Apparatus and method for controlling plasma density profile
US8299390B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 29, 2010 |
| Grant date | Oct 30, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 11, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01J37/32174
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A number of RF power transmission paths are defined to extend from an RF power source through a matching network, through a transmit electrode, through a plasma to a number of return electrodes. A number of tuning elements are respectively disposed within the number of RF power transmission paths. Each tuning element is defined to adjust an amount of RF power to be transmitted through the RF power transmission path within which the tuning element is disposed. A plasma density within a vicinity of a particular RF power transmission path is directly proportional to the amount of RF power transmitted through the particular RF power transmission path. Therefore, adjustment of RF power transmitted through the RF power transmission paths, as afforded by the tuning element, enables control of a plasma density profile across a substrate.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.