Search

A 2.45 GHz microwave plasma with linear antenna has been prepared for hydrophobic and wear-resistible surface coating of carbon steel. Wear-resistible properties are required for the surface protection of cutting tools and achieved by depositing a hydrogenated amorphous carbon film on steel surface through linear microwave plasma source that has TE 10- TEM waveguide. Compared to the existing RF plasma source driven by 13.56MHz, linear microwave plasma source can easily generate high density plasma and provide faster deposition rate and wider process windows. In this study, Ar/CH₄ gas mixtures are used for hydrogenated amorphous carbon film deposition. When microwave power of 1000W is applied, 40 cm long uniform Ar/CH₄ plasma could be obtained in gas pressure of 200~400 mTorr. The Vickers hardness measurement of hydrogenated amorphous carbon film on steel surface was evaluated. It was found the optimized deposition condition at Ar : CH₄=25:25 sccm, 300 mTorr with microwave power of 1000W and RF bias power of 100W. By deposition of hydrogenated amorphous carbon film, contact angle on steel surfaces increases from 43.9° to 93.2°.

Discharge characteristics of linear microwave plasma were investigated by using fluid simulation of 2D axis-symmetry based on finite elements method. The microwave power was 2.45 GHz TEM mode and transmitted through linear antenna. Resistive power and pressure were considered simulation variables and argon was used for working gas. A decrease of electron density along the quartz tube was observed in low power condition but relatively uniform plasmas were generated in chamber by increasing the resistive power. The electron temperature was highly detected near the surface of quartz tube because the electron was heated only dielectric surface. The power transmission efficiency decreased and characteristics of surface plasma were observed in high electron density condition.

A 2.45GHz microwave plasma source with a linear antenna has been developed for low temperature large scale deposition processing. Microwave power is transmitted through WR340 waveguide and a copper rod, linear antenna, is located in a quartz tube. The power matching is effectively achieved by a linear antenna is located at λ g /4 or 3λ g /4 from the end of WR340 waveguide. The Ar plasma was generated along the surface of quartz tube and a clear standing wave pattern with nearly 10cm wavelength was observed at Ar pressure of 200mTorr and 200W input power. The electron density and electron temperature were investigated by using the electrostatic probe. The electron density and electron temperature were highly measured near the surface of quartz tube. Ar plasma density along the quartz tube is mostly uniform despite standing wave set-up and antenna of long length. A uniform temperature was measured at 10~40cm distance from the end quartz tube and 5cm distance from the surface of quartz tube.