Patent ID: 8821987
Filing Date: 2014-09-02
Classification: C23C

Abstract:
1. A method for surface exposure to a plasma or reactive radical species, the method comprising: generating a flow of reactive species using a remote plasma source; passing the flow of reactive species through holes in a showerhead, the showerhead comprising a plurality of regions, each of the showerhead regions further comprising an inert gas port wherein each inert gas port only dispenses inert gases therethrough to a substrate; wherein the showerhead is operable to provide exposure of the reactive species from the remote plasma source to a region on the substrate; and flowing inert gas through at least two or more of the inert gas ports, wherein the flowing of inert gas is operable to quench reactive species within the corresponding regions of the showerhead; wherein flowing the inert gas is varied in a combinatorial manner through at least two of the inert gas ports; wherein to quench includes altering the concentration or energy level of the flow of reactive species.