PLASMA PROCESSING APPARATUS AND LID MEMBER

A plasma processing apparatus includes: a processing container in which a stage is accommodated and including an opening formed above the stage; a lid member for sealing the opening and including: at least one through-hole formed in a region facing the stage and in which a radiation part for radiating microwaves is arranged; a protruded portion formed on a first surface facing an interior of the processing container to protrude toward the interior of the processing container along an edge of the opening; a flow path formed inside the protruded portion; gas holes formed on the first surface to communicate with the flow path; and a supply port formed on a second surface facing an exterior of the processing container to communicate with the flow path; and a remote plasma unit connected to the supply port and for plasmarizing a cleaning gas and supply the same to the supply port.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-132803, filed on Aug. 17, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a plasma processing apparatus and a lid member.

BACKGROUND

Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a remote plasma unit is arranged above a chamber (processing container), and a cleaning gas is plasmarized by the remote plasma unit and supplied into the chamber.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT

Patent Document

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a plasma processing apparatus includes a processing container in which a stage on which a substrate is placed is accommodated and which includes an opening formed above the stage; a lid member configured to seal the opening of the processing container and including: at least one through-hole formed in a region facing the stage and in which a radiation part configured to radiate microwaves is arranged; a protruded portion formed on a first surface facing an interior of the processing container to protrude toward the interior of the processing container along an edge of the opening; a flow path formed inside the protruded portion; a plurality of first gas holes formed on the first surface to communicate with the flow path; and a supply port formed on a second surface facing an exterior of the processing container to communicate with the flow path; and a remote plasma unit connected to the supply port and configured to plasmarize a cleaning gas and supply the plasmarized cleaning gas to the supply port.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of a plasma processing apparatus and a lid member disclosed herein will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present embodiment does not limit the disclosed plasma processing apparatus and lid member. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, systems, and components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the various embodiments.

In recent years, as semiconductor products become highly dense and miniaturized, a plasma processing apparatus using microwaves for film formation processing has been used in a process of manufacturing semiconductor products. In such a plasma processing apparatus, a radiation part for radiating microwaves, such as a microwave radiation mechanism or the like, is arranged on a lid member that seals an upper surface of a processing container. The radiation part radiates microwaves into the processing container to generate plasma. By using the microwaves, the plasma processing apparatus can stably generate plasma even in a high vacuum state in which pressure is relatively low. Further, the plasma processing apparatus can generate high-density plasma by using the microwaves.

By the way, in the plasma processing apparatus, when a film forming process is performed, deposits are deposited on a surface of a structure inside the processing container, such as an inner wall surface of the processing container or the like. Therefore, it is conceivable to supply a cleaning gas plasmarized by a remote plasma unit into the processing container to perform cleaning to remove the deposits. The cleaning gas plasmarized by the remote plasma unit is deactivated in the middle when a flow path becomes long. As a result, in the related art, the remote plasma unit is arranged on an upper portion of the processing container such as on the lid member or the like in order to shorten the flow path through which the plasmarized cleaning gas flows. However, since the radiation part is arranged on the upper portion of the processing container in the plasma processing apparatus using microwaves, the remote plasma unit cannot be arranged on the upper portion of the processing container. Therefore, there has been a demand for a technique capable of performing cleaning with remote plasma even when the radiation part for radiating microwaves is arranged on the upper portion of the processing container.

Embodiment

An example of the plasma processing apparatus according to the present disclosure will be described.FIG.1is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of a plasma processing apparatus100according to an embodiment. The plasma processing apparatus100shown inFIG.1includes a processing container101, a stage102, a gas supply mechanism103, an exhaust device104, and a microwave introduction device105.

The processing container101accommodates a substrate W such as a semiconductor wafer or the like. The stage102is provided inside the processing container101. The substrate W is placed on the stage102. The gas supply mechanism103supplies a gas into the processing container101. The exhaust device104exhausts a gas from an interior of the processing container101. The microwave introduction device105generates microwaves for generating plasma inside the processing container101, and also introduces the microwaves into the processing container101.

