Abstract:
A lower electrode assembly for use in a plasma processing chamber comprises a metal base and upper and lower edge rings. The metal base comprises metal plates brazed together and forming a brazed line on a lower side surface of the base, an edge ring support surface extending horizontally inwardly from the lower side surface and an upper side surface above the edge ring support surface. The upper edge ring comprises a lower surface mounted on the edge ring support surface and the lower edge ring surrounds the lower side surface of the base with a gap between opposed surfaces of the upper and lower edge rings and between the lower edge ring and the outer periphery of the base. The gap has an aspect ratio of total gap length to average gap width sufficient to impede arcing at the location of the braze line.
Abstract:
A wafer handling mechanism is operated to place a wafer on a chuck. A chucking force is then applied to the wafer, whereby wafer support features of the chuck transfer a defect pattern onto a surface of the wafer. The surface of the wafer is analyzed by a defect metrology tool to obtain a mapping of the defect pattern transferred onto the surface of the wafer. A center coordinate of the chuck within a coordinate system of the wafer is determined by analyzing the defect pattern as transferred to the surface of the wafer. A spatial offset between the center coordinate of the chuck and the center of the wafer is determined. The spatial offset is used to adjust the wafer handling mechanism so as to enable alignment of the center of the wafer to the center coordinate of the chuck.
Abstract:
A heating plate for a substrate support assembly in a semiconductor plasma processing apparatus, comprises multiple independently controllable planar heater zones arranged in a scalable multiplexing layout, and electronics to independently control and power the planar heater zones. A substrate support assembly in which the heating plate is incorporated includes an electrostatic clamping electrode and a temperature controlled base plate. Methods for manufacturing the heating plate include bonding together ceramic or polymer sheets having planar heater zones, power supply lines, power return lines and vias.
Abstract:
Abstract A plasma etching system having a substrate support assembly with multiple independently controllable heater zones. The plasma etching system is configured to control etching temperature of predetermined locations so that pre-etch and/or post-etch non-uniformity of critical device parameters can be compensated for.
Abstract:
A wafer is provided into an entrance load lock chamber. A vacuum is created in the entrance load lock chamber. The wafer is transported to a processing tool. The wafer is processed in a process chamber to provide a processed wafer, wherein the processing forms halogen residue. A degas step is provided in the process chamber after processing the wafer. The processed wafer is transferred into a degas chamber. The processed wafer is treated in the degas chamber with UV light and a flow of gas comprising at least one of ozone, oxygen, or H2O. The flow of gas is stopped. The UV light is stopped. The processed wafer is removed from the degas chamber.
Abstract:
Abstract Described herein is a method of detecting fault conditions in a multiplexed multi-heater-zone heating plate for a substrate support assembly used to support a semiconductor substrate in a semiconductor processing apparatus.
Abstract:
A substrate support useful in a reaction chamber of a plasma processing apparatus is provided. The substrate support comprises a base member and a heat transfer member overlying the base member. The heat transfer member has multiple zones to individually heat and cool each zone of the heat transfer member. An electrostatic chuck overlies the heat transfer member. The electrostatic chuck has a support surface for supporting a substrate in a reaction chamber of the plasma processing apparatus. A source of cold liquid and a source of hot liquid are in fluid communication with flow passages in each zone. A valve arrangement is operable to independently control temperature of the liquid by adjusting a mixing ratio of the hot liquid to the cold liquid circulating in the flow passages. In another embodiment, heating elements along a supply line and transfer lines heat a liquid from a liquid source before circulating in the flow passages.
Abstract:
A method of etching a semiconductor substrate with improved critical dimension uniformity comprises supporting a semiconductor substrate on a substrate support in an inductively coupled plasma etch chamber; supplying a first etch gas to a central region over the semiconductor substrate; supplying a second gas comprising at least one silicon containing gas to a peripheral region over the semiconductor substrate surrounding the central region, wherein a concentration of silicon in the second gas is greater than a concentration of silicon in the first etch gas; generating plasma from the first etch gas and second gas; and plasma etching an exposed surface of the semiconductor substrate.