Patent · US Active

Plasma suppression behind a showerhead through the use of increased pressure

US9758868B1 · kind B1 · utility

14Cited by
40References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 10, 2016
Grant dateSep 12, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 10, 2036

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC23C16/45565
  • WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A substrate processing system includes a showerhead including a stem portion and a head portion. The stem portion is in fluid communication with a process gas source, and the head portion is arranged to provide process gases from the process gas source to a reaction volume of a processing chamber below the showerhead to generate plasma in the reaction volume. A suppressor is arranged above the head portion of the showerhead, extends from the stem portion toward sidewalls of the processing chamber, and is sealed against the sidewalls of the processing chamber or sealed against an enclosure surrounding the suppressor. The suppressor, the sidewalls, and a top surface of the processing chamber, the suppressor and the enclosure, or the suppressor, the enclosure, and the top surface define a partitioned volume of the processing chamber above the showerhead. The partitioned volume is in fluid communication with a purge gas source.

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