Inductive RF plasma source with external discharge bridge
First Claim
1. A radio-frequency inductive coupled plasma source comprising:
- a housing having a cover, the interior of said housing serving for confining plasma generated by said plasma source;
at least two openings in said cover;
at least one a hollow C-shaped bridge portion which connects said at least two openings and is located outside said housing;
at least one ferrite core which embraces said hollow C-shaped bridge portion, said ferrite core having a winding connected to an electric power supply source for generating an electromotive force which excites plasma in said hollow C-shaped bridge portion and in said interior of said housing; and
means for the supply of a gaseous working medium into said interior of said housing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An RF ICP source having a housing with a flanged cover. The interior of the housing serves for confining plasma generated by the plasma source. The cover has at least two openings which are connected by a hollow C-shaped bridge portion which is located outside the housing. The hollow C-shaped bridge portion is embraced by an annular ferrite core having a winding connected to an electric power supply source for generating a discharge current which flows through the bridge portion and through the interior of the housing. The discharge current is sufficient for inducing plasma in the interior of the housing which is supplied with a gaseous working medium. The power source operates on a relatively low frequency of 60 KHz or higher and has a power from several watt to several kilowatt. In order to provide a uniform plasma distribution and uniform plasma treatment, the cover may support a plurality of bridges. Individual control of the inductors on each bridge allows for plasma redistributing. The housing of the working chamber can be divided into two section for simultaneous treatment of two objects such as semiconductor substrates. A plate that divides the working chamber into two sections may have ferrite cores built into the plate around the bridges. In another embodiment, the flow of gaseous working medium is supplied via a tube connected to the bridge portion of the source.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A radio-frequency inductive coupled plasma source comprising:
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a housing having a cover, the interior of said housing serving for confining plasma generated by said plasma source;
at least two openings in said cover;
at least one a hollow C-shaped bridge portion which connects said at least two openings and is located outside said housing;
at least one ferrite core which embraces said hollow C-shaped bridge portion, said ferrite core having a winding connected to an electric power supply source for generating an electromotive force which excites plasma in said hollow C-shaped bridge portion and in said interior of said housing; and
means for the supply of a gaseous working medium into said interior of said housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification