High performance multi-zone illuminator module for semiconductor wafer processing
US5446825A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 31, 1993 |
| Grant date | Aug 29, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 31, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC23C16/481
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A high-performance multi-zone illuminator module (130) for directing optical energy onto a semiconductor wafer (60) in a device fabrication reactor to improve overall semiconductor wafer processing uniformity comprises a housing connectable to the wafer processing reactor and having a bottom side and a reflector mounted to the bottom side. The reflector comprises a plurality of concentric circular zones (190, 192, 194 or 270, 262, 266, 264) for reflecting optical energy that include a plurality of circularly distributed lamp sockets (185). Engaged within the lamp sockets (185) are a plurality of point-source lamps (196) for directing optical energy to the semiconductor wafer (60) surface. The point-source lamps (196) are associated with the reflector (184 and 186 or 276 and 277) for directing light toward the wafer. The lamps are associated within each circular zone to provide an approximately continuous and diffused light ring at the semiconductor wafer (60). The multiple circular lamp zones plus the center zone can be controlled independently to allow real-time wafer temperature uniformity slip-free control for uniform device processing over a wide range of wafer temperatures.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.