Dual frequency plasma processor
First Claim
1. In combination, a vacuum plasma chamber for processing a workpiece, the chamber including a reactive impedance element for electrical coupling with gas in the chamber and for connection to a first, relatively high frequency RF plasma excitation source and an electrode for carrying the workpiece and for electrical coupling with gas in the chamber and for connection to a second, relatively low frequency RF bias source;
- and a filter arrangement connected to the reactive impedance element and the electrode, the filter arrangement being such that current at the second relatively low frequency flows from the electrode to the reactive impedance element without being substantially coupled to the first, relatively high frequency RF source and current at the first, relatively high frequency that flows from the first, relatively high frequency RF source is substantially prevented from flowing to the electrode and to the second, relatively low frequency RF source.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vacuum plasma chamber for processing a workpiece includes first and second electrodes for electrical coupling with gas in the chamber and respectively connected to first and second relatively high and low frequency RF sources. The chamber includes a wall at a reference potential and a plasma confinement region spaced from the wall. A filter arrangement connected to the sources and the electrodes enables current from the first source to flow to the first electrode, prevents the substantial flow of current from the first source to the second electrode and the second source, and enables current from the second source to flow to the first and second electrodes and prevents the substantial flow of current from the second source to the first source.
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Citations
51 Claims
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1. In combination,
a vacuum plasma chamber for processing a workpiece, the chamber including a reactive impedance element for electrical coupling with gas in the chamber and for connection to a first, relatively high frequency RF plasma excitation source and an electrode for carrying the workpiece and for electrical coupling with gas in the chamber and for connection to a second, relatively low frequency RF bias source; - and
a filter arrangement connected to the reactive impedance element and the electrode, the filter arrangement being such that current at the second relatively low frequency flows from the electrode to the reactive impedance element without being substantially coupled to the first, relatively high frequency RF source and current at the first, relatively high frequency that flows from the first, relatively high frequency RF source is substantially prevented from flowing to the electrode and to the second, relatively low frequency RF source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A vacuum plasma chamber for processing a workpiece, the chamber including:
- a first electrode for electrical coupling with gas in the chamber and for connection to a first relatively high frequency RF source, a second electrode for carrying the workpiece and electrical coupling with gas in the chamber and for connection to a second relatively low frequency RF source, an exterior wall at a reference potential, and a plasma excitation region for confining the plasma, the region being spaced from the exterior wall.
- View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A vacuum plasma chamber for processing a workpiece, the chamber including:
- a first electrode for electrical coupling with gas in the chamber and for connection to a first relatively high frequency RF source, a second electrode for carrying the workpiece and electrical coupling with gas in the chamber and for connection to a second relatively low frequency RF source, an exterior wall at a reference potential, and a plasma excitation region for confining the plasma, the plasma excitation region including louvers at the reference potential and the first and second electrodes, the louvers being spaced from the exterior wall, the plasma excitation region being arranged for enabling gas to be excited to the plasma to flow into the plasma confinement region and out of the confinement region between the louvers.
- View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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44. A vacuum plasma chamber for processing a workpiece, the chamber including:
- a first electrode for electrical coupling with gas in the chamber and for connection to a first relatively high frequency RF source, a second electrode for carrying the workpiece and electrical coupling with gas in the chamber and for connection to a second relatively low frequency RF source, and a third electrode connected to a reference potential inside a plasma excitation region.
- View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
Specification