Abstract: A processing system includes: at least one processing unit. Each processing unit includes a plurality of processing chambers, and a utility module. Each of the processing chambers processes a processing target object using a supplied processing gas. The utility module includes a flow rate controller configured to control a flow rate of the processing gas supplied to each of the plurality of processing chambers. The plurality of processing chambers are disposed to overlap each other in a vertical direction. The utility module is disposed between two processing chambers adjacent in the vertical direction, among the plurality of processing chambers.

Abstract: A processing apparatus for performing a specified process on a target object at a predetermined process pressure, the apparatus having an evacuable processing chamber having a gas exhaust port formed in a bottom portion thereof, a mounting table provided within the processing chamber for holding the target object, a pressure control valve connected to the gas exhaust port, the pressure control valve including a slide-type valve body for changing an area of an opening region of a valve port, and a gas exhaust system connected to the pressure control valve. The pressure control valve is arranged such that a center axis of the mounting table lies within an opening region of the pressure control valve formed over a practical use region of a valve opening degree of the pressure control valve.

Abstract: A structure of an improved processing vessel for a processing apparatus, which processes a target object using a processing gas, is disclosed. The target object, such as a semiconductor wafer, is heated within a metal cylindrical shaped processing vessel. The processing vessel includes a plurality of block bodies mutually connected by being stacked in the vertical direction. Heat insulating vacuum layers are arranged between the adjacent block bodies. Thus, heat transfer between block bodies is suppressed, so that temperature of each block body can be separately controlled, thereby improving energy efficiency.

Abstract: In a plasma processing apparatus that processes a wafer in a process vessel by plasma generated by the supply of a microwave, a transmissive window has, in a center area of its lower surface, a hanging portion made of the same material as a material of the transmissive window. Between an outer peripheral surface of the hanging portion and a sidewall inner surface continuing from a support part, a gap is formed, the gap having a gap length of 0.5 to 10 mm, more preferably 0.5 to 5 mm. The generation of a strong electric field and plasma at a contact point is inhibited and an amount of sputtered particles, radicals, or the like reaching the wafer is also reduced.

Abstract: A processing apparatus for performing a specified process on a target object at a predetermined process pressure, the apparatus having an evacuable processing chamber having a gas exhaust port formed in a bottom portion thereof, a mounting table provided within the processing chamber for holding the target object, a pressure control valve connected to the gas exhaust port, the pressure control valve including a slide-type valve body for changing an area of an opening region of a valve port, and a gas exhaust system connected to the pressure control valve. The pressure control valve is arranged such that a center axis of the mounting table lies within an opening region of the pressure control valve formed over a practical use region of a valve opening degree of the pressure control valve.

Abstract: In a processing apparatus for performing a specified process on a target object at a predetermined process pressure, the apparatus includes an evacuable processing chamber having a gas exhaust port formed in a bottom portion thereof; a mounting table provided within the processing chamber for holding the target object; a pressure control valve connected to the gas exhaust port, the pressure control valve including a slide-type valve body for changing an area of an opening region of a valve port; and a gas exhaust system connected to the pressure control valve. The pressure control valve is eccentrically arranged such that a center axis of the mounting table lies within an opening region of the pressure control valve formed over a practical use region of a valve opening degree of the pressure control valve.

Abstract: When plasma processing is finished, a gate valve 13a is closed and cleaning gas is ejected from holes 121a of a shower plate 121, and at the same time, a microwave is generated from a microwave generator 101. Further, at this time, the inside of a process chamber 110 is exhausted through a second exhaust port 106. Since the exhaust is conducted through a second exhaust port 106 positioned lower than a wafer stage 104 in a lowered state when the inside of the process chamber 110 is cleaned, it is possible to more effectively remove gas and reaction products deposited especially in a lower portion of the process chamber 110.

Abstract: When plasma processing is finished, a gate valve 13a is closed and cleaning gas is ejected from holes 121a of a shower plate 121, and at the same time, a microwave is generated from a microwave generator 101. Further, at this time, the inside of a process chamber 110 is exhausted through a second exhaust port 106. Since the exhaust is conducted through a second exhaust port 106 positioned lower than a wafer stage 104 in a lowered state when the inside of the process chamber 110 is cleaned, it is possible to more effectively remove gas and reaction products deposited especially in a lower portion of the process chamber 110.

Abstract: A microwave introduction device includes a microwave generator for generating a microwave of a predetermined frequency, a mode converter for converting the microwave into a predetermined oscillation mode, a planar antenna member arranged toward a predetermined space, and a coaxial waveguide connecting the mode converter with the planar antenna member to propagate the microwave. A central conductor of the coaxial waveguide is formed in a cylindrical shape, an inner diameter D1 of the central conductor is not smaller than a first predetermined value, and an outer conductor of the central conductor is also formed in a cylindrical shape. A ratio r1/r2 of a radius r1 of an inner diameter of the outer conductor to a radius r2 of an outer diameter of the central conductor is maintained at a second predetermined value and the inner diameter D2 the outer conductor is not greater than a third predetermined value.

