The disclosure relates to an apparatus for depositing titanium films at rates up to 200 Å/minute on semiconductor substrates from a titanium tetrachloride source in a reactor chamber (30). In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a ceramic heater assembly (33) with an integrated RF plane (103) for bottom powered RF capability allows PECVD deposition at a temperature of at least 40°C for more efficient plasma treatment. A thermal choke (123) isolates the heater from its support shaft (121) reducing the thermal gradient across the heater to reduce the risk of breakage and improving temperature uniformity of the heater.