Patent · US Active

System and method for cleaning a pre-clean process chamber

US12241157B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
2References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 24, 2022
Grant dateMar 4, 2025
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 18, 2042

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC23C16/42
  • WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A system and method for cleaning a preclean process chamber in between wafer processing. The internal pressure of the preclean process chamber is reduced to a first pressure and a first gas that consists of oxygen and an inert or noble gas, is introduced into the chamber. Plasma is generated within the preclean process chamber using the first gas at the first pressure. Internal pressure is then reduced to a second pressure, less than the first, and the first gas is continued into the chamber. Plasma is then generated using the first gas at the second pressure. Thereafter, a second gas, consisting of an oxygen-free inert or noble gas, is introduced into the chamber at the second pressure, following which plasma is generated within the chamber using only the second gas.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.