ION FILTER USING APERTURE PLATE WITH PLURALITY OF ZONES

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for using ion filtering to adjust the number of ions delivered to a substrate. The method comprising a process chamber being provided that is operatively connected to a plasma source. The substrate is provided on a substrate support that is provided within the process chamber. An electrical bias source is provided that is operatively connected to an aperture plate that is provided in the process chamber. The substrate on the substrate support is processed using a plasma generated using the plasma source. A variable bias voltage from the electrical bias source is applied to the aperture plate during the plasma processing of the substrate. The plasma processing of the substrate can further comprise exposing the substrate to a plasma time division multiplex process which alternates between deposition and etching on the substrate.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. (canceled)

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4. (canceled)

5. A method for using ion filtering to adjust the number of ions delivered to a substrate, the method comprising: providing a proccess chamber; providing a plasma source operatively connected to the process chamber; providing a substrate support within the process chamber; providing the substrate onto the substrate support; providing a plurality of electrical bias sources; providing an aperture plate in the process chamber, said aperture plate having a plurality of aperture plate zones, wherein at least two aperture plate zones of the plurality of aperture plate zones are operatively connected to a seperate bias of the plurality of electrical bias sources; generating a plasma using the plasma source; processing the substrate on the substrate support using the generated plasma; and applying a seperate bias voltage from the plurality of electrical bias sources to at least two aperture plate zones of the plurality of aperture plate zones during the plasma processing of the substrate and wherein the aperture plate is actively cooled for a period of time during the plasma processing of the substrate.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein at least one zone of the plurality of aperture plate zones is grounded for a period of time during the plasma processing of the substrate.

7. (canceled)

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10. (canceled)

11. A method for using ion filtering to adjust the number of ions delivered to a substrate, the method comprising: providing a process chamber; providing a plasma source operatively connected to the process chamber; providing a substrate support within the process chamber; providing the substrate onto the substrate support; providing a plurality of electrical bias sources; providing a plurality of aperture plates in the process chamber, at least one of the plurality of aperture plates having a plurality of aperture plate zones, wherein at least two aperture plate zones of the plurality of aperture plate zones are operatively connected to a seperate bias of the plurality of electrical bias sources; generating a plasma using the plasma source; processing the substrate on the substrate support using the generated plasma; and applying a seperate bias voltage from the plurality of electrical bias sources to at least two aperture plate zones of the plurality of aperture plate zones during the plasma processing of the substrate and wherein at least one aperture plate zone of the plurality of aperture plate zones is actively cooled for a period of time during the plasma processing of the substrate.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein at least one aperture plate zone of the plurality of aperture plate zones is grounded for a period of time during the plasma processing of the substrate.

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

15. A method for using ion filtering to adjust the number of ions delivered to a substrate, the method comprising: providing a process chamber; providing a plasma source operatively connected to the process chamber; providing a substrate support within the process chamber; providing the substrate onto the substrate support; providing an electrical bias source; providing an aperture plate in the process chamber, said aperture plate being operatively connected to the electrical bias source; generating a plasma using the plasma source; processing the substrate on the substrate support using the generated plasma; and applying variable bias voltage from the electrical bias source to the aperture plate, said bias voltage being varied as a function of time during the plasma processing of the substrate.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the substrate further comprising a semiconductor wafer on tape on a frame.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the aperture plate further comprising a plurality of apertures.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the aperture plate is actively cooled for a period of time during the plasma processing of the substrate.

19. The method according to claim 15, wherein the aperture plate is grounded for a period of time during the plasma processing of the substrate.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein the plasma processing of the substrate further comprising exposing the substrate to a plasma time division multiplex process which alternates between deposition and etching on the substrate.

