Microwave plasma source, microwave plasma processing apparatus and plasma processing method

1. A microwave plasma source that generates a microwave plasma in a processing space in which a target substrate is processed, comprising:

a microwave generation part configured to generate a microwave;

a waveguide through which the microwave generated by the microwave generation part propagates;

an antenna part including a slot antenna and a microwave-transmitting plate, the slot antenna having a predetermined pattern of slots formed therein and being configured to radiate the microwave propagating through the waveguide into the processing space, and the microwave-transmitting plate being made of a dielectric material and being configured to transmit the microwave radiated from the slots therethrough and supply the microwave into the processing space;

the waveguide including a coaxial waveguide, and a connector connected to the slot antenna and a cap covering a lower portion of the connector being installed under an inner conductor of the coaxial waveguide,

a temperature detector configured to detect a temperature in a microwave propagation path at a portion corresponding to the connector or the cap; and

an abnormality detector configured to receive the temperature detected by the temperature detector and detect an abnormality in the microwave propagation path based on the detected temperature, and issue a command based upon the detected temperature so as to prevent plasma ignition failure from being generated in advance.

2. The microwave plasma source of claim 1 , wherein the coaxial waveguide is configured to propagate the microwave to the slot antenna therethrough, another waveguide is configured to propagate the microwave from the microwave generation part therethrough, and a mode converter connects the coaxial waveguide and the another waveguide.

3. The microwave plasma source of claim 1 , wherein a predetermined threshold value of the detected temperature detected by the temperature detector is set in the abnormality detector,

wherein, when the detected temperature detected by the temperature detector exceeds the predetermined threshold value, the abnormality detector determines that an abnormality occurs, and issues a command to ensure safety of members in the microwave propagation path.

4. The microwave plasma source of claim 3 , wherein a first threshold value and a second threshold value higher than the first threshold value are set as the predetermined threshold value in the abnormality detector,

wherein the abnormality detector outputs a first command to issue a warning when the detected temperature obtained by the temperature detector exceeds the first threshold value, and outputs a second command to issue an alarm and stop a plasma generation when the detected temperature obtained by the temperature detector exceeds the second threshold value.

5. A microwave plasma processing apparatus comprising:

a processing container having a processing space defined therein and in which a target substrate is processed;

a microwave generation part configured to generate a microwave;

a waveguide configured to propagate the microwave generated by the microwave generation part therethrough;

an antenna part including a slot antenna and a microwave-transmitting plate, the slot antenna having a predetermined pattern of slots formed therein and being configured to radiate the microwave propagating through the waveguide into the processing space, and the microwave-transmitting plate being made of a dielectric material and being configured to transmit the microwave radiated from the slots therethrough and supply the microwave into the processing space;

the waveguide including a coaxial waveguide, and a connector connected to the slot antenna and a cap covering a lower portion of the connector being installed under an inner conductor of the coaxial waveguide,

a temperature detector configured to detect a temperature in a microwave propagation path at a portion corresponding to the connector or the cap;

an abnormality detector configured to receive the temperature detected by the temperature detector and detect an abnormality in the microwave propagation path based on the detected temperature and issue a command based upon the detected temperature so as to prevent plasma ignition failure in the microwave plasma processing apparatus from being generated in advance;

a gas supply configured to supply a plasma processing gas into the processing space; and

an exhauster configured to exhaust the processing space.

6. The microwave plasma processing apparatus of claim 5 ,

wherein the coaxial waveguide is configured to propagate the microwave to the slot antenna of the antenna part therethrough, another waveguide is configured to propagate the microwave from the microwave generation part therethrough, and a mode converter connects the coaxial waveguide and the another waveguide.

7. The microwave plasma processing apparatus of claim 5 , wherein a predetermined threshold value of the detected temperature detected by the temperature detector is set in the abnormality detector,

wherein, when the detected temperature detected by the temperature detector exceeds the predetermined threshold value, the abnormality detector determines that an abnormality occurs, and issues a command to ensure safety of members in the microwave propagation path.

8. The microwave plasma processing apparatus of claim 7 , wherein a first threshold value and a second threshold value higher than the first threshold value are set as the predetermined threshold value in the abnormality detector,

wherein the abnormality detector outputs a first command to issue a warning when the detected temperature obtained by the temperature detector exceeds the first threshold value, and outputs a second command to issue an alarm and stop a plasma generation when the detected temperature obtained by the temperature detector exceeds the second threshold value.