Patent ID: 6778272
Filing Date: 2004-08-17
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
A method of processing a semiconductor device, comprising the steps of:generating plasma in a processing chamber to form or to process a thin film on a semiconductor device; scanning an intensity modulated P-polarized laser beam inside the processing chamber through a window of the processing chamber which has a Brewster's angle relative to the P-polarized laser beam where the semiconductor device is being processed by the plasma; receiving, by a sensor through the window of the processing chamber, a back scattered light scattered from fine particles suspended inside the processing chamber by scanning the laser beam, the back scattered light being scattered at different portions along an optical axis of the laser beam and respectively received by the sensor; detecting a desired frequency component from a signal outputted from the sensor; obtaining information from a detected frequency component relating to a quantity, a size and a distribution of fine particles illuminated by the laser beam inside the processing chamber; and outputting obtained information relating to the quantity, the size and the distribution of the fine particles.