21. A method for using ion filtering to adjust the number of ions delivered to a substrate, the method comprising: providing a process chamber; providing a plasma source operatively connected to the process chamber; providing a substrate support within the process chamber; providing the substrate onto the substrate support; providing an electrical bias source; providing a plurality of aperture plates in the process chamber, at least one of said plurality of aperture plates being operatively connected to the electrical bias source; generating a plasma using the plasma source; processing the substrate on the substrate support using the generated plasma; and applying variable bias voltage from the electrical bias source to at least one of the plurality of aperture plates, said bias voltage being varied as a function of time during the plasma processing of the substrate.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the substrate further comprising a semiconductor wafer on tape on a frame.

23. The method according to claim 21, wherein at least one of the plurality of aperture plates further comprising a plurality of apertures.

24. The method according to claim 21, wherein at least one of the plurality of aperture plates is actively cooled for a period of time during the plasma processing of the substrate.

25. The method according to claim 21, wherein at least one of the plurality of aperture plates is grounded for a period of time during the plasma processing of the substrate.

26. The method according to claim 21, wherein at least one of the plurality of aperture plates is positioned non-planar to at least one of the plurality of aperture plates during the plasma processing of the substrate.

27. The method according to claim 21, wherein at least one of the plurality of aperture plates is positioned non-parallel to at least one of the plurality of aperture plates during the plasma processing of the substrate.

28. The method according to claim 21, wherein the plasma processing of the substrate further comprising exposing the substrate to a plasma time division multiplex process which alternates between deposition and etching on the substrate.

29. A method for using ion filtering to adjust the number of ions delivered to a substrate, the method comprising: providing a process chamber; providing a plasma source operatively connected to the process chamber; providing a substrate support within the process chamber; providing the substrate onto the substrate support; providing a plurality of electrical bias sources; providing an aperture plate in the process chamber, said aperture plate having a plurality of aperture plate zones, wherein at least two aperture plate zones of the plurality of aperture plate zones are operatively connected to a separate bias of the plurality of electrical bias sources; generating a plasma using the plasma source; processing the substrate on the substrate support using the generated plasma; and applying a separate bias voltage from the plurality of electrical bias sources to at least two aperture plate zones of the plurality of aperture plate zones during the plasma processing of the substrate, at least one bias voltage being varied as a function of time during the plasma processing of the substrate.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein at least one of the plurality of aperture plate zones further comprising an annular geometry.

31. The method according to claim 29, wherein the substrate further comprising a semiconductor wafer on tape on a frame.

32. The method according to claim 29, wherein the aperture plate further comprising a plurality of apertures.

33. The method according to claim 29, wherein at least one aperture plate zone of the aperture plate is actively cooled for a period of time during the plasma processing of the substrate.

34. The method according to claim 29, wherein at least one aperture plate zone of the aperture plate is grounded for a period of time during the plasma processing of the substrate.

35. The method according to claim 29, wherein the plasma processing of the substrate further comprising exposing the substrate to a plasma time division multiplex process which alternates between deposition and etching on the substrate.

36. A method for using ion filtering to adjust the number of ions delivered to a substrate, the method comprising: providing a process chamber; providing a plasma source operatively connected to the process chamber; providing a substrate support within the process chamber; providing the substrate onto the substrate support; providing a plurality of electrical bias sources; providing a plurality of aperture plates in the process chamber, at least one of the plurality of aperture plates having a plurality of aperture plate zones, wherein at least two aperture plate zones of the plurality of aperture plate zones is operatively connected to a separate bias of the plurality of electrical bias sources; generating a plasma using the plasma source; processing the substrate on the substrate support using the generated plasma; and applying a separate bias voltage from the plurality of electrical bias sources to at least two aperture plate zones of the plurality of aperture plate zones during the plasma processing of the substrate, at least one bias voltage being varied as a function of time during the plasma processing of the substrate.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein at least one of the plurality of aperture plate zones further comprising an annular geometry.

38. The method according to claim 36, wherein the substrate further comprising a semiconductor wafer on tape on a frame.

39. The method according to claim 36, wherein at least one of the plurality of aperture plates further comprising a plurality of apertures.

