阅读说明：本技术 用于处理腔室的陶瓷涂覆的石英盖体 (Ceramic coated quartz cover for a processing chamber ) 是由 伯纳德·L·黄 于 2017-04-28 设计创作，主要内容包括：本公开内容的实施方式包括用于降低处理腔室内的颗粒产生的方法和设备。在一个实施方式中,本发明提供一种用于基板处理腔室的盖体。盖体包括：盖构件,所述盖构件具有第一表面和与第一表面相对的第二表面；通过所述盖构件的中央开口,其中所述中央开口的内轮廓包括具有第一直径的第一段、具有第二直径的第二段和具有第三直径的第三段,其中第二直径是在第一直径和第三直径之间,且第一直径从第二段朝向盖构件第一表面增加；和沟槽,所述沟槽沿着第一表面中的封闭路径形成且具有形成在沟槽的内表面中的凹槽。(Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods and apparatus for reducing particle generation within a processing chamber. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a cover for a substrate processing chamber. The lid includes: a cover member having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a central opening through the cover member, wherein an inner profile of the central opening includes a first section having a first diameter, a second section having a second diameter, and a third section having a third diameter, wherein the second diameter is between the first diameter and the third diameter, and the first diameter increases from the second section toward the cover member first surface; and a groove formed along the closed path in the first surface and having a groove formed in an inner surface of the groove.)

1. A lid for a substrate processing chamber, comprising:

a cover member composed of a single plate and having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface;

a central opening in the cover member, wherein an inner profile of the central opening comprises a first section having a first diameter, a second section having a second diameter, and a third section having a third diameter, wherein:

the second segment is disposed between and connected to the first segment and the third segment;

the first diameter gradually increases from the second section toward the first surface of the cover member; and is

The third diameter is less than the second diameter; and

a groove surrounding the central opening, the groove formed along a closed path in the first surface of the cover member, the groove providing a recess formed in an inner surface of the groove.

2. The cover of claim 1 wherein the first segment has an inner surface that is angled relative to a central axis of the central opening.

3. The cover of claim 2 wherein the angle of the inner surface of the first section is from about 30 ° to about 60 °.

4. The cover of claim 1 wherein the recess has a bevel extending in a direction at an angle of about 15 ° to about 45 ° relative to the bottom surface of the groove.

5. The cover of claim 1 wherein said second diameter extends cylindrically from said first section to said third section.

6. The cover of claim 1, wherein the third segment has a rounded corner extending to the second surface of the cover member, and the third diameter extends cylindrically from the second segment to the rounded corner.

7. The cover of claim 6, wherein the second surface of the cover member has an average surface roughness of about 2 angstroms to about 150 angstroms.

8. The cap body as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cap member is made of quartz.

9. The cover of claim 1 wherein said cover member is made of sapphire.

10. The cover of claim 1 further comprising a coating disposed on the second surface, wherein the coating comprises a ceramic.

11. The cover of claim 1, further comprising a coating disposed on the second surface, wherein the coating comprises yttria and at least one of zirconia, alumina, or a combination thereof.

12. The cover of claim 11 wherein said coating has a thickness of about 0.001 inches to about 0.100 inches.

13. The cover of claim 11 wherein the coating has a thickness of about 0.005 inches to about 0.050 inches.

14. The cover of claim 11, wherein the coating disposed on the second surface comprises yttria, zirconia, and alumina.

15. The cover of claim 11, wherein the coating disposed on the second surface comprises yttria and alumina.

16. The cover of claim 15 wherein said coating comprises from about 30 mole percent to about 60 mole percent yttria and from about 30 mole percent to about 60 mole percent alumina.

17. The cover of claim 11, wherein the coating disposed on the second surface comprises yttria and zirconia.

18. The cover of claim 11, wherein the coating disposed on the second surface comprises a ceramic material comprising a material having the formula Y₄Al₂O₉Compound of (2) and Y₂O₃And ZrO₂A solid solution of (2).

19. A lid for a substrate processing chamber, comprising:

a cover member composed of a single plate and having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface;

a coating comprising a ceramic and disposed on the second surface;

a central opening in the cover member, wherein an inner profile of the central opening comprises a first section having a first diameter, a second section having a second diameter, and a third section having a third diameter, wherein:

the second segment is disposed between and connected to the first segment and the third segment;

the first diameter gradually increases from the second section toward the first surface of the cover member; and is

The third diameter is less than the second diameter; and

a groove surrounding the central opening, the groove formed along a closed path in the first surface of the cover member, the groove providing a recess formed in an inner surface of the groove.

