Abstract: The present invention provides an upper electrode and an etching apparatus including the electrode, both of which can properly reduce the intensity of the electric field of plasma around a central portion of a substrate, thus enhancing in-plane uniformity. In this apparatus, a recess, serving as a space for allowing a dielectric to be injected therein, is provided around a central portion of the upper electrode. Both a dielectric supply passage and a dielectric discharge passage are connected with the space. With such configuration, controlled supply of the dielectric into the recess makes the in-plane electric field intensity distribution uniform over various process conditions, such as the kind of wafer to be etched, the processing gas to be used, and the like.

Abstract: A substrate processing method uses a substrate processing apparatus including a chamber for accommodating a substrate, a lower electrode to mount the substrate, a first RF power applying unit for applying an RF power for plasma generation into the chamber, and a second RF power applying unit for applying an RF power for bias to the lower electrode. The RF power for plasma generation is controlled to be intermittently changed by changing an output of the first RF power applying unit at a predetermined timing. If no plasma state or an afterglow state exists in the chamber by a control of the first RF power applying unit, an output of the second RF power applying unit is controlled to be in an OFF state or decreased below an output of the second RF power applying unit when the output of the first RF power applying unit is a set output.

Abstract: A substrate processing method uses a substrate processing apparatus including a chamber for accommodating a substrate, a lower electrode to mount the substrate, a first RF power applying unit for applying an RF power for plasma generation into the chamber, and a second RF power applying unit for applying an RF power for bias to the lower electrode. The RF power for plasma generation is controlled to be intermittently changed by changing an output of the first RF power applying unit at a predetermined timing. If no plasma state or an afterglow state exists in the chamber by a control of the first RF power applying unit, an output of the second RF power applying unit is controlled to be in an OFF state or decreased below an output of the second RF power applying unit when the output of the first RF power applying unit is a set output.

Abstract: A mounting table for use in a plasma processing apparatus, on which a substrate is mounted, includes: a conductive member connected to a high frequency power supply and a high frequency power supply; a dielectric layer embedded in a central portion on an upper surface of the conductive member; and an electrostatic chuck mounted on the dielectric layer. Further, the electrostatic chuck is connected to a high voltage DC power supply and includes an electrode film satisfying following conditions: ?/z?85 (where ?=(?v/(??f))1/2) and, a surface resistivity of the substrate>a surface resistivity of a central portion of the electrode film.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus transfers an object to be transferred onto a case. The transfer apparatus includes a transfer arm, an arm shaft, a plurality of electromagnets, and a control unit. The transfer arm has a pick unit on a front end thereof and extends and retracts in a horizontal direction. The object to be transferred is held on the pick unit. The arm shaft supports the transfer arm. The plurality of electromagnets apply an force in upward direction to the transfer arm by generating a magnetic field in the case. The control unit controls the plurality of electromagnets in such a manner that when the transfer arm extends and retracts in the horizontal direction, the force in upward direction applied to the transfer arm increases as a length from the arm shaft to the front end of the transfer arm increases.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes: a vacuum-evacuable processing chamber; a lower central electrode; a lower peripheral electrode surrounding the lower central electrode in an annular shape; an upper electrode provided to face the lower central electrode and the lower peripheral electrode; a processing gas supply unit for supplying a processing gas into the processing chamber; an RF power supply for outputting an RF power for generating a plasma; and a power feed conductor connected to a rear surface of the lower peripheral electrode to supply the RF power to the lower peripheral electrode. The apparatus further includes a variable capacitance coupling unit for electrically connecting the lower central electrode with at least one of the power feed conductor and the lower peripheral electrode by capacitance coupling with a variable impedance in order to supply a part of the RF power from the RF power supply to the lower central electrode.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck device includes an electrostatic chuck section, a metal base section, and a dielectric plate. The electrostatic chuck section has a substrate, a main surface of which serves as a mounting surface for a plate-like sample, an electrostatic-adsorption inner electrode built in the substrate, and a power supply terminal for applying a DC voltage to the electrostatic-adsorption inner electrode. Here, a dielectric plate is fixed to a concave portion formed in the metal base section. The dielectric plate and the electrostatic chuck section are adhesively bonded to each other with an insulating adhesive bonding layer interposed therebetween. The dielectric plate and the concave portion are adhesively bonded to each other with a conductive adhesive bonding layer interposed therebetween, the volume resistivity of which is 1.0×10?2 ?cm or less.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus capable of improving a processing controllability in an etching process is provided. The substrate processing apparatus (10) includes a depressurized processing room (11); a susceptor (12) that is provided in the processing room (11) and configured to mount a wafer (W) thereon; a HF high frequency power supply (18) configured to apply a high frequency voltage for plasma generation to the susceptor (12); a LF high frequency power supply (20) configured to apply a high frequency voltage for a bias voltage generation to the susceptor (12); and a DC voltage applying unit (23) configured to apply a DC voltage of a rectangle-shaped wave to the susceptor (12).

Abstract: A substrate processing method that can eliminate unevenness in the distribution of plasma. The method is for a substrate processing apparatus that has a processing chamber in which a substrate is housed, a mounting stage that is disposed in the processing chamber and on which the substrate is mounted, and an electrode plate that is disposed in the processing chamber such as to face the mounting stage, the electrode plate being made of silicon and connected to a radio-frequency power source, and carries out plasma processing on the substrate. In the plasma processing, the temperature of the electrode plate is measured, and based on the measured temperature, the temperature of the electrode plate is maintained lower than a critical temperature at which the specific resistance value of the silicon starts changing.

