, a dual mode inductively coupled plasma processing system may include a process chamber having a dielectric lid and a plasma source assembly disposed above the dielectric lid. The plasma source assembly includes a plurality of coils configured to inductively couple RF energy into the process chamber to form and maintain a plasma therein, a phase controller for adjusting the relative phase of the RF current applied to each coil in the plurality of coils, and an RF generator coupled to the phase controller and the plurality of coils. | 04-28-2011 |
20110151590 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LOW-K DIELECTRIC REPAIR - A method, a system and a computer readable medium for integrated in-vacuo repair of low-k dielectric thin films damaged by etch and/or strip processing. A repair chamber is integrated onto a same platform as a plasma etch and/or strip chamber to repair a low-k dielectric thin film without breaking vacuum between the damage event and the repair event. UV radiation may be provided on the integrated etch/repair platform in any combination of before, after, or during the low-k repair treatment to increase efficacy of the repair treatment and/or stability of repair. | 06-23-2011 |
20110256691 | REMOVAL OF SURFACE DOPANTS FROM A SUBSTRATE - A method and apparatus for removing excess dopant from a doped substrate is provided. In one embodiment, a substrate is doped by surfaced deposition of dopant followed by formation of a capping layer and thermal diffusion drive-in. A reactive etchant mixture is provided to the process chamber, with optional plasma, to etch away the capping layer and form volatile compounds by reacting with excess dopant. In another embodiment, a substrate is doped by energetic implantation of dopant. A reactive gas mixture is provided to the process chamber, with optional plasma, to remove excess dopant adsorbed on the surface and high-concentration dopant near the surface by reacting with the dopant to form volatile compounds. The reactive gas mixture may be provided during thermal treatment, or it may be provided before or after at temperatures different from the thermal treatment temperature. The volatile compounds are removed. Substrates so treated do not form toxic compounds when stored or transported outside process equipment. | 10-20-2011 |
20110265814 | METHODS FOR PROCESSING SUBSTRATES IN PROCESS SYSTEMS HAVING SHARED RESOURCES - Methods for processing substrates in twin chamber processing systems having first and second process chambers and shared processing resources are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method may include flowing a process gas from a shared gas panel to a processing volume of the first process chamber and to a processing volume of the second process chamber; forming a first plasma in the first processing volume to process the first substrate and a second plasma to process the second substrate; monitoring the first processing volume and the second processing volume to determine if a process endpoint is reached in either volume; and either terminating the first and second plasma simultaneously when a first endpoint is reached; or terminating the first plasma when a first endpoint is reached in the first processing volume while continuing to provide the second plasma in the second processing volume until a second endpoint is reached. | 11-03-2011 |
20110266256 | METHODS FOR PROCESSING SUBSTRATES IN PROCESS SYSTEMS HAVING SHARED RESOURCES - Methods for processing substrates in twin chamber processing systems having first and second process chambers and shared processing resources are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method may include providing a substrate to the first process chamber of the twin chamber processing system, wherein the first process chamber has a first processing volume that is independent from a second processing volume of the second process chamber; providing one or more processing resources from the shared processing resources to only the first processing volume of the first process chamber; and performing a process on the substrate in the first process chamber. | 11-03-2011 |
20120018402 | PLASMA PROCESSING APPARATUS AND LINER ASSEMBLY FOR TUNING ELECTRICAL SKEWS - The invention discloses a plasma processing apparatus comprising a chamber lid, a chamber body and a support assembly. The chamber body, defining a processing volume for containing a plasma, for supporting the chamber lid. The chamber body is comprised of a chamber sidewall, a bottom wall and a liner assembly. The chamber sidewall and the bottom wall define a processing volume for containing a plasma. The liner assembly, disposed inside the processing volume, comprises of two or more slots formed thereon for providing an axial symmetric RF current path. The support assembly supports a substrate for processing within the chamber body. With the liner assembly with several symmetric slots, the present invention can prevent electromagnetic fields thereof from being azimuthal asymmetry. | 01-26-2012 |
