Patent ID: 6660101
Filing Date: 2003-12-09
Classification: C23C,Y10S

Abstract:
A thermal cleaning method of a film deposition apparatus, for eliminating an unnecessary film adhering to the interior of a processing container of the film deposition apparatus by using a cleaning gas, the processing container forming a vacuum therein by a vacuum exhausting system, the method comprising the steps of:introducing a predetermined quantity of cleaning gas into the processing container and simultaneously controlling an opening degree of an automatic pressure regulating valve provided in the vacuum exhausting system so as to maintain the interior of the processing container at a predetermined pressure; monitoring a control signal corresponding to the opening degree; establishing a reference value corresponding to a stable condition of the opening degree; comparing the control signal to the reference value to calculate a change in the control signal; comparing a calculated change in the control signal with a predetermined value; and recognizing an end point of an etching process.