Patent · US Expired

High aspect ratio clamp ring

US5810931A · kind A · utility

48Cited by
17References
34Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 30, 1996
Grant dateSep 22, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 30, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L21/68721
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for protecting the edge of a substrate and securing the substrate to the support member during processing. The present invention preferably provides minimal contact with the substrate and provides improved edge exclusion. Support tabs extend inwardly from the lower roof surface to support the apparatus on the substrate and the inner terminus of the apparatus approaches the edge of the substrate to provide the improved edge exclusion. A variable height lower roof surface is provided over the edge of the substrate to provide an effective increased roof aspect ratio (width of the roof:height of the roof above the substrate) over the edge of the substrate which reduces the likelihood that a bridging layer will form between the apparatus and the substrate or beyond the substrate.

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