Tokyo Electron Limited

Other

Bae Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.

Sandra L Hyland

Shannon W Dunn

Eric J Strang

Steven T Fink

Aelan Mosden

Jay R Wallace

Ian J Brown

Yannick Feurprier

Vu Anh Vu

Arthur H Laflamme, Jr

Andrew T Pomerene

John A Hughes

Robert L Kamocsai

Daniel J O'Donnell

Ralph Kim

Harlan Stamper

Minori Kajimoto

Danielle Ki'ilani Kempa

A bulk manufacturing method for growing silicon-germanium stained-layer superlattice (SLS) using an ultra-high vacuum-chemical vapor deposition (UHV-CVD) system and a detector using it is disclosed. The growth method overcomes the stress caused by silicon and germanium lattice mismatch, and leads to uniform, defect-free layer-by-layer growth. Flushing hydrogen between the layer growths creates abrupt junctions between superlattice structure (SLS) layers. Steps include flowing a mixture of phosphine and germane gases over a germanium seed layer. This in-situ doped germanium growth step produces an n-doped germanium layer. Some of the phosphorus diffuses into the underlying germanium and reduces the stress in the underlying germanium that is initially created by the lattice mismatch between germanium and silicon. Phosphine can be replaced by diborane if a p-doped layer is desired. The reduction of stress results in a smooth bulk germanium growth.

Method for growing germanium/silicon&#x2014;germanium superlattice

A method and system of for introducing an active material to a chemical process in which a processing element including a passive component and an active element is installed within the system and exposed to a chemical process performed within the system. As the chemical process proceeds, the passive component erodes and thereby exposes the active component embedded therein. The introduction of the active component to the chemical process alters the chemical process.

Method and system for introduction of an active material to a chemical process

A method of double patterning a thin film is described. The method comprises forming a thin film to be patterned on a substrate, forming an anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer on the thin film, and forming a mask layer on the ARC layer. Thereafter, the mask layer is patterned to form a first pattern and a second pattern therein, and the first and second patterns are partially transferred to the ARC layer using a transfer process, such as an etching process or a developing process. Once the mask layer is removed, the first pattern and second patterns are completely transferred to the ARC layer using an etching process, and the first and second patterns in the ARC layer are transferred to the underlying thin film using another etching process.

Method for double patterning a thin film

A method of patterning a thin film is described. The method comprises forming a thin film to be patterned on a substrate, forming a developable anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer on the thin film, and forming a mask layer on the developable ARC layer. Thereafter, the mask layer is patterned to form a pattern therein, and the pattern is partially transferred to the developable ARC layer using an imaging and developing process. Once the mask layer is removed, the pattern is completely transferred to the developable ARC layer using an etching process, and the pattern in the developable ARC layer is transferred to the underlying thin film using another etching process.

Method of patterning an anti-reflective coating by partial developing

A method for removing a damaged low dielectric constant material following an etch process, an ashing process, or a wet cleaning process is described. A dry, non-plasma removal process is implemented to remove a thin layer of damaged material on a feature following formation of the feature. The dry, non-plasma removal process comprises a chemical treatment of the damaged material, followed by a thermal treatment of the chemically treated surface layer. The two steps, chemical and thermal treatment, can be repeated.

Method for selective removal of damaged multi-stack bilayer films

A baffle plate assembly, configured to be coupled to a substrate holder in a plasma processing system, comprises a baffle plate having one or more openings to permit the passage of gas there through, wherein the coupling of the baffle plate to the substrate holder facilitates auto-centering of the baffle plate in the plasma processing system. For example, a centering ring mounted in the substrate holder can comprise a centering feature configured to couple with a mating feature on the baffle plate. After initial assembly of the plasma processing system, the baffle plate can be replaced and centered within the plasma processing system without disassembly and re-assembly of the substrate holder.

Method and apparatus for improved baffle plate

A method of patterning a structure in a thin film on a substrate is described. A film stack on the substrate includes the thin film on the substrate, a developable anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer on the thin film, and a first photo-resist layer on the developable ARC layer. The first photo-resist layer and the developable ARC layer are imaged with a first image pattern and developed to form the first image pattern in the first photo-resist layer and the developable ARC layer. Thereafter, the first photo-resist layer is removed, and the developable ARC layer is modified by thermal treatment. A second photo-resist layer is then formed on the modified ARC layer, and the second photo-resist layer is imaged with a second image pattern and developed to form the second image pattern in the second photo-resist layer. The first and second image patterns are then transferred to the thin film.

Method of forming a dual damascene structure utilizing a developable anti-reflective coating

A plasma processing system for and method of utilizing an improved etch chemistry for effectively etching high aspect ratio silicon features. The process chemistry employs precursor gases suitable for producing a fluorine/chlorine etch chemistry as well as precursor gases suitable for forming chemical bonds of sufficient strength to create stable feature side-walls. The improved process chemistries include SO/SF/SiCl, SO/SF/Cl, SO/SiF/SiCl, SOSIF/Cl, O/F/Cl, N2/Cl, and NO/F/Cl-based chemistries.

Method of etching high aspect ratio features

An optical endpoint system controls the overetching of a semiconductor device by using double optical endpoint detection. With a complex spacer, the system monitors the chemistry change at both the top TEOS/nitride interface and the bottom nitride/TEOS interface. This double optical endpoint method reduces the possibility of overetching the layers regardless of the variations in the thickness of the incoming film or the etching characteristics of the etch chamber.

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Falls Church, VA, United States of America

Sandra L Hyland