Patent ID: 6173673
Filing Date: 2001-01-16
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A processing system for processing a substrate with a plasma, the processing system comprising:a processing chamber defining a process space, the processing chamber including a support structure for supporting a substrate within the process space;a gas inlet in the chamber for introducing a process gas into the chamber;a showerhead positioned within the chamber and operable for dispersing process gas from the inlet into the process space;a supply of electrical energy for biasing the showerhead to form a plasma with process gas dispersed by the showerhead;an insulator assembly contacting the showerhead and positioned between the showerhead and the processing chamber, the insulator assembly operable to electrically insulate the showerhead from the processing chamber;the insulator assembly including a passage therethrough for passing a process gas from the gas inlet through the insulator assembly, the passage including sections thereof which are laterally spaced from each other;the passage further including a cross passage section extending between the laterally spaced passage sections to couple the laterally spaced passage sections together and form a passage through the insulator assembly for passing a process gas to the showerhead;whereby a direct line-of-sight passage through the insulator assembly is avoided to maintain the stability of the plasma during processing.