Abstract: A method for applying RF power in a plasma process chamber is provided, including: generating a first RF signal; generating a second RF signal; generating a third RF signal; wherein the first, second, and third RF signals are generated at different frequencies; combining the first, second and third RF signals to generate a combined RF signal, wherein a wave shape of the combined RF signal is configured to approximate a sloped square wave shape; applying the combined RF signal to a chuck in the plasma process chamber.

Abstract: A wafer support structure in a chamber of a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus is provided. The wafer support structure includes a dielectric block having a bottom surface and a top surface supports a wafer when present. The wafer support structure includes a baseplate for supporting the dielectric block. The wafer support structure includes a first electrode embedded in an upper part of the dielectric block. The first electrode is proximate and below the top surface of the dielectric block. A top surface of the first electrode is substantially parallel to the top surface of the dielectric block. The first electrode is configured for connection to a direct current (DC) power source. The wafer support structure includes a second electrode embedded in the dielectric block. The wafer support structure includes a second electrode disposed below the first electrode and a separation distance is defined between the first electrode and the second electrode within the dielectric block.

Abstract: A method for controlling reflected power in a plasma processing system is provided, including: applying RF power from a first generator to an ESC; applying RF power from a second generator to an edge electrode that surrounds the ESC and is disposed below an edge ring that surrounds the ESC, the RF power from the second generator having a voltage set based on the amount of use of the edge ring, wherein the second generator automatically introduces a phase adjustment so that a phase of the RF power from the second generator substantially matches a phase of the RF power from the first generator; and, adjusting a variable capacitor of a match circuit through which the RF power from the second generator is applied to tune the phase adjustment to a target phase adjustment setting.

Abstract: Method for tuning a voltage setpoint for a multi-state pulsed RF signal in a plasma processing system, including: applying RF power from a first generator to an ESC, the RF power from the first generator defining a first multi-state pulsed RF signal; applying RF power from a second generator to an edge electrode that surrounds the ESC and is disposed below an edge ring that surrounds the ESC, the RF power from the second generator defining a second multi-state pulsed RF signal having a first state and a second state, wherein for each state of the second multi-state pulsed RF signal, the second generator automatically introduces a phase adjustment to substantially match phase with a corresponding state of the first multi-state pulsed RF signal; adjusting a voltage setpoint for the second state of the second multi-state pulsed RF signal to tune the phase adjustment to a target phase adjustment setting.

Abstract: A tunable edge sheath (TES) system includes a coupling ring configured to couple to a bottom surface of an edge ring that surrounds a wafer support area within a plasma processing chamber. The TES system includes an annular-shaped electrode embedded within the coupling ring. The TES system includes a plurality of radiofrequency signal supply pins coupled to the electrode within the coupling ring. Each of the plurality of radiofrequency signal supply pins extends through a corresponding hole formed through a bottom surface of the coupling ring. The TES system includes a plurality of radiofrequency signal filters respectively connected to the plurality of radiofrequency supply pins. Each of the plurality of radiofrequency signal filters is configured to provide a high impedance to radiofrequency signals used to generate a plasma within the plasma processing chamber.

Abstract: A fixed outer support flange (flange 1) is formed to circumscribe an electrode within a plasma processing system. Flange 1 has a vertical portion and a horizontal portion extending radially outward from a lower end of the vertical portion. An articulating outer support flange (flange 2) is formed to circumscribe flange 1. Flange 2 has a vertical portion and a horizontal portion extending radially outward from a lower end of the vertical portion. The vertical portion of flange 2 is positioned concentrically outside of the vertical portion of flange 1. Flange 2 is spaced apart from flange 1 and moveable along the vertical portion of flange 1. Each of a plurality of electrically conductive straps has a first end portion connected to flange 2 and a second end portion connected to flange 1.

Abstract: Systems and methods for achieving a pre-determined factor associated with the edge region within the plasma chamber is described. One of the methods includes providing an RF signal to a main electrode within the plasma chamber. The RF signal is generated based on a frequency of operation of a first RF generator. The method further includes providing another RF signal to an edge electrode within the plasma chamber. The other RF signal is generated based on the frequency of operation of the first RF generator. The method includes receiving a first measurement of a variable, receiving a second measurement of the variable, and modifying a phase of the other RF signal based on the first measurement and the second measurement. The method includes changing a magnitude of a variable associated with a second RF generator to achieve the pre-determined factor.

Abstract: A wafer support structure in a chamber of a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus is provided. The wafer support structure includes a dielectric block having a bottom surface and a top surface supports a wafer when present. The wafer support structure includes a baseplate for supporting the dielectric block. The wafer support structure includes a first electrode embedded in an upper part of the dielectric block. The first electrode is proximate and below the top surface of the dielectric block. A top surface of the first electrode is substantially parallel to the top surface of the dielectric block. The first electrode is configured for connection to a direct current (DC) power source. The wafer support structure includes a second electrode embedded in the dielectric block. The wafer support structure includes a second electrode disposed below the first electrode and a separation distance is defined between the first electrode and the second electrode within the dielectric block.

Abstract: A substrate support for a substrate processing system includes a baseplate, a bond layer provided on the baseplate, and a ceramic layer arranged on the bond layer. The ceramic layer includes a first region and a second region located radially outward of the first region, the first region has a first thickness, the second region has a second thickness, and the first thickness is greater than the second thickness.

