Patent ID: 7446367
Filing Date: 2008-11-04
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus comprising: an etching chamber; a chuck disposed in the etching chamber to support a substrate to be etched in the chamber; a plasma generator operatively associated with the chamber to produce plasma from an etching gas, and provide the plasma within the etching chamber to etch a substrate supported on the chuck; an end point detection unit that monitors the etching process in the etching chamber and based on the monitoring instantaneously determines when the etching process is to be terminated, the end point detection unit comprising a sensor mounted to the etching chamber and exposed to the interior of the chamber so as to sense directly a condition of the etching process as the process progresses in the etching chamber; and a controller operatively connected to the end point detection unit and to the plasma generator so as to turn off the plasma generator when the end point detection unit determines that the etching process is to be terminated.