Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a processing gas supplying unit for supplying a desired processing gas to a processing space between an upper electrode and a lower electrode which are disposed facing each other in an evacuable processing chamber. The plasma processing apparatus further includes a radio frequency (RF) power supply unit for applying an RF power to one of the lower and the upper electrode to generate plasma of the processing gas by RF discharge and an electrically conductive RF ground member which covers a periphery portion of the electrode to which the RF power is applied to receive RF power emitted outwardly in radial directions from the periphery portion of the electrode to which the RF power is applied and send the received RF power to a ground line.

Abstract: A silent discharge plasma apparatus includes a dielectric member, a pair of electrodes opposed to each other across the dielectric member and an alternating-current source applying an alternating-current voltage between the electrodes and causing a discharge. A gas is supplied to a discharge space, where discharge occurs, and a plasma is produced. At least one of the electrodes includes a conductive power feeding thin film on the dielectric member. When the dielectric member is destroyed and an arc discharge develops between the electrodes, the power feeding thin film is eliminated or oxidized, and the arc discharge is stopped.

Abstract: When the state of the vacuum processing chamber is switched to an idle state in which an insulating fluid is circulated while a semiconductor wafer W is not placed in the vacuum processing chamber and no plasma is generated in the vacuum processing chamber, nitrogen gas purging (N2 purging) of the inside of the vacuum processing chamber is started, and the pressure in the vacuum processing chamber is controlled to a predetermined level, for example, about 27 Pa (200 mTorr). This makes it possible to prevent a component in the vacuum processing chamber of a plasma processor from being charged to high voltage, so that an insulative material can be protected against breakdown caused by electric discharge or the like.

Abstract: In an atmospheric-pressure plasma processing apparatus, a first metal surface 21a of a first stage portion 21 of a stage 20 is exposed and an object to be processed W composed of a dielectric material is placed on the first metal surface 21a. A second stage portion 22 is disposed on a peripheral edge of the first stage portion 21. A solid dielectric layer 25 is disposed on a second metal 24 of the second stage portion 22. A peripheral portion of the object W is placed on an inner dielectric portion 26 of the solid dielectric layer 25. An electrode 11 generates a run up discharge D2 in a second movement range R2 above the second stage portion 22. Then, the electrode 11 is moved to a first movement range R1 above the first stage portion 21 and generates a regular plasma discharge D1.

Abstract: In a plasma processing method, on a back side of a cathode electrode is provided at least one conductor plate d.c. potentially insulated from the cathode electrode and an opposing electrode, and the cathode electrode and the conductor plate are enclosed with a shielding wall such that a ratio of an inter-electrode coupling capacitance provided by the cathode electrode and the opposing electrode to a coupling capacitance provided by the cathode electrode and a bottom surface of the shielding wall on the back side of the conductor plate is not less than a predetermined value. Thereby, a high-quality, high-speed plasma processing is realized.

Abstract: A chamber component configured to be coupled to a processing chamber is described. The chamber component comprises one or more adjustable gas passages through which a process gas is introduced to the process chamber. The adjustable gas passage may be configured to form a hollow cathode that creates a hollow cathode plasma in a hollow cathode region having one or more plasma surfaces in contact with the hollow cathode plasma. Therein, at least one of the one or more plasma surfaces is movable in order to vary the size of the hollow cathode region and adjust the properties of the hollow cathode plasma. Furthermore, one or more adjustable hollow cathodes may be utilized to adjust a plasma process for treating a substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides an upper electrode used in an etching apparatus and the etching apparatus including the upper electrode, both of which can properly reduce intensity of electric field of plasma around a central portion of a substrate to be processed, thus enhancing in-plane uniformity of a plasma process. 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. A dielectric supply passage configured for supplying the dielectric into the space and a dielectric discharge passage configured for discharging the dielectric from the space are connected with the space, respectively.

