Abstract:
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally describe methods for depositing an amorphous carbon layer onto a substrate, including over previously formed layers on the substrate, using a high power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) process, and in particular, biasing of the substrate during the deposition process and flowing a nitrogen source gas and/or a hydrogen source gas into the processing chamber in addition to an inert gas to improve the morphology and film stress of the deposited amorphous carbon layer.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to precision material modification of three dimensional (3D) features or advanced processing techniques. Directional ion implantation methods are utilized to selectively modify desired regions of a material layer to improve etch characteristics of the modified material. For example, a modified region of a material layer may exhibit improved etch selectivity relative to an unmodified region of the material layer. Methods described herein are useful for manufacturing 3D hardmasks which may be advantageously utilized in various integration schemes, such as fin isolation and gate-all-around, among others. Multiple directional ion implantation processes may also be utilized to form dopant gradient profiles within a modified layer to further influence etching processes.
Abstract:
Embodiments described herein provide for a method of forming an etch selective hardmask. An amorphous carbon hardmask is implanted with various dopants to increase the hardness and density of the hardmask. The ion implantation of the amorphous carbon hardmask also maintains or reduces the internal stress of the hardmask. The etch selective hardmask generally provides for improved patterning in advanced NAND and DRAM devices.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention provide a methods for forming silicon recess structures in a substrate with good process control, particularly suitable for manufacturing three dimensional (3D) stacking of fin field effect transistor (FinFET) for semiconductor chips. In one embodiment, a method of forming recess structures in a substrate includes etching a first portion of a substrate defined by a second portion formed in the substrate until a doping layer formed in the substrate is exposed.
Abstract:
Generally, examples described herein relate to methods and processing systems for performing multiple processes in a same processing chamber on a flowable gap-fill film deposited on a substrate. In an example, a semiconductor processing system includes a processing chamber and a system controller. The system controller includes a processor and memory. The memory stores instructions, that when executed by the processor cause the system controller to: control a first process within the processing chamber performed on a substrate having thereon a film deposited by a flowable process, and control a second process within the process chamber performed on the substrate having thereon the film. The first process includes stabilizing bonds in the film to form a stabilized film. The second process includes densifying the stabilized film.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for processing a substrate are provided herein. For example, a method includes supplying a vaporized precursor into a processing volume, supplying activated elements including ions and radicals from a remote plasma source, energizing the activated elements using RF source power at a first duty cycle to react with the vaporized precursor to deposit an SiNHx film onto a substrate disposed in the processing volume, supplying a first process gas from the remote plasma source while providing RF bias power at a second duty cycle different from the first duty cycle to the substrate support to convert the SiNHx film to an SiOx film, supplying a process gas mixture formed from a second process gas supplied from the remote plasma source and a third process gas supplied from the gas supply while providing RF bias power at the second duty cycle to the substrate support, and annealing the substrate.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for processing a substrate are provided herein. For example, a method for processing a substrate comprises supplying a vaporized silicon containing precursor from a gas supply into a processing volume of a processing chamber, supplying a first process gas from the gas supply into the processing volume, energizing the first process gas using RF source power at a first duty cycle to react with the vaporized silicon containing precursor, and supplying a process gas mixture from the gas supply while providing RF bias power at a second duty cycle different from the first duty cycle to a substrate support disposed in the processing volume to deposit a SiHx film onto a substrate supported on the substrate support.
Abstract:
A film structure for an electric field assisted bake process and methods of forming and implementing such a film structure are described herein. An example is a method for semiconductor processing. A photoresist is deposited on an underlayer disposed on a substrate. The underlayer includes carbon. The photoresist is exposed to a pattern of electromagnetic radiation. After exposing the photoresist, an electric field assisted bake is performed on the photoresist.
Abstract:
One or more embodiments described herein generally relate to patterning semiconductor film stacks. Unlike in conventional embodiments, the film stacks herein are patterned without the need of etching the magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack. Instead, the film stack is etched before the MTJ stack is deposited such that the spin on carbon layer and the anti-reflective coating layer are completely removed and a trench is formed within the dielectric capping layer and the oxide layer. Thereafter, MTJ stacks are deposited on the buffer layer and on the dielectric capping layer. An oxide capping layer is deposited such that it covers the MTJ stacks. An oxide fill layer is deposited over the oxide capping layer and the film stack is polished by chemical mechanical polishing (CMP). The embodiments described herein advantageously result in no damage to the MTJ stacks since etching is not required.
Abstract:
Embodiments herein provide methods of plasma treating an amorphous silicon layer deposited using a flowable chemical vapor deposition (FCVD) process. In one embodiment, a method of processing a substrate includes plasma treating an amorphous silicon layer by flowing a substantially silicon-free hydrogen treatment gas into a processing volume of a processing chamber, the processing volume having the substrate disposed on a substrate support therein, forming a treatment plasma of the substantially silicon-free hydrogen treatment gas, and exposing the substrate having the amorphous silicon layer deposited on a surface thereof to the treatment plasma. Herein, the amorphous silicon layer is deposited using an FCVD process. The FCVD process includes positioning the substrate on the substrate support, flowing a processing gas into the processing volume, forming a deposition plasma of the processing gas, exposing the surface of the substrate to the deposition plasma, and depositing the amorphous silicon layer on the surface of the substrate.