AUTOMATED ELECTRODE REPLACEMENT APPARATUS FOR A PLASMA PROCESSING SYSTEM

摘要

A plasma processing system includes an automated electrode retention mechanism (130) for providing automated engagement of a source electrode (152) with a drive electrode (154). In addition, an automated electrode handling system (320) is provided that has the ability to remove a source electrode (152) from the electrode retention mechanism and replace it with a second source electrode (152') that is stored in a staging area (340) outside the plasma processing system vacuum chamber. The system may operate automatically under program control of a computer system (200) coupled thereto.