Method and apparatus for providing uniform gas delivery to substrates in CVD and PECVD processes
First Claim
1. A showerhead diffuser apparatus for a CVD process, comprising:
- a first channel region having first plural independent radially-concentric channels and individual gas supply ports from a first side of the apparatus to individual ones of the first channels;
a second channel region having second plural independent radially-concentric channels and a pattern of diffusion passages from the second channels to a second side of the apparatus;
a transition region between the first channel region and the second channel region having at least one transition gas passage for communicating gas from each first channel in the first region to a corresponding second channel in the second region; and
a vacuum seal interface for mounting the showerhead apparatus to a CVD reactor chamber such that the first side and supply ports face away from the reactor chamber and the second side and the patterns of diffusion passages from the second channels open into the reactor chamber.
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Abstract
A showerhead diffuser apparatus for a CVD process has a first channel region having first plural independent radially-concentric channels and individual gas supply ports from a first side of the apparatus to individual ones of the first channels, a second channel region having second plural independent radially-concentric channels and a pattern of diffusion passages from the second channels to a second side of the apparatus, and a transition region between the first channel region and the second channel region having at least one transition gas passage for communicating gas from each first channel in the first region to a corresponding second channel in the second region. The showerhead apparatus has a vacuum seal interface for mounting the showerhead apparatus to a CVD reactor chamber such that the first side and supply ports face away from the reactor chamber and the second side and the patterns of diffusion passages from the second channels open into the reactor chamber. In preferred embodiments the supply ports, transition passages, and diffusion passages into the chamber do not align, and there is a special plasma-quenching ring in each of the second channels preventing plasma ignition within the channels in the showerhead methods and systems using the showerhead are also taught.
74 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A showerhead diffuser apparatus for a CVD process, comprising:
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a first channel region having first plural independent radially-concentric channels and individual gas supply ports from a first side of the apparatus to individual ones of the first channels;
a second channel region having second plural independent radially-concentric channels and a pattern of diffusion passages from the second channels to a second side of the apparatus;
a transition region between the first channel region and the second channel region having at least one transition gas passage for communicating gas from each first channel in the first region to a corresponding second channel in the second region; and
a vacuum seal interface for mounting the showerhead apparatus to a CVD reactor chamber such that the first side and supply ports face away from the reactor chamber and the second side and the patterns of diffusion passages from the second channels open into the reactor chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A CVD reactor system, comprising:
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a reactor chamber having an opening for a showerhead apparatus;
a support in the chamber adjacent the opening, the support for a substrate to be processed; and
a showerhead diffuser apparatus for a CVD process, the showerhead having a first channel region having first plural independent radially-concentric channels and individual gas supply ports from a first side of the apparatus to individual ones of the first channels, a second channel region having second plural independent radially-concentric channels and a pattern of diffusion passages from the second channels to a second side of the apparatus, a transition region between the first channel region and the second channel region having at least one transition gas passage for communicating gas from each first channel in the first region to a corresponding second channel in the second region, and a vacuum seal interface for mounting the showerhead apparatus to a CVD reactor chamber such that the first side and supply ports face away from the reactor chamber and the second side and the patterns of diffusion passages from the second channels open into the reactor chamber. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A gas diffuser apparatus for a CVD-related coating process, comprising:
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a plurality of independent radially-concentric channels having individual gas supply ports for supplying gases or vapors from a first side of the apparatus to individual ones of the first channels;
a pattern of diffusion passages leading from individual ones of the independent channels to a pattern of openings in a second side for supplying the gases or vapors to a process chamber; and
a mechanism for providing the gases or vapors alternately.- View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A reactor system, comprising:
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a process chamber having a mounting position for a gas diffuser apparatus;
a support in the chamber substantially adjacent the mounting position, the support for supporting a substrate to be processed; and
a gas diffuser apparatus at the mounting position, the showerhead diffuser apparatus comprising a plurality of independent radially-concentric channels having individual gas supply ports for supplying gases or vapors from a first side of the apparatus to individual ones of the first channels, a pattern of diffusion passages leading from individual ones of the independent channels to a pattern of openings in a second side for supplying the gases or vapors to the process chamber, and a mechanism for providing the gases or vapors alternately. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for distributing gases or vapors to a substrate in a coating process, comprising steps of:
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(a) introducing the gases or vapors alternately via individual supply ports into individual ones of a plurality of independent radially-concentric channels from a first side of the apparatus to individual ones of the first channels;
(b) flowing the gases or vapors from the first channels via a pattern of diffusion passages leading from individual ones of the independent channels to a pattern of openings in a second side for supplying the gases or vapors to a process chamber. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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Specification