Patent Publication Number: US-2023151494-A1

Title: Chamber wall polymer protection system and method

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM AND CROSS-REFERENCE 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/279,758 filed Nov. 16, 2021, and titled CHAMBER WALL POLYMER PROTECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD. U.S. Provisional U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/279,758 filed Nov. 16, 2021 and titled CHAMBER WALL PROTECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The following relates to systems and methods for removal of particles, such as polymer particles, remaining in an etching chamber after processing. Integrated circuits are formed on a semiconductor substrate, which is typically comprised of silicon. Such formation involves sequential deposition of various materials in layers or films, e.g. conductive and nonconductive layers. Etching processes may be used to form geometric patterns in the layers or vias for electrical contact between the layers. Etching processes may include “wet” etching, wherein a solvent or chemical reagent is used, or “dry” etching, wherein plasma is used. Such processes produce extraneous particles which may remain in the chamber. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is noted that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion. 
         FIG.  1    diagrammatically illustrates a system for removal of particulates from an etch process chamber in accordance with one embodiment of the subject application. 
         FIG.  2    diagrammatically illustrates a top view of a system for removal of particulates from an etch process chamber in accordance with another embodiment of the subject application. 
         FIG.  3    diagrammatically illustrates a system for removal of particulates from an etch process chamber in accordance with another embodiment of the subject application. 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a flowchart of a method for removal of particulates from an etch process chamber in accordance with one embodiment of the subject application. 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a flowchart of a method for removal of particulates from an etch process chamber in accordance with another embodiment of the subject application. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the provided subject matter. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed between the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed. 
     Further, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may likewise be interpreted accordingly. 
     Dry etching processes, also referred to as plasma etching processes, are carried out to etch various films at various stages of the semiconductor manufacturing operation and produce various device features. Multiple plasma etching operations are sometimes used during fabrication of a semiconductor device. One shortcoming of such plasma etching operations is the generation of polymers as etch by-products within the etching chamber. The polymers can adhere to various surfaces within the etch chamber and become dislodged, contaminating the chamber. One particularly prevalent and problematic location where polymer buildup is common, are the inside walls of the etching chamber. When a polymer film is formed on the inside walls of the etching chamber, any uncontrolled or unintentional movements may cause the polymeric film to delaminate and flake from the walls. This generates particles that may fall immediately on the top, i.e. the device side of a substrate or contaminate the chamber in which the substrate is located, which may ultimately result in device contamination and failure. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  1   , there is shown an exemplary system  100  for removal of particulates (e.g., polymers)  104  from the inside of an etching chamber  102 . As used herein, the terms “particulate” and “polymer” are used to refer to particles left after the etching process within the chamber that require removal. The reference to “polymers” is intended to provide one particular example of such particles, and other materials may remain after an etching process that may be removed in accordance with the systems and methods set forth herein. 
