Abstract: A hollow cathode includes an insulation plate having cathode holes. Bottom electrodes are below the insulation plate. The bottom electrodes define first holes having a width greater than a width of the cathode holes. Top electrodes are at an opposite side of the insulation plate from the bottom electrodes. The top electrodes define second holes aligned with the first holes along a direction orthogonal to the upper surface of the insulation plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for confining plasma within a plasma processing chamber is provided. The plasma processing chamber includes a lower electrode for supporting a substrate and an upper electrode disposed over the lower electrode. The apparatus is a confinement ring that includes a lower horizontal section extending between an inner lower radius and an outer radius of the confinement ring. The lower horizontal section includes an extension section that bends vertically downward at the inner lower radius, and the lower horizontal section further includes a plurality of slots. The confinement ring further includes an upper horizontal section extending between an inner upper radius and the outer radius of the confinement ring and a vertical section that integrally connects the lower horizontal section with the upper horizontal section. The extension section of the lower horizontal section is configured to surround the lower electrode when installed in the plasma processing chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for confining plasma within a plasma processing chamber is provided. The plasma processing chamber includes a lower electrode for supporting a substrate and an upper electrode disposed over the lower electrode. The apparatus is a confinement ring that includes a lower horizontal section extending between an inner lower radius and an outer radius of the confinement ring. The lower horizontal section includes an extension section that bends vertically downward at the inner lower radius, and the lower horizontal section further includes a plurality of slots. The confinement ring further includes an upper horizontal section extending between an inner upper radius and the outer radius of the confinement ring and a vertical section that integrally connects the lower horizontal section with the upper horizontal section. The extension section of the lower horizontal section is configured to surround the lower electrode when installed in the plasma processing chamber.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a chamber, a lower and upper electrodes vertically spaced apart from each other in the chamber, a RF transmitting part connected to the lower electrode and configured to supply RF power to the lower electrode, a ground plate spaced downwardly from the lower electrode, and an insulating member laterally surrounding a cavity formed between the lower electrode and the ground plate. The cavity is isolated from a region under the ground plate by the ground plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for confining plasma within a plasma processing chamber is provided. The plasma processing chamber includes a lower electrode for supporting a substrate and an upper electrode disposed over the lower electrode. The apparatus is a confinement ring that includes a lower horizontal section extending between an inner lower radius and an outer radius of the confinement ring. The lower horizontal section includes an extension section that bends vertically downward at the inner lower radius, and the lower horizontal section further includes a plurality of slots. The confinement ring further includes an upper horizontal section extending between an inner upper radius and the outer radius of the confinement ring and a vertical section that integrally connects the lower horizontal section with the upper horizontal section. The extension section of the lower horizontal section is configured to surround the lower electrode when installed in the plasma processing chamber.

Abstract: An electron beam generator, a plasma processing apparatus, and a plasma processing method, the electron beam generator including a side insulator configured to surround the substrate support, the side insulator having an electron beam chamber therein; a first electrode embedded in the side insulator and adjacent to a first side wall of the electron beam chamber; a second electrode on a second side wall of the electron beam chamber; and a guide in an outlet of the electron beam chamber, the guide including slits through which electron beams generated in the electron beam chamber are transmittable into the process chamber.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a chamber, a lower and upper electrodes vertically spaced apart from each other in the chamber, a RF transmitting part connected to the lower electrode and configured to supply RF power to the lower electrode, a ground plate spaced downwardly from the lower electrode, and an insulating member laterally surrounding a cavity formed between the lower electrode and the ground plate. The cavity is isolated from a region under the ground plate by the ground plate.

Abstract: An electron beam generator, a plasma processing apparatus, and a plasma processing method, the electron beam generator including a side insulator configured to surround the substrate support, the side insulator having an electron beam chamber therein; a first electrode embedded in the side insulator and adjacent to a first side wall of the electron beam chamber; a second electrode on a second side wall of the electron beam chamber; and a guide in an outlet of the electron beam chamber, the guide including slits through which electron beams generated in the electron beam chamber are transmittable into the process chamber.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a process container that forms a process space to accommodate a target substrate, and a first electrode and a second electrode disposed opposite each other inside the process container. The first electrode is an upper electrode and the second electrode is a lower electrode and configured to support the target substrate through a mount face. A correction ring is disposed to surround the target substrate placed on the mount face of the second electrode. The correction ring includes a combination of a first ring to be around the target substrate and a second ring arranged around or above the first ring. A power supply unit is configured to apply a first electric potential and a second electric potential respectively to the first ring and the second ring to generate a potential difference between the first and second rings. The power supply unit is configured to variably set the potential difference.

Abstract: Disclosed are a plasma processing apparatus and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device using the same. The plasma processing apparatus comprises a chamber, an electrostatic chuck in the chamber and loading a substrate, a plasma electrode generating an upper plasma on the electrostatic chuck; and a hollow cathode between the plasma electrode and the electrostatic chuck, wherein the hollow cathode generates a lower plasma below the upper plasma. The hollow cathode comprises cathode holes each having a size less than a thickness of a plasma sheath of the upper plasma.

Abstract: A hollow cathode includes an insulation plate having cathode holes. Bottom electrodes are below the insulation plate. The bottom electrodes define first holes having a width greater than a width of the cathode holes. Top electrodes are at an opposite side of the insulation plate from the bottom electrodes. The top electrodes define second holes aligned with the first holes along a direction orthogonal to the upper surface of the insulation plate.

