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Advanced Energy

Apex

Advanced Energy Apex family
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The Advanced Energy Apex RF generator is a high-power-density RF generator family for plasma applications. The Apex supports power levels from 1.5 kW to 10 kW at 13.56 MHz and offers compact mounting options including chamber mount, frame mount, and rack mount. Apex generators integrate wideband control loops, optional pulsing, and advanced arc management for improved yield and process reliability.[1][2]

Advanced Energy logo
Fig. — Manufacturer logo, not a photo of this toolWikimedia Commons (see file page for license)

What it is

The Advanced Energy Apex is an RF generator for plasma power delivery in semiconductor manufacturing.[1][2]

The Apex belongs to a family of RF generators and power-delivery systems with a compact modular design for chamber mounting and other tool-integrated installation styles.[1][2]

How it works

The Apex generates RF power at a nominal frequency of 13.56 MHz and delivers controlled output for plasma processes.[1][2]

The Apex uses RF-conversion technology, wideband control loops, optional pulsing, and arc management to stabilize plasma operation and improve delivered-power repeatability.[1][2]

The Apex platform supports multiple communications options, including RS-232 and additional digital serial interface options, for integration with process tools.[2][1]

Applications

The Apex is used for etch, PECVD, PVD, chamber clean, HDP-CVD, PEALD, and ALE.[1]

The Apex offers power levels from 1.5 kW to 10 kW, water cooling, and communications interfaces that include RS-232, analog, ethernet, and DeviceNet.[1]

What do the numbers mean?

Power & electrical18

Output Frequency
13.56 MHz[1]
Accurate?
Input Voltage
208 VAC[1]
Accurate?
Power Level Range
1.5 kW to 10 kW[1]
Accurate?
Form Factor (Models 1.5, 3, 5.5 kW)
132.59 mm (H) x 215.14 mm (W) x 425.96 mm (D)[2]
Accurate?
Form Factor (Model 10 kW)
133.35 mm (H) x 482.6 mm (W) x 601.29 mm (D) (3U 19" rack)[2]
Accurate?
Product type
RF generator family and power-delivery systems[1]
Accurate?
Power level
1.5 to 10 kW[1]
Accurate?
RF Output Power and Regulation (1.5 kW model)
1.5 kW into 50 Ω non-reactive load[2]
Accurate?
RF Output Power and Regulation (3 kW model)
3 kW into 50 Ω non-reactive load[2]
Accurate?
RF Output Power and Regulation (5.5 kW model)
5.5 kW into 50 Ω non-reactive load[2]
Accurate?
RF Output Power and Regulation (10 kW model)
10 kW into 50 Ω non-reactive load[2]
Accurate?
Dimensions (1.5 kW, 3 kW, 5.5 kW models)
132.59 mm (H) x 215.14 mm (W) x 425.96 mm (D)[2]
Accurate?
Dimensions (10 kW model)
133.35 mm (H) x 482.6 mm (W) x 601.29 mm (D)[2]
Accurate?
Physical Dimensions (1.5/3/5.5 kW)
132.59 mm H x 215.14 mm W x 425.96 mm D[2]
Accurate?
Physical Dimensions (10 kW)
133.35 mm H x 482.6 mm W x 601.29 mm D[2]
Accurate?
Power Level Range
1.5 to 10 kW[1]
Accurate?
RF Output Frequency
13.56 MHz[2]
Accurate?
Product type
RF generator and power-delivery system family[1]
Accurate?

Performance1

Forward Power Regulation Accuracy
+/-1% of set point or +/-0.1% full-rated output power (whichever greater) into 50 Ohm non-reactive load[2]
Accurate?

Control & software3

Communications Interfaces
RS-232, Analog, Ethernet, DeviceNet[1]
Accurate?
Communications interface
RS-232, analog, ethernet, DeviceNet[1]
Accurate?
Communications Interface
RS-232, Analog, Ethernet, DeviceNet, Profibus[1]
Accurate?

Dimensions & facilities3

Cooling
Water[1]
Accurate?
Rack width
1/2 rack and full rack[1]
Accurate?
Height
3U[1]
Accurate?

Configuration & options10

Advanced Features
Pulsing, CEX[1]
Accurate?
Forward Power Regulation
±1% of set point or ±0.1% full-rated output power, whichever is greater, into 50 Ω non-reactive load[2]
Accurate?
Load Power Regulation
±3% of load power into a 3:1 VSWR non-reactive load[2]
Accurate?
Ambient Operating Temperature
5 °C to 40 °C[2]
Accurate?
Water Coolant Temperature
35 °C max[2]
Accurate?
Process applications
Etch, PECVD, PVD, Chamber Clean, HDP-CVD, PEALD, ALE[1]
Accurate?
Mounting options
On-board chamber mount, on-tool frame mount, rack mount, shoebox options[1]
Accurate?
Regulatory compliance
CE marked; complies with EN50178, EN50091-2, EN50082-2, FCC Part 18, SEMI S2, F47; most models also comply with UL1012 and CSA 107.1[2]
Accurate?
Load Power Regulation
+/-3% of load power into 3:1 VSWR non-reactive load[2]
Accurate?
Ambient Operating Temperature
5°C min, 40°C max[2]
Accurate?