40. The method according to claim 36, wherein at least one aperture plate zone of the plurality of aperture plate zones is actively cooled for a period of time during the plasma processing of the substrate.

41. The method according to claim 36, wherein at least one aperture plate zone of the plurality of aperture plate zones is grounded for a period of time during the plasma processing of the substrate.

42. The method according to claim 36, wherein at least one of the plurality of aperture plates is positioned non-planar to at least one of the plurality of aperture plates during the plasma processing of the substrate.

43. The method according to claim 36, wherein at least one of the plurality of aperture plates is positioned non-parallel to at least one of the plurality of aperture plates during the plasma processing of the substrate.

44. The method according to claim 36, wherein the plasma processing of the substrate further comprising exposing the substrate to a plasma time division multiplex process which alternates between deposition and etching on the substrate.

45. (canceled)

46. (canceled)

47. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a prior art ion filtering system;

[0031] FIG. 2 is a view of an aperture plate with a magnified inset of an aperture geometry according to the prior art;

[0032] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an ion filtering system according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an ion filtering system according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] FIG. 5 shows an aperture plate and a magnified view of an option for the geometry of the aperture plate configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] FIG. 6 shows an aperture plate and a magnified view of an option for the geometry of the aperture plate configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] FIG. 7 shows an aperture plate and a magnified view of an option for the geometry of the aperture plate configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] FIG. 8 shows an aperture plate and a magnified view of an option for the geometry of the aperture plate configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] FIG. 9 shows three zones of an aperture plate being biased according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] FIG. 10 shows three zones of an aperture plate being biased according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] FIG. 11 is a plot of voltage vs. time referenced to a process variable according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] FIG. 12 is a plot of voltage vs. time referenced to a process variable according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] FIG. 13 is a plot of voltage vs. time referenced to a process variable according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] FIG. 14 is a plot of voltage vs. time referenced to a process variable according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

[0044] FIG. 15 is a plot of voltage vs. time referenced to a process variable according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0046] The present invention provides several method embodiments for using ion filtering to adjust the number of ions delivered to a substrate. All of the method embodiments of the present invention have a process chamber that is operatively connected to a plasma source wherein the substrate is placed on a substrate support that is provided within the process chamber. All of the method embodiments of the present invention can have the substrate further comprise a semiconductor wafer on tape on a frame. All of the method embodiments of the present invention generate a plasma using the plasma source that is used to process the substrate in the process chamber.

[0047] In all of the method embodiments described herein, when an aperture plate is divided into two or more physically separate zones that may be separately biased, it is possible by adjusting the bias voltage to a different level in the two or more aperture plate zones to adjust the degree of ion filtering to a greater or lesser extent in the different zones thereby separately adjusting the number of ions that pass through the filter in each of the physically separate zones. Physically separate zones may be described as having a different location in an appropriate coordinate system for example the Cartesian x, y, z coordinate system or the cylindrical r, theta, z cylindrical coordinate system. The number of ions delivered to the substrate may be described as spatially adjusted when a different degree of ion filtering has been selected in different aperture plate zones. A change to the number of ions reaching the substrate as a function of time may be achieved by adjustment of the bias voltage on one or more aperture plates or zones of aperture plates as a function of time so that the number of ions passing through the aperture plate, assembly of aperture plates or aperture plate zones is varied as a function of time. This is referred to as temporal adjustment of the number ions delivered to the substrate.

[0048] In one embodiment according to the present invention, a plurality of electrical aperture plate bias sources is provided. An aperture plate having a plurality of aperture plate zones is provided in the process chamber, wherein at least two aperture plate zones of the plurality of aperture plate zones are operatively connected to a separate bias of the plurality of electrical aperture plate bias sources. The aperture plate can further comprise a plurality of apertures. At least one of the plurality of aperture plate zones can further comprise an annular geometry. The number of ions delivered to the substrate can be adjusted spatially and/or temporally for optimal performance by applying a separate bias voltage from the plurality of aperture plate bias sources to at least two aperture plate zones of the plurality of aperture plate zones during the plasma processing of the substrate. Further, the aperture plate can be actively cooled for a period of time during the plasma processing of the substrate and/or at least one aperture plate zone of the plurality of aperture plate zones can be grounded for a period of time during the plasma processing of the substrate.

