Patent ID: 8383000

Claim:
A method for measuring a distance between an upper electrode and a lower electrode provided within a processing chamber to face each other in a substrate processing apparatus that performs a preset process on a substrate mounted on the lower electrode by applying a high frequency power between the electrodes and generating plasma of a preset gas, wherein the substrate processing apparatus includes: a lift pin that is protrusible from and retractable below the lower electrode and lifts up the substrate to be separated from the lower electrode; and a lifter that elevates the lift pin up and down, further wherein the method comprises: elevating the lift pin upward and bringing the lift pin into contact with the upper electrode by driving the lifter while the substrate is not mounted on the lower electrode and measuring a distance between the upper electrode and the lower electrode based on a moving distance of the lifter; and correcting a position of the upper electrode by lowering the upper electrode as much as a reduced thickness of the upper electrode that has been worn out due to exposure of the upper electrode to the plasma during the preset process.