     The chamber  102  includes an outer wall  106  and an inner wall  108 , the inner wall  108  defining a cavity  110  in which etching processes may be performed. Typically, the cavity  110  is sealed, except for possible gas inlets/outlet and/or a pump connection, so that the cavity  110  can contain a controlled atmosphere at a controlled pressure. The chamber  102  includes an electrostatic chuck (ESC) or other type of wafer mount  112  disposed within the cavity  110  and configured to retain a semiconductor wafer  114  therein. In an etching process for polysilicon or metal surfaces, a chlorine etching gas is frequently used. On the other hand, the etching gas used for oxide or nitride surfaces is frequently fluorine gas. These are merely nonlimiting illustrative examples. During a plasma etching process, the reactive plasma ions have a high energy level and therefore can easily combine with any available chemical molecules or elements in the chamber  102  to form contaminating particles or films. For instance, in a metal etching process, the elements frequently seen in the etch chamber  102  include C, H, N, O, Al, Ti, TiN and Si, and/or molecules including these elements. Different elements such as C, N, O, Br, Si and W are seen in a polysilicon etch chamber. The contaminating particles or films, illustrated in  FIG.  1    as the polymers  104 , are formed by often volatile chemical molecules or elements during an etching process. The polymers  104  often float or are suspended in the chamber  102  due to the interaction with high energy plasma ion particles when the RF power is on. The phenomenon of the floating or suspended particles  104  can be explained by the fact that the particles  104  have higher energy and temperature while suspended in a plasma cloud. However, at the end of a typical etching process, the RF power is switched off which leads to the sudden loss of energy in the suspended contaminating particles and causing them to fall or stick to the chamber walls  108  or the upper electrode (not shown). 
     The chamber  102  of  FIG.  1    further includes an inlet  116  into which a gas  118  is injected into the chamber  102 , collecting some of the polymers  104  within the cavity  110  formed during the etching process. The gas  118  flowing into the cavity  110  may be oxygen, nitrogen, or other suitable gas. While a single inlet  116  is shown by way of illustration, it is contemplated to have multiple inlets, e.g. to admit different gases into the cavity  110 , possibly at different flow rates. A pump  120  is positioned outside the chamber  102  and in fluidic connection with the cavity  110 . In varying embodiments, the pump  120  is operative to remove the gas  118  and any collected particles  104  from the chamber  102 . It will be appreciated that the gas  118  and pump  120  may be operative while a semiconductor wafer  114  is present within the chamber  102 . Alternatively, the gas  118  and pump  120  may be operative after the etching process has completed and the semiconductor wafer  114  has been removed. 
     Positioned outside the chamber  102  are one or more, including a plurality of oscillators  122 A,  122 B, and  122 C. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the number of oscillators  122 A-C depicted in  FIG.  1    is intended merely to illustrate one example implementation, and the subject systems and methods described herein may include any number of oscillators  122 A-C. In some contemplated embodiments, the number of oscillators may be as low as one, i.e. a single oscillator. Furthermore, the positioning of the oscillators  122 A-C shown in  FIG.  1    is merely intended to illustrate their position outside the chamber  102 , and not intended to limit their respective positions with respect to the chamber  102 . That is, while shown in  FIG.  1    as being located opposite each other and one above the chamber  102 , the position of the oscillators  122 A-C, along with the number thereof, may vary in accordance with a myriad of factors including, for example and without limitation, the size of the chamber  102 , the location of the chamber  102  within a facility, the type of chamber  102 , the size and number of the oscillators  122 A-C, and the like. 
     The oscillators  122 A-C are positioned outside the outer chamber wall  106 , with a suitable gap  124  between the outer wall  106  and each respective oscillator  122 A-C. The oscillators  122 A-C may be coupled to a frame or jacket (not shown) surrounding the chamber  102 , such that the oscillators  122 A-C are not in direct or indirect physical contact with the outer chamber wall  106 . In accordance with another embodiment, each oscillator  122 A-C is individually mounted to the outer chamber wall  106  via a bracket (not shown). In such an embodiment, the bracket (not shown) maintains the position of the respective oscillator  122 A-C relative to the chamber  102  and the gap  124 . The gap  124  may be an air gap, or may be filled with another medium that transmits the oscillations to the chamber  102 . In varying embodiments contemplated herein, the gap  124  between the oscillators  122 A-C relative to the outer chamber wall  106  may vary in accordance with the type of oscillator  122 A-C used, and in some non-limiting examples, be from 1 mm to 30 mm. 
     In accordance with one embodiment, the oscillators  122 A-C are operated in response to the output of a generator, including microwave generator  128 , of a controller  126 . The oscillators  122 A-C may include, for example and without limitation, a transducer, a piezoelectric element, a vibrator, or the like configured to induce mechanical vibration of the inner wall  108  so as to vibrate polymer particles  104  to dislodge or disperse the particles  104  from the inner chamber wall  108 . Upon dispersal from the walls, the polymer particles  104  may be removed from within the cavity  110  of the chamber  102  via operation of the pump  120 . In one embodiment, the gas  118  flowing into the cavity  110  collects the polymers  104  displaced from the inner wall  108  via the oscillators  122 A-C, whereafter the gas  118  with suspended polymers  104  is removed from the cavity  110  via operations of the pump  120 . According to varying embodiments contemplated herein, the one or more oscillators  122 A-C may operate in varying sequences, simultaneously, in varying pairs (e.g., opposites), or any such suitable variation of operation where one or more oscillators  122 A-C vibrate polymer or other materials  104  loose from the inner chamber wall  108 . 
     According to one or more embodiments, the controller  126  is in communication with the oscillators  122 A-C and, optionally, the pump  120 . In such an embodiment, the controller  126  may include or be operatively connected with a microwave generator  128  configured to generate and transmit one or more microwave frequencies to the oscillators  122 A-C, thereby causing the oscillators  122 A-C to oscillate, i.e. vibrate, at a preselected frequency. In some embodiments, the frequency at which the oscillators  122 A-C oscillate may range from 1-10000 kHz. According to one embodiment, the oscillators  122 A-C may operate at a variety of frequencies within said range in accordance with a predetermined program of operation stored in memory of the controller  126  (as discussed in greater detail below). In other embodiments, the oscillators  122 A-C may oscillate at a predetermined frequency within said range. For example, a particular type of polymer  104  may require a low frequency of vibration whereas another type of polymer  104  may require a high frequency of vibration. According to another embodiment, the controller  126  may be configured to operate the oscillators  122 A-C at a set frequency with said range for a predetermined period of time. Operations of the system  100  depicted in  FIG.  1    will be better understood in conjunction with the methodology illustrated in  FIG.  4   , discussed in detail below. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  2   , there is shown a top view of a second embodiment of the subject system and method for particulate removal from an etch process chamber. The system  200  depicted in  FIG.  2    illustrates a process chamber  202  that includes an outer wall  206  and an inner wall  208 , with the inner wall  208  defining a cavity  210  in which etching processes may be performed. As shown in  FIG.  2   , the cavity  210  includes an electrostatic chuck (ESC) or other suitable type of wafer mount  212  that is configured to retain a semiconductor wafer (not shown) in position during an etching process. 
     As shown within the cavity  210  of the chamber  202 , a plurality of particulates  204  is illustrated adhering to the inner wall  208 . As discussed above, the particulates  204  often float or are suspended in the cavity  210  due to interactions with high energy plasma ion particles when the etching process is active. After the process has completed, as discussed above, the suspended contaminating particles  204  fall or stick to the inner chamber walls  208 . As with the process chamber  102  of  FIG.  1   , the chamber  202  of  FIG.  2    may include one or more inlets (not shown) through which a gas (e.g., oxygen, nitrogen, etc.) may be injected into the cavity  210  to assist in removal of free floating particulates  204 . 
     The system  200  of  FIG.  2    also includes an associated pump  220 , which is positioned outside the chamber  202  and in fluidic connection with the cavity  210  via an outlet  214  located on the bottom of the cavity  210 . It will be understood that the positioning of the outlet  214  may be dependent upon a variety of factors including, for example and without limitation, size of the chamber, location of the chamber, size of the pump, location of the pump, type of etching, type of particulate, and the like. In varying embodiments, the pump  220  is operative to remove gas and any collected particles  204  from the chamber  202 . It will be appreciated that the inflow of gas (not shown) and the pump  220  may be operative while a semiconductor wafer is present within the chamber  202 , or may be operative after the etching process has completed and the semiconductor wafer has been removed. 
