Abstract: A substrate processing method for processing a substrate by supplying a gas from a gas supply part to a substrate processing space in a substrate processing apparatus, wherein the gas supply part includes a plurality of gas sources, a flow path that allows the gas to flow from the plurality of gas sources to the substrate processing space, a valve provided in the flow path to switch between opening and closing the flow of the gas, and a buffer tank provided in the flow path, pulse control is performed to pulse the flow of the gas by alternately repeating the opening and closing of the flow of the gas in the valve, and in the pulse control, a duration of the pulse control and a number of times of opening the flow of the gas during the duration are controlled to control the flow rate of the gas.

Abstract: An exhaust device including an exhaust mechanism and an exhaust unit is provided. The exhaust mechanism includes a first blade unit and a second blade unit provided in an exhaust space of a processing vessel including a processing space of a vacuum atmosphere for applying a process to a workpiece. The first blade unit and the second blade unit are arranged coaxially with a periphery of the workpiece, and at least one of the first blade unit and the second blade unit is rotatable. The exhaust unit is provided at a downstream side of the exhaust mechanism and communicates with the exhaust space. The exhaust unit is configured to exhaust gas in the processing vessel.

Abstract: A part transporting device for transporting a consumable part includes a part housing, a container, a robot arm, and a moving mechanism. The part housing accommodates an unused consumable part and a used consumable part. The container has an opening to be connected to a processing device and a gate valve for opening or closing the opening, the container being configured to accommodate the part housing. The robot arm is provided in the container and has at least one end effector at a tip end thereof, the robot arm transferring the used consumable part from the processing device through the opening to accommodate the used consumable part in the part housing and transferring the unused consumable part from the part housing to load the unused consumable part into the processing device through the opening. The moving mechanism has a power source and is configured to move the part transporting device.

Abstract: A part transporting device for transporting a consumable part includes a part housing, a container, a robot arm, and a moving mechanism. The part housing accommodates an unused consumable part and a used consumable part. The container has an opening to be connected to a processing device and a gate valve for opening or closing the opening, the container being configured to accommodate the part housing. The robot arm is provided in the container and has at least one end effector at a tip end thereof, the robot arm transferring the used consumable part from the processing device through the opening to accommodate the used consumable part in the part housing and transferring the unused consumable part from the part housing to load the unused consumable part the processing device through the opening. The moving mechanism has a power source and is configured to move the part transporting device.

Abstract: A processing method for performing plasma processing on a substrate includes placing a temperature adjustment target onto a support surface of a substrate support in a decompressible processing, forming a heat transfer layer by supplying, through the substrate support, a heat transfer medium including at least one of a liquid medium or a solid medium with fluidity to between the support surface of the substrate support and a back surface of the temperature adjustment target, performing plasma processing on the substrate on the support surface on which the heat transfer layer is formed, and separating the temperature adjustment target from the support surface after the plasma processing.

Abstract: A processing method and corresponding device for performing plasma processing on a substrate includes placing a temperature adjustment target onto a support surface of a substrate support in a processing chamber being decompressible, forming a heat transfer layer for the temperature adjustment target on the support surface of the substrate support, and performing plasma processing on the substrate on the support surface on which the heat transfer layer is formed. The heat transfer layer is deformable and includes at least one of a liquid layer or a deformable solid layer.

Abstract: A consumable member includes a core portion formed of the material having a first purity; and a protection portion provided at a portion worn out by plasma in the plasma processing apparatus around the core portion, and formed of the material having a second purity higher than the first purity. The material may be either quartz or ceramic.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a plasma processing chamber; a substrate support disposed in the plasma processing chamber; a movable member and a stationary member each disposed around the substrate support, the movable member having a plurality of moving blades, the plurality of moving blades being rotatable, the stationary member having a plurality of stationary blades, the plurality of moving blades and the plurality of stationary blades being alternately disposed along a height direction of the plasma processing chamber, and an exhaust space being formed beneath the movable member and the stationary member; a first driver configured to rotate the movable member; a pressure regulating member movably disposed around the substrate support and above the movable member and the stationary member; and a second driver configured to move the pressure regulating member.

Abstract: An antenna includes an inner structure, an outer structure, and a plurality of interconnecting structures coupling the inner structure to the outer structure. The plurality of interconnecting structures is axisymmetric with respect to a center of the antenna. Each interconnecting structure has an azimuthal component of at least 30 degrees.

Abstract: Embodiments are described herein for power generation systems and methods that use quadrature splitters and combiners to facilitate plasma stability and control. For one embodiment, a quadrature splitter receives an input signal and generates a first and second signals as outputs with the second signal being ninety degrees out of phase with respect to the first signal. Two amplifiers then generate a first and second amplified signals. A quadrature combiner receives the first and second amplified signals and generates a combined amplified signal that represents re-aligned versions of the first and second amplified signals. The power amplifiers can be combined into a system to generate a high power output to a processing chamber. Further, detectors can generate measurements used to monitor and control power generation. The power amplifiers, system, and methods provide significant advantages for high-power generation delivered to process chambers for plasma generation during plasma processing.

Abstract: A plasma processing system includes a chamber, a gas supply unit, a gas exhaust unit, a separating unit, a boost unit and an accumulation unit. The chamber is configured to process a target substrate by plasma of a gaseous mixture of a rare gas and a processing gas. The gas supply unit is configured to supply the rare gas and the processing gas into the chamber. The gas exhaust unit is configured to exhaust a gas containing the rare gas from the chamber. The separating unit is configured to separate the rare gas from the gas exhausted by the gas exhaust unit. The boost unit is configured to boost the rare gas separated by the separating unit. The accumulation unit is configured to accumulate the rare gas boosted by the boost unit and supply the accumulated first rare gas to the gas supply unit.

