Patent ID: 6896775
Filing Date: 2005-05-24
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
1. A magnetically enhanced plasma processing apparatus comprising: an anode; a cathode that is positioned adjacent to the anode and forming a gap there between; an ionization source that generates a weakly-ionized plasma proximate to the cathode; a magnet that is positioned to generate a magnetic field proximate to the weakly-ionized plasma, the magnetic field substantially trapping electrons in the weakly-ionized plasma proximate to the cathode; a power supply that produces an electric field across the gap, the electric field generating excited atoms in the weakly-ionized plasma and generating secondary electrons from the cathode, the secondary electrons ionizing the excited atoms, thereby creating a strongly-ionized plasma comprising a plurality of ions; and a voltage supply that applies a bias voltage to a substrate that is positioned proximate to the cathode, the bias voltage causing ions in the plurality of ions to impact a surface of the substrate in a manner that causes etching of the surface of the substrate.