Abstract:
A processing system is used for processing an object by a first fluid. The processing system includes a base and a plasma generation device. The base supports the object and the plasma generation device ionizes the first fluid. The plasma generation device includes at least one guiding element comprising a path guiding the first fluid to sequentially flow through a first position and a second position and at least one electrode element including a first electrode corresponding to the first position and a second electrode corresponding to the second position. The first and second electrodes energize the first fluid located between the first and second electrodes to form a second fluid, to thereby utilize the second fluid to perform surfacing, activating, cleaning, photoresist ashing or etching process on the object supported by the base.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates to a plasma generation device, and in more particularly to a processing system and a plasma generation device thereof providing wear-free electrodes. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Recently, plasma containing high-energy particles, e.g. electron and ions, and active species are popular techniques for performing coating, etching, or surfacing processes on a work piece or products in the field such as photoelectronics, semiconductors, computers, communication, consumer electronics, automobile, civilian and biomedical materials. Additionally, studies and researches related to plasma techniques are rapidly developing. 
         [0005]    For example, in the fields of photoelectronics and semiconductors, plasma must be performed in a vacuum environment requiring high cost vacuum equipment. Thus, high-cost the vacuum plasma technique limits the development of the conventional industries. 
         [0006]    Some researchers have developed atmospheric plasma (or normal-pressure plasma) which is excited under atmospheric pressure without requiring a vacuum environment and has a much lower cost than the vacuum plasma technique, thus, a linearly atmospheric pressure plasma system can be constructed. In addition, the atmospheric pressure plasma system can provide an effective plasma region for processing a large area of the work piece and performing a series of roll-to-roll processes (which is limited by the chamber in a vacuum plasma system), thus the running cost of products can be reduced. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]    The invention provides a modulated processing system and a linear plasma generation device thereof for forming plasma by lossless electrodes, i.e., no contact between electrodes and plasma, thus, the equipment cost decreases and the yield can be increased. 
         [0008]    The plasma generation device of the invention is used for ionizing a first fluid. The plasma generation device comprises at least one guiding element and at least one electrode element. The guiding element comprises a path guiding the first fluid to sequentially flow through a first position and a second position. The electrode element comprises a first electrode corresponding to the first position and a second electrode corresponding to the second position. The first and second electrodes energize the first fluid located between the first and second electrodes to form a second fluid. The energy state of the first fluid is different from that of the second fluid. 
         [0009]    A processing system of the invention processes an object utilizing a first fluid. The processing system comprises a base and a plasma generation device. The base supports the object and the plasma generation device ionizes the first fluid. The plasma generation device comprises at least one guiding element comprising a path guiding the first fluid to sequentially flow through a first position and a second position and at least one electrode element comprising a first electrode corresponding to the first position and a second electrode corresponding to the second position. The first and second electrodes energize the first fluid located between the first and second electrodes to form a second fluid, to thereby utilize the second fluid to perform surfacing, activating, cleaning, photoresist ashing or etching processes on the object supported by the base. 
         [0010]    A potential difference exists between the first and second electrodes. The guiding element comprises a hollow portion, and the path is located in the hollow portion of the guiding element. 
         [0011]    The first and second electrodes can have the same size. The size of the first electrode can be greater than that of the second electrode. 
         [0012]    The guiding element is enclosed by the first electrode. The guiding element is enclosed by the second electrode. The guiding element is partially enclosed by the first electrode. The first electrode comprises a similar C-shaped structure. The guiding element is partially enclosed by the second electrode. The second electrode comprises a similar C-shaped structure. The first electrode comprises a first slotted portion and the second electrode comprises a second slotted portion. The first and second slotted portions are arranged alternatively with respect to the path. 
         [0013]    The plasma generation device further comprises a supply device electronically connected to the first electrode. The supply device is a radio frequency generator having a frequency equal to 13.56 MHz or a multiple of 13.56 MHz. The supply device is a power supply. The power supply is an AC generator having the frequency of the AC generator ranged from 1 MHz to 100 MHz. 
