Abstract: An IC fabrication system for facilitating improved thermal uniformity includes a chamber within which an IC process is performed on a substrate, a heating mechanism configured to heat the substrate, and a substrate-retaining device configured to retain the substrate in the chamber. The substrate-retaining device includes a contact surface configured to contact an edge of the retained substrate without the substrate-retaining device contacting a circumferential surface of the retained substrate. The substrate-retaining device includes a plurality of contact regions and a plurality of noncontact regions disposed at a perimeter, where the plurality of noncontact regions is interspersed with the plurality of contact regions. Each of the plurality of noncontact regions includes the contact surface.

Abstract: An IC fabrication system for facilitating improved thermal uniformity includes a chamber within which an IC process is performed on a substrate, a heating mechanism configured to heat the substrate, and a substrate-retaining device configured to retain the substrate in the chamber. The substrate-retaining device includes a contact surface configured to contact an edge of the retained substrate without the substrate-retaining device contacting a circumferential surface of the retained substrate. The substrate-retaining device includes a plurality of contact regions and a plurality of noncontact regions disposed at a perimeter, where the plurality of noncontact regions is interspersed with the plurality of contact regions. Each of the plurality of noncontact regions includes the contact surface.

Abstract: An IC fabrication system for facilitating improved thermal uniformity includes a chamber within which an IC process is performed on a substrate, a heating mechanism configured to heat the substrate, and a substrate-retaining device configured to retain the substrate in the chamber. The substrate-retaining device includes a contact surface configured to contact an edge of the retained substrate without the substrate-retaining device contacting a circumferential surface of the retained substrate. The substrate-retaining device includes a plurality of contact regions and a plurality of noncontact regions disposed at a perimeter, where the plurality of noncontact regions is interspersed with the plurality of contact regions. Each of the plurality of noncontact regions includes the contact surface.

Abstract: A FinFET device may include a dummy FinFET structure laterally adjacent an active FinFET structure to reduce stress imbalance and the effects of stress imbalance on the active FinFET structure. The FinFET device comprises an active FinFET comprising a plurality of semiconductor fins, and a dummy FinFET comprising a plurality of semiconductor fins. The active FinFET and the dummy FinFET are laterally spaced from each other by a spacing that is related to the fin pitch of the active FinFET.

Abstract: An IC fabrication system for facilitating improved thermal uniformity includes a chamber within which an IC process is performed on a substrate, a heating mechanism configured to heat the substrate, and a substrate-retaining device configured to retain the substrate in the chamber. The substrate-retaining device includes a contact surface configured to contact an edge of the retained substrate without the substrate-retaining device contacting a circumferential surface of the retained substrate. The substrate-retaining device includes a plurality of contact regions and a plurality of noncontact regions disposed at a perimeter, where the plurality of noncontact regions is interspersed with the plurality of contact regions. Each of the plurality of noncontact regions includes the contact surface.

Abstract: A substrate-retaining device with improved thermal uniformity is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the substrate-retaining device includes a substantially circular first surface with a defined perimeter, a plurality of contact regions disposed at the perimeter, and a plurality of noncontact regions also disposed at the perimeter. The contact regions are interspersed with the noncontact regions. Within each of the noncontact regions, the first surface extends past where the first surface ends within each of the contact regions. In some such embodiments, each region of the plurality of contact regions includes a contact surface disposed above the first surface.

Abstract: A substrate-retaining device with improved thermal uniformity is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the substrate-retaining device includes a substantially circular first surface with a defined perimeter, a plurality of contact regions disposed at the perimeter, and a plurality of noncontact regions also disposed at the perimeter. The contact regions are interspersed with the noncontact regions. Within each of the noncontact regions, the first surface extends past where the first surface ends within each of the contact regions. In some such embodiments, each region of the plurality of contact regions includes a contact surface disposed above the first surface.

Abstract: A FinFET device may include a dummy FinFET structure laterally adjacent an active FinFET structure to reduce stress imbalance and the effects of stress imbalance on the active FinFET structure. The FinFET device comprises an active FinFET comprising a plurality of semiconductor fins, and a dummy FinFET comprising a plurality of semiconductor fins. The active FinFET and the dummy FinFET are laterally spaced from each other by a spacing that is related to the fin pitch of the active FinFET.

Abstract: A wafer temperature control apparatus comprises a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor. The first temperature sensor is configured to receive a first temperature signal from a center portion of a backside of a susceptor. The second temperature sensor is configured to receive a second temperature signal from an edge portion of the susceptor. A plurality of controllers are configured to adjust each heating source's output based upon the first temperature signal and the second temperature signal.