Patent ID: 7528386
Filing Date: 2009-05-05
Classification: B08B,B82Y,C11D,G03F,H01J,H01L

Abstract:
1. A method for removing contaminant particles from a surface, the method comprising: providing a chamber including: flowing inert gas into the chamber and across the surface of the sample; applying power to the plasma source using the first power supply so as to generate a plasma sheath in contact with the surface of the sample; applying an electrical bias to the sample using the second power supply while the surface of the sample is in contact with the plasma sheath; pulsing at least one of the plasma source and the electrical bias; creating a charge imbalance between the contaminant particles and the surface; and exposing the surface of the sample to the plasma sheath for a time duration sufficient to remove a substantial fraction of the contaminant particles therefrom without substantially removing sample surface material.