Patent ID: 8916484

Claim:
A method for processing a semiconductor device in a processing chamber, comprising: generating a plasma comprising nitrogen-containing radicals in a remote plasma applicator; eliminating majority of the ions from the plasma before introducing the plasma comprising nitrogen-containing radicals into a processing region of the processing chamber where the semiconductor device is disposed, wherein the semiconductor device comprises a substrate having an oxide layer formed thereon, wherein eliminating majority of the ions from the plasma comprises flowing the plasma into a delivery member disposed in fluid communication with the processing region through an inlet port, the inlet port is formed in a sidewall of the processing chamber and a longitudinal axis of the delivery member is at an angle is about 20 degrees to about 80 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the inlet port; exposing an exposed surface of the oxide layer to the nitrogen-containing radicals; and incorporating nitrogen in the exposed surface of the oxide layer of the substrate.