Patent ID: 8124539

Claim:
A control method for a plasma processing apparatus which includes: a susceptor having an electrostatic chuck on which is mounted an object to be processed that is to be subjected to plasma processing, and a focus ring having a contact surface disposed in contact with the electrostatic chuck around a periphery of the object to be processed, the focus ring being mounted on the electrostatic chuck, the electrostatic chuck having a chuck device to which a chuck voltage is applied, and the electrostatic chuck attracting the focus ring by electrostatic attraction generated by the chuck voltage applied to the chuck device; heat exchange means provided at the contact surface, for carrying out heat exchange with the focus ring, the heat exchange means comprising a groove exposed to the contact surface and filled with a heat transfer medium, the groove being formed in the electrostatic chuck, and the heat exchange means further comprising a supply path that supplies the heat transfer medium to the groove; a controller that controls the chuck voltage applied to the chuck device; and a chamber having the susceptor therein, the control method comprising the steps of: changing the chuck voltage in accordance with each of multiple sequences of a plasma process and setting the chuck voltage applied to the chuck device high during at least one processing sequence; controlling a pressure of the heat transfer medium supplied from the heat exchange means and changing the pressure of the heat transfer medium supplied in accordance with each of multiple steps of the plasma process; and setting the pressure of the heat transfer medium filled into the groove which is covered by the focus ring in contact with the electrostatic chuck to a non-zero level during conveying of the object to be processed into and out of the chamber so as to carry out cooling of the focus ring during conveying the object into and out of the chamber.