Abstract: It is required for the conventional plasma processing apparatus used for plasma processing in a reduced pressure atmosphere to replace the component parts such as earth member frequently as the expendable supplies because an insulation-processed layer and the substrate itself are thinned due to plasma and impurities contained in these thinned materials diffuse into plasma to result in adverse effect on a sample such as wafer, and thinning of the insulation-processed layer due to plasma and resultant electrical effect of the thinning of the insulation-processed layer cause the change of the state of plasma. The invention solves the problem by using electrically conductive ceramic that is formed of a baked material mainly composed of alumina for component parts of the apparatus in the plasma processing apparatus used for plasma processing of an sample to be processed such as wafer in a reduced pressure atmosphere.

Abstract: A standard pattern of a differential value of an interference light is set with respect to a predetermined film thickness of a first member to be processed. The standard pattern uses a wavelength as a parameter. Then, an intensity of an interference light of a second member to be processed, composed just like the first member, is measured with respect to each of a plurality of wavelengths so as to obtain a real pattern of an differential value of the measured interference light intensity. The real pattern also uses a wavelength as a parameter. Then, the film thickness of the second member is obtained according to the standard pattern and the real pattern of the differential value.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus provided with a holding stage of a system in which a temperature of an electrode block is controlled so as to control the temperature of a semiconductor wafer. The electrode block is provided with at least first and second independent temperature controllers on inner and outer sides thereof, and a slit for suppressing heat transfer is provided in the electrode block between the first and second temperature controllers.

Abstract: It is required for the conventional plasma processing apparatus used for plasma processing in a reduced pressure atmosphere to replace the component parts such as earth member frequently as the expendable supplies because an insulation-processed layer and the substrate itself are thinned due to plasma and impurities contained in these thinned materials diffuse into plasma to result in adverse effect on a sample such as wafer, and thinning of the insulation-processed layer due to plasma and resultant electrical effect of the thinning of the insulation-processed layer cause the change of the state of plasma. The invention solves the problem by using electrically conductive ceramic that is formed of a baked material mainly composed of alumina for component parts of the apparatus in the plasma processing apparatus used for plasma processing of an sample to be processed such as wafer in a reduced pressure atmosphere.

Abstract: A plasma processing method for etching a sample having a gate oxide film which generates a plasma in a vacuum chamber using electromagnetic waves, applies an rf bias power to the sample, turns off the rf bias power before a charged voltage of the sample reaches a breakdown voltage of the gate oxide film, turns on the rf bias power after the charged voltage of the sample has substantially dropped and repeats the turning on and off of the rf bias power to process the sample. The off-time is set at least longer than the on-time, and the plasma is generated by continuously supplying power to enable generation of the plasma during the repeated turning on and off of the rf bias power.

Abstract: A standard pattern of a differential value of an interference light is set with respect to a predetermined film thickness of a first member to be processed. The standard pattern uses a wavelength as a parameter. Then, an intensity of an interference light of a second member to be processed, composed just like the first member, is measured with respect to each of a plurality of wavelengths so as to obtain a real pattern of an differential value of the measured interference light intensity. The real pattern also uses a wavelength as a parameter. Then, the film thickness of the second member is obtained according to the standard pattern and the real pattern of the differential value.

Abstract: By conducting etching treatment using at least two steps with different compositions of gases for each step, and at least one step comprising using a gas capable of decomposing and vaporizing etching products in an etching apparatus continuously, semiconductor devices can be produced with high productivity, low contaminant and good reproducibility of treatment state.

Abstract: A plasma processing method for a specimen which is placed on a specimen table disposed in a processing chamber having plural layers of films laminated on a surface thereof, by using plasmas formed in the processing chamber above the specimen table. When a layer of a lower film is processed after an upper layer in the plural layers of the films is processed, at an initial stage of the processing and a post-stage, a temperature difference of coolants, passing through each of coolant passages formed at a central portion in the specimen table and at an outer circumferential portion, is approached more to a target value, and a pressure difference of a heat conducting gas, supplied between a rear side of the specimen and the specimen table, between one at a central portion and the other at an outer circumferential portion of the specimen is adjusted to a small value.

Abstract: A plasma processing method is provided of processing a sample having a silicon nitride layer with high accuracy of size in anisotropy and excellent selectivity to a silicon oxide layer as underlayer. A mixed atmosphere of chlorine gas containing no fluorine with aluminum is converted into plasma in a plasma etching processing chamber and the sample having the silicon nitride layer is etched by using the plasma.

