Abstract:
There is disclosed a plasma processing apparatus for making a gas including hydrocarbon plasma and forming a film including carbons on an object to be coated with a film. The apparatus includes a first reaction chamber for performing a first plasma process on the object to be deposited, a second reaction chamber for performing a second plasma process on an exhaust gas after the first plasma process is performed, and an exhaust pump for exhausting a gas to the outside after the second plasma process is performed. The first reaction chamber is connected to the exhaust pump via the second reaction chamber.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a plasma processing apparatus, and in particular, relates to an apparatus equipped with a mechanism for suppressing deposition of a carboniferous by-product in a reaction chamber and a pipe of a vacuum pumping system pipe and a mechanism for cleaning the by-product thereof.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     In recent years, a carboniferous film (hereinafter, carbon film) that can be formed by the plasma CVD method has been used as a hard mask that can be subjected to ashing, for the patterning process of a semiconductor integrated circuit. The carbon film is formed with, for example, a parallel plate type plasma processing apparatus, as schematically shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0005]     Hereinafter, explanations are given of the arrangement of the processing apparatus in  FIG. 1  and the process for forming a film with this apparatus.  
         [0006]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , plasma processing apparatus  300  is broadly divided into reaction chamber  301  to be a space in which a film is formed, a supply system for supplying a predetermined gas to reaction chamber  301 , and an exhaust system for exhausting the gas from reaction chamber  301 . Also, plasma processing apparatus  300  is provided with control means that performs a sequence for forming a film (hereinafter, film formation sequence) and that performs a cleaning sequence, which will be described later.  
         [0007]     Reaction chamber  301  has, for example, a cylinder-shaped internal space. In the interior thereof, stage  302  that supports substrate  303 , which is an object to be filmed (, or an objected to be coated with a film), and shower plate  308 , that is arranged at the upper side of stage  302 , are arranged. The electric power from RF power source  307  is supplied to shower plate  308  through an impedance matching box, not shown.  
         [0008]     Stage  302  also serves as an anode electrode of the parallel plate electrode, and shower plate  308  also serves as a cathode electrode to be paired. A heater is built in stage  302 , and stage  302  is heated, for example, about 150 to 550° C., when used. In the arrangement in  FIG. 1 , stage  302  is arranged to be movable up and down, and when stage  302  is positioned at the lower end, substrate  303  is loaded on the upper surface of stage  302 . Specifically, substrate  303  is arranged on stage  302  through slit valve  305 , and then stage  302  moves up.  
         [0009]     For the supply system, gas line  309  for introducing a hydro carboniferous (CxHy) source gas into the reaction chamber together with a carrier gas, such as helium, gas line  311  for introducing oxygen, and gas line  314  for introducing hydrogen are arranged.  
         [0010]     For the exhaust system, exhaust chamber  304  that surrounds reaction chamber  301  and is formed in a doughnut shape, exhaust pump  324  used to discharge the gas from exhaust chamber  304  to the outside, and the like are arranged. Exhaust chamber  304  and exhaust pump  324  are connected by exhaust pipe  332 , and main exhaust valve  322  and pressure control valve  323  are arranged in exhaust pipe  332 .  
         [0011]     Incidentally, the gas drawn to exhaust pump  324  is sent to the outside through exhaust port  325 . Also, since exhaust chamber  304  is formed to surround reaction chamber  301 , discharge of reaction chamber  301  can be performed evenly, for example, compared to the arrangement in which an exhaust port is formed only at a part of the periphery of the reaction chamber.  
         [0012]     Plasma processing apparatus  300  in accordance with the above-mentioned arrangement is used as follows. First, substrate  303 , which is the object to be coated with a film, is arranged on stage  302  through slit valve  305 . Thereafter, the height of stage  302  is adjusted and substrate  303  rises to the position opposite to shower plate  308 . Also, the heater in stage  302  is operated according to predetermined timing, and stage  302  is heated.  
         [0013]     Successively, hydro carboniferous source gas is introduced from gas line  309  into reaction chamber  301 . The introduced gas is supplied onto substrate  303  through shower plate  308 , as indicated by arrows in  FIG. 1 . After the gas is supplied, the RF voltage is applied between stage  302  (, or anode) and shower plate  308  (, or cathode). According to this arrangement, plasma  306  is generated, the introduced hydro carboniferous gas molecules are polymerized, and a carbon film is formed on the surface of substrate  303 . Incidentally, unnecessary gas existing in reaction chamber  301  is sent to the outside through exhaust chamber  304  and exhaust pipe  322  while exhaust pump  324  is used as a driving source.  
         [0014]     Now, when the process for forming a carbon film (hereinafter, film formation process) is performed, as described above, adherents are deposited not only on the surface of the substrate but also on unnecessary portions, such as the internal wall of reaction chamber  301  and the internal wall of exhaust pipe  322 . The adherents, which are deposited like this, are apt to come off as the film formation process is advanced. When the adherents that come off scatter and adhered to substrate  303 , which is the object to be coated with a film, these may become a cause of particle generation. So, in order to solve such a problem, conventionally, cleaning is performed whenever the film formation process is performed at predetermined times, and the adherents deposited in reaction chamber  301  and exhaust pipe  332  are removed.  
         [0015]     In regard to this cleaning process, specifically, there is the method in which the process is performed with oxygen plasma, the method in which the process is performed with plasma that is generated by using a mixed gas of oxygen and hydrogen, and the method in which the process is performed with hydrogen plasma (reducing atmosphere) after the process is performed with oxygen plasma (oxidizing atmosphere) (see Japanese Patent Laid-open Nos. 1995-78802 and 2004-296512, concerning these methods).  
         [0016]     An example is briefly explained. First, pressure control valve  323  is operated to set the pressure to several Torr while oxygen is introduced from gas line  314  into the reaction chamber. Then, the RF voltage is applied between shower plate  308  and stage  302  to generate oxygen plasma. In accordance with the oxygen radicals that are generated by applying the RF voltage, the adherents deposited on the surface of shower plate  308 , stage  302 , and on the internal wall of reaction chamber  301  are subjected to ashing and are removed.  
         [0017]     However, according to the above-mentioned method, though the adherents that are near portions that are directly exposed to plasma in the reaction chamber can be removed, the adherents on the portions that are not directly exposed to plasma in the reaction chamber, exhaust chamber  304 , and on the internal wall of exhaust system pipe  332  are difficult to be removed.  
         [0018]     In particular, the adherents in light brown powder form and black tar form that originated from hydrocarbon polymer formed in the gas phase are formed in exhaust system pipe  332  and adhere to pressure control valve  323  and main exhaust valve  322  between the reaction chamber and the exhaust pump. In order to prevent a harmful effect by these adherents, the reaction chamber and the exhaust pipe are disassembled and maintenance, like wet cleaning, is regularly performed in some cases. However, when wet cleaning is frequently performed, it causes a lowering of the operating rate and an increase in the manufacturing cost.  
         [0019]     On the other hand, the cleaning time during the cleaning sequence is lengthened, thereby suppressing deposition of the adherents in the exhaust system pipe to some extent. However, it takes time to perform cleaning in itself, and the throughput of the apparatus as a whole is remarkably lowered.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a plasma processing apparatus for forming a carbon film, without sacrificing throughput, to minimize deposition of adherents (such as carboniferous depositions) in the exhaust system with little need of wet cleaning at high operating rate.  
         [0021]     In the plasma processing apparatus of the present invention, the apparatus includes a first reaction chamber for performing a first plasma process on the object to be deposited, a second reaction chamber for performing a second plasma process on an exhaust gas after the first plasma process is performed, and an exhaust pump for exhausting a gas to the outside after the second plasma process is performed. Then, the first reaction chamber is connected to the exhaust pump via the second reaction chamber.  
         [0022]     With the above arrangement, in the second chamber, hydrocarbon polymers in the exhaust gas from the first reaction chamber can be decomposed. Therefore, the amount of products that adhere to the valves and the exhaust pump arranged in the exhaust pipe between the second reaction chamber and the exhaust pump can be minimized. Also, oxidation is performed by oxidizing radicals generated from the second reaction chamber in the portions where oxidizing radicals that are generated from the first reaction chamber by cleaning are hard to reach when the first reaction chamber is cleaned, and thus deposition of adherents to the exhaust pipe, the valve, and the like can be prevented.  
