Patent ID: 9253862
Filing Date: 2016-02-02
CPC Classification: C23C,H01J,H01L,H05F

Claim Text:
1. An object separating method for separating an object from an electrostatic chuck provided on a top surface of a mounting table, the method comprising: performing plasma processing being performed on the object in a state where the object is attracted and held on the electrostatic chuck by applying a first voltage as an application voltage to the electrostatic chuck and a thermal conduction gas is supplied to a gap between the electrostatic chuck and the object; decreasing the application voltage from the first voltage to a second voltage which is smaller than the first voltage and larger than zero and setting the application voltage to zero after said decreasing; and separating the object from the electrostatic chuck after said setting, wherein upon completion of said performing, the supply of the thermal conduction gas is stopped and the thermal conduction gas remaining between the electrostatic chuck and the object is exhausted during said decreasing and said setting, and wherein the top surface of the mounting table is in contact with the object during said decreasing and said setting.