Method of processing wafers with low mass support
First Claim
1. A method of ramping a wafer to a stable temperature within a ramp time, comprising using a PID controller to control the temperature of a temperature sensor loosely thermally coupled to the wafer;
- and starting a wafer treatment at a stable wafer temperature while the temperature of the sensor is ramping.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method is provided for treating wafers on a low mass support. The method includes mounting a temperature sensor in proximity to the wafer, which is supported on the low mass support, such that the sensor is only loosely thermally coupled to the wafer. A temperature controller is programmed to critically tune the wafer temperature in a temperature ramp, though the controller directly controls the sensor temperature. A wafer treatment, such as epitaxial silicon deposition, is started before the sensor temperature has stabilized. Accordingly, significant time is saved for the treatment process, and wafer throughput improved.
389 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method of ramping a wafer to a stable temperature within a ramp time, comprising using a PID controller to control the temperature of a temperature sensor loosely thermally coupled to the wafer;
- and starting a wafer treatment at a stable wafer temperature while the temperature of the sensor is ramping.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of processing a wafer in a semiconductor processing chamber, comprising:
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placing the wafer in proximity to a temperature sensor within the reaction chamber; ramping the temperature of the sensor with a temperature controller; and starting a wafer treatment at a stable wafer temperature while the temperature of the sensor is ramping.
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11. A method of processing a wafer in a semiconductor processing chamber, comprising:
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supporting the wafer in the semiconductor processing chamber; measuring the temperature of at least one temperature sensor in proximity to the wafer; changing the temperature of the sensor with a controller in response to a controller setpoint curve and a sensor offset term; and starting a wafer treatment at a steady state temperature before the sensor reaches a stable second temperature. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of processing a wafer in a semiconductor processing chamber, comprising:
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placing the wafer on a wafer holder mounted within the chamber; sensing the temperature of at least one temperature sensor in proximity to the wafer holder; changing the temperature of the sensor toward a first stable temperature; changing the temperature of the wafer to a second stable temperature faster than the sensor is changed to the first stable temperature; controlling the temperature of the sensor with a controller while changing the temperature of the sensor and changing the temperature of the wafer; and starting a wafer treatment at the second stable temperature before the temperature of the sensor reaches the first stable temperature. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification