A film forming method includes forming a film by sequentially performing operations for each of a plurality of kinds of reaction gases, the operations being of storing the reaction gas in a storage part to raise a pressure in the storage part to a first pressure and then discharging the reaction gas into the process vessel, while continuously supplying the counter gas, and purging by repeating multiple times operations of storing a purge gas in the storage part provided in the reaction gas supply passage to raise the pressure in the storage part to a second pressure higher than the first pressure, and discharging the purge gas into the process vessel. A flow rate of the counter gas supplied into the process vessel in the purging is smaller than a flow rate of the counter gas supplied into the process vessel in the forming the film.

A showerhead utilized within a process chamber includes a first inlet for receiving a first gas from a first source at a center region of an inner plenum defined therein. A plurality of second inlets is defined along a peripheral region of the showerhead for receiving a second gas from a second source. A plurality of conduits couples the edge plenum to an outer edge of the inner plenum so as to supply the second gas to the inner plenum. The first gas creates an inner flow that flows radially outward from the center region to an outer edge of the inner plenum and the second gas supplied by the edge plenum creates a perimeter flow that flows inward from the outer edge of the inner plenum toward the center region. A stagnation point defining an adjustable radius is formed at an interface of the first gas and the second gas. A plurality of outlets are defined across a lower surface of the showerhead and extends a diameter of the inner plenum such that the first gas from the inner flow exits the plurality of outlets from the center region up to the stagnation point and the second gas from the perimeter flow exits the plurality of outlets from the stagnation point to the outer edge.

A showerhead utilized within a process chamber includes a first inlet for receiving a first gas from a first source at a center region of an inner plenum defined therein. A plurality of second inlets is defined along a peripheral region of the showerhead for receiving a second gas from a second source. A plurality of conduits couples the edge plenum to an outer edge of the inner plenum so as to supply the second gas to the inner plenum. The first gas creates an inner flow that flows radially outward from the center region to an outer edge of the inner plenum and the second gas supplied by the edge plenum creates a perimeter flow that flows inward from the outer edge of the inner plenum toward the center region. A stagnation point defining an adjustable radius is formed at an interface of the first gas and the second gas. A plurality of outlets are defined across a lower surface of the showerhead and extends a diameter of the inner plenum such that the first gas from the inner flow exits the plurality of outlets from the center region up to the stagnation point and the second gas from the perimeter flow exits the plurality of outlets from the stagnation point to the outer edge.

A vaporization supply apparatus 1 includes a preheating section 2 for preheating a liquid raw material L, a vaporization section 3 provided on top of the preheating section 2 for heating and vaporizing the preheated liquid raw material L sent from the preheating section 2, a flow rate control device 4 provided on top of the vaporization section 3 for controlling the flow rate of a gas G sent from the vaporization section 3, and heaters 5 for heating the preheating section 2, the vaporization section 3 and the flow rate control device 4.

A vaporization supply apparatus 1 includes a preheating section 2 for preheating a liquid raw material L, a vaporization section 3 provided on top of the preheating section 2 for heating and vaporizing the preheated liquid raw material L sent from the preheating section 2, a flow rate control device 4 provided on top of the vaporization section 3 for controlling the flow rate of a gas G sent from the vaporization section 3, and heaters 5 for heating the preheating section 2, the vaporization section 3 and the flow rate control device 4.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for forming a thin film using a surface protection material comprises: a surface protection layer forming step of forming a surface protection layer on the surface of a substrate by supplying a surface protection material to the inside of a chamber in which the substrate is placed; a step of performing a primary purging of the inside of the chamber; a metal precursor supply step of supplying a metal precursor to the inside of the chamber; a step of performing a secondary purging of the inside of the chamber; and a thin film forming step of supplying a reactive material to the inside of the chamber so as to react with the metal precursor and form a thin film.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for forming a thin film using a surface protection material comprises: a surface protection layer forming step of forming a surface protection layer on the surface of a substrate by supplying a surface protection material to the inside of a chamber in which the substrate is placed; a step of performing a primary purging of the inside of the chamber; a metal precursor supply step of supplying a metal precursor to the inside of the chamber; a step of performing a secondary purging of the inside of the chamber; and a thin film forming step of supplying a reactive material to the inside of the chamber so as to react with the metal precursor and form a thin film.

A substrate processing method includes forming an adsorption layer on a substrate by supplying a silicon-containing gas to the substrate; performing a modification by generating plasma containing He; and generating plasma of a reaction gas to cause the plasma to react with the adsorption layer, wherein the forming the adsorption layer, the performing the modification, and the generating the plasma are repeated to form a silicon-containing film.

A substrate processing method includes forming an adsorption layer on a substrate by supplying a silicon-containing gas to the substrate; performing a modification by generating plasma containing He; and generating plasma of a reaction gas to cause the plasma to react with the adsorption layer, wherein the forming the adsorption layer, the performing the modification, and the generating the plasma are repeated to form a silicon-containing film.

An apparatus to determine occurrence of an anomalous plasma event occurring at or near a process station of a multi-station integrated circuit fabrication chamber is disclosed. In particular embodiments, optical emissions generated responsive to the anomalous plasma event may be detected by at least one photosensor of a plurality of photosensors. A processor may cooperate with the plurality of photosensors to determine that the anomalous plasma event has occurred at or near by a particular process station of the multi-station integrated circuit fabrication chamber.