         [0014]    The plasma generation device comprises a third position through which the second fluid passes and where the energy state curve of the second fluid is uniform. The guiding element comprises dielectric material. The first electrode is a coiled structure disposed outside of the guiding element. 
         [0015]    The guiding element further comprises a sidewall portion and a port structure formed on the sidewall portion, wherein the second fluid passes through the port structure. The port structure is a hole. 
         [0016]    A detailed description is given in the following embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    The invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a plasma generation device (M 1 ) of a first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of a plasma generation device (M 2 ) of a second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of a plasma generation device (M 3 ) of a third embodiment of the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view of a plasma generation device (M 4 ) of a fourth embodiment of the invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5A  is a schematic view of a processing system (T 1   a ) of a first exemplary application of the invention, wherein the processing system (T 1   a ) comprises a single plasma generation device (M 1 ); 
           [0023]      FIG. 5B  is a varied example (T 1   b ) of the processing system (T 1   a ) of  FIG. 5A ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view of a processing system (T 1 ′) of a second exemplary application of the invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view of a processing system (T 2 ) of a third exemplary application of the invention, wherein the processing system (T 2 ) comprises a first electrode ( 1 - 5 ), a second electrode ( 2 - 5 ), and a plurality of guiding elements (P 1 ) enclosed by the first and second electrodes ( 1 - 5 ) and ( 2 - 5 ); 
           [0026]      FIG. 8A  is a sectional view of the processing system (T 2 ) along line (Z 1 -Z 1 ) of  FIG. 7 , wherein the guiding elements (PI) are serially arranged; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8B  shows another configuration (arranged alternatively) of the guiding elements (P 1 ) of the processing system (T 2 ) in comparison with  FIG. 8A ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 9A  is a sectional view of the first electrode ( 1 - 5 ) along line (Z 2 -Z 2 ) of  FIG. 7 , wherein the guiding elements (P 1 ) located in the first electrode ( 1 - 5 ) are serially arranged; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 9B  shows another configuration (arranged alternatively) of the guiding elements (P 1 ) located in the first electrode ( 1 - 5 ) in comparison with  FIG. 9A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0030]    The following description is of the best-contemplated mode of carrying out the invention. This description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and should not be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is best determined by reference to the appended claims. 
         [0031]    In  FIG. 1 , a plasma generation device M 1  for ionizing a first fluid w 1  such as air, gases of Ar, He, N 2 , O 2  and mixture, comprises a guiding element P 1 , an electrode element e 1  and a supply device  3 . 
         [0032]    The guiding element P 1  comprises a hollow portion n 1 , a path g 1  located in the hollow portion n 1 , a first position a 1 - a   1 , a second position b 1 - b   1  and a third position c 1 - c   1 . The first, second and third positions a 1 - a   1 , b 1 - b   1  and c 1 - c   1  located at three different positions of the hollow portion i 1 , representing three sections of the path g 1 , respectively. An input end i 1  and an output end i 2  are respectively located at two ends of the hollow portion n 1 . When the first fluid w 1  flows into the path g 1  via the input end i 1 , the first fluid w 1  sequentially passes through the first and second positions a 1 - a   1  and b 1 - b   1 . In this embodiment, the guiding element P 1  comprises dielectric material such as silex, ceramic materials, or other non-conductive materials with the same properties as silex or ceramic materials. 
         [0033]    The electrode element e 1  comprises a first electrode  1 - 1  and a second electrode  2 - 1 . The first and second electrodes  1 - 1  and  2 - 1  respectively correspond to the first and second positions a 1 - a   1  and b 1 - b   1  to enclose the guiding elements P 1 . The supply device  3  provides signals or power to the first electrode  1 - 1 . The second electrode  2 - 1  is grounded, having a potential difference with respect to the first electrode  1 - 1 . 