       FIG.  2    illustrates a plurality of oscillators  222 A,  222 B,  222 C, and  222 D that are positioned around the outside of the chamber  202 . It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the number of oscillators  222 A-D depicted in  FIG.  2    is intended merely to illustrate one example implementation, and the subject systems and methods described herein may include any number of oscillators  222 A-D. Furthermore, the positioning of the oscillators  222 A-D around the perimeter of the chamber  202  shown in  FIG.  2    is merely intended to illustrate their position outside the chamber  202 , and not intended to limit their respective positions with respect to the chamber  202 . That is, the position of the oscillators  222 A-D, along with the number thereof, may vary in accordance with a myriad of factors including, for example and without limitation, the size of the chamber  202 , the location of the chamber  202  within a facility, the type of chamber  202 , the size of the oscillators  222 A-D, and the like. 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , each oscillator  222 A-D is positioned outside the outer chamber wall  206 , with a suitable gap  224  between each respective oscillator  222 A-D and the outer chamber wall  206 . The oscillators  222 A-D may be coupled to a frame or jacket (not shown) surrounding the chamber  202 , such that the oscillators  222 A-D are not in direct or indirect physical contact with the outer chamber wall  206 . In accordance with another embodiment, each oscillator  222 A-D is individually mounted to the outer chamber wall  206  via a bracket (not shown). In such an embodiment, the bracket (not shown) maintains the position of the respective oscillator  222 A-D relative to the chamber  202  and the gap  224 . The gap  224  may be an air gap, or may be filled with another medium that transmits the oscillations to the chamber  202 . In varying embodiments contemplated herein, the gap  224  between the oscillators  222 A-D relative to the outer chamber wall  206  may vary in accordance with the type of oscillator  222 A-D used, and in some non-limiting examples, be from  1 mm to  30 mm. 
     In accordance with one embodiment, the oscillators  222 A-D are operated in response to the output of a microwave generator  228  of (or operatively connected with) a controller  226 . The oscillators  222 A-D may include, for example and without limitation, a transducer, a piezoelectric element, a vibrator, or the like configured to vibrate polymer particles  204  from the inner chamber walls  208 . Upon dispersal from the walls, the polymer particles  204  may be removed from within the cavity  210  of the chamber  202  via operation of the pump  220 . Operations of the pump  220  and oscillators  222 A-D may be performed simultaneously in accordance with one embodiment of the subject application. According to varying embodiments contemplated herein, the one or more oscillators  222 A-D may operate in varying sequences, simultaneously, in varying pairs (e.g., opposites), or any such suitable variation of operation where one or more oscillators  222 A-D vibrate polymer materials  204  loose from one or more inner chamber walls  208 . 
     With reference now to  FIG.  3   , there is shown another embodiment of a system for removal of particulates from an etch process chamber. The system  300  comprises an etching chamber  302  and controller  326 , as described hereinafter. The chamber  302  includes an outer wall  306  and an inner wall  308 . The inner wall  308  defines a cavity  310  within the chamber  302  in which etching processes may be performed. As shown in  FIG.  3   , the chamber  302  includes an electrostatic chuck (ESC) or other type of wafer mount  312  disposed within the cavity  310  and configured to retain a semiconductor wafer  314  therein. As with  FIGS.  1 - 2   ,  FIG.  3    illustrates the location of particulates, e.g. polymers  304 , within the cavity  310  left after (or during) an etching process. It will be appreciated that the wafer  314  is illustrated in  FIG.  3    merely to demonstrate the position of the wafer  314 , and operations of the system  300  generally occur without said wafer  314  within the chamber  302 . 
       FIG.  3    also illustrates an inlet  316  into which a gas  318  is injected into the cavity  310  of the chamber  302 , collecting some of the polymers  304  formed during the etching process. The gas  318  flowing into the cavity  310  may be Oxygen, Nitrogen, or other suitable gas. A pump  320  is positioned outside the chamber  302  and in fluidic connection with the cavity  310 . In varying embodiments, the pump  320  is operative to remove the gas  318  and any collected particles  304  from the chamber  302 . As with the systems  100 ,  200  of  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the gas  318  and pump  320  may be operative with and without a semiconductor wafer  314  present within the chamber  302 . 
