Trumpf Huettinger Sp. Z O. O.

Adam Grabowski

Marcin Zelechowski

Andrzej Gieraltowski

Piotr Lach

Cezary Gapinski

Marcin Dr Zelechowski

Cezary GAPIÑSKI

Methods, apparatus and systems for detecting an arc during supplying a plasma process in a plasma chamber with a power are provided. An example plasma power supply includes: a DC source, an output signal generator, a first signal sequence measurement device for measuring a first signal sequence present between the DC source and the output signal generator, a second signal sequence measurement device for measuring a second signal sequence present at an output of the output signal generator, and a controller configured to generate a reference signal sequence based on one of the first and second signal sequences, to compare the reference signal sequence and the other of the first and second signal sequences that has not been used to determine the reference signal sequence, and to generate a detection signal if the reference signal sequence and the other of the first and second signal sequences cross.

Detecting an arc occuring during supplying power to a plasma process

Systems and methods of monitoring a discharge in a plasma process are disclosed. The methods include supplying the plasma process with a periodic power supply signal, determining a first signal waveform in a first time interval within a first period of the power supply signal, determining a second signal waveform in a second time interval within a second period of the power supply signal, the second time interval being at a position within the second period corresponding to a position of the first time interval within the first period, comparing the second signal waveform with a reference signal waveform to obtain a first comparison result, determining that the first comparison result corresponds to a given first comparison result, and in response, time-shifting one of the second signal waveform and the reference signal waveform, and comparing the time-shifted signal waveform with the non-time-shifted signal waveform to obtain a second comparison result.

Monitoring a discharge in a plasma process

Growing community of inventors

Zielonka, Poland

Adam Grabowski