20. A processing chamber, comprising:

a main body; and

a cover member composed of a single plate and having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, wherein the cover member further includes:

a central opening in the cover member, wherein an inner profile of the central opening comprises a first section having a first diameter, a second section having a second diameter, and a third section having a third diameter, wherein:

the second segment is disposed between and connected to the first segment and the third segment;

the first diameter gradually increases from the second section toward the first surface of the cover member; and is

The third diameter is less than the second diameter; and

a groove surrounding the central opening, the groove formed along a closed path in the first surface of the cover member, the groove providing a recess formed in an inner surface of the groove.

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to semiconductor processing systems. More particularly, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to covers for use in semiconductor processing systems.

Background

Integrated circuits have evolved into complex devices that may include millions of components (e.g., transistors, capacitors, and resistors) on a single chip. The development of chip designs continues to require faster circuits and greater circuit density. The demand for greater circuit density forces the size of integrated circuit components to be reduced.

As the dimensions of integrated circuit components have decreased (e.g., to sub-micron dimensions), the importance of reducing the presence of contaminants has increased, as such contaminants may lead to defect formation during semiconductor fabrication processes. For example, in an etching process, by-products, such as polymers that may be generated during the etching process, may become a source of particles that contaminate integrated circuits and structures formed on a semiconductor substrate.

In the field of semiconductor material processing, semiconductor material processing apparatuses including vacuum processing chambers are used, for example, for etching and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) of various materials on a substrate. Some of the processes use corrosive and aggressive process gases and plasmas, such as hydrogen plasmas, in the processing chamber. There is a need to minimize particle contamination of substrates processed in the processing chamber. There is also a need for plasma exposed components of the device that are resistant to chemical attack when the device is exposed to the gas and plasma.

Disclosure of Invention

Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods and apparatus for reducing particle generation within a processing chamber. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a cover for a substrate processing chamber. The lid includes: a cover member having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a central opening through the cover member, wherein an inner profile of the central opening includes a first section having a first diameter, a second section having a second diameter, and a third section having a third diameter, wherein the second diameter is between the first diameter and the third diameter, and the first diameter increases from the second section toward the cover member first surface; and a groove formed along the closed path in the first surface and having a groove formed in an inner surface of the groove.

In another embodiment, a process chamber is provided. A processing chamber includes a body, a substrate support assembly disposed within the body, and a lid covering the body. The lid includes: a plate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a central opening through the plate, the central opening having an inner diameter that increases toward the first surface; and a trench formed in the first surface. The processing chamber also includes a gas coupling insert (gas coupling insert) disposed within the central opening and having a tapered flange shaped to match an inner diameter of the central opening.

In yet another embodiment, a method for reducing particle generation within a processing chamber is provided. The method comprises the following steps: providing a chamber cover having a top surface and a bottom surface parallel to the top surface, wherein the chamber cover has a central opening, and an upper portion of the central opening has an inner diameter that gradually increases toward the top surface; blasting (bead blasting) a bottom surface of a chamber lid; depositing a coating on a bottom surface of a chamber lid, wherein the coating comprises a yttria-containing ceramic or a yttria-containing oxide; providing a spacer ring within the central opening, wherein the spacer ring has an outer surface shaped to match an inner diameter of the central opening; and disposing a gas coupling insert on the spacer ring, wherein the gas coupling insert is a cylindrical hollow body having a plurality of axial through holes formed in a bottom of the gas coupling insert, and the gas coupling insert has a conical flange extending outwardly from an outer surface of the cylindrical hollow body, and wherein the conical flange is shaped to match an inner diameter of the central opening.

Drawings

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the disclosure may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a processing chamber according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2A illustrates a top view of a cover according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the cap taken along line a-a of fig. 2A.

Fig. 2C is an enlarged sectional view of circle "B" in fig. 2B.

Figure 3A illustrates a top view of a spacer ring according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the spacer ring taken along line a-a of fig. 3A.

Figure 3C shows a perspective view of the spacer ring of figure 3A.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of fig. 2C showing a gas coupling insert disposed within the central opening of the cover.

