Patent · US Active

Showerhead electrode assemblies and plasma processing chambers incorporating the same

US8152954B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
48References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 12, 2007
Grant dateApr 10, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 9, 2028

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01J2237/032
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to plasma processing and, more particularly, to plasma processing chambers and electrode assemblies used therein. According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electrode assembly is provided comprising a thermal control plate, a silicon-based showerhead electrode, and securing hardware, wherein the silicon-based showerhead electrode comprises a plurality of partial recesses formed in the backside of the silicon-based showerhead electrode and backside inserts positioned in the partial recesses. The thermal control plate comprises securing hardware passages configured to permit securing hardware to access the backside inserts. The securing hardware and the backside inserts are configured to maintain engagement of the thermal control plate and the silicon-based showerhead electrode and to permit disengagement of the thermal control plate and the silicon-based showerhead electrode while isolating the silicon-based electrode material of the silicon-based showerhead electrode from frictional contact with the securing hardware during disengagement.

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