         [0023]     According to the present invention, as described above, the apparatus can be carried out in which deposition of adherents to the exhaust pipe and the like can be prevented, throughput is high, maintenance frequency is minimized and there is high reliability.  
         [0024]     The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate examples of the present invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]      FIG. 1  is a view semantically showing the section of the plasma processing apparatus of the conventional art;  
         [0026]      FIG. 2  is a view semantically showing the section of the plasma processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is a view semantically showing the section of the plasma processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0028]     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No.2005-290125 filed on Oct. 3. 2005, the content of which is incorporated by reference.  
       First Exemplary Embodiment  
       [0029]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the main feature of plasma processing apparatus  100  according to the first embodiment is that reaction chamber  119  is arranged between another reaction chamber  101  and main exhaust valve  122 , and the others are similar to those of conventional processing apparatus  300  shown in  FIG. 1 . Incidentally, in  FIG. 2 , numeral references corresponding to the numeral references in  FIG. 1  are given to the elements having the same functions as processing apparatus  300 , and overlapping explanations are omitted.  
         [0030]     Reaction chamber  119  (second reaction chamber) is formed in a cylinder shape, and, plasma  121  is generated with predetermined timing therein, as described later. To carry out this, cathode  120  is arranged in reaction chamber  119 , and power from RF power source  130  is supplied through cathode  120 . Also, two gas lines  126 ,  129  are connected to exhaust pipe  132  upstream of reaction chamber  119 , oxygen is introduced from one gas line  126 , and hydrogen is introduced from another gas line  129 . Pressure sensor  131  is attached near the position where gas lines  126 ,  129  are connected, and detects pressure in the pipe.  
         [0031]     Incidentally, plasma  121  generated in reaction chamber  119  oxidizes the exhaust gas from reaction chamber  101 . In the present invention, the exhaust gas is oxidized by the operation of plasma  121 , in this way, and is converted into a substance that is hard to be deposited, such as CO 2  and H 2 O, thereby suppressing deposition of adherents.  
         [0032]     The use method of processing apparatus  100 , according to the first embodiment, based on above-mentioned arrangement, is explained when the process is divided into a film formation sequence and a cleaning sequence.  
         [0033]     First, in the film formation sequence, substrate  103  is introduced from slit valve  105  and is put on stage  102 , similar to the conventional art. After that, stage  102  moves upward, substrate  103  is arranged at a predetermined position opposite to shower plate  108 , and stage  102  is heated at predetermined timing.  
         [0034]     Successively, oxygen is introduced from gas line  126  into reaction chamber  119 , for example, at a gas flow of 1000 sccm (standard ml/min), and the gas in the reaction chamber is controlled to a predetermined pressure by using pressure sensor  131  and pressure control valve  123 . Then, RF electric power, for example, of 500 W is introduced into reaction chamber  119  from cathode electrode  120 . In accordance with this arrangement, plasma  121  is generated in reaction chamber  119 .  
         [0035]     A hydro carboniferous source gas is introduced into reaction chamber  101  through gas line  109  together with a carrier gas, such as helium. The introduced gas is supplied onto the substrate through shower plate  108 . As to the source gas, for example, methane, ethylene, and propylene are available. For example, helium of 1000 sccm and ethylene 1500 sccm may be supplied from gas line  109  and the pressure may be controlled to 7 Torr (1 Torr=133.322 Pa). Naturally, the pressure is not limited to 7 Torr, and may be set in the range from 1 to 10 Torr, as appropriate.  
         [0036]     Now, since hydrocarbon is flammable and oxygen increases the susceptibility of substances to burn, plasma processing apparatus  100  according to the present invention is arranged as follows for safety. Specifically, when the pressure is 50 Torr or less and no plasma is generated, final valve  110  of gas line  109  and final valve  127  of gas line  126  are not opened simultaneously. This arrangement can be carried out by an interlock mechanism, and hydrocarbon and oxygen are not supplied simultaneously according to this arrangement. In other words, only when oxygen plasma is generated in reaction chamber  119  under a reduced pressure state of 50 Torr or less, is hydrocarbon supplied.  
