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Methods and apparatus for controlling ion energy and plasma density in a plasma processing system

  • US 6,174,450 B1
  • Filed: 04/16/1997
  • Issued: 01/16/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/16/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A plasma processing system for processing a workpiece comprising:

  • a plasma reactor coupled to a plasma chamber interior;

    a workpiece holder in the plasma chamber interior;

    a first power circuit configured to supply a first radio frequency (rf) energy within the plasma chamber, the first rf energy being suitable for creating a direct current bias on a workpiece on the workpiece holder within the plasma chamber;

    a second power circuit configured to supply a second rf energy within the plasma chamber, the second rf energy being suitable for striking a plasma within the plasma chamber by ionizing particles within the plasma chamber for treating the workpiece;

    a feedback circuit coupled to the first power circuit and configured to detect at least one rf parameter associated with the first rf energy and output a feedback control signal based thereon to the first power circuit, the first power circuit being connected to be responsive to the feedback control signal for supplying the first rf energy to the plasma chamber such that a level of energy of the ionized particles within the plasma chamber is substantially controlled via only the direct current bias.

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