A substrate processing system for processing a substrate within a processing chamber includes a matching network, a tuning circuit, and a controller. The matching network receives a first RF signal having a first frequency from a RF generator and impedance matches an input of the matching network to an output of the RF generator. The tuning circuit is distinct from the matching network and includes a circuit component having a first impedance. The tuning circuit receives an output of the matching network and outputs a second RF signal to a first electrode in a substrate support. The controller determines a target impedance for the circuit component, and based on the target impedance, signal the RF generator to adjust the first frequency of the first RF signal received at the matching network to a second frequency to alter the first impedance of the circuit component to match the target impedance.

A high-frequency power circuit includes a first antenna circuit and a second antenna circuit that are connected in parallel to a matching box connected to a high-frequency power supply. The first antenna circuit include a first antenna, a first distribution capacitor, and a first variable capacitor. The second antenna circuit includes a second antenna, a second distribution capacitor, and a second variable capacitor. A controller sets a capacitance of the first variable capacitor based on a detection result of a phase difference between current and voltage in a series-connected portion of the first antenna and the first variable capacitor during plasma production to reduce this phase difference and sets a capacitance of the second variable capacitor based on a detection result of a phase difference between current and voltage in a series-connected portion of the second antenna and the second variable capacitor during plasma production to reduce this phase difference.

This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for calibrating sensors used by a match network during tuning of power delivery to a plasma processing chamber. The calibration can include self-calibration of two sensors in isolation relative to a self-load, and Relative or Absolute mutual calibration of both sensors used together across a mutual load. The mutual calibration can determine errors between the two sensors after they are each calibrated in isolation, and this additional calibration provides previously unrealized tuning accuracy.

A circuit tuning radio frequency (RF) power. The circuit includes a low to mid frequency (LF/HF) tuning circuit including a variable LF/MF capacitor coupled in series with an LF/MF inductor. The LF/MF tuning circuit is coupled between ground and a common node configured to receive an RF input. The circuit includes a high frequency (HF) tuning circuit coupled in parallel to the LF/MF tuning circuit between ground and the common node. The HF tuning circuit includes a variable HF capacitor coupled in series with an HF inductor. Cross parallel isolation occurs between the LF/MF inductor of the LF/MF tuning circuit and the HF inductor of the HF tuning circuit when adjusting the variable LF/MF capacitor or variable HF capacitor.

A plasma processing apparatus 100 is equipped with a shower head 16 and a placing table 2 facing each other. A first RF power supply 10a is configured to apply a RF power to any one of the shower head 16 or the placing table 2 without igniting plasma. A measuring device 204 is configured to measure a physical quantity of the RF power applied by the first RF power supply 10a. A process controller 91 is configured to acquire an inter-electrode distance by using the measured physical quantity of the RF power in a correlation function of the inter-electrode distance and the physical quantity of the RF power.

A plasma processing apparatus includes a stage for supporting a target object in a chamber defined by a chamber body. The stage includes a lower electrode, an electrostatic chuck provided on the lower electrode, heaters provided in the electrostatic chuck, and terminals electrically connected to the heaters. A conductor pipe electrically connects a high frequency power supply and the lower electrode and extends from the lower electrode to the outside of the chamber body. Power supply lines supply power from a heater controller to the heaters. Filters partially forming the power supply lines prevent the inflow of high frequency power from the heaters to the heater controller. The power supply lines include wirings which respectively connect the terminals and the filters and extend to the outside of the chamber body through an inner bore of the conductor pipe.

A plasma processing apparatus includes a processing chamber in which a sample is subjected to plasma processing, a first radio frequency power supply that supplies radio frequency power for generating plasma, a sample stage on which the sample is mounted, and a second radio frequency power supply that supplies radio frequency power to the sample stage, the plasma processing apparatus further includes a DC power supply that applies a DC voltage, that is changed according to a periodically repeated waveform, to the sample stage, and the waveform of one cycle has a period in which amplitude changes by a predetermined amount or more during a predetermined time. Accordingly, charged particles on a wafer surface are removed, a trench shape with high verticality can be obtained, and damage to a film that is not to be etched inside a trench can be reduced.

A fixed outer support flange (flange 1) is formed to circumscribe an electrode within a plasma processing system. Flange 1 has a vertical portion and a horizontal portion extending radially outward from a lower end of the vertical portion. An articulating outer support flange (flange 2) is formed to circumscribe flange 1. Flange 2 has a vertical portion and a horizontal portion extending radially outward from a lower end of the vertical portion. The vertical portion of flange 2 is positioned concentrically outside of the vertical portion of flange 1. Flange 2 is spaced apart from flange 1 and moveable along the vertical portion of flange 1. Each of a plurality of electrically conductive straps has a first end portion connected to flange 2 and a second end portion connected to flange 1.

A tunable edge sheath (TES) system includes a coupling ring configured to couple to a bottom surface of an edge ring that surrounds a wafer support area within a plasma processing chamber. The TES system includes an annular-shaped electrode embedded within the coupling ring. The TES system includes a plurality of radiofrequency signal supply pins coupled to the electrode within the coupling ring. Each of the plurality of radiofrequency signal supply pins extends through a corresponding hole formed through a bottom surface of the coupling ring. The TES system includes a plurality of radiofrequency signal filters respectively connected to the plurality of radiofrequency supply pins. Each of the plurality of radiofrequency signal filters is configured to provide a high impedance to radiofrequency signals used to generate a plasma within the plasma processing chamber.

The disclosure pertains to a capacitively coupled plasma source in which VHF power is applied through an impedance-matching coaxial resonator having a symmetrical power distribution.