Plasma foreline thermal reactor system

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for treating vacuum processing system exhaust gases. In addition, methods and apparatus for maintenance of foreline plasma reactor subsystems are disclosed. In some embodiments, an apparatus for treating an exhaust gas in a foreline of a vacuum processing system includes a plasma source coupled with a foreline of a process chamber, a treatment agent source coupled with the plasma source, and a downstream trap to cool an exhaust stream and trap particles in the exhaust stream. In some embodiments, multiple foreline plasma reactor subsystems are used with a vacuum processing system, and one foreline plasma reactor subsystem can be isolated and maintained (e.g., cleaned) while exhaust gas treatment continues in another foreline plasma reactor subsystem and processing continues in the vacuum processing system.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61 / 949,217, filed Mar. 6, 2014, which is herein incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Field

[0003] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to vacuum processing techniques. More particularly, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a system for controlling reactions and condensation of exhaust gases from a vacuum processing system and cleaning methods for the same system.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] The flat panel display and semiconductor industries, as well as other industries, use vacuum processing (e.g., chemical vapor deposition (CVD)) techniques to produce high-purity solid materials. The process is often used to produce thin films. In many vacuum processing techniques, the substrate (e.g., a wafer) is exposed to one or more volatile precursor gases (i.e., vapors), which react with and / or decompose on the substrate sur...

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