Patent · US Active

Method and apparatus for plasma processing

US8632637B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
6References
2Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 6, 2012
Grant dateJan 21, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 6, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L21/6875
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A plasma processing apparatus is disclosed for minimizing the non-uniformity of potential distribution around wafer circumference. The apparatus includes a focus ring formed of a dielectric, and a conductor or a semiconductor having RF applied thereto. A surface voltage of the focus ring is determined to be not less than a minimum voltage for preventing reaction products caused by wafer processing from depositing thereon. The surface height, surface voltage, material, and structure of the focus ring are optimized so that the height of an ion sheath formed on the focus ring surface is either equal or has a height difference within an appropriate tolerance range to the height of the ion sheath formed on the wafer surface.

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