Applied Materials, Inc.

Fong M Chang

Yen-Kun Victor Wang

Shin-Puu Jeng

David Wingto Cheung

Chi-I Lang

Thanh Ngoc Pham

Peter Wai-Man Lee

Yeming Jim Ma

Jeff Plante

Visweswaren Sivaramakrishnan

Gary Fong

Yu Wen Chang

John P Parks

Yeh-Jen Kao

Robert B Majewski

David P Wanamaker

Long Nguyen

A method and apparatus for depositing a low dielectric constant film by plasma assisted copolymerization of p-xylylene and a comonomer having carbon-carbon double bonds at a constant RF power level from about 0W to about 100W or a pulsed RF power level from about 20W to about 160W. The copolymer film has a dielectric constant from about 2.2 to about 2.5. Preferred comonomers include tetravinyltetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane, tetraallyloxysilane, and trivinylmethylsilane. The copolymer films include at least 1% by weight of the comonomer.

Plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition of copolymer of parylene N and comonomers with various double bonds

All-or-none operation of a series of modular load elements is ensured by routing high and low voltage lines from a power source through opposite nodes positioned at either end of the series of load elements. This arrangement prevents activation of only a portion of the load elements where electrical connection between them is not successfully established.

Wiring arrangement ensuring all-or-none operation of a series of modular load elements

The invention provides a deposition system and methods of depositing materials onto substrates. In one aspect, a modular processing chamber is provided which includes a chamber body defining a processing region. The chamber body includes a removable gas feedthrough, an electrical feedthrough, a gas distribution assembly mounted on a chamber lid and a microwave applicator for generating reactive gases remote from the processing region.

Apparatus and method for depositing low K dielectric materials

A method for forming thin polymer layers having low dielectric constants or semiconductor substrates. In one embodiment, the method includes the vaporization of stable di-p-xylylene, the pyrolytic conversion of such gaseous dimer material into reactive monomers, and blending of the resulting gaseous p-xylylene monomers with one or more comonomers having silicon-oxygen bonds and at least two pendent carbon--carbon double bonds. The copolymer films have low dielectric constants, improved thermal stability, and excellent adhesion to silicon oxide layers in comparison to parylene-N homopolymers.

Chemical vapor deposition of a copolymer of p-xylylene and a multivinyl

An apparatus for in-situ control of the flow of a liquid precursor into a deposition chamber comprises a liquid injection system having a liquid injection outlet connected to a chamber inlet line upstream of the deposition chamber. The liquid injection system includes a liquid precursor supply, a carrier gas supply, a vaporizer, and a controller managing flows of the liquid precursor and carrier gas to the chamber. A bypass line is connected to the chamber inlet line and includes a bypass valve, a sonic orifice, and a pressure gauge upstream of the sonic orifice. To calibrate the flow of the liquid precursor, a flow of carrier gas is directed into the bypass line at a carrier gas sonic flow rate. A first steady state pressure is measured with the pressure gauge. The liquid precursor is vaporized and directed to the flow of carrier gas into the bypass line. A second steady state pressure is measured with the pressure gauge. Calibration information is computed using the first steady state pressure and second steady state pressure based on sonic flow theory. The calibration information is used to calibrate the controller to correct deviations in the liquid flow rate and achieve a target liquid precursor flow rate for improving wafer uniformity.

In-situ liquid flow rate estimation and verification by sonic flow method

The present invention provides systems, methods and apparatus for high temperature (at least about 500-800.degree. C.) processing of semiconductor wafers. The systems, methods and apparatus of the present invention allow multiple process steps to be performed in situ in the same chamber to reduce total processing time and to ensure high quality processing for high aspect ratio devices. Performing multiple process steps in the same chamber also increases the control of the process parameters and reduces device damage. In particular, the present invention can provide high temperature deposition, heating and efficient cleaning for forming dielectric films having thickness uniformity, good gap fill capability, high density, low moisture, and other desired characteristics.

Methods and apparatus for pre-stabilized plasma generation for microwave

An apparatus for controlling the flow of a liquid precursor into a deposition chamber comprises a liquid injection system having a liquid injection outlet connected to a chamber inlet line upstream of the deposition chamber. The liquid injection system includes a liquid precursor supply, a purge gas supply, a carrier gas supply, a liquid flow meter, and a controller managing flows of the liquid precursor and carrier gas to the chamber. A purge line is connected between the purge gas supply and the liquid flow meter and is used to trap a known mass of liquid precursor. To calibrate the flow of the liquid precursor, the purge gas is used to push the trapped liquid precursor through the liquid flow meter at a steady rate. The elapsed time for evacuating the trapped liquid precursor from the purge line is measured. Calibration information is computed using the mass of the trapped liquid precursor and the measured elapsed time based on the direct liquid measurement approach. The calibration information is used to calibrate the controller to correct deviations in the liquid flow rate and achieve a target liquid precursor flow rate for improving wafer uniformity.

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Los Gatos, CA, United States of America

Fong M Chang