Plasma processing apparatus

Disclosed herein is a plasma processing apparatus, which generates plasma within a vacuum chamber to process semiconductor substrates using the plasma. The apparatus comprises a substrate mounting table, an outer lifting bar, and a baffle. The outer lifting bar comprises a driving shaft, and a substrate supporting member coupled perpendicular to an upper end of the driving shaft. The baffle comprises a baffle plate coupled to the upper end of the driving shaft, and a shielding portion coupled to a lower surface of the baffle plate. The substrate supporting member is a foldable substrate supporting member. The baffle and the substrate supporting member are driven up and down at the same time by the driving shaft. As a result, it is possible to protect the substrate supporting member from plasma, and to prevent interference between the baffle and the outer lifting bar during operation of the plasma processing apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under The Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property to Korean Application No. 10-2004-0071721 filed on Sep. 8, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a plasma processing apparatus which generates plasma within a vacuum chamber to process semiconductor substrates using the plasma.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, as an apparatus for manufacturing semiconductor devices, liquid crystal displays, and the like, a plasma processing apparatus has been used to process a surface of a substrate using plasma. For example, the plasma processing apparatus includes a plasma etching apparatus for etching the substrate, a plasma chemical vapor deposition (CVD) apparatus for performing a CVD process on the substrate, and the like.

As shown inFIG. 1, such a plasma processing apparatus1comprises two planar electrodes10and20equipped in parallel to each other at upper and lower portions of chamber14. A substrate S is mounted on the lower electrode20. Thus, the lower electrode20is also referred to as a substrate mounting table. The upper electrode10is located opposite to the lower electrode20. The upper electrode10is provided with an electrode plate12which has a plurality of gas orifices, and the electrode plate12is referred to as a shower head14. The upper electrode10is connected to a process gas source. When performing a process, the process gas is supplied to a space between the two electrodes10and20through the gas orifices of the electrode plate12. The process gas supplied to the space between the electrodes is converted into plasma by application of RF power to the electrodes, and the surface of the substrate is process by the plasma.

The plasma processing apparatus1is provided with an air discharge unit (not shown) to discharge gas therein to the outside. The air discharge unit is connected to a pump (not shown) located at the outside of the plasma processing apparatus1to suck and remove the gas in the plasma processing apparatus1and to maintain a vacuum in the plasma processing apparatus1.

As shown inFIG. 1, such a plasma processing apparatus1comprises two planar electrodes10and20equipped in parallel to each other at upper and lower portions of chamber14. A substrate S is mounted on the lower electrode20. Thus, the lower electrode20is also referred to as a substrate mounting table. The upper electrode10is located opposite to the lower electrode20. The upper electrode10is provided with an electrode plate12which has a plurality of gas orifices, and the electrode plate12is referred to as a shower head.

The outer lifting bar40is separately provided at the outside of the lower electrode20. That is, the outer lifting bar40is provided in a space between a side surface of the lower electrode20and a wall of the plasma processing apparatus to move up and down.

The inner lifting pin30and the outer lifting bar40serve to convey the substrate into or out of the plasma processing apparatus. The operation of the inner lifting pin30and the outer lifting bar40will be briefly described as follows.

When conveying a substrate into the processing plasma processing apparatus from the outside, a conveying unit provided at the outside of the plasma processing apparatus enters the plasma processing apparatus. Then, the inner lifting pin30is raised to lift and support the substrate above the conveying unit. After the conveying unit is retracted from the plasma processing apparatus, the inner lifting pin30is lowered, and places the substrate on the lower electrode20. In this state, a predetermined process is performed on the substrate using plasma.

After completing the process for the substrate, the inner lifting pin30is raised again to lift the substrate, and is stopped at a predetermined height. At the same time, the outer lifting bar40is also lifted, and a substrate supporting bar44is rotated towards the center of the lower electrode20and is located below the substrate at a lower height than that of the inner lifting pin30. Then, as the substrate supporting bar44is raised, the substrate is lifted above the inner lifting pin30by the substrate supporting bar44.

