Apparatus for maintaining wafer back side and edge exclusion during supercritical fluid processing

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 6550484
SERIAL NO

10011499

Stats

ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

Importance

Loading Importance Indicators... loading....

Abstract

See full text

The present invention pertains to apparatus and methods for maintaining wafer back side, bevel, and front side edge exclusion during supercritical fluid processing. Apparatus of the invention include a pedestal and an exclusion ring. When the exclusion ring is engaged with the pedestal a channel is formed. A reactant-free supercritical fluid is passed through the channel and over a circumferential front edge of a wafer. The flow of reactant-free supercritical fluid protects the bevel and circumferential front edge of the wafer from exposure to reactants in a supercritical processing medium. The back side of the wafer is protected by contact with the pedestal and the flow of reactant-free supercritical fluid. Exclusion rings of the invention, when engaged with their corresponding pedestals make no or very little physical contact with the wafer front side.

Loading the Abstract Image... loading....

First Claim

See full text

Family

Loading Family data... loading....

Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
NOVELLUS SYSTEMS INC3970 NORTH FIRST STREET SAN JOSE CA 95134

International Classification(s)

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Gopinath, Sanjay Fremont, CA 37 2199
Juarez, Francisco Fremont, CA 11 450
Shrinivasan, Krishnan San Jose, CA 22 1566
Van, Cleemput Patrick A Sunnyvale, CA 57 4102

Cited Art Landscape

Load Citation

Patent Citation Ranking

Forward Cite Landscape

Load Citation