Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for processing a microelectronic workpiece at an elevated temperature

US6780374B2 · kind B2 · utility

11Cited by
38References
27Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 8, 2000
Grant dateAug 24, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 24, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L21/67103
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus and method for processing a microelectronic workpiece at an elevated temperature. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a workpiece support positioned to engage and support the microelectronic workpiece during operation. The apparatus can further include a heat source having a solid engaging surface positioned to engage a surface of the microelectronic workpiece with at least one of the heat source and the workpiece support being movable relative to the other between a first position with the microelectronic workpiece contacting the engaging surface of the heat source and a second position with the microelectronic workpiece spaced apart from the engaging surface. The heat source is sized to transfer heat to the microelectronic workpiece at a rate sufficient to thermally process a selected material of the microelectronic workpiece when the microelectronic workpiece is engaged with the heat source. A heat sink can be positioned at least proximate to the heat source to cool both the heat source and the microelectronic workpiece.

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