20120034136 | SYMMETRIC VHF PLASMA POWER COUPLER WITH ACTIVE UNIFORMITY STEERING - A coaxial VHF power coupler includes conductive element inside a hollow cylindrical outer conductor of the power coupler and surrounding an axial section of a hollow cylindrical inner conductor of the power coupler. Respective plural motor drives contacting the hollow cylindrical outer conductor are connected to respective locations of the movable conductive element. | 02-09-2012 |
20120034469 | Semiconductor processing apparatus comprising a coating formed from a solid solution of yttrium oxide and zirconium oxide - A ceramic article useful in semiconductor processing, which is resistant to erosion by halogen-containing plasmas. The ceramic article is formed from a combination of yttrium oxide and zirconium oxide. In a first embodiment, the ceramic article includes ceramic which is formed from yttrium oxide at a molar concentration ranging from about 90 mole % to about 70 mole %, and zirconium oxide at a molar concentration ranging from about 10 mole % to about 30 mole %. In a second embodiment, the ceramic article includes ceramic which is formed from zirconium oxide at a molar concentration ranging from about 96 mole % to about 94 mole %, and yttrium oxide at a molar concentration ranging from about 4 mole % to about 6 mole %. | 02-09-2012 |
20120043023 | SYMMETRIC VHF SOURCE FOR A PLASMA REACTOR - The disclosure pertains to a capactively coupled plasma source in which VHF power is applied through an impedance-matching coaxial resonator having a folded structure and symmetrical power distribution. | 02-23-2012 |
20120069174 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ANALYZING THERMAL PROPERTIES OF COMPOSITE STRUCTURES - Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatus for analyzing thermal properties of bonding materials within a composite structure. One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for analyzing thermal property of a bonding material within a structure. The apparatus comprises a structure support having a supporting surface configured to support the structure, a heat source configured to direct a heat flux to the structure supported by the supporting surface of the structure support, and a camera facing the structure supported on the structure support and configured to capture thermal images of the structure supported on the structure support. | 03-22-2012 |
20120125488 | Method of producing a plasma-resistant thermal oxide coating - A method of creating a plasma-resistant thermal oxide coating on a surface of an article, where the article is comprised of a metal or metal alloy which is typically selected from the group consisting of yttrium, neodymium, samarium, terbium, dysprosium, erbium, ytterbium, scandium, hafnium, niobium or combinations thereof. The oxide coating is formed using a time-temperature profile which includes an initial rapid heating rage, followed by a gradual decrease in heating rate, to produce an oxide coating structure which is columnar in nature. The grain size of the crystals which make up the oxide coating is larger at the surface of the oxide coating than at the interface between the oxide coating and the metal or metal alloy substrate, and the oxide coating is in compression at the interface between the oxide coating and the metal or metal alloy substrate. | 05-24-2012 |
20120199071 | PLASMA IMMERSION CHAMBER - Embodiments described herein relate to a plasma chamber and processing system utilizing robust components. In one embodiment, a chamber is provided. The chamber includes a body having an interior volume, a gas distribution assembly disposed in the interior volume opposing a substrate support, the gas distribution assembly having a coolant channel disposed thereon, and a first hollow conduit and a second hollow conduit coupled to the body and in fluid communication with the interior volume. | 08-09-2012 |
