Patent · US Expired

In situ module for particle removal from solid-state surfaces

US6827816B1 · kind B1 · utility

16Cited by
6References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 22, 2000
Grant dateDec 7, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 22, 2020

Classification

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

Abstract

Apparatus and a method for removing particles from the surface of a substrate include determining respective position coordinates of the particles on the surface. A beam of electromagnetic energy is directed via an optical cleaning arm at the coordinates of each of the particles in turn, such that absorption of the electromagnetic energy at the surface causes the particles to be dislodged from the surface substantially without damage to the surface itself.

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