Patent ID: 6069088
Filing Date: 2000-05-30
Classification: H01J,H01L

Abstract:
A method for prolonging life time of a plasma etching chamber comprising the steps of:dividing a neck portion of the plasma etching chamber into three sections, namely a first section, a second section and a third section in sequence from top of the neck portion to bottom thereof and each section having the same area;a first phase of a two-phase connection method then proceeding as following: the first section being surrounded by an electrode coil connected to a rf power, and the second section being surrounded by an electrode coil connected to the ground, wherein these two electrode coils do not touched in order to avoid a short circuit;performing a dry etching by producing a plasma field inside a half spherical portion where wafers is placed to be etched;applying the dry etching in production line until before life time of the first section comes to an end;Subsequently, a second phase of the two-phase connection method proceeding as following: the second section being surrounded by the electrode coil connected to the rf power and the third section being surrounded by the electrode coil connected to the ground, wherein these two electrode coils do not touch;performing another dry etching by producing a plasma field inside the half spherical portion where wafers is placed to be etched;applying said another dry etching in production line until life time of the second section comes to an end; andthus life time of the plasma etching chamber being prolonged by the two-phase connection method.