Patent ID: 6415736
Filing Date: 2002-07-09
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A gas distribution system useful for semiconductor substrate processing, comprising:a support body; a gas distribution chamber; a gas supply inlet through which pressurized process gas flows into the gas distribution chamber; a showerhead supported by the support body such that pressurized process gas in the gas distribution chamber applies pressure to a backside of the showerhead and passes through openings extending between the backside and an opposite side of the showerhead, the showerhead being a showerhead electrode of a plasma chamber; and a contoured surface in the gas distribution chamber, the contoured surface being effective to provide a desired gas pressure distribution at the backside of the showerhead electrode, and wherein the contoured surface comprises a nonplanar upper and/or lower surface of a baffle plate having openings therethrough and the gas distribution chamber comprises an upper plenum above the baffle plate and a lower plenum below the baffle plate.