Abstract: A wafer support structure for use in a chamber used for semiconductor fabrication of wafers is provided. The wafer support structure includes a dielectric block. A first electrode is embedded in a top half of the dielectric block. The first electrode is configured for connection to a direct current (DC) power source. A second electrode is embedded in a bottom half of the dielectric block. A vertical connection is embedded in the dielectric block for electrically coupling the second electrode to the first electrode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for securing an edge ring to a support ring are described. The edge ring is secured to the support ring via multiple fasteners that are inserted into a bottom surface of the edge ring. The securing of the edge ring to the support ring provides stability of the edge ring during processing of a substrate within a plasma chamber. In addition, the securing of the edge ring to the support ring secures the edge ring to the plasma chamber because the support ring is secured to an insulator ring, which is connected to an insulator wall of the plasma chamber. Moreover, the support ring and the edge ring are pulled down vertically using one or more clasp mechanisms during the processing of the substrate and are pushed up vertically using the clasp mechanisms to remove the edge ring and the support ring from the plasma chamber.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling directionality of ion flux at an edge region within a plasma chamber are described. One of the systems includes a radio frequency (RF) generator that is configured to generate an RF signal, an impedance matching circuit coupled to the RF generator for receiving the RF signal to generate a modified RF signal, and a plasma chamber. The plasma chamber includes an edge ring and a coupling ring located below the edge ring and coupled to the first impedance matching circuit to receive the modified RF signal. The coupling ring includes an electrode that generates a capacitance between the electrode and the edge ring to control the directionality of the ion flux upon receiving the modified RF signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling directionality of ion flux at an edge region within a plasma chamber are described. One of the systems includes a radio frequency (RF) generator that is configured to generate an RF signal, an impedance matching circuit coupled to the RF generator for receiving the RF signal to generate a modified RF signal, and a plasma chamber. The plasma chamber includes an edge ring and a coupling ring located below the edge ring and coupled to the first impedance matching circuit to receive the modified RF signal. The coupling ring includes an electrode that generates a capacitance between the electrode and the edge ring to control the directionality of the ion flux upon receiving the modified RF signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling directionality of ion flux at an edge region within a plasma chamber are described. One of the systems includes a radio frequency (RF) generator that is configured to generate an RF signal, an impedance matching circuit coupled to the RF generator for receiving the RF signal to generate a modified RF signal, and a plasma chamber. The plasma chamber includes an edge ring and a coupling ring located below the edge ring and coupled to the first impedance matching circuit to receive the modified RF signal. The coupling ring includes an electrode that generates a capacitance between the electrode and the edge ring to control the directionality of the ion flux upon receiving the modified RF signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for achieving a pre-determined factor associated with the edge region within the plasma chamber is described. One of the methods includes providing an RF signal to a main electrode within the plasma chamber. The RF signal is generated based on a frequency of operation of a first RF generator. The method further includes providing another RF signal to an edge electrode within the plasma chamber. The other RF signal is generated based on the frequency of operation of the first RF generator. The method includes receiving a first measurement of a variable, receiving a second measurement of the variable, and modifying a phase of the other RF signal based on the first measurement and the second measurement. The method includes changing a magnitude of a variable associated with a second RF generator to achieve the pre-determined factor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a multi regime plasma wafer processing are described. The systems and methods have three states. During a first one of the states, an etching operation is performed. In a second one of the states, a power level of a kilohertz radio frequency signal is greater than zero to increase directionality of ions that are incident on a bottom surface of a stack layer. In a third one of the states, there is a reduction in a loss of mask on top of the stack layer and deposition may be performed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for achieving a pre-determined factor associated with the edge region within the plasma chamber is described. One of the methods includes providing an RF signal to a main electrode within the plasma chamber. The RF signal is generated based on a frequency of operation of a first RF generator. The method further includes providing another RF signal to an edge electrode within the plasma chamber. The other RF signal is generated based on the frequency of operation of the first RF generator. The method includes receiving a first measurement of a variable, receiving a second measurement of the variable, and modifying a phase of the other RF signal based on the first measurement and the second measurement. The method includes changing a magnitude of a variable associated with a second RF generator to achieve the pre-determined factor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a multi regime plasma wafer processing are described. The systems and methods have three states. During a first one of the states, an etching operation is performed. In a second one of the states, a power level of a kilohertz radio frequency signal is greater than zero to increase directionality of ions that are incident on a bottom surface of a stack layer. In a third one of the states, there is a reduction in a loss of mask on top of the stack layer and deposition may be performed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling directionality of ion flux at an edge region within a plasma chamber are described. One of the systems includes a radio frequency (RF) generator that is configured to generate an RF signal, an impedance matching circuit coupled to the RF generator for receiving the RF signal to generate a modified RF signal, and a plasma chamber. The plasma chamber includes an edge ring and a coupling ring located below the edge ring and coupled to the first impedance matching circuit to receive the modified RF signal. The coupling ring includes an electrode that generates a capacitance between the electrode and the edge ring to control the directionality of the ion flux upon receiving the modified RF signal.

Abstract: A wafer support structure for use in a chamber used for semiconductor fabrication of wafers is provided. The wafer support structure includes a dielectric block. A first electrode is embedded in a top half of the dielectric block. The first electrode is configured for connection to a direct current (DC) power source. A second electrode is embedded in a bottom half of the dielectric block. A vertical connection is embedded in the dielectric block for electrically coupling the second electrode to the first electrode.