Patent ID: 8337623
Filing Date: 2012-12-25
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
1. A method of generating a plasma in a plasma processing chamber, comprising method operations of: setting the plasma processing chamber to perform a cleaning operation, the plasma processing chamber having a bottom electrode assembly that includes an inner bottom electrode and an outer bottom electrode, the inner bottom electrode and outer bottom electrode being electrically isolated by a dielectric ring, the plasma processing chamber having a top electrode, the top electrode disposed above the inner bottom electrode, the setting includes: setting the inner bottom electrode to be at a floating potential instead of being connected to radio frequency (RF) power; grounding the top electrode while the inner bottom electrode is maintained at the floating potential; supplying a process gas into the plasma processing chamber; and supplying the RF power to the outer bottom electrode, the supplying of RF power to the outer bottom electrode while maintaining the inner bottom electrode at the floating potential and isolated by the dielectric ring produces a plasma that is generated substantially outside of the inner bottom electrode and over the outer bottom electrode.