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US6014943A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Plasma process device

Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1997-09-11
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Granted: 2000-01-18
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Expires: 2017-09-11
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Abstract

Abstract A plasma process device includes a process vessel having a plasma generating area therein, a susceptor provided in the process vessel for supporting a substrate having a process surface, and a gas inlet means for introducing a process gas into the plasma generating area. A dipole ring magnet is arranged around the outer periphery of the process vessel, for generating a magnetic field having a magnetic line of force in the plasma generating area, so that a plasma of the process gas is generated in the plasma generating area. The dipole ring magnet has a plurality of anisotropic segment magnets arranged on an oval track, which are cylindrical permanent magnets having the same shape and size and magnetized in the diameter direction.

Inventors

  • 👤 Junichi Arami
  • 👤 Hiroo Ono
  • 👤 Tomomi Kondo
  • 👤 Koji Miyata

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 04:35
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J37/00; H01J37/32; H01J37/32431; H01J37/3266; H01J37/32669; H01J37/32009; H01J37/32082; H01J37/32623

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim 162 words
A plasma process device comprising: a process vessel having a plasma generating area therein; support means provided in the process vessel, for supporting a substrate having a process surface which faces the plasma generating area; gas introducing means for introducing a process gas into the plasma generating area; plasma generation means including a dipole ring magnet arranged around the outer periphery of the process vessel for generating a magnetic field having a magnetic line of force in the proximity of the process surface, the plasma generation means generating a plasma of said process gas in the plasma generating area; said dipole ring magnet arranged along the outer periphery of the process vessel, and having a plurality of anisotropic segment magnets extending perpendicularly to the process surface and an auxiliary magnet provided on at least one end of each of the extending plural anisotropic segment magnets, said auxiliary magnet configured to correct a perpendicular component of a magnetic field of the process vessel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 162 words
A plasma process device comprising: a process vessel having a plasma generating area therein; support means provided in the process vessel, for supporting a substrate having a process surface which faces the plasma generating area; gas introducing means for introducing a process gas into the plasma generating area; plasma generation means including a dipole ring magnet arranged around the outer periphery of the process vessel for generating a magnetic field having a magnetic line of force in the proximity of the process surface, the plasma generation means generating a plasma of said process gas in the plasma generating area; said dipole ring magnet arranged along the outer periphery of the process vessel, and having a plurality of anisotropic segment magnets extending perpendicularly to the process surface and an auxiliary magnet provided on at least one end of each of the extending plural anisotropic segment magnets, said auxiliary magnet configured to correct a perpendicular component of a magnetic field of the process vessel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 28 words
The process according to claim 1, wherein said plural anisotropic segment magnets comprise cylindrical permanent magnets having the same shape and size and magnetized in the diameter direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 46 words
The process device according to claim 2, wherein each auxiliary magnet has such a cylindrical shape that its diameter is the same as that of each of said cylindrical permanent magnets and is provided on at least one end of each of the anisotropic segment magnets.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 30 words
The process device according to claim 1, wherein each of said anisotropic segment magnets has two cylindrical magnet members and a non-magnetic material interposed between said two cylindrical magnet members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 22 words
The process device according to claim 1, wherein said anisotropic segment magnets are arranged at the same intervals on a circular track.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 43 words
The process device according to claim 1, further comprising: a circular form magnetic material arranged so as to surround said dipole ring magnet; and magnetic field generation means provided on said circular form magnetic material, for preventing the leakage of the magnetic field.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 204 words
A plasma process device comprising: a process vessel having a plasma generating area therein, support means provided in the process vessel, for supporting a substrate having a process surface which faces the plasma generating area; gas introducing means for introducing a process gas into the plasma generating area; and plasma generating means including a dipole ring magnet arranged around the outer periphery of the process vessel, for generating a magnetic field having a magnetic line of force in the plasma generating area, the plasma generation means generating a plasma of said process gas in the plasma generating area, proximity of said process surface, said dipole ring magnet arranged around the outer periphery of the process vessel and having a plurality of cylindrical anisotropic segment magnets having the same magnetic force and said anisotropic segment magnets arranged in such a way that a first distance between adjacent anisotropic segment magnets positioned at a north pole and at a south pole of the resultant vector of the magnetic field formed by the anisotropic segment magnets, is different from a second distance between adjacent anisotropic segment magnets positioned at an upper end and at a lower end of the line crossed perpendicularly to the N-S pole line.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 204 words
A plasma process device comprising: a process vessel having a plasma generating area therein, support means provided in the process vessel, for supporting a substrate having a process surface which faces the plasma generating area; gas introducing means for introducing a process gas into the plasma generating area; and plasma generating means including a dipole ring magnet arranged around the outer periphery of the process vessel, for generating a magnetic field having a magnetic line of force in the plasma generating area, the plasma generation means generating a plasma of said process gas in the plasma generating area, proximity of said process surface, said dipole ring magnet arranged around the outer periphery of the process vessel and having a plurality of cylindrical anisotropic segment magnets having the same magnetic force and said anisotropic segment magnets arranged in such a way that a first distance between adjacent anisotropic segment magnets positioned at a north pole and at a south pole of the resultant vector of the magnetic field formed by the anisotropic segment magnets, is different from a second distance between adjacent anisotropic segment magnets positioned at an upper end and at a lower end of the line crossed perpendicularly to the N-S pole line.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 18 words
The plasma process device according to claim 7, wherein said first distance is shorter than the second distance.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 193 words