It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a processing chamber 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The processing chamber 100 may be a plasma processing chamber, such as an Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) processing chamber or a DPN HD processing chamber, available from Applied Materials, Inc., Santa Clara, Calif., of Santa Clara, Calif. The processing chamber 100 may be a fully automated semiconductor plasma processing chamber of the type typically used as part of a multi-chamber modular system (not shown). As shown in fig. 1, the processing chamber 100 includes a body 115, a lid 108, and a substrate support assembly 107 disposed within the body 115. The body 115, lid 108, and substrate support assembly 107 generally define a processing volume 110. The processing volume 110 may be configured to accommodate substrates 120 having nominal diameter (nominal diameter) sizes of up to 12 inches (300mm), 18 inches (450mm), or other diameters.

The processing chamber 100 includes a plasma power supply 102 and a matching network 101. The plasma power supply 102 and the matching network 101 are in communication with a power generation device. The power generation device may be enclosed within a first housing 111 disposed on the body 115. Plasma power supply 102 and matching network 101 operate at a frequency typically in the range between about 12MHz to about 13.5 MHz. The plasma power supply 102 may operate at frequencies up to 60MHz, if desired. In various embodiments, the plasma power supply 102 may operate at a power in a range from about 0.1kW to about 5 kW. The inductor coils 104, 106 may be located within a second housing 113 disposed between the body 115 and the first housing 111. When energized by the plasma power supply 102, the inductive coils 104, 106 can generate a Radio Frequency (RF) electric field in the processing volume 110 that can form a plasma from a gas in the processing volume 110. The plasma may then be used to perform plasma processing on the substrate 120.

The cover 108 includes a cover member, which may be a plate having a central opening adapted to receive the gas coupling insert 114. The gas coupling insert 114 may comprise a cylindrical hollow body having a plurality of axial through holes (shown in fig. 4) formed in a bottom portion thereof. A gas connector 156 may be provided on the cover 108. A process gas (not shown) is introduced into the gas connector 156 to the through-holes of the gas coupling insert 114, which provide uniform control gas flow distribution in the process volume 110. Further details of the cover 108 will be discussed below with respect to fig. 2A-2C.

The processing volume 110 present within the body 115 is in fluid communication with the non-processing volume 117. The non-process volume 117 is in fluid communication with a throttle valve 119. The throttle valve 119 is in communication with an exhaust system 131, which may include a turbo pump 116 and a backing pump 126, all of which are in fluid communication with the throttle valve 119. From throttle valve 119, exhaust gas may flow sequentially through turbopump 116 and backing pump 126. In operation, plasma source gases are provided to the processing volume 110 and process byproducts are exhausted from the processing volume 110 through the throttle valve 119 and the exhaust system 131.

A substrate access port 112 is formed in the body 115 to facilitate entry and removal of a substrate 120 from the processing chamber 100. A substrate support assembly 107 is disposed within the body 115 to support a substrate 120 during processing. The substrate support assembly 107 may be a mechanical or electrostatic chuck, wherein at least a portion of the substrate support assembly 107 is electrically conductive and capable of serving as a process bias electrode. A fluid conduit 124 may be coupled to the substrate support assembly 107 to maintain the temperature of the substrate support assembly within a desired range. A substrate disposed on the substrate support assembly 107 may be raised or lowered by a plurality of lift pins (not shown) to facilitate transfer of the substrate onto the substrate support assembly 107 or transfer of the substrate off of the substrate support assembly 107.

The shadow ring 150 may be disposed adjacent to an edge ring 152 that circumscribes a peripheral region of the substrate support assembly 107. The edge ring 152 is formed in a manner that defines a cavity 161 between the edge ring 152 and the shadow ring 150. The cavity 161 defines a restricted flow path that allows plasma to flow in a direction away from the substrate bevel angle and be pumped out of the processing chamber through the cavity 161 to the backing pump 126, rather than accumulating and forming a residual film layer on the substrate bevel angle or backside.

The controller 190 may include a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 192, memory 194, and support circuits 196 for controlling the process sequence and regulating the flow of gases and plasma processes performed in the process chamber 100. The CPU192 may be any form of a general purpose computer processor that can be used in an industrial environment. A software program, such as an etch process as described below, may be stored in the memory 194, such as random access memory, read only memory, floppy or hard disk drive, or other form of digital memory. The support circuits 196 are typically coupled to the CPU192 and may include cache, clock circuits, input/output systems, power supplies, and the like. Bi-directional communication between the controller 190 and the various components of the process chamber 100 is handled through a number of signal cables collectively referred to as signal buses 198, some of which are shown in fig. 1.

