Patent ID: 8415884
Filing Date: 2013-04-09
Classification: H01J,H01L,H01Q,H05H

Abstract:
1. A surface wave plasma (SWP) source, comprising: an electromagnetic (EM) wave launcher configured to couple EM energy in a desired EM wave mode to a plasma by generating a surface wave on a plasma surface of said EM wave launcher adjacent said plasma, said EM wave launcher comprises a slot antenna having a plurality of slots formed therethrough configured to couple said EM energy from a first region above said slot antenna to a second region below said slot antenna; a resonator plate positioned in said second region and having a lower surface of said resonator plate including said plasma surface of the EM wave launcher, wherein said resonator plate comprises a dielectric plate having a plate diameter and a plate thickness; a first recess configuration formed in said plasma surface, said first recess configuration substantially aligned with a first arrangement of slots in said plurality of slots, wherein said first recess configuration comprises: a second recess configuration formed in said plasma surface, said second recess configuration either partly aligned with a second arrangement of slots in said plurality of slots or not aligned with said second arrangement of slots in said plurality of slots, wherein said second recess configuration comprises: a power coupling system coupled to said EM wave launcher and configured to provide said EM energy to said EM wave launcher for forming said plasma, wherein said EM energy comprises an effective wavelength (λ) of propagation in said resonator plate, and wherein: