Rotating semiconductor processing apparatus
AssigneeASM America, Inc.
InventorDennis L. Goodwin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A reactor for processing semiconductor wafers and the like is provided. The reactor employs one or more rotating components to more evenly distribute temperature or gases within the chamber. In one embodiment, the reactor is provided with rotating reflectors, which reflect the heat generated from radiant heat lamps onto a stationary wafer in a reaction chamber. The rotation of the reflectors provides for a more uniform temperature distribution on the wafer. In another embodiment, the reaction chamber itself is rotated while the wafer is kept stationary. In another embodiment, a rotating showerhead is provided above the wafer through which gases flow to deposit onto the wafer in a uniform manner.
Claims13
A processing apparatus, comprising:
- a reaction chamber having upper and lower walls;
- a wafer support structure positioned inside the chamber to support a wafer;
- a first array of heating elements located outside of the reaction chamber;
- a rotatable reflector located outside the reaction chamber and positioned to reflect radiant heat toward the support structure;
- and
- a rotatable showerhead positioned above the wafer support structure, the showerhead having apertures through which reactant gases pass to deposit onto the wafer;
- wherein the reflector and showerhead are rotatable about a common axis independently of each other, the common axis passing through the reflector.
A processing apparatus, comprising:
- a reaction chamber having upper and lower walls;
- a wafer support structure positioned inside the chamber to support a wafer;
- a first array of heating elements located outside of the reaction chamber;
- a reflector located outside the reaction chamber and positioned to reflect radiant heat toward the support structure;
- and
- a rotatable showerhead positioned above the wafer support structure, the showerhead having apertures through which reactant gases pass to deposit onto the wafer;
- wherein the reaction chamber is rotatable relative to the wafer support structure and rotates in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the showerhead.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.