An electrostatic chuck is disclosed which includes a substrate, a patterned conductive layer overlying the substrate, such that the patterned conductive layer is defining electrode pathways separated by gaps. The electrostatic chuck also includes a resistive layer overlying the patterned conductive layer and a low-k dielectric layer overlying the substrate and disposed in the gaps between the electrode pathways. The low-k dielectric layer includes a material having a different phase than the material of the substrate.