20130008604 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENHANCING FLOW UNIFORMITY IN A PROCESS CHAMBER - Methods and apparatus for processing substrates are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for processing a substrate may include a process chamber having an inner volume and an exhaust system coupled thereto, wherein the exhaust system includes a plurality of first conduits, each first conduit having an inlet adapted to receive exhaust from the inner volume of the process chamber. A pumping plenum is coupled to each of the plurality of first conduits. The pumping plenum has a pumping port adapted to pump the exhaust from the chamber. The conductance between each inlet of the plurality of first conduits and the pumping port is substantially equivalent. | 01-10-2013 |
20130022838 | Method of reducing plasma arcing on surfaces of semiconductor processing apparatus components in a plasma processing chamber - Specialty ceramic materials which resist corrosion/erosion under semiconductor processing conditions which employ a corrosive/erosive plasma. The corrosive plasma may be a halogen-containing plasma. The specialty ceramic materials have been modified to provide a controlled electrical resistivity which suppresses plasma arcing potential. | 01-24-2013 |
20130087286 | SYMMETRIC PLASMA PROCESS CHAMBER - Embodiments of the present invention provide a plasma chamber design that allows extremely symmetrical electrical, thermal, and gas flow conductance through the chamber. By providing such symmetry, plasma formed within the chamber naturally has improved uniformity across the surface of a substrate disposed in a processing region of the chamber. Further, other chamber additions, such as providing the ability to manipulate the gap between upper and lower electrodes as well as between a gas inlet and a substrate being processed, allows better control of plasma processing and uniformity as compared to conventional systems. | 04-11-2013 |
20130098551 | ELECTRON BEAM PLASMA SOURCE WITH ARRAYED PLASMA SOURCES FOR UNIFORM PLASMA GENERATION - A plasma reactor that generates plasma in workpiece processing chamber by a electron beam, has an electron beam source chamber and an array of plasma sources facing the electron beam source chamber for affecting plasma electron density in different portions of the processing chamber. In another embodiment, an array of separately controlled electron beam source chambers is provided. | 04-25-2013 |
20130098552 | E-BEAM PLASMA SOURCE WITH PROFILED E-BEAM EXTRACTION GRID FOR UNIFORM PLASMA GENERATION - A plasma, reactor that relies on an electron beam as a plasma source employs a profiled electron beam extraction grid in an electron beam source to improve uniformity. | 04-25-2013 |
20130098553 | ELECTRON BEAM PLASMA SOURCE WITH PROFILED CHAMBER WALL FOR UNIFORM PLASMA GENERATION - A plasma reactor that generates plasma in a workplace processing chamber by an electron beam, has an electron beam source chamber with a wall opposite to the electron beam propagation direction, the wall being profiled to compensate for a non-uniformity in electron beam density distribution. | 04-25-2013 |
20130098872 | SWITCHED ELECTRON BEAM PLASMA SOURCE ARRAY FOR UNIFORM PLASMA PRODUCTION - An array of electron beam sources surrounding a processing region of a plasma reactor is periodically switched to change electron beam propagation direction and remove or reduce non-uniformities. | 04-25-2013 |
20130098873 | OVERHEAD ELECTRON BEAM SOURCE FOR PLASMA ION GENERATION IN A WORKPIECE PROCESSING REGION - A plasma reactor has a main chamber for processing a workpiece in a processing region bounded between an overhead ceiling and a workpiece support surface, the reactor having an overhead electron beam source that produces an electron beam flowing into the processing region through the ceiling of the main chamber. | 04-25-2013 |
20130098882 | ELECTRON BEAM PLASMA SOURCE WITH SEGMENTED BEAM DUMP FOR UNIFORM PLASMA GENERATION - A plasma reactor that generates plasma in a workpiece processing chamber by an electron beam, has an electron beam source and segmented beam dump that is profiled to promote uniformity in the electron beam-produced plasma. | 04-25-2013 |
20130098883 | ELECTRON BEAM PLASMA SOURCE WITH PROFILED MAGNET SHIELD FOR UNIFORM PLASMA GENERATION - A plasma reactor employs an e-beam source to generate plasma, and the e-beam source has a configurable magnetic shield. | 04-25-2013 |
20130206594 | PLASMA REACTOR WITH TILTABLE OVERHEAD RF INDUCTIVE SOURCE - Correction of skew in plasma etch rate distribution is performed by tilting the overhead RF source power applicator about a tilt axis whose angle is determined from skew in processing data. Complete freedom of movement is provided by incorporating exactly three axial motion servos supporting a floating plate from which the overhead RF source power applicator is suspended. | 08-15-2013 |
