Inventors:
Kezia Cheng - Lowell MA, US
Assignee:
SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS, INC. - Woburn MA
International Classification:
H01L 21/3065
H01L 21/30
H01L 21/67
US Classification:
438710, 1563451, 118723 R, 438758
Abstract:
Disclosed are systems and methods for improving front-side process uniformity by back-side metallization. In some implementations, a metal layer can be formed on the back side of a semiconductor wafer prior to certain process steps such as plasma-based processes. Presence of such a back-side metal layer reduces variations in, for example, thickness of a deposited and/or etched layer resulting from the plasma-based processes. Such reduction in thickness variations can result from reduced variation in radio-frequency (RF) coupling during the plasma-based processes. Various examples of wafer types, back-side metal layer configurations, and plasma-based processes are disclosed.