Abstract: A plasma processing member includes a ceramic base, a plasma generating electrode embedded in the ceramic base, and an electrode power supply member connected to the plasma generating electrode. The impedance of the plasma processing member when plasma is generated using high frequency power at a frequency higher than 13.56 MHz is adjusted to 25? or less.

Abstract: A plasma-processing apparatus having a high frequency power application electrode in which plasma is generated by supplying VHF power to the high frequency power application electrode. The plasma-processing apparatus has an impedance-matching equipment comprising a capacitive element and an inductive element, which are mutually connected in series. The apparatus is arranged so that the capacitive element and the inductive element of the impedance-matching equipment are symmetrical with respect to the center of the high frequency power application electrode.

Abstract: A plasma processing method for performing a plasma process on a substrate to be processed by making a plasma act thereon includes the following sequential steps of making a plasma weaker than one used in the plasma process act on the substrate, applying a DC voltage to an electrostatic chuck for attracting and holding the substrate while the weak plasma acts on the substrate, extinguishing the weak plasma, and performing the plasma process. Further, a plasma processing apparatus includes a plasma processing mechanism for performing a plasma process on a substrate to be processed, and a controller for controlling the plasma processing mechanism to thereby perform the plasma processing method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for cleaning, etching, activation and subsequent treatments of glass surfaces, glass surfaces coated with metal oxides or with organic material layers, SiO2-layer coated materials, and SiO2-layer coated materials with an organic material surface coating by effects of an electrical plasma layer. The invention disclosed herein includes at least one electrode system (1) consisting of at least two electrodes (2) and (3) situated inside of a dielectric body (4). An electrical plasma layer is generated preferably at atmospheric gas pressure, and preferably above the electrodes (2) and (3) situated on the same side of the treated glass, metal oxide coated glass, other SiO2-coated materials and SiO2-coated materials with a layer of organic material (5) and which are energized by an alternating or pulsed electrical voltage applied between them.

Abstract: The various embodiments provide apparatus and methods of removal of unwanted deposits near the bevel edge of substrates to improve process yield. The embodiments provide apparatus and methods with center and edge gas feeds as additional process knobs for selecting a most suitable bevel edge etching processes to push the edge exclusion zone further outward towards the edge of substrates. Further the embodiments provide apparatus and methods with tuning gas(es) to change the etching profile at the bevel edge and using a combination of center and edge gas feeds to flow process and tuning gases into the chamber. Both the usage of tuning gas and location of gas feed(s) affect the etching characteristics at bevel edge. Total gas flow, gap distance between the gas delivery plate and substrate surface, pressure, and types of process gas(es) are also found to affect bevel edge etching profiles.

Abstract: The present invention presents an improved upper electrode for a plasma processing system, wherein the design and fabrication of an electrode plate with a deposition shield coupled to the upper electrode advantageously provides gas injection of a process gas with substantially minimal erosion of the upper electrode while providing protection to a chamber interior.

Abstract: In the case of performing at least two plasma processing steps in a common plasma reaction chamber, a CW AC power or a pulse-modulated AC power is appropriately selected as a power for plasma processing in each step. Thereby, even in a step where plasma processing conditions are limited due to apparatus configurations, the plasma processing can be performed in more various manners. Further, uniform plasma can be generated between electrodes and a quantity of a power to be supplied between the electrodes can be reduced, by using the pulse-modulated AC power. Thereby, a plasma processing speed can be reduced so that throughput control is facilitated.

Abstract: A vacuum plasma processor includes a chamber having a grounded wall and an outlet port. Plasma is excited at a first RF frequency in a chamber region spaced from the wall and outlet port. A. structure confines the plasma to the region while enabling gas to flow from the region to the outlet port. RF electric power at a second frequency connected to the confining structure causes the confining structure to be at a potential different from ground to increase the size of a sheath between the plasma and confining structure and increase the confining structure effectiveness. The region includes an electrode connected to ground by a circuit that is series resonant to the first frequency and includes capacitance of the sheath.