[0049] In one embodiment according to the present invention, a plurality of electrical aperture plate bias sources is provided. A plurality of aperture plates is provided in the process chamber wherein at least one of the plurality of aperture plates having a plurality of aperture plate zones, wherein at least two aperture plate zones of the plurality of aperture plate zones are operatively connected to a separate bias of the plurality of electrical aperture plate bias sources. At least one of the plurality of aperture plates can further comprise a plurality of apertures. At least one of the plurality of aperture plate zones can further comprise an annular geometry. The number of ions delivered to the substrate can be adjusted spatially and/or temporally for optimal performance by applying a separate bias voltage from the plurality of electrical aperture plate bias sources to at least two aperture plate zones of the plurality of aperture plate zones during the plasma processing of the substrate. Further, at least one aperture plate zone of the plurality of aperture plate zones can be actively cooled for a period of time during the plasma processing of the substrate and/or at least one aperture plate zone of the plurality of aperture plate zones can be grounded for a period of time during the plasma processing of the substrate. Moreover, at least one of the plurality of aperture plates can be positioned non-planar to at least one of the plurality of aperture plates during the plasma processing of the substrate and/or at least one of the plurality of aperture plates can be positioned non-parallel to at least one of the plurality of aperture plates during the plasma processing of the substrate.

[0050] In one embodiment according to the present invention, an electrical aperture plate bias source is provided that is operatively connected to an aperture plate that is provided in the process chamber. The aperture plate can further comprise a plurality of apertures. The number of ions delivered to the substrate can be adjusted temporally for optimal performance by applying a time variable bias voltage from the electrical aperture plate bias source to the aperture plate during the plasma processing of the substrate. A time variable bias is a bias voltage that varies with time during the plasma processing of the substrate. The bias may vary linearly or non-linearly increasing or decreasing during the duration of the plasma processing. The polarity may remain constant or may be reversed once or more than once. It may vary in polarity according to the instantaneous voltage of an AC waveform or follow the magnitude only. It may comprise an AC waveform superimposed on a DC background. If an AC waveform, the frequency may remain constant or may vary with time. When the process conditions are changed at different stages of the process as it progresses in time, or individual parameter values change, the aperture plate bias may be adjusted in step with changes, as a more complex function of changes or out of phase with changes. The aperture plate bias may be held constant for periods of time but then varied at other times during the process. Further, the aperture plate can be actively cooled for a period of time during the plasma processing of the substrate and/or the aperture plate can be grounded for a period of time during the plasma processing of the substrate. Moreover, the plasma processing of the substrate can further comprise exposing the substrate to a plasma time division multiplex process which alternates between deposition and etching on the substrate.

[0051] In one embodiment according to the present invention, an electrical aperture plate bias source is provided. One or more of the aperture plates are operatively connected to the electrical aperture plate bias source. At least one of the plurality of aperture plates can further comprise a plurality of apertures. The number of ions delivered to the substrate can be adjusted temporally for optimal performance by applying a variable bias voltage from the electrical aperture plate bias source to at least one of the plurality of aperture plates during the plasma processing of the substrate wherein the bias voltage is varied as a function of time. Further, at least one of the plurality of aperture plates can be actively cooled for a period of time during the plasma processing of the substrate and/or at least one of the plurality of aperture plates can be grounded for a period of time during the plasma processing of the substrate. Moreover, at least one of the plurality of aperture plates can be positioned non-planar to at least one of the plurality of aperture plates during the plasma processing of the substrate and/or at least one of the plurality of aperture plates can be positioned non-parallel to at least one of the plurality of aperture plates during the plasma processing of the substrate. Also, the plasma processing of the substrate can further comprise exposing the substrate to a plasma time division multiplex process which alternates between deposition and etching on the substrate.

