Narrow spectral band pyrometry

Abstract

A narrow-band pyrometric system measures the temperature of an object (1), such as a semiconductor wafer (1), that is coated with a film (2) having an absorption band. The thermal radiation emitted by the coated object (1) passes through a lens (3) and aperture (4), and then a filter (5). The passband of this filter (5) falls within the absorption band of the film (2). The transmitted radiation is then collected by the radiation detector (6), which measures the intensity. The detected radiation is at a wavelength where the heated object (1) is substantially opaque, and the effect of uncertainties in the emissivity on the temperature measurement is minimized. Thus, a method is provided to coat the object (1) with a film (2) of material having an absorption band encompassing the filter (5) passband, and a thickness sufficiently great that the object (1) appears opaque when viewed through the filter (5). Alternatively, the film (2) material and thickness must be such that the emissivity is constant and accurately known in the passband wavelength region.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.