RING,FOCUS 298.1-T3.6(302.2)

PART DETAILS

2L10-252614-11
RING,FOCUS 298.1-T3.6(302.2)

OEM P/N: 

2L10-252614-11

ESCT P/N: 

ES7099-196

PART TYPE:

2nd Source NEW

OEM: 

TEL
MORE INFO

Focus ring 298.1-T3.6 (OEM P/N 2L10-252614-11), edge plasma-confinement consumable for TEL 300 mm plasma etch systems

ESCT Fab Support P/N ES7099-196 · Tokyo Electron (TEL) compatible focus ring

The Focus Ring 298.1-T3.6 (302.2) is a consumable edge ring fitted to Tokyo Electron 300 mm plasma etch process chambers, where it encircles the production wafer and forms the immediate boundary between the wafer edge and the surrounding chamber hardware. The descriptor embedded in the part name follows TEL’s dimensional shorthand: an inner aperture of approximately 298.1 mm that clears the 300 mm wafer, a ring profile thickness in the region of 3.6 mm, and an outer envelope of approximately 302.2 mm. Those few millimetres of annular real estate carry a disproportionate influence over how plasma behaves across the outermost die of every wafer processed.

In a TEL etcher, the focus ring sits concentrically on the electrostatic chuck (ESC) just outside the wafer clamping area. Its role is to extend the surface that the plasma sheath “sees” beyond the physical edge of the wafer, so that the electric field lines and ion trajectories that govern etch directionality do not collapse or distort at the wafer perimeter. Without a correctly conditioned focus ring, the sheath bends inward at the wafer edge, ions arrive at an angle rather than vertically, and the edge die suffer tilted profiles, critical-dimension drift and reduced yield.

Because the focus ring is directly exposed to the same energetic ion bombardment and reactive chemistry as the wafer, it is a scheduled-wear item. It erodes predictably over thousands of RF hours, and its recession is one of the primary drivers of edge process drift between preventive-maintenance cycles. Treating it as a managed consumable, rather than waiting for it to fail, is central to keeping a TEL etch chamber inside its process window.

Functional role of the focus ring in TEL 300 mm etch platforms

The focus ring is a small part with several simultaneous electrical and process responsibilities. On a TEL plasma etcher it performs the following core functions:

  • Extends the plasma sheath outward beyond the wafer edge so that ion trajectories at the perimeter remain vertical, preserving etch anisotropy on the outermost die.
  • Confines and shapes the plasma over the wafer surface, stabilising the field uniformity that governs edge-to-edge etch rate and critical-dimension control.
  • Provides a sacrificial surface that absorbs ion bombardment and reactive-species erosion that would otherwise attack the electrostatic chuck and surrounding ceramics.
  • Helps define the RF return path and the capacitive coupling at the wafer edge, contributing to a uniform bias environment from centre to edge.
  • Maintains a controlled physical and thermal boundary around the wafer, reducing abrupt discontinuities in temperature and gas flow at the perimeter.
  • Protects the chuck edge and clamp hardware from direct plasma exposure, extending the service life of higher-value chamber assemblies.

Material and process performance

Focus rings for TEL etch chambers are manufactured from plasma-grade materials selected to balance etch resistance, electrical behaviour and freedom from metallic contamination. The 298.1-T3.6 ring is supplied to match the material class, flatness and dimensional tolerances of the seat it occupies, so that it integrates cleanly into the existing edge stack.

Plasma and chemical resistance

The ring material must withstand sustained exposure to fluorine- and chlorine-based etch chemistries and continuous ion bombardment while eroding in a slow, uniform and predictable manner. Controlled erosion behaviour is what allows recession to be tracked and compensated.

  • High resistance to sputter erosion under energetic ion flux at the wafer edge.
  • Chemical stability against reactive halogen species across the chamber’s recipe range.
  • Low particle-generation tendency as the surface erodes, minimising defect adders on the wafer.
  • High purity to avoid introducing mobile metallic contaminants into the process.

Dimensional and electrical conformity

The 298.1 mm inner aperture, 3.6 mm profile thickness and 302.2 mm outer dimension are not arbitrary, they set the gap to the wafer edge and the height of the ring relative to the wafer surface, both of which directly tune sheath shape and edge coupling.

  • Tight inner-diameter tolerance to hold a consistent wafer-to-ring gap around the full circumference.
  • Controlled flatness and thickness so the as-installed ring height matches the intended sheath geometry.
  • Material resistivity matched to the original specification to preserve the edge RF return and bias coupling.
  • Uniform seating contact with the chuck periphery for repeatable thermal and electrical behaviour.

Impact on tool performance and yield

Because it directly shapes the plasma over the wafer edge, the condition of this focus ring shows up immediately in edge metrology. The consequences of running a worn, mismatched or damaged ring include:

  • Tilted or bowed etch profiles on the edge die as the sheath bends and ions strike off-vertical.
  • Edge-to-edge critical-dimension non-uniformity and drift across a wafer lot.
  • Loss of usable die in the outer rings of the wafer, directly reducing yield.
  • Increased particle counts and defectivity as an over-eroded ring sheds material.
  • Shifts in etch rate and selectivity at the perimeter that force recipe re-centring.
  • Shortened intervals between chamber qualifications and unplanned process excursions.

