Method for conditioning a plasma etch chamber
First Claim
1. A method for conditioning a plasma etch chamber, comprising:
- positioning a cover topography on or over a chuck in the chamber; and
generating a conditioning plasma from a conditioning feed gas comprising one or more (hydro)halocarbons for a conditioning time, wherein an overall thickness of the cover topography immediately after generating said conditioning plasma is at least as great as immediately before generating said conditioning plasma.
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Abstract
A method for conditioning a plasma etch chamber is presented. A plasma etch chamber is provided, which preferably includes a chuck for supporting a topography. A conditioning process may be performed in the etch chamber. The conditioning process preferably includes positioning a cover topography on or above the chuck. A conditioning feed gas containing (hydro)halocarbons may be introduced into the chamber. A conditioning plasma may be generated from the conditioning feed gas for a conditioning time. Immediately after generating the conditioning plasma is complete, the overall thickness of the cover topography is preferably at least as great as immediately before generating the conditioning plasma. By performing a conditioning process in such a manner, the total cost and complexity of the conditioning process may be reduced.
219 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for conditioning a plasma etch chamber, comprising:
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positioning a cover topography on or over a chuck in the chamber; and
generating a conditioning plasma from a conditioning feed gas comprising one or more (hydro)halocarbons for a conditioning time, wherein an overall thickness of the cover topography immediately after generating said conditioning plasma is at least as great as immediately before generating said conditioning plasma. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for conditioning a plasma etch chamber, comprising:
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positioning a cover topography on or over a chuck in the plasma etch chamber; and
generating a conditioning plasma from a conditioning feed gas comprising an etching component and a polymer-forming component for a time sufficient to deposit polymeric material on the upper surface of the cover topography, wherein a deposition rate of said depositing polymeric material is at least as great as a rate at which said conditioning plasma etches the upper surface of said cover topography. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for operating a plasma etch chamber, comprising:
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generating a conditioning plasma from a conditioning feed gas for a conditioning time in the plasma etch chamber, wherein the plasma etch chamber contains a cover topography on a chuck, and the conditioning feed gas comprises a polymer-forming (hydro)halocarbon component and an etching component;
removing the cover topography from the chuck;
etching a substrate in the plasma etch chamber after generating said conditioning plasma. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification