Arc detection and handling in radio frequency power applications
First Claim
1. A method of delivering radio frequency power to a plasma load, comprising:
- a) providing an RF power generator that transfers radio frequency power to the plasma load;
b) measuring a value of a parameter related to the power transfer from the RF power generator to the plasma load;
c) computing a dynamic boundary about the value of the parameter;
d) measuring a subsequent value of the parameter; and
e) indicating the occurrence of an arc within the plasma load if the subsequent value of the parameter exceeds the dynamic boundary.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A radio frequency power delivery system comprises an RF power generator, arc detection circuitry, and control logic responsive to the arc detection circuitry. A dynamic boundary is computed about the measured value of a parameter representative of or related to the power transferred from the power generator to a load. A subsequently measured value of the parameter that exceeds the computed dynamic boundary of the parameter indicates detection of an arc. Upon detection of an arc, power delivery from the generator is interrupted or adjusted, or other action is taken, until the arc is extinguished. By employing dynamic computation of arc detection boundaries, the invention allows for arc handling in RF power deliver systems regardless of whether the system has reached a stable power delivery condition.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method of delivering radio frequency power to a plasma load, comprising:
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a) providing an RF power generator that transfers radio frequency power to the plasma load; b) measuring a value of a parameter related to the power transfer from the RF power generator to the plasma load; c) computing a dynamic boundary about the value of the parameter; d) measuring a subsequent value of the parameter; and e) indicating the occurrence of an arc within the plasma load if the subsequent value of the parameter exceeds the dynamic boundary. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A radio frequency power delivery system, comprising:
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a) an RF power generator, wherein the RF power generator provides a measured value of a parameter related to power transfer from the RF power generator to a plasma load; b) arc detection circuitry that computes a dynamic boundary about the value of the parameter; and c) controller logic responsive to the arc detection circuitry, wherein the controller logic indicates an occurrence of an arc within the plasma load if a subsequent value of the parameter exceeds the dynamic boundary. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A plasma processing system, comprising:
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a) a plasma processing chamber; b) an RE power generator that delivers RF power to a plasma in the plasma processing chamber; c) arc detection circuitry that computes a dynamic boundary about the value of the parameter; and d) controller logic responsive to the arc detection circuitry, wherein the controller logic indicates an occurrence of an arc if a subsequent value of the parameter exceeds the dynamic boundary. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification