Patent ID: 6203657
Filing Date: 2001-03-20
Classification: H01J,H01L

Abstract:
A plasma processing module for processing a substrate, the plasma processing module comprising:a) a plasma containment chamber including a feed gas inlet port capable of allowing a feed gas to enter the plasma containment chamber of the plasma processing module during the processing of the substrate;b) inductively coupled source capable of energizing the feed gas and striking a plasma within the plasma containment chamber, the specific configuration of the inductively coupled source causing the plasma to be formed such that the plasma includes a primary dissociation zone within the plasma containment chamber;c) a secondary chamber separated from the plasma containment chamber by a plasma containment plate;d) a tertiary chamber including a chuck and an exhaust port, the chuck being configured to support the substrate during the processing of the substrate and the exhaust port being connected to the tertiary chamber such that the exhaust port allows gases to be removed from the secondary chamber during the processing of the substrate;e) a baffle interposed between the secondary chamber and the tertiary chamber;f) a chamber interconnecting port that interconnects the plasma containment chamber and the secondary chamber, the chamber interconnecting port allowing gases from the plasma containment chamber to flow into the secondary chamber during the processing of the substrate, the chamber interconnecting port being positioned between the plasma containment chamber and the secondary chamber such that, when the substrate is positioned on the chuck in the secondary chamber, there is no substantial direct line-of-sight exposure of the substrate to the primary dissociation zone of the plasma formed within the plasma containment chamber; andg) the feed gas inlet port and the chamber interconnecting port connected to the plasma containment chamber operate in combination to define a gas flow path through the primary dissociation zone of the plasma, whereby the flow of substantially all feed gases fed into the plasma containment chamber through the feed gas inlet port is directed toward the primary dissociation zone of the plasma formed within the plasma containment chamber, and the resultant dissociated species thence flow through the chamber interconnecting port to the secondary chamber.