Abstract: A batch processing oven comprising a processing chamber and a rack configured to be positioned in the processing chamber. The rack is configured to support a plurality of substrates and a plurality of panels in a stacked manner such that one or more substrates of the plurality of substrates are positioned between at least one pair of adjacent panels of the plurality panels. Vertical gaps separate each substrate of the one or more substrates from an adjacent substrate or panel on either side of the substrate.

Abstract: A batch processing oven includes a processing chamber, a magnet, and a rack. The processing chamber includes a gas inlet on a first side and a gas outlet on a second side opposite the first side, the gas inlet is configured to direct a hot gas into the processing chamber and the gas outlet is configured to exhaust the convective energy in parallel with the radiative energy from the walls. The magnet is arranged such that its north pole will be formed on the first side of the processing chamber and its south pole will be formed on the second side of the processing chamber. The rack is configured to be positioned between the first and second ends of the processing chamber and is configured to support a plurality of vertically spaced-apart substrates.

Abstract: A method of using a processing oven may include disposing at least one substrate in a chamber of the oven and activating a lamp assembly disposed above them to increase their temperature to a first temperature. A chemical vapor may be admitted into the chamber above the at least one substrate and an inert gas may be admitted into the chamber below the at least one substrate. The temperature of the at least one substrate may then be increased to a second temperature higher than the first temperature and then cooled down.

Abstract: A method of using a solder reflow oven can include disposing at least one substrate including solder in a chamber of the oven. The method can include decreasing a pressure of the chamber to a first pressure between about 0.1-50 Torr. After decreasing the pressure of the chamber, the temperature of the at least one substrate can be increased to a first temperature. Formic acid vapor can be admitted into the chamber above the at least one substrate while nitrogen is discharged into the chamber below the at least one substrate. The method can also include removing at least a portion of the formic acid vapor from the enclosure. After the removing step, the temperature of the at least one substrate can be further increased to a second temperature higher than the first temperature. The at least one substrate can be maintained at the second temperature for a first time. And then, the at least one substrate can be cooled.

Abstract: A method of using an oven includes supporting a substrate on a rotatable spindle in a processing chamber of the oven and rotating the substrate. The method may also include raising the spindle with the substrate to a heating zone and activating a lamp assembly to heat a top surface of the substrate. The substrate may then be lowered to a dosing zone and a chemical vapor directed into the processing chamber above the substrate. The substrate may then be further heated using the lamp assembly and cooled.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a compact vertical oven for reflow of solder bumps for backend processes in semiconductor wafer assembly and packaging. This disclosure describes a vertical oven which uses a plurality of wafers (e.g., an example value is 50-100 wafers) in a batch with controlled injection of the reducing agent (e.g. formic acid), resulting in a process largely free of contamination. This disclosure describes controlled formic acid flow through a vertical system using laminar flow technology in a sub-atmospheric pressure environment, which is not currently available in the industry. The efficacy of the process depends on effective formic acid vapor delivery, integrated temperature control during heating and cooling, and careful design of the vapor flow path with exhaust. Zone-dependent reaction dynamics managed by vapor delivery process, two-steps temperature ramp control, and controlled cooling process and formic acid content ensures the effective reaction without any flux.

Abstract: A process chamber system adapted for both vacuum process steps and steps at pressures higher than atmospheric pressure. The chamber door may utilize a double door seal which allows for high vacuum in the gap between the seals such that the sealing force provided by the high vacuum in the seal gap is higher than the opposing forces due to the pressure inside the chamber and the weight of the components.

Abstract: A batch processing oven comprising a processing chamber and a rack configured to be positioned in the processing chamber. The rack is configured to support a plurality of substrates and a plurality of panels in a stacked manner such that one or more substrates of the plurality of substrates are positioned between at least one pair of adjacent panels of the plurality panels. Vertical gaps separate each substrate of the one or more substrates from an adjacent substrate or panel on either side of the substrate.

Abstract: A solder reflow oven may include a reflow chamber and a plurality of vertically spaced apart wafer-support plates positioned in the reflow chamber. A plurality of semiconductor wafers each including a solder are configured to be disposed in the reflow chamber such that each semiconductor wafer is disposed proximate to, and vertically spaced apart from, a wafer-support plate. Each wafer-support plate may include at least one of liquid-flow channels or resistive heating elements. A control system control the flow of a hot liquid through the channels or activate the heating elements to heat a wafer to a temperature above the solder reflow temperature.

Abstract: A solder reflow oven includes a processing chamber that defines an enclosure. The enclosure includes a spindle configured to support a substrate and rotate the substrate about a central axis of the processing chamber. The spindle is also configured to move vertically along the central axis and position the substrate at different locations within the enclosure. The oven further includes a chemical delivery tube configured to direct a chemical vapor into the enclosure, a lamp assembly configured to heat a top surface of the substrate, and a lift assembly configured to move the spindle along the central axis.

