Integrated high-voltage modulator for plasma immersion ion implantation with an RF plasma

The present investigation focuses on further development of the plasma based high-voltage modulator for plasma immersion ion implantation devices. The modulator produces high-voltage pulses using grid controlled extraction of electrons from the plasma, which is used for the ion implantation. The operation features of the modulator in connection with a radio-frequency plasma are described. The device is applied to nitrogen ion implantations of stainless steel. The results indicate considerable hardness improvement, which confirms the practical utility of the high-voltage modulator.