Properties of Inductively coupled Ar/CH4 plasma based on plasma diagnostics with fluid simulation

An inductively coupled plasma source was prepared for the deposition of a-C:H thin film. Properties of the inductively coupled plasma source are investigated by fluid simulation including Navier-Stokes equations and home-made tuned single Langmuir probe. Signal attenuation ratios of the Langmuir probe harmonic frequency were 13.56Mhz and 27.12Mhz. Dependencies of plasma parameters on process parameters were accord with simulation results. Ar/CH4 plasma simulation results shown that hydrocarbon radical densities have their lowest value at the vicinity of gas feeding line due to high flow velocity. For input power density of 0.07W/cm3, CH radical density qualitatively follows electron density distribution. On the other hand, central region of the chamber become deficient in CH3 radical due to high dissociation rate accompanied with high electron density. The result suggest that optimization of discharge power is important for controlling deposition film quality in high density plasma sources.