Topology induced plasma enhancement for etched uniformity improvement
First Claim
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1. An electrode useful in a plasma reaction chamber, comprising:
- one or more outlets in a central portion of the electrode for discharging reactant gas outwardly of an exposed surface of the electrode; and
a groove in the exposed surface, the groove being located at a peripheral portion of the electrode and extending at least partly around the central portion of the electrode, the groove being effective for topographically enhancing a local density of the plasma formed adjacent the exposed surface of the electrode.
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Abstract
A plasma discharge electrode having a front surface with a central portion thereof including outlets for discharging reactant gas which forms a plasma and a peripheral portion substantially surrounding the outlets. The peripheral portion has at least one recess for locally enhancing a density of the plasma formed by the electrode. The recess can be formed in a replaceable insert and the electrode can be made from a single crystal of silicon.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An electrode useful in a plasma reaction chamber, comprising:
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one or more outlets in a central portion of the electrode for discharging reactant gas outwardly of an exposed surface of the electrode; and a groove in the exposed surface, the groove being located at a peripheral portion of the electrode and extending at least partly around the central portion of the electrode, the groove being effective for topographically enhancing a local density of the plasma formed adjacent the exposed surface of the electrode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of treating an article with a plasma using an electrode having a central portion and a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion, the peripheral portion including a groove in an exposed surface of the electrode and extending at least partly around the central portion of the electrode, the groove being effective for topographically enhancing a local density of the plasma formed adjacent the exposed surface of the electrode, said method comprising the steps of:
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discharging reactant gas from a central portion of the electrode; forming a plasma adjacent an exposed portion of the electrode, the plasma being in contact with the central and peripheral portions of the electrode; and topographically enhancing a density of the plasma at the peripheral portion of the electrode by contact of the plasma with surfaces of the electrode forming the groove. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification