Abstract: Techniques for handling substrates are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a substrate support. The substrate support may comprise a mounting portion. The substrate support may also comprise a wall extending from the mounting portion, wherein the wall may form a generally enclosed area and may have a contact surface at a distal end.

Abstract: Electrostatic clamping devices and methods for reducing contamination to a workpiece coupled to an electrostatic clamping device are disclosed. According to an embodiment an electrostatic clamping device for coupling a workpiece comprises: an embossment portion on a surface of a body to contact the workpiece; and at least two electrodes within the body; wherein the two electrodes are separated by a separation portion below the embossment portion.

Abstract: An ion beam implanter includes ion beam forming and directing apparatus and an implantation station where workpieces are implanted with ions from an ion beam. The beam travels along an evacuated path from an ion source to the implantation station. A flexible bellows couples the implantation station to the beam forming and directing apparatus permitting the implantation station to be pivoted with respect to the beam forming and directing apparatus and thereby change an implantation orientation of the workpieces with respect to the ion beam. A replaceable, flexible bellows liner is disposed within an interior region of the bellows to reduce the volume of implantation byproducts deposited on an interior surface of the bellows.

Abstract: An ion implanter having a source, a workpiece support and a transport system for delivering ions from the source to an ion implantation chamber that contains the workpiece support. The implanter includes one or more removable inserts mounted to an interior of either the transport system or the ion implantation chamber for collecting material entering either the transport system or the ion implantation chamber due to collisions between ions and the workpiece within the ion implantation chamber during ion processing of the workpiece. A temperature control coupled to the one or more removable inserts for maintaining the temperature of the insert at a controlled temperature to promote formation of a film on said insert during ion treatment due to collisions between ions and said workpiece.

Abstract: An electrostatic clamp for securing a semiconductor wafer during processing. The electrostatic clamp includes a base member, a first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer having a gas pressure distribution micro-groove network formed therein, a gas gap positioned between a backside of a semiconductor wafer and the second dielectric layer, and a pair of high voltage electrodes positioned between the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer.

Abstract: An electrostatic clamp for securing a semiconductor wafer during processing. The electrostatic clamp comprises a base member, a resistive layer, a dielectric layer including a gas pressure distribution micro-groove network, a gas gap positioned between a backside of a semiconductor wafer and the dielectric layer, and a pair of high voltage electrodes positioned between the resistive layer and the dielectric layer. The electrostatic clamp can further comprise at least one ground electrode positioned between the resistive layer and the dielectric layer that provides shielding for the gas pressure distribution micro-groove network. The electrostatic clamp is characterized by a heat transfer coefficient of greater than or about 200 mW/Kcm2, a response time of less than or about 1 second, and gas leakage of less than or about 0.5 sccm.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus by which a cooling gas is supplied from a stationary source to the back side of batch ion implanter workpieces being implanted in a rotating or spinning batch implanter process disk. The cooling gas provides improved heat transfer from the workpieces to the process disk, which may be advantageously combined with circulation of cooling fluid through passages in the process disk to remove heat therefrom. The invention further includes a rotary feedthrough employed to transfer the cooling gas from a stationary housing to a gas chamber in a rotating shaft which spins the batch implanter process disk. In addition, a seal apparatus is provided which seals the cooling gas applied to the back sides of the workpieces from the vacuum in which the front sides of the workpieces are implanted.

Abstract: A method of capturing and removing contaminant particles moving within an evacuated interior region of an ion beam implanter is disclosed. The steps of the method include: providing a particle collector having a surface to which contaminant particles readily adhere; securing the particle collector to the implanter such that particle adhering surface is in fluid communication to the contaminant particles moving within the interior region; and removing the particle collector from the implanter after a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A method of capturing and removing contaminant particles moving within an evacuated interior region of an ion beam implanter is disclosed. The steps of the method include: providing a particle collector having a surface to which contaminant particles readily adhere; securing the particle collector to the implanter such that particle adhering surface is in fluid communication to the contaminant particles moving within the interior region; and removing the particle collector from the implanter after a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A wafer position and clamp sensor. A circuit monitors capacitance between two electrodes within a wafer support. With no wafer on the support, the capacitance falls in one range, with the wafer in place but not clamped, the capacitance falls in a second range and with the wafer held in place by an electrostatic attraction the capacitance falls in a third range. The sensed capacitance is converted to a frequency and then a DC voltage level that can easily be sensed and used to confirm wafer placement and then confirm wafer clamping.