Patent ID: 9155183
Filing Date: 2015-10-06
Classification: H05H

Abstract:
1. A surface wave plasma source (SWPS), comprising: an electromagnetic (EM) wave launcher configured to couple EM energy in a desired EM wave mode to a plasma by generating a surface wave on a plasma surface located adjacent said plasma, said EM wave launcher comprising a slot antenna having a plurality of antenna slots formed therethrough configured to couple said EM energy from a first region above said slot antenna to a second region below said slot antenna; a dielectric window positioned in said second region and having a lower surface of said dielectric window including said plasma surface; a slotted gate plate arranged parallel with said slot antenna and configured to be movable relative to said slot antenna between variable opacity positions including a first opaque position in which at least one first gate slot is misaligned with a first arrangement of antenna slots in said plurality of antenna slots to prevent said EM energy from passing through said first arrangements of antenna slots, and a first transparent position in which said at least one first gate slot is aligned with said first arrangement of antenna slots to allow a full intensity of said EM energy to pass through said first arrangement of antenna slots; and a power coupling system coupled to said EM wave launcher and configured to provide said EM energy to said EM wave launcher for forming said plasma.