Patent ID: 8728239

Claim:
A deposition gas panel for a cyclic deposition and etch reaction chamber, comprising: a vent line configured to direct at least one gas to a vent; an injection line configured to direct at least one gas to the reaction chamber; a first carrier gas line for containing a carrier gas, wherein the first carrier gas line is: coupled to the injection line and a source of the carrier gas; and configured to supply a first constant mass flow rate of the carrier gas to the injection line; a deposition line for containing a first deposition process gas, wherein the deposition line is coupled to the injection line and the vent line, wherein the deposition line comprises a first valve system configured to selectively direct a constant mass flow rate of the first deposition process gas between the vent line and the injection line; a second carrier gas line for containing a second mass flow rate of the carrier gas, wherein the second carrier gas line: is coupled to the source of carrier gas, the injection line, and the vent line; and comprises: a second valve system configured to selectively direct the second mass flow rate of the carrier gas between the vent line and the injection line; and a mass flow control device coupled to the second valve system; and a control system linked to the first valve system, the second valve system, and the mass flow control device, wherein the control system is configured to: provide a first command configured to cause: the first valve system to direct the constant mass flow rate of the first deposition process gas to the vent line during a first state; and the second valve system to direct the second mass flow rate of the carrier gas to the injection line during the first state; provide a second command configured to substantially simultaneously cause: the first valve system to redirect the constant mass flow rate of the first deposition process gas to the injection line during a second state; and the second valve system to redirect the second mass flow rate of the carrier gas to the vent line during the second state; and control the mass flow control device to adjust the second mass flow rate of the carrier gas in the second carrier gas line to equal the constant mass flow rate of the first deposition process gas.