The inner lifting pin30is lowered again, and a new substrate is conveyed into the plasma processing apparatus by the conveying unit from the outside. Then, the inner lifting pin30is raised again to lift and support the new substrate. After the conveying unit is retracted from the plasma processing apparatus, the inner lifting pin30is lowered, and places the substrate on the lower electrode20. Additionally, when the conveying unit enters the plasma processing apparatus again, the substrate supporting bar44is lowered, and transfers the processed substrate to the conveying unit. When the conveying unit is retracted from the plasma processing apparatus, the processed substrate is also conveyed out of the processing apparatus.

InFIG. 2, the conventional outer lifting bar40serving to convey the substrate as described above comprises an upper cover42, the substrate supporting bar44, and a case46. The upper cover42is located above the substrate supporting bar44. As a result, while the substrate supporting bar44is operated, the upper cover42is lowered to a side of the lower electrode20, and prevents the plasma from attacking an upper surface of the substrate supporting bar44and damaging the substrate supporting bar44. The substrate supporting bar44is raised above the lower electrode20, and is then rotated towards the center of the lower electrode20to support the substrate. The case46is lowered during the process, and defines a space to receive the substrate supporting bar44. The case46is tightly coupled with the upper cover42to prevent the plasma from attacking the side surface of the substrate supporting bar44. However, since the case has a complicated structure, there are problems of increasing manufacturing costs while complicating maintenance of the plasma processing apparatus. Additionally, when the outer lifting bar40is driven, there is a possibility of collision between the upper cover and the case. Meanwhile, in addition to the outer lifting bar40, a baffle50is provided to the side of the lower electrode20to control the flow of plasma. Thus, there are difficulties in manufacturing of the baffle50, as such a recess must be formed on the baffle50to allow the case46to move through the recess as shown inFIG. 2, and in coupling of the case46to the baffle50. Additionally, various particles can be accumulated in a gap between the baffle50and the case46, causing process errors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a plasma processing apparatus, which comprises an outer lifting bar to effectively block plasma.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a plasma processing apparatus for performing a predetermined process on a substrate using plasma in a vacuum state, comprising: a substrate mounting table equipped within the plasma processing apparatus to place a substrate thereon; an outer lifting bar provided at an outer side of the substrate mounting table to move up and down, and serving to temporarily support the substrate when placing the substrate on the substrate mounting table, the outer lifting bar comprising, a driving shaft driving up and down, and a substrate supporting member coupled perpendicular to an upper end of the driving shaft to pivot towards the substrate mounting table when loading the substrate; and a baffle provided to shield a space formed between the substrate mounting table and a wall of the plasma processing apparatus, and having a plurality of through holes formed on a predetermined portion of the baffle, the baffle comprising, a baffle plate coupled to the upper end of the driving shaft above the substrate mounting member to prevent the plasma from flowing to the space formed between the substrate mounting table and the wall of the plasma processing apparatus, and a shielding portion coupled to a lower surface of the baffle plate to surround the substrate supporting member, and opened at a side facing the substrate mounting table to allow the substrate supporting member to pivot through the open side of the shielding portion, wherein the baffle and the substrate supporting member are driven up and down at the same time by the driving shaft. As a result, the baffle is interconnected with the outer lifting bar to prevent interference between the baffle and the outer lifting bar, the height of the baffle is controlled to generate uniform plasma, and the outer lifting bar can be protected from the plasma with a simple structure of the plasma processing apparatus.

The substrate supporting member may be a foldable substrate supporting member comprising: an inner supporting bar coupled to the upper end of the driving shaft; an outer supporting bar coupled to a distal end of the inner supporting bar; a first joint coupling the inner supporting bar to the driving shaft to allow the inner supporting bar to pivot about the driving shaft; and a second joint coupling the inner supporting bar and the outer supporting bar to allow the outer supporting bar to pivot. As a result, the substrate can be supported to a central portion thereof by the substrate supporting member, enabling a large scale substrate to be easily processed using the plasma processing apparatus of the invention.

When the driving shaft is lowered, the shielding portion may be brought into tight contact with the substrate mounting table, and the substrate supporting member may be shielded in the space formed between the shielding portion and the wall of the substrate mounting table. As a result, the outer lifting bar is not influenced by the plasma during plasma processing.

The shielding portion may comprise a gate to open or close the open side of the shielding portion according to a driving procedure of the substrate supporting member, so that the substrate supporting member can be securely protected by the shielding portion.