20130224498 | Semiconductor processing apparatus comprising a solid solution ceramic formed from yttrium oxide, zirconium oxide, and aluminum oxide - A solid solution-comprising ceramic article useful in semiconductor processing, which is resistant to erosion by halogen-containing plasmas. The solid solution-comprising ceramic article is formed from a combination of yttrium oxide, zirconium oxide, and aluminum oxide. In a first embodiment, the solid solution-comprising ceramic article is a solid, sintered body of the solid solution ceramic material. In a second embodiment, the solid solution-comprising article comprises a substrate underlying a solid solution-comprising coating. | 08-29-2013 |
20130277333 | PLASMA PROCESSING USING RF RETURN PATH VARIABLE IMPEDANCE CONTROLLER WITH TWO-DIMENSIONAL TUNING SPACE - In a plasma reactor having a driven electrode and a counter electrode, an impedance controller connected between the counter electrode and ground includes both series sand parallel variable impedance elements that facilitate two-dimensional movement of a ground path input impedance in a complex impedance space to control spatial distribution of a plasma process parameter. | 10-24-2013 |
20130278141 | THREE-COIL INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA SOURCE WITH INDIVIDUALLY CONTROLLED COIL CURRENTS FROM A SINGLE RF POWER GENERATOR - An inductively coupled plasma reactor has three concentric RF coil antennas and a current divider circuit individually controlling currents in each of the three coil antennas by varying only two reactive elements in the current divider circuit. | 10-24-2013 |
20130278142 | THREE-COIL INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA SOURCE WITH INDIVIDUALLY CONTROLLED COIL CURRENTS FROM A SINGLE RF POWER GENERATOR - An inductively coupled plasma reactor has three concentric coil antennas and a current divider circuit individually controlling currents in each of the three coil antennas by varying two variable impedance elements in the current divider circuit in response to a desired current apportionment among the coil antennas received from a user interface. | 10-24-2013 |
20130284369 | TWO-PHASE OPERATION OF PLASMA CHAMBER BY PHASE LOCKED LOOP - Plasma distribution is controlled in a plasma reactor by controlling the phase difference between opposing RF electrodes, in accordance with a desired or user-selected phase difference, by a phase-lock feedback control loop. | 10-31-2013 |
20130284370 | INDEPENDENT CONTROL OF RF PHASES OF SEPARATE COILS OF AN INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA REACTOR - Plasma distribution is controlled in a plasma reactor by controlling the phase differences between different RF coil antennas, in accordance with a desired or user-selected phase difference, by a phase-lock feedback control loop. | 10-31-2013 |
20140020835 | SYMMETRICAL INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA SOURCE WITH SYMMETRICAL FLOW CHAMBER - A plasma reactor has an overhead multiple coil inductive plasma source with symmetric RF feeds and a symmetrical chamber exhaust with plural struts through the exhaust region providing access to a confined workplace support. A grid may be included for masking spatial effects of the struts from the processing region. | 01-23-2014 |
20140020836 | INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA SOURCE WITH PLURAL TOP COILS OVER A CEILING AND AN INDEPENDENT SIDE COIL - A plasma reactor for processing a workplace includes a reactor chamber having a ceiling and a sidewali and a workplace support facing the ceiling and defining a processing region, and a pair of concentric independently excited RF coil antennas overlying the ceiling and a side RF coil concentric with the side wall and facing the side wall below the ceiling, and being excited independently. | 01-23-2014 |
20140020837 | INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA SOURCE WITH MULTIPLE DIELECTRIC WINDOWS AND WINDOW-SUPPORTING STRUCTURE - A plasma reactor enclosure has a metallic portion and a dielectric portion of plural dielectric windows supported on the metallic portion, each of the dielectric windows extending around an axis of symmetry. Plural concentric coil antennas are disposed on an external side of the enclosure, respective ones of the coil antennas facing respective ones of the dielectric windows. | 01-23-2014 |