The processing container101is made of a metallic material such as aluminum or an alloy thereof, and is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The processing container101includes a plate-shaped top wall portion200, a plate-shaped bottom wall portion113, and a sidewall portion112that connects the top wall portion200and the bottom wall portion113. The processing container101is configured such that the top wall portion200constituting the upper surface of the processing container101is removable. The processing container101includes an opening110aformed on the upper side of the stage102. The top wall portion200is formed in a shape corresponding to the opening101aof the processing container101, and is configured to seal the opening101a. In the embodiment, the top wall portion200corresponds to the lid member according to the present disclosure. The inner wall of the processing container101includes a protective film formed by being coated with yttria (Y2O3) or the like. The microwave introduction device105is provided on the upper portion of the processing container101, and is configured to introduce electromagnetic waves (microwaves) into the processing container101to generate plasma. The microwave introduction device105will be described in detail later.

The top wall portion200includes a plurality of through-holes201and202into which microwave radiation mechanisms143and gas introduction nozzles123of the microwave introduction device105are fitted. The sidewall portion112includes a loading/unloading port114through which the substrate W is loaded into and unloaded from a transfer chamber (not shown) adjacent to the processing container101. Further, in the sidewall portion112, a gas introduction nozzle124is provided at a position above the stage102. The loading/unloading port114is opened and closed by a gate valve115.

The bottom wall portion113is provided with an opening113a, and the exhaust device104is provided via an exhaust pipe116connected to the opening113a. The exhaust device104includes a vacuum pump and a pressure control valve. The interior of the processing container101is exhausted through the exhaust pipe116by the vacuum pump of the exhaust device104. An internal pressure of the processing container101is controlled by the pressure control valve of the exhaust device104.

The stage102is formed in a disk shape. The stage102is made of a metallic material, for example, aluminum or the like whose surface is anodized, or a ceramic material, for example, aluminum nitride (AlN) or the like. The substrate W is placed on an upper surface of the stage102. The stage102is supported by a support member120and a base member121formed in a cylindrical shape and made of ceramics such as AlN or the like so as to extend upward from the center of the bottom of the processing container101. A guide ring181for guiding the substrate W is provided on an outer edge of the stage102. Further, inside the stage102, lift pins (not shown) for raising and lowering the substrate W are provided so as to move upward and downward with respect to the upper surface of the stage102.

Further, a heater182is embedded in the stage102. The heater182heats the substrate W placed on the stage102by being supplied with electric power from a heater power source183. Further, a thermocouple (not shown) is inserted into the stage102. A heating temperature of the substrate W may be controlled based on a signal from the thermocouple. Further, in the stage102, an electrode184having substantially the same size as the substrate W is embedded above the heater182. A high-frequency bias power source122is electrically connected to the electrode184. The high-frequency bias power source122applies high-frequency bias for drawing ions to the stage102. The high-frequency bias power source122may not be provided depending on the characteristics of plasma processing.

The gas supply mechanism103supplies various gases into the processing container101. The gas supply mechanism103includes gas introduction nozzles123and124, gas supply pipes125and126, and a gas supplier127. The gas introduction nozzle123is fitted into a through-hole202formed in the top wall portion200of the processing container101. The gas introduction nozzle124is fitted into a through-hole112aformed in the sidewall portion112of the processing container101. The gas supplier127is connected to each gas introduction nozzle123via the gas supply pipe125. Further, the gas supplier127is connected to each gas introduction nozzle124via the gas supply pipe126. The gas supplier127includes sources of various gases. Further, the gas supplier127is provided with on-off valves for starting and cutting off the supply of various gases, and flow rate adjustment parts for adjusting flow rates of the gases. For example, when a film forming process is carried out, the gas supplier127supplies a processing gas containing a film forming material. Further, when plasma cleaning is performed, the gas supplier127supplies a cleaning gas.

The microwave introduction device105is provided above the processing container101. The microwave introduction device105introduces electromagnetic waves (microwaves) into the processing container101to generate plasma.

