Patent ID: 6243251
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: H01L,Y10T

Abstract:
A sample processing method, comprising the steps of:electrostatically attracting and holding a sample on an electrostatic chuck including a pair of electrodes having different polarities and which are concentrically disposed, and a dielectric film formed on top surfaces of said pair of electrodes, by applying a DC voltage between said pair of electrodes;subjecting said sample attracted and held on said chuck through said dielectric film to plasma processing while applying a bias voltage;stopping application of the bias voltage applied during plasma processing after termination of processing said sample;eliminating an unbalance between electric charges stored on attracting portions of said dielectric film formed on said electrodes by continuing generation of the plasma for a specific time after stopping supply of the bias voltage, and extinguishing the plasma after an elapse of said specific time;maintaining application of the DC voltage between said electrodes for a specific time after plasma extinction, andstopping application of the DC voltage between said electrodes, and lifting lift pins while controlling a pushup force of said lift pins applied to said sample in an allowable range, thereby removing said sample from said chuck.