Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a system used in a semiconductor device manufacturing process. More specifically, embodiments provided herein generally include apparatus and methods for synchronizing and controlling the delivery of an RF bias voltage signal and a pulsed voltage waveform to one or more electrodes within a plasma processing chamber. Embodiments of the disclosure include a method and apparatus for synchronizing a pulsed radio frequency (RF) waveform to a pulsed voltage (PV) waveform, such that the pulsed RF waveform is on during a first stage of the PV waveform and off during a second stage. The first stage of the PV waveform includes a sheath collapse stage. The second stage of the PV waveform includes an ion current stage.

This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for waveform control, comprising: a power supply having an input terminal, and at least one output terminal for coupling to a load; a controller; a variable inductor coupled to at least one of the output terminals, the variable inductor comprising a first magnetic core having a plurality of arms, including at least a first inductor arm and a first control arm, wherein an inductance winding having one or more turns is wound around the first inductor arm, and wherein a first control winding comprising one or more turns is wound around the first control arm; and a DC current source coupled to the first control arm and the controller, the controller configured to adjust a DC bias applied by the DC current source to the first control arm to control an output waveform at the at least one output terminal.

A semiconductor processing system includes: a semiconductor processing chamber including an electrostatic chuck disposed in a chamber housing, and a first power supplier for supplying first radio frequency (RF) power to an internal electrode disposed in the electrostatic chuck; a voltage measuring device for measuring a voltage corresponding to the first RF power to output a digital signal; and a control device for outputting an interlock control signal to the semiconductor processing chamber, when it is determined that the voltage increases to be within a predetermined reference range based on the digital signal. The electrostatic chuck is configured to enable a wafer to be seated on a surface of the electrostatic chuck.

An inductively coupled plasma generating apparatus includes: a radio frequency (RF) generator; an impedance matcher connected to the RF generator; a gas supplier; and a first plasma head connected to the impedance matcher and the gas supplier to receive power and gas, that comprises a dielectric tube and a first antenna, wherein the first antenna is attached to the dielectric tube by being spirally wound along the length of the dielectric tube, and plasma is generated in the dielectric tube by a magnetic field created by the first antenna.

Plasma processor including: reaction chamber having a base for placing a wafer; a source radio-frequency power supply outputting high frequency radio-frequency power into the reaction chamber to ignite and maintain plasma; a first bias radio-frequency power supply and a second bias radio-frequency power supply, the first bias radio-frequency power supply outputting a first radio-frequency signal with first frequency, the second bias radio-frequency power supply outputting a second radio-frequency signal with second frequency higher than the first frequency, the first radio-frequency signal and the second radio-frequency signal being superimposed to form a periodical first compound signal that is applied to the base; and a controller configured for tuning at least one of amplitude, frequency, average voltage or phase of the first radio-frequency signal and of the second radio-frequency signal, such that the first compound signal experiences three consecutive stages in each cycle: falling stage, flat stage, and rising stage.

A workpiece unit that includes a workpiece, a tape stuck to the workpiece; and an annular frame to which an outer circumferential edge of the tape is stuck and which has an opening defined centrally therein. The workpiece is disposed in the opening in the annular frame and supported on the annular frame by the tape, and at least one of the tape and the annular frame has an irreversible discoloring section that discolors in response to an external stimulus. Such a configuration makes it possible to determine whether or not a process involving an external stimulus has been carried out on the workpiece unit, based on the appearance of the workpiece unit (i.e., based on whether the irreversible discoloring section has been discolored or not).

A plasma etching method and a semiconductor device fabrication method, the plasma etching method including providing a source power having a first single pulse to an electrostatic chuck in order to generate a plasma on a substrate; providing a first bias power having a burst pulse different from the first single pulse to concentrate the plasma on the substrate; and providing a second bias power having a second single pulse the same as the first single pulse to accelerate the plasma toward the substrate.

An impedance adjustment device includes a variable capacitor unit. A microcomputer changes the capacitance value of the variable capacitor unit by switching PIN diodes included in n capacitor circuits on or off separately. Thus, the impedance on the plasma generator side when viewed from a high frequency power supply is adjusted. When changing the capacitance value of the variable capacitor unit to a target capacitance value, the microcomputer changes the capacitance value. When a predetermined period passes after the change of the capacitance value, the microcomputer changes the capacitance value again.

An apparatus for providing signals to a device may include one or more radiofrequency signal generators, and electrically-small transmission line, which couples signals from the one or more RF signal generators to the fabrication chamber. The apparatus may additionally include a reactive circuit to transform impedance of the electrically-small transmission line from a region of relatively high impedance-sensitivity to region of relatively low impedance-sensitivity.

A plasma processing apparatus including a processing chamber having one or more sidewalls and a dome is provided. The plasma processing apparatus includes a workpiece support disposed in the processing chamber configured to support a workpiece during processing, an induction coil assembly for producing a plasma in the processing chamber, a Faraday shield disposed between the induction coil assembly and the dome, the Faraday shield comprising an inner portion and an outer portion, and a thermal management system. The thermal management system including one or more heating elements configured to heat the dome, and one or more thermal pads disposed between an outer surface of the dome and the heating elements, wherein the one or more thermal pads are configured to facilitate heat transfer between the one or more heating elements and the dome. Thermal management systems and methods for processing workpieces are also provided.