The electrostatic chuck includes: a conductive base formed of metal or
both metal and ceramics, serving as a chucking electrode; and an
insulating film formed on one principal plane of the conductive base, the
top face of the insulating film serving as a placing surface for placing
a wafer; wherein the insulating film is formed of a uniform amorphous
ceramics of an oxide and has a thickness in a range of 10 to 100 .mu.m,
thereby preventing cracking and insulation breakdown in the insulating
film and improving characteristics of releasing the wafer.