Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.

Harold M Persing

Vikram Singh

Steven Raymond Walther

Ziwei Fang

George D Papasouliotis

Timothy J Miller

Richard Appel

Vincent Deno

Ludovic Godet

Bon-Woong Koo

Svetlana Radovanov

Atul Gupta

Jay Thomas Scheuer

Helen L Maynard

Rajesh Dorai

Bjorn O Pedersen

Edmund Jacques Winder

Chris Leavitt

Deven M Raj

A plasma processing method is provided. The plasma processing method includes using the after-glow of a pulsed power plasma to perform conformal processing. During the afterglow, the equipotential field lines follow the contour of the workpiece surface, allowing ions to be introduced in a variety of incident angles, especially to non-planar surfaces. In another aspect of the disclosure, the platen may be biased positively during the plasma afterglow to attract negative ions toward the workpiece. Various conformal processing steps, such as implantation, etching and deposition may be performed.

Pulsed plasma to affect conformal processing

A plasma processing apparatus and method are disclosed which improve the repeatability of various plasma processes. The actual implanted dose is a function of implant conditions, as well as various other parameters. This method used knowledge of current implant conditions, as well as information about historical data to improve repeatability. In one embodiment, a plasma is created, a first sensing system is used to monitor a composition of the plasma and a second sensing system is used to monitor a total number of ions implanted. Information about plasma composition and dose per pulse is used to control one or more operating parameters in the plasma chamber. In another embodiment, this information is combined with historical data to control one or more operating parameters in the plasma chamber. In another embodiment, the thickness of material on the walls is measured, and used to modify one or more operating parameters.

Closed loop process control of plasma processed materials

A method to provide a dopant profile adjustment solution in plasma doping systems for meeting both concentration and junction depth requirements. Bias ramping and bias ramp rate adjusting may be performed to achieve a desired dopant profile so that surface peak dopant profiles and retrograde dopant profiles are realized. The method may include an amorphization step in one embodiment.

Profile adjustment in plasma ion implanter

A plasma processing system includes a process chamber, a source configured to generate a plasma in the process chamber, a platen configured to support a workpiece in the process chamber, and a pressure sensor positioned adjacent to the workpiece. The pressure sensor is configured to monitor a local pressure adjacent to the workpiece. A method includes generating a plasma in a process chamber, supporting a workpiece in the process chamber, and monitoring a local pressure adjacent to the workpiece with a pressure sensor positioned adjacent to the workpiece.

Local pressure sensing in a plasma processing system

A workpiece processing system includes a platen configured to support a workpiece, a source configured to provide an electromagnetic wave proximate a front surface of the workpiece, and a detector. The detector is configured to receive at least a portion of the electromagnetic wave and provide a detection signal representative of an outgassing rate from the workpiece of outgassing byproducts. A method of detecting an outgassing rate is also provided. The method includes providing an electromagnetic wave proximate a front surface of a workpiece, receiving at least a portion of the electromagnetic wave, and providing a detection signal representative of an outgassing rate from the workpiece of outgassing byproducts.

Outgassing rate detection

A method and apparatus are directed to providing a dopant profile adjustment solution in plasma doping systems for meeting both concentration and junction depth requirements. Bias ramping and bias ramp rate adjusting may be performed to achieve a desired dopant profile so that shallow and abrupt junctions in vertical and lateral directions are realized that are critical to device scaling in plasma doping systems.

A technique for boron implantation is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized by an apparatus for boron implantation. The apparatus may comprise a reaction chamber. The apparatus may also comprise a source of pentaborane coupled to the reaction chamber, wherein the source is capable of supplying a substantially pure form of pentaborane into the reaction chamber. The apparatus may further comprise a power supply that is configured to energize the pentaborane in the reaction chamber sufficiently to produce a plasma discharge having boron-bearing ions.

Technique for boron implantation

A Faraday dose and uniformity monitor can include a magnetically suppressed annular Faraday cup surrounding a target wafer. A narrow aperture can reduce discharges within Faraday cup opening. The annular Faraday cup can have a continuous cross section to eliminate discharges due to breaks. A plurality of annular Faraday cups at different radii can independently measure current density to monitor changes in plasma uniformity. The magnetic suppression field can be configured to have a very rapid decrease in field strength with distance to minimize plasma and implant perturbations and can include both radial and azimuthal components, or primarily azimuthal components. The azimuthal field component can be generated by multiple vertically oriented magnets of alternating polarity, or by the use of a magnetic field coil. In addition, dose electronics can provide integration of pulsed current at high voltage, and can convert the integrated charge to a series of light pulses coupled optically to a dose controller.

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Rockport, MA, United States of America

Harold M Persing