摘要:
A plasma reactor has an array of passages extending through its workpiece support pedestal from a bottom thereof that forms a two-dimensional array of openings in the support surface. The reactor further includes a plurality of optical fibers, each fiber extending through a respective one of the passages. Optical sensing apparatus is coupled to the output ends of the optical fibers and is responsive in the range of wavelengths. The reactor further includes a tunable element capable of changing a two-dimensional etch rate distribution across the surface of a workpiece supported on the pedestal, and a process controller connected to receive information from the optical sensing apparatus and to transmit control commands to the tunable element.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for monitoring a target layer in a plasma process having a photoresist layer is provided. The method is useful in removing noise associated with the photoresist layer, and is particularly useful when signals associated with the target layer is weak, such as when detecting an endpoint for a photomask etching process.
摘要:
A method is provided for defining a pattern on a workpiece such as a transparent substrate or mask or a workpiece that is at least transparent within a range of optical wavelengths. The method includes defining a photoresist pattern on the top surface of the mask, the pattern including a periodic structure having a periodic spacing between elements of the structure. The method further includes placing the mask on a support pedestal in a plasma reactor chamber and generating a plasma in the chamber to etch the top surface of the mask through openings in the photoresist pattern. The method also includes transmitting light through the pedestal and through the bottom surface of the mask, while viewing through the support pedestal light reflected from the periodic structure and detecting an interference pattern in the reflected light. The method further includes determining from the interference pattern a depth to which periodic structure has been etched in the top surface.
摘要:
A plasma reactor for etching a workpiece such as a rectangular or square mask, includes a vacuum chamber having a ceiling and a sidewall and a workpiece support pedestal within the chamber including a cathode having a surface for supporting a workpiece, the surface comprising plural respective zones, the respective zones of the surface being formed of respective materials of different electrical characteristics. The zones can be arranged concentrically relative to an axis of symmetry of the wafer support pedestal.
摘要:
A plasma reactor is provided for processing a workpiece such as a transparent mask or a semiconductor wafer. The reactor includes a vacuum chamber having a ceiling and a sidewall. A workpiece support pedestal within the chamber includes a metal cathode having a support surface facing the ceiling and defining a support plane for supporting a workpiece. The cathode has a hollow space formed within its interior. The reactor further includes a movable metal element within the hollow space and a mechanism for controlling a distance between the metal element and the support plane.
摘要:
A method for processing a workpiece in a plasma reactor chamber by applying RF source power to inner and outer source power applicators, and introducing a process gas into the reactor while rotating at least one of (a) the workpiece, (b) the outer source power applicator, about a radial tilt axis to a position at which the plasma distribution is nearly symmetrical, and translating the inner source power applicator relative to the outer source power applicator along the axis of symmetry to a location at which the spatial distribution is nearly uniform.
摘要:
A plasma reactor for processing a workpiece includes a process chamber comprising an enclosure including a ceiling and having a vertical axis of symmetry generally perpendicular to said ceiling, a workpiece support pedestal inside the chamber and generally facing the ceiling, process gas injection apparatus coupled to the chamber and a vacuum pump coupled to the chamber. The reactor further includes a plasma source power applicator overlying the ceiling and comprising a radially inner applicator portion and a radially outer applicator portion, and RF power apparatus coupled to said inner and outer applicator portions, and tilt apparatus capable of tilting either the workpiece support pedestal or the outer applicator portion about a radial axis perpendicular to said axis of symmetry and capable of rotating said workpiece support pedestal about said axis of symmetry. In a preferred embodiment, the reactor further includes apparatus for effecting axially symmetrical adjustments of plasma distribution, which may be either (or both) elevation apparatus for changing the location of said inner and outer portions relative to one another along said vertical axis of symmetry, or apparatus for apportioning the RF power levels applied to the inner and outer applicator portions.
摘要:
A plasma reactor is provided for processing a workpiece such as a transparent mask or a semiconductor wafer. The reactor includes a vacuum chamber having a ceiling and a sidewall. A workpiece support pedestal within the chamber includes a metal cathode having a support surface facing the ceiling and defining a support plane for supporting a workpiece. The cathode has a hollow space formed within its interior. The reactor further includes a movable metal element within the hollow space and a mechanism for controlling a distance between the metal element and the support plane.
摘要:
A plasma reactor is provided having multiple frequency control of etch parameters. The reactor includes a reactor chamber and a workpiece support within the chamber, the chamber having a ceiling facing the workpiece support, and an inductively coupled source power applicator and a capacitively coupled plasma source power applicator. An array of optical fibers extends through the support surface of the workpiece support to view the workpiece through its bottom surface. Optical sensors are coupled to the output ends of the optical fibers. The reactor further includes a controller responsive to the optical sensors for adjusting the relative amounts of power simultaneously coupled to plasma in the chamber by the inductively coupled plasma source power applicator and the capacitively coupled plasma source power applicator.
摘要:
A process chamber 35 for processing a substrate 30 and monitoring the process conducted on the substrate 30, comprises a support 45, a gas distributor, and an exhaust 85. The process chamber 35 has a wall which may comprise a window or radiation transmitting portion 130 that allows light to be transmitted therethrough. Residue deposits onto the window 130 during processing of the substrate 30 may be reduced. In one version, the window 130 comprises a transparent plate 135 covered by an overlying mask 140 that has at least one aperture 145 extending through the mask 140 so that light can be transmitted through the aperture 145 and the transparent plate 135.