The baffle may further comprise a resilient member fastened to a coupling portion between the gate and the shielding portion to allow the gate to return to a closing position via resilience of the resilient member, and the gate may be pushed to be opened by pivoting of the substrate supporting member, and be closed by restoring force of the resilient member.

The gate may further comprise a sensor to detect movement of the substrate supporting member; and a driving unit to open the gate when the movement of the substrate supporting member is detected by the sensor and to close the gate when the movement of the substrate supporting member is not detected by the sensor due to retraction of the substrate supporting member into the shielding portion.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a plasma processing apparatus for performing a predetermined process on a substrate using plasma in a vacuum state is provided, comprising: a substrate mounting table equipped within the plasma processing apparatus to place a substrate thereon; an outer lifting bar provided at an outer side of the substrate mounting table to move up and down, and serving to temporarily support the substrate when placing the substrate on the substrate mounting table, the outer lifting bar comprising, a driving shaft driving up and down, a substrate supporting member coupled perpendicular to an upper end of the driving shaft to pivot towards the substrate mounting table when loading the substrate, and a shielding portion coupled to a wall of the substrate mounting table, opened at an upper surface, and having a space into which the outer lifting bar is lowered and inserted; and a baffle provided to shield a space formed between the substrate mounting table and a wall of the plasma processing apparatus, and having a plurality of through holes formed on a predetermined portion of the baffle, wherein the baffle and the substrate supporting member are driven vertically at the same time by the driving shaft. As a result, it is possible to prevent interference between the baffle and the outer lifting bar during a driving procedure of the outer lifting bar, and to prevent the outer lifting bar from being influenced by the plasma.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A plasma processing apparatus according to a first embodiment has the same structure and functions as those of the conventional plasma processing apparatus except for the structure and a driving procedure of an outer lifting bar and a baffle provided at a side of a substrate mounting table. Thus, description of other components will be omitted hereinafter, and the outer lifting bar and the baffle will be described in detail as follows.

An outer lifting bar140is provided at an outer side of a substrate mounting table120, and serves to temporarily support a substrate when placing the substrate on the substrate mounting table120. Thus, the outer lifting bar140according to the first embodiment is also provided to move up and down.

The outer lifting bar140comprises a driving shaft142, and a substrate supporting member144. The driving shaft142is coupled to a lower wall of the plasma processing apparatus to be driven up and down. Since the driving shaft142must be driven up and down while maintaining air tightness of the plasma processing apparatus, it is preferable that the driving shaft142be coupled to the lower wall of the plasma processing apparatus by a bellows member. Thus, a motor is provided to a lower portion at the outside of the plasma processing apparatus, and supplies power to the driving shaft142to drive the driving shaft142up and down. As shown inFIG. 3, preferably, two or more driving shafts142are provided at the side of the substrate mounting table120to stably support the substrate.

The substrate supporting member144is coupled perpendicular to an upper end of the driving shaft142such that it can pivot towards the substrate mounting table120when loading the substrate. That is, the substrate supporting member144remains in parallel to the side of the substrate mounting table120while the substrate supporting member144is driven up and down by the driving shaft142. When the driving shaft142is completely raised so as to allow the substrate supporting member144to support the substrate, the substrate supporting member144pivots around the driving shaft142to a location perpendicular to the side of the substrate mounting table120.

Here, the substrate supporting member144may be provided as a single member. However, if the substrate supporting member144supports only a periphery of the substrate, due to an increase in scale of the substrate processed by the plasma processing apparatus, a central portion of the substrate may sag. Thus, there is a problem of damaging the substrate during conveying the substrate in or out of the plasma processing apparatus. Accordingly, it is preferable for conveyance of the large scale substrate in and out of the plasma processing apparatus that the substrate supporting member144extend to the central portion of the substrate, if possible, to support the substrate. In this regard, if the substrate supporting member144is provided as the single member, the substrate supporting member144is significantly increased in length, and thus cannot pivot around the driving shaft142due to interference with the driving shaft of the outer lifting bar.

However, according to the first embodiment, the substrate supporting member144is provided as a foldable supporting member. That is, the substrate supporting member144comprises an inner supporting bar144a, an outer supporting bar144b, a first joint144c, and a second joint144d. The inner supporting bar144ais a supporting bar vertically coupled to the upper end of the driving shaft142. The inner supporting bar144ais coupled to the upper end of the driving shaft142via the first joint144c. That is, the first joint144cenables the inner supporting bar144ato be coupled to the upper end of the driving shaft and to pivot perpendicular to a driving direction of the driving shaft.

