Patent ID: 6876154
Filing Date: 2005-04-05
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
1. A plasma processing apparatus including: (a) a process chamber, (b) an antenna or a microwave source for radiating electromagnetic waves (c) a plasma generation chamber having a plasma zone and being generally orientated about an axis; and being proximate to and in electromagnetic communication with the antenna or source and being for feeding particles to the process chamber; and (d) a magnetic field generator for generating a magnetic field within the plasma generation chamber such that it extends generally parallel to the axis and passes from the chamber into the process chamber characterized in that the magnetic field generator and/or a further magnetic field generator converges the magnetic field at a location upstream of the plasma generation zone whereby electrons travelling along the magnetic field lines will be reflected towards the plasma zone and in that there is no electrically conductive path extending around or through the upstream location.