Systems and methods for workpiece processing using neutral atom beams

1. A plasma processing system, comprising:

a processing chamber having a workpiece support, the workpiece support configured to support a workpiece;

a plasma source configured to induce a plasma from a process gas in a plasma chamber to generate one or more species of negative ions;

a grid structure configured to accelerate the one or more negative ions towards the workpiece, the grid structure comprising a first grid plate, a second grid plate, and one or more magnetic elements positioned between the first grid plate and second grid plate to reduce electrons accelerated through the first grid plate;

a neutralizer cell disposed downstream of the grid structure configured to detach extra electrons from ions of the one or more species of negative ions to generate one or more energetic neutral species for processing the workpiece;

wherein the neutralizer cell comprises a radiation source, the radiation source comprising one or more lasers configured to emit radiation from the radiation source in one or more bands to detach the extra electrons from the one or more species of negative ions such that a beam of neutral atoms emerges from the neutralizer cell;

wherein the plasma source is movable relative to the neutralizer cell such that the one or more neutral species process the workpiece at one or more distinct incidence angles.

2. The plasma processing system of claim 1 , wherein the plasma source comprises an inductively coupled plasma source.

3. The plasma processing system of claim 1 , wherein the process gas comprises hydrogen, chlorine, or fluorine.

4. The plasma processing system of claim 1 , wherein the first grid comprises a first plurality of apertures such that the one or more negative ions pass through the first plurality of apertures.

5. The plasma processing system of claim 4 , wherein the second grid plate comprises a second plurality of apertures that are aligned with the first plurality of apertures of the first grid plate in such that the one or more negative ions passing through the first plurality of apertures of the first grid plate pass through corresponding apertures of the second plurality of apertures.

6. The plasma processing system of claim 4 , wherein a length of the one or more magnetic elements is greater than a length of one of the first plurality of apertures.

7. The plasma processing system of claim 1 , wherein a potential difference exists between the first grid and the second grid sufficient to accelerate a plurality of beams of the negative ions.

8. The plasma processing system of claim 1 , wherein the plasma source produces a steady state source of negative ions.

9. The plasma processing system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more magnetic elements are positioned adjacent the first grid plate such that a length dimension of the one or more magnetic elements is generally perpendicular to a direction of ion extraction and is generally parallel to a plane of the grid structure.

10. The plasma processing system of claim 1 , wherein magnetic field strength at one or more pole faces of the one or more magnetic elements is of the order of about 1 kilogauss or less.

11. The plasma processing system of claim 1 , wherein material of the one or more magnetic elements comprises ferrites, ceramic magnets, or both.

12. The plasma processing system of claim 1 , wherein the neutralizer cell has a depth in the range of about 10 centimeters to 100 centimeters.

13. A plasma processing apparatus, comprising:

a processing chamber having a workpiece support, the workpiece support configured to support a workpiece;

a plasma source configured to induce a plasma from a process gas in a plasma chamber to generate one or more species of negative ions;

a grid structure configured to accelerate the one or more negative ions towards the workpiece, the grid structure comprising a first grid plate, a second grid plate, and one or more magnetic elements positioned between the first grid plate and second grid plate to reduce electrons accelerated through the first grid plate;

a neutralizer cell comprising a radiation source, the radiation source comprising one or more lasers, disposed downstream of the grid structure configured to emit radiation from the radiation source in one or more bands to detach extra electrons from ions of the one or more species of negative ions to such that a beam of neutral atoms emerges from the neutralizer cell;

wherein the plasma source is movable relative to the neutralizer cell such that the one or more neutral species process the workpiece at one or more distinct incidence angles.

14. The plasma processing apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the first grid comprises a first plurality of apertures such that the one or more negative ions pass through the first plurality of apertures.

15. The plasma processing system of claim 14 , wherein the second grid plate comprises a second plurality of apertures that are aligned with the first plurality of apertures of the first grid plate in such that the one or more negative ions passing through the first plurality of apertures of the first grid plate pass through corresponding apertures of the second plurality of apertures.

16. The plasma processing system of claim 13 , wherein a potential difference exists between the first grid and the second grid sufficient to accelerate a plurality of beams of the negative ions.

17. The plasma processing system of claim 13 , wherein the one or more magnetic elements are positioned adjacent the first grid plate such that a length dimension of the one or more magnetic elements is generally perpendicular to a direction of ion extraction and is generally parallel to a plane of the grid structure.