Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090209112 | MILLISECOND ANNEALING (DSA) EDGE PROTECTION - A method and apparatus for thermally processing a substrate is provided. A substrate is disposed within a processing chamber configured for thermal processing by directing electromagnetic energy toward a surface of the substrate. An energy blocker is provided to block at least a portion of the energy directed toward the substrate. The blocker prevents damage to the substrate from thermal stresses as the incident energy approaches an edge of the substrate. | 08-20-2009 |
20090277894 | METHOD FOR REDUCING STRAY LIGHT IN A RAPID THERMAL PROCESSING CHAMBER BY POLARIZATION - Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus and method for reducing noises in temperature measurement during thermal processing. One embodiment of the present invention provides a chamber for processing a substrate comprising a chamber enclosure defining a processing volume, an energy source configured to direct radiant energy toward the processing volume, a spectral device configured to treat the radiant energy directed from the energy source towards the processing volume, a substrate support disposed in the processing volume and configured to support the substrate during processing, and a sensor assembly configured to measure temperature of the substrate being processed by sensing radiation from the substrate within a selected spectrum. | 11-12-2009 |
20090296774 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING THE SUBSTRATE TEMPERATURE IN A LASER ANNEAL SYSTEM - Embodiments of the invention provide a method and an apparatus for detecting the temperature of a substrate surface. In one embodiment, a method for measuring the temperature is provided which includes exposing the surface of the substrate to a laser beam radiating from a laser source, radiating emitted light from a portion of the surface of the substrate, through the shadow ring, and towards a thermal sensor, and determining the temperature of the portion of the surface of the substrate from the emitted light. The substrate may be disposed on a substrate support within a treatment region and a shadow ring may be disposed between the laser source and the surface of the substrate. The shadow ring may be selectively opaque to the laser beam and transparent to the emitted light. | 12-03-2009 |
20100003020 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MEASURING RADIATION ENERGY DURING THERMAL PROCESSING - Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus and method for reducing heating source radiation influence in temperature measurement during thermal processing. In one embodiment of the present invention, background radiant energy, such as an energy source of a thermal processing chamber, is marked within a selected spectrum, a characteristic of the background is then determined by measuring radiant energy at a reference wavelength within the selected spectrum and a comparing wavelength just outside the selected spectrum. | 01-07-2010 |
20100200545 | NON-CONTACT SUBSTRATE PROCESSING - Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus and methods for supporting, positioning or rotating a semiconductor substrate during processing. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for processing a substrate comprising positioning the substrate on a substrate receiving surface of a susceptor, and rotating the susceptor and the substrate by delivering flow of fluid from one or more rotating ports. | 08-12-2010 |
20100273334 | MILLISECOND ANNEALING (DSA) EDGE PROTECTION - A method and apparatus for thermally processing a substrate is provided. A substrate is disposed within a processing chamber configured for thermal processing by directing electromagnetic energy toward a surface of the substrate. An energy blocker is provided to block at least a portion of the energy directed toward the substrate. The blocker prevents damage to the substrate from thermal stresses as the incident energy approaches an edge of the substrate. | 10-28-2010 |
20120122253 | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF ALIGNING AND POSITIONING A COLD SUBSTRATE ON A HOT SURFACE - Embodiments of the invention contemplate a method, apparatus and system that are used to support and position a substrate on a surface that is at a different temperature than the initial, or incoming, substrate temperature. Embodiments of the invention may also include a method of controlling the transfer of heat between a substrate and substrate support positioned in a processing chamber. The apparatus and methods described herein generally may also provide an inexpensive and simple way of accurately positioning a substrate on a substrate support that is positioned in a semiconductor processing chamber. Substrate processing chambers that can benefit from the various embodiments described herein include, but are not limited to RTP, CVD, PVD, ALD, plasma etching, and/or laser annealing chambers. | 05-17-2012 |
20120205878 | HIGH TEMPERATURE VACUUM CHUCK ASSEMBLY - A vacuum chuck and a process chamber equipped with the same are provided. The vacuum chuck assembly comprises a support body, a plurality of protrusions, a plurality of channels, at least one support member supporting the support body, at least one resilient member coupled with the support member, a hollow shaft supporting the support body, at least one electrical connector disposed through the hollow shaft, and an air-cooling apparatus. The support body has a support surface for holding a substrate (such as a wafer) thereon. The protrusions are formed on and project from the support surface for creating a gap between the substrate and the support surface. The channels are formed on the support surface for generating reduced pressure in the gap. The air-cooling apparatus is used for providing air cooling in the vicinity of the electrical connector. | 08-16-2012 |
20120213500 | EDGE RING FOR A THERMAL PROCESSING CHAMBER - Embodiments of the present invention provide an edge ring for supporting a substrate with increased temperature uniformity. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide an edge ring having one or more surface area increasing structures formed on an energy receiving surface of the edge ring. | 08-23-2012 |
