WO2022123814A1 - 活性ガス生成装置 - Google Patents
活性ガス生成装置 Download PDFInfo
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- WO2022123814A1 WO2022123814A1 PCT/JP2021/024082 JP2021024082W WO2022123814A1 WO 2022123814 A1 WO2022123814 A1 WO 2022123814A1 JP 2021024082 W JP2021024082 W JP 2021024082W WO 2022123814 A1 WO2022123814 A1 WO 2022123814A1
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- Prior art keywords
- electrode
- gas
- active gas
- metal electrode
- base flange
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- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 286
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 286
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 claims description 642
- 239000002994 raw material Substances 0.000 claims description 70
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims description 50
- 239000002826 coolant Substances 0.000 claims description 23
- 239000000470 constituent Substances 0.000 claims description 17
- 239000011810 insulating material Substances 0.000 claims description 13
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000011261 inert gas Substances 0.000 claims 6
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 abstract description 193
- 239000012535 impurity Substances 0.000 abstract description 13
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 abstract 1
- 239000000498 cooling water Substances 0.000 description 62
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 61
- 238000009792 diffusion process Methods 0.000 description 48
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 20
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- 238000004904 shortening Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 3
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000002159 abnormal effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium oxide Inorganic materials [O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[Al+3].[Al+3] PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 2
- PMHQVHHXPFUNSP-UHFFFAOYSA-M copper(1+);methylsulfanylmethane;bromide Chemical compound Br[Cu].CSC PMHQVHHXPFUNSP-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 2
- 230000009849 deactivation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910001873 dinitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000012212 insulator Substances 0.000 description 2
- QJGQUHMNIGDVPM-UHFFFAOYSA-N nitrogen(.) Chemical compound [N] QJGQUHMNIGDVPM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000002040 relaxant effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 125000006850 spacer group Chemical group 0.000 description 2
- 230000002238 attenuated effect Effects 0.000 description 1
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Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J37/00—Discharge tubes with provision for introducing objects or material to be exposed to the discharge, e.g. for the purpose of examination or processing thereof
- H01J37/32—Gas-filled discharge tubes
- H01J37/32009—Arrangements for generation of plasma specially adapted for examination or treatment of objects, e.g. plasma sources
- H01J37/32348—Dielectric barrier discharge
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J37/00—Discharge tubes with provision for introducing objects or material to be exposed to the discharge, e.g. for the purpose of examination or processing thereof
- H01J37/32—Gas-filled discharge tubes
- H01J37/32431—Constructional details of the reactor
- H01J37/32532—Electrodes
- H01J37/32568—Relative arrangement or disposition of electrodes; moving means
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J37/00—Discharge tubes with provision for introducing objects or material to be exposed to the discharge, e.g. for the purpose of examination or processing thereof
- H01J37/32—Gas-filled discharge tubes
- H01J37/32431—Constructional details of the reactor
- H01J37/3244—Gas supply means
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J37/00—Discharge tubes with provision for introducing objects or material to be exposed to the discharge, e.g. for the purpose of examination or processing thereof
- H01J37/32—Gas-filled discharge tubes
- H01J37/32431—Constructional details of the reactor
- H01J37/3244—Gas supply means
- H01J37/32449—Gas control, e.g. control of the gas flow
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J37/00—Discharge tubes with provision for introducing objects or material to be exposed to the discharge, e.g. for the purpose of examination or processing thereof
- H01J37/32—Gas-filled discharge tubes
- H01J37/32431—Constructional details of the reactor
- H01J37/32458—Vessel
- H01J37/32522—Temperature
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05H—PLASMA TECHNIQUE; PRODUCTION OF ACCELERATED ELECTRICALLY-CHARGED PARTICLES OR OF NEUTRONS; PRODUCTION OR ACCELERATION OF NEUTRAL MOLECULAR OR ATOMIC BEAMS
- H05H1/00—Generating plasma; Handling plasma
- H05H1/24—Generating plasma
- H05H1/2406—Generating plasma using dielectric barrier discharges, i.e. with a dielectric interposed between the electrodes
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05H—PLASMA TECHNIQUE; PRODUCTION OF ACCELERATED ELECTRICALLY-CHARGED PARTICLES OR OF NEUTRONS; PRODUCTION OR ACCELERATION OF NEUTRAL MOLECULAR OR ATOMIC BEAMS
- H05H1/00—Generating plasma; Handling plasma
- H05H1/24—Generating plasma
- H05H1/2406—Generating plasma using dielectric barrier discharges, i.e. with a dielectric interposed between the electrodes
- H05H1/2437—Multilayer systems
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J2237/00—Discharge tubes exposing object to beam, e.g. for analysis treatment, etching, imaging
- H01J2237/002—Cooling arrangements
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J2237/00—Discharge tubes exposing object to beam, e.g. for analysis treatment, etching, imaging
- H01J2237/03—Mounting, supporting, spacing or insulating electrodes
- H01J2237/038—Insulating
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to an active gas generator that generates an active gas by a parallel plate type dielectric barrier discharge and supplies the active gas to the processing space in the subsequent stage.
- Patent Document 1 In the conventional active gas generating apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a processing space such as a processing chamber in the subsequent stage of the apparatus.
- the conventional active gas generator uses a dielectric barrier discharge to generate an active gas such as a nitrogen radical from a raw material gas such as nitrogen gas, and ejects the active gas into the processing space.
- the conventional active gas generator has a structure in which gas is guided to the discharge space via the high voltage feeding section space where the metal electrode for applying the high voltage provided on the high voltage side electrode is exposed. ..
- the components of the metal electrode evaporate due to high temperature or abnormal discharge, the components may be mixed into the discharge space as they are, which may cause particles or metal contamination in the semiconductor film forming process executed in the processing space. there were.
- the conventional active gas generator may not be able to output high-quality active gas.
- an active gas generator having a structure that ejects high-quality active gas containing no impurities is provided by solving the above-mentioned problems and devising the shape and mounting structure of the electrode constituent portion and its peripheral portion. The purpose is to provide.
- the active gas generator of the present disclosure is an active gas generator that generates an active gas obtained by activating a raw material gas supplied to a discharge space, and is a first electrode constituent portion and the first electrode constituent portion.
- a second electrode constituent portion is provided below the above, and the first electrode constituent portion is formed on the upper surface of the first electrode dielectric film and the first electrode dielectric film.
- It has one metal electrode, and the second electrode component includes a second electrode dielectric film and a second metal electrode formed on the lower surface of the second electrode dielectric film.
- the second metal electrode is set to the ground potential, and the dielectric films for the first and second electrodes face each other.
- the region where the first and second metal electrodes overlap in a plan view is included as the discharge space, and the dielectric film for the second electrode has a gas ejection hole for ejecting the active gas downward.
- the path from the discharge space to the gas ejection hole is defined as an active gas flow path, and the active gas generator has conductivity, a concave cross-sectional structure, a central bottom surface region, and the central bottom surface.
- the second electrode component portion is an embodiment in which the second metal electrode contacts the central bottom surface region.
- the active gas generator is provided on the peripheral protrusion of the base flange and is located above the first electrode component without contacting the first electrode component.
- the conductive structure having conductivity is provided between the conductive structure and the first electrode component, the upper surface is in contact with the lower surface of the conductive structure, and the lower surface is the first.
- An insulating material in contact with the upper surface of the metal electrode, an electrode support member provided on the lower surface of the conductive structure so as to support the first electrode component from below, and the peripheral protrusion of the base flange.
- a metal housing provided on the portion and having a space inside the housing for accommodating the conductive structure is further provided, and the base flange has a gas supply port for receiving the raw material gas from the outside and the raw material gas.
- the active gas generator is provided with a gas separation structure for separating the gas, and the active gas generator further comprises a third metal electrode provided on the upper surface of the dielectric film for the first electrode independently of the first metal electrode.
- the third metal electrode is provided so as to overlap a part of the active gas flow path in a plan view, and is set to a ground potential.
- the active gas generator of the present disclosure can surely avoid the mixing phenomenon in which impurities generated in the space inside the housing are mixed in the discharge space.
- the active gas generator of the present disclosure can eject high-quality active gas containing no impurities without damaging the first and second electrode dielectric films.
- the active gas generator of the present disclosure can relax the electric field strength in the active gas flow path by having a third metal electrode set to the ground potential.
- the active gas generator of the present disclosure intentionally adjusts the electric field strength of the processing space provided below the gas ejection hole for the base flange without changing the structure of the gas ejection hole or the gas ejection hole for the base flange. Can be weakened.
- the active gas generator of the present disclosure since the active gas generator of the present disclosure has the above gas separation structure, it is less necessary to increase the degree of adhesion of each of the first and third metal electrodes to the upper surface of the first electrode dielectric film. .. Therefore, since bulk metal, which is relatively easy to manufacture, can be used as the first and third metal electrodes, the manufacturing process can be simplified.
- FIG. 1 It is explanatory drawing which shows the whole structure of the active gas generation apparatus which is Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. It is a top view which shows the top surface structure of the high voltage application electrode part shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross-sectional structure of the high voltage application electrode part. It is a top view which shows the lower surface structure of the ground potential electrode part shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross-sectional structure of the ground potential electrode part. It is a top view which shows the plane structure of the base flange shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the sectional structure of the base flange. It is a perspective view which shows the detail of a gas buffer and a gas diffusion path.
- FIG. It is a top view which shows the plane structure of the insulating plate shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross-sectional structure of the insulating plate. It is a top view which shows the plane structure of the electrode holding member shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross-sectional structure of the electrode holding member. It is a top view which shows the plan structure of the cooling plate shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the sectional structure of a cooling plate. It is a top view which shows the plane structure of the base flange of Embodiment 2. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross-sectional structure of the base flange of Embodiment 2. It is explanatory drawing which shows the characteristic of the formation direction of a gas diffusion path schematically.
- FIG. It is a top view which shows the upper surface structure of the high voltage application electrode part and the auxiliary metal electrode shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross-sectional structure of the high voltage application electrode part and the auxiliary metal electrode. It is a top view which shows the lower surface structure of the ground potential electrode part shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross-sectional structure of the ground potential electrode part. It is a top view which shows the plane structure of the insulating plate shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross-sectional structure of the insulating plate. It is explanatory drawing which shows the whole structure of the active gas generation apparatus which is Embodiment 4.
- FIG. 25 It is a top view which shows the upper surface structure of the high voltage application electrode part and the auxiliary metal electrode shown in FIG. 25. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross-sectional structure of the high voltage application electrode part and the auxiliary metal electrode. It is a top view which shows the lower surface structure of the ground potential electrode part shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross-sectional structure of the ground potential electrode part. It is sectional drawing which shows the whole structure of the active gas generator for the first comparison. It is sectional drawing which shows the whole structure of the active gas generator for the second comparison.
- FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of the active gas generator according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 1 shows an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system.
- the active gas generating device 100 of the first embodiment is an active gas generating device that generates an active gas 52 (nitrogen radical or the like) obtained by activating the raw material gas 5 (nitrogen gas or the like) supplied to the discharge space 6. ..
- the active gas generator 100 includes a metal housing 3, a base flange 4, a high voltage application electrode portion 1, a ground potential electrode portion 2, an insulating plate 7, an electrode holding member 8, and a cooling plate 9 as main components.
- the base flange 4 has a concave cross-sectional structure, and has a central bottom surface region 48 and a peripheral protrusion 46 provided along the outer periphery of the central bottom surface region 48 and protruding in the height direction (+ Z direction). Then, the base flange 4 is set to the ground potential.
- the metal housing 3 is a metal housing having an opening at the bottom.
- the metal housing 3 mainly has a space 33 inside the housing for accommodating the cooling plate 9.
- the metal housing 3 is fixed to the base flange 4 with the metal base flange 4 as the bottom surface. Specifically, the metal housing 3 is fixed on the peripheral protrusion 46 of the base flange 4. Therefore, the opening of the metal housing 3 is shielded by the base flange 4, and the metal housing 3 and the base flange 4 form a shielding space including the space inside the housing 33. Further, the metal housing 3 is set to the ground potential via the base flange 4.
- the cooling plate 9 is arranged as the bottom surface of the housing inner space 33 in the active gas generator 100. Specifically, the cooling plate 9 is arranged on the upper surface of the peripheral protrusion 46 of the base flange 4 in such a manner that the peripheral end portion of the cooling plate 9 comes into contact with the upper surface of the peripheral protrusion 46 of the base flange 4.
- the cooling plate 9 is a conductive structure made of metal such as a metal plate, and is arranged so as not to come into contact with the metal housing 3.
- the ground potential electrode portion 2 which is the second electrode constituent portion is arranged on the central bottom surface region 48 of the base flange 4.