Abstract: When a semiconductor wafer placed in a chamber and having films thereon is etched using plasma generated in the chamber, a change in the amount of lights with at least two wavelengths, obtained from the wafer surface during the processing, is detected. The time between the time at which the amount of a light with one of two wavelengths is maximized and the time at which the amount of a light with the other wavelength is minimized is compared with a predetermined value to determine the state of etching processing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a plasma processing apparatus and a plasma processing method capable of performing plasma processing by performing temperature control of a sample table in accordance with a process step to be performed on a sample. The plasma processing apparatus performs plasma processing on a sample in accordance with a process recipe with the sample being placed on a sample table in which each of a plurality of areas is temperature-controlled by a temperature control means, wherein the process recipe includes a plurality of temperature setting parameters for the sample table, and the plasma processing is performed on the sample in accordance with the process recipe which is prepared for each of a plurality of process steps.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus capable of processing the surface of a workpiece more precisely is provided. The plasma processing apparatus for supplying a gas between a sample and a sample table to generate plasma for processing the sample, comprises an adjusting device for changing a pressure supplied to a central side of the sample and a pressure of the gas supplied to an outer peripheral side as processing of the sample progresses.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus of processing a specimen placed on a table disposed inside of a processing chamber by using plasmas formed in the processing chamber in which the table is disposed to an upper portion thereof and comprises thereon a first member in contact with the specimen and a second member disposed below the first member and which comprises;

Abstract: By conducting etching treatment using at least two steps with different compositions of gases for each step, and at least one step comprising using a gas capable of decomposing and vaporizing etching products in an etching apparatus continuously, semicondictor devices can be produced with high productivity, low contaminant and good reproducibility of treatment state.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus provided with a holding stage of a system in which a temperature of an electrode block is controlled so as to control the temperature of a semiconductor wafer. The electrode block is provided with at least first and second independent temperature controllers on inner and outer sides thereof, and a slit for suppressing heat transfer is provided in the electrode block between the first and second temperature controllers.

Abstract: An etching apparatus has a sensor for monitoring the etching state, an etching result estimation model for estimating an etching result from an output of the sensor and an etching result estimator, and an etching recipe calculation model for calculating a recipe based on the estimation result, in such a manner as to achieve a target etching result. In the etching method employed, when subjecting a semiconductor substrate prepared by using polysilicon to etching, calculating at least one of an oxygen gas flow rate and a pressure or both, which are included in the recipe, is calculated based on a recipe calculation model and the etching is performed using the thus-obtained parameter(s). The etching apparatus and the etching method enable desired pattern dimensions to be achieved, while suppressing variation in the final pattern dimensions.

Abstract: To meet the requirements for ever smaller semiconductor devices, it is required to provide a sample surface processing method which is capable of processing a device of 1 micron or less, or more preferably 0.5 micron or less. It is also required to provide a surface processing method which allows a flat surface to be etched without irregularities occurring on the etched surface, and permits the multilayer film to be etched without underlying oxide film etched through.

Abstract: It is required for the conventional plasma processing apparatus used for plasma processing in a reduced pressure atmosphere to replace the component parts such as earth member frequently as the expendable supplies because an insulation-processed layer and the substrate itself are thinned due to plasma and impurities contained in these thinned materials diffuse into plasma to result in adverse effect on a sample such as wafer, and thinning of the insulation-processed layer due to plasma and resultant electrical effect of the thinning of the insulation-processed layer cause the change of the state of plasma. The invention solves the problem by using electrically conductive ceramic that is formed of a baked material mainly composed of alumina for component parts of the apparatus in the plasma processing apparatus used for plasma processing of an sample to be processed such as wafer in a reduced pressure atmosphere.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device fabrication apparatus for performing an etching process for a semiconductor wafer having a plurality of films formed on a surface thereof and disposed in a chamber, by using plasma generated in the chamber, a change in light of multi-wavelength from the surface of the semiconductor wafer is measured during a predetermined period of the etching process, and a state of the etching process is judged from the displayed change amount of light of multi-wavelength.

Abstract: A plasma processing method for etching a sample having a gate oxide film includes generating a plasma in a vacuum chamber using electromagnetic waves, applying an rf bias power to the sample, turning off the rf bias power before a charged voltage of the sample reaches a breakdown voltage, turning on the rf bias power after the charged voltage of the sample has substantially dropped, and repeating the turning on and off of the rf bias power to process the sample. The off-time is set at least longer than the on-time.