Patent · US Expired

Compact process chamber for improved process uniformity

US6143079A · kind A · utility

397Cited by
13References
58Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 19, 1998
Grant dateNov 7, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 19, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC23C16/481
  • WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A semiconductor processing chamber, capable of withstanding low pressures while transmitting radiant energy, is provided in a lightweight, compact design. The inner surface of the window is preferably substantially flat and parallel to the wafer to be processed. The window is thin in a center portion and thicker in a surrounding peripheral portion. The thickness increases in the radially outward direction, defined between the flat inner surface and a concave outer surface. Deposition uniformity is improved by employing multiple outlet ports for distributing gas laterally in a short length, enabling a compact, symmetrical geometry. Preferably, a quadra-flow system of gas distribution is used, whereby the chamber contains one inlet port and three outlet ports distributed approximately at 90 degrees around a cylindrical side wall defining the chamber space.

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