Plasma process chamber
First Claim
1. A process chamber for processing a substrate having a surface with a perimeter, the process chamber comprising:
- (a) a support for supporting the substrate;
(b) a gas distributor for distributing process gas into the process chamber;
(c) a plasma generator for forming plasma comprising charged plasma species from the process gas; and
(d) a plurality of electrical ground pathways around the perimeter of the substrate, the ground pathways spaced apart and electrically isolated from one another, thereby providing paths to electrical ground for the charged plasma species.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A process chamber (14) for processing a substrate (12) in a plasma, comprises a support for supporting the substrate having a surface with a perimeter (32). A gas distributor is provided for distributing process gas into the chamber (14). A plasma generator (40) is used to generate a plasma comprising plasma species from the process gas. A plurality of electrical ground pathways (80) around the perimeter (32) of the substrate (12) are spaced apart, electrically isolated from one another, and provide electrical paths to ground for the charge carried by the plasma species. Preferably, the ground pathways (80) extend through a dielectric surface (70) abutting and extending substantially continuously around the perimeter (32) of the substrate (12).
93 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A process chamber for processing a substrate having a surface with a perimeter, the process chamber comprising:
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(a) a support for supporting the substrate; (b) a gas distributor for distributing process gas into the process chamber; (c) a plasma generator for forming plasma comprising charged plasma species from the process gas; and (d) a plurality of electrical ground pathways around the perimeter of the substrate, the ground pathways spaced apart and electrically isolated from one another, thereby providing paths to electrical ground for the charged plasma species. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A composite focus ring for processing a substrate in a plasma, the composite focus ring comprising:
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(a) a conductor member shaped and sized to abut, and extend substantially continuously around, a perimeter of the substrate; and (b) a dielectric on the conductor member, the dielectric having a plurality of electrical ground pathways extending therethrough, the ground pathways capable of discharging charge carried by plasma species used to process the substrate. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of processing a substrate in a plasma zone, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) placing the substrate in the plasma zone, the substrate having a surface with a perimeter; (b) introducing process gas into the plasma zone and forming charged plasma species from the process gas; and (c) providing a plurality of electrical ground pathways around the perimeter of the substrate to provide paths to electrical ground for the charged plasma species, the ground pathways spaced apart and electrically isolated from one another. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A process chamber for processing a substrate having a surface with a center and a peripheral edge, the process chamber comprising:
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(a) a support for supporting a substrate; (b) a gas distributor for distributing process gas in the chamber, and an exhaust port for removing spent process gas from the chamber; (c) a plasma generator for forming a plasma from the process gas; and (d) a focus ring comprising a wall surrounding the substrate to direct the plasma toward the substrate surface, the wall having an open ended channel comprising an inlet adjacent to, and extending substantially continuously around, the peripheral edge of the substrate, and an outlet directed substantially towards the exhaust port in the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification