Patent · US Expired

Capacitively coupled plasma reactor with uniform radial distribution of plasma

US6900596B2 · kind B2 · utility

182Cited by
86References
53Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 4, 2002
Grant dateMay 31, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 19, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01J37/3266
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A plasma reactor for processing a semiconductor wafer includes a side wall and an overhead ceiling defining a chamber, a workpiece support cathode within the chamber having a working surface facing the ceiling for supporting a semiconductor workpiece, process gas inlets for introducing a process gas into the chamber and an RF bias power generator having a bias power frequency. There is a bias power feed point at the working surface and an RF conductor is connected between the RF bias power generator and the bias power feed point at the working surface. A dielectric sleeve surrounds a portion of the RF conductor, the sleeve having an axial length along the RF conductor, a dielectric constant and an axial location along the RF conductor, the length, dielectric constant and location of the sleeve being such that the sleeve provides a reactance that enhances plasma ion density uniformity over the working surface. In accordance with a further aspect, the reactor can include an annular RF coupling ring having an inner diameter corresponding generally to a periphery of the workpiece, the RF coupling ring extending a sufficient portion of a distance between the working surface and the over…

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