Patent ID: 8741785

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; flowing 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, comprising: flowing the plasma comprising nitrogen-containing radicals from the remote plasma applicator into a delivery member having a longitudinal passageway; and flowing the plasma comprising nitrogen-containing radicals from the passageway to an inlet port formed in a sidewall of the processing chamber, wherein the delivery member is configured such that a longitudinal axis of the passageway intersects at an angle of about 20 degrees to about 80 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the inlet port such that the plasma is flowed at an angle into the inlet port to promote collision of ions or reaction of ions with electrons or charged particles in the plasma to substantially eliminate ions from the plasma before entering the processing region of the processing chamber; 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.