Patent ID: 7141483

Claim:
A method of filling a gap defined by adjacent raised features on a substrate, comprising: providing a flow of a silicon-containing processing gas to a chamber housing the substrate; providing a flow of an oxidizing gas to the chamber; depositing a first portion of a film as a substantially conformal layer in the gap by causing a reaction between the silicon-containing processing gas and the oxidizing gas, wherein depositing the conformal layer comprises varying over time a ratio of the (silicon-containing processing gas):(oxidizing gas) and regulating the chamber to a pressure in a range from about 200 torr to about 760 torr throughout deposition of the conformal layer; thereafter, depositing a second portion of the film as a bulk layer, wherein depositing a second portion of the film comprises maintaining the ratio of the (silicon-containing processing gas):(oxidizing gas) substantially constant throughout deposition of the bulk layer and regulating the chamber to a pressure in a range from about 200 torr to about 760 torr throughout deposition of the bulk layer; and thereafter, exposing the substrate to nitrous oxide at a temperature less than about 900° C. to anneal the deposited film.