     The system  300  of  FIG.  3    includes one or more, including a plurality of oscillators  322 A,  322 B, and  322 C located outside of the chamber  302 . The number and position of the oscillators  322 A-C are depicted in  FIG.  3    for exemplary purposes only, and any number and position is contemplated herein. Accordingly, while shown as being located opposite each other and one above the chamber  302 , the position of the oscillators  322 A-C, along with the number thereof, may vary in accordance with a myriad of factors including, for example and without limitation, the size of the chamber  302 , the location of the chamber  302  within a facility, the type of chamber  302 , the size of the oscillators  322 A-C, and the like. 
     Each oscillator  322 A-C is positioned with a suitable gap  324  from the outside the outer chamber wall  306 . In varying embodiments contemplated herein, the gap  324  between the oscillators  322 A-C relative to the outer chamber wall  306  may vary in accordance with the type of oscillator  322 A-C used, and in some non-limiting examples, be from 1 mm to 30 mm. The oscillators  322 A-C may be affixed to a frame or jacket (not shown) surrounding the chamber  302 , such that the oscillators  322 A-C are not in direct or indirect physical contact with the outer chamber wall  306 . In accordance with another embodiment, each oscillator  322 A-C is individually mounted to the outer chamber wall  306  via a bracket (not shown). In such an embodiment, the bracket (not shown) is in physical contact with the outer chamber wall  306 , while maintaining the gap  124  between the respective oscillators  122 A-C and the chamber  302 . The gap  324  may be an air gap or may be filled with another medium that transmits the oscillations to the chamber  302 . The oscillators  322 A-C may include, for example and without limitation, a transducer, a piezoelectric element, a vibrator, or the like configured to mechanically vibrate polymer particles  304  from the inner chamber walls  308 . Upon dispersal from the walls, the polymer particles  304  may be removed from within the cavity  310  of the chamber  302  via operation of the pump  320 . According to varying embodiments contemplated herein, the one or more oscillators  322 A-C may operate in varying sequences, simultaneously, in varying pairs (e.g., opposites), or any such suitable variation of operation where one or more oscillators  322 A-C vibrate polymer materials  304  loose from one or more inner chamber walls  308 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , the system  300  further includes a controller  326 , in electronic communication with the oscillators  322 A-C and the pump  320 . The controller  326  includes an electronic processor  328  (e.g., comprising a microprocessor, microcontroller, or so forth) in communication with various components, including, for example and without limitation memory  330 , a microwave generator  338 , a display  340 , and a speaker  342  (or other auditory means). The processor  328 , which may perform the exemplary methods (described below) via execution of processing instructions  332  that are stored in memory  330  connected to the processor  328 . According to one embodiment, the controller  326  includes hardware, software, and/or any suitable combination thereof, configured to interact with the oscillators  322 A-C, the pump  320 , the chamber  302 , and the like. 
     The memory  330  may represent any type of non-transitory computer readable medium such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), magnetic disk or tape, optical disk, flash memory, or holographic memory. In one embodiment, the memory  330  comprises a combination of random access memory and read only memory. In some embodiments, the processor  328  and the memory  330  may be combined in a single chip. The processor  328  can be variously embodied, such as by a single core processor, a multi-core processor, cooperating math coprocessor, a digital controller, or the like. The processor  328 , in addition to controlling operations of the controller  326 , microwave generator  338 , executes instructions  330  stored in memory  330  for performing the method set forth hereinafter. 
     During operations of the system  300  illustrated in  FIG.  3   , the controller  326  may utilize recipes  334  and programs  336  to determine the appropriate frequency, duration, and operation of the oscillators  322 A-C in accordance with varying embodiments of the subject application. In accordance with one embodiment, the controller  326  may identify the recipe  334  used in the etching process to determine the recipe&#39;s polymer performance. That is, the processor  328  determines the photoresist percentage and polymer ratio of a given recipe  334  to determine the relative amounts of particulates, e.g. polymer  304 , removed or etched onto a wafer  314 . Table 1 below illustrates various example recipes: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 RCP 
                 PD 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Recipe Groups 
                 Name 
                 % 
                 Polymer 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 THK: A 
                 A1 
                 &gt;50% 
                 3.6 
               
