IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,736,919
Granted Patent B2
US 9,736,919 · App. 13/750,058 · Granted Aug 15, 2017

RF power distribution device and RF power distribution method

Inventors: Jaehyun Kim (Daejeon, KR); Sang Won Lee (Daejeon, KR); Yong Gwan Lee (Daejeon, KR)
Assignee: PLASMART, INC.
H05H1/46H01J37/32091H01J37/32183H03H7/40H05H2001/4675H05H2001/4682
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,736,919
App. No.
13/750,058
Granted
Aug 15, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

Provided are an RF power distribution device and an RF power distribution method. The RF power distribution device includes an impedance matching network for transferring power from an RF power source and a power distribution unit for distributing the output power from the impedance matching network to at least one electrode generating capacitively-coupled plasma. The power distribution unit includes a first reactive element connected in series to a first electrode, a variable capacitor having one end connected in parallel to the first reactive element and the first electrode and the other end grounded, and a second reactive element having one end connected to a first node where the one end of the variable capacitor and one end of the first reactance device are in contact with each other and the other end connected to a second node where a second electrode and an output terminal of the impedance matching network are connected.

Claims (33)

1. A power distribution device comprising:

an impedance matching network configured to deliver power from an RF power source; and

a power distribution unit configured to distribute the output power from the impedance matching network to at least one electrode generating capacitively-coupled plasma,

wherein the power distribution unit comprises:

a first reactive element connected in series to a first electrode;

a variable capacitor having one end connected to one end of the first reactive element and the other end grounded;

a second reactive element having one end connected to a first node where the one end of the variable capacitor and one end of the first reactive element are in contact with each other and the other end connected to a second node where a second electrode and an output terminal of the impedance matching network are connected; and

an auxiliary fixed capacitor provided between the second node and the second electrode;

wherein the power distribution unit distributes power to the first electrode and the second electrode and is linearly varied depending on the capacity of the variable capacitor.

2. The power distribution device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the power distribution unit supplies power at a plurality of positions of the first electrode and the second electrode that are electrically connected to each other.

3. The power distribution device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are disposed opposite to each other,

wherein a substrate is mounted on the second electrode, and

wherein the power distribution unit distributes power to the first electrode and the second electrode.

4. The power distribution device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are disposed adjacent to each other on the same plane, and the first electrode or the second electrode is divided into sub-electrodes, and

wherein the power distribution unit distributes power to the first electrode and the second electrode.

5. The power distribution device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the first reactive element is an inductor, and the second reactive element is a fixed capacitor.

6. The power distribution device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the first reactive element is a fixed capacitor, and the second reactive element is an inductor.

7. The power distribution device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the second electrode is disposed adjacent to an inner sidewall of a vacuum container, and

wherein the power distribution unit distributes power to the first electrode and the second electrode.

8. The power distribution device as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising:

a measuring unit configured to measure at least one of power, current, and a voltage of a load of the electrode; and

a controller configured to receive an output of the measuring unit and control the power distribution unit and the RF power source to control a ratio of the power or current flowing to the electrode.

9. The power distribution device as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising:

a switch connected in series to the electrode and configured to switch the power supplied to the electrode.

10. The power distribution device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the electrode include a substrate holder on which a substrate is mounted.

11. The power distribution device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the RF power source includes a low-frequency RF power source outputting a low frequency and a high-frequency RF power source outputting a high frequency, and

wherein outputs of the low-frequency RF power source and the high-frequency RF power source are provided to the impedance matching network.

12. The power distribution device as set forth in claim 11 , wherein the power distribution unit supplies power at a plurality of positions of the first electrode and the second electrode that are electrically connected to each other.

13. The power distribution device as set forth in claim 11 , wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are disposed opposite to each other,

wherein a substrate is mounted on the second electrode, and

wherein the power distribution unit distributes power to the first electrode and the second electrode.

14. The power distribution device as set forth in claim 11 , wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are disposed adjacent to each other on the same plane, and the first electrode or the second electrode is divided into sub-electrodes, and

wherein the power distribution unit distributes power to the first electrode and the second electrode.

Assignments (2)
MERGER Recorded Jun 4, 2019
From: PLASMART INC.
To: MKS KOREA LTD.
Reel/Frame 049357/0116 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 28, 2013
From: KIM, JAEHYUN; LEE, SANG WON; LEE, YONG GWAN
To: PLASMART, INC.
Reel/Frame 029704/0015 →
Priority Claims (1)
KR 10-2010-0073805 · Jul 30, 2010 · national
Continuity (2)
Continuation PCTKR2011002951 · Apr 22, 2011
Related Publication 20130134877A1 · May 30, 2013