Reduced substrate process chamber cavity volume

Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and apparatuses for a substrate processing assembly with a low processing volume. In disclosed embodiments, a processing volume may include a processing space adjacent to a substrate being processed on a substrate support as well as a volume of the processing chamber surrounding and below the substrate support. In some embodiments, the total processing volume is 15 liters or less in certain embodiments, resulting in lower gas usage and faster processing times than conventional approaches. In some embodiments, the distance between the substrate and a target, electrode, chamber lid, or showerhead face is 35 mm or less in certain embodiments. In certain embodiments, the processing chamber has a dedicated pump for pumping the chamber to a processing pressure as well as evacuating the chamber after processing of the substrate.