The microwave introduction device105includes a top wall portion200of the processing container101, a microwave output part130, and an antenna unit140. The top wall portion200functions as a top plate of the processing container101. The microwave output part130generates microwaves, and distributes and outputs the microwaves to a plurality of paths. The antenna unit140introduces the microwaves outputted from the microwave output part130into the processing container101.

The microwave output part130includes a microwave power source, a microwave oscillator, an amplifier, and a distributor. The microwave oscillator is in a solid state and oscillates (e.g., PLL-oscillates) the microwaves at, for example, 860 MHz. A frequency of the microwaves is not limited to 860 MHz, and may be in the range of 700 MHz to 10 GHz such as 2.45 GHz, 8.35 GHz, 5.8 GHz, 1.98 GHz, or the like. The amplifier amplifies the microwaves oscillated by the microwave oscillator. The distributor distributes the microwaves amplified by the amplifier to a plurality of paths. The distributor distributes the microwaves while matching impedances on the input side and the output side.

The antenna unit140includes a plurality of antenna modules.FIG.1shows three antenna modules of the antenna unit140. Each antenna module includes an amplifier142and a microwave radiation mechanism143. The microwave output part130generates microwaves, distributes the microwaves, and outputs the microwaves to each antenna module. The amplifier142of the antenna module mainly amplifies the distributed microwaves and outputs the same to the microwave radiation mechanism143. The microwave radiation mechanism143is provided on the top wall portion200. The microwave radiation mechanism143radiates the microwaves outputted from the amplifier142into the processing container101.

The amplifier142includes a phase shifter, a variable gain amplifier, a main amplifier, and an isolator. The phase shifter changes a phase of the microwaves. The variable gain amplifier adjusts a power level of the microwaves to be inputted to the main amplifier. The main amplifier is configured as a solid state amplifier. The isolator separates reflected microwaves that move toward the main amplifier after being reflected by the antenna part of the microwave radiation mechanism143described later.

As shown inFIG.1, each of the plurality of microwave radiation mechanisms143is arranged on the top wall portion200. The microwave radiation mechanism143includes a cylindrical outer conductor and an inner conductor provided inside the outer conductor coaxially with the outer conductor. Further, the microwave radiation mechanism143includes a coaxial tube having a microwave transmission path and an antenna part for radiating microwaves into the processing container101, both of which are arranged between the outer conductor and the inner conductor. A microwave transmission plate163is provided on a lower surface side of the antenna part. The lower surface of the microwave transmission plate163is exposed to the internal space of the processing container101. The microwaves transmitted through the microwave transmission plate163generate plasma in the internal space of the processing container101.

FIG.2is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of the top wall portion200according to an embodiment. InFIG.2, there is depicted a perspective view showing a lower surface200aof the top wall portion200that faces the interior of the processing container101. As shown inFIG.2, the top wall portion200is provided with seven through-holes201in which the microwave radiation mechanisms143of the antenna module are arranged. In the top wall portion200, six through-holes201aare arranged to be the vertices of a regular hexagon, and one through-hole201bis further arranged at the center position of the regular hexagon. The seven through-holes201are arranged so that the adjacent through-holes201are evenly spaced apart from each other. The microwave radiation mechanism143is arranged in each of the seven through-holes201. As a result, the microwave radiation mechanisms143are arranged at equal intervals in the top wall portion200. Further, in the top wall portion200, a plurality of through-holes202is arranged so as to surround the periphery of the central through-hole201b. The plurality of gas introduction nozzles123of the gas supply mechanism103is fitted into the plurality of through-holes202, respectively. The number of antenna modules provided on the top wall portion200is not limited to seven.

Here, the flow of film formation will be briefly described. In the plasma processing apparatus100, the substrate W is placed on the stage102. The plasma processing apparatus100performs a film forming process on the substrate W placed on the stage102. For example, the plasma processing apparatus100applies bias power from the high-frequency bias power source122to the stage102. Further, the plasma processing apparatus100introduces microwaves from the microwave introduction device105into the processing container101to generate plasma while supplying a processing gas containing a film forming material into the processing container101from the gas supplier127, whereby a silicon-containing film is formed on the substrate W.

