Patent ID: 6660127
Filing Date: 2003-12-09
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
An apparatus for creating a stable plasma in a processing chamber, wherein said processing chamber comprises an inductively coupled plasma source, said apparatus including a computer automated control system which contains instructions for applying a predetermined RF power level to said inductively coupled plasma source and for applying a corresponding predetermined process chamber pressure in said processing chamber, with a RF power input having a power level PRF, with a part of said RF power input being coupled to said plasma source as a capacitive power component, Pcap, and wherein said predetermined RF power level is such that âˆ‚Pcap/âˆ‚PRF is greater than 0, or âˆ‚Pcap/âˆ‚PRF is less than 0 and, wherein the magnitude of_Pcap is about 10% or less than the magnitude of PRF, whereby a plasma created is said processing chamber is maintained in a stable condition.