Patent ID: 7863542

Claim:
A laser processing apparatus for performing pattern processing of a transparent conductive film that is formed on a multilayer film on a substrate by using laser light, comprising: debris extraction means having a vortex generation mechanism that generates a vortex flow by directing gas into the vicinity of a laser-irradiated portion of said transparent conductive film, wherein the debris extraction means is proximal to the substrate and functions to remove laser irradiation generated debris by entrapping pre-deposited and post-deposited debris in to the vortex flow to be extracted to the outside with said gas, wherein said debris extraction means includes a vortex flow outlet portion provided with a transmission hole being an optical path of the laser light as well as being a flow path of the vortex flow leading to an outlet hole and a vortex-forming portion disposed facing said substrate, wherein said vortex-forming portion includes a vortex-forming plate in which radial vortex-forming grooves corresponding to a rotational direction of said vortex flow and being continuous with said transmission hole are formed in a surface of said vortex-forming portion facing the substrate, wherein a space for generating a circular flow is provided between said transmission hole in said vortex flow outlet portion and the vortex-forming grooves in said vortex-forming plate, and wherein gas is brought into the vortex-forming grooves of said vortex-forming plate to form the vortex flow, and is discharged from said outlet hole to the outside through the transmission hole of said vortex flow outlet portion.