               
                   
                   
                 A2 
                 &lt;50% 
                 1.8 
               
               
                   
                 THK: B 
                 B1 
                 &gt;37% 
                 2.2 
               
               
                   
                   
                 B2 
                 &lt;37% 
                 1.1 
               
               
                   
                 THK: C 
                 C1 
                 &gt;69% 
                 1.8 
               
               
                   
                   
                 C2 
                 &lt;69% 
                 0.9 
               
               
                   
                 THK: D 
                 D1 
                 &gt;57% 
                 0.4 
               
               
                   
                   
                 D2 
                 &lt;57% 
                 0.2 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     In Table 1, the pattern density (“PD”) may correspond to the photoresist percentage of the entire wafer, and the polymer referring to the type of byproduct resulting from the etching process. Using this identification of the recipe  334  used, the processor  336  retrieves from memory  330  the corresponding cleaning program  336  dictating the performance of the oscillators  322 A-C to remove particulates  304  from the inner walls  308  of the chamber  302 . In accordance with one embodiment, each program  336  may include indicia as to the appropriate frequency (e.g. high frequency, low frequency, modulating frequency, etc.) of oscillator  322 A-C operation, the duration of such operation, any variations to activation of oscillators  322 A-C (e.g., sequential, simultaneous, pairs, etc.), flow of gas  318 , activation of the pump  320 , length of time oscillators  322 A-C vibrate, times to start/stop gas  318  and/or pump  320 , and the like. For example, when the processor  328  identifies a recipe D 1  in the group THK:D, the processor  328  determines the type and likely amount of material (e.g. polymer  304 ) potentially coating the inner wall  308 . Using this particular identification, the processor  328  retrieves the corresponding program  336  associated with this recipe  334 . Thereafter, the processor  328  directs the microwave generator  338  to generate a microwave of a preselected frequency (e.g., within 1 kHz-10000 kHz) for predetermined period of time (e.g., from approximately 30-300 seconds). Concurrently, the processor  328  directs the gas inlet  316  to open and inject gas  318  into the cavity  310  and simultaneously activate the pump  320  to remove particulates  304  vibrated off the surface of the inner wall  308  via the oscillators  322 A-C collected in the gas  318 . 
     The controller  326  of  FIG.  3    may also include a user perceptible output for alerting a user as to the completion of a cleaning cycle, i.e. completion of a program  336  indicating removal of the particulates  304 . As shown in  FIG.  3   , the user perceptible alerting output may include, for example and without limitation, a display  340  to generate visible indicia as to the status of the operation, a speaker  342  to generate an audible indicia as to the status of the operation. 
     In some embodiments, the system  300  further includes one or more sensors  344 A,  344 B positioned adjacent to or directly in contact with the outer wall  306  of the process chamber  302 . In such embodiments, the sensors  344 A-B sense the vibrations of the chamber  302  driven by oscillation of the oscillators  322 A-C to the chamber  302 . In this regard, the inner wall  308  and the outer wall  306  are typically inner and outer walls of the process chamber  302  which typically comprises a steel frame or the like, so that the inner and outer walls  306 ,  308  vibrate together—hence, measurement of the vibration using the sensors positioned adjacent to or directly in contact with the outer wall  306  effectively measures vibration of the inner wall  308 . The sensors  344 A-B may more generally be configured to sense the frequency of oscillation of the oscillators  322 A-C, the frequency of the vibrations of the chamber  302 , or the like. Suitable examples of such sensors  344 A-B may comprise MEMS devices, gyroscopic devices, piezoelectric transducers, or other suitable frequency and/or vibration monitoring devices. In some embodiments, the output of the sensors  344 A-B may be communicated to the processor  328  of the controller  328 . The controller  328  may then alter the frequency output by the microwave generator  338  to the oscillators  322 A-C to increase, decrease, or otherwise modulate the vibrations imparted to the inner wall  308  of the chamber  302 . In other embodiments, the output of the sensors  344 A-B may be used by the processor  328  to determine the effectiveness of the cleaning cycle, e.g., a change in frequency resulting from successful removal of particles (polymers)  304  from the inner wall  308 . Operations of the system  300  of  FIG.  3    will be better understood in conjunction with the method  500  set forth in  FIG.  5   , discussed in greater detail below. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  4   , and with continued reference to the system  100  of  FIG.  1   , there is shown a method  400  illustrating one method for cleaning an etch process chamber  102  in accordance with one embodiment of the subject application. In accordance with varying embodiments, the cleaning of the process chamber  102  may occur at varying intervals, e.g. hourly, daily, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, bi-monthly, cyclically, batch processing, or the like, after a preset number of wafers  114  have passed through the etching process, or as needed. The method  400  begins at  402 , whereupon a determination is made whether a semiconductor wafer  114  is present on the electrostatic chuck or other type of wafer mount  112  located in the cavity  110  of the chamber  102 . Upon a determination that a wafer  114  is present in the chamber  102 , operations return to start until such time as no wafer  114  is present. When it is determined at  402 , via the controller  126  or other suitable mechanism or user involvement, that no wafer  114  is present on the electrostatic chuck or other type of wafer mount  112 , operations proceed to  404 . 
     At  404 , the controller  126 , via the microwave generator  128 , activates the oscillators  122 A-C to vibrate a predetermined frequency in accordance with the output of the microwave generator  128 . At  406 , the controller  126  or other suitable control activates the gas inlet  116  enable gas  118  to flow into the cavity  110  along with the pump  120  to pump out the gas  118  and particulates/polymers  104  mechanically vibrated off the inner wall  108  by the oscillators  122 A-C. A determination is then made at  408  whether the cleaning cycle has completed. In accordance with one embodiment, the controller  126  operates the oscillators  122 A-C, inlet  116 , and pump  120  for a predetermined time interval. If the time interval has not lapsed, as determined at  408 , operations return to  404  and  406  for continued operations of the aforementioned components. When it is determined at  408  that the cleaning cycle has completed, operations progress to  410 , whereupon a cycle complete alert is generated via auditory or visual indicia indicating that the polymer cleaning of the process chamber  102  has concluded. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  5   , and with reference to the system  300  of  FIG.  3   , there is shown another embodiment of a method  500  for polymer removal from a process chamber  302  in accordance with the subject application. The method  500  of  FIG.  5    begins at  502 , whereupon a determination is made whether a semiconductor wafer  314  is present on the electrostatic chuck or other type of wafer mount  312  within the process chamber  302 . According to one embodiment, such a determination may be made by an operator of the chamber  302 , or alternatively via operation of the controller  326  detecting the presence or absence of a wafer  314  within the chamber  302 . Upon a positive determination at  502 , operations progress to  504 . At  504 , the processor  328  determines the recipe  334  used during the etching process of the chamber  302 . In some embodiments, the processor  328  identifies the recipe  334  from memory  330 . In other embodiments, the recipe  334  used by the process chamber  302  is input via other means. According to varying embodiments contemplated herein, the polymer  304  utilized indicated by the recipe  334  may be a high polymer etch process, a low polymer etch process, or the like, as set forth in Table 1 above. 
     At  506 , the processor  128  retrieves an oscillation program  336  from memory  330  corresponding to the identified recipe  334 . In varying embodiments, the oscillation program  336  includes, for example and without limitation, oscillation frequency, oscillator  322 A-C sequence of operation (if applicable), oscillation duration, and the like. After retrieval of the corresponding program  336 , the processor  128  begins execution of said program  336  by activating the designated oscillators  322 A-C at  508 . That is, the processor  328  directs the microwave generator  338  to begin generation of microwaves at the predetermined frequency(ies) as indicated by the program  336 . According to one embodiment, a high polymer product may utilize higher frequency microwaves, whereas a low polymer product may utilize lower frequency microwaves. 
