Abstract:
Method and structures are provided for conformal lining of dual damascene structures in integrated circuits, and particularly of openings formed in porous materials. Trenches and contact vias are formed in insulating layers. The pores on the sidewalls of the trenches and vias are blocked, and then the structure is exposed to alternating chemistries to form monolayers of a desired lining material. In exemplary process flows chemical or physical vapor deposition (CVD or PVD) of a sealing layer blocks the pores due to imperfect conformality. An alternating process can also be arranged by selection of pulse separation and/or pulse duration to achieve reduced conformality relative to a self-saturating, self-limiting atomic layer deposition (ALD) process. In still another arrangement, layers with anisotropic pore structures can be sealed by selectively melting upper surfaces. Blocking is followed by a self-limiting, self-saturating atomic layer deposition (ALD) reactions without significantly filling the pores.
Abstract:
Atomic layer deposition apparatus for depositing a film in a continuous fashion. The apparatus includes a downwardly sloping process tunnel, extending in a transport direction and bounded by at least two tunnel walls. Both walls are provided with a plurality of gas injection channels, whereby the gas injection channels in at least one of the walls, viewed in the transport direction, are connected successively to a first precursor gas source, a purge gas source, a second precursor gas source and a purge gas source respectively, so as to create a series of tunnel segments that -in use - comprise successive zones containing a first precursor gas, a purge gas, a second precursor gas and a purge gas, respectively. The downward slope of the process tunnel enables gravity to drive the floatingly supported substrates through the successive segments, causing the atomic layer deposition of a film onto the substrates.
Abstract:
An atomic deposition (ALD) thin film deposition apparatus includes a deposition chamber configured to deposit a thin film on a wafer mounted within a space defined therein. The deposition chamber comprises a gas inlet that is in communication with the space. A gas system is configured to deliver gas to the gas inlet of the deposition chamber. At least a portion of the gas system is positioned above the deposition chamber. The gas system includes a mixer configured to mix a plurality of gas streams. A transfer member is in fluid communication with the mixer and the gas inlet. The transfer member comprising a pair of horizontally divergent walls configured to spread the gas in a horizontal direction before entering the gas inlet.
Abstract:
A reactor having a housing that encloses a gas delivery system (14) operatively connected to a reaction chamber (16) and an exhaust assembly (18). The gas delivery system includes a plurality of gas lines for providing at least one process gas to the reaction chamber. The gas delivery system further includes a mixer (20) for receiving the at least one process gas. The mixer is operatively connected to a diffuser (22) that is configured to diffuse process gases. The diffuser is attached directly to an upper surface (24) of the reaction chamber, thereby forming a diffuser volume therebetween. The diffuser includes at least one distribution surface that is configured to provide a flow restriction to the process gases as they pass through the diffuser volume before being introduced into the reaction chamber. The reaction chamber defines a reaction space in which a semiconductor substrate is disposed for processing. The exhaust assembly is operatively connected to the reaction chamber for withdrawing unreacted process gases and effluent from the reaction space.
Abstract:
A reaction chamber having a reaction spaced defined therein, wherein the reaction space is tunable to produce substantially stable and laminar flow of gases through the reaction space. The substantially stable and laminar flow is configured to improve the uniformity of deposition on substrates being processed within the reaction chamber to provide a predictable deposition profile.
Abstract:
Method and apparatus for the thermal treatment of semiconductor substrates such as a wafer. Such a wafer is brought into a heat treatment apparatus wherein the heat treatment apparatus comprises two substantially flat parts parallel to the introduction position of the wafer, between which the wafer is taken in, wherein the first part is heated to a first high temperature and the second part is cooled with the help of cooling means and is at a second temperature lower than 70 °C. By controlling the heat conductivity between the wafer and at least one of the parts, the temperature of the wafer can be influenced to such an extent that during a certain period, the wafer takes on a temperature that is comparatively closer to the first, high temperature and then takes on a temperature which is comparatively closer to the second low temperature.
Abstract:
A reaction chamber having a reaction spaced defined therein, wherein the reaction space is tunable to produce substantially stable and laminar flow of gases through the reaction space. The substantially stable and laminar flow is configured to improve the uniformity of deposition on substrates being processed within the reaction chamber to provide a predictable deposition profile.
Abstract:
An atomic deposition (ALD) thin film deposition apparatus includes a deposition chamber configured to deposit a thin film on a wafer mounted within a space defined therein. The deposition chamber comprises a gas inlet that is in communication with the space. A gas system is configured to deliver gas to the gas inlet of the deposition chamber. At least a portion of the gas system is positioned above the deposition chamber. The gas system includes a mixer configured to mix a plurality of gas streams. A transfer member is in fluid communication with the mixer and the gas inlet. The transfer member comprising a pair of horizontally divergent walls configured to spread the gas in a horizontal direction before entering the gas inlet.