A plasma processing apparatus includes: a plasma processing chamber; a substrate support disposed in the plasma processing chamber and including a lower electrode; a source RF generator coupled to the plasma processing chamber and configured to generate a source RF signal including high states and low states in alternate manner; and a bias DC generator coupled to the lower electrode and configured to generate a bias DC signal including ON states and OFF states in alternate manner. Each ON state includes a plurality of cycles, each cycle including a first sequence of first pulses and a second sequence of second pulses, each first pulse having a first voltage level, and each second pulse having a second voltage level different from the first voltage level.

Embodiments of process kits for use in a substrate process chamber are provided herein. A process kit for a substrate process chamber including: a cover ring configured to extend over unprotected dicing tape of a tape frame substrate during use and having a central opening configured to expose a semiconductor wafer supported on the dicing tape during use; and a metallic shield disposed adjacent to at least a portion of a lower surface of the cover ring such that the metallic shield at least partially lines the lower surface.

A plasma processing method of processing a substrate with plasma in a plasma processing apparatus. The plasma processing apparatus includes: a chamber configured to accommodate a substrate; an upper electrode structure forming an upper portion of the chamber and including a temperature-controlled plate, an electrode plate disposed below the temperature-controlled plate, and an electrostatic attractor, the electrostatic attractor including a contact surface, an attraction surface, a first electrode, and a second electrode; a power supply configured to apply a voltage to the first and second electrodes; and a temperature obtaining portion configured to acquire a temperature distribution of the electrode plate. The plasma processing method includes: acquiring, by the temperature obtaining portion, the temperature distribution; applying a first voltage to the first electrode and applying a second voltage to the second electrode according to the acquired temperature distribution; and processing the substrate with plasma.

The chamber is internally provided with a stage on which a substrate is disposed, and an exhaust port connected to an exhaust system around the stage. The baffle is provided around the stage, and divides a space in the chamber into a processing space where plasma processing is performed on the substrate, and an exhaust space connected to the exhaust port. The switching mechanism switches the baffle between a shield state in which the baffle shields a plasma and a transmissive state in which the baffle allows a plasma to pass therethrough. The controller controls the switching mechanism to switch the baffle from the shield state to the transmissive state or from the transmissive state to the shield state.

A system for fabricating a semiconductor device may include a chamber, an electrostatic chuck used to load a substrate, a power source supplying an RF power to the electrostatic chuck, an impedance matcher between the power source and the electrostatic chuck, and a power transmission unit connecting the electrostatic chuck to the impedance matcher. The power transmission unit may include a power rod, which is connected to the electrostatic chuck and has a first outer diameter, and a coaxial cable. The coaxial cable may include an inner wire, an outer wire, and a dielectric material between the outer and inner wires. The inner wire connects the power rod to the impedance matcher and has a second outer diameter less than the first outer diameter. The outer wire is connected to the chamber and is provided to enclose the inner wire and has a first inner diameter less than the first outer diameter and greater than the second outer diameter. A ratio of the first inner diameter to the second outer diameter is greater than a dielectric constant of the dielectric material and less than three times the dielectric constant of the dielectric material.

A plasma processing apparatus includes a mounting stage including a mounting surface, on which an object to be processed is mounted, a back surface provided on a side opposite to the mounting surface, a plate-like member, in which a first hole penetrating through the mounting surface and the back surface is formed, and a base having a supporting surface for supporting the plate-like member and having a second hole communicating with the first hole; and an embedment member disposed inside the first and second holes, the first embedment member being disposed inside the first hole, the second embedment member being disposed inside the second hole, wherein the first embedment member and the second embedment member are not mutually fixed, and the first embedment member has a portion having a wider width than a width of an upper end portion on a lower side than the upper end portion.

A system for controlling an etch process includes an etching tool, a metrology tool, and a controller. The etching tool is controllable via a set of control parameters and may execute a plurality of etch recipes containing values of the set of control parameters. The controller may direct the etching tool to execute a plurality of etch recipes on a plurality of metrology targets; direct the metrology tool to generate metrology data indicative of two or more etch characteristics on the plurality of metrology targets; determine one or more relationships between the two or more etch characteristics and the set of control parameters based on the metrology data; and generate, based on the one or more relationships, a particular etch recipe to constrain one of the two or more etch characteristics and maintain the remainder of the two or more etch characteristics within defined bounds.

The inventive concept provides a substrate treating apparatus. The substrate treating apparatus includes a process chamber having a treating space therein; a substrate support unit configured to support a substrate in the treating space; a gas supply unit configured to supply a process gas to the treating space; and a plasma source for generating a plasma from the process gas, and wherein the substrate support unit includes: a support plate on which the substrate is placed; a base which is positioned below the support plate; a first ring provided to surround the substrate placed on the support unit; a second ring provided below the first ring and having a through hole; and a ring lift pin assembly for lifting and lowering the first ring and the second ring, and wherein the ring lift pin assembly includes: a first pin provided to be inserted into the through hole and to lift and lower the first ring; a second pin in a hollow shaft shape to lift and lower the second ring and having a hole at which first pin passes through within; and a driving unit for driving the first pin and the second pin, and wherein the through hole overlaps the first ring when seen from above.

An etching method is provided. The etching method is performed on a substrate having a first film to a third film. The third film is provided on an underlying region, the second film is provided on the third film, the first film is provided on the second film. The second film contains silicon and nitrogen. The first film to the third film are etched in sequence. Plasma of a processing gas containing fluorine and hydrogen is used in the etching of the first film to the third film. A temperature of the substrate is set to be equal to or less than 20 C. at least in the etching of the second film.

Disclosed is a substrate processing apparatus having a symmetrical reaction space in which a process is performed after a substrate is transferred into the reaction space. The substrate processing apparatus may include: a chamber including a reaction space having an opening formed at one or more sidewalls; and a valve configured to open/close the opening. The valve may include: a blade housed in the chamber including the sidewall and a chamber bottom, which form the reaction space, and configured to open/close the opening; and a driving unit configured to raise and lower the blade, wherein one surface of the blade is formed as the same plane as the inner surface of the chamber by the closing of the opening.