US Patent 11756819 Methods and apparatus for minimizing substrate backside damage

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to apparatus and methods for reducing substrate backside damage during semiconductor device processing. In one implementation, a method of chucking a substrate in a substrate process chamber includes exposing the substrate to a plasma preheat treatment prior to applying a chucking voltage to a substrate support. In one implementation, a substrate support is provided and includes a body having an electrode and thermal control device disposed therein. A plurality of substrate supporting features are formed on an upper surface of the body, each of the substrate supporting features having a substrate supporting surface and a rounded edge.