Patent ID: 6033585
Filing Date: 2000-03-07
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
A method of processing a substrate and improving uniformity of processing thereof comprising steps of:(a) placing a substrate on a substrate holder in a processing chamber, the processing chamber including a gas distribution member having an exposed surface facing the substrate, the gas distribution member including gas distribution holes through which process gas flows into a reaction zone adjacent the substrate;(b) flowing process gas through the gas distribution holes into the processing chamber and igniting the process gas in the processing chamber into a plasma state by capacitively coupling RF energy from an RF energy source through the gas distribution member and into the processing chamber, the processing chamber including a grounded shield between the RF energy source and the gas distribution holes, the shield comprising a metallized pattern on an inner or outer surface of a dielectric window located between the gas distribution member and the RF energy source, the shield preventing lightup of plasma in the gas distribution holes without preventing capacitive coupling of RF energy from the RF energy source into the processing chamber for lightup of plasma in the processing chamber;(c) processing the substrate by inductively coupling RF energy from the RF energy source through the gas distribution member and maintaining the process gas in a plasma state in the processing chamber, the shield effecting ion bombardment of the exposed surface of the gas distribution member;(d) removing the substrate from the processing chamber; and(e) consecutively processing additional substrates in the processing chamber by repeating steps (a-d) while maintaining a desired spatial distribution of process gas flow through the gas distribution holes due to lack of lightup of plasma in the gas distribution holes.