Patent ID: 7886688
Filing Date: 2011-02-15
Classification: H01J,H05H

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for carrying out plasma processing by introducing a process gas into a discharge space, said plasma processing apparatus comprising a first electrode having a glow-discharging surface, an opposite surface opposite from the glow-discharging surface and a side surface crossing both the glow-discharging surface and the opposite surface, a solid dielectric disposed at said glow-discharging surface; a second electrode facing to the glow-discharging surface of the first electrode, a glow discharge being generated between the glow-discharging surface of the first electrode and the second electrode, the discharge space formed between the solid dielectric and the second electrode; and a casing for receiving said first electrode in such a manner as to surround said first electrode such that said solid dielectric disposed at said glow-discharging surface is exposed, an in-casing space being formed between said casing and the opposite surface and the side surface of said first electrode received in said casing, said in-casing space being filled with substantially pure nitrogen gas, wherein the first and second electrodes are metallic, and wherein the first metallic electrode is free at least in a horizontal direction and placed on an upper surface of said dielectric plate.