     The processor  328 , at  510 , activates the inlet  318  to allow gas  318  to flow into the cavity  310  and the pump  320 . It will be appreciated that steps  508  and  510  may occur sequentially or simultaneously. During operations of steps  508  and  510 , the oscillators  322 A-C cause vibrations within the chamber  302 , affecting the inner walls  308 . This vibration causes any particulates/polymers  304  adhering to the wall  108  to fall into the flow of gas  318  inside the chamber  302 . The pump  320  pulls or sucks the gas  318  and polymers  304  out of the cavity  310 , thereby cleaning the cavity  310  of any residual polymers  304  from etching processes performed by the chamber  302 . 
     Sensor data is then received by the processor  328  from sensors  344 A-B at  512  regarding vibration frequency and operations of the cleaning cycle. A determination is then made at  514  whether the vibrations detected by the sensors  344 A-B are within parameters set forth in the cleaning program  336  in operation. When it is determined that the vibration, e.g., frequency, is not within the parameters dictated by the executed program  336 , operations proceed to  516 , whereupon the processor  328  adjusts the output of the microwave generator  338  to produce the required oscillation frequency. Operations then return to  512  for continued monitoring of the vibration of the chamber  302 . Upon a positive determination at  514 , operations proceed to  518 , whereupon a determination is made by the processor  328  whether the program  336  has completed. When the predetermined time interval or sequence of operation set forth in the program  336  has not yet been completed, operations return to  512  for continued monitoring via the sensors  334 A-B. When it is determined at  518  that the cleaning program  336  has completed, operations progress to  520 . At  520 , a cycle complete alert is generated via visual or auditory indicia, utilizing the corresponding display  340  or speaker  342 . 
     According to one embodiment, an etch apparatus comprises a chamber that has an inner wall and an outer wall, with the inner wall defining a cavity disposed within the chamber. The etch apparatus further comprises at least one oscillator that is configured to impart a vibration to the inner wall of the chamber. In addition, the etch apparatus comprises a microwave generator in communication with the at least one oscillator and configured to drive oscillation of the at least one oscillator to impart vibration to the inner wall of the chamber. 
     According to a second embodiment, a system for removal of particulates from an etch process chamber is disclosed. The system includes a chamber that comprises an inner wall and an outer wall, the inner wall defining a cavity disposed within the chamber. The system further comprises a controller comprising a processor in communication with memory and at least one oscillator positioned a predetermined distance defining a gap from the outer wall. The system further comprises a microwave generator in communication with the processor and the at least one oscillator. The microwave generator is configured to operate the at least one oscillator at a preselected frequency. The memory in communication with the processor stores at least one recipe corresponding to a polymer used during an associated etch process by the chamber and at least one program associated with the at least one recipe corresponding to an operation of the at least one oscillator at a preselected frequency for a predetermined period of time. 
     According to a third embodiment, a method of removing particulates from an inner wall defining a cavity of an etch process chamber comprises vibrating the inner wall of the etch process chamber using at least one oscillator driven at a preselected frequency by a microwave generator, with the at least one oscillator positioned a predetermined distance from an outer wall of the etch process chamber. The method further comprises enabling a flow of gas into the cavity, the gas collecting particulates removed from the inner wall by vibration of the inner wall. The method also comprises activating a pump in fluid communication with the cavity defined by the inner wall of the etch process chamber to remove the gas and collected particulates. 
     The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.