Abstract:
Vorrichtung und Verfahren zur Überwachung einer Entladung in einem Plasmaprozess, insbesondere zwischen Elektroden einer Kathodenzerstäubungsanordnung (13), dem von einem Leistungsgenerator mit einem sich periodisch verändernden Ausgangssignal des Leistungsgenerators Leistung zugeführt wird, mit den folgenden Schritten: a. Erfassen zumindest eines ersten Signalverlaufs (2) zumindest eines Plasmaversorgungssignals (19) innerhalb zumindest eines ersten Zeitintervalls innerhalb zumindest einer Periode des Plasmaversorgungssignals, b. Erfassen zumindest eines zweiten Signalverlaufs (6) zumindest eines Plasmaversorgungssignals (19) innerhalb zumindest eines zweiten Zeitintervalls, das an der dem ersten Zeitintervall entsprechenden Stelle in zumindest einer weiteren Periode des Plasmaversorgungssignals liegt, c. Generierung eines Erkennungssignals, wenn der zweite Signalverlauf um mindestens einen Abstand vom ersten Signalverlauf abweicht, wobei der Abstand eine Mindestzeitdifferenz (22) und eine Mindestsignalamplitudendifferenz (21) aufweist. Insbesondere Arcs können auf diese Weise sehr zuverlässig und sehr schnell erkannt werden.
Abstract:
Methods are disclosed for depositing material onto and/or etching material from a substrate in a surface processing tool having a processing chamber, a controller and one or more devices for adjusting the process parameters within the chamber. The method comprises: the controller instructing the one or more devices according to a series of control steps, each control step specifying a defined set of process parameters that the one or more devices are instructed to implement, wherein at least one of the control steps comprises the controller instructing the one or more devices to implement a defined set of constant process parameters for the duration of the step, including at least a chamber pressure and gas flow rate through the chamber, which duration is less than the corresponding gas residence time (T gr ) of the processing chamber for the step.
Abstract:
A method for automatically characterizing plasma during substrate processing is provided. The method includes collecting a set of process data, which includes at least data about current and voltage. The method also includes identifying a relevancy range for the set of process data, wherein the relevancy range includes a subset of the set of process data. The method further includes determining a set of seed values. The method yet also includes employing the relevancy range and the set of seed values to perform curve-fitting, wherein the curve-fitting enables the plasma to be automatically characterized.
Abstract:
A method for automatically characterizing plasma during substrate processing is provided. The method includes collecting a set of process data, which includes at least data about current and voltage. The method also includes identifying a relevancy range for the set of process data, wherein the relevancy range includes a subset of the set of process data. The method further includes determining a set of seed values. The method yet also includes employing the relevancy range and the set of seed values to perform curve-fitting, wherein the curve-fitting enables the plasma to be automatically characterized.
Abstract:
A heating system for a subsurface formation includes an elongated electrical conductor located in the subsurface formation. The electrical conductor extends between at least a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact. A ferromagnetic conductor at least partially surrounds and at least partially extends lengthwise around the electrical conductor. The electrical conductor, when energized with time-varying electrical current, induces sufficient electrical current flow in the ferromagnetic conductor such that the ferromagnetic conductor resistively heats to a temperature of at least about 300°C.
Abstract:
A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation includes providing heat input to a first section of the formation from one or more heat sources located in the first section. Fluids are produced from the first section through a production well located at or near the center of the first section. The heat sources are configured such that the average heat input per volume of formation in the first section increases with distance from the production well.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation described herein include providing heat to a first portion of the formation from a plurality of heaters in the first portion, producing fluids through one or more production wells in a second portion of the formation, reducing or turning off heat provided to the first portion after a selected time, providing an oxidizing fluid through one or more of the heater wells in the first portion, providing heat to the first portion and the second portion through oxidation of at least some hydrocarbons in the first portion, and producing fluids through at least one of the production wells in the second portion. At least two of the heaters may be located in heater wells in the first portion. The second portion may be substantially adjacent to the first portion. The produced fluids may include at least some oxidized hydrocarbons produced in the first portion.
Abstract:
Power supply systems for subsurface heaters are described herein. The power supply system includes a variable voltage, load tap changing transformer. Systems and methods for supplying electrical power to subsurface heaters using the variable voltage transformers are also described herein.