Abstract: Provided is a structure of an improved processing vessel for a processing apparatus which processes a target object, such as a semiconductor wafer, which is heated in the metal cylindrical shaped processing vessel by using a processing gas. The processing vessel (34) is composed of a plurality of block bodies (80, 82, 84) mutually connected by being stacked in the vertical direction. Heat insulating vacuum layers (86, 88) are arranged between the adjacent block bodies. Thus, heat transfer between block bodies is suppressed, so that temperature of each block body can be separately controlled, thereby improving energy efficiency.

Abstract: In a processing apparatus for performing a specified process on a target object at a predetermined process pressure, the apparatus includes an evacuable processing chamber having a gas exhaust port formed in a bottom portion thereof; a mounting table provided within the processing chamber for holding the target object; a pressure control valve connected to the gas exhaust port, the pressure control valve including a slide-type valve body for changing an area of an opening region of a valve port; and a gas exhaust system connected to the pressure control valve. The pressure control valve is eccentrically arranged such that a center axis of the mounting table lies within an opening region of the pressure control valve formed over a practical use region of a valve opening degree of the pressure control valve.

Abstract: To improve processing quality by inhibiting the generation of a strong electric field and high-density plasma, near a contact point between a support part supporting a transmissive window and the transmissive window in a plasma processing apparatus utilizing a microwave. In a plasma processing apparatus that processes a wafer W in a process vessel 2 by plasma generated by the supply of a microwave, a transmissive window 20 has, in a center area of its lower surface, a hanging portion 21 made of the same material as a material of the transmissive window 20. Between an outer peripheral surface 21a of the hanging portion 21 and a sidewall inner surface 5a continuing from a support part 6, a gap d is formed, the gap d having a gap length of 0.5 to 10 mm, more preferably 0.5 to 5 mm. The generation of a strong electric field and plasma at the contact point C is inhibited and an amount of sputtered particles, radicals, or the like reaching the wafer W is also reduced.

Abstract: A vacuum processing apparatus using a shield member that is used in a processing chamber of the vacuum processing apparatus, that has a heating unit and that has a simple structure enabling the shield member to be thinned. A vacuum processing apparatus having a processing chamber, a gas exhaust unit for discharging gas in processing space inside the processing chamber, a support base for holding a substrate to be processed, and a shield member placed inside the processing chamber. The shield member has an outer wall structure exposed to the processing space that is located inside the processing chamber and is reduced in pressure, inner space formed inside the outer wall structure and isolated from the processing space, and a heating unit placed in the inner space and heating the outer wall structure. The inner space is communicated with the outside of the vacuum processing chamber, and the heating unit is constructed so as to extend into the inner space in a sheet-like form.

Abstract: The present invention has the object of improving the efficiency of cleaning in a substrate processing apparatus. Thus, the present invention uses a substrate processing apparatus, comprising: a processing vessel holding therein a substrate to be processed; gas supply means for supplying a gas for processing into said processing vessel; a stage provided in the processing vessel for holding said substrate to be processed; a shielding plate dividing a space inside said processing vessel into a first space and a second space, wherein there are provided: a first evacuation path for evacuating said first space; and a second evacuation path for evacuating said second space.

Abstract: In a substrate processing apparatus for processing a substrate for manufacturing a semiconductor device, a mist passage (5) is formed to pass through a part of a processing vessel (2) as an object to be cooled. There are disposed a mist generator (64) that generates a mist, and a gas supply source (62) that supplies a carrier gas for carrying the generated mist. A temperature of the part to be cooled is detected by a temperature sensor (49). When the detected temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, a water mist, for example, is allowed to flow into the mist passage so as to cool the processing vessel by a heat of evaporation of the mist. Thus, the temperature of the processing vessel can be promptly lowered, and thus a plasma process can be performed under an atmosphere of a stable temperature.

Abstract: The present invention has an object of improving the cooling efficiency of the process gas supply part of a plasma processor and thereby suppressing an increase in the temperature of the process gas supply part.

Abstract: A microwave plasma substrate processing apparatus is formed of a processing vessel defining a process space in which a plasma processing is conducted, a stage provided in the process space for supporting the substrate to be processed, an evacuation passage formed between the processing vessel and the stage so as to surround the stage, an evacuation system connected to the processing vessel for evacuating the process space via the evacuation passage, a process gas supplying system for introducing a process gas into the process space, a microwave window provided so as to face the substrate to be processed on the stage and formed of a dielectric material and extending substantially parallel to the substrate to be processed, the microwave window forming a part of an outer wall of the processing vessel, and a microwave antenna coupled to the microwave window, wherein at least a part of the processing vessel is covered with an insulation layer.

Abstract: When plasma processing is finished, a gate valve 13a is closed and cleaning gas is ejected from holes 121a of a shower plate 121, and at the same time, a microwave is generated from a microwave generator 101. Further, at this time, the inside of a process chamber 110 is exhausted through a second exhaust port 106. Since the exhaust is conducted through a second exhaust port 106 positioned lower than a wafer stage 104 in a lowered state when the inside of the process chamber 110 is cleaned, it is possible to more effectively remove gas and reaction products deposited especially in a lower portion of the process chamber 110.