20140020838 | SYMMETRICAL INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA SOURCE WITH COAXIAL RF FEED AND COAXIAL SHIELDING - A plasma reactor has an overhead multiple coil inductive plasma source with symmetric RF feeds and symmetrical RF shielding around the symmetric RF feeds. | 01-23-2014 |
20140020839 | INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA SOURCE WITH SYMMETRICAL RF FEED - A plasma reactor has an overhead multiple coil inductive plasma source with RF feeds arranged in equilateral symmetry. | 01-23-2014 |
20140034239 | DIFFERENTIAL COUNTER ELECTRODE TUNING IN A PLASMA REACTOR WITH AN RF-DRIVEN WORKPIECE SUPPORT ELECTRODE - A plasma reactor includes an RF-driven wafer support electrode underlying a process zone and two (or more) counter electrodes overlying the process zone and facing different portions of the process zones, two (or more) variable reactances connected between respective ones of the counter electrodes and ground, and a controller governing the variable reactances to control distribution of a plasma parameter such as plasma ion density or ion energy. | 02-06-2014 |
20140034612 | METHOD OF DIFFERENTIAL COUNTER ELECTRODE TUNING IN AN RF PLASMA REACTOR - A method of controlling distribution of a plasma parameter in a plasma reactor having an RF-driven electrode and two (or more) counter electrodes opposite the RF driven electrode and facing different portions of the process zones. The method includes providing two (or more) variable reactances connected between respective ones of the counter electrodes and ground, and governing the variable reactances to change distribution of a plasma parameter such as plasma ion density or ion energy. | 02-06-2014 |
20140035458 | PLASMA REACTOR WITH ELECTRON BEAM PLASMA SOURCE HAVING A UNIFORM MAGNETIC FIELD - Electron beam-confining electromagnets of an electron beam generator are aligned with an electron beam axis, each of the electromagnets being folded to define a main section and a pair of angled wing sections disposed at respective angles relative to said main section, and a conductor wound around the edge. | 02-06-2014 |
20140069584 | DIFFERENTIAL COUNTER ELECTRODE TUNING IN A PLASMA REACTOR WITH AN RF-DRIVEN CEILING ELECTRODE - A plasma reactor includes an RF-driven ceiling electrode overlying a process zone and two (or more) counter electrodes underlying the process zone and facing different portions of the process zones, two (or more) variable reactances connected between respective ones of the counter electrodes and ground, and a controller governing the variable reactances to control distribution of a plasma parameter such as plasma ion density or ion energy. | 03-13-2014 |
20140232263 | SYMMETRICAL INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA SOURCE WITH SIDE RF FEEDS AND SPIRAL COIL ANTENNA - A plasma reactor has an overhead multiple coil antennas including a parallel spiral coil antenna and symmetric and radial RF feeds and cylindrical RF shielding around the symmetric and radial RF feeds. The radial RF feeds are symmetrically fed to the plasma source. | 08-21-2014 |
20140262032 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING A VARIABLE CLOCK USED TO CONTROL A COMPONENT OF A SUBSTRATE PROCESSING SYSTEM - Methods and apparatus for generating a variable clock used to control a component of a substrate processing system are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for controlling a substrate processing system includes: a phase locked loop circuit for generating a relative clock that is phase locked to a variable frequency signal being used by a substrate processing chamber; and a controller, coupled to the phase locked loop circuit, for producing a control signal for a component of the substrate processing system, wherein the control signal is based upon the relative clock and an operating indicia of the substrate processing system. | 09-18-2014 |
20140265832 | MULTIPLE COIL INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA SOURCE WITH OFFSET FREQUENCIES AND DOUBLE-WALLED SHIELDING - A plasma reactor has an overhead multiple coil antennas including a parallel spiral coil antenna and symmetric and radial RF feeds and cylindrical RF shielding around the symmetric and radial RF feeds. The radial RF feeds are symmetrically fed to the plasma source. | 09-18-2014 |
20140265855 | ELECTRON BEAM PLASMA SOURCE WITH SEGMENTED SUPPRESSION ELECTRODE FOR UNIFORM PLASMA GENERATION - A plasma reactor that generates plasma in a workpiece processing chamber by an electron beam, has an electron beam source and segmented suppression electrode with individually biased segments to control electron beam density distribution. | 09-18-2014 |
