Patent · US Expired

Apparatus and methods for upgraded substrate processing system with microwave plasma source

US6039834A · kind A · utility

177Cited by
36References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 5, 1997
Grant dateMar 21, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 5, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01J37/32357
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus and methods for an upgraded CVD system that provides a plasma for efficiently cleaning a chamber, according to a specific embodiment. Etching or depositing a layer onto a substrate also may be achieved using the upgraded CVD system of the present invention. In a specific embodiment, the present invention provides an easily removable, conveniently handled, and relatively inexpensive microwave plasma source as a retrofit for or a removable addition to existing CVD apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the remote microwave plasma source efficiently provides a plasma without need for liquid-cooling the plasma applicator tube. In another embodiment, the present invention provides an improved CVD apparatus or retrofit of existing CVD apparatus capable of producing a plasma with the ability to efficiently clean the chamber when needed.

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