The substrate 120 may be powered by rf power from an rf bias power supply 122 through a matching network 121 coupled to the substrate support assembly 107. The radio frequency power provided by the radio frequency bias power supply 122 may be in the range of 100kHz to 13.56MHz, such as in the range of 100kHz to 2 MHz. The plasma power supply 102 and the substrate rf bias power supply 122 are independently controlled by a controller 190.

Fig. 2A illustrates a top view of the chamber cover 208 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The cover 208 may be used in place of the cover 108 shown in fig. 1. Fig. 2B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the cover 208 taken along line a-a of fig. 2A. The lid 208 is sealingly disposed over the body 115 of fig. 1 to provide an enclosed environment for vacuum processing inside the processing chamber 100. The cover 208 may be removably coupled to a portion of the body 115. Depending on the process chamber 100 or the process to which the process chamber 100 is configured, the lid 208 may be shaped as a plate or dome as shown in fig. 2B. As shown in fig. 2A, the cover 208 is a flat circular plate with a central opening 202. The groove 210 may be formed along a closed path in the first surface 204 of the cover 208. As will be discussed in more detail in fig. 4, the channel 210 may be shaped to form a flange 211 that is sized to secure an upper clamp 420 and a pair of lower clamps 422a, 422 b. Together, the upper and lower clamps 420, 422a, 422b secure the gas connector 156 and the gas coupling insert 114 in position relative to the cover 208.

Referring to fig. 2B, the cover 208 has a first surface 204, which may be planar, and a second surface 206, which may also be planar. The second surface 206 is opposite the first surface 204. The first surface 204 has a diameter "D1" and the second surface 206 has a diameter "D2". For a 300mm substrate, the diameter "D1" may be about 19 inches to about 24 inches, and the diameter "D2" may be about 18 inches to about 23 inches. The cover 208 may have a notch 212 formed in the periphery of the cover 208 such that the diameter "D1" of the first surface 204 is greater than the diameter "D2" of the second surface 206. The recess 212 may have a thickness "T" and the groove 210 may have a depth "T1" greater than the thickness "T". The depth "T1" of the groove 210 is shorter than the thickness "T2" of the cover 208. The depth "T1" may be about 0.7 inches to about 1.2 inches. The depth "T2" may be about 1 inch to about 1.5 inches.

The cover 208 may be formed of various transparent materials, such as quartz or sapphire. In one embodiment, the cover 208 is made of flame polished quartz and may have an average surface roughness average between about 2 angstroms and about 150 angstroms, such as between about 5 angstroms and about 50 angstroms. Alternatively, only the second surface 206 of the cover 208 is flame polished. In another embodiment, the cover 208 is made of non-flame polished quartz. In either case, the lid 208 can be coated with a ceramic coating 214, such as a yttria-containing ceramic or other yttrium-containing oxide, to protect the lid 208 from hydrogen-containing plasma, such as from H, during substrate processing₂A plasma formed from the gas. A ceramic coating 214 may be applied to the second surface 206 of the cover 208. The ceramic coating may be applied to the exposed surface of the cover 208, or to all surfaces of the cover 208, if desired.

In one embodiment, the cover 208 is completely coated with a ceramic coating. In one embodiment, ceramic coating 214 is uniformly applied to second surface 206 and has a diameter "D3". Diameter "D3" may be about 17 inches to about 22 inches. The diameter "D3" of the ceramic coating 214 is slightly less than the diameter "D2" of the second surface 206 such that the peripheral region 216 around the second surface 206 is free of the ceramic coating 214 so that the ceramic coating 214 does not interfere with other chamber components that contact the peripheral region 216 of the second surface 206. In one embodiment, the perimeter region 216 is about 1 inch wide as measured from the edge of the second surface 206. The ceramic coating 214 does not enter the central opening 202.