- the ground potential electrode portion 2 comprises a dielectric film 21 for an electrode, which is a dielectric film for a second electrode, and a metal electrode 20 which is a second metal electrode formed on the lower surface of the dielectric film 21 for an electrode. It has as a main component. Therefore, the ground potential electrode portion 2 is placed on the central bottom surface region 48 in such a manner that the metal electrode 20 contacts the central bottom surface region 48.
- the combination of the high voltage application electrode portion 1 which is the first electrode constituent portion and the ground potential electrode portion 2 which is the second electrode constituent portion constitutes an electrode pair having a discharge space 6 inside, and the ground potential electrode portion. 2 is provided below the high voltage application electrode portion 1.
- the high voltage application electrode portion 1 includes an electrode dielectric film 11 which is a first electrode dielectric film, and a metal electrode 10 which is a first metal electrode formed on the upper surface of the electrode dielectric film 11. As the main component.
- An AC voltage is applied from the high frequency power supply 50 between the metal electrode 10 and the metal electrode 20. Specifically, an AC voltage is applied to the metal electrode 10 from the high frequency power supply 50, and the metal electrode 20 is set to the ground potential via the base flange 4.
- a discharge space 6 is provided including a region where the metal electrodes 10 and 20 overlap in a plan view in a closed space that is a dielectric space in which the electrode dielectric film 11 and the electrode dielectric film 21 face each other.
- the electrode dielectric film 21 has a gas ejection hole 23 for ejecting the active gas 52 into the lower (post-stage) processing space 63 through the gas ejection hole 43 of the base flange 4.
- a gas ejection hole 43 (gas ejection hole for the base flange) is provided at a position corresponding to the gas ejection hole 23 of the electrode dielectric film 21 without passing through the metal electrode 20. Be done.
- the cooling plate 9 is fixed on the peripheral protrusion 46 of the base flange 4.
- An insulating plate 7 is provided on the lower surface of the cooling plate 9, and the high voltage application electrode portion 1 is arranged so that the upper surface of the metal electrode 10 comes into contact with the lower surface of the insulating plate 7.
- An electrode holding member 8 serving as an electrode supporting member is provided on the lower surface of the cooling plate 9.
- the electrode pressing member 8 is provided in the outer peripheral region of the insulating plate 7 and the high voltage application electrode portion 1.
- the combined structure of the insulating plate 7 and the high voltage application electrode portion 1 may be abbreviated as “upper electrode group”.
- the electrode pressing member 8 has a pressing projecting portion 8a in which a part of the lower portion projects inward (in the forming direction of the upper electrode group).
- the pressing protrusion 8a is provided so as to project inward along the horizontal direction (XY plane) so that the upper surface contacts the lower surface of the electrode dielectric film 11.
- the upper electrode group is fixed on the lower surface of the cooling plate 9 by sandwiching the upper electrode group between the pressing protrusion 8a of the electrode pressing member 8 and the cooling plate 9.
- the electrode pressing member 8 functions as an electrode supporting member provided on the lower surface of the cooling plate 9 so as to support the high voltage application electrode portion 1 from below.
- a stainless steel bolt is used to attach the electrode holding member 8 to the cooling plate 9, but when this bolt is exposed to the gas flow 51 of the raw material gas 5 in the gas relay region R4 described later, impurities of the stainless steel component are mixed. there's a possibility that. Therefore, all the bolts are attached so as to go from the space 33 side in the housing toward the electrode holding member 8 via the cooling plate 9. The bolts are not shown. In this way, the electrode pressing member 8 is attached to the lower surface of the cooling plate 9 in such a manner that the upper electrode group is sandwiched between the pressing protrusion 8a and the cooling plate 9.
- the plate-shaped insulating plate 7 which is an insulating material is provided between the cooling plate 9 and the high voltage application electrode portion 1, the upper surface of which is in contact with the lower surface of the cooling plate 9, and the lower surface of which is the high voltage application electrode portion 1. Contact the upper surface of the metal electrode 10 of.
- the cooling plate 9 is located above the high voltage application electrode portion 1 without coming into contact with the high voltage application electrode portion 1 via the insulating plate 7.
- the high voltage application electrode portion 1 is not mounted on the ground potential electrode portion 2 via the spacer, but is attached to the upper cooling plate 9. Have.
- the positioning of the cooling plate 9 in the height direction can be determined only by the contact surface with the peripheral protrusion 46 of the base flange 4. That is, the height direction of the cooling plate 9 can be positioned only by the forming height of the upper surface of the peripheral protrusion 46 of the base flange 4.
- the active gas generator 100 can completely prevent the gas leak between the cooling plate 9 and the base flange 4 and the leakage of the cooling water by setting the forming position of the cooling plate 9 with high accuracy. It becomes.
- the base flange 4 has a gas supply port 34 on one side surface of the peripheral protrusion 46 and a gas passage path 35 inside.
- the raw material gas 5 supplied from the outside flows from the gas supply port 34 through the gas passage path 35.
- the base flange 4 has a gas relay region R4 which is a relay region of the raw material gas 5 between the gas passage path 35 and the discharge space 6 above the central bottom surface region 48 (and mainly below the electrode pressing member 8). is doing.
- the raw material gas 5 flowing through the gas passage path 35 is finally supplied to the discharge space 6 via the gas relay region R4.
- the gas buffer 41 and the gas diffusion path 42 which will be described later, exist between the gas passage path 35 and the gas relay region R4.
- the base flange 4 has a gas supply port 34 that receives the raw material gas 5 from the outside, and a gas passage path 35 for supplying the raw material gas 5 to the discharge space 6.
- the gas relay region R4 described above is completely separated from the space inside the housing 33 by the high voltage application electrode portion 1 (first electrode component portion), the insulating plate 7 (insulating material), the electrode pressing member 8, and the cooling plate 9. ..
- the contact surface between the cooling plate 9 and the base flange 4, the contact surface between the cooling plate 9 and the electrode pressing member 8, and the contact surface between the electrode pressing member 8 and the high voltage application electrode portion 1 are sealed by O-rings. (Each O-ring is not shown).
- the electrode pressing member 8, the cooling plate 9, and the high voltage application electrode portion 1 separate the gas flow between the housing space 33 and the discharge space 6.
- the raw material gas 5 flowing through the gas relay region R4 does not mix in the housing internal space 33, and conversely, impurities and the like existing in the housing internal space 33 do not mix in the discharge space 6 via the gas relay region R4. do not have.
- the base flange 4 has a cooling water supply port 44 on the other side surface facing one side surface of the peripheral protrusion 46.
- the cooling water which is a cooling medium supplied from the outside, flows inside the peripheral protrusion 46 and is supplied to the cooling plate 9 from the cooling water passage port 451.
- the cooling plate 9 has a cooling water path 90 as a cooling medium path for circulating the cooling water supplied through the cooling water passage port 451 inside. Therefore, the cooling plate 9 has a cooling function of cooling the high voltage application electrode portion 1 (electrode dielectric film 11) via the insulating plate 7 by flowing cooling water through the cooling water path 90.
- the base flange 4 passes through the cooling water supply port 44, which is a cooling medium supply port for receiving the cooling water, which is the cooling medium, and the cooling water passage port, which is the cooling medium passage port for supplying the cooling water to the cooling plate 9. It has a mouth 451 and.
- the ground potential electrode portion 2 is placed on the central bottom surface region 48 of the base flange 4.
- the cooling plate 9 is placed on the peripheral protrusion 46 of the base flange 4, and the space between the cooling plate 9 and the base flange 4 is bolted. At this time, the cooling plate 9 and the base flange 4 are sealed.
- the active gas generator 100 of the first embodiment can be assembled through the mounting procedures (1) to (7).
- the raw material gas 5 is supplied into the base flange 4 from the gas supply port 34 provided on one side surface of the peripheral protrusion 46 of the base flange 4.
- the gas flow 51 of the raw material gas 5 goes from the gas passage path 35 to the gas relay region R4 via the gas buffer 41 and the gas diffusion path 42 described later.
- the gas flow 51 goes from the gas relay region R4 to the discharge space 6 between the high voltage application electrode portion 1 and the ground potential electrode portion 2.
- the raw material gas 5 passes through the discharge space 6 to which the discharge power is applied, the raw material gas 5 is activated and the active gas 52 is obtained.
- the active gas 52 is supplied to the lower processing space 63 via the gas ejection hole 23 and the gas ejection hole 43.
- the path from the discharge space 6 to the gas ejection hole 23 is defined as an active gas flow path.
- the space inside the housing 33 can be set in a wide pressure range from the vicinity of the atmospheric pressure of about 100 kPa to a high vacuum of about 1 ⁇ 10 -1 Pa to 1 ⁇ 10 -3 Pa.
- the space inside the housing 33 is set to a high vacuum, even if a very small leak occurs between the space inside the housing 33 and the discharge space 6, all the leaks flow to the space inside the housing 33, so that the space is covered. There is an advantage that there is no effect on the processed material.
- the active gas generator 100 of the first embodiment separates the gas flow between the housing internal space 33 and the discharge space 6 by the cooling plate 9, the insulating plate 7, the electrode holding member 8, and the high voltage application electrode portion 1. It is characterized by having a gas separation structure.
- the separation of the gas flow between the housing space 33 and the discharge space 6 can be realized by providing at least a cooling plate 9, an electrode holding member 8, and a high voltage application electrode portion 1.
- the active gas generator 100 of the first embodiment has the above-mentioned gas separation structure, it is possible to reliably avoid the mixing phenomenon in which impurities generated in the housing inner space 33 are mixed in the discharge space 6.
- the active gas generator 100 of the first embodiment can eject the high-quality active gas 52 containing no impurities without damaging the electrode dielectric films 11 and 21.
- the cooling function of the cooling plate 9 having the cooling water path 90 serving as the cooling medium path can cool the high voltage application electrode portion 1 via the insulating plate 7 (insulating material). Therefore, the temperature difference between the regions in the dielectric film generated in the electrode dielectric film 11 (first electrode dielectric film) having the lower surface forming the discharge space 6 can be minimized.
- the temperature difference between the regions inside the dielectric film will be described. Thermal expansion due to the discharge phenomenon in the discharge space 6 determines the upper limit of the power density.
- the above-mentioned temperature difference in the electrode dielectric film 11 is the temperature difference between the regions in the dielectric film.
- the active gas generator 100 of the first embodiment can increase the discharge power applied to the discharge space 6 by the amount of suppressing the temperature difference between the regions in the dielectric film, so that the amount of the active gas 52 generated is increased. Can be made to.
- the insulating plate 7 between the cooling plate 9 and the metal electrode 10 it is possible to reliably avoid the short-circuit phenomenon in which the metal electrode 10 and the cooling plate 9 are electrically connected.
- a high potential is applied to the metal electrode 10 of the high voltage application electrode portion 1 from the high frequency power supply 50, and the cooling plate 9 is grounded via the base flange 4. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid a short-circuit phenomenon in which the cooling plate 9 and the metal electrode 10 come into direct contact with each other.
- the insulating plate 7 made of an insulating material reliably prevents a short-circuit phenomenon between the metal electrode 10 of the high voltage application electrode portion 1 and the cooling plate 9.
- FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the upper surface structure of the high voltage application electrode portion 1 shown in FIG. 1
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional structure of the high voltage application electrode portion 1.
- the cross section AA of FIG. 2 is shown in FIG.
- the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively.
- the electrode dielectric film 11 of the high voltage application electrode portion 1 has a circular shape in a plan view.
- the metal electrode 10 is provided on the upper surface of the dielectric film 11 for electrodes, and is formed in an annular shape having a circular opening 15 in the center.
- FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the lower surface structure of the ground potential electrode portion 2 shown in FIG. 1
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional structure of the ground potential electrode portion 2.
- the cross section of BB in FIG. 4 is shown in FIG.
- the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively.
- the electrode dielectric film 21 of the ground potential electrode portion 2 has a circular shape in a plan view.
- the metal electrode 20 is provided on the lower surface of the dielectric film 21 for electrodes, and is formed in an annular shape having a circular opening 25 in the center.
- the discharge space 6 in which the metal electrode 20 and the metal electrode 10 overlap in a plan view is substantially formed of the metal electrode 10. Specified by the area. Therefore, the discharge space 6 is formed in an annular shape around the gas ejection hole 23 in a plan view like the metal electrode 10.
- the ground potential electrode portion 2 has a gas ejection hole 23 at the center position for ejecting the active gas 52 generated in the discharge space 6 downward.
- the gas ejection hole 23 is formed so as to penetrate the dielectric film 21 for electrodes.
- the gas ejection hole 23 is provided at the center position of the opening 25 of the metal electrode 20 without overlapping with the metal electrode 20 in a plan view.
- the gas ejection hole 23 can be provided with an orifice function.
- the "orifice function” means a function of lowering the pressure in the region after passage from the pressure in the region before passage in the region before and after the passage of the gas passage portion (gas ejection hole 23). ing.