         [0037]     Successively, the RF voltage, for example, of 1500 W is applied between stage  102  and shower plate  108 , and plasma  106  is generated in reaction chamber  101 . In accordance with this arrangement, the introduced hydro carboniferous gas molecules are polymerized and a carbon film is formed on the surface of substrate  103 . Incidentally, unnecessary gas existing in reaction chamber  101  is sent to exhaust pipe  132  through exhaust chamber  104 .  
         [0038]     Exhaust gas that is successively sent passes through reaction chamber  119 . The exhaust gas mainly includes unreacted hydrocarbons, and particles that have been polymerized in a vapor phase. These are almost completely oxidized by plasma  121  in reaction chamber  119  and converted into substances that are hard to be deposited, such as CO 2  and H 2 O. According to the processing apparatus of the first embodiment, since the exhaust gas is oxidized in reaction chamber  119  that is newly arranged, in this way, the amount of products that adhere to main exhaust valve  122  and pressure control valve  123  at the subsequent stage can be minimized.  
         [0039]     The subsequent steps can be performed, similarly to the conventional art. Specifically, after a carbon film is deposited to a desired film thickness, the power supply from RF power source  107  is stopped in order to stop a formation of a carbon film, so generation of plasma  106  is stopped. Subsequently, supply of hydrocarbon to reaction chamber  101  is stopped and generation of plasma in reaction chamber  119  and supply of oxygen from gas line  129  are stopped. Then, stage  102  is moved to the conveyance position (lower end position), and substrate  103  is carried outside reaction chamber  101  through slit valve  105 .  
         [0040]     Processing apparatus  100  according to the first embodiment can suppress deposition of adherents downstream of reaction chamber  119 , as described above. However, adherents are deposited on the elements between reaction chamber  101  and reaction chamber  119 . Therefore, in order to adverse effects caused by these adherents, the processing apparatus of the present invention performs a cleaning sequence as follows. Incidentally, the cleaning sequence may be performed whenever the film formation sequence is performed for predetermined number of times. However, there is no limitation in this way.  
         [0041]     In the cleaning sequence, first, oxygen is each introduced into each of two reaction chambers  101 ,  119  from gas line  111  and gas line  126 , and the pressure is adjusted to a desired level by using pressure sensor  131  and pressure control valve  123 .  
         [0042]     Successively, RF electric power (for example, 500 W) is supplied to shower plate  108  and cathode  120  from RF power sources  107 ,  130 . In accordance with this arrangement, plasma containing oxygen is generated. Then, oxygen radicals and the like are generated with this plasma, and products mainly including carbon deposited in the reaction cambers are removed by using these oxygen radicals. Specifically, the pressure may be controlled to 4 Torr by pressure control valve  123  while oxygen is introduced from gas line  114 , RF electric power (for example, 500 W) may be applied between shower plate  108  and stage  102  to generate oxygen plasma. Through the use of these oxygen radicals, carbon films that are adhered to the surface of shower plate  108 , stage  102 , and the internal wall of reaction chamber  101  are removed.  
         [0043]     Incidentally, most of the adherents that are oxidized by the oxygen radicals become CO 2  and H 2 O. However, a part thereof reacts in the plasma again and becomes the origin of another product that can be easily to be deposited, represented by a carboxyl group [COOH], in some cases. Even if such a substance is generated upstream of reaction chamber  119 , this substance is almost completely oxidized when passing through reaction chamber  119 , and thus adherents are prevented from being deposited on the elements downstream of reaction chamber  119 .  
         [0044]     In order to terminate the cleaning sequence, plasma generation in reaction chambers  101 ,  119  may be stopped and oxygen introduction into each reaction chamber may be stopped. However, there is no limitation in this way.  
       Second Exemplary Embodiment  
       [0045]     The first embodiment describes the example in which oxygen plasma is mainly used to suppress deposition of unnecessary carbon. On the other hand, conventionally, the technique for adding hydrogen to oxygen plasma is known. In comparison with oxygen radicals, hydroxyl radicals that are generated by adding hydrogen provide stronger oxidizing power and a longer lifetime in the vapor phase. Therefore, the addition of hydrogen is helpful for enabling an effective exhaust gas process and effective cleaning. Hydrogen can be also added in the plasma processing apparatus of the second embodiment in the same way. However, because of the feature of the present invention, the film formation sequence and the cleaning sequence are provided to meet the arrangement, and this becomes the feature of the plasma processing apparatus of the present invention.  
