Patent ID: 8603293

Claim:
A plasma processing apparatus comprising: a processing container that forms a process space to accommodate a target substrate; an exhaust unit connected to an exhaust port of the process container to vacuum-exhaust gas from inside the process container; an exhaust plate interposed between the process space and the exhaust port to rectify a flow of exhaust gas; a first electrode and a second electrode disposed opposite each other within the process container, the first electrode being an upper electrode and the second electrode being a lower electrode and configured to support the target substrate through a mount face, a plasma generation area being defined between the first electrode and second electrodes; an electrode support made of an insulating material and including a first portion interposed between the second electrode and a bottom of the process container and a second portion surrounding the second electrode; a conductive focus ring disposed on the second electrode to surround the target substrate; the focus ring being located on an inner side relative to the second portion of the electrode support in radial directions; a radio frequency (RF) power application unit connected to the second electrode but not connected to the first electrode and configured to apply an RF power with a single frequency, the second electrode being connected to no power supply that applies an RF power other than the RF power with the single frequency; a direct current (DC) power supply connected to the first electrode but not connected to the second electrode and configured to apply a DC voltage, the first electrode being connected to no power supply that applies an RF power; a process gas supply unit configured to supply a process gas into the process container; a first shield part covering a side surface of the second portion of the electrode support and formed of a first conductive internal body and a first insulator covering the first conductive internal body; and a conductive member disposed within the process container and grounded to release through plasma a current caused by the DC voltage applied from the DC power supply to the first electrode, the conductive member being supported by the first shield part and laterally protruding therefrom only at a position that is located, in a height-wise direction, between the mount face and the exhaust plate and below a bottom of the focus ring, so as for the conductive member to be exposed to the plasma, and the conductive member being grounded through the first conductive internal body of the first shield part.