Patent ID: 7647887

Claim:
A thin film forming apparatus comprising: a first electrode having a first discharge surface and a second electrode having a second discharge surface, the first discharge surface facing opposite to the second discharge surface to form a discharge space; a gas supply unit for supplying a gas including a thin film formation gas to the discharge space; a power source for discharging and activating the gas by applying a high frequency electric field across the discharge space; and a film transporting mechanism for transporting a protecting film for preventing the first electrode or the second electrode from being exposed to the activated gas, wherein a thin film is formed by exposing a substrate to the activated gas and, the protecting film is transported in contact with the first discharge surface and a surface, which is a part of the first electrode and continues to the first discharge surface, or with the second discharge surface and a surface which is a part of the second electrode and continues to the second discharge surface.