[0052] In one embodiment according to the present invention, a plurality of electrical aperture plate bias sources is provided. An aperture plate having a plurality of aperture plate zones is provided in the process chamber, wherein at least two aperture plate zones of the plurality of aperture plate zones are operatively connected to a separate bias of the plurality of electrical aperture plate bias sources. At least one of the plurality of aperture plate zones can further comprise an annular geometry. At least one of the plurality of aperture plates can further comprise a plurality of apertures. The number of ions delivered to the substrate can be adjusted spatially and/or temporally for optimal performance by applying a separate bias voltage from the plurality of electrical aperture plate bias sources to at least two aperture plate zones of the plurality of aperture plate zones during the plasma processing of the substrate. Further, at least one aperture plate zone of the plurality of aperture plate zones can be actively cooled for a period of time during the plasma processing of the substrate and/or at least one aperture plate zone of the plurality of aperture plate zones can be grounded for a period of time during the plasma processing of the substrate. Moreover, at least one of the plurality of aperture plates can be positioned non-planar to at least one of the plurality of aperture plates during the plasma processing of the substrate and/or at least one of the plurality of aperture plates can be positioned non-parallel to at least one of the plurality of aperture plates during the plasma processing of the substrate. Also, the plasma processing of the substrate can further comprise exposing the substrate to a plasma time division multiplex process which alternates between deposition and etching on the substrate.

[0053] In one embodiment according to the present invention, a plurality of electrical aperture plate bias sources is provided. A plurality of aperture plates having a plurality of aperture plate zones is provided in the process chamber, wherein at least two aperture plate zones of the plurality of aperture plate zones are operatively connected to a separate bias of the plurality of electrical aperture plate bias sources. At least one of the plurality of aperture plate zones can further comprise an annular geometry. At least one of the plurality of aperture plates can further comprise a plurality of apertures. The number of ions delivered to the substrate can be adjusted spatially and/or temporally for optimal performance by applying a separate bias voltage from the plurality of electrical aperture plate bias sources to at least two aperture plate zones of the plurality of aperture plate zones during the plasma processing of the substrate. Further, at least one aperture plate zone of the plurality of aperture plate zones can be actively cooled for a period of time during the plasma processing of the substrate and/or at least one aperture plate zone of the plurality of aperture plate zones can be grounded for a period of time during the plasma processing of the substrate. Moreover, at least one of the plurality of aperture plates can be positioned non-planar to at least one of the plurality of aperture plates during the plasma processing of the substrate and/or at least one of the plurality of aperture plates can be positioned non-parallel to at least one of the plurality of aperture plates during the plasma processing of the substrate. Also, the plasma processing of the substrate can further comprise exposing the substrate to a plasma time division multiplex process which alternates between deposition and etching on the substrate.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 1, the prior art teaches a process chamber 100 that is operatively connected to a plasma source 120 with a substrate support 130 that is positioned within the process chamber 100 for supporting a substrate 170. An aperture plate 190 having a plurality of apertures 195 is positioned within the process chamber 100. A substrate bias source 140 may be operatively connected to the substrate support 130. A gas supply 110 is operatively connected to the process chamber 100 and an exhaust 150 is operatively connected to the process chamber 100.