Common wear and failure modes

Erosion and height recession

The dominant wear mode is gradual sputter erosion of the upper surface, which lowers the ring height relative to the wafer. As the 3.6 mm profile thins, the sheath geometry changes, the wafer edge gradually moves out of the optimum field and edge CD begins to drift, the trigger for scheduled replacement.

Cracking and chipping

Thermal cycling, mishandling during preventive maintenance, or arcing can crack or chip the ring. Fractures create local field distortions, become particle sources and, in severe cases, can expose or damage the chuck beneath, making the ring unfit for further service.

Deposition build-up and arcing

Polymer and by-product films can accumulate on the ring surface, then flake to generate defects, while inconsistent seating or contamination can promote localised arcing. Arc sites pit the surface, perturb the edge bias and accelerate further degradation.

Installation and replacement guidance

Focus-ring replacement is a routine preventive-maintenance activity but demands careful handling and cleanliness, as the ring sits on a high-value chuck and directly governs edge process behaviour. Always follow the OEM procedure and your site’s safety controls; the sequence below is a general guide.

  • Vent the chamber and confirm the tool is fully isolated, locked out and at a safe temperature before opening.
  • Remove the worn focus ring using clean, non-marking tooling and inspect the exposed chuck surface for erosion, particles or damage.
  • Clean the seating area to the specified procedure, removing residue and deposition so the new ring beds down evenly.
  • Unpack the new ES7099-196 ring with gloves and lint-free handling, inspecting for chips or transit damage before fitting.
  • Seat the ring concentrically on the chuck, verifying full, even contact and correct orientation with no rocking or gaps.
  • Close and pump down the chamber, then run the leak-check, season and chamber-qualification recipes before returning to production.
  • Reset the ring-life counter and log the installation so erosion can be tracked against the next PM interval.

Spare parts strategy for TEL etch consumables

Focus rings are high-frequency consumables, so hold qualified, compatible stock to avoid edge-yield loss and unplanned downtime. ESCT Fab Support offers the ES7099-196 focus ring as a cost-effective, form-fit-function alternative to sole-sourcing through the OEM:

  • Second-source new part verified to the form, fit and function of TEL OEM P/N 2L10-252614-11.
  • Plasma-grade materials and dimensional tolerances matched to the original specification.
  • Competitive pricing that lowers the recurring cost of a high-turnover consumable.
  • Typical lead time of 4–5 weeks, supporting planned PM scheduling and buffer-stock strategies.
  • A single point of supply for TEL edge consumables alongside related ring and electrode parts.
  • Reduced dependence on single-source procurement and the associated supply risk.

Frequently asked questions

What does this focus ring do in a TEL etch chamber?

It surrounds the 300 mm wafer at the chuck edge and extends the plasma sheath beyond the wafer perimeter, keeping ion trajectories vertical at the edge so the outermost die etch with the same profile and critical dimension as the centre of the wafer.

Is this an original TEL OEM part?

No. ES7099-196 is supplied as a second-source new part that is verified to the form, fit and function of TEL OEM P/N 2L10-252614-11. It is fully compatible with the application but is not an original OEM-branded component.

What do the numbers in the part name mean?

They are the ring’s key dimensions in TEL’s shorthand: an inner aperture of approximately 298.1 mm, a profile thickness in the region of 3.6 mm, and an outer dimension of approximately 302.2 mm. These set the wafer-to-ring gap and ring height that tune the edge plasma.

How often should the focus ring be replaced?

Replacement is driven by accumulated RF hours and measured erosion rather than a fixed calendar date. Most fabs tie it to a preventive-maintenance interval and track height recession, swapping the ring once edge CD or profile metrics begin to drift toward their control limits.

How do I know the ring is worn out?

Typical indicators are rising edge-to-edge CD non-uniformity, tilted edge-die profiles, increasing particle counts and a measurable drop in ring height. Visible cracking, chipping or arc pitting are immediate grounds for replacement regardless of remaining height.

What is the lead time for ES7099-196?

The typical lead time is 4–5 weeks. Because the focus ring is a recurring consumable, we recommend holding buffer stock aligned to your PM schedule so a replacement is always on hand for planned maintenance.

Summary

The Focus Ring 298.1-T3.6 (302.2), ESCT P/N ES7099-196, is an edge plasma-confinement consumable for TEL 300 mm plasma etch chambers and a compatible alternative to OEM P/N 2L10-252614-11. By extending the plasma sheath beyond the wafer edge and maintaining a controlled electrical and physical boundary, it preserves anisotropy, critical-dimension uniformity and yield on the outermost die. As a predictable wear item it should be managed as a tracked consumable, replaced on erosion-driven intervals, and kept in qualified buffer stock. Supplied as a second-source new part to a typical 4–5 week lead time, ES7099-196 gives TEL etch users a dependable, cost-effective way to keep their chambers inside the process window.

Disclaimer: This part is supplied by ESCT Fab Support as a new, OEM-compatible second-source component, verified to the form, fit and function of Tokyo Electron part number 2L10-252614-11. It is not an original OEM part and is not sold as one. It is not manufactured by, endorsed by, or affiliated with Tokyo Electron, and all manufacturer names and part numbers are quoted for identification and compatibility purposes only.

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