Patent · US Expired

Protective shield around the inner edge of endpoint window in a plasma etching chamber

US5851343A · kind A · utility

29Cited by
4References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 16, 1997
Grant dateDec 22, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 16, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01J37/32477
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The present invention provides a protective shield for a plasma etcher. The protective shield 40 protects the chamber wall 30 around the etch detect window from plasma etching and electrical arcing. The invention comprises a plasma etcher 10 has a wall 30 surrounding a chamber 14. The wall has an opening 16. The wall 30 having an inside face 30A and an outside face 30B. An opening edge 30C defines the opening 16. A window 24 covers over the opening 16 and over a portion of the outside face 30B of the wall. The protective shield 40 covers the opening edge 30C around the opening 16 and a portion of the inside face 30A of the wall 30 around the opening 16. The shield 40 is composed of an electrically insulating and plasma resistant material whereby the protective shield 40 prevents the chamber from arching and generating particles and extends the lifetime of the wall 30.

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