Semiconductor processing equipment having improved particle performance
First Claim
1. A ceramic part for a vacuum processing chamber for processing semiconductor substrates, the ceramic part comprising:
- a non-oxide ceramic material having an as-machined or as-sintered outer surface; and
a silicon oxide layer on the outer surface of the non-oxide ceramic material and forming an outermost surface of the ceramic part, the silicon oxide layer having incorporated therein particles of the non-oxide ceramic material which are attached on the outer surface.
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Abstract
A ceramic part having a surface exposed to the interior space, the surface having been shaped and plasma conditioned to reduce particles thereon by contacting the shaped surface with a high intensity plasma. The ceramic part can be made by sintering or machining a chemically deposited material. During processing of semiconductor substrates, particle contamination can be minimized by the ceramic part as a result of the plasma conditioning treatment. The ceramic part can be made of various materials such as alumina, silicon dioxide, quartz, carbon, silicon, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, boron nitride, boron carbide, aluminum nitride or titanium carbide. The ceramic part can be various parts of a vacuum processing chamber such as a liner within a sidewall of the processing chamber, a gas distribution plate supplying the process gas to the processing chamber, a baffle plate of a showerhead assembly, a wafer passage insert, a focus ring surrounding the substrate, an edge ring surrounding an electrode, a plasma screen and/or a window.
85 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A ceramic part for a vacuum processing chamber for processing semiconductor substrates, the ceramic part comprising:
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a non-oxide ceramic material having an as-machined or as-sintered outer surface; and a silicon oxide layer on the outer surface of the non-oxide ceramic material and forming an outermost surface of the ceramic part, the silicon oxide layer having incorporated therein particles of the non-oxide ceramic material which are attached on the outer surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 24)
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10. A ceramic part for a vacuum processing chamber for processing semiconductor substrates, the ceramic part comprising:
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silicon or silicon carbide having an as-machined or as-sintered outer surface; and a silicon oxide layer on the outer surface of the silicon or silicon carbide and forming an outermost surface of the ceramic part, the silicon oxide layer having incorporated therein particles of the silicon or silicon carbide which are attached on the outer surface. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A showerhead electrode for a vacuum processing chamber for processing semiconductor substrates, the showerhead electrode comprising:
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silicon or silicon carbide having an as-machined or as-sintered outer surface; and a silicon oxide layer on the outer surface of the silicon or silicon carbide and forming an outermost surface of the showerhead electrode, the silicon oxide layer having incorporated therein particles of the silicon or silicon carbide which are attached on the outer surface. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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Specification