Patent ID: 6274058
Filing Date: 2001-08-14
Classification: C23C,H01J,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of cleaning from a processing chamber deposits formed on interior surfaces of the processing chamber wherein said processing chamber interior surfaces include a first region and a second region said second region being different from said first region, said method comprising the steps of:(a) dissociating a gas mixture outside said processing chamber to form reactive species, said gas mixture comprising an inert gas and a cleaning gas;(b) providing said reactive species to said processing chamber;(c) reacting said reactive species with said deposits in said processing chamber first region;(d) forming volatile compounds from said deposits formed in said processing chamber first region;(e) removing from said processing chamber said volatile compounds formed from deposits formed in said processing chamber first region;(f) increasing the fluid communication between said processing chamber first and second regions;(g) reacting said reactive species with said deposits in said processing chamber second region;(h) forming volatile compounds from said deposits formed in said processing chamber second region; and(i) removing from said processing chamber said volatile compounds formed from deposits formed in said processing chamber second region.