MICROWAVE PRECLEAN APPARATUS AND PROCESSING METHOD FOR IMPURITY REMOVAL

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a low temperature non-plasma containing preclean process to selectively remove contaminants from the surface of a substrate, such as halogen containing and/or metal oxide containing contaminants. The non-plasma containing precleaning process is performed at a low temperature by use of a microwave source that is configured to provide microwave energy to the processing gases disposed within a processing chamber. The non-plasma low temperature preclean process is effective in reducing halogen containing residues, such as fluorine and chlorine containing residues formed on a surface of a substrate.