Patent classifications
H01J37/3299
Combined RF generator and RF solid-state matching network
In one embodiment, a method of matching an impedance is disclosed. An impedance matching network is coupled between a radio frequency (RF) source and a plasma chamber. The matching network includes a variable reactance element (VRE) having different positions for providing different reactances. The RF source has an RF source control circuit carrying out a power control scheme to control a power delivered to the matching network. Based on a determined parameter, a new position for the VRE is determined to reduce a reflected power at the RF input of the matching network. The matching network provides a notice signal to the RF source indicating the VRE will be altered. In response to the notice signal, the RF source control circuit alters the power control scheme. While the power control scheme is altered, the VRE is altered to the new position.
Method and apparatus for pulse gas delivery with concentration measurement
A system and method provides a more precise mole delivery amount of a process gas, for each pulse of a pulse gas delivery, by measuring a concentration of the process gas and controlling the amount of gas mixture delivered in a pulse of gas flow based on the received concentration of the process gas. The control of mole delivery amount for each pulse can be achieved by adjusting flow setpoint, pulse duration, or both.
RADIO FREQUENCY (RF) POWER IMBALANCING IN A MULTI-STATION INTEGRATED CIRCUIT FABRICATION CHAMBER
Radio frequency power conveyed to individual process stations of a multi-station integrated circuit fabrication chamber may be adjusted so as to bring the rates at which fabrication processes occur, and/or fabrication process results, into alignment with one another. Such adjustment in radio frequency power, which may be accomplished via adjusting one or more reactive elements of a RF distribution network, may give rise to an imbalance in power delivered to each individual process station.
RADIO FREQUENCY GENERATING DEVICE
An RF generating device 2, which attenuates harmonics in RF power amplified by an RF amplifier and supplied to plasma generating electrodes, includes an RF generation unit 201 that generates a composite wave by combining a fundamental wave with a compensation wave which is made by inverting a phase of a harmonic generated by inputting the fundamental wave.
MODEL-BASED CHARACTERIZATION OF PLASMAS IN SEMICONDUCTOR PROCESSING SYSTEMS
A method of characterizing plasmas during semiconductor processes may include receiving operating conditions for a semiconductor process, where the semiconductor process may be configured to generate a plasma inside of a chamber of a semiconductor processing system. The method may also include providing the operating conditions for the semiconductor process as inputs to a model, where the model may have been trained to characterize plasmas in the chamber. The method may also include generating, using the model, a characterization of the plasma in the chamber resulting from the operating conditions of the semiconductor process.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PULSE GAS DELIVERY WITH CONCENTRATION MEASUREMENT
A system and method provides a more precise mole delivery amount of a process gas, for each pulse of a pulse gas delivery, by measuring a concentration of the process gas and controlling the amount of gas mixture delivered in a pulse of gas flow based on the received concentration of the process gas. The control of mole delivery amount for each pulse can be achieved by adjusting flow setpoint, pulse duration, or both.
System, method, and apparatus for controlling ion energy distribution in plasma processing systems
Systems and methods for plasma processing are disclosed. An exemplary system may include a plasma processing chamber including a source to produce a plasma in the processing chamber and at least two bias electrodes arranged within the plasma processing chamber to control plasma sheaths proximate to the bias electrodes. A chuck is disposed to support a substrate, and a source generator is coupled to the plasma electrode. At least one bias supply is coupled to the at least two bias electrodes, and a controller is included to control the at least one bias supply to control the plasma sheath(s) proximate to the bias electrodes.
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING OPERATION FAILURE OF PLASMA GENERATING DEVICE BASED ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
A system for detecting an operation failure of a plasma generating device includes a plasma generating device including one or more nozzle units configured to emit a plasma beam, a camera module that generates image data of the plasma beam emitted by the one or more nozzle units, and a control device that detects and determines whether or not the plasma generating device has an operation failure based on the image data received from the camera module, and controls an operation of the plasma generating device according to a result of determining whether or not the plasma generating device has the operation failure.
DISTORTION CURRENT MITIGATION IN A RADIO FREQUENCY PLASMA PROCESSING CHAMBER
Embodiments provided herein generally include apparatus, plasma processing systems and methods for distortion current mitigation. An example plasma processing system includes a voltage source coupled to an input node, which is coupled to an electrode disposed within a processing chamber, wherein the voltage source is configured to generate a pulsed voltage signal at the input node; a signal generator having an output, wherein the RF signal generator is configured to deliver a first RF signal at a first RF frequency to the input node; a bandpass filter coupled between the output of the signal generator and the input node, wherein the bandpass filter is configured to attenuate second RF signals that are outside a range of frequencies including the first RF frequency of the first RF signal; and an impedance matching circuit coupled between the bandpass filter and the input node.
Synchronization between an excitation source and a substrate bias supply
Systems and methods for plasma processing are disclosed. A method includes applying pulsed power to a plasma processing chamber with an excitation source during a first processing step with a first duty cycle and applying, during the first processing step, an asymmetric periodic voltage waveform to a substrate support to produce a first plasma sheath voltage between a substrate and a plasma. Pulsed power is applied to the plasma processing chamber with the excitation source during a second processing step with a second duty cycle and during the second processing step, a different asymmetric periodic voltage waveform is applied to the substrate support to produce a different plasma sheath voltage between the substrate and the plasma.