The ceramic coating 214 may be applied using a thermal spray technique, such as a plasma spray technique. The thermal spray technique may melt, vaporize, ionize, or otherwise spray the material (e.g., ceramic powder) in a spray and spray the material onto the second surface 206 of the cover 208 in a manner that facilitates forming a coating on the second surface 206 by a mechanical, thermal, or chemical adhesion process. The thermally sprayed or plasma sprayed ceramic coating may have a thickness of about 0.001 inches to about 0.100 inches, such as about 0.005 inches to about 0.050 inches, for example about 0.010 inches ± 0.001 inches. In the case where the cover 208 is made of non-flame polished quartz, the second surface 206 may be roughened prior to coating, for example by grit blasting. Roughening of the second surface 206 may be used to activate the second surface 206 to promote better adhesion of the ceramic coating 214 to the cover 208. In the case where the cover 208 is made of flame-polished quartz, the second surface 206 may be roughened by grit blasting after the ceramic coating is deposited on the second surface 206 to enhance adhesion of the ceramic coating to the second surface 206.

In one embodiment, which may be combined with any other embodiment disclosed in the present disclosure, the ceramic coating 214 is a High Performance Material (HPM), which may be formed from Y₂O₃、Al₂O₃And ZrO₂To produce a green ceramic powder. In one illustrative example, the ceramic coating 214 may be formed from Y in a range between about 45 mole percent and about 100 mole percent₂O₃ZrO in a range between about 0 mol percent and about 55 mol percent₂And Al in a range between about 0 mole percent to about 10 mole percent₂O₃And (4) forming. In one illustrative example, the ceramic coating 214 may be formed fromY in a range between about 30 mole percent and about 60 mole percent₂O₃ZrO in a range between about 0 mol percent and about 20 mol percent₂And Al in a range between about 30 mole percent to about 60 mole percent₂O₃And (4) forming.

In one embodiment, which may be combined with any other embodiment disclosed in the present disclosure, the ceramic coating 214 is formed from at least one compound Y_xZr_yAl_zAnd (C) O. The ceramic coating 214 may have a graded composition across its thickness. In one illustrative example, the ceramic coating 214 may include Y₂O₃、ZrO₂And Al₂O₃Said Y is₂O₃Having a molar concentration that varies gradually from about 40 mole percent to about 85 mole percent, for example from about 50 mole percent to about 75 mole percent; the ZrO₂Having a molar concentration that varies gradually from about 5 mole percent to about 60 mole percent, for example from about 10 mole percent to about 30 mole percent; the Al is₂O₃Having a molar concentration that varies gradually from about 5 mole percent to about 50 mole percent, for example from about 10 mole percent to about 30 mole percent. In another illustrative example, the ceramic coating 214 may contain Y₂O₃、ZrO₂And Al₂O₃Said Y is₂O₃Having a molar concentration gradually varying from about 55 mol% to about 65 mol%, the ZrO₂Has a molar concentration gradually varying from 10 mole percent to about 25 mole percent, and the Al₂O₃With a molar concentration that varies gradually from 10 mole percent to about 20 mole percent. In another illustrative example, the ceramic coating 214 may contain Y₂O₃、ZrO₂And Al₂O₃Said Y is₂O₃Having a molar concentration gradually varying from about 55 mol% to about 65 mol%, the ZrO₂Has a molar concentration gradually varying from 20 mole percent to about 25 mole percent, and the Al₂O₃Having a slaveA molar concentration ranging from 5 mole percent to about 10 mole percent.

In one embodiment, which may be combined with any other embodiment disclosed in the present disclosure, the ceramic coating 214 is formed from a compound Y₄Al₂O9 and solid solution (solid solution) Y_2-xZr_xO₃(Y₂O₃-ZrO₂Solid solution) of the HPM material. In one illustrative example, the HPM ceramic comprises 77% Y₂O₃15% of ZrO₂And 8% of Al₂O₃. In another illustrative example, the HPM ceramic comprises 63% Y₂O₃23% of ZrO₂And 14% of Al₂O₃. In yet another illustrative example, the HPM ceramic comprises 55% Y₂O₃20% of ZrO₂And 25% of Al₂O₃. Relative percentages may be in molar ratios. For example, the HPM ceramic may comprise 77 mole percent Y₂O₃15 mol% of ZrO₂And 8 mole percent Al₂O₃. Other distributions of these ceramic powders may also be used for the HPM material. The ceramic coating 214 is provided at H₂High corrosion resistance, low porosity and significant improvement of corrosion resistance under chemical action. It is contemplated that the percentages or molar ratios described herein may vary depending on the application.

