Abstract: A light source including a plurality of flash lamps emits flashes thereby flash-heating a semiconductor wafer held by a thermal diffuser and a hot plate. The current distance of irradiation between the thermal diffuser and the hot plate holding the semiconductor wafer and the light source is so adjusted as to attain predetermined intensity of irradiation. The distance of irradiation between the thermal diffuser and the hot plate and the light source can be changed or corrected by vertically moving the thermal diffuser and the hot plate. The thermal processing apparatus which uses the flash lamps, is thus capable of readily controlling the intensity of irradiation.

Abstract: A light source including a plurality of flash lamps emits flashes thereby flash-heating a semiconductor wafer held by a thermal diffuser and a hot plate. The current distance of irradiation between the thermal diffuser and the hot plate holding the semiconductor wafer and the light source is so adjusted as to attain predetermined intensity of irradiation. The distance of irradiation between the thermal diffuser and the hot plate and the light source can be changed or corrected by vertically moving the thermal diffuser and the hot plate. The thermal processing apparatus which uses the flash lamps, is thus capable of readily controlling the intensity of irradiation.

Abstract: A light source comprising a plurality of flash lamps emits flashes thereby flash-heating a semiconductor wafer held by a thermal diffuser and a hot plate. The current distance of irradiation between the thermal diffuser and the hot plate holding the semiconductor wafer and the light source is so adjusted as to attain predetermined intensity of irradiation. The distance of irradiation between the thermal diffuser and the hot plate and the light source can be changed or corrected by vertically moving the thermal diffuser and the hot plate. Thus provided is a thermal processing apparatus using the flash lamps, capable of readily controlling the intensity of irradiation.

Abstract: A light source comprising a plurality of flash lamps emits flashes thereby flash-heating a semiconductor wafer held by a thermal diffuser and a hot plate. The current distance of irradiation between the thermal diffuser and the hot plate holding the semiconductor wafer and the light source is so adjusted as to attain predetermined intensity of irradiation. The distance of irradiation between the thermal diffuser and the hot plate and the light source can be changed or corrected by vertically moving the thermal diffuser and the hot plate. Thus provided is a thermal processing apparatus using the flash lamps, capable of readily controlling the intensity of irradiation.

Abstract: In a light diffuser, a strong light diffusion processing is performed to a lamp corresponding part located in a vertical immediate downward direction of each of a plurality of flash lamps, and a weak light diffusion processing is performed to an inter-lamp corresponding part located between lamp corresponding parts adjacent to each other. Thereby, the light transmittance of the lamp corresponding part is lower than that of the inter-lamp corresponding part. Light that is emitted from each of the flash lamps and directed to a vertical immediate downward direction is diffused intensely, while reducing the degree of light diffusion at a location immediately below space between the adjacent flash lamps, thereby improving in-plane uniformity of illumination distribution on a semiconductor wafer. This enables to provide a thermal processing apparatus capable of improving in-plane uniformity of illumination distribution on a substrate.

Abstract: In a light diffuser, a strong light diffusion processing is performed to a lamp corresponding part located in a vertical immediate downward direction of each of a plurality of flash lamps, and a weak light diffusion processing is performed to an inter-lamp corresponding part located between lamp corresponding parts adjacent to each other. Thereby, the light transmittance of the lamp corresponding part is lower than that of the inter-lamp corresponding part. Light that is emitted from each of the flash lamps and directed to a vertical immediate downward direction is diffused intensely, while reducing the degree of light diffusion at a location immediately below space between the adjacent flash lamps, thereby improving in-plane uniformity of illumination distribution on a semiconductor wafer. This enables to provide a thermal processing apparatus capable of improving in-plane uniformity of illumination distribution on a substrate.

Abstract: A light source comprising a plurality of flash lamps emits flashes thereby flash-heating a semiconductor wafer held by a thermal diffuser and a hot plate. The current distance of irradiation between the thermal diffuser and the hot plate holding the semiconductor wafer and the light source is so adjusted as to attain predetermined intensity of irradiation. The distance of irradiation between the thermal diffuser and the hot plate and the light source can be changed or corrected by vertically moving the thermal diffuser and the hot plate. Thus provided is a thermal processing apparatus using the flash lamps, capable of readily controlling the intensity of irradiation.