Abstract: A capacitive coupling plasma processing apparatus includes a process chamber configured to have a vacuum atmosphere, and a process gas supply section configured to supply a process gas into the chamber. In the chamber, a first electrode and a second electrode are disposed opposite each other. The second electrode includes a plurality of conductive segments separated from each other and facing the first electrode. An RF power supply is configured to apply an RF power to the first electrode to form an RF electric field within a plasma generation region between the first and second electrodes, so as to turn the process gas into plasma by the RF electric field. A DC power supply is configured to apply a DC voltage to at least one of the segments of the second electrode.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus and a focus ring enables to perform uniform plasma processing over the entire surface of a substrate to be processed to thereby improve in-surface uniformity of plasma processing compared with conventional cases. The focus ring is disposed on a susceptor 2, which serves to mount thereon a semiconductor wafer W and further functions as a lower electrode, to surround a periphery of the semiconductor wafer W. The focus ring 6 includes a ring member of a thin plate shape disposed to surround the periphery of the wafer W while maintaining a gap therebetween and a lower ring body installed below the semiconductor wafer and the ring member of the thin plate shape.

Abstract: A capacitive coupling plasma processing apparatus includes a process chamber configured to have a vacuum atmosphere, and a process gas supply section configured to supply a process gas into the chamber. In the chamber, a first electrode and a second electrode are disposed opposite each other. The second electrode includes a plurality of conductive segments separated from each other and facing the first electrode. An RF power supply is configured to apply an RF power to the first electrode to form an RF electric field within a plasma generation region between the first and second electrodes, so as to turn the process gas into plasma by the RF electric field. A DC power supply is configured to apply a DC voltage to at least one of the segments of the second electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed is a magnetic field generator for magnetron plasma. The magnetic field generator is provided with a plurality of magnetic segments, and generates a predetermined multi-pole magnetic field around the periphery of a workpiece substrate within a process chamber. The strength of the multi-pole magnetic field is controlled so that the state of the multi-pole magnetic field is matched different plasma processes. Further, the pattern of the multi-pole magnetic field can be changed so as to match different sizes of the substrate.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to suppress damage of an electrostatic chuck, by controlling stress exerted on each part of a table, which includes an electrically conductive material, i.e., an electrode for generating plasma, a dielectric layer for enhancing the in-plane uniformity of a plasma process, and an electrostatic chuck.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus for performing a plasma process on a target substrate includes a process container configured to accommodate the target substrate and to reduce pressure therein. A first electrode is disposed within the process container. A supply system is configured to supply a process gas into the process container. An electric field formation system is configured to form an RF electric field within the process container so as to generate plasma of the process gas. A number of protrusions are discretely disposed on a main surface of the first electrode and protrude toward a space where the plasma is generated.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a processing chamber in which a target substrate is processed; an application electrode and a facing electrode provided to face each other in the processing chamber, a plasma generation space being formed between the application electrode and the facing electrode; and an RF power supply connected to the application electrode, an RF power being supplied from the RF power supply to the application electrode. At least one of the application electrode and the facing electrode includes a base formed of a metal, and a dielectric body inserted into the base, one or more metal plate electrodes being buried in the dielectric body.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus for performing a plasma process on a target substrate includes a process container configured to accommodate the target substrate and to reduce pressure therein. A first electrode is disposed within the process container. A supply system is configured to supply a process gas into the process container. An electric field formation system is configured to form an RF electric field within the process container so as to generate plasma of the process gas. A number of protrusions are discretely disposed on a main surface of the first electrode and protrude toward a space where the plasma is generated.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus and a focus ring enables to perform uniform plasma processing over the entire surface of a substrate to be processed to thereby improve in-surface uniformity of plasma processing compared with conventional cases. The focus ring is disposed on a susceptor 2, which serves to mount thereon a semiconductor wafer W and further functions as a lower electrode, to surround a periphery of the semiconductor wafer W. The focus ring 6 includes a ring member of a thin plate shape disposed to surround the periphery of the wafer W while maintaining a gap therebetween and a lower ring body installed below the semiconductor wafer and the ring member of the thin plate shape.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes: a processing chamber that accommodates a substrate therein; a lower electrode positioned within the processing chamber and serving as a mounting table; an upper electrode positioned to face the lower electrode within the processing chamber; a first high frequency power supply that applies high frequency power for plasma generation of a first frequency to the lower electrode or the upper electrode; a second high frequency power supply that applies high frequency power for ion attraction of a second frequency lower than the first frequency to the lower electrode; at least one bias distribution control electrode positioned at least in a peripheral portion above the lower electrode; and at least one bias distribution control power supply that applies an AC voltage or a square wave voltage of a third frequency lower than the second frequency to the at least one bias distribution control electrode.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus and a focus ring enables to perform uniform plasma processing over the entire surface of a substrate to be processed to thereby improve in-surface uniformity of plasma processing compared with conventional cases. The focus ring is disposed on a susceptor 2, which serves to mount thereon a semiconductor wafer W and further functions as a lower electrode, to surround a periphery of the semiconductor wafer W. The focus ring 6 includes a ring member of a thin plate shape disposed to surround the periphery of the wafer W while maintaining a gap therebetween and a lower ring body installed below the semiconductor wafer and the ring member of the thin plate shape.