Abstract: An apparatus, which performs a plasma process on a target substrate by using plasma, includes first and second electrodes in a process chamber to oppose each other. An RF field, which turns a process gas into plasma by excitation, is formed between the first and second electrodes. An RF power supply, which supplies RF power, is connected to the first or second electrode through a matching circuit. The matching circuit automatically performs input impedance matching relative to the RF power. A variable impedance setting section is connected to a predetermined member, which is electrically coupled with the plasma, through an interconnection. The impedance setting section sets a backward-direction impedance against an RF component input to the predetermined member from the plasma. A controller supplies a control signal concerning a preset value of the backward-direction impedance to the impedance setting section.

Abstract: A plasma processing method performs a desired plasma process on substrates by using a plasma generated in a processing space. A first and a second electrode are disposed in parallel in a processing vessel that is grounded, the substrate is supported on the second electrode to face the first electrode, the processing vessel is vacuum evacuated, a desired processing gas is supplied into the processing space formed between the first electrode, the second electrode and a sidewall of the processing vessel, and a first radio frequency power is supplied to the second electrode. The first electrode is connected to the processing vessel via an insulator or a space, and is electrically coupled to a ground potential via a capacitance varying unit whose electrostatic capacitance is varied based on a process condition of the plasma process performed on the substrate.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a processing vessel capable of being vacuum evacuated; a first electrode disposed in the processing vessel in a state electrically floating via an insulating member or a space; a second electrode, arranged in the processing vessel to face and be in parallel to the first electrode with a specific interval, supporting a substrate to be processed; a processing gas supply unit for supplying a desired processing gas into a processing space surrounded by the first electrode, the second electrode and a sidewall of the processing vessel; and a first radio frequency power supply unit for applying a first radio frequency power to the second electrode to generate a plasma of the processing gas in the processing space. An electrostatic capacitance between the first electrode and the processing vessel is set such that a desired plasma density distribution is obtained for the generated plasma.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a processing vessel capable of being vacuum evacuated; a first electrode installed in the processing vessel to be in a state electrically floating via an insulating member or a space; a second electrode disposed in the processing vessel to be in parallel to the first electrode with a specific interval, for supporting a target substrate thereon to face the first electrode; a processing gas supply unit for supplying a processing gas into a processing space between the first electrode, the second electrode and a sidewall of the processing vessel; and a first radio frequency power supply unit for applying a first radio frequency power to the second electrode to generate a plasma of the processing gas in the processing space. A protrusion projected toward the second electrode is formed at a central portion of the first electrode.

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 variable DC power supply to apply a DC voltage to the upper electrode, so as to cause the absolute value of a self-bias voltage on the surface thereof to be large enough to obtain a suitable sputtering effect on the surface, and to increase the plasma sheath length on the upper electrode side to generate predetermined pressed plasma.

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 is connected to the upper electrode. 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 while any one of application voltage, application current, and application power from the variable DC power supply to the upper electrode is controlled, to generate plasma of the process gas so as to perform plasma etching.

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 for processing a substrate by using a plasma includes a processing chamber for accommodating and processing the substrate therein, a lower electrode for mounting the substrate thereon in the processing chamber, an upper electrode disposed to face the lower electrode in the processing chamber, a radio frequency power supply for supplying a radio frequency power to at least one of the lower and the upper electrode, to thereby generate the plasma between the lower and the upper electrode, and an electrical characteristic control unit for adjusting an impedance of a circuit at the side of an electrode to the plasma for a frequency of at least one radio frequency wave present in the processing chamber such that the circuit does not resonate.

Abstract: An apparatus, which performs a plasma process on a target substrate by using plasma, includes first and second electrodes in a process chamber to oppose each other. An RF field, which turns a process gas into plasma by excitation, is formed between the first and second electrodes. An RF power supply, which supplies RF power, is connected to the first or second electrode through a matching circuit. The matching circuit automatically performs input impedance matching relative to the RF power. A variable impedance setting section is connected to a predetermined member, which is electrically coupled with the plasma, through an interconnection. The impedance setting section sets a backward-direction impedance against an RF component input to the predetermined member from the plasma. A controller supplies a control signal concerning a preset value of the backward-direction impedance to the impedance setting section.