Patent · US Active

Clamp for use in processing semiconductor workpieces

US7595972B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
12References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 31, 2005
Grant dateSep 29, 2009
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 28, 2026

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L21/68757
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus is provided to improve clamping of a work piece to a support surface. The apparatus includes a support base, an insulator layer disposed on the support base, an electrode layer disposed on the insulator layer, and a clamping layer comprising aluminum oxynitride disposed on the electrode layer wherein the workpiece is clamped to the surface of the clamping layer. The apparatus provides a higher clamping force for the workpiece while reducing gas leakage and particle levels in addition to maintaining a declamping time suitable for high throughput processing. The apparatus may further provide a raised surface geometry or embossments on the dielectric or a dielectric comprising an outer ring a center cavity for reducing particle contamination to the backside of the workpiece. Also, a thin wall sleeve may be provided between the base and the insulator and alternating current may be applied to opposite ones of interdigitated electrode pairs to reduce particle contamination and improve the implantation uniformity.

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