Patent ID: 7265963

Claim:
A plasma processing apparatus which applies high-frequency power from a high-frequency power source to one of two electrodes disposed opposite to each other to generate plasma discharge, thereby subjecting an object to be processed to a plasma processing, the apparatus comprising: an electrostatic chuck which is attached to the electrode connected to the high-frequency power source and which electrostatically adsorbs the object to be processed; a high-voltage power source which applies a direct-current voltage to the electrostatic chuck to generate an electrostatic adsorption force; a circuit having at least one of a resistor, a capacitor, and a coil, said circuit being connected to the electrode; and a changeover switch which can electrically disconnect the circuit from the electrode at a processing time of the object to be processed and which can electrically connect the circuit to the electrode at a non-processing time of the object to be processed.