Patent ID: 7381292
Filing Date: 2008-06-03
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
1. An inductively coupled plasma (ICP) generating apparatus comprising: an evacuated reaction chamber; an antenna installed at an upper portion of the reaction chamber to induce an electric field for ionizing reaction gas supplied into the reaction chamber and generating plasma; and a radio frequency (RF) power source connected to the antenna to apply radio frequency power to the antenna, wherein the antenna comprises a plurality of coils comprising an open ended first continuous serpentine coil, an open ended second continuous circular coil, and an open ended third continuous serpentine coil surrounding the first continuous serpentine coil, wherein the first and third serpentine coils are bent in a zigzag pattern, and wherein the first and third serpentine coils comprise an outer loop, an inner loop, and connecting portions between the outer loop and the inner loop, wherein the outer loop of the first serpentine coil and the outer loop of the third serpentine coil are approximately parallel, the inner loop of the first serpentine coil and the inner loop of the third serpentine coils are approximately parallel, the connecting portions of the first serpentine coil are approximately parallel to the connecting portions of the third serpentine coil and are longer than the connecting portions of the third serpentine coil, and the first serpentine coil does not overlap or cross the any portion of the third serpentine coil.