Wafer chuck with thermal tuning cavity features

Abstract

Wafer chucks or baseplates therefor are disclosed that feature thermal tuning cavity features that are positioned and sized so as to provide a more uniform temperature distribution across a wafer support surface of such a wafer chuck. Each thermal tuning cavity feature may be positioned adjacent to a portion or portions of a heat exchange passage or passages within a baseplate of the wafer chuck. By locating thermal tuning cavity features in locations underneath where the wafer support surface of the wafer chuck would otherwise demonstrate localized regions of lower temperature (as compared with adjacent regions of the wafer chuck support surface), the lower-temperature regions may be caused to have elevated temperatures that more closely match the surrounding temperatures, thereby increasing temperature uniformity.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.