Patent ID: 7196283

Claim:
In a plasma reactor for processing a workpiece on a support pedestal in a vacuum chamber of the reactor, a radially extending gas distribution electrode forming at least a portion of the ceiling of the reactor, the electrode being an RF plasma source power applicator of the reactor and having a bottom surface facing a processing zone of the reactor, the electrode comprising: a gas supply manifold for receiving process gas at a supply pressure at a top portion of said electrode; plural pressure-dropping cylindrical orifices extending axially relative to said electrode from said gas supply manifold at one end of each orifice; a radial gas distribution manifold within said electrode extending radially across said electrode; plural axially extending high conductance gas flow passages coupling the opposite ends of respective ones of said plural pressure-dropping orifices to said radial gas distribution manifold; and plural high conductance cylindrical gas outlet holes formed in said bottom surface of said electrode and extending axially to said radial gas distribution manifold.