Abstract: A showerhead electrode for a plasma processing apparatus includes an elastomeric sheet adhesive bond between mating surfaces of an electrode and a backing member to accommodate stresses generated during temperature cycling due to mismatch in coefficients of thermal expansion. The elastomeric sheet comprises a thermally conductive silicone adhesive able to withstand a high shear strain of ?300% in a temperature range of room temperature to 300° C. such as heat curable high molecular weight dimethyl silicone with fillers. The sheet form adhesive has bond thickness control for parallelism of bonded surfaces over large areas. The sheet adhesive may be cast or die cut into pre-form shapes that can conform to irregularly shaped features, maximize surface contact area with mating electrode surfaces, and installed into cavities of the mating assembly. Installation can be manually, manually with installation tooling, or with automated machinery.

Abstract: A system is provided for etching patterned media disks. A movable non-contact electrode is utilized to perform sputter etch. The electrode moves to near contact distance to, but not contacting, the substrate so as to couple RF energy to the disk. The material to be etched may be metal, e.g., Co/Pt/Cr or similar metals. The substrate is held vertically in a carrier and both sides are etched serially. That is, one side is etched in one chamber and then in the next chamber the second side is etched. An isolation valve is disposed between the two chambers and the disk carrier moves the disks between the chambers. The carrier may be a linear drive carrier, using, e.g., magnetized wheels and linear motors.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a plasma process chamber and a support element capable of supporting a substrate inside the plasma process chamber. At least one plasma control element is placed adjacent to a peripheral portion of the support element such that the plasma control element is capable of influencing a plasma inside the plasma process chamber if an electric field is applied thereto. At least one voltage generator is connected to the plasma control element. The plasma control element is movable inside the process chamber such that it can be set to any of at least two different positions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate processing apparatus including: a reaction tube to accommodate at least one substrate; at least a pair of electrodes disposed outside the reaction tube; and a dielectric member, wherein a plasma generation region is formed at least in a space between an inner wall of the reaction tube and an outer circumferential edge of the substrate, the member includes a main face extending in a radial direction of the substrate and in a substantially entire circumferential direction of the substrate in a horizontal plane parallel to a main face of the substrate, and is disposed in an outer circumferential region of the substrate, and gas activated in the plasma generation region is supplied through a surface region of the main face of the member to the substrate.

Abstract: A plasma processing chamber, which includes an upper electrode assembly, a lower electrode assembly, and a plasma confinement assembly. The upper electrode assembly includes an upper electrode, a backing member, the backing member attachable to an upper surface of the upper electrode, and a guard ring surrounding an outer surface of the backing member and located above the upper surface of the upper electrode, wherein the guard ring is configured to provide an inner gap between the outer surface of the backing member and an inner periphery of the guard ring. The lower electrode assembly is adapted to receive a semiconductor substrate. The plasma confinement assembly is separated from an outer periphery of the upper electrode and the backing member by the guard ring.

Abstract: A vertical plasma processing apparatus for a semiconductor process for performing a plasma process on target substrates all together includes an exciting mechanism configured to turn at least part of a process gas into plasma. The exciting mechanism includes first and second electrodes provided to a plasma generation box and facing each other with a plasma generation area interposed therebetween, and an RF power supply configured to supply an RF power for plasma generation to the first and second electrodes and including first and second output terminals serving as grounded and non-grounded terminals, respectively. A switching mechanism is configured to switch between a first state where the first and second electrodes are connected to the first and second output terminals, respectively, and a second state where the first and second electrodes are connected to the second and first output terminals, respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus, which performs a plasma process on a target substrate by using plasma, includes first and second electrodes in a process chamber to oppose each other. An RF field, which turns a process gas into plasma by excitation, is formed between the first and second electrodes. An RF power supply, which supplies RF power, is connected to the first or second electrode through a matching circuit. The matching circuit automatically performs input impedance matching relative to the RF power. A variable impedance setting section is connected to a predetermined member, which is electrically coupled with the plasma, through an interconnection. The impedance setting section sets a backward-direction impedance against an RF component input to the predetermined member from the plasma. A controller supplies a control signal concerning a preset value of the backward-direction impedance to the impedance setting section.