Fig. 2C is an enlarged sectional view of circle "B" in fig. 2B. As shown in fig. 2C, the inner profile of the central opening 202 may be divided into three sections having different inner diameters. These three sections are an upper section 222, a bottom section 226, and a middle section 224 sandwiched between the upper section 222 and the bottom section 226. The upper section 222 is flared upward such that the inner surface of the upper section 222 extends in a direction that is at an angle "θ" relative to a central axis "C1" passing perpendicularly through the cover 208. The angle "θ" may be between about 30 ° and about 60 °, for example about 45 °. As a result of this tapered expanded profile, the cover 208 forms a flange 211 around the upper section 222 of the central opening 202. As will be discussed in more detail below with respect to fig. 4, the upper section 222 is shaped to match the conical or tapered flange 414 of the gas coupling insert 114.

The upper section 222 has an inner diameter "D4" that gradually increases from the inner diameter "D5" of the middle section 224 toward the first surface 204 of the cover 208. The bottom section 226 may have an inner diameter "D6" that is relatively smaller than the inner diameter "D5" of the middle section 224. For a 300mm substrate, the inner diameter "D4" may be about 1.7 inches to about 2.5 inches. The inner diameter "D5" may be about 1.4 inches to about 1.8 inches. The inner diameter "D6" may be about 1.2 inches to about 1.6 inches. The upper section 222 may have a depth "T3" while the middle section 224 may have a depth "T4" that is greater or less than the depth "T3". The depth "T3" may be about 0.15 inches to about 0.4 inches. The depth "T4" may be about 0.3 inches to 0.5 inches. The corners 242, 244 of the bottom section 226 may be rounded.

The groove 210 is formed along a closed path in the first surface 204 of the cover 208. The trench 210 may be annular or any other closed-loop pattern. The groove 210 may have an inner surface 230 parallel to the central axis "C1". The groove 210 defines a wall between the inner surface 230 and the central opening 202. The groove 210 may have a depth "T5" that is greater than the depth "T3" of the upper section 222. The depth "T5" may be less than the combination of the depths "T3" and "T4". The depth "T5" may be about 0.4 inches to about 0.8 inches.

A notch or groove 234 may be formed on the inner surface 230 of the groove 210. The notch or groove 234 may be chamfered such that a portion of the inner surface 230 extends at an angle "β" of between about 15 ° and about 45 °, such as about 30 °, in a direction relative to the bottom surface 236 of the groove 210. The inner edges 232, 233 of the trench 210 forming a portion of the first surface 204 may be rounded. Similarly, the bottom corners 238, 240 of the trench 210 may be rounded.

The groove 210 may have an inner diameter "D7" and an outer diameter "D8" that is greater than the inner diameter "D7". A portion of the inner surface 230 located within the notch or groove 234 has a diameter "D9" that is less than the inner diameter "D7" of the groove 210. The diameter "D9" is relatively larger than the inner diameter "D4" of the upper section 222. The inner diameter "D7" may be about 2.6 inches to about 3.5 inches. The outer diameter "D8" may be about 4 inches to about 5.5 inches. The diameter "D9" may be about 2.2 inches to about 3.2 inches.

Fig. 3A shows a top view of a spacer ring 302 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 3B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the spacer ring 302 taken along line a-a of fig. 3A. Fig. 3C shows a perspective view of the spacer ring 302 of fig. 3A. The spacer ring 302 may be removably disposed between the cover 108 and the gas coupling insert 114 shown in fig. 1. The spacer ring 302 protects the ceramic coating applied to the exposed surfaces of the gas coupling insert 114 from being consumed relative to the lid 108, which would otherwise generate particles that contaminate the processing chamber. As shown in fig. 3A, the spacer ring 302 has a central opening 304 (fig. 1) sized to allow a portion of the gas coupling insert 114 to pass therethrough. The spacer ring 302 has a central axis "C2" passing perpendicularly through the spacer ring 302. The spacer ring 302 is coaxial with the cap body 208.

The inner surface 306 of the spacer ring 302 generally follows the contour of the upper segment 222 (fig. 2C). In one embodiment, the spacer ring 302 has a generally hollow, frusto-conical shape (fruto-conical shape), as shown in fig. 3C. The spacer ring 302 may be sized to rest on the upper section 222 of the cover 208 by gravity or any suitable mechanical means. Once the spacer ring 302 has been disposed on the upper section 222 of the cover 208, the gas coupling insert 114 (fig. 1) is then disposed on the spacer ring 302. Thereafter, a gas connector 156 (fig. 1) is provided on the cover 208 to secure the gas coupling insert 114 within the central opening 202 of the cover 208.

