Reactor monitoring system and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. In a system for detecting a change in the operating conditions in a semiconductor processing reactor:
- sensor means responsive to two different substances for providing signals corresponding to the amounts of the substances which are present, and means responsive to the sensor signals for monitoring the relative amounts of the two substances and providing an output signal when the relative amounts change in a predetermined manner.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
System and method for detecting problems and other conditions in a semiconducting processing reactor. The relative amounts of two or more substances are monitored, and an output signal is provided when the relative amounts change in a manner corresponding to the change or condition to be detected. In one disclosed embodiment, the substances are ionized to produce excited molecules of the substances, and the substances are sensed with photosensors which are responsive to light of wavelengths characteristic of the substances.
36 Citations
16 Claims
-
1. In a system for detecting a change in the operating conditions in a semiconductor processing reactor:
- sensor means responsive to two different substances for providing signals corresponding to the amounts of the substances which are present, and means responsive to the sensor signals for monitoring the relative amounts of the two substances and providing an output signal when the relative amounts change in a predetermined manner.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
-
4. In a system for detecting the end of a process in a reactor:
- sensing means for detecting the presence of two different substances, means responsive to the sensing means for monitoring the relative amounts of the two substances, and means responsive to the monitoring means for providing an output signal when the relative amounts of the two substances change in a predetermined manner.
- View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
-
7. In combination:
- a semiconductor processing reactor, sensor means responsive to two different substances for providing signals corresponding to the amounts of the substances which are present in the reactor, means responsive to the sensor signals for monitoring the relative amounts of the two substances, and means responsive to the relative amounts for providing an output signal.
- View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
-
11. In a method of detecting a change in the operating conditions in a semiconductor processing reactor:
- monitoring the relative amounts of two substances which are present in the reactor, and providing an output signal when the relative amounts change in a predetermined manner.
- View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
-
14. In a method of detecting the end of a process in a reactor:
- detecting the presence of two different substances in the reactor, monitoring the relative amounts of the two substances, and providing an output signal when the relative amounts of the two substances change in a predetermined manner.
- View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
Specification