20120304928 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR POSITIONING A SUBSTRATE USING CAPACITIVE SENSORS - Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus and methods for positioning a substrate in a processing chamber using capacitive sensors. One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for processing a substrate. The apparatus includes first and second capacitive sensors disposed in an inner volume. The first capacitive sensor is positioned to detect a location of an edge of the substrate at a first angular location. The second capacitive sensor is positioned to detect a vertical position of the substrate. | 12-06-2012 |
20120309115 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR SUPPORTING AND CONTROLLING A SUBSTRATE - Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus and methods for supporting and controlling a substrate during thermal processing. One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for processing a substrate. The apparatus includes a chamber body defining an inner volume, a substrate support disposed in the inner volume, and an auxiliary force assembly configured to apply an auxiliary force to the substrate. Another embodiment provides a gas delivery assembly configured to adjust a thermal mass of a fluid flow delivered to position, control and/or rotate a substrate. | 12-06-2012 |
20130058636 | Edge Ring For A Thermal Processing Chamber - Embodiments of the present invention provide an edge ring for supporting a substrate with increased temperature uniformity. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide an edge ring having one or more fins formed on an energy receiving surface of the edge ring. The fins may have at least one sloped side relative to a main body of the edge ring. | 03-07-2013 |
20130206362 | SPIKE ANNEAL RESIDENCE TIME REDUCTION IN RAPID THERMAL PROCESSING CHAMBERS - The present invention generally relates to methods of cooling a substrate during rapid thermal processing. The methods generally include positioning a substrate in a chamber and applying heat to the substrate. After the temperature of the substrate is increased to a desired temperature, the substrate is rapidly cooled. Rapid cooling of the substrate is facilitated by increasing a flow rate of a gas through the chamber. Rapid cooling of the substrate is further facilitated by positioning the substrate in close proximity to a cooling plate. The cooling plate removes heat from substrate via conduction facilitated by gas located therebetween. The distance between the cooling plate and the substrate can be adjusted to create a turbulent gas flow therebetween, which further facilitates removal of heat from the substrate. After the substrate is sufficiently cooled, the substrate is removed from the chamber. | 08-15-2013 |
20130224962 | NON-CONTACT SUBSTRATE PROCESSING - Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus and methods for supporting, positioning or rotating a semiconductor substrate during processing. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for processing a substrate comprising positioning the substrate on a substrate receiving surface of a susceptor, and rotating the susceptor and the substrate by delivering flow of fluid from one or more rotating ports. | 08-29-2013 |
20130280824 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MEASURING RADIATION ENERGY DURING THERMAL PROCESSING - Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus and method for reducing heating source radiation influence in temperature measurement during thermal processing. In one embodiment of the present invention, background radiant energy, such as an energy source of a thermal processing chamber, is marked within a selected spectrum, a characteristic of the background is then determined by measuring radiant energy at a reference wavelength within the selected spectrum and a comparing wavelength just outside the selected spectrum. | 10-24-2013 |
20130287536 | WAFER EDGE MEASUREMENT AND CONTROL - Devices and methods are provided for positioning and/or rotating a substrate without solid contact, such as by floating the wafer on a thin layer of gas. Since there is no solid contact with components of a processing chamber, features on the wafer are used to determine wafer position and rotational speed. Closed loop control systems are provided with capacitive sensors to monitor the position of the edge of the wafer in a horizontal plane. Control systems may also monitor the position of a wafer feature as it rotates, such as a notch in the edge of the wafer. Because the presence of a notch can disrupt sensors facing the edge of the wafer, methods and devices to reduce or eliminate this disruption are also provided. | 10-31-2013 |
20140094039 | EDGE RING LIP - Embodiments of the invention generally relate to a support ring to support a substrate in a process chamber. In one embodiment, the support ring comprises an inner ring, an outer ring connecting to an outer perimeter of the inner ring through a flat portion, an edge lip extending radially inwardly from an inner perimeter of the inner ring to form a supporting ledge to support the substrate, and a substrate support formed on a top surface of the edge lip. The substrate support may include multiple projections extending upwardly and perpendicularly from a top surface of the edge lip, or multiple U-shaped clips securable to an edge portion of the edge lip. The substrate support thermally disconnects the substrate from the edge lip to prevent heat loss through the edge lip, resulting in an improved temperature profile across the substrate with a minimum edge temperature gradient. | 04-03-2014 |
20140233929 | EDGE RING FOR A THERMAL PROCESSING CHAMBER - Embodiments of the present invention provide an edge ring for supporting a substrate with increased temperature uniformity. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide an edge ring having one or more surface area increasing structures formed on an energy receiving surface of the edge ring. | 08-21-2014 |
20140270736 | EDGE RING FOR A THERMAL PROCESSING CHAMBER - Embodiments of the present invention provide an edge ring for supporting a substrate with increased temperature uniformity. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide an edge ring having one or more fins formed on an energy receiving surface of the edge ring. The fins may have at least one sloped side relative to a main body of the edge ring. | 09-18-2014 |