Patent ID: 8277563
Filing Date: 2012-10-02
Classification: H01J,H01L

Abstract:
1. A plasma processing method carried out in a plasma processing apparatus having a processing chamber for subjecting a processing sample to a plasma processing, a transfer chamber connected to the processing chamber for transferring the processing sample, and a supply system for feeding a transferring gas supplied to the transfer chamber, to both the processing chamber and the transfer chamber, or to only the processing chamber; the plasma processing method comprising: a step of feeding the transferring gas which decreases a pressure difference between the processing chamber and the transfer chamber in order to prevent particles from adhering to the processing sample transferred to the processing chamber, before transferring the processing sample into the processing chamber; a step of transferring the processing sample into the processing chamber while continuing to feed the transferring gas to the processing chamber after the step of feeding the transferring gas; a step of generating a plasma from the transferring gas in the processing chamber while continuing to feed the transferring gas to the processing chamber after the step of transferring the processing sample; and a step of stopping feeding the transferring gas used in the step of generating the plasma, upon feeding a processing gas to the processing chamber for subjecting the processing sample, different from a cleaning sample, to the plasma processing while maintaining a continuous plasma in the processing chamber after the step of generating the plasma.