A plasma process device comprising: a process vessel, having a plasma generating area therein, support means provided in said process vessel for supporting a substrate having a process surface which faces the plasma generating area; gas introducing means for introducing a process gas into the plasma generating area; and plasma generation means including a dipole ring magnet arranged around the outer periphery of said process vessel, for generating a magnetic field having a magnetic line of force in the plasma generating area, the plasma generation means generating a plasma of said process gas in the plasma generating area, said dipole ring magnet having a plurality of anisotropic segment magnets arranged on an oval track, the long axis of said oval track extending in an EW-direction directing to east and west poles of the resultant vector of the magnetic field formed by the anisotropic segment magnet, and the short axis of said oval track extending in an NS-direction directing to north and south poles of the resultant vector of the magnetic field, and the center of the oval track being shifted to the side of the west pole from the center of the substrate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 193 words
A plasma process device comprising: a process vessel, having a plasma generating area therein, support means provided in said process vessel for supporting a substrate having a process surface which faces the plasma generating area; gas introducing means for introducing a process gas into the plasma generating area; and plasma generation means including a dipole ring magnet arranged around the outer periphery of said process vessel, for generating a magnetic field having a magnetic line of force in the plasma generating area, the plasma generation means generating a plasma of said process gas in the plasma generating area, said dipole ring magnet having a plurality of anisotropic segment magnets arranged on an oval track, the long axis of said oval track extending in an EW-direction directing to east and west poles of the resultant vector of the magnetic field formed by the anisotropic segment magnet, and the short axis of said oval track extending in an NS-direction directing to north and south poles of the resultant vector of the magnetic field, and the center of the oval track being shifted to the side of the west pole from the center of the substrate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 218 words
A plasma process device comprising: a process vessel having a plasma generating area therein; support means provided in the process vessel, for supporting a substrate having a process surface which faces the plasma generating area; gas introducing means for introducing a process gas into the plasma generating area; plasma generation means including a dipole ring magnet arranged around the outer periphery of the process vessel for generating a magnetic field having a magnetic line of force in the proximity of the process surface, the plasma generation means generating a plasma of said process gas in the plasma generating area; said dipole ring magnet arranged along the outer periphery of the process vessel and having a plurality of anisotropic segment magnets extending perpendicularly to the process surface and an auxiliary magnet provided on at least at one end of each of the extending plural anisotropic segment magnets, said auxiliary magnet configured to correct a perpendicular component of a magnetic field of the process vessel, wherein said plural anisotropic segment magnets comprise permanent magnets having the same shape and size and magnetized in the diameter direction and wherein each auxiliary magnet has the same cross section as that of each of the said permanent magnets, and is provided on at least one end of each of the anisotropic segment magnets.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 218 words
A plasma process device comprising: a process vessel having a plasma generating area therein; support means provided in the process vessel, for supporting a substrate having a process surface which faces the plasma generating area; gas introducing means for introducing a process gas into the plasma generating area; plasma generation means including a dipole ring magnet arranged around the outer periphery of the process vessel for generating a magnetic field having a magnetic line of force in the proximity of the process surface, the plasma generation means generating a plasma of said process gas in the plasma generating area; said dipole ring magnet arranged along the outer periphery of the process vessel and having a plurality of anisotropic segment magnets extending perpendicularly to the process surface and an auxiliary magnet provided on at least at one end of each of the extending plural anisotropic segment magnets, said auxiliary magnet configured to correct a perpendicular component of a magnetic field of the process vessel, wherein said plural anisotropic segment magnets comprise permanent magnets having the same shape and size and magnetized in the diameter direction and wherein each auxiliary magnet has the same cross section as that of each of the said permanent magnets, and is provided on at least one end of each of the anisotropic segment magnets.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 202 words
A plasma process device comprising: a process vessel having a plasma generating area therein, support means provided in the process vessel for supporting a substrate having a process surface which faces the plasma generating area; gas introducing means for introducing a process gas into the plasma generating area; and plasma generating means including a dipole ring magnet arranged around the outer periphery of the process vessel, for generating a magnetic field having a magnetic line of force in the plasma generating area, the plasma generation means generating a plasma of said process gas in the plasma generating area proximity of said process surface, said dipole ring magnet arranged around the outer periphery of the process vessel and having a plurality of anisotropic segment magnets of the same magnetic force, said anisotropic segment magnets arranged in such a way that a first distance between adjacent anisotropic segment magnets positioned at a north pole and at a south pole of the resultant vector of the magnetic field formed by the anisotropic segment magnets is different from a second distance between adjacent anisotropic segment magnets positioned at an upper end and at a lower end of the line crossed perpendicularly to the N-S pole line.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 202 words
A plasma process device comprising: a process vessel having a plasma generating area therein, support means provided in the process vessel for supporting a substrate having a process surface which faces the plasma generating area; gas introducing means for introducing a process gas into the plasma generating area; and plasma generating means including a dipole ring magnet arranged around the outer periphery of the process vessel, for generating a magnetic field having a magnetic line of force in the plasma generating area, the plasma generation means generating a plasma of said process gas in the plasma generating area proximity of said process surface, said dipole ring magnet arranged around the outer periphery of the process vessel and having a plurality of anisotropic segment magnets of the same magnetic force, said anisotropic segment magnets arranged in such a way that a first distance between adjacent anisotropic segment magnets positioned at a north pole and at a south pole of the resultant vector of the magnetic field formed by the anisotropic segment magnets is different from a second distance between adjacent anisotropic segment magnets positioned at an upper end and at a lower end of the line crossed perpendicularly to the N-S pole line.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 17 words
The plasma device according to claim 11, wherein said first distance is shorter than the second distance.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

JPH04218913A Cited
JPH0653177A Cited
US5444207A Cited
JPH07169591A Cited
JPH07197252A Cited
JPH07197255A Cited
JPH07201493A Cited
US5519373A Cited
US5717294A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2003-01-17 2003-07-19 2004-01-18 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2007-01-17 2007-07-19 2008-01-18 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2011-01-17 2011-07-19 2012-01-18 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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