Patent · US Active

Variable mode plasma chamber utilizing tunable plasma potential

US12002652B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
63References
13Claims
0Family size

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Key dates

Filing dateNov 29, 2021
Grant dateJun 4, 2024
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 11, 2042

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01J2237/334
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Plasma processing apparatus and associated methods are provided. In one example, a plasma processing apparatus can include a plasma chamber configured to be able to hold a plasma. The plasma processing apparatus can include a dielectric window forming at least a portion of a wall of the plasma chamber. The plasma processing apparatus can include an inductive coupling element located proximate the dielectric window. The inductive coupling element can be configured to generate a plasma from the process gas in the plasma chamber when energized with radio frequency (RF) energy. The plasma processing apparatus can include a processing chamber having a workpiece support configured to support a workpiece. The plasma processing apparatus can include an electrostatic shield located between the inductive coupling element and the dielectric window. The electrostatic shield can be grounded via a tunable reactive impedance circuit to a ground reference.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.