Electrode for plasma processes and method for manufacture and use thereof

• US 6,073,577 A
• Filed: 06/30/1998
• Issued: 06/13/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
• Inventors: Kennedy, William S., Hubacek, Jerome S., Lilleland, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Utech, Benjamin
• Assistant Examiner(s): UMEZ ERONINI, LYNETTE T
• Application Number:
  US09/107,471
• Time in Patent Office: 714 Days
• Field of Search: 118/723 E, 118/715, 118/724
• US Class Current: 118/723.00E
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 37/32009 Arrangements for generation of plasma specially adapted for examination or treatment of objects, e.g. plasma sources plasma generation in general H05H1/24
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 37/3244 Gas supply means
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 37/32532 Electrodes

Abstract

An electrode assembly for a plasma reaction chamber wherein processing of a semiconductor substrate such as a single wafer can be carried out, a method of manufacture of the electrode assembly and a method of processing a semiconductor substrate with the assembly. The electrode assembly includes a support member such as a graphite ring, an electrode such as a silicon showerhead electrode in the form of a circular disk of uniform thickness and an elastomeric joint between the support member and the electrode. The elastomeric joint allows movement between the support member and the electrode to compensate for thermal expansion as a result of temperature cycling of the electrode assembly. The elastomeric joint can include an electrically and/or thermally conductive filler and the elastomer can be a catalyst-cured polymer which is stable at high temperatures.

Claims

1. An electrode assembly useful for a plasma reaction chamber used in semiconductor substrate processing, comprising:

a support member having a bonding surface;

an RF driven electrode having an RF powered surface on one side thereof and a bonding surface at an outer edge on an opposite side thereof engaging the bonding surface of the support member; and

an elastomeric joint between the outer edge of the electrode and the support member, the elastomeric joint resiliently attaching the electrode to the support member so as to allow movement between the electrode and the support member during temperature cycling thereof.

2. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the support member is removably attached to a temperature-controlled member in an interior of a plasma reaction chamber, the support member comprising a support ring clamped to the temperature-controlled member, the electrode comprising a showerhead electrode and the temperature-controlled member including a gas passage supplying a process gas to the showerhead electrode.

3. The electrode assembly of claim 2, wherein the temperature-controlled member includes a cavity and at least one baffle plate located in the cavity, the gas passage supplying process gas so as to pass through the baffle prior to passing through the showerhead electrode.

4. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric joint comprises an electrically conductive elastomeric material in an interface between the electrode and the support member, the elastomeric material including an electrically conductive filler which provides an electrical current path between the electrode and the support member.

5. The electrode assembly of claim 4, wherein a recess is provided in the interface and the filler comprises electrically and/or thermally conductive particles, the particles having an average size at least 5 times smaller than a depth of the recess in the interface.

6. The electrode assembly of claim 5, wherein the recess has a uniform depth in the support member, the recess being located between walls of the support member, the walls having a thickness greater than the depth of the recess but less than 25 times the depth of the recess.

7. The electrode assembly of claim 4, wherein the recess extends continuously around the support member, the electrode being bonded to the support member only by the elastomeric joint.

8. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric joint comprises a catalyst-cured elastomer resin.

9. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrode comprises a silicon electrode and the support member comprises a graphite support ring.