Patent ID: 7232767

Claim:
In a processing chamber that uses an inductively coupled plasma source defining an axis of symmetry which produces a plasma density having a given radial variation characteristic across a treatment surface of a treatment object therein using a given electrostatic shield, a method comprising: configuring an electrostatic shield arrangement to replace said given electrostatic shield in a way which provides for producing a modified radial variation characteristic across said treatment surface which is different than said given radial variation characteristic and said electrostatic shield arrangement is further configured to include at least a sidewall arrangement having a shape that extends through a range of radii relative to said axis of symmetry having a modified slot arrangement that is made up of a plurality of elongated modified slots, each of which includes a length in said sidewall that extends through at least a portion of said range of radii and each of which includes a width that varies at least partially along said length for producing said modified radial variation characteristic.