         [0034]    In this embodiment, the first and second electrodes  1 - 1  and  2 - 1  have the same size, and the supply device  3  is a radio frequency generator having the frequency of 13.56 MHz or a multiple of 13.56 MHz. The first electrode  1 - 1  receives signals from the radio frequency generator to energize the first fluid w 1  located between the first and second electrodes  1 - 1  and  2 - 1 . In addition, the power supply can be an AC generator having the frequency of the AC ranged from 1 MHz to 100 MHz. The AC generator electrically connected to the first electrode  1 - 1  to energize the first fluid w 1  located between the first and second electrodes  1 - 1  and  2 - 1 . 
         [0035]    With respect to the first and second electrodes  1 - 1  and  2 - 1  corresponding to the first and second positions a 1 - a   1  and b 1 - b   1 , respectively, the first and second electrodes  1 - 1  and  2 - 1  energize the first fluid w 1  therebetween to form a second fluid w 2  having an energy state different from that of the first fluid w 1 . The second fluid w 2  passes through the third position c 1 - c   1  and outputs from the output end i 2  of the hollow portion n 1 . Note that the energy distribution curve x of the second fluid w 2  located at the third position c 1 - c   1  is substantially uniform. 
         [0036]    In  FIG. 2 , a plasma generation device M 2  of a second embodiment of the invention comprises the guiding element P 1 , the supply device  3 , and an electrode element e 2  comprising a first electrode  1 - 2  and a second electrode  2 - 2 . The plasma generation device M 2  differs from the plasma generation device M 1  of the first embodiment in that the size of the first electrode  1 - 2  is greater than that of the second electrode  2 - 2 . 
         [0037]    With respect to the first and second electrodes  1 - 2  and  2 - 2  corresponding to the first and second positions a 1 - a   1  and b 1 - b   1 , respectively, the first and second electrodes  1 - 2  and  2 - 2  energize the first fluid w 1  therebetween to form a second fluid w 2  having an energy state different from that of the first fluid w 1 , and the second fluid, w 2  passes through the third position c 1 - c   1  and outputs from the output end i 2  of the hollow portion n 1 . 
         [0038]    in  FIG. 3 , a plasma generation device M 3  of a third embodiment of the invention comprises the guiding element P 1 , the supply device  3 , and an electrode element e 3  comprising a first electrode  1 - 3  formed with a first slotted portion  1031  and a second electrode  2 - 3  formed with a second slotted portion  2031 . The plasma generation device M 3  differs from the plasma generation device M 1  of the first embodiment in that the first and second electrodes  1 - 3  and  2 - 3  are formed with a similar C-shaped structure, and the guiding element P 1  is partially enclosed by the first and second electrodes  1 - 3  and  2 - 3 . The first slotted portion  1031  of the first electrode  1 - 3  and the second slotted portion  2031  of the second electrode  2 - 3  are arranged alternatively with respect to the path g 1 . 
         [0039]    With respect to the first and second electrodes  1 - 3  and  2 - 3  corresponding to the first and second positions a 1 - a   1  and b 1 - b   1 , respectively, the first and second electrodes  1 - 3  and  2 - 3  energize the first fluid w 1  therebetween to form a second fluid w 2  having an energy state different from that of the first fluid w 1 , and the second fluid w 2  passes through the third position c 1 - c   1  and outputs from the output end i 2  of the hollow portion n 1 . 
         [0040]    In  FIG. 4 , a plasma generation device M 4  of a forth embodiment of the invention comprises the guiding element P 1 , the supply device  3 , and an electrode element e 4  comprising a first electrode  1 - 4  and a second electrode  2 - 4 . The plasma generation device M 4  differs from the plasma generation device M 2  of the second embodiment in that the first electrode  1 - 4  is a coiled structure disposed outside of the guiding element P 1 . 
