Ultra-low defect part process
A method for removing and preventing defects on surfaces of a component of a substrate processing chamber includes loading the component into a vacuum chamber and, with the component loaded within the vacuum chamber, baking the component at a baking temperature during a first predetermined period to remove water and defects from the surfaces of the component, and purging the component within the vacuum chamber during at least one second predetermined period to remove the defects from the vacuum chamber.
1. A method for removing and preventing defects on surfaces of a component of a substrate processing chamber, the method comprising:
loading the component into a vacuum chamber; and
with the component loaded within the vacuum chamber,
(i) baking the component at a baking temperature during a first predetermined period to remove water and defects from the surfaces of the component,
(ii) purging the component within the vacuum chamber during at least one second predetermined period to remove the defects from the vacuum chamber, and
(iii) subsequent to (ii) and prior to removing the component from the vacuum chamber and installing the component within the substrate processing chamber, depositing a protective coating to the surfaces of the component.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the baking temperature is approximately 200° C.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the component corresponds to a showerhead of the substrate processing chamber.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second predetermined period is subsequent to the first predetermined period.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first predetermined period and the second predetermined period overlap.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the purging is performed for two or more of the second predetermined periods.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the two or more of the second predetermined periods are within the first predetermined period.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein (i) and (ii) are repeated two or more times prior to (iii).
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the protective coating is applied in a monolayer.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the protective coating includes a hydrophobic material.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the protective coating corresponds to a silane coating.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the protective coating includes an organosilane.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the protective coating includes hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS).
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of (i), (ii), and (iii) is performed with a pressure within the vacuum chamber maintained at 1-760 Torr.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the purging includes alternatingly providing purge gas to the vacuum chamber and pumping material from the vacuum chamber.