Abstract: Plasma processing with enhanced charge neutralization and process control is disclosed. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, the plasma processing may be achieved as a method of plasma processing a substrate. The method may comprise providing the substrate proximate a plasma source; applying to the plasma source a first RF power level during a first period and a second RF power level during a second period, the first and second RF power levels being greater than zero RF power level, wherein the second RF power level is greater than the first RF power level; generating with the plasma source a first plasma during the first period and a second plasma during the second period; and applying to the substrate a first bias voltage during the first period and a second bias voltage during the second period, wherein the first voltage has more negative potential than the second voltage.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for adjusting the composition of plasmas used in plasma doping, plasma deposition and plasma etching techniques. The disclosed method enables the plasma composition to be controlled by modifying the energy distribution of the electrons present in the plasma. Energetic electrons are produced in the plasma by accelerating electrons in the plasma using very fast voltage pulses. The pulses are long enough to influence the electrons, but too fast to affect the ions significantly. Collisions between the energetic electrons and the constituents of the plasma result in changes in the plasma composition. The plasma composition can then be optimized to meet the requirements of the specific process being used. This can entail changing the ratio of ion species in the plasma, changing the ratio of ionization to dissociation, or changing the excited state population of the plasma.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a process chamber, a platen positioned in the process chamber for supporting a workpiece, a source configured to generate a plasma in the process chamber having a plasma sheath adjacent to the front surface of the workpiece, and an insulating modifier. The insulting modifier is configured to control a shape of a boundary between the plasma and the plasma sheath so a portion of the shape of the boundary is not parallel to a plane defined by a front surface of the workpiece facing the plasma. Controlling the shape of the boundary between the plasma and the plasma sheath enables a large range of incident angles of particles striking the workpiece to be achieved.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a process chamber, a platen positioned in the process chamber for supporting a workpiece, a source configured to generate a plasma in the process chamber, and a monitoring system including an ion mobility spectrometer configured to monitor a condition of the plasma. A monitoring method including generating a plasma in a process chamber of a plasma processing apparatus, supporting a workpiece on a platen in the process chamber, and monitoring a condition of the plasma with an ion mobility spectrometer is also provided.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for adjusting the composition of plasmas used in plasma doping, plasma deposition and plasma etching techniques. The disclosed method enables the plasma composition to be controlled by modifying the energy distribution of the electrons present in the plasma. Energetic electrons are produced in the plasma by accelerating electrons in the plasma using very fast voltage pulses. The pulses are long enough to influence the electrons, but too fast to affect the ions significantly. Collisions between the energetic electrons and the constituents of the plasma result in changes in the plasma composition. The plasma composition can then be optimized to meet the requirements of the specific process being used. This can entail changing the ratio of ion species in the plasma, changing the ratio of ionization to dissociation, or changing the excited state population of the plasma.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a process chamber, a platen positioned in the process chamber for supporting a workpiece, a source configured to generate a plasma in the process chamber having a plasma sheath adjacent to the front surface of the workpiece, and an insulating modifier. The insulting modifier is configured to control a shape of a boundary between the plasma and the plasma sheath so a portion of the shape of the boundary is not parallel to a plane defined by a front surface of the workpiece facing the plasma. Controlling the shape of the boundary between the plasma and the plasma sheath enables a large range of incident angles of particles striking the workpiece to be achieved.

Abstract: An ion uniformity monitoring device is positioned within a plasma process chamber and includes a plurality of sensors located above and a distance away from a workpiece within the chamber. The sensors are configured to detect the number of secondary electrons emitted from a surface of the workpiece exposed to a plasma process. Each sensor outputs a current signal proportional to the detected secondary electrons. A current comparator circuit outputs a processed signal resulting from each of the plurality of current signals. The detection of the secondary electrons emitted from the workpiece during plasma processing is indicative of the uniformity characteristic across the surface of the workpiece and may be performed in situ and during on-line plasma processing.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a process chamber, a platen positioned in the process chamber for supporting a workpiece, a source configured to generate a plasma in the process chamber, and a monitoring system including an ion mobility spectrometer configured to monitor a condition of the plasma. A monitoring method including generating a plasma in a process chamber of a plasma processing apparatus, supporting a workpiece on a platen in the process chamber, and monitoring a condition of the plasma with an ion mobility spectrometer is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a substrate includes a pulsed power supply that generates a waveform having a first period with a first power level and a second period with a second power level. A plasma source generates a first plasma during the first period and a second plasma during the second period. The first plasma may have higher plasma density than the second plasma. A bias voltage power supply generates a bias voltage waveform at an output that is electrically connected to a platen which supports a substrate. The bias voltage waveform having a first voltage and a second voltage may be coupled to the substrate. The first voltage may have more negative potential than the second voltage.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a platen that supports a substrate for plasma processing. A RF power supply generates a multi-level RF power waveform at an output having at least a first period with a first power level and a second period with a second power level. A RF plasma source having an electrical input that is electrically connected to the output of the RF power supply generates at least a first RF plasma with the first RF power level during the first period and a second RF plasma with the second RF power level during the second period. A bias voltage power supply having an output that is electrically connected to the platen generates a bias voltage waveform that is sufficient to attract ions in the plasma to the substrate for plasma processing.

Abstract: A time-of-flight ion sensor for monitoring ion species in a plasma includes a housing. A drift tube is positioned in the housing. An extractor electrode is positioned in the housing at a first end of the drift tube so as to attract ions from the plasma. A plurality of electrodes is positioned at a first end of the drift tube proximate to the extractor electrode. The plurality of electrodes is biased so as to cause at least a portion of the attracted ions to enter the drift tube and to drift towards a second end of the drift tube. An ion detector is positioned proximate to the second end of the drift tube. The ion detector detects arrival times associated with the at least the portion of the attracted ions.