Modelling of radio frequency plasmas in tetrafluoromethane (CF4): the gas phase physics and the role of negative ion detachment

A fluid model is used to study a radio frequency (RF) CF4 discharge at various powers, pressures and electrode spacings and is found to compare successfully with experimental data. The discharge shows an electronegative behaviour with a high concentration of negative ions. The role of electron detaching radicals CFx is subsequently studied by varying their density. At high radical densities (1%), the discharge behaviour and operating point change drastically and attachment-induced ionization instabilities develop. The implications to plasma etching and experiments are discussed.

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