When the plasma processing apparatus100performs a film forming process, deposits are deposited on the surface of a structure inside the processing container101. Therefore, the plasma processing apparatus100performs plasma cleaning in which plasma is generated to remove deposits while supplying a cleaning gas into the processing container101.

Here, the plasma cleaning using the microwaves supplied from the microwave introduction device105has strong attack characteristics and may cause damage to internal members of the processing container101. On the other hand, the plasma cleaning using remote plasma has weak attack characteristics and can suppress damage to the internal members of the processing container101. Therefore, the plasma processing apparatus100according to the present embodiment has the following configuration in order to make it possible to perform the plasma cleaning by remote plasma.

As shown inFIG.1, the top wall portion200is formed in a shape corresponding to the opening101aof the processing container101. In the present embodiment, the processing container101is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and the opening101ais formed in a circular shape on the upper side of the processing container101. The top wall portion200is formed in a circular shape corresponding to the opening101aof the processing container101. The top wall portion200seals the opening101aof the processing container101.

As shown inFIGS.1and2, in the top wall portion200, the central portion of the lower surface200afacing the interior of the processing container101is formed to be substantially flat. In the top wall portion200, a through-hole201in which the microwave radiation mechanism143of the antenna module is arranged is formed in a region of the central portion of the lower surface200afacing the stage102. Further, in the top wall portion200, a protruded portion210that protrudes inward of the processing container101along an edge of the opening101ais formed on the lower surface200a. The protruded portion210is formed in an annular shape so as to surround the central portion of the lower surface200a.

FIG.3is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the top wall portion200according to an embodiment. InFIG.3, there is depicted a perspective view showing the upper surface200band the side surface200cof the top wall portion200facing the exterior of the processing container101. Further, inFIG.3, an internal configuration of the top wall portion200is indicated by broken lines. As indicated by the broken lines, the top wall portion200includes a flow path220formed inside the protruded portion210. The flow path220is formed in an annular shape inside the protruded portion210along the protruded portion210. By providing the protruded portion210, the top wall portion200can be formed so that the flow path220has a large cross section. For ease of machining, the flow path220is formed to have a rectangular cross section by combining substantially flat inner surfaces. This makes it possible to increase the cross section of the flow path220. Further, even when a hole diameter of the gas hole226is made large on the side of the processing container101as will be described later, it is possible to increase the cross-sectional area of the flow path220while ensuring the minimum wall thickness for forming the gas hole226having such a shape. In the top wall portion200, by enlarging the cross section of the flow path220in this way, it is possible to improve the flow of the plasmarized cleaning gas and suppress the deactivation of the plasmarized cleaning gas.

A supply port230communicating with the flow path220is formed on the surface of the top wall portion200facing the exterior of the processing container101. In the present embodiment, the supply port230communicating with the flow path220is formed on the side surface200cof the top wall portion200. A portion of the top wall portion200where the supply port230is formed is expanded to the outer peripheral side. The flow path220is also expanded to the outer peripheral side at the portion where the supply port230is formed.

In the top wall portion200, a central flow path communicating with the flow path220is formed inside the central portion of the lower surface200asurrounded by the protruded portion210. In the present embodiment, a flow path221is formed inside the central portion as the central flow path. The flow path221is formed in an annular shape so as to surround the through-hole201b. Further, in the present embodiment, a flow path222connecting the flow path220and the flow path221is formed as the central flow path. In the preset embodiment, two flow paths222are formed. The flow path221and the flow path222are formed to have a rectangular cross section in order to increase the internal volume.

As shown inFIG.1, a remote plasma unit240is connected to the supply port230. A cleaning gas is supplied to the remote plasma unit240at the time of cleaning. The remote plasma unit240plasmarizes the supplied cleaning gas and supplies the same to the supply port230. The plasmarized cleaning gas flows from the supply port230into the flow path220, and flows from the flow path220to the flow paths222and221.

