Patent · US Active

Methods and apparatus for processing substrates using an ion shield

US9048190B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
1References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 2, 2013
Grant dateJun 2, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 2, 2033

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L21/6831
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for processing a substrate are provided. In some embodiments, a method of processing a substrate having a first layer may include disposing a substrate atop a substrate support in a lower processing volume of a process chamber beneath an ion shield having a bias power applied thereto, the ion shield comprising a substantially flat member supported parallel to the substrate support, and a plurality of apertures formed through the flat member, wherein the ratio of the aperture diameter to the thickness flat member ranges from about 10:1-1:10; flowing a process gas into an upper processing volume above the ion shield; forming a plasma from the process gas within the upper processing volume; treating the first layer with neutral radicals that pass through the ion shield; and heating the substrate to a temperature of up to about 550 degrees Celsius while treating the first layer.

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