- the downstream pressure of the gas ejection hole 23 is 266 Pa (absolute pressure).
- the upstream (discharge space 6) can be set to about 30 kPa.
- the ground potential electrode portion 2 is formed with a gas ejection hole 23 having an orifice function. Therefore, a pressure difference occurs between the discharge space 6 on the downstream side and the upstream side of the active gas generator 100, and the pressure in the discharge space 6 is maintained at around 10 kPa to 30 kPa.
- FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the plan structure of the base flange 4 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional structure of the base flange 4.
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing details of the gas buffer 41 and the gas diffusion path 42, which will be described later.
- the CC cross section of FIG. 6 is shown in FIG. 7.
- the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system is shown in each of FIGS. 6 to 8.
- a ground potential is applied to the base flange 4 made of metal and having conductivity.
- the base flange 4 has a circular shape in a plan view and a concave structure in a cross-sectional view.
- the base flange 4 is provided along the outer periphery of the central bottom surface region 48 having a circular shape in a plan view, and has an annular peripheral protrusion 46 in a plan view protruding upward (+ Z direction).
- the base flange 4 has a gas ejection hole 43 (gas ejection hole for the base flange) at the center position of the central bottom surface region 48.
- the gas ejection hole 43 penetrates the base flange 4.
- the gas ejection hole 43 of the base flange 4 corresponds to the gas ejection hole 23 and is formed at a position corresponding to the gas ejection hole 23 in a plan view on the upper surface. That is, the gas ejection hole 43 is provided directly below the gas ejection hole 23.
- the gas ejection hole 43 can be provided with an orifice function.
- the "orifice function” means a function of lowering the pressure of the region after passage from the pressure of the region before passage with respect to the region before and after the passage of the gas ejection hole 43 which is the gas passage portion.
- the active gas 52 generated in the discharge space 6 has a longer life when the pressure is low, it is better to give the gas ejection hole 23 closer to the discharge space 6 an orifice function as compared with the gas ejection hole 43. desirable.
- a central bottom surface region 48 and a peripheral protrusion 46 are provided, and a plurality of gas diffusion paths 42 and a gas buffer 41 are provided in the inner peripheral region of the peripheral protrusion 46.
- the gas buffer 41 which is a gas internal flow path, is connected to the gas passage path 35, and is formed in a ring shape in a plan view surrounding the gas relay region R4. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, since the gas buffer 41 has a groove structure in which a groove is formed in a cross-sectional view, the raw material gas 5 can be temporarily accommodated.
- a plurality of gas diffusion paths 42 are discretely provided between the gas buffer 41 which is the internal gas flow path and the gas relay area R4. Therefore, the raw material gas 5 flows from the gas buffer 41 to the gas relay region R4 via the plurality of gas diffusion paths 42.
- the plurality of gas diffusion paths 42 are provided separately at equal intervals along the formation direction (circumferential direction) of the gas buffer 41.
- the gas diffusion path 42 can be provided with an orifice function.
- the "orifice function” means a function of lowering the pressure of the gas relay region R4 after passing through the region before and after passing through the gas diffusion path 42 from the pressure of the gas buffer 41 before passing through.
- each gas diffusion path 42 is set to have a width of 1 mm, a height of 0.4 mm, and a formation length (depth length) of 3.6 mm with respect to the gas traveling direction, and a total of 24 pieces each having the above structure.
- An example of use in which the gas flow rate of the raw material gas 5 is set to 1 slm with respect to the gas diffusion path 42 of the above can be considered.
- the pressure in the gas buffer 41 upstream of the pressure of 30 kPa (absolute pressure) on the downstream side of the gas diffusion path 42 can be increased by 70 Pa or more.
- the raw material gas 5 supplied into the base flange 4 needs to flow evenly from all the outer circumferences of 360 ° toward the discharge space 6. This is because when the raw material gas 5 flows into the discharge space 6 in a non-uniform state, a pressure difference proportional to the gas flow is generated in the discharge space 6, and the discharge becomes non-uniform, so that the active gas 52 is generated. This is because the efficiency is reduced.
- the raw material gas 5 supplied from the gas supply port 34 passes through the gas passage path 35. After that, the raw material gas 5 can be temporarily retained in the entire circumference of the gas buffer 41, which is a groove formed in an annular shape in a plan view so as to surround the circumference.
- the raw material gas 5 temporarily retained in the gas buffer 41 flows toward the center via the plurality of gas diffusion paths 42.
- each of the plurality of gas diffusion paths 42 has an orifice function, a pressure difference is generated between the upstream side and the downstream side of the plurality of gas diffusion paths 42, and the pressure difference causes the gas buffer 41 to cover the entire circumference. It becomes possible to supply the raw material gas 5 evenly over the entire range.
- the pressure difference between the upstream side and the downstream side is at least 70 Pa or more.
- the active gas generator 100 forms each gas diffusion path 42 with relatively small dimensions so that the pressure of the gas buffer 41, which is the internal gas flow path, is higher than the pressure of the gas relay region R4. It is a feature.
- the active gas generator 100 of the first embodiment has the above-mentioned characteristics, so that the raw material gas 5 can be evenly flowed over the entire circumference of the annular gas buffer 41.
- the active gas generator 100 of the first embodiment has the raw material gas evenly flowing in the gas buffer 41 in a state of relatively little bias via the plurality of gas diffusion paths 42 and the gas relay region R4. It can be supplied to the discharge space 6. Therefore, the active gas generation device 100 can generate the active gas 52 with a relatively high production efficiency.
- the discharge space 6 is formed in an annular shape inside the gas buffer 41 via the gas relay region R4. ..
- the gas ejection hole 23 will be provided further inside the discharge space 6.
- a plurality of gas diffusion paths 42 discretely arranged with each other are provided at equal intervals along the formation direction of the gas buffer 41. Therefore, the active gas generator 100 of the first embodiment can stably supply a predetermined amount of the raw material gas 5 to the discharge space 6 via the gas relay region R4.
- the active gas generation device 100 of the first embodiment can stably output a predetermined amount of active gas to the external processing space 63 through the gas ejection hole 23 and the gas ejection hole 43.
- FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the plan structure of the insulating plate 7 shown in FIG. 1
- FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional structure of the insulating plate 7.
- the DD cross section of FIG. 9 is shown in FIG.
- the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, respectively.
- the insulating plate 7 which is an insulating material is formed in a circular shape in a plan view, and partially has an energizing hole 71 penetrating the insulating plate 7.
- the energizing hole 71 is a passage port for an electric wire that applies an AC voltage from the high frequency power supply 50 to the metal electrode 10.
- the insulating plate 7 is made of an insulator such as alumina, shapel, or aluminum nitride.
- the insulating plate 7 has a structure in which the discharge heat generated in the high voltage application electrode portion 1 is removed to the cooling plate 9 by being in close contact with the metal electrode 10 of the high voltage application electrode portion 1.
- the insulating plate 7 has a region overlapping with the cooling water path 90 which is the cooling medium path of the cooling plate 9 in a plan view.
- the cooling plate 9 of the active gas generator 100 Since the insulating plate 7 of the active gas generator 100 has a region overlapping with the cooling water path 90 of the cooling plate 9 in a plan view, the cooling plate 9 has a high voltage which is a first electrode component via the insulating plate 7. The applied electrode portion 1 can be efficiently cooled.
- Electrode presser member 8 11 is a plan view showing the planar structure of the electrode pressing member 8 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a cross-sectional structure of the electrode pressing member 8.
- the EE cross section of FIG. 11 is shown in FIG.
- An XYZ Cartesian coordinate system is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, respectively.
- the electrode pressing member 8 which is a metal electrode supporting member is a member for pressing an upper electrode group including a high voltage application electrode portion 1 and an insulating plate 7 from below, and is viewed in a plan view. It has an annular shape.
- the electrode pressing member 8 has a pressing protrusion 8a that protrudes downward toward the inner peripheral region. That is, the pressing protrusion 8a has an annular shape in a plan view.
- the pressing protrusion 8a of the electrode pressing member 8 projects toward the inside of the electrode dielectric film 11 with a predetermined protrusion length, and the upper surface of the pressing protrusion 8a is projected. It is provided so as to come into contact with a part of the lower surface of the dielectric film 11 for electrodes. As shown in FIG. 12, the protruding direction of the pressing protrusion 8a is parallel to the horizontal plane (XY plane).
- (Cooling plate 9) 13 is a plan view showing the plan structure of the cooling plate 9 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional structure of the cooling plate 9.
- the FF cross section of FIG. 13 is shown in FIG.
- the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, respectively.
- the cooling plate 9 which is a conductive structure has a cooling water path 90 inside.
- the cooling water path 90 is a region through which the cooling water flowing in from the cooling water supply port 92 passes, and the cooling water is discharged from the cooling water discharge port 93.
- the cooling plate 9 partially has an energizing hole 91 penetrating the cooling plate 9.
- the energizing hole 91 penetrates the cooling plate 9 and serves as a passage port for an electric wire that applies an AC voltage from the high frequency power supply 50 to the metal electrode 10. Therefore, the electric wire can be connected from the high frequency power supply 50 to the metal electrode 10 via the energizing hole 91 of the cooling plate 9 and the energizing hole 71 of the insulating plate 7.
- the energizing hole 91 has a sufficiently wide opening so that the electric wire and the cooling plate 9 do not have an electrical connection relationship.
- the cooling water supply port 92 is provided at a position where the cooling water supplied from the cooling water passage port 451 can flow in. Further, the cooling water discharge port 93 is provided at a position where the cooling water discharged from the cooling water path 90 can be provided to the cooling water passage port 452 of the base flange 4.
- the cooling water passage port 451 serves as a passage port for supplying the cooling water to the cooling water path 90 of the cooling plate 9, and the cooling water passage port 452 transfers the cooling water from the cooling plate 9 to the base flange 4. It becomes a passage port for discharging to the outside through.
- the insulating plate 7 has a region overlapping with most of the cooling water path 90 of the cooling plate 9 in a plan view.
- the cooling plate 9 of the active gas generator 100 since the insulating plate 7 of the active gas generator 100 has a region overlapping with most of the cooling water passage 90 of the cooling plate 9 in a plan view, the cooling plate 9 is the cooling water flowing through the cooling water passage 90. Therefore, it is possible to exert a cooling function of efficiently cooling the high voltage application electrode portion 1 via the insulating plate 7.
- FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall structure of the active gas generator 100X, which is the first comparison device
- FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall structure of the active gas generator 100Y, which is the second comparison device.
- the XYZ coordinate system is shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, respectively.
- the ground potential electrode portion 102 (metal electrode 120 + electrode dielectric film 121) is arranged on the central bottom surface region of the base flange 104, and the base is arranged.
- a high voltage application electrode portion 101 (metal electrode 110 + electrode dielectric film 111) is arranged on the peripheral protrusion of the flange 104. At this time, the contact surface between the high voltage application electrode portion 101 and the base flange 104 is sealed.
- the raw material gas 105 is supplied toward the discharge space 6 from the gas supply port 140 provided on the side surface of the peripheral protrusion of the base flange 104.
- the raw material gas 105 supplied from the gas supply port 140 is supplied to the discharge space 106. Then, it is output as the active gas 152 through the gas ejection holes 123 of the dielectric film 121 for electrodes and the gas ejection holes 143 of the base flange 104.
- the electrode dielectric film 111 of the high voltage application electrode portion 101 causes the gas flow 151 of the raw material gas 105 between the housing space 133 and the discharge space 106 in the metal housing 103. It is separated.
- the active gas generator 100X does not have a cooling means corresponding to the cooling plate 9, the discharge power density in the discharge space 6 cannot be increased above a certain level. Therefore, there is a problem that the amount of the active gas 152 produced cannot be increased.
- the ground potential electrode portion 202 (metal electrode 220 + electrode dielectric film 221) is arranged on the central bottom surface region of the base flange 204. ..
- a high voltage application electrode portion 201 (metal electrode 210 + electrode dielectric film 211) is arranged on the intermediate protruding region of the base flange 204. At this time, the contact surface between the high voltage application electrode portion 201 and the base flange 204 is sealed. Further, the insulating plate 207 is arranged on the high voltage application electrode portion 201.
- a cooling plate 209 is provided on the protruding region at the end of the base flange 204.
- the base flange 204 is formed in a stepped shape from the center to the peripheral portion in a cross-sectional view.
- the raw material gas 205 is supplied from the gas supply port 240 provided on one side surface of the base flange 204, and the cooling water is supplied to the cooling plate 209 from the cooling water supply port 244 provided on the other side surface of the base flange 204. There is.
- the raw material gas 205 supplied from the gas supply port 240 is supplied to the discharge space 206. Then, it is output as an active gas 252 through the gas ejection hole 223 of the dielectric film 221 for the electrode and the gas ejection hole 243 of the base flange 204.
