A method of forming graphene layers is disclosed. The method includes precleaning the substrate with a plasma formed from an argon- and hydrogen-containing gas, followed by forming a graphene layer by exposing the substrate to a microwave plasma to form a graphene layer on the substrate. The microwave plasma comprises hydrocarbon and hydrogen radicals. The substrate is then cooled. A capping layer may also be formed.

A system and method for reducing thermal transfer in a dual ampoule system. The dual ampoule system includes a first ampoule, a second ampoule, and a planar heat shield. The planar heat shield is positioned between the first ampoule and the second ampoule, where the planar heat shield is configured to resist thermal transfer between the first ampoule and the second ampoule.

A semiconductor substrate processing apparatus includes a vacuum chamber having a processing zone in which a semiconductor substrate may be processed, a process gas source in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber for supplying a process gas into the vacuum chamber, a showerhead module through which process gas from the process gas source is supplied to the processing zone of the vacuum chamber, and a substrate pedestal module. The substrate pedestal module includes a platen made of ceramic material having an upper surface configured to support a semiconductor substrate thereon during processing, a stem made of ceramic material having an upper stem flange that supports the platen, and a backside gas tube made of ceramic material that is located in an interior of the stem. The backside gas tube includes an upper gas tube flange that is located between a lower surface of the platen and an upper surface of the upper stem flange wherein the backside gas tube is in fluid communication with at least one backside gas passage of the platen and the backside gas tube is configured to supply a backside gas to a region below a lower surface of a semiconductor substrate that is to be supported on the upper surface of the platen during processing.

A semiconductor substrate processing apparatus includes a vacuum chamber having a processing zone in which a semiconductor substrate may be processed, a process gas source in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber for supplying a process gas into the vacuum chamber, a showerhead module through which process gas from the process gas source is supplied to the processing zone of the vacuum chamber, and a substrate pedestal module. The substrate pedestal module includes a platen made of ceramic material having an upper surface configured to support a semiconductor substrate thereon during processing, a stem made of ceramic material having an upper stem flange that supports the platen, and a backside gas tube made of ceramic material that is located in an interior of the stem. The backside gas tube includes an upper gas tube flange that is located between a lower surface of the platen and an upper surface of the upper stem flange wherein the backside gas tube is in fluid communication with at least one backside gas passage of the platen and the backside gas tube is configured to supply a backside gas to a region below a lower surface of a semiconductor substrate that is to be supported on the upper surface of the platen during processing.

Polycrystalline silicon is produced in a chemical vapour deposition reactor, wherein, outside the reactor at at least one position on at least one reactor component, vibrations of the reactor are measured using a measurement device and optionally recorded. The vibrations may be used to identify rod fall over and other events occurring within the reactor.

Polycrystalline silicon is produced in a chemical vapour deposition reactor, wherein, outside the reactor at at least one position on at least one reactor component, vibrations of the reactor are measured using a measurement device and optionally recorded. The vibrations may be used to identify rod fall over and other events occurring within the reactor.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods for depositing an amorphous carbon layer onto a substrate, including over previously formed layers on the substrate, using a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process. In particular, the methods described herein utilize a combination of RF AC power and pulsed DC power to create a plasma which deposits an amorphous carbon layer with a high ratio of sp3 (diamond-like) carbon to sp2 (graphite-like) carbon. The methods also provide for lower processing pressures, lower processing temperatures, and higher processing powers, each of which, alone or in combination, may further increase the relative fraction of sp3 carbon in the deposited amorphous carbon layer. As a result of the higher sp3 carbon fraction, the methods described herein provide amorphous carbon layers having improved density, rigidity, etch selectivity, and film stress as compared to amorphous carbon layers deposited by conventional methods.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods for depositing an amorphous carbon layer onto a substrate, including over previously formed layers on the substrate, using a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process. In particular, the methods described herein utilize a combination of RF AC power and pulsed DC power to create a plasma which deposits an amorphous carbon layer with a high ratio of sp3 (diamond-like) carbon to sp2 (graphite-like) carbon. The methods also provide for lower processing pressures, lower processing temperatures, and higher processing powers, each of which, alone or in combination, may further increase the relative fraction of sp3 carbon in the deposited amorphous carbon layer. As a result of the higher sp3 carbon fraction, the methods described herein provide amorphous carbon layers having improved density, rigidity, etch selectivity, and film stress as compared to amorphous carbon layers deposited by conventional methods.

There is provided a technique of cleaning an inside of a process container, including: (a) removing substances adhered in a process container set at a first temperature by supplying a first gas at a first flow rate into the process container and exhausting the inside of the process container; (b) physically desorbing and removing residual fluorine in the process container set at a second temperature by supplying a second gas at a second flow rate into the process container and exhausting the inside of the process container; and (c) chemically desorbing and removing residual fluorine in the process container set at a third temperature by supplying a third gas at a third flow rate into the process container and exhausting the inside of the process container.

There is provided a technique of cleaning an inside of a process container, including: (a) removing substances adhered in a process container set at a first temperature by supplying a first gas at a first flow rate into the process container and exhausting the inside of the process container; (b) physically desorbing and removing residual fluorine in the process container set at a second temperature by supplying a second gas at a second flow rate into the process container and exhausting the inside of the process container; and (c) chemically desorbing and removing residual fluorine in the process container set at a third temperature by supplying a third gas at a third flow rate into the process container and exhausting the inside of the process container.