FIG.4is an enlarged view showing an example of the configuration of the top wall portion200according to an embodiment. InFIG.4, there is shown an internal configuration of the flow path220at a portion expanded to the outer peripheral side near the supply port230of the top wall portion200. The flow path220has a stepped portion223formed on the inner wall on the lower surface200aside. The stepped portion223is configured to include two surfaces223aand223bhaving different heights and a vertical surface223carranged between the surfaces223aand223b. In the present embodiment, an inclined surface223dis further formed between the surfaces223cand223bof the stepped portion223.

As shown inFIGS.1,2and4, in the top wall portion200, an inclined surface224inclined toward the interior of the processing container101with respect to the central portion of the lower surface200asurrounded by the protruded portion210is formed at the protruded portion210. Further, an angle change of a predetermined angle or more at which the propagation of surface waves is suppressed is made on the lower surface200aof the top wall portion200. For example, in the top wall portion200, a flat surface225is formed on a surface connected to the inner surface of the processing container101at an angle equal to or larger than a predetermined angle at which the propagation of surface waves is suppressed. The flat surface225is an example in which an angle change of a predetermined angle or more is made on the lower surface200a. In the present embodiment, the flat surface225is formed outside the inclined surface224. The flat surface225is formed so as to be perpendicular to the sidewall portion112. By forming the flat surface225in this way, it is possible to prevent the surface waves propagating from the central portion of the top wall portion200from propagating to the sidewall portion112of the processing container101during plasma processing. By providing a surface corresponding to the flat surface225so that the angle formed by the flat surface225and the sidewall portion112becomes an acute angle, it is possible to further prevent the surface waves from propagating to the sidewall portion112of the processing container101.

As shown inFIGS.2and4, in the top wall portion200, a plurality of gas holes226communicating with the flow path220is formed in the protruded portion210of the lower surface200afacing the interior of the processing container101. The gas holes226are formed so as to penetrate two surfaces constituting the stepped portion223in two directions with respect to the inclined surface224. According to the present embodiment, in the top wall portion200, gas holes226apenetrating in a substantially horizontal direction and gas holes226bpenetrating in a substantially vertical direction are arranged side by side along the protruded portion210. The gas holes226aand the gas holes226bare alternately provided one by one in a staggered manner so that the positions of the gas holes226aand the gas holes226bdo not overlap in the circumferential direction. The gas holes226aare provided side by side on the inclined surface224of the protruded portion210to penetrate the surface223cconstituting the stepped portion223. The gas holes226bare provided side by side on the flat surface225of the protruded portion210to penetrate the horizontal surface223a constituting the stepped portion223. As described above, in the top wall portion200, by providing the substantially horizontal gas holes226aon the vertical surface223cof the stepped portion223and providing the substantially vertical gas holes226bon the horizontal surface223aof the stepped portion223, it is possible to easily perform machining to form the gas holes226aand226b.

The gas holes226ainject the cleaning gas inside the flow path220toward the center. The gas holes226binject the cleaning gas inside the flow path220downward. The gas holes226(226aand226b) are formed to have a large diameter on the lower surface200aside. As a result, the hole diameter of the gas holes226becomes larger on the processing container101side. Therefore, the injected cleaning gas is easily diffused and abnormal discharge in the gas holes226is suppressed. Further, in the top wall portion200, by providing the gas holes226aand the gas holes226bin a staggered manner, it is possible to inject the cleaning gases with less influence on each other.

Further, as shown inFIG.2, in the top wall portion200, a plurality of gas holes227communicating with the flow path221is formed in the central portion of the lower surface200aof the processing container101. The gas holes227are formed so as to penetrate in the direction perpendicular to the lower surface200a. The gas holes227inject the cleaning gas in the flow path221downward. Like the gas holes226, the gas holes227are also formed to have a larger diameter on the lower surface200aside. As a result, the hole diameter of the gas holes227becomes larger on the processing container101side. Therefore, the injected cleaning gas is easily diffused and abnormal discharge in the gas holes227is suppressed.