- the cooling plate 209 can be attached to the base flange 204 of the high voltage application electrode portion 201 and the insulating plate 207. It is a structure that is carried out by sandwiching.
- the cooling plate 209 is positioned in the height direction according to the formation height (first dimension) of the end protruding region of the base flange 204, and the high voltage application electrode portion 201 and the insulating plate 207 are overlapped with each other. It is necessary to match the combined film thickness (second dimension) of the combined members.
- the first dimension is the step D1 and the second dimension is the thickness D2.
- a gas leak occurs when the thickness D2 is smaller than the step D1.
- the cooling plate 9 is bolted to the base flange 4, the high voltage application electrode portion 201 is pressed against the base flange 204 via the insulating plate 207. As a result, the O-ring (not shown) between the high voltage application electrode portion 201 and the base flange 204 is crushed and sealed.
- the high voltage application electrode portion 201 is not directly attached to the base flange 204. This is because when the high voltage application electrode portion 201 is directly attached to the base flange 204 with a dedicated tightening bolt, the outer diameters of the high voltage application electrode 201 and the base flange 204 are further increased in order to secure a space for arranging the tightening bolts. This is because it is not practical.
- the thickness D2 is smaller than the step D1
- the high voltage application electrode portion 1 is not sufficiently pressed against the base flange 4, and as a result, the O-ring between them is not sufficiently crushed. Further, there is a high possibility that a gap is formed between the insulating plate 207 and the cooling plate 209.
- the first and second comparative structures in which at least one of the insulating plate 7, the electrode pressing member 8 and the cooling plate 9 of the first embodiment does not exist, a problem arises, and the first embodiment 1 It is not possible to exert the same effect as the active gas generator 100 of the above.
- FIG. 15 is a plan view showing the plan structure of the base flange 4B of the second embodiment
- FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional structure of the base flange 4B.
- FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the characteristics of the diffusion path forming direction of the gas diffusion path 42B.
- the GG cross section of FIG. 15 is shown in FIG.
- An XYZ Cartesian coordinate system is shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, respectively.
- the active gas generator 100B of the second embodiment has the same structure as the active gas generator 100 of the first embodiment except that the base flange 4 is replaced with the base flange 4B.
- the base flange 4B will be mainly described.
- the base flange 4B has a circular shape in a plan view like the base flange 4, and the base flange 4B has a gas ejection hole 43 (gas ejection hole for the base flange) in the center. ing.
- the gas ejection hole 43 penetrates the base flange 4B.
- a ground potential is applied to the base flange 4B made of metal and having conductivity.
- the gas buffer 41 which is a gas internal flow path, is connected to the gas passage path 35, and is formed in a ring shape in a plan view surrounding the gas relay region R4. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, since the gas buffer 41 has a groove structure in which a groove is formed in a cross-sectional view, the raw material gas 5 can be temporarily accommodated.
- a plurality of gas diffusion paths 42B are discretely provided between the gas buffer 41 which is the internal gas flow path and the gas relay area R4. Therefore, the raw material gas 5 flows from the gas buffer 41 to the gas relay region R4 via the plurality of gas diffusion paths 42B.
- the plurality of gas diffusion paths 42B are provided at equal intervals along the formation direction (circumferential direction) of the gas buffer 41.
- the gas diffusion path 42B can have an orifice function as in the gas diffusion path 42.
- the raw material gas 5 entering from the gas supply port 34 passes through the gas passage path 35. After that, the raw material gas 5 is supplied to the entire circumference of the gas buffer 41, which is a groove formed in an annular shape in a plan view so as to surround the circumference.
- the raw material gas 5 temporarily retained in the gas buffer 41 flows to the gas relay region R4 via the plurality of gas diffusion paths 42B.
- a pressure difference is generated between the upstream side and the downstream side of the gas diffusion path 42B, and the pressure difference causes the gas buffer 41 to cover the entire circumference. It is possible to supply gas evenly over the entire period.
- the pressure difference between the upstream side and the downstream side is at least 70 Pa or more.
- the center position of the annular gas buffer 41 is set as the virtual center point PC.
- the virtual center point PC also serves as the center point of the gas ejection hole 43.
- the line from the connection position P41 of each gas diffusion path 42B with the gas buffer 41 toward the virtual center point PC is referred to as a virtual center line LC.
- the diffusion path forming direction D42 of each of the plurality of gas diffusion paths 42B is characterized in that the path angle ⁇ 42 with respect to the virtual center line LC is set in the range of 30 ° to 60 °. It is desirable that the path angle ⁇ 42 is set to the same angle among the plurality of gas diffusion paths 42B.
- the active gas generator 100B of the second embodiment has the above-mentioned characteristics, the raw material gas 5 supplied to the gas relay region R4 from each of the plurality of gas diffusion paths 42B becomes spiral and biased in the gas relay region R4. The raw material gas 5 can be evenly supplied to the discharge space 6 without being generated.
- the active gas generator 100B of the second embodiment can generate the active gas 52 with higher production efficiency.
- the gas diffusion path 42 is provided with the direction toward the virtual center point PC as the diffusion path formation direction as in the gas diffusion path 42 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6, that is, the diffusion path is formed with respect to the virtual center line LC.
- the path angle in the direction is 0 °, when the raw material gas 5 is supplied from the gas diffusion path 42 to the gas relay region R4, the gas flow of the raw material gas 5 becomes uneven.
- the path angle ⁇ 42 is set in the range of 45 ° ⁇ 15 ° with respect to the gas diffusion path 42B and the virtual center line LC shown in FIGS. 15 and 17, the flow of the raw material gas 5 becomes a vortex state and the discharge space. Since the flow to 6 is more even, the flow of the raw material gas 5 does not become uneven.
- the cooling plate 9, the electrode holding member 8 and the high voltage application electrode portion 1 are provided between the housing space 33 and the discharge space 6. It has a gas separation structure that separates the flow of gas in.
- the active gas generator 100B of the second embodiment has the above gas separation structure, it is possible to eject a high-quality active gas 52 containing no impurities as in the first embodiment.
- the active gas generation device 100B includes the insulating plate 7 and the cooling plate 9 as in the first embodiment, the amount of the active gas 52 generated can be increased.
- the base flange 4B of the active gas generator 100B includes a gas buffer 41 having the same characteristics as that of the first embodiment.
- the active gas generation device 100B can supply the vortex-shaped, unbiased raw material gas 5 to the discharge space 6 via the plurality of gas diffusion paths 42B and the gas relay region R4, so that the generation efficiency is high.
- the active gas 52 can be generated.
- the gas ejection holes 23 and the gas ejection holes 43 are provided as in the first embodiment.
- a predetermined amount of active gas can be stably output to the outside through the gas.
- the active gas generator 100C of the third embodiment described below is intended to solve the first problem in the first embodiment described above.
- FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of the active gas generator according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 18 shows the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system.
- the active gas generating device 100C of the third embodiment is an active gas generating device that generates an active gas 52 obtained by activating the raw material gas 5 supplied to the discharge space 6C.
- the active gas generator 100C mainly includes a metal housing 3, a base flange 4, a high voltage application electrode portion 1C, a ground potential electrode portion 2C, an insulating plate 7C, an electrode holding member 8, a cooling plate 9, and an auxiliary metal electrode 12. Included as a part.
- the base flange 4 has a concave cross-sectional structure, and has a central bottom surface region 48 and a peripheral protrusion 46 provided along the outer periphery of the central bottom surface region 48 and protruding in the height direction (+ Z direction). Then, the base flange 4 is set to the ground potential.
- the metal housing 3 is a metal housing having an opening at the bottom.
- the metal housing 3 mainly has a space 33 inside the housing for accommodating the cooling plate 9.
- the metal housing 3 is fixed to the base flange 4 with the metal base flange 4 as the bottom surface. Specifically, the metal housing 3 is fixed on the peripheral protrusion 46 of the base flange 4. Therefore, the opening of the metal housing 3 is shielded by the base flange 4, and the metal housing 3 and the base flange 4 form a shielding space including the space inside the housing 33. Further, the metal housing 3 is set to the ground potential via the base flange 4.
- the cooling plate 9 is arranged as the bottom surface of the housing inner space 33 in the active gas generator 100C. Specifically, the cooling plate 9 is arranged on the upper surface of the peripheral protrusion 46 of the base flange 4 in such a manner that the peripheral end portion of the cooling plate 9 comes into contact with the upper surface of the peripheral protrusion 46 of the base flange 4. At this time, the cooling plate 9 is arranged so as not to come into contact with the metal housing 3.
- the cooling plate 9 is a conductive structure made of metal and having conductivity.
- the ground potential electrode portion 2C which is the second electrode component, is arranged on the central bottom surface region 48 of the base flange 4.
- the ground potential electrode portion 2C comprises a dielectric film 21 for an electrode, which is a dielectric film for a second electrode, and a metal electrode 20C, which is a second metal electrode formed on the lower surface of the dielectric film 21 for an electrode. It has as a main component. Therefore, the ground potential electrode portion 2C is placed on the central bottom surface region 48 in such a manner that the metal electrode 20C contacts the central bottom surface region 48.
- the combination of the high voltage application electrode portion 1C, which is the first electrode constituent portion, and the ground potential electrode portion 2C, which is the second electrode constituent portion, constitutes an electrode pair having a discharge space 6C inside, and the ground potential electrode portion. 2C is provided below the high voltage application electrode portion 1C.
- the high voltage application electrode portion 1C includes a dielectric film 11 for an electrode, which is a dielectric film for a first electrode, and a metal electrode 10C, which is a first metal electrode formed on the upper surface of the dielectric film 11 for an electrode. As the main component.
- An AC voltage is applied from the high frequency power supply 50 between the metal electrode 10C and the metal electrode 20C. Specifically, an AC voltage is applied to the metal electrode 10C from the high frequency power supply 50, and the metal electrode 20C is set to the ground potential via the base flange 4.
- a discharge space 6C is provided including a region where the metal electrodes 10C and 20C overlap in a plan view in a closed space that is a dielectric space in which the electrode dielectric film 11 and the electrode dielectric film 21 face each other.
- the electrode dielectric film 21 has a gas ejection hole 23 for ejecting the active gas 52 into the lower (post-stage) processing space 63 through the gas ejection hole 43 of the base flange 4. Therefore, the path from the discharge space 6C to the gas ejection hole 23 is defined as the active gas flow path.
- an auxiliary metal electrode 12 serving as a third metal electrode is provided on the upper surface of the electrode dielectric film 11.
- the auxiliary metal electrode 12 is provided independently of the metal electrode 10C. Therefore, the auxiliary metal electrode 12 does not have an electrical connection relationship with the metal electrode 10.
- the auxiliary metal electrode 12 is provided so as to overlap a part of the above-mentioned active gas flow path in a plan view. Further, the auxiliary metal electrode 12 is set to the ground potential as described in detail later.
- a gas ejection hole 43 (gas ejection hole for the base flange) is provided at a position corresponding to the gas ejection hole 23 of the electrode dielectric film 21 without passing through the metal electrode 20C. Be done.
- the cooling plate 9 is fixed on the peripheral protrusion 46 of the base flange 4.
- An insulating plate 7C is provided on the lower surface of the cooling plate 9, and the high voltage application electrode portion 1C is arranged so that the upper surface of the metal electrode 10C is in contact with the lower surface of the insulating plate 7C.
- An electrode holding member 8 serving as an electrode supporting member is provided on the lower surface of the cooling plate 9.
- the electrode pressing member 8 is provided in the outer peripheral region of the insulating plate 7C and the high voltage application electrode portion 1C.
- the combined structure of the insulating plate 7C, the high voltage application electrode portion 1C, and the auxiliary metal electrode 12 may be abbreviated as "upper electrode group”.
- the electrode pressing member 8 has a pressing projecting portion 8a in which a part of the lower portion projects inward (in the forming direction of the upper electrode group).
- the pressing protrusion 8a is provided so as to project inward along the horizontal direction (XY plane) so that the upper surface contacts the lower surface of the electrode dielectric film 11.
- the upper electrode group is fixed on the lower surface of the cooling plate 9 by sandwiching the upper electrode group between the pressing protrusion 8a of the electrode pressing member 8 and the cooling plate 9.
- the electrode pressing member 8 functions as an electrode supporting member provided on the lower surface of the cooling plate 9 so as to support the high voltage application electrode portion 1C from below.
- the electrode pressing member 8 is attached to the lower surface of the cooling plate 9 in such a manner that the upper electrode group is sandwiched between the pressing protrusion 8a and the cooling plate 9.
- stainless steel bolts are used to attach the electrode pressing member 8 to the cooling plate 9.
- the plate-shaped insulating plate 7C which is an insulating material, is provided between the cooling plate 9, the high voltage application electrode portion 1C, and the auxiliary metal electrode 12, and the upper surface is in contact with the lower surface of the cooling plate 9 and the lower surface is. It comes into contact with the metal electrode 10C of the high voltage application electrode portion 1C.
