Abstract:
A plasma confinement ring assembly with a single movable lower ring can be used for controlling wafer area pressure in a capacitively coupled plasma reaction chamber wherein a wafer is supported on a lower electrode assembly and process gas is introduced into the chamber by an upper showerhead electrode assembly. The assembly includes an upper ring, the lower ring, hangers, hanger caps, spacer sleeves and washers. The lower ring is supported by the hangers and is movable towards the upper ring when the washers come into contact with the lower electrode assembly during adjustment of the gap between the upper and lower electrodes. The hanger caps engage upper ends of the hangers and fit in upper portions of hanger bores in the upper ring. The spacer sleeves surround lower sections of the hangers and fit within lower portions of the hanger bores. The washers fit between enlarged heads of the hangers and a lower surface of the lower ring. The spacer sleeves are dimensioned to avoid rubbing against the inner surfaces of the hanger bores during lifting of the lower ring.
Abstract:
Components for a plasma processing apparatus are provided, including fastener members adapted to accommodate the stresses generated during thermal cycling. The fasteners include deflectable spacers to accommodate forces generated by the difference in thermal expansion while minimizing generation of additional particulate contamination.
Abstract:
A method for cleaning a processing chamber is provided. The method initiates with introducing a fluorine containing gaseous mixture into a processing chamber. Then, a plasma is created from the fluorine containing gaseous mixture in the processing chamber. Next, a chamber pressure is established that corresponds to a threshold ion energy in which ions of the plasma clean inner surfaces of the processing chamber without leaving a residue. A method for substantially eliminating residual aluminum fluoride particles deposited by an in-situ cleaning process for a semiconductor processing chamber and a plasma processing system for executing an in-situ cleaning process are also provided.
Abstract:
An electrode assembly for a plasma reaction chamber used in semiconductor substrate processing. The assembly includes an upper electrode, a backing member attachable to an upper surface of the upper electrode, and an outer ring. The outer ring surrounds an outer surface of the backing member and is located above the upper surface of the upper electrode.Figure 1
Abstract:
A showerhead electrode assembly for a plasma processing apparatus is provided. The showerhead electrode assembly includes a first member attached to a second member. The first and second members have first and second gas passages in fluid communication. When a process gas is flowed through the gas passages, a total pressure drop is generated across the first and second gas passages. A fraction of the total pressure drop across the second gas passages is greater than a fraction of the total pressure drop across the first gas passages.Figure 3
Abstract:
COMPONENTS FOR A PLASMA PROCESSING APPARATUS AbstractComponents for a plasma processing apparatus are provided, including fastener members adapted to accommodate the stresses generated during thermal cycling. The fasteners include deflectable spacers to accommodate forces generated by the difference in thermal expansion while minimizing generation of additional particulate contamination.Figure 1
Abstract:
A plasma confinement ring assembly with a single movable lower ring can be used for controlling wafer area pressure in a capacitively coupled plasma reaction chamber wherein a wafer is supported on a lower electrode assembly and process gas is introduced into the chamber by an upper showerhead electrode assembly. The assembly includes an upper ring, the lower ring, hangers, hanger caps, spacer sleeves and washers. The lower ring is supported by the hangers and is movable towards the upper ring when the washers come into contact with the lower electrode assembly during adjustment of the gap between the upper and lower electrodes. The hanger caps engage upper ends of the hangers and fit in upper portions of hanger bores in the upper ring. The spacer sleeves surround lower sections of the hangers and fit within lower portions of the hanger bores. The washers fit between enlarged heads of the hangers and a lower surface of the lower ring. The spacer sleeves are dimensioned to avoid rubbing against the inner surfaces of the hanger bores during lifting of the lower ring.
Abstract:
UPPER ELECTRODE BACKING MEMBER WITH PARTICLE REDUCING FEATURES AbstractComponents of a plasma processing apparatus includes a backing member with gas passages attached to an upper electrode with gas passages. To compensate for the differences in coefficient of thermal expansion between the metallic backing member and upper electrode, the gas passages are positioned and sized such that they are misaligned at ambient temperature and substantially concentric at an elevated processing temperature. Non-uniform shear stresses can be generated in the elastomeric bonding material, due to the thermal expansion. Shear stresses can either be accommodated by applying an elastomeric bonding material of varying thickness or using a backing member comprising of multiple pieces. Figure 1,