Experiments using a lens-shaped circular electrode are described to measure the correction of plasma nonuniformity due to the standing wave effect in a large area very high frequency plasma reactor. This work is the experimental verification of the theoretical reactor design in cylindrical geometry recently presented by L. Sansonnens and J. Schmitt, Appl. Phys. Lett. 82, 182 (2003). It is found that the lens-shaped electrode effectively compensates the standing wave effects by creating a uniform rf vertical electric field in the plasma volume. The plasma is uniform, except for edge effects, for a wide range of parameters and consequently the design is suitable for plasma processing.

1.
J.
Kuske
,
U.
Stephan
,
O.
Steinke
, and
S.
Rohlecke
,
Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc.
377
,
27
(
1995
).
2.
H.
Curtins
,
N.
Wyrsch
,
M.
Favre
, and
A. V.
Shah
,
Plasma Chem. Plasma Process.
7
,
267
(
1987
).
3.
A. A.
Howling
,
J. L.
Dorier
,
C.
Hollenstein
,
U.
Kroll
, and
F.
Finger
,
J. Vac. Sci. Technol. A
10
,
1080
(
1992
).
4.
J. P. M.
Schmitt
,
Thin Solid Films
174
,
193
(
1989
).
5.
J. P. M.
Schmitt
,
Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc.
219
,
631
(
1992
).
6.
L.
Sansonnens
,
A.
Pletzer
,
D.
Magni
,
A. A.
Howling
,
C.
Hollenstein
, and
J. P. M.
Schmitt
,
Plasma Sources Sci. Technol.
6
,
170
(
1997
).
7.
M. A.
Lieberman
,
J. P.
Booth
,
P.
Chabert
,
J. M.
Rax
, and
M. M.
Turner
,
Plasma Sources Sci. Technol.
11
,
283
(
2002
).
8.
L.
Sansonnens
and
J.
Schmitt
,
Appl. Phys. Lett.
82
,
182
(
2003
).
9.
L. Sansonnens, J. P. M. Schmitt, A. A. Howling, J. Ballutaud, H. Schmidt, and Ch. Hollenstein, in “Challenges in rf plasma deposition on square-meter substrates,” Int. Colloq. Plasma Processes, Antibes, France, (ADI ECOPRIM, France, 2003) p. 120.
10.
H.
Meiling
,
W. G. J. H. M.
van Sark
,
J.
Bezemer
, and
W. F.
van der Weg
,
J. Appl. Phys.
80
,
3546
(
1996
).
11.
C.
Hollenstein
,
A. A.
Howling
,
C.
Courteille
,
J.-L.
Dorier
,
L.
Sansonnens
,
D.
Magni
, and
H.
Müller
,
Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc.
507
,
547
(
1998
).
12.
J. P. M.
Schmitt
,
M.
Elyaakoubi
, and
L.
Sansonnens
,
Plasma Sources Sci. Technol.
11
,
A206
(
2002
).
13.
J. Ballutaud, Ch. Hollenstein, A. A. Howling, L. Sansonnens, H. Schmidt, and J. P. M. Schmitt, “Consequences of non-uniform rf plasma potential in large area capacitive reactors” in Proceedings of the 16th Int. Symp. Pl. Chem. ISPC16, June 22–27 (2003) Taormina, Italy, CD-ROM published by the Organizing Committee, edited by R. d’Agostino, Dipartimento di Chimica, Universitá degli Studi di Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy. 2003.
14.
E.
Pleuler
,
C.
Wild
,
M.
Füner
, and
P.
Koidl
,
Diamond Relat. Mater.
11
,
467
(
2002
).
15.
A. D.
Colley
,
H. J.
Baker
, and
D. R.
Hall
,
Appl. Phys. Lett.
61
,
136
(
1992
).
16.
M.
Fivaz
,
S.
Brunner
,
W.
Schwarzenbach
,
A. A.
Howling
, and
C.
Hollenstein
,
Plasma Sources Sci. Technol.
4
,
373
(
1995
).
17.
V. A.
Godyak
,
R.
Piejak
, and
B. M.
Alexandrovich
,
IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.
19
,
660
(
1991
).
18.
N.
Mutsukura
,
K.
Kobayashi
, and
Y.
Machi
,
J. Appl. Phys.
68
,
2657
(
1990
).
19.
C.
Beneking
,
J. Appl. Phys.
68
,
4461
(
1990
).
20.
A.
Perret
,
P.
Chabert
,
J.-P.
Booth
,
J.
Jolly
,
J.
Guillon
, and
P.
Auvray
,
Appl. Phys. Lett.
83
,
243
(
2003
).
21.
W.
Schwarzenbach
,
A. A.
Howling
,
M.
Fivaz
,
S.
Brunner
, and
C.
Hollenstein
,
J. Vac. Sci. Technol. A
14
,
132
(
1996
).
22.
J. R. W. S. Ramo and T. V. Duzer, Fields and Waves in Communication Electronics (Wiley, New York, 1994), Chap. 8.
This content is only available via PDF.
You do not currently have access to this content.