Patent · US Active

Capacitively-coupled electrostatic (CCE) probe arrangement for detecting dechucking in a plasma processing chamber and methods thereof

US8780522B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
23References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 7, 2009
Grant dateJul 15, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 5, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L21/6833
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method for identifying a signal perturbation characteristic of a dechucking event within a processing chamber of a plasma processing system is provided. The method includes executing a dechucking step within the processing chamber to remove a substrate from a lower electrode, wherein the dechucking step includes generating plasma capable of providing a current to neutralize an electrostatic charge on the substrate. The method also includes employing a probe head to collect a set of characteristic parameter measurements during the dechucking step. The probe head is on a surface of the processing chamber, wherein the surface is within close proximity to a substrate surface. The method further includes comparing the set of characteristic parameter measurements against a pre-defined range. If the set of characteristic parameter measurements is within the pre-defined range, the electrostatic charge is removed from the substrate and the signal perturbation characteristic of the dechucking event is detected.

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