Abstract: A plasma processing system for processing a substrate is disclosed. The plasma processing system includes a process chamber within which a plasma is both ignited and sustained for processing. The plasma processing system further includes an electrode disposed at the lower end of the process chamber. The electrode is configured for generating an electric field inside the process chamber. The plasma processing system also includes a component for controlling an impedance between the electrode and the plasma. The impedance is arranged to affect the electric field to improve processing uniformity across the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A plasma chamber having a plasma source coil includes a chamber body, a plasma source coil, and an edge bushing. The chamber body includes a reaction space, which is limited by a sidewall, a lower exterior wall, and an upper dome, and forms plasma. The plasma source coil arranged on the dome includes M unit coils corresponding to an integer greater than “2”. The M unit coils having a predetermined rpm value “n” indicative of a positive integer are extended from a center bushing having a predetermined radius at a center part, and are spirally arranged along a circumference of the center bushing, such that the plasma is formed in the reaction space. The edge bushing arranged between the dome of the chamber body and the plasma source coil, and is configured in the form of a cylindrical shape to overlap with an edge of the wafer arranged in the reaction space.

Abstract: A lid assembly for semiconductor processing is provided. In at least one embodiment, the lid assembly includes a first electrode comprising an expanding section that has a gradually increasing inner diameter. The lid assembly also includes a second electrode disposed opposite the first electrode. A plasma cavity is defined between the inner diameter of the expanding section of the first electrode and a first surface of the second electrode.

Abstract: A plasma treatment apparatus for thin-film deposition includes a reactor chamber; a pair of parallel-plate electrodes disposed inside the chamber; and a radio-frequency power supply system used for transmitting radio-frequency power to one of the parallel-plate electrodes via multiple supply points provided on the one of the parallel-electrodes. The radio-frequency power supply system includes a radio-frequency transmission unit which includes an inlet transmission path and multiple branches branched off from the inlet transmission path multiple times. Each branch is connected to the supply point and has a substantially equal characteristic impedance value.

Abstract: A main etching step is effected in a state shown in FIG. 1A under a first pressure using a gas containing at least HBr, e.g., a mixture gas of HBr and Cl2 as an etching gas. The main etching is ended before a silicon oxide film 102, as shown in FIG. 1B, is exposed. An over-etching process is effected under a second pressure higher than the first pressure using a gas containing at least HBr, e.g., an HBr single gas so as to completely expose the silicon oxide film 102 as shown in FIG. 1C. In such a way, the selectivity of a silicon-containing conductive layer with respect to the silicon oxide film is improved compared to conventional methods. Without etching the silicon oxide film layer, which is an underlying layer, and without marring the shape of the silicon-containing conductive film layer formed by etching, only the desired silicon-containing conductive film layer is removed by etching reliably.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sputter depositing a film on a substrate is disclosed. By providing a superimposed RF bias over a DC bias, plasma ionization is increased. In order to increase the resistive load across the substrate, an impedance circuit is provided between the substrate and the susceptor. The impedance circuit allows an insulating substrate to effectively function as an anode and connect to ground.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a processing container for receiving a substrate to be processed and processing the substrate by a plasma of a processing gas, a substrate mounting table, installed in the processing container, for mounting the substrate thereon, and a gas supplying unit for supplying the processing gas into the processing container. Here, the substrate mounting table includes a mounting table main body formed of an insulator component. Here, an electrode is embedded inside the mounting table main body, a high frequency power supply for supplying a high frequency power is connected to the electrode, and one or more exposed electrodes are installed to be exposed toward the outside of the mounting table main body and electrically connected to the electrode in the mounting table main body.

