Patent · US Active

System and method for distributing RF power to a plasma source

US9721759B1 · kind B1 · utility

9Cited by
26References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 4, 2016
Grant dateAug 1, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 4, 2036

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01J2237/3323
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Described herein are techniques for supplying radio frequency (RF) power to a large area plasma source so as to produce a plasma that is substantially uniform in two spatial dimensions. The RF power may be supplied by a power supply system, which may comprise a RF source and a distribution network. The distribution network may comprise a matching network, and a branching circuit that divides the RF power into several branches. Each of the branches of the distribution network may include a phase shifter that shifts the RF signal (which carries the RF power) by an odd multiple of 90°, and a blocking filter which blocks any harmonics and other unwanted frequencies which are reflected from a plasma source. The output of the branches may be coupled to feed points that are spatially distributed over the one or more electrodes of the plasma source.

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