Abstract: A susceptor carrying semiconductor wafers for processing is suspended from a compliant attachment at its upper end and is lowered into a reaction chamber for processing. At the completion of processing, the susceptor is withdrawn vertically to permit a robot to unload the processed wafers and load unprocessed wafers. In order to fix the position of the susceptor during the loading operations, a support carriage is moved into position to engage the lower end of the susceptor. Noxious and corrosive chloride vapors are simultaneously withdrawn from the reaction chamber by a vacuum line attached to the support carriage.

Abstract: A wafer processing reactor having an input manifold to enable control of a process gas flow profile over a wafer that is being processed. Both process gas relative concentrations and flow rates can be controlled, thereby enabling an increased uniformity of processing across the wafer.

Abstract: A susceptor carrying semiconductor wafers for processing is suspended from a compliant attachment at its upper end and is lowered into a reaction chamber for processing. At the completion of processing, the susceptor is withdrawn vertically to permit a robot to unload the processed wafers and load unprocessed wafers. In order to fix the position of the susceptor during the loading operations, a support carriage is moved into position to engage the lower end of the susceptor. Noxious and corrosive chloride vapors are simultaneously withdrawn from the reaction chamber by a vacuum line attached to the support carriage.

Abstract: A wafer processing reactor having an input manifold to enable control of a process gas flow profile over a wafer that is being processed. Both process gas relative concentrations and flow rates can be controlled, thereby enabling an increased uniformity of processing across the wafer.

Abstract: A hollow graphite susceptor for supporting semiconductor substrates during processing in epitaxial reactor systems. The susceptor has reduced wall thickness to provide lower thermal mass for rapid heating and high wafer throughput. Early failure of this thin-walled susceptor is avoided by providing a raised reinforcing boss on its interior surface in alignment with each recess on the exterior surface.

Abstract: A susceptor carrying semiconductor wafers for processing is suspended from a compliant attachment at its upper end and is lowered into a reaction chamber for processing. At the completion of processing, the susceptor is withdrawn vertically to permit a robot to unload the processed wafers and load unprocessed wafers. In order to fix the position of the susceptor during the loading operations, a support carriage is moved into position to engage the lower end of the susceptor. Noxious and corrosive chloride vapors are simultaneously withdrawn from the reaction chamber by a vacuum line attached to the support carriage.

Abstract: An epitaxial reactor system provides for enhanced gas flow control and, thus, deposition uniformity. Gross reactant gas flow is set by a main flow controller which delivers unequal amounts to a reaction chamber via two nozzle assemblies. A supplemental flow controlled by an auxiliary flow controller is used to balance the flow rates through the nozzle assemblies so as to reduce spiralling of the gas flow within the chamber. Vertical ridges on a shroud within the reaction chamber help guide incoming gases vertically, further minimizing spiralling. The direction of gas flow from each nozzle assembly is controlled by two actuators, one controlling orientation along a coarse diagonal to obtain an overall vertical uniformity of deposition; the other actuator controls orientation along a fine diagonal to balance inter- and intra-wafer deposition uniformity. This arrangement optimizes the convenience in attaining vertical uniformity.