Patent · US Expired

Shock wave particle removal method and apparatus

US5023424A · kind A · utility

57Cited by
11References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 22, 1990
Grant dateJun 11, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 22, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB23K7/06
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus and method using laser induced shock waves to dislodge particles from a wafer surface. The apparatus includes a wafer support, a particle detector and computer for locating and storing the locations of particles on the wafer, a laser, and focusing optics. Laser beam pulses are directed toward the wafer surface at a shallow angle or with a large beam convergence angle to avoid damage to the wafer.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.