Vintage & configurations

Documented models & variants

DesignationGenerationVintageChangesSource
1.5 kW——Dimensions: 132.59 mm (H) x 215.14 mm (W) x 425.96 mm (D); RF output power 1.5 kW into 50 Ω non-reactive load.advancedenergy.com[2]
3 kW——Dimensions: same as 1.5 kW model; RF output power 3 kW into 50 Ω non-reactive load.advancedenergy.com[2]
5.5 kW——Dimensions: same as 1.5 kW model; RF output power 5.5 kW into 50 Ω non-reactive load.advancedenergy.com[2]
10 kW——Dimensions: 133.35 mm (H) x 482.6 mm (W) x 601.29 mm (D) (3U 19" rack); RF output power 10 kW into 50 Ω non-reactive load.advancedenergy.com[2]
1.5 kW model——Lower power model with half-rack form factor.advancedenergy.com[2]
3 kW model——Mid power model with half-rack form factor.advancedenergy.com[2]
5.5 kW model——Higher power model with half-rack form factor.advancedenergy.com[2]
10 kW model——Highest power model with full 19-inch rack form factor.advancedenergy.com[2]
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What does it need to run?

Site utility requirements, footprint, and infrastructure needed to install and operate this tool. Sourced from public records.

  • Output Frequency13.56 MHz[1]
  • Input Voltage208 VAC[1]
  • Power Level Range1.5 kW to 10 kW[1]
  • Form Factor (Models 1.5, 3, 5.5 kW)132.59 mm (H) x 215.14 mm (W) x 425.96 mm (D)[2]
  • Form Factor (Model 10 kW)133.35 mm (H) x 482.6 mm (W) x 601.29 mm (D) (3U 19" rack)[2]
  • Product typeRF generator family and power-delivery systems[1]
  • Power level1.5 to 10 kW[1]
  • RF Output Power and Regulation (1.5 kW model)1.5 kW into 50 Ω non-reactive load[2]
  • RF Output Power and Regulation (3 kW model)3 kW into 50 Ω non-reactive load[2]
  • RF Output Power and Regulation (5.5 kW model)5.5 kW into 50 Ω non-reactive load[2]
  • RF Output Power and Regulation (10 kW model)10 kW into 50 Ω non-reactive load[2]
  • Dimensions (1.5 kW, 3 kW, 5.5 kW models)132.59 mm (H) x 215.14 mm (W) x 425.96 mm (D)[2]
  • Dimensions (10 kW model)133.35 mm (H) x 482.6 mm (W) x 601.29 mm (D)[2]
  • Physical Dimensions (1.5/3/5.5 kW)132.59 mm H x 215.14 mm W x 425.96 mm D[2]
  • Physical Dimensions (10 kW)133.35 mm H x 482.6 mm W x 601.29 mm D[2]
  • Power Level Range1.5 to 10 kW[1]
  • RF Output Frequency13.56 MHz[2]
  • Product typeRF generator and power-delivery system family[1]

Parts & consumables

Tracked replaceable assemblies, spares criticality, and availability status across all major subsystems. Each entry cites its source.

  • Advanced Energy Apex 1513 RF Power SupplyIn Productionsource[3]

Where are the manuals?

Generated from public-source data on file. Enter your email to access — nothing is published; details are routed privately.

Not publicly documented

Field notes

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Frequently asked questions

What power range does the Apex platform cover?

The Apex platform includes rack-mountable models from 1.5 kW to 10 kW.[1][2]

What is the operating frequency?

The Apex platform operates at 13.56 MHz.[1][2]

What cooling method does the Apex platform use?

The Apex platform uses water cooling.[1][2]

Which communications interfaces are supported?

The Apex platform supports RS-232, analog, ethernet, and DeviceNet communication interfaces.[1][2]

What installation formats are available?

The Apex platform is available in on-board chamber mount, on-tool frame mount, rack mount, and shoebox configurations.[1][2]

Not publicly documented

The following facts about the Apex are absent from this record as of this revision. First-hand knowledge or a citation closes a gap; every submission is reviewed before publication.

  • No publicly documented production dates or lifecycle milestones (introduction, end of production, EOL) for the Apex are on record.

    Answerable by: OEM historical records or a trade-press announcement

  • The control-system platform and OS era of the Apex are not on record.

    Answerable by: an engineer who operated it or OEM installation records

  • No publicly documented failure modes or field errata for the Apex are on record.

    Answerable by: a field service engineer, process engineer, or maintenance technician

  • The process node or technology generation of the Apex is not on record.

    Answerable by: an OEM datasheet or a fab qualification report

  • No publicly hosted manuals, SOPs, or datasheets for the Apex are on record.

    Answerable by: university cleanroom staff or an OEM application specialist

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Sources & citations

Sources (4)Every fact above is drawn from these public sources
  1. [1]advancedenergy.com — advancedenergy.comadvancedenergy.com
  2. [2]advancedenergy.com — advancedenergy.comadvancedenergy.com
  3. [3]Equipment inventory listing
  4. [4]Equipment inventory listing
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Last updated Oct 11, 2026.

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