- the cooling plate 9 is located above the high voltage application electrode portion 1C without coming into contact with the high voltage application electrode portion 1C through the insulating plate 7C.
- the high voltage application electrode portion 1C is not mounted on the ground potential electrode portion 2C via a spacer, but is mounted on the upper cooling plate 9. Have.
- the positioning of the cooling plate 9 in the height direction can be determined only by the contact surface with the peripheral protrusion 46 of the base flange 4. That is, the height direction of the cooling plate 9 can be positioned only by the forming height of the upper surface of the peripheral protrusion 46 of the base flange 4.
- the active gas generator 100C can completely prevent the gas leak between the cooling plate 9 and the base flange 4 and the leakage of the cooling water by setting the forming position of the cooling plate 9 with high accuracy. It becomes.
- the insulating plate 7C further has a through hole 72 for electrically connecting the cooling plate 9 and the auxiliary metal electrode 12.
- the through hole 72 is provided in a region overlapping the auxiliary metal electrode 12 in a plan view. Therefore, the auxiliary metal electrode 12 can be electrically connected to the cooling plate 9 via the through hole 72 relatively easily.
- an electrical connection member for electrically connecting the insulating plate 7 and the auxiliary metal electrode 12 in the through hole 72.
- a conductive spring (not shown) such as a metal spring is arranged in the through hole 72, the upper end of the spring is brought into contact with the lower surface of the cooling plate 9, and the lower end of the spring is the auxiliary metal electrode 12. Make contact with the top surface.
- the cooling plate 9 and the auxiliary metal electrode 12 can be electrically connected by the spring which is an electrical connection member.
- an electrically connecting member such as a spring having conductivity in the through hole 72 of the insulating plate 7C, the cooling plate 9 and the auxiliary metal electrode 12 can be electrically connected.
- the base flange 4 has a gas supply port 34 on one side surface of the peripheral protrusion 46 and a gas passage path 35 inside.
- the raw material gas 5 supplied from the outside flows from the gas supply port 34 through the gas passage path 35.
- the base flange 4 has a gas relay region R4 which is a relay region of the raw material gas 5 between the gas passage path 35 and the discharge space 6C above the central bottom surface region 48 (and mainly below the electrode pressing member 8). is doing.
- the raw material gas 5 flowing through the gas passage path 35 is finally supplied to the discharge space 6C via the gas relay region R4.
- the gas buffer 41 and the gas diffusion path 42 exist between the gas passage path 35 and the gas relay region R4.
- the base flange 4 has a gas supply port 34 that receives the raw material gas 5 from the outside, and a gas passage path 35 for supplying the raw material gas 5 to the discharge space 6C.
- the gas relay region R4 described above is completely separated from the space inside the housing 33 by the high voltage application electrode portion 1C (first electrode component portion), the insulating plate 7C (insulating material), the electrode pressing member 8, and the cooling plate 9. ..
- the contact surface between the cooling plate 9 and the base flange 4, the contact surface between the cooling plate 9 and the electrode pressing member 8, and the contact surface between the electrode pressing member 8 and the high voltage application electrode portion 1C are each sealed by an O-ring. (Each O-ring is not shown).
- the electrode pressing member 8, the cooling plate 9, and the high voltage application electrode portion 1C separate the gas flow between the housing space 33 and the discharge space 6C.
- the raw material gas 5 flowing through the gas relay region R4 does not mix in the housing internal space 33, and conversely, impurities and the like existing in the housing internal space 33 do not mix in the discharge space 6C via the gas relay region R4. do not have.
- the base flange 4 has a cooling water supply port 44 on the other side surface facing one side surface of the peripheral protrusion 46.
- the cooling water which is a cooling medium supplied from the outside, flows inside the peripheral protrusion 46 and is supplied to the cooling plate 9 from the cooling water passage port 451.
- the cooling plate 9 has a cooling water path 90 as a cooling medium path for circulating the cooling water supplied through the cooling water passage port 451 inside. Therefore, the cooling plate 9 has a cooling function of cooling the high voltage application electrode portion 1C (electrode dielectric film 11) via the insulating plate 7C by flowing cooling water through the cooling water path 90.
- the base flange 4 passes through the cooling water supply port 44, which is a cooling medium supply port for receiving the cooling water, which is the cooling medium, and the cooling water passage port, which is the cooling medium passage port for supplying the cooling water to the cooling plate 9. It has a mouth 451 and.
- the electrode pressing member 8 is placed on the lower surface of the cooling plate 9, and the space between the cooling plate 9 and the electrode pressing member 8 is bolted. As a result, the upper electrode group is mounted on the lower surface of the cooling plate 9. At this time, the cooling plate 9, the electrode pressing member 8, the high voltage application electrode portion 1C, and the electrode pressing member 8 are sealed. (7) The ground potential electrode portion 2C is placed on the central bottom surface region 48 of the base flange 4. (8) Return the cooling plate 9 to which the upper electrode group is attached to the original vertical relationship. (9) The cooling plate 9 is placed on the peripheral protrusion 46 of the base flange 4, and the space between the cooling plate 9 and the base flange 4 is bolted. At this time, the cooling plate 9 and the base flange 4 are sealed.
- the active gas generator 100C according to the third embodiment can be assembled through the mounting procedures (1) to (9).
- the through hole 72 of the insulating plate 7C has a shape wider than the diameter of the spring for electrically connecting the auxiliary metal electrode 12 and the cooling plate 9 so that the procedure (3) can be performed.
- the raw material gas 5 is supplied into the base flange 4 from the gas supply port 34 provided on one side surface of the peripheral protrusion 46 of the base flange 4.
- the gas flow 51 of the raw material gas 5 goes from the gas passage path 35 to the gas relay region R4 via the gas buffer 41 and the gas diffusion path 42 described later.
- the gas flow 51 goes from the gas relay region R4 to the discharge space 6C between the high voltage application electrode portion 1C and the ground potential electrode portion 2C.
- the raw material gas 5 passes through the discharge space 6C to which the discharge power is applied, the raw material gas 5 is activated and the active gas 52 is obtained.
- the active gas 52 is supplied to the lower processing space 63 via the gas ejection hole 23 and the gas ejection hole 43.
- the space inside the housing 33 can be set in a wide pressure range from the vicinity of the atmospheric pressure of about 100 kPa to a high vacuum of about 1 ⁇ 10 -1 Pa to 1 ⁇ 10 -3 Pa.
- the space inside the housing 33 is set to a high vacuum, even if a very small leak occurs between the space inside the housing 33 and the discharge space 6C, all the leaks flow to the space inside the housing 33, so that the space is covered. There is an advantage that there is no effect on the processed material.
- the active gas generator 100C of the third embodiment separates the gas flow between the housing internal space 33 and the discharge space 6C by the cooling plate 9, the insulating plate 7C, the electrode pressing member 8 and the high voltage application electrode portion 1C. It is characterized by having a gas separation structure.
- the separation of the gas flow between the housing space 33 and the discharge space 6C can be realized by providing at least the cooling plate 9, the electrode holding member 8, and the high voltage application electrode portion 1C.
- the active gas generator 100C of the third embodiment has a gas separation structure, so that impurities generated in the inner space 33 of the housing are surely avoided from being mixed in the discharge space 6C. Can be done.
- the active gas generator 100C of the third embodiment can eject the high-quality active gas 52 containing no impurities without damaging the dielectric films 11 and 21 for the electrodes, as in the first embodiment. can.
- the cooling plate 9 which is a conductive structure has a cooling water path 90 which is a cooling medium path, and has a cooling function. Due to the cooling function of the cooling plate 9, the high voltage application electrode portion 1C can be cooled via the insulating plate 7C (insulating material). Therefore, the temperature difference between the regions in the dielectric film generated in the electrode dielectric film 11 (first electrode dielectric film) having the lower surface forming the discharge space 6C can be minimized.
- the discharge power applied to the discharge space 6C can be increased by the amount of suppressing the temperature difference between the regions in the dielectric film, so that the amount of the active gas 52 generated is increased. Can be made to.
- the short-circuit phenomenon in which the metal electrode 10C and the cooling plate 9 are electrically connected is reliably avoided as in the first embodiment. be able to.
- FIG. 19 is a plan view showing the top surface structure of the high voltage application electrode portion 1C and the auxiliary metal electrode 12 shown in FIG. 18, and FIG. 20 shows the cross-sectional structure of the high voltage application electrode portion 1C and the auxiliary metal electrode 12. It is a sectional view.
- the HH cross section of FIG. 19 is shown in FIG. 20.
- the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system is shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, respectively.
- the electrode dielectric film 11 of the high voltage application electrode portion 1C has a circular shape in a plan view.
- the metal electrode 10C is provided on the upper surface of the dielectric film 11 for an electrode, and is formed in an annular shape having a circular opening 15C in the center. Since the opening 15C of the metal electrode 10C has a shorter diameter than the opening 15 of the metal electrode 10 of the first embodiment, the formation region of the metal electrode 10C is wider than that of the metal electrode 10 of the first embodiment. ing.
- the auxiliary metal electrode 12 is provided at the center position on the upper surface of the electrode dielectric film 11 and is formed in a small circular shape. At this time, since the opening 15C exists between the auxiliary metal electrode 12 and the metal electrode 10C, the auxiliary metal electrode 12 and the metal electrode 10C maintain an electrically independent relationship.
- FIG. 21 is a plan view showing the lower surface structure of the ground potential electrode portion 2C shown in FIG. 18, and FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional structure of the ground potential electrode portion 2C.
- the I-I cross section of FIG. 21 is shown in FIG. 22.
- An XYZ Cartesian coordinate system is shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, respectively.
- the electrode dielectric film 21 of the ground potential electrode portion 2C has a circular shape in a plan view.
- the metal electrode 20C is provided on the lower surface of the dielectric film 21 for an electrode, and is formed in an annular shape having a circular opening 25C in the center. Since the opening 25C of the metal electrode 20C has a shorter diameter than the opening 25 of the metal electrode 20 of the first embodiment, the formation region of the metal electrode 20C is wider than that of the metal electrode 20 of the first embodiment. ing.
- the metal electrode 20C is formed so as to include all the metal electrodes 10C in a plan view
- the discharge space 6C in which the metal electrode 20C and the metal electrode 10C overlap in a plan view is substantially formed of the metal electrode 10C. Specified by the area.
- the discharge space 6C is formed in an annular shape around the gas ejection hole 23 in a plan view like the metal electrode 10C. Since the discharge space 6C is formed so as to extend to a position closer to the gas ejection hole 23 as compared with the discharge space 6 of the first embodiment, it has a larger space volume than the discharge space 6.
- the ground potential electrode portion 2C has a gas ejection hole 23 at the center position for ejecting the active gas 52 generated in the discharge space 6C downward.
- the gas ejection hole 23 is formed so as to penetrate the dielectric film 21 for electrodes.
- the gas ejection hole 23 is provided at the center position of the opening 25C of the metal electrode 20C without overlapping with the metal electrode 20C in a plan view.
- the auxiliary metal electrode 12, which is the third metal electrode, is provided in the region of the opening 15C, which overlaps with the gas ejection hole 23 in a plan view.
- the metal electrode 10C has a shorter distance from the gas ejection hole 23 in a plan view as compared with the metal electrode 10 of the first embodiment.
- the metal electrode 20C has a shorter distance from the gas ejection hole 23 than the metal electrode 20 of the first embodiment.
- the discharge space 6C is formed so as to extend from the discharge space 6 to the vicinity of the gas ejection hole 23, so that the active gas flows from the discharge space 6C to the gas ejection hole 23.
- the active gas flow distance which is the distance of the route, is shortened.
- the gas ejection hole 23 can be provided with an orifice function as in the first embodiment.
- Base flange 4 The structure of the base flange 4 is the same as that of the base flange 4 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 to 8.
- FIG. 23 is a plan view showing the plan structure of the insulating plate 7C shown in FIG. 18, and FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional structure of the insulating plate 7C.
- the JJ cross section of FIG. 23 is shown in FIG. 24.
- the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system is shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, respectively.
- the insulating plate 7C which is an insulating material, is formed in a circular shape in a plan view, and partially has an energizing hole 71 and a through hole 72 penetrating the insulating plate 7C.
- the energizing hole 71 is a passage port for an electric wire that applies an AC voltage from the high frequency power supply 50 to the metal electrode 10C.
- the circular through hole 72 when viewed in a plan view is provided so as to penetrate the center of the insulating plate 7C, and as described above, is provided for arranging an electrically connecting member such as a spring having conductivity inside. As described above, the diameter of the through hole 72 is set to be longer than the diameter of the spring for electrically connecting the auxiliary metal electrode 12 and the cooling plate 9.