Abstract: This application discloses a practical plasma processing apparatus capable of plasma confinement without plasma-density non-uniformity and electric power loss. The apparatus comprises a plasma shield that surrounds a plasma generation region to prevent plasma from diffusing. The shield has at least one opening. The apparatus comprises a diffusion prevention electrode for preventing the plasma from diffusing through the opening of the plasma shield. The surface of the plasma shield exposed to the plasma is made of insulator. The diffusion prevention electrode is located where electrons diffusing toward the opening or having diffused through the opening from the plasma flow into itself.

Abstract: A conductive member 51 is disposed on the side facing to an object W relative to an electrode structure 30 in a plasma processing apparatus. The conductive member 51 is electrically grounded. An insulator 45 is interlaid between the electrode structure 30 and the conductive member 51. The insulator 45 is divided into a first insulation part 41 and a second insulation part 42. The first insulation part 41 forms a lead-out path 40a connected to the downstream of said plasmatizing space 30a between electrodes. The second insulation part 42 is separately disposed on the side opposite to the lead-out passage 40a side relative to the first insulation part 41. The first and second insulation parts 41, 42 can be separated from each other. If the first insulation part 41 is damaged, only the first insulation part 41 may simply be replaced. There is no need of replacing whole of the insulator 45.

Abstract: Method of generating an atmospheric pressure glow discharge plasma (APG), wherein said plasma is generated in a discharge space formed between at least one first electrode surface and at least one second electrode surface. The method comprises at least the steps of supplying a gaseous substance to said discharge space and powering said first and said second electrode surface for generating said plasma. Said step of supplying a gaseous substance to the discharge space comprises providing at least one intermediate gas supply stream from at least one of said first and second electrode surfaces. The step of supplying said gaseous substance to the discharge space further comprises providing a main gas supply stream for forcing the at least one intermediate gas supply stream in a direction along the first and second electrode surfaces.

Abstract: A gas inlet manifold for a plasma chamber having a perforated gas distribution plate suspended by a side wall comprising one or more sheets. The sheets preferably provide flexibility to alleviate stress in the gas distribution plate due to thermal expansion and contraction. In another aspect, the side wall provides thermal isolation between the gas distribution plate and other components of the chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a flat panel display manufacturing apparatus in a predetermined process is performed using plasma generated therein. In such a flat panel display manufacturing apparatus, a process gas is supplied into a chamber in an evenly diffused state to generate even plasma inside a symmetrical interior space of the chamber. Consequently, the flat panel display manufacturing apparatus can appropriately control flow rate of the plasma, thereby being capable of performing even processing on a large-scale substrate. In the flat panel display manufacturing apparatus, a substrate pedestal thereof is provided with a combination of vertical and horizontal shielding members, thereby being entirely protected from attack of the plasma, resulting in an increased life-span.

Abstract: A processing device in which maintenance can be easily carried out and a burden on a worker can be reduced, and a method of maintaining the device are provided. An upper electrode unit 106 structuring a ceiling portion of a processing chamber 102 of an etching device 100 is structured from a lower assembly 128 at a processing chamber 102 side including an upper electrode 130, and an upper assembly 128 at a power supply side including an electro-body 144. A lock mechanism 156 is released, and after the upper assembly 126 is independently raised and removed by a lift mechanism 164, maintenance of the upper assembly 126 and/or the lower assembly 128 is carried out. The lock mechanism 156 is locked, and after the upper and lower assemblies 126, 128 are integrally raised and removed by the lift mechanism 164, maintenance of an interior of the processing chamber 102 is carried out.

Abstract: The plasma processing apparatus for processing a semiconductor substrate using plasma and a method thereof can maintain a steady state simultaneously while maximizing a plasma electron density. The plasma processing apparatus includes: a chamber which generates plasma to process a semiconductor substrate; upper and lower electrodes arranged in the chamber; a DC power-supply unit which applies a DC voltage to either one of the upper and lower electrodes; and a controller which adjusts a power ratio of the DC voltage applied from the DC power-supply unit to either one of the upper and lower electrodes. As a result, the apparatus certainly confines electrons, so that the electrodes are not emitted from the plasma, resulting in a maximized plasma electron density.