         [0041]    With respect to the first and second electrodes  1 - 4  and  2 - 4  corresponding to the first and second positions a 1 - a   1  and b 1 - b   1 , respectively, the first and second electrodes  1 - 4  and  2 - 4  energize the first fluid w 1  therebetween to form a second fluid w 2  having an energy state different from that of the first fluid w 1 , and the second fluid w 2  passes through the third position c 1 - c   1  and outputs from the output end i 2  of the hollow portion n 1 . 
         [0042]    In  FIG. 5A , a processing system T 1   a  of a first exemplary application of the invention utilizes a plasma region to process an object r 1 . The processing system T 1   a  comprises a single plasma generation device M 1  and a base t 0  supporting the object r 1 . The following plasma generation device M 1  of the exemplary applications can be replaced by the plasma generation device M 2 , M 3  or M 4 . The second fluid w 2 , passing through the third position c 1 - c   1  and outputting from the output end i 2  of the hollow portion n 1 , is capable of performing surfacing, activating, cleaning, photoresist ashing or etching process. In this embodiment, the object r 1  is a plate or curved member, formed by organic material such as PP, PE, PET, PC, P 1 , PMMA, PTFE or Nylon, inorganic material such as glass or Si-based material, or metallic material. Due to the uniform energy distribution curve of the second fluid w 2  located at the third position c 1 - c   1 , the outcome of the described surfacing, activating, cleaning, photoresist ashing or etching process on the plate member r 1  is free of defects. 
         [0043]      FIG. 5B  is a varied example T 1   b  of the processing system T 1   a  of  FIG. 5A . The processing system T 1   b  differs from the processing system T 1   a  in that the processing system T 1   b  applies two spaced electrode elements e 1  to serially dispose outside of the guiding elements P 1 . With the two serially spaced electrode elements e 1 , the effect of the ionizing process of the second fluid w 2  is good and the energy density of the second fluid w 2  is high. 
         [0044]    In  FIG. 6 , a processing system T 1 ′ of a second exemplary application of the invention utilizes a plasma region to process an inner sidewall of an object r 2  supported by the base t 0 . The processing system T 1 ′ differs from the processing system T 1   a  of the first exemplary application in that the hollow portion n 1 ′ of the guiding elements P 1 ′ of the processing system T 1 ′ further provides a sidewall portion s 1  and a port structure h 1  formed on the sidewall portion s 1 , and the second fluid w 2  passes through the port structure h 1  to perform a process, e.g. surfacing, activating, cleaning, photoresist ashing or etching, on the inner sidewall of the object r 2 . In this embodiment, the object r 2  is a pipe-like element formed by organic, inorganic or metallic material. 
         [0045]    In  FIG. 7 , a processing system T 2  of a third exemplary application of the invention comprises a plasma generation device M 5  and a head  5  disposed on the plasma generation device M 5 . The plasma generation device M 5  comprises the guiding elements P 1  and an electrode element e 5  comprising a first electrode  1 - 5  and a second electrode  2 - 5 . The head  5  distributes the first fluid w 1  to each guiding element P 1 . The first and second electrodes  1 - 5  and  2 - 5  of the electrode element e 5  disposed outside of the guiding elements P 1  are spaced apart. 
         [0046]      FIG. 8A  is a sectional view of the processing system T 2  along line Z 1 -Z 1  of  FIG. 7 . The guiding elements P 1  of the processing system T 2  are serially arranged. In  FIG. 8B , the guiding elements P 1  of the processing system T 2  of  FIG. 8A  can be arranged alternatively. In  FIG. 9A , a sectional view of the first electrode  1 - 5  along line Z 2 -Z 2  of  FIG. 7 , the guiding elements P 1  located in the first electrode  1 - 5  are serially arranged. In  FIG. 9B , the guiding elements P 1  located in the first electrode  1 - 5  can be arranged alternatively, thus, the serially and arranged alternatively guiding elements P 1  increase the effective area of the plasma region. 
         [0047]    Note that the plasma, the first and second electrodes are not contacted to each other, the first and second electrodes have no loss or wear, thus, the equipment cost decreases and the yield can be increased. 
         [0048]    While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.