The outer supporting bar144bis coupled to a distal end of the inner supporting bar144a, and supports the central portion of the substrate. At this time, the outer supporting bar144bis coupled to the distal end of the inner supporting bar144avia the second joint144d. The second joint144denables the outer supporting bar144bto pivot therearound, as well as coupling the outer supporting bar144bto the inner supporting bar144a.

Accordingly, with the substrate supporting member144of the plasma processing apparatus of the first embodiment, the inner supporting bar144aand the outer supporting bar144bpivot to the center of the substrate mounting table120, and support the central portion of the substrate. Additionally, when the substrate supporting member144is lowered, the outer supporting bar144bpivots and overlaps with the inner supporting bar144a, so that the length of the substrate supporting member144is folded in a half. As a result, there occurs no problem of interference with the adjacent outer lifting bar140or the driving shaft142during pivoting of the substrate supporting member144.

The baffle150is provided for the purpose of preventing plasma from flowing at too high a speed to the side of the substrate mounting table120during the plasma processing on the substrate. That is, the baffle150serves to shield the flow of plasma in order to force the plasma to remain in a space between the two electrodes for a long period of time. The baffle150is provided to shield a space formed between the substrate mounting table120and the wall of the plasma processing apparatus, and has a plurality of through-holes151formed at predetermined portions of the baffle120. At this time, the through-hole151is not formed on the baffle150where the baffle150has a shielding portion154. As a result, since the plasma is discharged through the through-holes151, it can be discharged at a significantly reduced speed.

According to the first embodiment, the baffle150comprises a baffle plate152, and the shielding portion154. The baffle plate152is a component for controlling the speed of the plasma by allowing the plasma to flow through the through-holes151formed in a predetermined pattern above the baffle150. The baffle plate152is coupled to the upper end of the driving shaft142on the substrate mounting member144, and prevents the plasma from flowing to the space formed between the substrate mounting table120and the wall of the plasma processing apparatus.

The shielding portion154is coupled to a lower surface of the baffle plate152to surround the substrate supporting member144, and is opened at one side facing the side of the substrate mounting table120to allow the substrate supporting member144to pivot through the open side. That is, the shielding portion154is coupled to the lower surface of the baffle plate152, and defines a space together with the baffle plate152and the side of the substrate mounting table120, so that the substrate supporting member144can be shielded in the space. With this structure, the baffle150serves to protect the substrate supporting member144from the plasma. According to the first embodiment, the shielding portion154can be welded to the baffle plate152, or can be joined to the baffle plate152with an additional coupling means. The coupling means may include bolts and the like.

The baffle150is preferably provided with a gate156to open or close the open side of the shielding portion154. As shown inFIG. 3, the gate156constitutes the side of the shielding portion154facing the side of the substrate mounting table120, and has an opening/closing structure to allow the substrate supporting member144to pivot therethrough. At this time, the gate156is coupled at one edge to the shielding portion154, and pivots about the edge to open or close the side of the shielding portion154. The baffle150further comprises a resilient member provided to a coupling portion between the gate156and the shielding portion154. As a result, according to the first embodiment, the gate156is pushed and opened by the substrate supporting member144when the substrate supporting member144pivots above the substrate mounting table120. When external force is not applied to the gate156, the gate156is automatically closed by restoring force of the resilient member.

Additionally, the gate further comprises a sensor to detect movement of the substrate supporting member144, and a driving unit to open the gate according to the movement of the substrate supporting member144. That is, when the substrate supporting member144is suitably located in the shielding portion154, the sensor cannot detect the movement of the substrate supporting member144, and then the driving unit is driven to close the gate. On the contrary, when the substrate supporting member144is deviated from its location within the shielding portion154, the sensor detects the movement of the substrate supporting member144, and then the driving unit is driven to open the gate. Thus, while the substrate supporting member144pivots and continues to support the substrate, the sensor continues to detect the substrate supporting member144, so that the gate156is maintained in an opened state. Then, when the substrate supporting member144is returned to, and is seated in the shielding portion154, the sensor cannot detect the substrate supporting member144, so that the gate156is closed.

