Method And Apparatus For Launching Microwave Energy Into A Plasma Processing Chamber

Patent · 01 May 2001

OSTI ID:879554

DOUGHTY, FRANK C

A method and apparatus for launching microwave energy to a plasma processing chamber in which the required magnetic field is generated by a permanent magnet structure and the permanent magnet material effectively comprises one or more surfaces of the waveguide structure. The waveguide structure functions as an impedance matching device and controls the field pattern of the launched microwave field to create a uniform plasma. The waveguide launcher may comprise a rectangular waveguide, a circular waveguide, or a coaxial waveguide with permanent magnet material forming the sidewalls of the guide and a magnetization pattern which produces the required microwave electron cyclotron resonance magnetic field, a uniform field absorption pattern, and a rapid decay of the fields away from the resonance zone. In addition, the incorporation of permanent magnet material as a portion of the waveguide structure places the magnetic material in close proximity to the vacuum chamber, allowing for a precisely controlled magnetic field configuration, and a reduction of the amount of permanent magnet material required.

• Research Organization: PLASMAQUEST INC
• DOE Contract Number: FG03-97ER82459
• Assignee: ASTeX-PlasmaQuest, Inc. (Wilmington, MA)
• Patent Number(s): US 6225592
• Application Number: 09/153193
• OSTI ID: 879554
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English