Abstract: Provided is a plasma processing apparatus and method which has a plasma generating chamber into which gas is introduced and microwaves are transmitted, thereby generating plasma. The plasma is introduced into a processing chamber, in which a semiconductor substrate to be processed resides. An RF generator and DC generator are mixed together and are synchronized with the microwaves, such that they are applied to the substrate at the same times the microwaves act upon the gas to form plasma. Thus, variance of the DC bias and RF bias can be independently controlled, and damage to the substrate is reduced. In another embodiment, an RF bias voltage modulation circuit is used to shape the RF waveform in accordance with predetermined patterns.

Abstract: Provided is a plasma processing apparatus and method which has a plasma generating chamber into which gas is introduced and microwaves are transmitted, thereby generating plasma. The plasma is introduced into a processing chamber, in which a semiconductor substrate to be processed resides. An RF generator and DC generator are mixed together and are synchronized with the microwaves, such that they are applied to the substrate at the same times the microwaves act upon the gas to form plasma. Thus, variance of the DC bias and RF bias can be independently controlled, and damage to the substrate is reduced. In another embodiment, an RF bias voltage modulation circuit is used to shape the RF waveform in accordance with predetermined patterns.

Abstract: In a typical plasma processing apparatus, microwaves are generated into a processing chamber which contains a gas and a substrate. Magnetic fields transmitted into the processing chamber cause plasma to be produced when microwaves are generated. Typically an RF bias voltage is applied to the substrate during the process. By optimizing the RF bias voltage which the pulses of microwaves the apparatus produces a higher quality thin film, or etching process, without damaging the substrate surface.