Abstract: First and second electrodes at opposite ends and magnets between the electrodes define an enclosure. Inert gas (e.g. argon) molecules pass into the enclosure through an opening near the first electrode and from the enclosure through an opening near the second electrode. A ring near the first electrode, a plate near the second electrode and the magnets are at a reference potential (e.g. ground). The first electrode is biased at a high voltage by a high alternating voltage to produce a high intensity negative electrical field. The second electrode is biased at a low negative voltage by a low alternating voltage to produce a low intensity negative electrical field. Electrons movable in a helical path in the enclosure near the first electrode ionize inert gas molecules. A wafer having a floating potential and an insulating layer is closely spaced from the second electrode.

Abstract: A system comprises a processing chamber for maintaining a hydrogen plasma at low pressure. The processing chamber has a long, wide, thin geometry to favor deposition of thin-film silicon on sheet substrates over the chamber walls. The sheet substrates are moved through between ends. A pair of opposing radio frequency electrodes above and below the workpieces are electrically driven hard to generate a flat, pancaked plasma cloud in the middle spaces of the processing chamber. A collinear series of gas injector jets pointed slightly up on a silane-jet manifold introduce 100% silane gas at high velocity from the side in order to roll the plasma cloud in a coaxial vortex. A second such silane-jet manifold is placed on the opposite side and pointed slightly down to further help roll the plasma and maintain a narrow band of silane concentration.

Abstract: An exhaust assembly is described for use in a plasma processing system, whereby secondary plasma is formed in the exhaust assembly between the processing space and chamber exhaust ports in order to reduce plasma leakage to a vacuum pumping system, or improve the uniformity of the processing plasma, or both. The exhaust assembly includes a powered exhaust plate in combination with a ground electrode is utilized to form the secondary plasma surrounding a peripheral edge of a substrate treated in the plasma processing system.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for use in a plasma processing system that includes removable rails that are adjustable for reconfiguring the electrode to accommodate substrates of different widths. The electrode assembly includes an electrode having a plurality of first connecting members. Associated with the electrode is a plurality of rails that cooperate for supporting the substrates on the electrode. Each of the rails includes a plurality of second connecting members. Each of the second connecting members is connected detachably with one of the first connecting members for removably mounting the rails with the electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate processing apparatus, including: a processing container; a gas supply section to supply a desired processing gas to the processing container; a gas exhaust section to exhaust a surplus of the processing gas from the processing container; a substrate placing member to place a plurality of substrates thereon in a stacked state in the processing container; and an electrode, to which high frequency electric power is applied, to generate plasma for exciting the processing gas, the electrode including two thin and long linear sections disposed in parallel and a short-circuit section to electrically short-circuit one ends of the linear sections, and the linear sections extending beside the substrates in a direction substantially perpendicular to main faces of the substrates.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating surfaces of a workpiece is configured to establish a pressure gradient within internal passageways through the workpiece, so that the coating within the internal passageways exhibits intended characteristics, such as those relating to smoothness or hardness. The coating apparatus may include any or all of a number of cooperative systems, including a plasma generation system, a manipulable workpiece support system, an ionization excitation system configured to increase ionization within or around the workpiece, a biasing system for applying a selected voltage pattern to the workpiece, and a two-chamber system that enables the plasma generation to take place at a first selected pressure and the deposition to occur at a second selected pressure.

