Patent ID: 7947189
Filing Date: 2011-05-24
Classification: C23F,H01J,H01L

Abstract:
1. A vacuum processing method using a vacuum processing apparatus comprising a vacuum container having an interior which is depressurizable, a sample holder placed in the vacuum container and having a sample mounting surface where a sample to be processed is mounted thereon, an introduction channel for supplying a heat conductive gas to a region between the sample mounting surface and a back side of the sample when the sample is mounted thereon, and plural exhaust channels coupled to a roughing exhaust pump for discharging and reducing a pressure of the heat conducting gas in the region, the method comprising steps of: mounting a sample on the sample mounting surface on the sample holder; feeding a processing gas and applying an electric field to a space above the sample holder inside of the vacuum container so as to generate plasma; and etching films of a plurality of layers laid over the surface of the sample into a predetermined shape, at least of one layer of the films being etched while supplying the heat conductive gas in the region between the sample mounting surface and the back side of the sample mounted thereon; wherein the plural exhaust channels include a smooth reduction line through which the heat conducting gas is discharged smoothly and a fine tuning line having an orifice through which the heat conductive gas is discharged in a small flow rate; and wherein, in accordance with the progress of the etching of the films, a valve in the smooth reduction line is operated stepwise, and the discharge of the heat conductive gas through the smooth reduction line and the pressure of the heat conductive gas in the region is reduced stepwise.