         [0046]     Hereinafter, the feature is explained while divided into the film formation sequence and the cleaning sequence. Incidentally, explanations are omitted of the same steps as the first embodiment. Also, the apparatus in itself is similar to that of the first embodiment.  
         [0047]     In the second embodiment, oxygen is introduced into reaction chamber  119  through gas line  126  (similar to the first embodiment), and hydrogen is supplied into reaction chamber  119  after plasma  121  is generated by applying the RF electric power, for example, of 1500 W to cathode electrode  120 . Specifically, hydrogen is supplied from gas line  129 , for example, at a gas flow of 40 sccm.  
         [0048]     Now, since hydrogen is flammable and oxygen increases the susceptibility of substances to burn, plasma processing apparatus  100  according to the present invention is arranged as follows for safety. Specifically, when the pressure is 50 Torr or less and no plasma is generated, an interlock mechanism is provided to prevent final valve  110  and final valve  127  from being opened simultaneously. According to this arrangement, oxygen and hydrogen are not supplied simultaneously. In other words, only when oxygen plasma is generated under the reduced pressure of 50 Torr or less, is hydrogen supplied to reaction chamber  119 .  
         [0049]     The supply of gas to reaction chamber  101  is performed thereafter. The second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment in that hydro carboniferous source gas is introduced into reaction chamber  101  together with the carrier gas, like helium, and in that hydrocarbon and oxygen are not supplied simultaneously as a safety measure.  
         [0050]     The other operations are similar to those of the first embodiment, and plasma  106  is generated by applying the RF voltage to the shower plate, the gas molecules are polymerized according to this plasma operation, and a carbon film is formed on the surface of substrate  103 . Also, the exhaust gas from reaction chamber  101  is sent to reaction chamber  119  and is almost completely oxidized and converted into a substance that is hard to be deposited, like CO 2  and H 2 O, similar to the first embodiment. Subsequently, according to the same steps as the first embodiment, the generation of the plasma is stopped and substrate  103  is carried outside reaction chamber  101  through slit valve  105 , thereby obtaining substrate  103  on which a carbon film is formed.  
         [0051]     In the second embodiment, also, a predetermined cleaning process is performed to remove films deposited on the internal wall of reaction chamber  101  and exhaust pipe  132 . Similarly to the first embodiment, after plasma containing oxygen is generated in each of two reaction chambers  101 ,  119 , hydrogen is introduced from gas line  129  and gas line  114  at a gas flow of 20 sccm.  
         [0052]     Now, since hydrogen is flammable and oxygen increases the susceptibility of substances to burn, plasma processing apparatus  100  according to the present invention is arranged as follows as a safety measure. Specifically, in a situation in which final valve  127  or  112  of the gas line for supplying oxygen is opened, when the pressure is 50 Torr or less and no plasma is generated, final valve  114  and final valve  128  are not opened simultaneously.  
         [0053]     After hydrogen is introduced, oxygen radicals and hydroxyl radicals are generated by plasma, thereby removing the product which is adhered and deposited in the reaction chamber and mainly includes carbon. Specifically, the pressure is controlled to several Torr by pressure control valve  123  while introducing oxygen from gas line  114 , and the RF voltage is applied between shower plate  108  and stage  102  to generate plasma. Radicals that are generated by this plasma remove carbon films that have adhered onto the surface of shower plate  108 , stage  102 , and onto the internal wall of reaction chamber  101 .  
         [0054]     Incidentally, most of the carbon that is oxidized by the radicals becomes CO 2 . However, a part thereof reacts in the plasma again and becomes the origin of another product that is easy to be deposited and is represented by a carboxyl group [COOH], in some cases. Even if such a substance is generated upstream of reaction chamber  119 , this substance is almost completely oxidized when passing through reaction chamber  119 , and thus adherents are prevented being deposited on the elements (the main exhaust valve, the pressure control valve, and the like) downstream of reaction chamber  119 .  
