Patent · US Expired

Apparatus for performing jet vapor reduction of the thickness of process layers

US6165314A · kind A · utility

17Cited by
12References
65Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 7, 2000
Grant dateDec 26, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 7, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L21/67069
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for reducing the thickness of a process layer. The method comprises generating a relatively high velocity gas stream comprised of active ions that will react with the process layer, and moving the wafer relative to the nozzle to effect a reduction in the thickness of the process layer. The apparatus is comprised of a process chamber, means for securing a wafer in the chamber, a nozzle having an exit that is substantially the same width as the diameter of the wafer positioned in the chamber. The apparatus further comprises a means for moving the wafer relative to the nozzle.

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