Abstract: A hybrid coupled plasma type apparatus includes: a chamber having a gas-injecting unit; an electrostatic chuck in the chamber; an insulating plate over the gas-injecting unit; a high frequency generator; an impedance matching circuit connected to the high frequency generator; first and second antennas connected to the impedance matching circuit in parallel, a power of the high frequency generator being supplied to the first and second antennas; an electrode of a plate shape connected to one of the first and second antennas in serial, the power of the high frequency generator being supplied to the electrode; and a power distributor between the high frequency generator and one of the first and second antennas.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a chamber 11 for confining a plasma therein; an electrode 14 to which a power for use in generating the plasma is applied; a power supply 23 for supplying the power; an inner conductor 21 for supplying the power from the power supply 23 to the electrode 14; and an outer conductor 17 surrounding the inner conductor. Each of the chamber 11, the inner conductor 21 and the outer conductor 17 has a shape symmetrical with respect to a central axis which passes through a center of the electrode 14 and is perpendicular to the electrode 14. Further, structures 28, 29, 30 and 31 are symmetrically provided with respect to the central axis in the outer conductor 17, and at least one of the structures is a dummy structure 29 having a same shape as that of one of the other structures.

Abstract: A surface treatment apparatus encompasses a gas introducing system configured to introduce a process gas from downstream end of a tubular treatment object; a vacuum evacuating system configured to evacuate the process gas from other end of the treatment object; an excited particle supplying system disposed at upstream side of the treatment object, configured to supply excited particles for inducing initial discharge in a main body of the treatment object; and a first main electrode and a second main electrode disposed oppositely to each other, defining a treating region of the treatment object as a main plasma generating region disposed therebetween, wherein the excited particle supplying system is driven at least until generation of main plasma, and main pulse of duty ratio of 10?7 to 10?1 is applied across the first main electrode and second main electrode, to generate a non-thermal equilibrium plasma flow in the inside of the treatment object, and thereby an inner surface of the treatment object is treated

Abstract: Plasma confinement ring assemblies are provided that include confinement rings adapted to reach sufficiently high temperatures on plasma-exposed surfaces of the rings to avoid polymer deposition on those surfaces. The plasma confinement rings include thermal chokes adapted to localize heating at selected portions of the rings that include the plasma exposed surfaces. The thermal chokes reduce heat conduction from those portions to other portions of the rings, which causes selected portions of the rings to reach desired temperatures during plasma processing.

Abstract: An apparatus for low-damage, anisotropic etching of substrates having the substrate mounted upon a mechanical support located within an ac or dc plasma reactor. The mechanical support is independent of the plasma reactor generating apparatus and capable of being electrically biased. The substrate is subjected to a plasma of low-energy electrons and a species reactive with the substrate. An additional structure capable of being electrically biased can be placed within the plasma to control further the extraction or retardation of particles from the plasma.

Abstract: A blow-off part 152 is provided with a blow-off port 1a? which is dimensioned small enough so as not to allow a blow-off stream to be blown off directly to a part of a wafer W which part is located at the more internal side of the wafer than the outer edge of the wafer W and not to be subjected to plasmatizing process. A suction part 151 is provided with a suction port 81A in associating with the blow-off part 152. The suction port 81A is disposed proximate to the blow-off port 1a? and forms a suction stream oriented generally in the reverse direction with respect to the blow-off stream.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus wherein a layer structure consisting of plural layers formed in stack one upon another on a semiconductor wafer placed on the sample holder located in the process chamber, is etched with plasma generated in the process chamber by supplying high frequency power to the electrode disposed in the sample holder, the apparatus comprising a ring-shaped electrode disposed above the electrode and around the periphery of the top portion of the sample holder, an outer circumferential ring of dielectric material disposed above the ring-shaped electrode and opposite to the plasma, and a power source for supplying power at different values to the ring-shaped electrode depending on the sorts of layers of the layer structure.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a processing chamber; a high frequency electrode provided in the processing chamber; a high frequency power supply for applying a high frequency power to the high frequency electrode; a facing electrode attached to the processing chamber in an electrically floating state; and a facing ground potential portion provided around the facing electrode. The apparatus further includes an impedance controller for variably controlling an impedance of a high frequency power transmitting pass extending from the facing electrode to a ground potential; a processing gas supply unit for supplying a processing gas into a processing space between the high frequency electrode and the facing electrode, and the facing ground potential portion; and a dielectric plate arranged within the processing chamber for covering a surface of the facing ground potential portion.