Abstract: An electrode assembly for a plasma reaction chamber used in semiconductor substrate processing having a backing member having a bonding surface, an inner electrode having a lower surface on one side and a bonding surface on the other side, and an outer electrode having a lower surface on one side and a bonding surface on the other side. At least one of the electrodes has a flange, which extends underneath at least a portion of the lower surface of the other electrode.

Abstract: Methods for forming a protective polymeric coating on a silicon or silicon-carbide electrode of a plasma processing chamber are provided. The polymeric coating provides protection to the underlying surface of the electrode with respect to exposure to constituents of plasma and gaseous reactants. The methods can be performed during a process of cleaning the chamber, or during a process for etching a semiconductor substrate in the chamber.

Abstract: Methods of measuring gas flow rates in a gas supply system for supplying gas to a plasma processing chamber are provided. In a differential flow method, a flow controller is operated at different set flow rates, and upstream orifice pressures are measured for the set flow rates at ambient conditions. The measured orifice pressures are referenced to a secondary flow verification method that generates corresponding actual gas flow rates for the different set flow rates. The upstream orifice pressures can be used as a differential comparison for subsequent orifice pressure measurements taken at any temperature condition of the chamber. In an absolute flow method, some parameters of a selected gas and orifice are predetermined, and other parameters of the gas are measured while the gas is being flowed from a flow controller at a set flow rate through an orifice. In this method, any flow controller set point can be flowed at any time and at any chamber condition, such as during plasma processing operations.

Abstract: Methods for removing black silicon or black silicon carbide from a plasma-exposed surface of an upper electrode of a plasma processing chamber are provided. The methods include forming a plasma using a gas composition containing a fluorine-containing gas, and removing the black silicon or black silicon carbide from the surface with the plasma. The methods can also remove black silicon or black silicon carbide from surfaces of the components in the chamber in addition to the upper electrode.

Abstract: Methods for cleaning an electrode assembly, which can be used for etching a dielectric material in a plasma etching chamber after the cleaning, comprise polishing a silicon surface of the electrode assembly, preferably to remove black silicon contamination therefrom.

Abstract: Methods for forming a protective polymeric coating on a silicon or silicon-carbide electrode of a plasma processing chamber are provided. The polymeric coating provides protection to the underlying surface of the electrode with respect to exposure to constituents of plasma and gaseous reactants. The methods can be performed during a process of cleaning the chamber, or during a process for etching a semiconductor substrate in the chamber.

Abstract: A method in a plasma processing system of determining the temperature of a substrate. The method includes providing a substrate comprising a set of materials, wherein the substrate being configured to absorb electromagnetic radiation comprising a first set of electromagnetic frequencies, to convert the first set of electromagnetic frequencies to a set of thermal vibrations, and to transmit a second set of electromagnetic frequencies. The method also includes positioning the substrate on a substrate support structure, wherein the substrate support structure includes a chuck; flowing an etchant gas mixture into a plasma reactor of the plasma processing system; and striking the etchant gas mixture to create a plasma, wherein the plasma comprises the first set of electromagnetic frequencies.