Patent · US Active

Systems and methods for calibrating a switched mode ion energy distribution system

US9210790B2 · kind B2 · utility

84Cited by
68References
28Claims
0Family size

Assignee

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Key dates

Filing dateAug 28, 2012
Grant dateDec 8, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 30, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH05H1/0081
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Systems, methods and apparatus for regulating ion energies and ion energy distributions along with calibrating a bias source and a plasma processing chamber are disclosed. An exemplary method includes applying a periodic voltage function to a load emulator, which emulates electrical characteristics of a plasma load and associated electronics such as an e-chuck. The load emulator can be measured for various electrical parameters and compared to expected parameters generated by the bias source. Differences between measured and expected values can be used to identify and correct faults and abnormalities in the bias supply, the chamber, or a power source used to ignite and sustain the plasma. Once the bias supply is calibrated, the chamber can be calibrated by measuring and calculating an effective capacitance comprising a series and parallel capacitance of the substrate support and optionally the substrate.

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