Patent ID: 7455748
Filing Date: 2008-11-25
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
1. A plasma processing apparatus for processing a substrate, comprising: a plasma processing chamber with chamber walls; a substrate support within the chamber walls; a plurality of confinement rings spaced apart from each other, and within and spaced apart from the chamber walls, wherein the confinement rings and the substrate support define a plasma volume; and a magnetic source for generating a magnetic field for magnetically enhancing physical confinement provided by the confinement rings, the magnetic field having a strength to bend a trajectory of a particle passing through the magnetic field but not having a strength to magnetically confine a plasma, wherein the magnetic source comprises a first magnetic element spaced apart from and placed on a first side of the confinement rings, so that the first magnetic element is closer to the substrate support than the confinement rings, and a second magnetic element spaced apart from and placed on a second side of the confinement rings, so that the second magnetic element is farther from the substrate support than the confinement rings, wherein magnetic field lines passing from the first magnetic element to the second magnetic element pass through the confinement rings.