Abstract: A plasma etching apparatus includes a second electrode configured to support a target substrate thereon, a second RF power supply unit configured to apply a second RF power for providing a bias for ion attraction to the second electrode, and a control system including and an RF controller. The RF controller is configured to switch the second RF power supply unit between a continuous mode that executes continuous supply of the second RF power at a constant power level and a power modulation mode that executes modulation of the second RF power between a first power and a second power larger than the first power. The RF controller is preset to control the second RF power supply unit such that the second RF power supply unit is first operated in the continuous mode for plasma ignition and then is switched into the power modulation mode.

Abstract: A plasma processing method includes executing an etching process that includes supplying an etching gas into a process container in which a target substrate is supported on a second electrode serving as a lower electrode, and applying an RF power for plasma generation and an RF power for ion attraction to turn the etching gas into plasma and to subject the target substrate to etching. The etching process includes applying a negative DC voltage to a first electrode serving as an upper electrode during the etching to increase an absolute value of self-bias on the first electrode. The etching process includes releasing DC electron current generated by the negative DC voltage to ground through plasma and a conductive member disposed as a ring around the first electrode, by using a first state where the conductive member is connected to a ground potential portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for confining plasma within a plasma processing chamber is provided. The plasma processing chamber includes a lower electrode for supporting a substrate and an upper electrode disposed over the lower electrode. The apparatus is a confinement ring that includes a lower horizontal section extending between an inner lower radius and an outer radius of the confinement ring. The lower horizontal section includes an extension section that bends vertically downward at the inner lower radius, and the lower horizontal section further includes a plurality of slots. The confinement ring further includes an upper horizontal section extending between an inner upper radius and the outer radius of the confinement ring and a vertical section that integrally connects the lower horizontal section with the upper horizontal section. The extension section of the lower horizontal section is configured to surround the lower electrode when installed in the plasma processing chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for confining plasma within a plasma processing chamber is provided. The plasma processing chamber includes a lower electrode for supporting a substrate and an upper electrode disposed over the lower electrode. The apparatus is a confinement ring that includes a lower horizontal section extending between an inner lower radius and an outer radius of the confinement ring. The lower horizontal section includes an extension section that bends vertically downward at the inner lower radius, and the lower horizontal section further includes a plurality of slots. The confinement ring further includes an upper horizontal section extending between an inner upper radius and the outer radius of the confinement ring and a vertical section that integrally connects the lower horizontal section with the upper horizontal section. The extension section of the lower horizontal section is configured to surround the lower electrode when installed in the plasma processing chamber.

Abstract: A plasma processing method includes executing an etching process that includes supplying an etching gas into a process container in which a target substrate is supported on a second electrode serving as a lower electrode, and applying an RF power for plasma generation and an RF power for ion attraction to turn the etching gas into plasma and to subject the target substrate to etching. The etching process includes applying a negative DC voltage to a first electrode serving as an upper electrode during the etching to increase an absolute value of self-bias on the first electrode. The etching process includes releasing DC electron current generated by the negative DC voltage to ground through plasma and a conductive member disposed as a ring around the first electrode, by using a first state where the conductive member is connected to a ground potential portion.

Abstract: A plasma etching apparatus includes an upper electrode and a lower electrode, between which plasma of a process gas is generated to perform plasma etching on a wafer W. The apparatus further comprises a cooling ring disposed around the wafer, a correction ring disposed around the cooling ring, and a variable DC power supply directly connected to the correction ring, the DC voltage being preset to provide the correction ring with a negative bias, relative to ground potential, for attracting ions in the plasma and to increase temperature of the correction ring to compensate for a decrease in temperature of a space near the edge of the target substrate due to the cooling ring.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an upper electrode and a lower electrode for supporting a wafer disposed opposite each other within a process chamber. A first RF power supply configured to apply a first RF power having a relatively higher frequency, and a second RF power supply configured to apply a second RF power having a relatively lower frequency is connected to the lower electrode. A variable DC power supply is connected to the upper electrode. A process gas is supplied into the process chamber to generate plasma of the process gas so as to perform plasma etching.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a process container configured to accommodate a target substrate and to be vacuum-exhausted. A first electrode and a second electrode are disposed opposite each other within the process container. The first electrode includes an outer portion and an inner portion both facing the second electrode such that the outer portion surrounds the inner portion. An RF power supply is configured to apply an RF power to the outer portion of the first electrode. A DC power supply is configured to apply a DC voltage to the inner portion of the first electrode. A process gas supply unit is configured to supply a process gas into the process container, wherein plasma of the process gas is generated between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: In a method of an embodiment, radicals, which are generated from a processing gas, is adsorbed to a layer to be etched without applying a high-frequency bias to a lower electrode, in an adsorption step. In the subsequent etching step, ions, which are generated from the processing gas, are drawn into the layer to be etched by applying a high-frequency bias to the lower electrode. The adsorption step and the etching step are alternately repeated. In the adsorption step, a density of radicals is 200 or greater times a density of ions. In the etching step, RF energy having a power density of 0.07 W/cm2 or less is supplied to the lower electrode or a high-frequency bias having a power density of 0.14 W/cm2 or less is supplied to the lower electrode for a period of 0.5 seconds or less.