In the top wall portion200, the plasmarized cleaning gas is supplied to the flow path220from one supply port230. Therefore, in the top wall portion200, if the gas holes226and the gas holes227are uniformly arranged with the same hole diameter, an amount of cleaning gas injected on the side of the supply port230increases, and the distribution of the cleaning gas in the processing container101becomes non-uniform. Thus, it is conceivable to change the hole diameters of the gas holes226and227according to the positions of the gas holes226and227to make the injection of the cleaning gas uniform. However, since a tolerance exists in the processing accuracy of the gas holes226and227, it is difficult to make the injection of the cleaning gas uniform by changing the hole diameters of the gas holes226and227.

Therefore, in the top wall portion200, the intervals between the gas holes226and227are changed so that the plasmarized cleaning gas supplied to the supply port230is evenly injected from the gas holes226and227into the processing container101. In the top wall portion200, the gas holes226and the gas holes227are densely arranged on the opposite side of the supply port230. As a result, in the top wall portion200, it is possible to make the injection of the cleaning gas uniform.

Next, the flow of plasma cleaning will be briefly described. The plasma processing apparatus100performs plasma cleaning at the execution timing of plasma cleaning, such as each time when a predetermined number of substrates W is subjected to film formation or each time when film formation is performed at a predetermined cumulative film thickness. When performing the plasma cleaning, the plasma processing apparatus100adjusts the internal pressure of the processing container101to a predetermined pressure suitable for the plasma cleaning. Then, the plasma processing apparatus100supplies the cleaning gas to the remote plasma unit240. The cleaning gas is plasmarized by the remote plasma unit240and supplied to the top wall portion200from the supply port230. The cleaning gas supplied to the supply port230flows through the flow path220, and flows from the flow path220to the flow paths222and221. The cleaning gas is injected from the gas holes226and the gas holes227into the processing container101. In the plasma processing apparatus100, the plasma cleaning inside the processing container101is executed by the cleaning gas supplied from the top wall portion200.

Here, in the plasma processing apparatus100according to the present embodiment, the microwave introduction devices105such as the microwave radiation mechanisms143or the like are arranged side by side in the upper portion of the apparatus and the processing gas is introduced between the microwave radiation mechanisms14. These layouts are important in the film forming process and thus are not easy to change.

On the other hand, in the plasma processing apparatus100according to the present embodiment, by using the top wall portion200, the cleaning by remote plasma can be performed without affecting the layouts of the microwave introduction device105or the like arranged on the upper portion of the processing container101.

In the above-described embodiment, the case in which the flat surface225is formed outside the inclined surface224has been described by way of example. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The flat surface225may be provided inward of the inclined surface224or in the middle of the inclined surface224. Further, the top wall portion200may have a configuration in which the inclined surface224is connected to the sidewall portion112without providing the flat surface225.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case in which the diameters of the gas holes226and the gas holes227become larger on the side of the lower surface200ahas been described by way of example. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, one or both of the gas holes226and the gas holes227may be formed to have a substantially constant diameter.

FIG.5is an enlarged view showing another example of the configuration of the top wall portion200according to an embodiment. InFIG.5, there is shown an internal configuration of the flow path220at a portion expanded to the outer peripheral side near the supply port230of the top wall portion200. In the top wall portion200shown inFIG.5, the inclined surface224is configured to be connected to a surface substantially flush with the sidewall portion112. Further, in the top wall portion200shown inFIG.5, the gas holes226are formed to have a substantially constant diameter.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case in which the supply port230is formed on the side surface200cof the processing container101has been described by way of example. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The supply port230may be provided in a peripheral region that does not overlap with the microwave radiation mechanism143on the upper surface200b.

