A target value of magnetic flux density and magnetic flux density actually obtained are made to coincide precisely with each other. An electromagnet control device comprises a current value determining unit for determining, based on a magnetic flux density instruction value, a value of current that is made to flow through a coil. The current value determining unit is constructed to execute a second process for determining, based on a second function, a value of the current, if the magnetic flux density is to be decreased from that in a first magnetization state, and a fourth process for expanding or reducing the second function by use of a first scaling ratio for transforming it to a fourth function, and determining, based on the fourth function obtained after above transformation, a value of the current, if the magnetic flux density is to be decreased from that in a third magnetization state.

An improved cathodic arc source and method of DLC film deposition with a carbon containing directional-jet plasma flow produced inside of cylindrical graphite cavity with depth of the cavity approximately equal to the cathode diameter. The generated carbon plasma expands through the orifice into ambient vacuum resulting in plasma flow strong self-constriction. The method represents a repetitive process that includes two steps: the described above plasma generation/deposition step that alternates with a recovery step. This step provides periodical removal of excessive amount of carbon accumulated on the cavity wall by motion of the cathode rod inside of the cavity in direction of the orifice. The cathode rod protrudes above the orifice, and moves back to the initial cathode tip position. The said steps periodically can be reproduced until the film with target thickness is deposited. Technical advantages include the film hardness, density, and transparency improvement, high reproducibility, long duration operation, and particulate reduction.

Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer programs are presented for controlling etch rate and plasma uniformity using magnetic fields. A semiconductor substrate processing apparatus includes a vacuum chamber including a processing zone for processing a substrate using capacitively coupled plasma (CCP). The apparatus further includes a magnetic field sensor configured to detect a signal representing a residual magnetic field associated with the vacuum chamber. At least one magnetic field source is configured to generate one or more supplemental magnetic fields through the processing zone of the vacuum chamber. A magnetic field controller is coupled to the magnetic field sensor and the at least one magnetic field source. The magnetic field controller is configured to adjust at least one characteristic of the one or more supplemental magnetic fields, causing the one or more supplemental magnetic fields to reduce the residual magnetic field to a pre-determined value.

The present disclosure relates to the field of semiconductor die etching technologies, and discloses a method for enhancing discharge in a magnetized capacitively coupled radio frequency (CCRF) discharge reactor, including: constructing a magnetized CCRF discharge reactor; and adjusting magnetic induction intensity of the magnetized CCRF discharge reactor, to enable the magnetic induction intensity to meet a relation B=(π.Math.m.sub.c)/e.Math.f.sub.rf, where in the formula, B represents the magnetic induction intensity of the magnetized CCRF discharge reactor, π represents a circumference, mc represents an electron mass, e represents an elementary charge, and f.sub.rf represents an RF frequency. In the present disclosure, power coupling efficiency can be greatly enhanced, and plasma density can be greatly increased.

A deposition apparatus, including: a substrate supporter, wherein a substrate is fixed to the substrate supporter; a target facing the substrate; a first magnet assembly disposed below the target and including a first magnet extending in a first direction and having a first length, and a second magnet at least partially surrounding the first magnet; and a second magnet assembly disposed below the target and spaced apart from the first magnet assembly in a second direction which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and including a first magnet extending in the first direction and having a second length greater than the first length, and a second magnet at least partially surrounding the first magnet, and wherein the second magnet of the first magnet assembly and the second magnet of the second magnet assembly have substantially the same length as each other in the first direction.

Embodiments described herein provide magnetic and electromagnetic housing systems and a method for controlling the properties of plasma generated in a process volume of a process chamber to affect deposition properties of a film. In one embodiment, the method includes rotation of the rotational magnetic housing about a center axis of the process volume to create dynamic magnetic fields. The magnetic fields modify the shape of the plasma, concentration of ions and radicals, and movement of concentration of ions and radicals to control the density profile of the plasma. Controlling the density profile of the plasma tunes the uniformity and properties of a deposited or etched film.

A magnetron sputtering system includes a substrate mounted within a vacuum chamber. A plurality of cathode assemblies includes a first set of cathode assemblies and a second set of cathode assemblies, and is configured for reactive sputtering. Each cathode assembly includes a target comprising sputterable material and has an at least partially exposed planar sputtering surface. A target support is configured to support the target in the vacuum chamber and rotate the target relative to the vacuum chamber about a target axis. A magnetic field source includes a magnet array. A cathode assemblies controller assembly is operative to actuate the first set of cathode assemblies without actuating the second set of cathode assemblies, and to actuate the second set of cathode assemblies without actuating the first set of cathode assemblies.

An improved cathodic arc source and method of DLC film deposition with a carbon containing directional-jet plasma flow produced inside of cylindrical graphite cavity with depth of the cavity approximately equal to the cathode diameter. The generated carbon plasma expands through the orifice into ambient vacuum resulting in plasma flow strong self-constriction. The method represents a repetitive process that includes two steps: the described above plasma generation/deposition step that alternates with a recovery step. This step provides periodical removal of excessive amount of carbon accumulated on the cavity wall by motion of the cathode rod inside of the cavity in direction of the orifice. The cathode rod protrudes above the orifice, and moves back to the initial cathode tip position. The said steps periodically can be reproduced until the film with target thickness is deposited. Technical advantages include the film hardness, density, and transparency improvement, high reproducibility, long duration operation, and particulate reduction.

A plasma processing apparatus includes a chamber having an upper wall with a plurality of through holes and a lower wall with an exhaust hole, the chamber defining a plasma processing space; a substrate stage disposed within the chamber, the substrate stage having a seating surface, wherein a substrate is seated on the seating surface; a baffle plate disposed between the upper wall and the substrate stage, the baffle plate having gas distribution holes; a gas supply configured to supply gas into the chamber through the through holes; a pumping device having an exhaust pipe, the exhaust pipe connected to the exhaust hole to control pressure inside the chamber; and a plasma generator configured to generate a first plasma using the gas supplied into the chamber through at least one of the through holes formed in the upper wall.

A method and apparatus is provided for obtaining a low average electron energy flux onto a substrate in a processing chamber. A processing chamber includes a substrate support therein for chemical processing. An energy source induced plasma, and ion propelling means, directs energetic plasma electrons toward the substrate support. A dipole ring magnet field is applied perpendicular to the direction of ion travel, to effectively prevent electrons above an acceptable maximum energy level from reaching the substrate holder. Rotation of the dipole magnetic field reduces electron non-uniformities.