- the insulating plate 7C is made of an insulator such as alumina, shapel, or aluminum nitride.
- the insulating plate 7C has a structure in which the discharge heat generated in the high voltage application electrode portion 1C is removed to the cooling plate 9 by being in close contact with the metal electrode 10C of the high voltage application electrode portion 1C.
- the insulating plate 7C has a region overlapping with the cooling water path 90 which is the cooling medium path of the cooling plate 9 in a plan view.
- Electrode presser member 8 The structure of the electrode pressing member 8 is the same as that of the electrode pressing member 8 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.
- the structure of the cooling plate 9 which is a conductive structure is the same as that of the cooling plate 9 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.
- the active gas generator 100C of the third embodiment has the following effects in addition to the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above.
- the active gas generator 100C of the third embodiment has an auxiliary metal electrode 12 set to a ground potential. Therefore, the potential around the auxiliary metal electrode 12 decreases. Since the auxiliary metal electrode 12 is close to the active gas flow path, the potential of the active gas flow path can be lowered.
- the active gas generator 100C can relax the electric field strength in the active gas flow path, dielectric breakdown occurs in the base flange 4 even when the distance between the discharge space 6C and the gas ejection hole 23 is short. There is no such thing.
- the active gas generator 100C of the third embodiment has the electric field strength of the processing space 63 provided below the gas ejection hole 43 without changing the arrangement and structure of the gas ejection hole 23 and the gas ejection hole 43. It can be intentionally weakened.
- the active gas generator 100C has the following features (1) and (2).
- the auxiliary metal electrode 12 is provided so as to overlap a part of the active gas flow path in a plan view. (2) The auxiliary metal electrode 12 is set to the ground potential.
- the active gas generator 100C of the third embodiment has the above-mentioned active gas by the auxiliary metal electrode 12 which is a third metal electrode set to the ground potential by having the above-mentioned features (1) and (2).
- the electric field strength in the flow path can be relaxed.
- the active gas generator 100C of the third embodiment is provided with the electric field of the processing space 63 provided below the gas ejection hole 43 without changing the structure of the gas ejection hole 23 and the gas ejection hole 43 serving as the orifice portion. It has the main effect of being able to intentionally weaken the strength. Further, along with the above-mentioned main effect, the following first to fourth secondary effects can be obtained.
- First secondary effect The generation of abnormal discharge in the processing space 63 is suppressed, the generation of metal contamination in the processing space 63 is suppressed, and damage to objects to be processed such as wafers in the processing space 63 is suppressed. It can be reduced.
- the metal electrodes 10C and 20C can be arranged so that the active gas flow distance, which is the distance of the active gas flow path, becomes shorter.
- the active gas generator 100C of the third embodiment can efficiently supply the active gas 52 to the processing space 63 without increasing the electric field strength in the processing space 63. Further, the size of the active gas generator 100C can be reduced by the amount that the active gas distribution distance is shortened.
- the third embodiment adopts a structure in which the diameter of the opening 15C in the metal electrode 10C is shortened so that the inner peripheral portion of the metal electrode 10C is closer to the center. ..
- the active gas generator 100C of the third embodiment can efficiently supply the active gas 52 to the processing space 63 without increasing the electric field strength in the processing space 63. Further, the size of the active gas generator 100C can be reduced by shortening the formation length of the gas ejection hole 23 and the gas ejection hole 43.
- the AC voltage applied from the high frequency power supply 50 can be made higher.
- the active gas generator 100C of the third embodiment can supply a large capacity of the active gas 52 to the processing space 63 without increasing the electric field strength in the processing space 63.
- the active gas generator 100C of the third embodiment since the active gas generator 100C of the third embodiment has the gas separation structure, it is necessary to increase the degree of adhesion of each of the metal electrode 10C and the auxiliary metal electrode 12 to the upper surface of the electrode dielectric film 11. Is low. This is because even if the lower surface of the metal electrode 10C made of bulk metal is distorted and a minute space is generated between the lower surface of the metal electrode 10C and the upper surface of the dielectric film 11 for an electrode, the electric discharge is generated in this minute space. This is because the phenomenon does not occur.
- the auxiliary metal electrode 12 is a process of arranging the auxiliary metal electrode 12 on a spring serving as an electrical connection means as in the procedure (3) of the mounting procedure described above. Can be performed relatively easily.
- the metal electrode 10C can relatively easily perform the process of mounting the metal electrode 10C on the insulating plate 7C as in the procedure (5) of the mounting procedure described above. can.
- the manufacturing process of the active gas generator 100C can be simplified.
- the active gas distribution distance of the active gas distribution route is set to be relatively short.
- the active gas is temporally attenuated by making the space volume of the active gas flow path smaller than the space volume of the active gas flow path in the first embodiment. It is possible to effectively suppress the phenomenon of disappearance) and inactivation.
- the auxiliary metal electrode 12 is electrically connected to the cooling plate 9 which is a conductive structure via the through hole 72 of the insulating plate 7C, so that the base flange 4
- the auxiliary metal electrode 12 can be stably and stably set to the ground potential via the cooling plate 9.
- the spring, the cooling plate 9, and the base flange are provided by providing a conductive spring in the through hole 72 and electrically connecting the auxiliary metal electrode 12 and the cooling plate 9.
- the auxiliary metal electrode 12 can be set to the ground potential via 4.
- the spring described above serves as an electrical connection member.
- the circular auxiliary metal electrode 12 is provided in the opening 15C of the metal electrode 10C in a region overlapping the gas ejection hole 23 in a plan view.
- the auxiliary metal electrode 12 is arranged so that the center position of the opening 15C and the center position of the auxiliary metal electrode 12 coincide with each other. Therefore, the auxiliary metal electrode 12 and the metal electrode 10C can be electrically independent, and the shape can be secured relatively widely.
- the active gas generator 100C of the third embodiment can maximize the effect of relaxing the electric field strength in the active gas flow path.
- the active gas generator 100D of the fourth embodiment described below that positively overcomes the second problem of the first embodiment described above.
- the second problem is solved by shortening the active gas distribution distance.
- FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of the active gas generator according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 25 shows the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system.
- the active gas generating device 100D of the fourth embodiment is an active gas generating device that generates an active gas 52 obtained by activating the raw material gas 5 supplied to the discharge space 6.
- the active gas generator 100D mainly includes a metal housing 3, a base flange 4, a high voltage application electrode portion 1, a ground potential electrode portion 2D, an insulating plate 7C, an electrode holding member 8, a cooling plate 9, and an auxiliary metal electrode 12. Included as a part.
- the high voltage application electrode portion 1, the metal housing 3, the base flange 4, the electrode holding member 8 and the cooling plate 9 are the implementations shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, FIGS. 6 to 8, 13 and 14. It is the same as the active gas generation device 100 of the first aspect. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.
- the insulating plate 7C and the auxiliary metal electrode 12 are the same as the active gas generator 100C of the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 18, 23 and 24. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.
- the ground potential electrode portion 2D which is the second electrode component, is arranged on the central bottom surface region 48 of the base flange 4.
- the ground potential electrode portion 2D comprises a dielectric film 21D for an electrode, which is a dielectric film for a second electrode, and a metal electrode 20 which is a second metal electrode formed on the lower surface of the dielectric film 21D for an electrode. It has as a main component. Therefore, the ground potential electrode portion 2D is placed on the central bottom surface region 48 in such a manner that the metal electrode 20 contacts the central bottom surface region 48.
- the combination of the high voltage application electrode portion 1 which is the first electrode constituent portion and the ground potential electrode portion 2D which is the second electrode constituent portion constitutes an electrode pair having a discharge space 6 inside, and the ground potential electrode portion. 2D is provided below the high voltage application electrode portion 1.
- the high voltage application electrode portion 1 includes an electrode dielectric film 11 which is a first electrode dielectric film, and a metal electrode 10 which is a first metal electrode formed on the upper surface of the electrode dielectric film 11. As the main component.
- An AC voltage is applied from the high frequency power supply 50 between the metal electrode 10 and the metal electrode 20. Specifically, an AC voltage is applied to the metal electrode 10 from the high frequency power supply 50, and the metal electrode 20 is set to the ground potential via the base flange 4. Further, the auxiliary metal electrode 12 is set to the ground potential via the electrical connection member provided in the through hole 72 of the base flange 4, the cooling plate 9, and the insulating plate 7C, as in the third embodiment.
- a discharge space 6 is provided including a region where the metal electrodes 10 and 20 overlap in a plan view in a closed space that is a dielectric space in which the electrode dielectric film 11 and the electrode dielectric film 21 face each other.
- the electrode dielectric film 21D has a gas ejection hole 23D for ejecting the active gas 52 into the lower (post-stage) processing space 63 through the gas ejection hole 43 of the base flange 4. Therefore, the path from the discharge space 6 to the gas ejection hole 23D is defined as the active gas flow path.
- the electrode dielectric film 21D has a protrusion 21a which is a dielectric protrusion that protrudes in the height direction so as to fill a part of the active gas flow path. Therefore, the active gas flow path is narrowed to a narrow path between the upper surface of the protrusion 21a and the lower surface of the dielectric film 11 for the electrode.
- the active gas generator 100D of the fourth embodiment is provided with an auxiliary metal electrode 12 serving as a third metal electrode on the upper surface of the dielectric film 11 for electrodes, as in the third embodiment.
- the auxiliary metal electrode 12 is formed independently of the metal electrode 10.
- the auxiliary metal electrode 12 is provided so as to overlap a part of the above-mentioned active gas flow path in a plan view. Further, the auxiliary metal electrode 12 is set to the ground potential as in the third embodiment.
- a gas ejection hole 43 (gas ejection hole for the base flange) is provided at a position corresponding to the gas ejection hole 23D of the electrode dielectric film 21D in the central portion of the central bottom surface region 48 of the base flange 4. Be done.
- the cooling plate 9 is fixed on the peripheral protrusion 46 of the base flange 4.
- An insulating plate 7C is provided on the lower surface of the cooling plate 9, and the high voltage application electrode portion 1 is arranged so that the upper surface of the metal electrode 10 is in contact with the lower surface of the insulating plate 7C.
- An electrode holding member 8 serving as an electrode supporting member is provided on the lower surface of the cooling plate 9.
- the electrode pressing member 8 is provided in the outer peripheral region of the insulating plate 7C and the high voltage application electrode portion 1.
- the combined structure of the insulating plate 7C, the high voltage application electrode portion 1 and the auxiliary metal electrode 12 may be abbreviated as "upper electrode group”.
- the plate-shaped insulating plate 7C which is an insulating material, is provided between the cooling plate 9 and the high voltage application electrode portion 1, the upper surface of which is in contact with the lower surface of the cooling plate 9, and the lower surface of which is the high voltage application electrode portion 1. Contact the upper surface of the metal electrode 10 of. Similar to the third embodiment, the insulating plate 7C further has a through hole 72 for electrically connecting the cooling plate 9 and the auxiliary metal electrode 12 in addition to the energizing hole 71.
- the high voltage application electrode portion 1 is placed on the insulating plate 7C in the order of the metal electrode 10 and the electrode dielectric film 11.
- the electrode pressing member 8 is placed on the lower surface of the cooling plate 9, and the space between the cooling plate 9 and the electrode pressing member 8 is bolted.
- the upper electrode group is mounted on the lower surface of the cooling plate 9.
- the cooling plate 9, the electrode pressing member 8, the high voltage application electrode portion 1, and the electrode pressing member 8 are sealed.
- the ground potential electrode portion 2D is placed on the central bottom surface region 48 of the base flange 4.
- the cooling plate 9 is placed on the peripheral protrusion 46 of the base flange 4, and the space between the cooling plate 9 and the base flange 4 is bolted. At this time, the cooling plate 9 and the base flange 4 are sealed.
- the active gas generator 100D of the fourth embodiment can be assembled through the mounting procedures (1) to (9).
- the active gas generator 100D of the fourth embodiment separates the gas flow between the housing internal space 33 and the discharge space 6 by the cooling plate 9, the insulating plate 7C, the electrode pressing member 8, and the high voltage application electrode portion 1. It is characterized by having a gas separation structure.
- the active gas generator 100D of the fourth embodiment has a gas separation structure, so that the active gas 52 of good quality containing no impurities can be obtained without damaging the dielectric films 11 and 21D for electrodes. Can spout.
- FIG. 26 is a plan view showing the top surface structure of the high voltage application electrode portion 1 and the auxiliary metal electrode 12 shown in FIG. 25, and FIG. 27 shows the cross-sectional structure of the high voltage application electrode portion 1 and the auxiliary metal electrode 12. It is a sectional view.
- the KK cross section of FIG. 26 is shown in FIG. 27.
- the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system is shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, respectively.
- the electrode dielectric film 11 of the high voltage application electrode portion 1 has a circular shape in a plan view.