As described above, the plasma processing apparatus100according to the embodiment includes the processing container101, the top wall portion200(lid member), and the remote plasma unit240. The stage102on which the substrate W is placed is arranged inside the processing container101. The opening101ais formed above the stage102. The top wall portion200seals the opening101aof the processing container101. In the top wall portion200, one or more through-holes201in which the microwave radiation mechanism143(radiation part) for radiating microwaves is arranged are formed in the region facing the stage102. The protruded portion210protruding toward the interior of the processing container101is formed along the edge of the opening101aon the lower surface200a(first surface) facing the interior of the processing container101. The flow path220is formed inside the protruded portion210. The plurality of gas holes communicating with the flow path220is formed on the lower surface200a. The supply port230communicating with the flow path220is formed on the upper surface200bor the side surface200c(second surface) facing the exterior of the processing container101. The remote plasma unit240is connected to the supply port230and is configured to plasmarize the cleaning gas and supply the plasmarized cleaning gas to the supply port230. As a result, the plasma processing apparatus100can perform cleaning with remote plasma even when the radiation part is arranged on the upper portion of the processing container101. Further, in the plasma processing apparatus100, the cross section of the flow path220can be made large by providing the protruded portion210. Thus, the flow of the plasmarized cleaning gas becomes good, which makes it possible to suppress the deactivation of the plasmarized cleaning gas.

Further, in the top wall portion200, the inclined surface224inclined toward the interior of the processing container101is formed on the protruded portion210with respect to the central portion of the lower surface200asurrounded by the protruded portion210. The plurality of gas holes226is formed on the inclined surface224. By forming the inclined surface224in the protruded portion210of the top wall portion200with respect to the central portion in this way, the shape of the holes seen from the direction of the opening101aof the processing container101can be made elliptical, and the gas can be easily diffused in the processing container101. Further, by forming the plurality of gas holes226on the inclined surface224, the radicals of the cleaning gas can be irradiated at any angle from the horizontal direction to the vertical direction. As a result, the radicals can be irradiated to the arrangement region of the microwave radiation mechanisms143on the lower surface200aof the top wall portion200, the stage102, and the sidewall and bottom surface of the processing container101.

In the top wall portion200, the gas holes226are arranged side by side in at least two directions with respect to the inclined surface224. As a result, the cleaning gas can be injected into the processing container101in a plurality of directions, and the cleaning gas can be quickly diffused in the processing container101.

Further, in the top wall portion200, the stepped portion223is formed on the inner wall of the flow path220on the side of the lower surface200a, and the gas holes226(226aand226b) are provided in two directions with respect to the inclined surface224so as to penetrate the two surfaces (the surfaces223aand223c) constituting the stepped portion223. This makes it possible to easily perform machining to form the gas holes226.

Further, the angle change of a predetermined angle or more at which the propagation of surface waves is suppressed is made on the lower surface200aof the top wall portion200. Further, in the top wall portion200, the flat surface225is formed on the surface connected to the inner surface of the processing container101at the angle equal to or larger than the predetermined angle at which the propagation of surface waves is suppressed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the surface waves propagating from the central portion of the top wall portion200from propagating to the sidewall portion112of the processing container101.

Further, in the top wall portion200, the central flow paths (flow paths221and222) communicating with the flow path220are formed inside the central portion of the lower surface200asurrounded by the protruded portion210, and the gas holes227communicating with the central flow paths are formed in the central portion. As a result, the cleaning gas can be injected from the central portion of the top wall portion200, and the cleaning gas can be quickly diffused into the processing container101.

Further, the intervals between the gas holes226and227are changed so that the plasmarized cleaning gas supplied to the supply port230is evenly injected from the gas holes226and227into the processing container101. As a result, it is possible to uniformly inject the cleaning gas into the processing container101.

Further, in the top wall portion200, the gas holes226and227are densely arranged on the opposite side of the supply port230. As a result, it is possible to uniformly inject the cleaning gas into the processing container101.

Further, the gas holes226and227are formed to have a large diameter on the lower surface200aside. As a result, the cleaning gas injected from the gas holes226and227can be easily diffused, and abnormal discharge in the gas holes226and227can be suppressed.

According to the present disclosure in some embodiments, it is possible to perform cleaning with remote plasma even when a radiation part for radiating microwaves is arranged on an upper portion of a processing container.

Although the embodiments have been described above, the embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be exemplary and not limitative in all respects. Indeed, the embodiments described above can be embodied in a variety of forms. Further, the above-described embodiments may be omitted, replaced, or changed in various forms without departing from the scope of the claims and the purpose thereof.

For example, in the above-described embodiments, the case in which the substrate W is a semiconductor wafer has been described by way of example. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The substrate W may be any object.