Patent · US Active

Ultrafast laser annealing with reduced pattern density effects in integrated circuit fabrication

US8309474B1 · kind B1 · utility

16Cited by
39References
27Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 7, 2011
Grant dateNov 13, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 9, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L21/268
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Systems and methods for performing ultrafast laser annealing in a manner that reduces pattern density effects in integrated circuit manufacturing are disclosed. The method includes scanning at least one first laser beam over the patterned surface of a substrate. The at least one first laser beam is configured to heat the patterned surface to a non-melt temperature Tnonmelt that is within about 400° C. of the melt temperature Tmelt. The method also includes scanning at least one second laser beam over the patterned surface and relative to the first laser beam. The at least one second laser beam is pulsed and is configured to heat the patterned surface from the non-melt temperature provided by the at least one first laser beam up to the melt temperature.

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