Patent ID: 7929261
Filing Date: 2011-04-19
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
1. A method for suppressing arc discharges in an operation of a plasma process, the method comprising: monitoring of at least one parameter of the plasma process; determining a temporal feature of a first countermeasure as a function of at least one of the following parameters: performing the first countermeasure; determining a second period of time based on the equation t(x)=[t(0)−t(−1)]·k, wherein t(x) denotes a time of introduction of the subsequent countermeasure, t(0) denotes a time of introduction of the first countermeasure, t(−1) denotes a time of introduction of the previous countermeasure, and k denotes a numerical factor; and performing a subsequent countermeasure after elapse of the second period of time from the termination of the first countermeasure.