Patent ID: 8141514

Claim:
A plasma processing apparatus having a substrate processing chamber having therein a processing space in which plasma processing is carried out on a substrate, an exhaust space for exhausting gas out of said processing space, and an exhaust flow path that couples said exhaust space and said processing space, the plasma processing apparatus comprising: an exhaust plate that is a plate-shaped member having a large number of vent holes therein and is disposed in said exhaust flow path; and a grounding component that is attached to said exhaust plate and is electrically grounded, said grounding component being comprised of a member other than said exhaust plate, said grounding component lying downstream of said exhaust plate with respect to said exhaust flow path, wherein said grounding component includes a conducting portion made of a conductive material, said grounding component includes an exposed area, and the exposed area is not covered with an insulating film and exposes the conductive material of the conducting portion to said exhaust flow path, wherein said grounding component is comprised of a ring shaped member and is attached such as to surround an opening of one vent hole in said exhaust plate, and wherein a portion of said grounding component, which faces an exhaust stream flowing out from the opening of the vent hole, corresponds to the exposed area of the grounding component.