Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011
Conformality limitations and film composition variations inside features for films deposited at low pressures are explained using examples of studies which combine transport and reaction simulations of deposition processes with experimental work. In the first example, the use of film profile information to decide between two kinetic models for the low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) of SiO2 from tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) is described. In the second example, a simple but useful model for the plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) of silicon dioxide from TEOS/oxygen mixtures (PETEOS) is discussed. In the third example, composition profiles in sputter deposited (PVD) Ti-W films are explained in terms of titanium re-emission. Combined simulation and experimental studies of film profiles and composition profiles in features is a valuable tool in efforts to arrive at useful kinetic and transport models.