Patent ID: 6562186
Filing Date: 2003-05-13
Classification: H01J,H01L

Abstract:
A plasma processing apparatus for a semiconductor processing system, comprising:a process chamber enveloping a plasma generation space for generating plasma; an exhaust mechanism configured to exhaust the process chamber and set the process chamber at a vacuum; a process gas supply mechanism configured to supply a process gas into the process chamber; an exciting mechanism configured to excite the process gas and turn the gas into plasma in the plasma generation space; a shield member detachably disposed between a sidewall of the process chamber and the plasma generation space, and configured to prevent a reaction product derived from the plasma from sticking to the sidewall; and a window device configured to lead plasma light emitted from the plasma out of the process chamber, wherein the window device comprises a window plate airtightly attached to the sidewall of the process chamber and consisting essentially of a material transmissible for the plasma light, a light guide attached to the shield member at a position between the window plate and the plasma generation space and having a number of capillary through holes configured to guide the plasma light to the window plate, the through holes having respective inner openings facing and exposed to the plasma generation space and respective outer openings facing the window plate, the light guide consisting essentially of a material having a resistance against the plasma higher than the window plate and being not transmissible for the plasma light except the through holes, and a cover plate attached to the shield member at a position between the window plate and the light guide and covering the outer openings of the through holes, the cover plate consisting essentially of a material having a resistance against the plasma higher than the window plate and being transmissible for the plasma light with transmissivity relative to the plasma light lower than that of the window plate, and the cover plate being thinner than the window plate and supported by the light guide in a state where the cover plate is in contact with and fixed onto a surface of the light guide.