Abstract:
A method and apparatus is provided for obtaining a low average electron energy flux onto a substrate in a processing chamber. A processing chamber includes a substrate support therein for chemical processing. An energy source induced plasma, and ion propelling means, directs energetic plasma electrons toward the substrate support. A dipole ring magnet field is applied perpendicular to the direction of ion travel, to effectively prevent electrons above an acceptable maximum energy level from reaching the substrate holder. Rotation of the dipole magnetic field reduces electron non-uniformities.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus is provided for obtaining a low average electron energy flux onto a substrate in a processing chamber. A processing chamber includes a substrate support therein for chemical processing. An energy source induced plasma, and ion propelling means, directs energetic plasma electrons toward the substrate support. A dipole ring magnet field is applied perpendicular to the direction of ion travel, to effectively prevent electrons above an acceptable maximum energy level from reaching the substrate holder. Rotation of the dipole magnetic field reduces electron non-uniformities.
Abstract:
In accordance with an embodiment, a measurement system includes a sensor circuit configured to provide a voltage sense signal proportional to an electric field sensed by the RF sensor and a current sense signal proportional to a magnetic field sensed by the RF sensor; an analysis circuit comprising a frequency selective demodulator circuit configured to: demodulate the voltage sense signal into a first set of analog demodulated signals according to a set of demodulation frequencies, demodulate the current sense signal into a second set of analog demodulated signals according to the set of demodulation frequencies, and determine a phase shift between the voltage sense signal and the current sense signal for at least one frequency of the set of demodulation frequencies; and analog-to-digital converters configured to receive the first and second sets of analog demodulated signals.
Abstract:
Embodiments are described herein for power generation systems and methods that use quadrature splitters and combiners to facilitate plasma stability and control. For one embodiment, a quadrature splitter receives an input signal and generates a first and second signals as outputs with the second signal being ninety degrees out of phase with respect to the first signal. Two amplifiers then generate a first and second amplified signals. A quadrature combiner receives the first and second amplified signals and generates a combined amplified signal that represents re-aligned versions of the first and second amplified signals. The power amplifiers can be combined into a system to generate a high power output to a processing chamber. Further, detectors can generate measurements used to monitor and control power generation. The power amplifiers, system, and methods provide significant advantages for high-power generation delivered to process chambers for plasma generation during plasma processing.
Abstract:
Embodiments are described herein for power generation systems and methods that use quadrature splitters and combiners to facilitate plasma stability and control. For one embodiment, a quadrature splitter receives an input signal and generates a first and second signals as outputs with the second signal being ninety degrees out of phase with respect to the first signal. Two amplifiers then generate a first and second amplified signals. A quadrature combiner receives the first and second amplified signals and generates a combined amplified signal that represents re-aligned versions of the first and second amplified signals. The power amplifiers can be combined into a system to generate a high power output to a processing chamber. Further, detectors can generate measurements used to monitor and control power generation. The power amplifiers, system, and methods provide significant advantages for high-power generation delivered to process chambers for plasma generation during plasma processing.
Abstract:
Embodiments of method and system for controlling plasma performance are described. In an embodiment a method may include supplying power at a first set of power parameters to a plasma chamber. Additionally, the method may include forming plasma within the plasma chamber using the first set of power parameters. The method may also include measuring power coupling to the plasma at the first set of power parameters. Also, the method may include supplying power at a second set of power parameters to the plasma chamber. The method may additionally include measuring power coupling to the plasma at the second set of power parameters to the plasma. The method may also include adjusting the first set of power parameters based, at least in part, on the measuring of the power coupling at the second set of power parameters.
Abstract:
A processing system is disclosed, having a power transmission element with an interior cavity that propagates electromagnetic energy proximate to a continuous slit in the interior cavity. The continuous slit forms an opening between the interior cavity and a substrate processing chamber. The electromagnetic energy may generate an alternating charge in the continuous slit that enables the generation of an electric field that may propagate into the processing chamber. The electromagnetic energy may be conditioned prior to entering the interior cavity to improve uniformity or stability of the electric field. The conditioning may include, but is not limited to, phase angle, field angle, and number of feeds into the interior cavity.
Abstract:
This disclosure relates to a plasma processing system and methods for high precision etching of microelectronic substrates. The system may include a plasma chamber that may generate plasma to remove monolayer(s) of the substrate. The plasma process may include a two-step process that uses a first plasma to form a thin adsorption layer on the surface of the microelectronic substrate. The adsorbed layer may be removed when the system transitions to a second plasma or moves the substrate to a different location within the first plasma that has a higher ion energy. In one specific embodiment, the transition between the first and second plasma may be enabled by changing the position of the substrate relative to the source electrode with no or relatively small changes in plasma process conditions.
Abstract:
A surface wave plasma (SWP) source couples microwave (MW) energy into a processing chamber through, for example, a radial line slot antenna, to result in a low mean electron energy (Te). An ICP source, is provided between the SWP source and the substrate and is energized at a low power, less than 100 watts for 300 mm wafers, for example, at about 25 watts. The ICP source couples energy through a peripheral electric dipole coil to reduce capacitive coupling.
Abstract:
A processing system is disclosed, having a power transmission element with an interior cavity that propagates electromagnetic energy proximate to a continuous slit in the interior cavity. The continuous slit forms an opening between the interior cavity and a substrate processing chamber. The electromagnetic energy may generate an alternating charge in the continuous slit that enables the generation of an electric field that may propagate into the processing chamber. The electromagnetic energy may be conditioned prior to entering the interior cavity to improve uniformity or stability of the electric field. The conditioning may include, but is not limited to, phase angle, field angle, and number of feeds into the interior cavity.