Abstract: A solder reflow oven may include a reflow chamber and a plurality of vertically spaced apart wafer-support plates positioned in the reflow chamber. A plurality of semiconductor wafers each including a solder are configured to be disposed in the reflow chamber such that each semiconductor wafer is disposed proximate to, and vertically spaced apart from, a wafer-support plate. Each wafer-support plate may include at least one of liquid-flow channels or resistive heating elements. A control system control the flow of a hot liquid through the channels or activate the heating elements to heat a wafer to a temperature above the solder reflow temperature.

Abstract: A device and method of spreading plasma which allows for plasma etching over a larger range of process chamber pressures. A plasma source, such as a linear inductive plasma source, may be choked to alter back pressure within the plasma source. The plasma may then be spread around a deflecting disc which spreads the plasma under a dome which then allows for very even plasma etch rates across the surface of a substrate. The apparatus may include a linear inductive plasma source above a plasma spreading portion which spreads plasma across a horizontally configured wafer or other substrate. The substrate support may include heating elements adapted to enhance the etching.

Abstract: A process chamber system adapted for both vacuum process steps and steps at pressures higher than atmospheric pressure. The chamber door may utilize a double door seal which allows for high vacuum in the gap between the seals such that the sealing force provided by the high vacuum in the seal gap is higher than the opposing forces due to the pressure inside the chamber and the weight of the components.

Abstract: A process for the drying, and subsequent imidization, of polyimide precursors which minimizes or eliminates voids and which minimizes or eliminates discoloration. The process uses a sequential set of descending pressure operations that allow for time efficient processing of wafers. The set of descending pressure operations are interspersed with evacuation processes using heated gasses, which combine heating and byproduct evacuation. The process results in layers with reduced or eliminated voiding, discoloration, and solvent retention.

Abstract: A process for the drying, and subsequent imidization, of polyimide precursors which minimizes or eliminates voids and which minimizes or eliminates discoloration. The process uses a sequential set of descending pressure operations that allow for time efficient processing of wafers. The set of descending pressure operations are interspersed with evacuation processes using heated gasses, which combine heating and byproduct evacuation. The process results in layers with reduced or eliminated voiding, discoloration, and solvent retention.

Abstract: A process for the coating of substrates comprising insertion of a substrate into a process oven, plasma cleaning of the substrate, rehydration of the substrate, dehydration of the substrate, withdrawal of a metered amount of one or more chemicals from one or more chemical reservoirs, vaporizing the withdrawn chemicals in one or more vapor chambers, and transfer of the vaporized chemicals into a process oven, thereby reacting with the substrate. An apparatus for the coating of substrates comprising a process oven, a gas plasma generator, a metered chemical withdrawal subsystem, and a vaporization subsystem.

Abstract: A process for the coating of substrates comprising insertion of a substrate into a process oven, plasma cleaning of the substrate, dehydration of the substrate, withdrawal of a metered amount of one or more chemicals from one or more chemical reservoirs, vaporizing the withdrawn chemicals in one or more vapor chambers, and transfer of the vaporized chemicals into a process oven, thereby reacting with the substrate. An apparatus for the coating of substrates comprising a process oven, a gas plasma generator, a metered chemical withdrawal subsystem, and a vaporization subsystem.

Abstract: A process for the coating of substrates comprising insertion of a substrate into a process oven, dehydration of the substrate, withdrawal of a metered amount of one or more chemicals from one or more chemical reservoirs, vaporizing the withdrawn chemicals in one or more vapor chambers, and transfer of the vaporized chemicals into a process oven, thereby reacting with the substrate. An apparatus for the coating of substrates comprising a process oven, a metered chemical withdrawal subsystem, and a vaporization subsystem.

Abstract: A plasma cleaning apparatus for cleaning lead frames or other items comprised of a chamber adapted for containing a plasma, a magazine positioned in the chamber for holding the lead frames, a first active electrode positioned in the chamber on one side of the magazine and a second active electrode positioned in the chamber on the other side of the magazine. A first grounded electrode is positioned between the first active electrode and the magazine and a second grounded electrode is positioned between the second active electrode and the magazine. The magazine is held at the same voltage as the first and second active electrodes and a plasma is generated which extends from the first active electrode to the second active electrode.

Abstract: An oven for processing semiconductor wafers comprised of a first cylindrical canister, a second cylindrical canister that surrounds the first canister, and a third cylindrical canister that surrounds the second canister. The first canister is comprised of thin stainless steel so that it can be heated and cooled rapidly by band heaters positioned around its exterior. The second canister is comprised of stainless that it thermally insulates the first canister. The third canister is comprised of stainless steel that is thicker than the second canister so that the third canister can hold a sufficient vacuum for processing the wafers.