The outer surface 308 of the spacer ring 302 may extend at an angle "a" relative to the top surface 310 of the spacer ring 302. The angle "α" may be between about 30 ° and about 60 °, for example about 45 °. The spacer ring 302 may have a height "H" that generally corresponds to the depth "T3" of the upper section 222 shown in fig. 2C. The spacer ring 302 can have a thickness "T" of about 0.020 inch to about 0.1 inch, such as about 0.045 inch. The spacer ring 302 may have an outer diameter "D10" measured from the edge of the top surface 310. The outer diameter "D10" may correspond to the inner diameter "D4" of the upper section 222 of the cover 208 shown in fig. 2C.

The spacer ring 302 may be made of polyimide, elastomer, or any other suitable material having excellent mechanical properties and heat resistance.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of fig. 2C showing the gas coupling insert 114 disposed within the central opening 202 of the cover 208. The gas coupling insert 114 may be a cylindrical hollow body having a plurality of through-holes 404 formed around a sidewall 406 of the cylindrical hollow body. The gas coupling insert 114 may also have a plurality of axial through holes 408 formed in the bottom 410 of the cylindrical hollow body. A spacer ring 302 is embedded between the cover 208 and the gas coupling insert 114.

The gas coupling insert 114 may have a conical or tapered flange 414 extending outwardly from an outer surface 416 of the cylindrical hollow body. A conical or tapered flange 414 may be disposed about the upper end of the gas coupling insert 114. The conical or tapered flange 414 generally follows the contour of the profile of the upper section 222. A ceramic coating such as the ceramic coating 214 discussed above may be deposited on the exposed surface of the conical or tapered flange 414.

Once the gas coupling insert 114 is disposed within the central opening 202 of the cap body 208, the conical or tapered flange 414 is placed by gravity or any suitable mechanical means on the inner surface 306 of the spacer ring 302 such that the remainder of the cylindrical hollow body protrudes out of the bottom of the spacer ring 302. The portion of the cylindrical hollow body below the conical or tapered flange 414 extends through the middle section 224 and the bottom section 226 to a distance below the second surface 206 of the cap 208.

The gas connector 156 is provided on the cover 208. The gas connector 156 radially covers the top surface 418 and a portion of the first surface 204 of the gas coupling insert 114 without completely covering the groove 210. The groove 210 as discussed above with respect to fig. 2B and 2C is shaped to provide a flange 211 around the upper section 222 of the central opening 202. The channel 210 receives a pair of lower ledges 422a, 422 b. In particular, the groove 210 uses the flange 211 to secure the upper flange 420 and the pair of lower flanges 422a, 422 b. The upper flange 420 and the pair of lower flanges 422a, 422b may be coupled together via screws or any other suitable mechanical mechanism. The upper flange 420 is shaped to enclose the gas connector 156. Thus, the upper and lower clamps 420, 422a, 422b secure the gas connector 156 and the gas coupling insert 114 in place relative to the cover 208 through the use of the flange 211. During processing, the low pressure in the processing chamber will pull down on the gas connector 156 to further hold these components in place. A process source gas (not shown) is introduced into the gas connector 156 through the gas inlet 412 and subsequently into the cylindrical hollow body. The process gas flows through the through-holes 404 and the axial through-holes 408 of the gas coupling insert 114 to provide a uniform and controlled gas flow distribution in the process volume 110 (fig. 1).

In summary, embodiments of the present disclosure provide an improved lid for use in a semiconductor processing system. The conical or tapered flange 414 of the gas coupling insert 114 and the corresponding flared profile of the upper section of the cover 208 allow for smooth contact between the gas coupling insert 114 and the cover 208. Because there is no hard angle (hard angle) within the central opening 202 of the cover 208, any undesirable peeling and cracking of the gas coupling insert 114 and/or the cover 208 during maintenance, installation, or removal of the gas coupling insert 114 may be minimized or avoided. A spacer ring made of polyimide is disposed between the chamber lid and the gas supply insert to keep the ceramic coating on the gas supply insert from being consumed relative to the chamber lid. As a result, particle generation at the interface between the gas coupling insert 114 and the cover 208 is greatly reduced because the contact surfaces of the conical or tapered flange 414 and the cover 208, which are believed to be sources of particle contamination, are cushioned by the spacer ring 302.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.