Patent · US Expired

Microwave plasma processing apparatus, plasma ignition method, plasma forming method, and plasma processing method

US7141756B2 · kind B2 · utility

7Cited by
4References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignees

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 28, 2002
Grant dateNov 28, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 31, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01J37/32339
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A microwave plasma processing apparatus is disclosed that enables fast and easy plasma ignition at the pressure for plasma processing In the microwave plasma processing apparatus, a plasma ignition facilitating unit is provided to facilitate plasma ignition induced by a microwave. The plasma ignition facilitating unit includes a deuterium lamp that emits vacuum ultraviolet rays, and a transmission window that allows the vacuum ultraviolet rays to penetrate and irradiate a plasma excitation space. The transmission window is a convex lens, and focuses the vacuum ultraviolet rays to enhance ionization of the plasma excitation gas. With such a configuration, it is possible to induce plasma ignition easily and quickly.

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