Patent attributes
A workpiece processing apparatus allowing independent control of the extraction angles of charged ions and reactive neutrals is disclosed. The apparatus includes an extraction plate having an extraction aperture through which charged ions pass. Plasma sheath modulation and electric fields may be used to determine the extraction angle of the charged ions. The extraction plate also includes one or more neutral species channels, separate from the extraction aperture, through which reactive neutrals are passed at a selected extraction angle. The geometric configuration of the neutral species channels determines the extraction angle of the reactive neutrals. The neutral species channel may also comprise a suppressor, to reduce the number of charged ions that pass through the neutral species channel. The apparatus may be used for various applications, such as directed reactive ion etching.
