Apparatus and method for shielding a dielectric member to allow for stable power transmission into a plasma processing chamber

Abstract

An assembly for allowing stable power transmission into a plasma processing chamber comprising a dielectric member; and at least one material deposition support assembly secured to the dielectric member for receiving and supporting the deposition of materials during processing of a substrate and a chamber having a controlled environment and containing a plasma of a processing gas. A plasma reactor for processing substrates having a reactor chamber including a chamber sidewall and a dielectric window supported by the chamber sidewall. A plurality of deposition support members is coupled to an inside surface of the dielectric window for receiving and supporting a deposition of materials during processing of substrates. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the plurality of deposition support members is connected to a liner assembly instead of to the dielectric window. The liner assembly is supported by the chamber sidewall. A pedestal is disposed in the reactor chamber for supporting substrates, such as semiconductor wafers, in the reacting chamber. The plasma reactor also includes a processing power source, a processing power gas-introducing assembly for introducing processing gas into the reactor chamber, and a processing power-transmitting member for transmitting power into the reactor interior to aid in sustaining a plasma from the processing gas within the reacting chamber. A method for adjusting the density of plasma contained in a chamber wherein substrates are to be processed. A method of processing (e.g. etching or depositing) a metal layer disposed on a substrate.