Temperature probe and measurement method for low pressure process
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for performing a process on a semiconductor wafer, comprising:
- a process chamber,means for supplying a gaseous environment to the chamber which is at an ambient process pressure,a temperature probe for supporting along with other support means a semiconductor wafer to be processed, the probe comprised of a probe head and a probe head support, the probe head having a wafer contacting surface in the shape of a flat disk, which over its entire surface contacts only a small area of the wafer, the wafer contacting surface having an orifice,the orifice in the wafer contacting surface of the probe head communicating with a fluid passageway which is connectable to means outside the process chamber for supplying gas to the orifice for raising the pressure above the wafer contacting surface in the region of the small area of the wafer which is contacted to above the ambient process pressure, wherein the wafer is not secured to the wafer contacting surface.
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Abstract
A temperature probe for use in low pressure processes having an improved thermal response wherein fluid is supplied to a fluid transport passageway in the probe head for creating an increased pressure between the probe head and a semiconductor wafer for increasing the thermal conductivity therebetween.
17 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An apparatus for performing a process on a semiconductor wafer, comprising:
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a process chamber, means for supplying a gaseous environment to the chamber which is at an ambient process pressure, a temperature probe for supporting along with other support means a semiconductor wafer to be processed, the probe comprised of a probe head and a probe head support, the probe head having a wafer contacting surface in the shape of a flat disk, which over its entire surface contacts only a small area of the wafer, the wafer contacting surface having an orifice, the orifice in the wafer contacting surface of the probe head communicating with a fluid passageway which is connectable to means outside the process chamber for supplying gas to the orifice for raising the pressure above the wafer contacting surface in the region of the small area of the wafer which is contacted to above the ambient process pressure, wherein the wafer is not secured to the wafer contacting surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A temperature probe for measuring the temperature of a semiconductor wafer and for supporting the semiconductor wafer along with other separate support means, comprising,
a probe head having a temperature sensor disposed therein, the probe head having a contact surface in the shape of a disk which over its entire surface contacts only a small area of the semiconductor wafer, there being an opening in the contact surface, a fluid transport passage way in the probe head communicating from the opening and connectable to a fluid source for providing fluid at the opening for forming a fluid cushion beneath the semiconductor wafer, and a probe head support for the probe head.
Specification