Patent · US Expired

High density plasma deposition and etching apparatus

US5122251A · kind A · utility

206Cited by
7References
34Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 4, 1991
Grant dateJun 16, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 4, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH05H1/46
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A high density ionized plasma is generated in a source chamber using a single loop disposed in a plane that intercepts the central axis of the source chamber perpendicularly or at a lesser angle and spaced from the closed end of the chamber. With a longitudinal magnetic field and an inert or reactive gas injected into the source chamber, excitation of the antenna with RF energy in the 5 to 30 MHz establishes the M=0 excitation mode or components of both the M=0 and M=1 modes. Low frequency whistler waves are created which generate a uniform and high density plasma and high plasma current. The plasma source thus defined is used in combination with process chamber configurations in which static shaped or time modulated magnetic fields enhance the distribution and uniformity of the plasma at a substrate to be etched, deposited or sputtered.

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