Patent · US Expired

Steam cleaning system and method for semiconductor process equipment

US6936114B1 · kind B1 · utility

1Cited by
6References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 16, 2003
Grant dateAug 30, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 16, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02P70/50
  • WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Disclosed are systems and methods for removing stubborn contaminants, aluminum fluoride and aluminum chloride in particular, from components of semiconductor-processing equipment. One embodiment forces steam through small holes in a gas distribution plate to remove build up on the interior walls of the holes. A cleaning fixture disposed between the steam source and the gas distribution plate delivers the steam at increased pressures. The gas distribution plate can be immersed in water during cleaning to capture the exiting steam.

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