20140265910 | DIGITAL PHASE CONTROLLER FOR TWO-PHASE OPERATION OF A PLASMA REACTOR - Phase angle between opposing electrodes in a plasma reactor is controlled in accordance with a user selected phase angle. Direct digital synthesis of RF waveforms of different phases for the different electrodes is employed. The synthesis is synchronized with a reference clock. The address generator employed for direct digital synthesis is synchronized with an output clock signal that is generated in phase with the reference clock using a phase lock loop. The phase lock loop operates only during a limited initialization period. | 09-18-2014 |
20140272211 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING PARTICLES IN SEMICONDUCTOR PROCESS CHAMBERS - Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide various apparatus and methods for reducing particles in a semiconductor processing chamber. One embodiment of present disclosure provides a vacuum screen assembly disposed over a vacuum port to prevent particles generated by the vacuum pump from entering substrate processing regions. Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a perforated chamber liner around a processing region of the substrate. Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a gas distributing chamber liner for distributing a cleaning gas around the substrate support under the substrate supporting surface. | 09-18-2014 |
20140312766 | SYMMETRICAL PLURAL-COIL PLASMA SOURCE WITH SIDE RF FEEDS AND RF DISTRIBUTION PLATES - A plasma reactor has an overhead inductively coupled plasma source with two coil antennas and symmetric and radial RF feeds and cylindrical RF shielding around the symmetric and radial RF feeds. The radial RF feeds are symmetrically fed to the plasma source. | 10-23-2014 |
20140338835 | ELECTRON BEAM PLASMA SOURCE WITH REDUCED METAL CONTAMINATION - In a plasma reactor for processing a workpiece, an electron beam is employed as the plasma source, and sputtered metal atoms are removed from the electron beam to reduce contamination. | 11-20-2014 |
20140339980 | ELECTRON BEAM PLASMA SOURCE WITH REMOTE RADICAL SOURCE - In a plasma reactor for processing a workpiece, an electron beam is employed as the plasma source, and a remote radical source is incorporated with the process chamber. | 11-20-2014 |
20140356768 | CHARGED BEAM PLASMA APPARATUS FOR PHOTOMASK MANUFACTURE APPLICATIONS - Embodiments of the present invention generally provide an apparatus and methods for etching photomasks using charged beam plasma. In one embodiment, an apparatus for performing a charged beam plasma process on a photomask includes a processing chamber having a chamber bottom, a chamber ceiling and chamber sidewalls defining an interior volume, a substrate support pedestal disposed in the interior volume, a charged beam generation system disposed adjacent to the chamber sidewall, and a RF bias electrode disposed in the substrate support. | 12-04-2014 |
20150048739 | Elongated Capacitively Coupled Plasma Source For High Temperature Low Pressure Environments - A modular plasma source assembly for use with a processing chamber is described. The assembly includes an RF hot electrode with an end dielectric and a sliding ground connection positioned adjacent the sides of the electrode. A seal foil connects the sliding ground connection to the housing to provide a grounded sliding ground connection separated from the hot electrode by the end dielectric. A coaxial feed line passes through a conduit into the RF hot electrode isolated from the processing environment so that the coaxial RF feed line is at atmospheric pressure while the plasma processing region is at reduced pressure. | 02-19-2015 |
20150075716 | SPATIALLY DISCRETE MULTI-LOOP RF-DRIVEN PLASMA SOURCE HAVING PLURAL INDEPENDENT ZONES - An RF plasma source has a resonator with its shorted end joined to the processing chamber ceiling and inductively coupled to two arrays of radial toroidal channels in the ceiling, the resonator having two radial zones and the two arrays of toroidal channels lying in respective ones of the radial zones. | 03-19-2015 |
20150075717 | INDUCTIVELY COUPLED SPATIALLY DISCRETE MULTI-LOOP RF-DRIVEN PLASMA SOURCE - An RF plasma source has a resonator with its shorted end joined to the processing chamber ceiling and inductively coupled to an array of radial toroidal channels in the ceiling. | 03-19-2015 |
20150075719 | SYMMETRIC VHF SOURCE FOR A PLASMA REACTOR - The disclosure pertains to a capacitively coupled plasma source in which VHF power is applied through an impedance-matching coaxial resonator having a symmetrical power distribution. | 03-19-2015 |