Applied Materials, Inc.

Tien Fak Tan

Dmitry Lubomirsky

Soonam Park

Saravjeet Singh

Lok Kee Loh

Soonwook Jung

Dongqing Yang

Tae Seung Cho

Tae Won Kim

Peter Hillman

Martin Yue Choy

LokKee Loh

Nitin K Ingle

Kenneth David Schatz

Ming Xia

Laksheswar Kalita

Lala Zhu

Christopher Snedigar

Tae Wan Kim

Raymond W Lu

Son Truong Nguyen

David Palagashvili

Edwin C Suarez

Alexander Tam

Kirby Hane Floyd

Phong Pham

Sang Won Kang

Shaofeng Chen

Lun Tsuei

Nicholas Celeste

Exemplary semiconductor processing systems may include a processing chamber, and may include a remote plasma unit coupled with the processing chamber. Exemplary systems may also include an adapter coupled with the remote plasma unit. The adapter may include a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The adapter may define an opening to a central channel at the first end, and the central channel may be characterized by a first cross-sectional surface area. The adapter may define an exit from a second channel at the second end, and the adapter may define a transition between the central channel and the second channel within the adapter between the first end and the second end. The adapter may define a third channel between the transition and the second end of the adapter, and the third channel may be fluidly isolated from the central channel and the second channel.

Semiconductor processing chamber for improved precursor flow

An apparatus for distributing plasma products includes first and second electrodes that each include planar surfaces. The first electrode forms first apertures from a first planar surface to a second planar surface; the second electrode forms second apertures from the third planar surface to the fourth planar surface. The electrodes couple through one or more adjustable couplers such that the third planar surface is disposed adjacent to the second planar surface with a gap therebetween, the gap having a gap distance. Each of the adjustable couplers has a range of adjustment. The first and second apertures are arranged such that for at least one position within the ranges of adjustment, none of the first apertures aligns with any of the second apertures to form an open straight-line path extending through both the first and second electrodes.

Two piece electrode assembly with gap for plasma control

Exemplary semiconductor processing chamber showerheads may include a dielectric plate characterized by a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The dielectric plate may define a plurality of apertures through the dielectric plate. The dielectric plate may define a first annular channel in the first surface of the dielectric plate, and the first annular channel may extend about the plurality of apertures. The dielectric plate may define a second annular channel in the first surface of the dielectric plate. The second annular channel may be formed radially outward from the first annular channel. The showerheads may also include a conductive material embedded within the dielectric plate and extending about the plurality of apertures without being exposed by the apertures. The conductive material may be exposed at the second annular channel.

Ceramic showerheads with conductive electrodes

Semiconductor systems and methods may include a semiconductor processing chamber having a gas box defining an access to the semiconductor processing chamber. The chamber may include a spacer characterized by a first surface with which the gas box is coupled, and the spacer may define a recessed ledge on an interior portion of the first surface. The chamber may include a support bracket seated on the recessed ledge that extends along a second surface of the spacer. The chamber may also include a gas distribution plate seated on the support bracket.

Systems and methods for improved semiconductor etching and component protection

Implementations of the disclosure generally provide an improved pedestal heater for a processing chamber. The pedestal heater includes a temperature-controlled plate having a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface. The temperature-controlled plate includes an inner zone comprising a first set of heating elements, an outer zone comprising a second set of heating elements, the outer zone surrounding the inner zone, and a continuous thermal choke disposed between the inner zone and the outer zone, and a substrate receiving plate having a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface, the second surface of the substrate receiving plate is coupled to the first surface of the temperature-controlled plate. The continuous thermal choke enables a very small temperature gradient to be created and manipulated between the inner zone and the outer zone, allowing center-fast or edge-fast etching profile to achieve on a surface of the substrate.

Chamber apparatus for chemical etching of dielectric materials

Embodiments of the present technology may include a method of etching. The method may include mixing plasma effluents with a gas in a first section of a chamber to form a first mixture. The method may also include flowing the first mixture to a substrate in a second section of the chamber. The first section and the second section may include nickel plated material. The method may further include reacting the first mixture with the substrate to etch a first layer selectively over a second layer. In addition, the method may include forming a second mixture including products from reacting the first mixture with the substrate.

Process window widening using coated parts in plasma etch processes

An apparatus for distributing plasma products includes first and second electrodes that each include planar surfaces. The first electrode forms first apertures from a first planar surface to a second planar surface; the second electrode forms second apertures from the third planar surface to the fourth planar surface. The electrodes couple through one or more adjustable couplers such that the third planar surface is disposed adjacent to the second planar surface with a gap therebetween, the gap having a gap distance. Each of the adjustable couplers has a range of adjustment. The first and second apertures are arranged such that for at least one position within the ranges of adjustment, none of the first apertures aligns with any of the second apertures to form an open straight-line path extending through both the first and second electrodes, and the gap distance is between 0.005 inch and 0.050 inch.

Implementations of the present disclosure relate to an electrode assembly for a processing chamber. In one implementation, the electrode assembly includes a cathode electrode having an inner volume and a ground anode electrode spaced apart from the cathode electrode. A first etchant gas is introduced through the cathode electrode and into the inner volume. The first etchant gas is ionized within the inner volume. The ionized first etchant gas is filtered to allow only radicals to flow from the inner volume into a mixing volume formed within the ground anode electrode. The mixing volume is separated from the inner volume by a gas injection ring. The radicals from the first etchant gas are mixed and reacted with a second etchant gas in molecular phase, which is introduced through the ground anode electrode into a sidewall of the gas injection ring before entering the mixing volume in an evenly distributed manner.

Multiple point gas delivery apparatus for etching materials

A plasma source includes a first electrode and a second electrode having respective surfaces, and an insulator that is between and in contact with the electrodes. The electrode surfaces and the insulator surface substantially define a plasma cavity. The insulator surface defines one or more grooves configured to prevent deposition of material in a contiguous form on the insulator surface. A method of generating a plasma includes introducing one or more gases into a plasma cavity defined by a first electrode, a surface of an insulator that is in contact with the first electrode, and a second electrode that faces the first electrode. The insulator surface defines one or more grooves where portions of the insulator surface are not exposed to a central region of the cavity. The method further includes providing RF energy across the first and second electrodes to generate the plasma within the cavity.

Grooved insulator to reduce leakage current

A wafer pedestal of a semiconductor apparatus is provided. The wafer pedestal is capable of supporting a substrate. The wafer pedestal includes a pedestal having at least one purge opening configured to flow a purge gas and at least one chucking opening configured to chuck the substrate over the pedestal. The pedestal includes a sealing band disposed between the at least one purge opening and the at least one chucking opening. The sealing band is configured to support the substrate.

Apparatus for etching semiconductor wafers

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Campbell, CA, United States of America

Tien Fak Tan