TREATING SURFACE OF SUBSTRATE USING INERT GAS PLASMA IN ATOMIC LAYER DEPOSITION

摘要

Depositing one or more layers of material on a substrate using atomic layer deposition (ALD) followed by surface treating the substrate with radicals of inert gas before subjecting the substrate to further deposition of layers. The radicals of the inert gas appear to change the surface state of the deposited layer to a state more amenable to absorb subsequent source precursor molecules. The radicals of the inert gas disconnect bonding of molecules on the surface of the substrate, and render the molecules on the surface to have dangling bonds. The dangling bonds facilitate absorption of subsequently injected source precursor molecules into the surface. Exposure to the radicals of the inert gas thereby increases the deposition rate and improves the properties of the deposited layer.