Genus, Inc.

Other

Advanced Micro Devices Corporation

Genvs, Inc.

Carl J Galewski

Thomas E Seidel

Ofer Sneh

Kenneth Brian Doering

Sergey D Lopatin

Prasad N Gadgil

Takeshi T N Nogami

Hector Velasco

Lawrence D Matthysse

Claude A Sands

A method and apparatus for performing atomic layer deposition in which a surface of a substrate is pretreated to make the surface of the substrate reactive for performing atomic layer deposition.

Apparatus and method to achieve continuous interface and ultrathin film during atomic layer deposition

A processing station adaptable to standard cluster tools has a vertically-translatable pedestal having an upper wafer-support surface including a heater plate adapted to be plugged into a unique feedthrough in the pedestal. At a lower position for the pedestal wafers may be transferred to and from the processing station, and at an upper position for the pedestal the pedestal forms an annular pumping passage with a lower circular opening in a processing chamber. A removable, replaceable ring at the lower opening of the processing chamber allows process pumping speed to be tailored for different processes by replacing the ring. In some embodiments the pedestal also has a surrounding shroud defining an annular pumping passage around the pedestal. A unique two-zone heater plate is adapted to the top of the pedestal, and connects to a unique feedthrough allowing heater plates to be quickly and simply replaced. In some embodiments the top of the processing chamber is removable allowing users to remove either pedestals or heater assemblies. Or both, through the open top of a processing station. In preferred embodiments the system is adapted to atomic layer deposition processing.

Processing chamber for atomic layer deposition processes

Improvements to chemical vapor deposition processes are taught for depositing tungsten nitride in semiconductor manufacturing processes. In one irmproved process NF is used as a source of nitrogen, and a plasma is introduced under controlled conditions to control particle formation and lower the temperature at which acceptable films may be produced. In another set of processes substantially pure tungsten is produced by rapid thermal annealing of substantially amorphous tungsten nitride at temperatures lower than achieved in the art, by using hydrogen in the ambient atmosphere. In yet another set of new processes particle formation and step coverage enhancement when using NH as a nitrogen source is controlled by limiting the pressure at which source gases mix, by unique wall coating technique, and by controlling chamber wall temperature. In still another set of unique processes a graded film on oxide, starting with tungsten silicide quickly grading to tungsten nitride is produced by introducing silane in the NH chemistry under controlled conditions.

PECVD and CVD processes for WNx deposition

A new method and apparatus for avoiding contamination of films deposited in layered depositions, such as Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) and other sequential chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes, is taught, wherein CVD-deposited contamination of ALD films is prevented by use of a pre-reaction chamber that effectively causes otherwise-contaminating gaseous constituents to deposit on wall elements of gas-delivery apparatus prior to entering the ALD chamber.

Apparatus and concept for minimizing parasitic chemical vapor deposition during atomic layer deposition

A method for fabricating a semiconductor interconnect structure having a substrate with an interconnect structure patterned therein, a barrier layer, a pre-seed layer, a seed layer, a bulk interconnect layer, and a sealing layer, and a device thereby formed. The barrier layer is formed using atomic layer deposition techniques. Subsequently, a pre-seed layer is formed to create a heteroepitaxial interface between the barrier and pre-seed layers. This is accomplished using atomic layer epitaxy techniques to form the pre-seed layer. Thereafter, a seed layer is formed by standard deposition techniques to create a homoepitaxial interface between the seed and pre-seed layers. Upon this layered structure further bulk deposition of conducting materials is done. Excess material is removed from the bulk layer and a sealing layer is formed on top to complete the interconnect structure.

Method of copper interconnect formation using atomic layer copper deposition and a device thereby formed

A semiconductor and manufacturing method is provided for device interconnects with a catalytic layer of copper, palladium, nickel, cobalt, silver, or other catalytic material deposited in a atomic layer by atomic layer epitaxy on a barrier layer of tantalum, titanium, tungsten, their nitrides, or a compound thereof between the barrier layer and an electroless seed layer on which conductive channel and via material is deposited.

Semiconductor catalytic layer and atomic layer deposition thereof

A semiconductor interconnect structure having a substrate with an interconnect structure patterned thereon, a barrier layer, a pre-seed layer, a seed layer, a bulk interconnect layer, and a sealing layer. A process for creating such structures is described. The barrier layer is formed using atomic layer deposition techniques. Subsequently, a pre-seed layer is formed to create a heteroepitaxial interface between the barrier and pre-seed layers. This is accomplished using atomic layer epitaxy techniques to form the pre-seed layer. Thereafter, a seed layer is formed by standard deposition techniques to create a homoepitaxial interface between the seed and pre-seed layers. Upon this layered structure further bulk deposition of conducting materials is done. Excess material is removed from the bulk layer and a sealing layer is formed on top to complete the interconnect structure.

Method of copper interconnect formation using atomic layer copper deposition

A processing station adaptable to standard cluster tools has a vertically-translatable pedestal having an upper wafer-support surface including a heater plate adapted to be plugged into a unique feedthrough in the pedestal. At a lower position for the pedestal wafers may be transferred to and from the processing station, and at an upper position for the pedestal the pedestal forms an annular pumping passage with a lower circular opening in a processing chamber. A removable, replaceable ring at the lower opening of the processing chamber allows process pumping speed to be tailored for different processes by replacing the ring. In some embodiments the pedestal also has a surrounding shroud defining an annular pumping passage around the pedestal. A unique two-zone heater plate is adapted to the top of the pedestal, and connects to a unique feedthrough allowing heater plates to be quickly and simply replaced. In some embodiments the top of the processing chamber is removable allowing users to remove either pedestals or heater assemblies. Or both, through the open top of a processing station.

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Aromas, CA, United States of America

Carl J Galewski