Numerical analysis of particle transport in low-pressure, low-temperature plasma environment

This paper presents simulation results of particle transport in low-pressure, low-temperature plasma environment. The size dependent transport of particles in the plasma is investigated with a two-dimensional simulation tool developed in-house for plasma chamber analysis and design. The plasma model consists of the first two and three moments of the Boltzmann equation for ion and electron fluids respectively, coupled to Poisson's equation for the self-consistent electric field. The particle transport model takes into account all important factors, such as gravitational, electrostatic, ion drag, neutral drag and Brownian forces, affecting the motion of particles in the plasma environment. The particle transport model coupled with both neutral fluid and plasma models is simulated through a Lagrangian approach tracking the individual trajectory of each particle by taking a force balance on the particle. The size dependant trap locations of particles ranging from a few nm to a few ${\mu}m$ are identified in both electropositive and electronegative plasmas. The simulation results show that particles are trapped at locations where the forces acting on them balance. While fine particles tend to be trapped in the bulk, large particles accumulate near bottom sheath boundaries and around material interfaces, such as wafer and electrode edges where a sudden change in electric field occurs. Overall, small particles form a "dome" shape around the center of the plasma reactor and are also trapped in a "ring" near the radial sheath boundaries, while larger particles accumulate only in the "ring". These simulation results are qualitatively in good agreement with experimental observation.