[0055] A prior art aperture plate is shown in FIG. 2 with an insert of a magnified view of the aperture geometry.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 3, in one embodiment according to the present invention, a process chamber 100 that may be operatively connected to a plasma source 120 with a substrate support 130 that may be positioned within the process chamber 100 for supporting a substrate 170. In addition, a plurality of aperture plates 190 having a plurality of apertures that are aligned with one another is shown. A substrate bias source 140 may be operatively connected to the substrate support 130. A gas supply 110 may be operatively connected to the process chamber 100 and an exhaust 150 may be operatively connected to the process chamber 100.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 4, in one embodiment according to the present invention, a process chamber 100 that may be operatively connected to a plasma source 120 with a substrate support 130 that may be positioned within the process chamber 100 for supporting a substrate 170. In addition, a plurality of aperture plates 190, 191, 192 having a plurality of apertures is shown. The aperture plates can be offset to one another. The aperture plates 190, 192 can overlap. In regions where the aperture plates 190, 191, 192 overlap, some apertures in the overlap region can overlap other apertures. Some apertures in the overlap region may not overlap another aperture. A substrate bias source 140 can be operatively connected to the substrate support 130. A gas supply 110 may be operatively connected to the process chamber 100 and an exhaust 150 may be operatively connected to the process chamber 100.

[0058] FIG. 5 shows an aperture plate 220 and a magnified view of an option for the geometry of an aperture plate zone. The aperture plate 220 having a plurality of aperture plate zones according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] FIG. 6 shows an aperture plate 221 and a magnified view of an option for the geometry of an aperture plate zone. The aperture plate 221 having a plurality of aperture plate zones according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] FIG. 7 shows an aperture plate 222 and a magnified view of an option for the geometry of an aperture plate zone. The aperture plate 222 having a plurality of aperture plate zones according to one embodiment of the present invention. In addition, FIG. 7 shows one aperture plate bias 225 being operatively connected to one of the plurality of aperture plate zones and another aperture plate bias 226 being operatively connected to another one of the plurality of aperture plate zones.

[0061] FIG. 8 shows an aperture plate 222 and a magnified view of an option for the geometry of an aperture plate zone. The aperture plate 222 having a plurality of aperture plate zones according to one embodiment of the present invention. In addition, FIG. 8 shows one aperture plate bias 225 being operatively connected to more than one of the plurality of aperture plate zones and another aperture plate bias 226 being operatively connected to another one of the plurality of aperture plate zones.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of electrical aperture plate bias sources are each operatively connected to a separate aperture plate zone. FIG. 9 shows a plurality of electrical aperture plate bias sources 206, 207, 208 operatively connected to separate aperture plate zones 202, 203, 204 of a plurality of aperture zones of the aperture plate according to one embodiment of the present invention. A representative electrical insulating component 209 is shown that may be used to support and maintain the spacing between the aperture plates while allowing a potential difference to be applied between aperture plates or zones of aperture plates.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 10, a group of aperture plates, with at least one aperture plate having a plurality of aperture plate zones 202, 203, 204. A plurality of electrical aperture plate bias sources 206, 207, 208 are each operatively connected to at least one aperture plate zone of an aperture plate that has a plurality of aperture zones according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 also shows a grounded aperture plate. Representative electrical insulating components 209, 210 are shown that may be used to support and maintain the spacing between the aperture plates while allowing a potential difference to be applied between aperture plates or zones of aperture plates.

[0064] FIGS. 11 to 15 show plots of aperture plate bias voltage vs. time referenced to changes in a process variable. Specifically, the bias applied to an aperture plate or one of a number of aperture plates or an aperture plate zone of an aperture plate may be applied in time such as to be synchronous with changes in a process parameter or shifted in time with respect to changes in a process parameter or reflecting only some changes in the process parameter. Each plot of FIGS. 11 to 15 shows an embodiment according to the present invention. A process variable can include process set points and/or systems responses. Process set points can include RF power, process pressure, gas flows, and/or gas compositions. Process set points can be recipe defined. System responses can be measurable responses from the system. System responses can include throttle valve position, matching network variable capacitor positions, RF reflected power, etc. Systems responses can also include process measurements such as plasma density, plasma intensity, plasma composition (e.g. through emission spectroscopy), and/or measurements of substrate properties (e.g. film thickness, etch depth, etc.). The process measurements can be taken in-situ during the process. An aperture plate bias voltage can be synchronous or asynchronous with a process variable. An aperture plate bias voltage can be in phase or out of phase with a process variable. While the figures show voltage curves of similar frequency to a process variable, a voltage curve can be at a different frequency than any or all process variables.