- the metal electrode 10 is provided on the upper surface of the dielectric film 11 for electrodes, and is formed in an annular shape having a circular opening 15 in the center as in the first embodiment.
- the auxiliary metal electrode 12 is provided at the center position on the upper surface of the electrode dielectric film 11 and is formed in a small circular shape. At this time, since the opening 15 exists between the auxiliary metal electrode 12 and the metal electrode 10, the auxiliary metal electrode 12 and the metal electrode 10 maintain an electrically independent relationship.
- FIG. 28 is a plan view showing the lower surface structure of the ground potential electrode portion 2D shown in FIG. 25, and FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional structure of the ground potential electrode portion 2D.
- the LL cross section of FIG. 28 is shown in FIG. 29.
- the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system is shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, respectively.
- the electrode dielectric film 21D of the ground potential electrode portion 2D has a circular shape in a plan view.
- the metal electrode 20 is provided on the lower surface of the dielectric film 21D for an electrode, and is formed in an annular shape having a circular opening 25 in the center as in the first embodiment.
- the discharge space 6 in which the metal electrode 20 and the metal electrode 10 overlap in a plan view is substantially formed of the metal electrode 10. Specified by the area. Therefore, the discharge space 6 is formed in an annular shape around the gas ejection hole 23D in a plan view like the metal electrode 10.
- the dielectric film 21D for an electrode is in the height direction (+ Z) so as to fill a part of the active gas flow path in the region corresponding to the opening 25 of the metal electrode 20 in a plan view. It has a protruding portion 21a that protrudes in the direction).
- the region where the protrusion 21a is formed is referred to as the protrusion formation region RT, and the region excluding the protrusion formation region RT is referred to as the dielectric film main region RM.
- the length of the protruding portion 21a protruding from the upper surface of the dielectric film main region RM in the height direction (+ Z direction) is defined as the protruding length of the protruding portion 21a.
- the protrusion length of the protrusion 21a is set to be slightly shorter than the distance (gap length) between the lower surface of the dielectric film 11 for the electrode and the upper surface of the main region RM of the dielectric film in the dielectric film 21D for the electrode. Therefore, a small gap (hereinafter, may be abbreviated as “active gas flow gap”) is provided between the upper surface of the protruding portion 21a and the lower surface of the dielectric film 11 for the electrode of the high voltage application electrode portion 1. ..
- the protruding portion 21a of the dielectric film 21D for the electrode fills a part of the active gas flow path in the dielectric space and the active gas. At least a part of the distribution channel is restricted to the narrow gap for the active gas distribution.
- the protruding portion 21a functions as an auxiliary structure for active gas provided so as to fill a part of the active gas flow path between the discharge space 6 and the gas ejection hole 23 in the dielectric space.
- the ground potential electrode portion 2D has a gas ejection hole 23D at the center position for ejecting the active gas 52 generated in the discharge space 6 downward.
- the gas ejection hole 23D is formed so as to penetrate the protrusion 21a in the electrode dielectric film 21D. Since the gas ejection hole 23D is formed so as to penetrate the protrusion 21a, it has a longer formation length than the gas ejection hole 23 of the first embodiment.
- the gas ejection hole 23D is provided at the center position of the opening 25 of the metal electrode 20 without overlapping with the metal electrode 20 in a plan view.
- the auxiliary metal electrode 12, which is the third metal electrode, is provided in the region of the opening 15 that overlaps with the gas ejection hole 23D in a plan view.
- the gas ejection hole 23D can be provided with an orifice function as in the first embodiment.
- Base flange 4 The structure of the base flange 4 is the same as that of the base flange 4 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 to 8.
- Insulating plate 7C The structure of the insulating plate 7C is the same as that of the insulating plate 7C of the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 23 and 24.
- the insulating plate 7C has an energizing hole 71 and a through hole 72.
- the through hole 72 is provided so as to penetrate the center of the insulating plate 7C, and is provided to arrange an electrically connecting member such as a spring having conductivity inside.
- Electrode presser member 8 The structure of the electrode pressing member 8 is the same as that of the electrode pressing member 8 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.
- the structure of the cooling plate 9 which is a conductive structure is the same as that of the cooling plate 9 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.
- the active gas generator 100D of the fourth embodiment has the auxiliary metal electrode 12 set to the ground potential as in the third embodiment. Therefore, the active gas generator 100D of the fourth embodiment has the electric field strength of the processing space 63 provided below the gas ejection hole 43 without changing the arrangement and structure of the gas ejection hole 23D and the gas ejection hole 43. It can be intentionally weakened.
- the active gas generator 100D of the fourth embodiment has the above-mentioned gas separation structure, so that the bulk metal which is relatively easy to manufacture as the metal electrode 10 and the auxiliary metal electrode 12 can be produced as the metal electrode 10 and the auxiliary metal electrode 12 as in the third embodiment. Since it can be used, the manufacturing process can be simplified.
- the auxiliary metal electrode 12 is electrically connected to the cooling plate 9 which is a conductive structure via the through hole 72 of the insulating plate 7C, and thus the embodiment. Similar to No. 3, the auxiliary metal electrode 12 can be stably and stably set to the ground potential.
- the circular auxiliary metal electrode 12 is provided in the opening 15 of the metal electrode 10 in a region overlapping the gas ejection hole 23D in a plan view. Therefore, the auxiliary metal electrode 12 and the metal electrode 10 can be electrically independent, and the shape can be secured relatively widely.
- the active gas generator 100D of the fourth embodiment can maximize the effect of relaxing the electric field strength in the active gas flow path as in the third embodiment.
- the electrode dielectric film 21D in the active gas generator 100D of the fourth embodiment has a protrusion 21a which is a dielectric protrusion as a unique feature.
- the protruding portion 21a functions as an auxiliary structure for the active gas that fills a part of the active gas flow path.
- the space volume in the active gas flow path is narrowed by the amount that a part of the active gas flow path is filled with the protruding portion 21a, and the active gas flows through the active gas flow path.
- the time to pass through the route can be sufficiently shortened so that the active gas is not deactivated.
- the active gas generator 100D of the fourth embodiment has an effect that the amount of deactivation of the active gas can be suppressed to the minimum necessary.
- the protruding portion 21a is formed as a part of the dielectric film 21D for the electrode, the auxiliary structure for the active gas is realized without increasing the number of components.
- the active gas generator 100D of the fourth embodiment can be manufactured by substantially the same mounting procedure as that of the third embodiment. Therefore, the active gas generator 100D of the fourth embodiment can suppress the amount of deactivation of the active gas to the minimum necessary without complicating the manufacturing process.
- the active gas flow gap formed on the upper surface of the protrusion 21a is sufficiently narrowed, that is, the length of the raw material gas flow gap in the height direction (Z direction) is sufficiently short.
- An orifice function can be provided in the gap for active gas flow. By providing the orifice function in the gap for the active gas flow, a pressure difference is provided between the processing space 63 at the rear stage (lower side) of the active gas generator 100D and the discharge space 6, and the pressure in the processing space 63 is sufficient. Can be lowered.
- the processing space 63 is set to have a sufficiently low electric field strength, it is possible to prevent dielectric breakdown even in the processing space 63 under a relatively low pressure environment.
- water is shown as the cooling medium to be supplied to the cooling water path 90, but a cooling medium such as Galden may also be used.
- the protruding portion 21a is provided as a part of the electrode dielectric film 21D, but a dielectric auxiliary member may be used as a separate member different from the electrode dielectric film 21.
- a dielectric auxiliary member may be used as a separate member different from the electrode dielectric film 21.
