Multi-phase DC plasma processing system
First Claim
1. A method of precisely processing a substrate by powering a DC processing plasma comprising the steps of:
- a. supplying a DC input voltage;
b. generating multiple alternating signals from said DC input voltage;
c. converting said alternating signals to a single DC output;
d. applying said DC output to said processing plasma; and
e. processing said substrate through action of said processing plasma.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A multiple phase switch mode plasma processing system generates alternating signals which may be coincidentally rectified or otherwise converted from AC to DC. The resulting DC signal has extremely reduced ripple and thus greatly reduced need for filtering of the generated DC output. Direct connection of the DC output is possible through a coupling having no substantially no reactive component. In situations where filtering is desirable the filtering can be reduced to about 1% of the energy supplied per cycle. This allows more accurate control of the power supply to the processing plasma. In addition, voltage regulation through frequency variation, resonance, circuit variation, and pulse width modulation can be utilized individually or in combination. The phase relationship of the multiple alternating signals may be determined so as to allow a regular phase relationship and thus minimize the small amount of ripple remaining.
101 Citations
66 Claims
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1. A method of precisely processing a substrate by powering a DC processing plasma comprising the steps of:
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a. supplying a DC input voltage; b. generating multiple alternating signals from said DC input voltage; c. converting said alternating signals to a single DC output; d. applying said DC output to said processing plasma; and e. processing said substrate through action of said processing plasma. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 33)
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2. A method of precisely processing a substrate by powering a DC processing plasma as described in claim I wherein said step of converting said alternating signals to a DC output comprises the step of coincidentally rectifying said multiple alternating signals.
- 3. A method of precisely processing a substrate by powering a DC processing plasma as described in claim I wherein said step of generating multiple alternating signals from said DC input voltage comprises the step of switching said DC input voltage.
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17. A method of precisely processing a substrate by powering a DC processing plasma comprising the steps of:
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a. supplying a DC input voltage; b. switching said DC input voltage to generate at least one alternating signal from said DC input voltage; c. converting said alternating signal to a DC output; d. applying said DC output directly to said processing plasma; and e. processing said substrate through action of said processing plasma. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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25. A method of precisely processing a substrate by powering a DC processing plasma comprising the steps of:
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a. supplying a DC input voltage; b. switching said DC input voltage to generate at least one alternating signal; c. converting said alternating signal to a DC output; e. applying said DC output to said processing plasma wherein said step of applying said DC output to said processing plasma consists essentially of the step of transmitting said DC output to said processing plasma through a connection having substantially no reactive component; and f. processing said substrate through action of said processing plasma. - View Dependent Claims (26, 30, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A plasma processing system comprising:
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a. DC power source which supplies a DC input voltage; b. a multiple AC generator responsive to said DC power source and which outputs multiple alternating signals; c. an AC to DC converter responsive to said multiple alternating signals and which has a single DC output; d. a coupling connected to said DC output; e. a plasma processing chamber connected to said coupling and which comprises; 1) an anode responsive to said coupling; and 2) a cathode responsive to said coupling. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66)
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55. A plasma processing system comprising:
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a. DC power source which supplies a DC input voltage; b. at least one switch circuit responsive to said DC power source wherein said switch circuit acts upon said DC input voltage to create an alternating signal; c. at least one switch drive connected to said switch circuit and having a switching frequency; d. an AC to DC converter responsive to said alternating signal and which has a DC output; e. a coupling connected to said DC output and which consists essentially of a connection having substantially no reactive component; f. a plasma processing chamber connected to said coupling and which comprises; 1) an anode responsive to said coupling; and 2) a cathode responsive to said coupling. - View Dependent Claims (59)
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Specification