Photochemical vapor deposition process for depositing oxide layers

摘要

An improved process for depositing an oxide layer on a substrate by exposing the substrate to a selected vapor phase reactant and an oxygen-containing precursor comprising nitrous oxide mixed with molecular oxygen in a predetermined ratio, in the presence of radiation of a selected wavelength. The radiation causes the direct dissociation of the oxygen-containing precursor to form neutral oxygen atoms that react with the vapor phase reactant and form the oxide, which deposits as a layer on the substrate. The rate of reaction to form and deposit the oxide layer is enhanced by the mixing of molecular oxygen with nitrous oxide in the precursor.