Patent ID: 7794663
Filing Date: 2010-09-14
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A material detection system, comprising: a plasma processing chamber configured to uniformly convey plasma onto a surface of a work-piece contained therein; a flow path in fluid communication with and downstream from the processing chamber, the flow path configured to contain a medium of interest transported to and from the plasma processing chamber, wherein the medium of interest contains a solid material, and/or a gaseous byproduct, or combinations thereof removed from the work-piece; a volatilizing electromagnetic energy source downstream from the plasma processing chamber coupled to the flow path for exciting said medium of interest so as to volatize the solid material downstream from the process chamber within the flow path when present; and an impedance measuring device for measuring an impedance value of an electromagnetic circuit, said electromagnetic circuit including said flow path therein, wherein said impedance value corresponds to an amount of solid material within said medium of interest.