- the dielectric auxiliary member is arranged on the region corresponding to the opening 15 in a plan view.
- the film thickness of the dielectric auxiliary member is set shorter than the distance (gap length) between the dielectric films 11 and 21 for electrodes. Therefore, the active gas flow gap is provided between the upper surface of the dielectric auxiliary member and the lower surface of the dielectric film 11 for the electrode of the high voltage application electrode portion 1.
- the dielectric auxiliary member on the upper surface of the dielectric film 21 for the electrode, a part of the active gas flow path is provided between the discharge space 6 and the gas ejection hole 23 in the dielectric space. Can be filled in to limit the gap for the active gas flow.
- the dielectric auxiliary member is provided for the active gas in the dielectric space so as to fill a part of the active gas flow path between the discharge space 6 and the gas ejection hole 23, like the protruding portion 21a. Functions as an auxiliary structure.
- the dielectric auxiliary member is a separate member from the electrode dielectric film 21, the number of constituent elements will increase. Therefore, in the modified example, the manufacturing process becomes complicated as compared with the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 25 to 29 due to the increase in the number of components.
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Abstract
Description
(全体構成)
図1は本開示の実施の形態1である活性ガス生成装置の全体構成を示す説明図である。図1にXYZ直交座標系を記している。実施の形態1の活性ガス生成装置100は、放電空間6に供給された原料ガス5(窒素ガス等)を活性化して得られる活性ガス52(窒素ラジカル等)を生成する活性ガス生成装置である。
(1) 冷却板9をひっくり返して、冷却板9の上面と下面の関係を逆にする。
(2) 冷却板9の下面上に絶縁板7を載せる。
(3) 絶縁板7上に高電圧印加電極部1を金属電極10及び電極用誘電体膜11の順で載せる。
(4) 冷却板9の下面上に電極押え部材8を載せ、冷却板9と電極押え部材8との間をボルト締めする。その結果、冷却板9の下面上に上部電極群が取り付けられる。この時、冷却板9,電極押え部材8間、高電圧印加電極部1,電極押え部材8間がシールされる。
(6) 上部電極群が取り付けられた冷却板9を元の上下関係に戻す。
(7) ベースフランジ4の周辺突出部46上に冷却板9を載せて、冷却板9,ベースフランジ4間をボルト締めする。この際、冷却板9,ベースフランジ4間のシールがなされる。
図2は図1で示した高電圧印加電極部1の上面構造を示す平面図であり、図3は高電圧印加電極部1の断面構造を示す断面図である。図2のA-A断面が図3となる。図2及び図3それぞれにXYZ直交座標系を記す。
図4は図1で示した接地電位電極部2の下面構造を示す平面図であり、図5は接地電位電極部2の断面構造を示す断面図である。図4のB-B断面が図5となる。図4及び図5それぞれにXYZ直交座標系を記す。
図6は図1で示したベースフランジ4の平面構造を示す平面図であり、図7はベースフランジ4の断面構造を示す断面図である。図8は後述するガスバッファ41及びガス拡散経路42の詳細を示す斜視図である。なお、図6のC-C断面が図7となる。図6~図8それぞれにXYZ直交座標系を記す。
図9は図1で示した絶縁板7の平面構造を示す平面図であり、図10は絶縁板7の断面構造を示す断面図である。図9のD-D断面が図10となる。図9及び図10それぞれにXYZ直交座標系を記す。
図11は図1で示した電極押え部材8の平面構造を示す平面図であり、図12は電極押え部材8の断面構造を示す断面図である。図11のE-E断面が図12となる。図11及び図12それぞれにXYZ直交座標系を記す。
図13は図1で示した冷却板9の平面構造を示す平面図であり、図14は冷却板9の断面構造を示す断面図である。図13のF-F断面が図14となる。図13及び図14それぞれにXYZ直交座標系を記す。
図30は第1の比較装置である活性ガス生成装置100Xの全体構造を示す断面図であり、図31は第2の比較装置である活性ガス生成装置100Yの全体構造を示す断面図である。図30及び図31それぞれにXYZ座標系を記す。
図15は実施の形態2のベースフランジ4Bの平面構造を示す平面図であり、図16はベースフランジ4Bの断面構造を示す断面図である。図17はガス拡散経路42Bの拡散経路形成方向の特徴を模式的に示す説明図である。なお、図15のG-G断面が図16となる。図15及び図16それぞれにXYZ直交座標系を記す。
図15~図17に示すように、ベースフランジ4Bはベースフランジ4と同様、平面視して円状を呈し、ベースフランジ4Bは中央にガス噴出孔43(ベースフランジ用ガス噴出孔)を有している。ガス噴出孔43はベースフランジ4Bを貫通している。また、金属製で導電性を有するベースフランジ4Bに接地電位が付与される。
(実施の形態1の第1の課題)
実施の形態1である活性ガス生成装置100において、放電空間6とガス噴出孔23とが比較的短い距離を隔てて配置されている。このため、ガス噴出孔23とベースフランジ4との間で絶縁破壊が生じ、ベースフランジ4を構成する元素が気化し、汚染源となるという第1の課題があった。なぜなら、電極用誘電体膜11及び21の構成材料であるセラミックと比較して、ベースフランジ4の構成材料である金属は、放電にさらされると容易に元素が気化するからである。
図18は本開示の実施の形態3である活性ガス生成装置の全体構成を示す説明図である。図18にXYZ直交座標系を記している。実施の形態3の活性ガス生成装置100Cは、放電空間6Cに供給された原料ガス5を活性化して得られる活性ガス52を生成する活性ガス生成装置である。
(1) 冷却板9をひっくり返して、冷却板9の上面と下面の関係を逆にする。
(2) 冷却板9の下面上の中央に絶縁板7Cを配置する。
(3) 冷却板9の下面上の中央部に導電性を有するバネ(図18では図示省略)を、絶縁板7Cの貫通孔72を通過させて配置する。
(4) 上記バネ上に補助用金属電極12を配置する。
(5) 絶縁板7C上に高電圧印加電極部1Cを金属電極10C及び電極用誘電体膜11の順で載せる。
(6) 冷却板9の下面上に電極押え部材8を載せ、冷却板9と電極押え部材8との間をボルト締めする。その結果、冷却板9の下面上に上部電極群が取り付けされる。この時、冷却板9,電極押え部材8間、高電圧印加電極部1C,電極押え部材8間がシールされる。
(7) ベースフランジ4の中央底面領域48上に接地電位電極部2Cを載せる。
(8) 上部電極群が取り付けられた冷却板9を元の上下関係に戻す。
(9) ベースフランジ4の周辺突出部46上に冷却板9を載せて、冷却板9,ベースフランジ4間をボルト締めする。この際、冷却板9,ベースフランジ4間のシールがなされる。
図19は図18で示した高電圧印加電極部1C及び補助用金属電極12の上面構造を示す平面図であり、図20は高電圧印加電極部1C及び補助用金属電極12の断面構造を示す断面図である。図19のH-H断面が図20となる。図19及び図20それぞれにXYZ直交座標系を記す。
図21は図18で示した接地電位電極部2Cの下面構造を示す平面図であり、図22は接地電位電極部2Cの断面構造を示す断面図である。図21のI-I断面が図22となる。図21及び図22それぞれにXYZ直交座標系を記す。
ベースフランジ4の構造は、図6~図8で示した実施の形態1のベースフランジ4と同様である。
図23は図18で示した絶縁板7Cの平面構造を示す平面図であり、図24は絶縁板7Cの断面構造を示す断面図である。図23のJ-J断面が図24となる。図23及び図24それぞれにXYZ直交座標系を記す。
電極押え部材8の構造は、図11及び図12で示した実施の形態1の電極押え部材8と同様である。
導電性構造体である冷却板9の構造は、図13及び図14で示した実施の形態1の冷却板9と同様である。
実施の形態3の活性ガス生成装置100Cは、上述した実施の形態1と同様な効果に加え、以下の効果を奏する。
(2) 補助用金属電極12は接地電位に設定されている。
(実施の形態1の第2の課題)
実施の形態1である活性ガス生成装置100において、放電空間6とガス噴出孔23との間に活性ガス流通経路が存在している。
図25は本開示の実施の形態4である活性ガス生成装置の全体構成を示す説明図である。図25にXYZ直交座標系を記している。実施の形態4の活性ガス生成装置100Dは、放電空間6に供給された原料ガス5を活性化して得られる活性ガス52を生成する活性ガス生成装置である。
(1) 冷却板9をひっくり返して、冷却板9の上面と下面の関係を逆にする。
(2) 冷却板9の下面の中央部に金属製で導電性を有するバネ(図25では図示省略)を配置する。
(3) 上記バネ上に補助用金属電極12を配置する。
(4) 冷却板9の下面上に絶縁板7Cを配置する。この際、絶縁板7Cの貫通孔72内を補助用金属電極12が通過し、絶縁板7Cに設けられた貫通孔72内に上記バネが位置するようにする。
(5) 絶縁板7C上に高電圧印加電極部1を金属電極10及び電極用誘電体膜11の順で載せる。
(6) 冷却板9の下面上に電極押え部材8を載せ、冷却板9と電極押え部材8との間をボルト締めする。その結果、冷却板9の下面上に上部電極群が取り付けされる。この時、冷却板9,電極押え部材8間、高電圧印加電極部1,電極押え部材8間がシールされる。
(7) ベースフランジ4の中央底面領域48上に接地電位電極部2Dを載せる。
(8) 上部電極群が取り付けられた冷却板9を元の上下関係に戻す。
(9) ベースフランジ4の周辺突出部46上に冷却板9を載せて、冷却板9,ベースフランジ4間をボルト締めする。この際、冷却板9,ベースフランジ4間のシールがなされる。
図26は図25で示した高電圧印加電極部1及び補助用金属電極12の上面構造を示す平面図であり、図27は高電圧印加電極部1及び補助用金属電極12の断面構造を示す断面図である。図26のK-K断面が図27となる。図26及び図27それぞれにXYZ直交座標系を記す。
図28は図25で示した接地電位電極部2Dの下面構造を示す平面図であり、図29は接地電位電極部2Dの断面構造を示す断面図である。図28のL-L断面が図29となる。図28及び図29それぞれにXYZ直交座標系を記す。
ベースフランジ4の構造は、図6~図8で示した実施の形態1のベースフランジ4と同様である。
絶縁板7Cの構造は、図23及ぶ図24で示した実施の形態3の絶縁板7Cと同様である。
電極押え部材8の構造は、図11及び図12で示した実施の形態1の電極押え部材8と同様である。
導電性構造体である冷却板9の構造は、図13及び図14で示した実施の形態1の冷却板9と同様である。
実施の形態4の活性ガス生成装置100Dは、実施の形態3と同様、接地電位に設定された補助用金属電極12を有している。このため、実施の形態4の活性ガス生成装置100Dは、ガス噴出孔23Dやガス噴出孔43の配置及び構造を変更することなく、ガス噴出孔43の下方に設けられる処理空間63の電界強度を意図的に弱めることができる。
なお、上述した実施の形態では、冷却水経路90に供給する冷却媒体として水を示したが、他にガルデン等の冷却媒体を用いてもよい。
2,2C,2D 接地電位電極部
3 金属筐体
4,4B ベースフランジ
5 原料ガス
6,6C 放電空間
7,7C 絶縁板
8 電極押え部材
9 冷却板
10,10C,20,20C 金属電極
11,21,21D 電極用誘電体膜
12 補助用金属電極
21a 突出部
23,23D,43 ガス噴出孔
34 ガス供給口
35 ガス通過経路
41 ガスバッファ
42,42B ガス拡散経路
44 冷却水供給口
50 高周波電源
52 活性ガス
72 貫通孔
90 冷却水経路
451,452 冷却水通過口
R4 ガス中継領域
Claims (6)
- 放電空間に供給された原料ガスを活性化して得られる活性ガスを生成する活性ガス生成装置であって、
第1の電極構成部と
前記第1の電極構成部の下方に設けられる第2の電極構成部とを備え、
前記第1の電極構成部は、第1の電極用誘電体膜と前記第1の電極用誘電体膜の上面上に形成される第1の金属電極とを有し、前記第2の電極構成部は、第2の電極用誘電体膜と前記第2の電極用誘電体膜の下面上に形成される第2の金属電極とを有し、前記第1の金属電極に交流電圧が印加され、前記第2の金属電極が接地電位に設定され、前記第1及び第2の電極用誘電体膜が対向する誘電体空間内において、前記第1及び第2の金属電極が平面視して重複する領域を前記放電空間として含み、
前記第2の電極用誘電体膜は、前記活性ガスを下方に噴出するためのガス噴出孔を有し、前記放電空間から前記ガス噴出孔に至る経路が活性ガス流通経路として規定され、
前記活性ガス生成装置は、
導電性を有し、断面構造が凹状であり、中央底面領域と、前記中央底面領域の外周に沿って設けられ高さ方向に突出した周辺突出部とを有するベースフランジをさらに備え、前記第2の電極構成部は前記中央底面領域上に前記第2の金属電極が接触する態様で設けられ、
前記活性ガス生成装置は、
前記ベースフランジの前記周辺突出部上に設けられ、前記第1の電極構成部と接触することなく、前記第1の電極構成部の上方に位置し、導電性を有する導電性構造体と、
前記導電性構造体と前記第1の電極構成部との間に設けられ、上面が前記導電性構造体の下面に接触し、かつ、下面が前記第1の金属電極の上面に接触する絶縁材と、
前記第1の電極構成部を下方から支持するように、前記導電性構造体の下面上に設けられる電極支持部材と、
前記ベースフランジの前記周辺突出部上に設けられ、前記導電性構造体を収容する筐体内空間を有する金属製の筐体とをさらに備え、
前記ベースフランジは、
外部より前記原料ガスを受けるガス供給口と、
前記原料ガスを前記放電空間に供給するためのガス通過経路と、
前記ガス噴出孔から噴出される前記活性ガスを下方に噴出するためのベースフランジ用ガス噴出孔とを有し、
前記ベースフランジには接地電位が付与され、
前記導電性構造体、前記電極支持部材及び前記第1の電極構成部によって、前記筐体内空間と前記放電空間との間におけるガスの流れが分離されるガス分離構造が設けられ、
前記活性ガス生成装置は、
前記第1の電極用誘電体膜の上面上に前記第1の金属電極と独立して設けられる第3の金属電極をさらに有し、
前記第3の金属電極は、平面視して前記活性ガス流通経路の一部と重複するように設けられ、かつ、接地電位に設定されることを特徴とする、
活性ガス生成装置。 - 請求項1記載の活性ガス生成装置であって、
前記絶縁材は貫通孔を有し、前記貫通孔は平面視して前記第3の金属電極と重複する領域に設けられ、
前記第3の金属電極は前記貫通孔を介して前記導電性構造体と電気的に接続される、
活性ガス生成装置。 - 請求項1または請求項2に記載の活性ガス生成装置であって、
前記第1の金属電極は、平面視して中心に開口部を有する円環状に形成され、
前記第3の金属電極は平面視して円状に形成され、
前記第3の金属電極は前記開口部内において、平面視して前記ガス噴出孔と重複する領域に設けられる、
活性ガス生成装置。 - 請求項1から請求項3のうち、いずれか1項に記載の活性ガス生成装置であって、
前記誘電体空間内において、前記放電空間と前記ガス噴出孔との間に、前記活性ガス流通経路の一部を埋めるように設けられる活性ガス用補助構造をさらに備えることを特徴する、
活性ガス生成装置。 - 請求項4記載の活性ガス生成装置であって、
前記第2の電極用誘電体膜は、前記活性ガス流通経路の一部を埋めるように、高さ方向に突出した誘電体突出部を有し、
前記誘電体突出部は、前記活性ガス用補助構造として機能する、
活性ガス生成装置。 - 請求項1から請求項5のうち、いずれか1項に記載の活性ガス生成装置であって、
前記ベースフランジは、
外部より冷却媒体を受ける冷却媒体供給口と、
前記冷却媒体を前記導電性構造体に供給するための冷却媒体通過口とをさらに有し、
前記導電性構造体は、
前記冷却媒体通過口を介して供給される前記冷却媒体を内部に流通させる冷却媒体経路を内部に有する、
活性ガス生成装置。
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CN113170567B (zh) | 2019-11-12 | 2023-11-28 | 东芝三菱电机产业系统株式会社 | 活性气体生成装置 |
EP3886540B1 (en) * | 2019-11-27 | 2023-05-03 | Toshiba Mitsubishi-Electric Industrial Systems Corporation | Active gas generation device |
KR20210127087A (ko) * | 2020-04-10 | 2021-10-21 | 에이에스엠 아이피 홀딩 비.브이. | 기체 공급 유닛 및 이를 포함하는 기판 처리 장치 |
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2020
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- 2020-12-07 JP JP2021521448A patent/JP7114212B1/ja active Active
- 2020-12-07 EP EP20965003.5A patent/EP4258822A1/en active Pending
- 2020-12-07 US US17/789,793 patent/US20230034041A1/en active Pending
- 2020-12-07 CN CN202080088706.1A patent/CN114916255A/zh active Pending
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2021
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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CN114916255A (zh) | 2022-08-16 |
TWI788034B (zh) | 2022-12-21 |
WO2022123615A1 (ja) | 2022-06-16 |
JP7218478B2 (ja) | 2023-02-06 |
EP4072249A4 (en) | 2024-01-03 |
TWI803076B (zh) | 2023-05-21 |
US20230013017A1 (en) | 2023-01-19 |
JPWO2022123814A1 (ja) | 2022-06-16 |
CN114916256A (zh) | 2022-08-16 |
KR20220104228A (ko) | 2022-07-26 |
TW202222425A (zh) | 2022-06-16 |
JP7114212B1 (ja) | 2022-08-08 |
KR20220104227A (ko) | 2022-07-26 |
US20230034041A1 (en) | 2023-02-02 |
JPWO2022123615A1 (ja) | 2022-06-16 |
TW202228842A (zh) | 2022-08-01 |
EP4072249A1 (en) | 2022-10-12 |
EP4258822A1 (en) | 2023-10-11 |
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