Etching system having simplified diffuser element removal
First Claim
1. A system for etching semiconductor wafers comprising:
- an upper electrode assembly for producing a gas source, said upper electrode assembly including an upper electrode;
a ground grid assembly mounted to the upper electrode assembly and forming an area which receives gas from said gas source; and
a diffuser plate for diffusing said gas from said gas source into said area, said diffuser plate further including means for mounting said diffuser plate to said upper electrode assembly such that at least a portion of said diffuser plate can be removed from the wafer etching system independently of the upper electrode assembly.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Using systems and methods wherein the diffuser element can be removed independently of upper electrode assembly removal, maintenance time associated with diffuser plate cleaning can be substantially reduced (e.g., several hours per week of operation). Because a diffuser element should typically be cleaned at least 3-4 times more frequently than the upper electrode assembly, maintenance costs over the course of an annual operating period can therefore be reduced significantly. Further, use of a diffuser element which can be independently removed permits portions of an upper electrode assembly to be frequently cleaned in place, thus further enhancing operability of the etching system without increasing operating costs.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A system for etching semiconductor wafers comprising:
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an upper electrode assembly for producing a gas source, said upper electrode assembly including an upper electrode; a ground grid assembly mounted to the upper electrode assembly and forming an area which receives gas from said gas source; and a diffuser plate for diffusing said gas from said gas source into said area, said diffuser plate further including means for mounting said diffuser plate to said upper electrode assembly such that at least a portion of said diffuser plate can be removed from the wafer etching system independently of the upper electrode assembly. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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2. A diffuser element for use in an area located between an upper electrode assembly and a ground grid assembly of a semiconductor wafer etching system having an upper electrode, a ground grid electrode and a lower electrode comprising:
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means for diffusing gas in said semiconductor wafer etching system, said diffusing means including a first portion and a second portion located within said upper electrode assembly; and means for mounting said first portion of said diffusing means to said upper electrode assembly such that said second portion of said diffusing means can be removed from said semiconductor wafer etching system independently of said upper electrode. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. Method for disassembling a semiconductor wafer etching system having an upper electrode assembly for providing a source of gas into a plasma zone near a ground grid assembly via a diffuser plate comprising the steps of:
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removing a clamping ring assembly which forms a sealed plasma zone; removing a ground grid assembly which forms a ground electrode between said clamping ring assembly and said upper electrode assembly; and
,removing a diffusing element of the diffuser plate from said semiconductor wafer etching system while leaving said upper electrode assembly mounted to said semiconductor wafer etching system.
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Specification