Patent · US Active

Methods and apparatus for synchronizing RF pulses in a plasma processing system

US9368329B2 · kind B2 · utility

18Cited by
75References
27Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 17, 2012
Grant dateJun 14, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 17, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01J37/32174
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A synchronized pulsing arrangement for providing at least two synchronized pulsing RF signals to a plasma processing chamber of a plasma processing system is provided. The arrangement includes a first RF generator for providing a first RF signal. The first RF signal is provided to the plasma processing chamber to energize a plasma therein, the first RF signal representing a pulsing RF signal. The arrangement also includes a second RF generator for providing a second RF signal to the plasma processing chamber. The second RF generator has a sensor subsystem for detecting values of at least one parameter associated with the plasma processing chamber that reflects whether the first RF signal is pulsed high or pulsed low and a pulse controlling subsystem for pulsing the second RF signal responsive to the detecting the values of at least one parameter.

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