Patent ID: 7625820

Claim:
A method for forming a dielectric film, the method comprising: a) providing in a deposition reaction chamber a substrate having a gap on a surface, the gap having a top opening and a surface area comprising a bottom and sidewalls running from the top to the bottom; b) selectively depositing a conformal silicon oxide-based dielectric film in the gap by: i. preferentially applying a film formation catalyst or a catalyst precursor on a portion representing less than all of the gap surface area, wherein the portion of the gap surface area where the preferential application of the catalyst or catalyst precursor occurs comprises the bottom of the gap, ii. selectively inhibiting film growth at the top of the gap with an agent, and iii. exposing the substrate surface to a silicon-containing precursor gas such that a silicon oxide-based dielectric film layer is preferentially formed on said portion of the gap surface area.