Accordingly, in the first embodiment, the baffle150and the substrate supporting member144are simultaneously driven up and down by the driving shaft142. In other words, when the substrate supporting member144is raised to support the substrate, the baffle150is also raised. Additionally, during plasma processing of the substrate, the baffle150is lowered to the space between the substrate mounting table120and the wall of the plasma processing apparatus to avoid the flow of the plasma. At this time, since the height of the baffle150can be freely adjusted, there is an advantage in that the substrate can be processed while adjusting the height of the baffle150in order to achieve suitable flow of the plasma.

Additionally, according to the first embodiment, since the baffle150and the outer lifting bar140are simultaneously driven, there is no possibility of interference between the outer lifting bar140and the baffle150or the substrate supporting member144during the driving procedure of the outer lifting bar140, and there is no need to employ a complicated apparatus to drive the outer lifting bar140. As a result, there is an advantage of simplifying the overall structure of the plasma processing apparatus.

A driving procedure of the outer lifting bar and the baffle of the plasma processing apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 4ato4c.

As shown inFIG. 4a, the outer lifting bar140and the baffle150remain at the side of the substrate mounting table120during plasma processing. At this time, with the outer supporting bar144boverlapping with an inner supporting bar144a, the substrate supporting member144is shielded in the space defined by the shielding portion154, the baffle150and the substrate mounting table120. The baffle150is positioned at a suitable location to control flow of plasma.

After plasma processing is completed, and a process gas is discharged through a discharge system, the driving shaft142is driven to raise the substrate supporting member144and the baffle150, as shown inFIG. 4b.

When the substrate supporting member144is completely raised to a height to support the substrate, the substrate supporting member144is driven to pivot the inner supporting bar144aand the outer supporting bar144b, as shown inFIG. 4c. As such, when the substrate supporting member144starts to be driven, the sensor detects movement of the substrate supporting member144, and activates the driving unit. As a result, the gate156is opened to enable the substrate supporting member144to pivot without interference with other components. At this time, the inner supporting bar144apivots 90 degrees to the driving shaft, and the outer supporting bar144bpivots 180 degrees to the second joint. Thus, if a pivoting speed of the outer supporting bar144bis increased to twice the pivoting speed of the inner supporting bar144a, the outer supporting bar144bpivots to a location inline with the inner supporting bar144awhen the inner supporting bar144apivots to a location perpendicular to the side surface of the substrate mounting table120.

With this procedure, the substrate supporting member144is completely unfolded, and serves to convey the substrate in or out while supporting the substrate. After completing conveyance of the substrate, the outer lifting bar140and the baffle150return to their original locations at the side of the substrate mounting table120via the inverse of the procedure described above.

A plasma processing apparatus according to a second embodiment has the same structure and functions as those of the plasma processing apparatus according to the first embodiment except for the structure and a driving procedure of an outer lifting bar and a baffle provided at a side of a substrate mounting table. Thus, description of other components will be omitted hereinafter, and the outer lifting bar and the baffle will be described in detail as follows.

An outer lifting bar240is provided at an outer side of a substrate mounting table220, and serves to temporarily support a substrate when placing the substrate on the substrate mounting table220. Thus, the outer lifting bar240according to the second embodiment is also provided to move up and down.

The outer lifting bar240comprises a driving shaft242, a substrate supporting member244, and a shielding portion246. The driving shaft242is coupled to a lower wall of the plasma processing apparatus to be driven up and down. Since the driving shaft242must be driven up and down while maintaining air tightness of the plasma processing apparatus, it is preferable that the driving shaft242is coupled to the lower wall of the plasma processing apparatus by a bellows member. Thus, a motor is provided to a lower portion at the outside of the plasma processing apparatus, and supplies power to the driving shaft242to drive the driving shaft242up and down. As shown inFIG. 7, preferably, two or more driving shafts242are provided at the side of the substrate mounting table220to stably support the substrate.

The substrate supporting member244is coupled perpendicular to an upper end of the driving shaft242such that it can pivot towards the substrate mounting table220when loading the substrate. That is, the substrate supporting member244remains in parallel to the side of the substrate mounting table220while the substrate supporting member144is driven up and down by the driving shaft242. When the driving shaft242is completely raised to a location to allow the substrate supporting member244to support the substrate, the substrate supporting member244pivots around the driving shaft242to a location perpendicular to the side of the substrate mounting table220.