[0065] In any embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the aperture plates can be planar or non-planar. An aperture plate can be parallel to the substrate or the aperture plate can be non-parallel to the substrate. An aperture plate can be domed. An aperture plate can consist of a single material or multiple materials. An aperture plate can be partially or completely conductive; partially or completely dielectric; and/or partially or completely semiconducting.

[0066] In any embodiment of the present invention, all aperture plates can be the same size or at least one aperture plate can be a different size from the other aperture plates. All aperture plates can be the same shape or at least one plate can be a different shape from the other aperture plates. At least a portion of two aperture plates can be non-coplanar or all aperture plates can be non-coplanar. At least a portion of two aperture plates can be co-planar or all plates can be co-planar. At least a portion of two aperture plates can be parallel or at least a portion of two aperture plates can be non-parallel. No aperture plates can overlap or at least a portion of two aperture plates can overlap. At least one aperture within a plate can overlap an aperture in a second plate or more than one aperture can overlap or all apertures can overlap one another. At least one aperture within a plate cannot overlap an aperture in a second plate or more than one aperture cannot overlap or no apertures can overlap one another. At least one aperture plate can be completely overlapped by a second aperture plate or all aperture plates can overlap.

[0067] In any embodiment of the present invention, at least one aperture plate can be electrically isolated from a second plate or more than two aperture plates can be electrically isolated from each other or all aperture plates electrically isolated from each other. At least one aperture plate can be electrically connected to a second plate or more than two aperture plates can be electrically connected to each other or all aperture plates can be electrically connected to each other. At least one aperture plate can be isolated from ground or more than one aperture plate can be isolated from ground or all aperture plates can be isolated from ground. At least one aperture plate can be grounded or more than one aperture plate can be grounded or all aperture plates can be grounded. At least one aperture plate can be divided into more than one aperture plate zones or more than one aperture plate can have multiple zones or all aperture plates can have multiple zones.

[0068] In any embodiment of the present invention, the apertures in different aperture plates, within an aperture plate, between different aperture plate zones and/or within an aperture plate zone can be the same size, shape and/or aspect ratio or a variety of sizes, shapes and/or aspect ratios.

[0069] In any embodiment of the present invention, a voltage can be applied to at least one aperture plate. The voltage can be AC or DC or a combination of both. The voltages applied to different aperture plates, within an aperture plate, between different aperture plate zones and/or within an aperture plate zone can be the same or may vary with respect to amplitude, frequency and/or phase during some portion of the process. Any aperture plate, or aperture plate zone may be grounded for some portion of the process

[0070] In any embodiment of the present invention, more than one aperture can overlap the substrate. The aperture plate can be divided into more than one aperture plate zone or at least two aperture plate zones that are electrically isolated from each other or all aperture plate zones can be electrically isolated from each other. At least two aperture plate zones can be electrically connected to each other or all aperture plate zones can be electrically connected to each other. At least two aperture plate zones can be the same shape or all aperture plate zones can be the same shape. At least two aperture plate zones can be a different shape or all aperture plate zones can be a different shape. All aperture plate zones can be the same size or at least two aperture plate zones can be a different size. At least one aperture plate zone can be electrically grounded. A voltage can be applied to at least one aperture plate zone or a voltage can be applied to more than one aperture plate zone or a voltage can be applied to all aperture plate zones. The same voltage can be applied to all aperture plate zones or at least two aperture plate zones can have a different voltage or a different voltage for at least a portion of the plasma process or a different voltage for the entire plasma process.

[0071] The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims, as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0072] Now that the invention has been described,