Abstract:
A method and apparatus for performing ALD deposition of hafnium oxide on a substrate is provided. The apparatus includes a process chamber, a precursor delivery subsystem, an oxidizer delivery subsystem, a purge gas subsystem, a solvent flush subsystem, and optional solvent recovery and purification subsystems. The method includes pulsing precursor compounds into the process chamber in sequence. While one precursor is pulsed, purge gas is provided through the other precursor line. After pulsing, precursor lines are purged, and the chamber is evacuated and purged. A solvent flush step is employed to remove precursor deposits that build up in piping over time.
Abstract:
Methods are disclosed of determining a fill level of a precursor in a bubbler. The bubbler is fluidicly coupled with a substrate processing chamber through a vapor-delivery system. The bubbler and vapor-delivery system are backfilled with a known dose of a backfill gas. A pressure and temperature of the backfill gas are determined, permitting a total volume for the backfill gas in the bubbler and vapor-delivery system to be determined by application of a gas law. The fill level of the precursor in the bubbler is determined as a difference between (1) a total volume of the bubbler and vapor-delivery system and (2) the determined total volume for the backfill gas.
Abstract:
A temperature control device (20) for use in a process reactor system with a bubbler (19) having a container (21) provided with a side wall. The device includes a vessel (120) having an internal chamber (128) adapted to receive the container of the bubbler. An enclosure member (124) is extendable between the container of the bubbler and the vessel for enclosing the side wall of the container within the internal chamber. A temperature-changing device (162) is coupled to the vessel for providing heat or cold to the internal chamber.
Abstract:
A vaporization chamber for a substrate processing system comprises a main body, a cover member and a transition member. The main body is made of aluminum and defines a first inner surface, which defines, at least in part, a cavity. The cover member is also made of aluminum. The cover member defines a second inner surface, which also defines, at least in part, the cavity. The cover member comprises a carrier gas cover inlet, a liquid source cover inlet, a source cover outlet which extends from a first outer surface through the cover member to the second inner surface. The transition member is made of stainless steel and has a transition outer surface and a transition inner surface. The transition inner surface is aluminum cladded. The cover member comprising a carrier gas cover inlet, a liquid source cover inlet, a source cover outlet which extend from a first outer surface through the cover member to second inner surface. The transition inner surface and the cover outer surface are welded together.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for depositing a conformal dielectric layer employing a dep-etch technique features selectively reducing the flow of deposition gases into a process chamber where a substrate having a stepped surface to be covered by the conformal dielectric layer is disposed. By selectively reducing the flow of deposition gases into the process chamber, the concentration of a sputtering gas, from which a plasma is formed, in the process chamber is increased without increasing the pressure therein. It is preferred that the flow of deposition gases be periodically terminated so as to provide a sputtering gas concentration approaching 100 %. In this fashion, the etch rate of a conformal dielectric layer having adequate gap-filling characteristics may be greatly increased, while allowing an increase in the deposition rate of the same.
Abstract:
The present invention provides methods and systems for forming deposition films on semiconductor wafers. In particular, the present invention measures the amount of liquid remaining in a bubbler ampule of a semiconductor processing system used for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on a semiconductor wafer. More particularly, measurements are made when gas has stopped flowing through the ampule, and the liquid is in a static condition. The system of the present invention comprises a container containing a liquid, a gas inlet for introduction of gas into the liquid, a gas outlet, and a pressure transducer fluidly connected to the gas inlet and the gas outlet. The device measures the amount of liquid in a bubbler ampule through measurements of gas pressure differential between gas exiting a nozzle near the bottom of the liquid and gas located above the level of the liquid. The depth of liquid remaining in the ampule may be extrapolated from the measured pressure differential.