Abstract: A susceptor for supporting a semiconductor wafer in a heated chamber includes a body that has a front surface, a rear surface, and a central plane between the front and rear surfaces. The susceptor also includes a recess that extends into the body from the front surface to a recess floor and a ledge that circumscribes the recess floor in the recess. The ledge includes a first surface oriented at a first angle relative to a horizontal plane parallel to the central plane, a second surface that extends radially inward from the first surface, the second surface optionally oriented at a second acute angle relative to the horizontal plane, and a third surface that extends between the second surface and the recess floor, the third surface oriented at a third acute angle relative to the horizontal plane. Each of the first, second, and third surfaces extends circumferentially along the ledge.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor wafer in a reaction apparatus includes channeling a process gas into a reaction chamber of the reaction apparatus, heating the semiconductor wafer with a high intensity lamp positioned below the reaction chamber, blocking radiant heat from the high intensity lamp from heating a center region of the semiconductor wafer with a cap positioned on a shaft within the reaction chamber, the cap including a tube and a disc attached to the tube, where the disc generates a uniform temperature distribution on the semiconductor wafer, and depositing a layer on the semiconductor wafer with the process gas, where the uniform temperature distribution forms a uniform thickness of the layer on the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A method of producing an epitaxial semiconductor wafer includes measuring one or more epitaxial semiconductor wafers to determine an epitaxial deposition layer profile produced by an epitaxy apparatus. The method also includes polishing a semiconductor wafer using a polishing assembly and measuring the polished semiconductor wafer to determine a surface profile of the polished wafer. The method further includes generating a predicted post-epitaxy surface profile of the polished wafer by comparing the surface profile of the polished wafer and the determined epitaxial deposition layer profile produced by the epitaxy apparatus. The method also includes determining a predicted post-epitaxy parameter based on the predicted post-epitaxy surface profile and adjusting, based on the predicted post-epitaxy parameter, a process condition of the polishing assembly.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor wafer in a reaction apparatus comprising channeling a process gas into a reaction chamber through the process gas inlet and heating the process gas with the preheat ring having an edge bar. The method also includes adjusting at least one of a velocity and a direction of the process gas with the edge bar, and depositing a layer on the semiconductor wafer with the process gas, wherein the edge bar facilitates forming a uniform thickness of the layer on the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: Methods for determining suitability of a silicon substrate for epitaxy and/or for determining slip resistance during epitaxy and post-epitaxy thermal treatment are disclosed. The methods involve evaluating different substrates of the epitaxial wafers by imaging the wafer by infrared depolarization. An infrared depolarization parameter is generated for each epitaxial wafer. The parameters may be compared to determine which substrates are well-suited for epitaxial and/or post-epi heat treatments.

Abstract: Methods for determining suitability of Czochralski growth conditions to produce silicon substrates for epitaxy. The methods involve evaluating substrates sliced from ingots grown under different growth conditions (e.g., impurity profiles) by imaging the wafer by infrared depolarization. An infrared depolarization parameter is generated for each epitaxial wafer. The parameters may be compared to determine which growth conditions are well-suited to produce substrates for epitaxial and/or post-epi heat treatments.

Abstract: A reaction apparatus includes an upper dome, a lower dome, an upper liner, a lower liner, and a preheat ring. The upper dome and the lower dome define a reaction chamber. The preheat ring is positioned within the reaction chamber for heating the process gas prior to contacting the semiconductor wafer. The preheating ring is attached to an inner circumference of the lower liner. The preheat ring includes an annular disk and an edge bar. The annular disk has an inner edge, an outer edge, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side. The inner edge and the outer edge define a radial distance therebetween. The edge bar positioned on the first side and extending from the outer edge toward the inner edge an edge bar radial thickness. The radial distance is greater than the edge bar radial thickness.

Abstract: A reaction apparatus contacts a process gas on a semiconductor wafer during a wafering process. The semiconductor wafer defines a center region. The reaction apparatus includes an upper dome, a lower dome, a shaft, and a cap. The lower dome is attached to the upper dome, and the upper dome and the lower dome define a reaction chamber. The cap is positioned on the shaft within the reaction chamber for reducing heat absorbed by the center region of the semiconductor wafer. The cap is attached to a first end of the shaft. The cap includes a tube and a disc. The tube defines a tube diameter larger than a shaft diameter of the shaft. The tube circumscribes the first end of the shaft. The disc is attached to the tube and is positioned to block radiant heat from heating the center region of the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A system for depositing a layer on a substrate includes a processing chamber defining a gas inlet for introducing gas into the processing chamber and a gas outlet to allow the gas to exit the processing chamber. A substrate support is positioned within the processing chamber and is configured to receive a substrate. A transparent upper window includes a convex first face spaced from the substrate support to define an air gap therebetween. The upper window is positioned within the processing chamber to direct the gas from the gas inlet, through the air gap, and to the gas outlet. The first face includes a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface circumscribed within the outer surface. The outer surface has a first radius of curvature and the inner surface has a second radius of curvature that is different from the first radius of curvature.