       Third Exemplary Embodiment  
       [0055]     In the second embodiment, oxygen plasma to which hydrogen is added is used to suppress unnecessary carbon deposits. According to the study of the inventors, however, ammonia may be used instead of hydrogen. It becomes clear that nitroxyl radicals as well as hydroxyl radicals are generated by adding ammonia to oxygen plasma and the cleansing capacity is increased by the addition of ammonia to oxygen plasma than by the addition of hydrogen.  
         [0056]     In the third embodiment, ammonia can be introduced at the same time as hydrogen is introduced in the second embodiment, and ammonia is supplied from gas line  129 , for example, at a gas flow of 40 sccm. Also, since ammonia is flammable and oxygen increases the susceptibility of substances to burn, preferably, ammonia and oxygen are not supplied simultaneously as a safety measure, similar to the above description. The pressure condition may be set so that the value of 50 Torr is a threshold, similar to the above description. In other words, only when oxygen plasma is generated under reduced pressure of 50 Torr or less, is ammonia supplied.  
         [0057]     On the other hand, in the cleaning sequence of the second embodiment, after plasma containing oxygen is generated in each of two reaction chambers  101 ,  119 , ammonia is introduced into plasma processing apparatus  100  from gas line  129  and gas line  114  at a gas flow of 500 sccm.  
         [0058]     Now, since hydrogen is flammable and oxygen increases the susceptibility of substances to burn, plasma processing apparatus  100  according to the present invention is arranged as follows for safety. Specifically, in a situation in which final valve  127  or final valve  112  of gas lines that are used for supplying oxygen is opened, when the pressure is 50 Torr or less and plasma is not generated, final valve  128  and final valve  114  of gas lines used for supplying ammonia are not opened.  
         [0059]     After ammonia is introduced, oxygen radicals, hydroxyl radicals, nitroxyl radicals, and the like are generated by the plasma, and the products that are adhered and deposited in the reaction chamber and mainly include carbon are removed by the action of with these radicals.  
         [0060]     Specifically, the pressure is controlled to several Torr by pressure control valve  123  while oxygen is introduced from gas line  114  and the RF voltage is applied between shower plate  108  and stage  102  to generate plasma. Due to the action of the radicals generated by the plasma, carbon films that are adhered to the surface of shower plate  108 , stage  102 , and to the internal wall of reaction chamber  101  are removed.  
         [0061]     Incidentally, most of the carbon that is oxidized by the radicals becomes CO 2 . However, a part thereof reacts in the plasma again and becomes the origin of another product that is easy to be deposited, and is represented by a carboxyl group [COOH], in some cases. In this case, also, this substance is almost completely oxidized in reaction chamber  119 , and thus adherents are prevented from being deposited on the elements (the main exhaust valve, the pressure control valve, and the like) downstream of reaction chamber  119 .  
         [0062]     Further, in the above description, ammonia is used instead of hydrogen, however, a mixture of ammonia and hydrogen may be used. Also, ammonia may be used only for cleaning first reaction chamber  101  or may be used only for second reaction chamber  119 . Alternatively, hydrogen may be used for cleaning first reaction chamber  101  and ammonia may be used for cleaning second reaction chamber  119 , or the reverse thereof is also available.  
       Fourth Exemplary Embodiment  
       [0063]     In the arrangement shown in  FIG. 2 , reaction chamber  119  is arranged between exhaust chamber  104  and main exhaust valve  122 , however, there is no limitation on how these arrangements may be applied.  FIG. 3  shows another structural example of the plasma processing apparatus according to the present invention. Incidentally, please be sure that the elements to which no explanation is given in the apparatus in  FIG. 3  are arranged similar to those of the apparatus in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0064]     In processing apparatus  200  in  FIG. 3 , exhaust chamber  204  arranged to surround reaction chamber  201  functions as a reaction chamber itself. According to this arrangement, there is no need to clean adherents deposited in exhaust chamber  204  in  FIG. 3 . In other words, because the exhaust chamber is used as the second reaction chamber, as is, adherents are prevented from being deposited in the exhaust chamber. According to this arrangement, the time for cleaning is shortened, and throughput of the apparatus is improved as the result.  
         [0065]     As described in the first to fourth embodiments, the present invention can be used to improve the throughput and the operating rate of the plasma processing apparatus that deposits a film that mainly includes carbon on a substrate.  
         [0066]     While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.