As with the first embodiment, according to the second embodiment, the substrate supporting member244is provided as a foldable supporting member to allow easy support of a large scale substrate.

Next, as shown inFIG. 5, the shielding portion246is attached to a predetermined portion of the side surface of the substrate mounting table220. The number and location of the shielding portions246corresponds to those of the driving shaft242. Additionally, since the shielding portion246provides a space to receive the substrate supporting member244during plasma processing on the substrate, it has a size to receive the substrate supporting member244as a matter of course.

The baffle250is provided for the purpose of preventing plasma from flowing at too high a speed to the side of the substrate mounting table220during the plasma processing on the substrate. That is, the baffle250serves to shield the flow of plasma in order to force the plasma to remain in a space between two electrodes for a long period of time. The baffle250is provided to shield a space formed between the substrate mounting table220and the wall of the plasma processing apparatus, and has a plurality of through-holes251formed at predetermined portions of the baffle220. At this time, the through-hole251is not formed on the baffle250where the baffle250has a shielding portion246. As a result, since the plasma is discharged through the through-holes251, it can be discharged at a significantly reduced speed.

According to the second embodiment, the baffle250and the substrate supporting member244are driven vertically at the same time by the driving shaft242. In other words, when the substrate supporting member244is raised to support the substrate, the baffle250is also raised. Additionally, during plasma processing of the substrate, the baffle250is lowered to the space between the substrate mounting table220and the wall of the plasma processing apparatus to avoid the flow of the plasma. At this time, since the height of the baffle250can be freely adjusted in the second embodiment, there is an advantage in that the substrate can be processed while adjusting the height of the baffle250in order to achieve suitable flow of the plasma.

Additionally, according to the second embodiment, since the baffle250and the outer lifting bar240are simultaneously driven, there is no possibility of interference between the outer lifting bar240and the baffle250or the substrate supporting member244during the driving procedure of the outer lifting bar240, and there is no need to employ a complicated apparatus to drive the outer lifting bar240. As a result, there is an advantage of simplifying the overall structure of the plasma processing apparatus.

A driving procedure of the outer lifting bar and the baffle of the plasma processing apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 6ato6c.

As shown inFIG. 6a, the outer lifting bar240and the baffle250remain at the side of the substrate mounting table220during plasma processing. At this time, with the outer supporting bar244boverlapping with inner supporting bar244a, the substrate supporting member244is shielded in the space defined by the shielding portion246, the baffle250and the substrate mounting table220. The baffle250is positioned at a suitable location to control flow of plasma.

After plasma processing is completed, and a process gas is discharged through a discharge system, the driving shaft242is driven to raise the substrate supporting member244and the baffle250, as shown inFIG. 6b. At this time, the shielding portion246remains at the side of the substrate mounting table220.

When the substrate supporting member244is completely raised to a height to support the substrate, the substrate supporting member244is driven to pivot the inner supporting bar244aand the outer supporting bar244b, as shown inFIG. 6c. At this time, the inner supporting bar244apivots 90 degrees to the driving shaft, and the outer supporting bar244bpivots 180 degrees to the second joint. Thus, if a pivoting speed of the outer supporting bar244bis increased to twice the pivoting speed of the inner supporting bar244a, the outer supporting bar244bpivots to a location inline with the inner supporting bar244awhen the inner supporting bar244apivots to a location perpendicular to the side surface of the substrate mounting table220.

With this procedure, the substrate supporting member144is completely unfolded, and serves to convey the substrate in or out while supporting the substrate. After completing conveyance of the substrate, the outer lifting bar240and the baffle250return to their original locations at the side of the substrate mounting table220via to the inverse of the procedure as described above.

One of the advantages of the present invention is that, since the plasma processing apparatus comprises an outer lifting bar having a simple structure, it is possible to protect a substrate supporting member from plasma.

Another advantage of the present invention is that, since the baffle and the outer lifting bar are driven at the same time, it is possible to completely prevent interference between the baffle and the outer lifting bar during operation thereof, and to perform a plasma process while adjusting a height of the baffle.

It should be understood that the embodiments and the accompanying drawings have been described for illustrative purposes and the present invention is limited by the following claims. Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are allowed without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention according to the accompanying claims.