Lam Research Corporation
Electrostatic chuck including clamp electrode assembly forming portion of Faraday cage for RF delivery and associated methods

Abstract:

A ceramic layer is attached to a top surface of a base plate using a bond layer. The ceramic layer has a top surface configured to support a substrate. A clamp electrode assembly is positioned within an upper region of the ceramic layer. The clamp electrode assembly serves to clamp the substrate to the top surface of the ceramic layer and functions as a primary radiofrequency (RF) power delivery electrode. A plurality of RF power delivery connection modules is distributed in a substantially uniform manner about a perimeter of the ceramic layer. Each of the RF power delivery connection modules is configured to form an electrical connection from the base plate to the clamp electrode assembly at its respective location.