Abstract: A method includes estimating a replacement time of a consumable part of a processing device, specifying a timing after substrate processing of the processing device is completed in a period before the replacement time as a replaceable timing of the consumable part, estimating a movement time period required for the part transporting device to move to a position of the processing device requiring the replacement, and estimating a preparation time period required for preparation until the part transporting device moved to the position of the processing device requiring the replacement becomes a state in which the consumable part is replaceable. The method further includes transmitting a replacement instruction to the part transporting device at a timing before a timing that is earlier than the replaceable timing by a total time of the movement time period and the preparation time period, and instructing the replacement of the consumable part.

Abstract: An exhaust device including an exhaust mechanism and an exhaust unit is provided. The exhaust mechanism includes a first blade unit and a second blade unit provided in an exhaust space of a processing vessel including a processing space of a vacuum atmosphere for applying a process to a workpiece. The first blade unit and the second blade unit are arranged coaxially with a periphery of the workpiece, and at least one of the first blade unit and the second blade unit is rotatable. The exhaust unit is provided at a downstream side of the exhaust mechanism and communicates with the exhaust space. The exhaust unit is configured to exhaust gas in the processing vessel.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a processing chamber, a support in the processing chamber to support an edge ring assembly that includes a heat transfer sheet that is attached to an edge ring, and the edge ring surrounding the substrate supported by support, and a delivery structure for vertically moving and transferring the edge ring assembly between the plasma processing apparatus and the pressure-reducible transfer apparatus. The transfer apparatus includes a pressure-reducible transfer chamber connected to the processing chamber, and a transferer for transferring the edge ring assembly. Without exposing the processing chamber to the atmosphere, the transferer supports the heat transfer sheet and moves the edge ring assembly to a position above the support, the delivery structure receives the edge ring assembly from the transferer and supports the heat transfer sheet, and the support receives the edge ring assembly to support the edge ring via the heat transfer sheet.

Abstract: A plasma processing system includes a chamber, a gas supply unit, a gas exhaust unit, a separating unit, a boost unit and an accumulation unit. The chamber is configured to process a target substrate by plasma of a gaseous mixture of a rare gas and a processing gas. The gas supply unit is configured to supply the rare gas and the processing gas into the chamber. The gas exhaust unit is configured to exhaust a gas containing the rare gas from the chamber. The separating unit is configured to separate the rare gas from the gas exhausted by the gas exhaust unit. The boost unit is configured to boost the rare gas separated by the separating unit. The accumulation unit is configured to accumulate the rare gas boosted by the boost unit and supply the accumulated first rare gas to the gas supply unit.

Abstract: Embodiments are described herein for power generation systems and methods that use quadrature splitters and combiners to facilitate plasma stability and control. For one embodiment, a quadrature splitter receives an input signal and generates a first and second signals as outputs with the second signal being ninety degrees out of phase with respect to the first signal. Two amplifiers then generate a first and second amplified signals. A quadrature combiner receives the first and second amplified signals and generates a combined amplified signal that represents re-aligned versions of the first and second amplified signals. The power amplifiers can be combined into a system to generate a high power output to a processing chamber. Further, detectors can generate measurements used to monitor and control power generation. The power amplifiers, system, and methods provide significant advantages for high-power generation delivered to process chambers for plasma generation during plasma processing.

Abstract: A substrate support stage includes a substrate mounting surface on which a substrate is mounted and a ring mount on which an edge ring is mounted. The edge ring is disposed so as to surround the substrate mounted on the substrate mounting surface. The ring mount is provided with a plurality of gas ejection ports configured to eject a gas toward a lower surface side of the edge ring to levitate the edge ring while the edge ring is being mounted on the ring mount, thereby allowing the gas to flow out from a gap between inner and outer peripheries of the lower surface side of the edge ring and the ring mount.

Abstract: An exhaust device including an exhaust mechanism and an exhaust unit is provided. The exhaust mechanism includes a first blade unit and a second blade unit provided in an exhaust space of a processing vessel including a processing space of a vacuum atmosphere for applying a process to a workpiece. The first blade unit and the second blade unit are arranged coaxially with a periphery of the workpiece, and at least one of the first blade unit and the second blade unit is rotatable. The exhaust unit is provided at a downstream side of the exhaust mechanism and communicates with the exhaust space. The exhaust unit is configured to exhaust gas in the processing vessel.

Abstract: A part transporting device for transporting a consumable part includes a part housing, a container, a robot arm, and a moving mechanism. The part housing accommodates an unused consumable part and a used consumable part. The container has an opening to be connected to a processing device and a gate valve for opening or closing the opening, the container being configured to accommodate the part housing. The robot arm is provided in the container and has at least one end effector at a tip end thereof, the robot arm transferring the used consumable part from the processing device through the opening to accommodate the used consumable part in the part housing and transferring the unused consumable part from the part housing to load the unused consumable part into the processing device through the opening. The moving mechanism has a power source and is configured to move the part transporting device.

Abstract: A method includes estimating a replacement time of a consumable part of a processing device, specifying a timing after substrate processing of the processing device is completed in a period before the replacement time as a replaceable timing of the consumable part, estimating a movement time period required for the part transporting device to move to a position of the processing device requiring the replacement, and estimating a preparation time period required for preparation until the part transporting device moved to the position of the processing device requiring the replacement becomes a state in which the consumable part is replaceable. The method further includes transmitting a replacement instruction to the part transporting device at a timing before a timing that is earlier than the replaceable timing by a total time of the movement time period and the preparation time period, and instructing the replacement of the consumable part.