Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing uniform gas flow in a processing chamber is provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus is an edge ring that includes an annular body having an annular seal projecting therefrom is provided. The seal is coupled to a side of the annular body opposite a side adapted to seat on the substrate support. In another embodiment, a processing system is provided that includes a chamber body, a lid, a substrate support and a plurality of flow control orifices. The lid is disposed on the chamber body and defining an interior volume therewith. The substrate support is disposed in the interior volume and at least partially defines a processing region with the lid. The flow control orifices are disposed between the substrate support and the lid. The flow control orifices are adapted to control flow of gases exiting the processing region.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a semiconductor process on a target substrate (W) includes a lifting mechanism (48) disposed in a worktable (38) to assist transfer of the target substrate. The lifting mechanism includes a lifter pin (51) configured to support and move up and down the target substrate, and a guide hole (49) configured to guide the lifter pin being moved up and down. The guide hole includes a main hole portion (49a) which extends through the worktable from its upper surface to lower surface, and an extended hole portion (49b) which extends into an extension sleeve (66) which projects downward from the lower surface of the worktable to correspond to the main hole portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fabricating semiconductor devices may increase reliability of the semiconductor devices by decreasing generation of particles and enhancing operation efficiency by decreasing the number of cleanings. The apparatus may include a chamber having a cover plate, susceptors for securely placing semiconductor substrates within the chamber, shower heads located on the cover plate to supply reaction gases into the chamber, and a curtain gas line connected to the cover plate to supply heated curtain gases between the shower heads.

Abstract: Techniques are here disclosed for a solar cell pre-processing. The method and system remove impurities from low-grade crystalline semiconductor wafers and include forming a low-grade semiconductor wafer having a substrate having high impurity content. The process and system damage at least one surface of the semiconductor wafer either in the semiconductor wafer forming step or in a separate step to form a region on the surface that includes a plurality of gettering centers. The gettering centers attract impurities from the substrate during subsequent processing. The subsequent processes include diffusing impurities from the substrate using a phosphorus gettering process that includes impregnating the surface with a phosphorus material for facilitating the formation of impurity clusters associated with the gettering centers.

Abstract: A substrate processing method that can remove a silicon nitride film without damaging a thermally-oxidized film. A substrate having at least a thermally-oxidized film and a silicon nitride film formed on the thermally-oxidized film is heated to a temperature of not less than 60° C. Then, hydrogen fluoride gas is supplied toward the substrate.

Abstract: A composite shadow ring that is constructed of an upper ring and a lower ring assembled together by a plurality of dowel pins and a method for using the ring. The upper ring and the lower ring each has a predetermined outside diameter that is substantially the same, a planar top surface and a planer bottom surface parallel to the planar top surface. Each of the planar bottom surface of the upper ring and the planar top surface of the lower ring has at least two blind holes formed therein. A plurality of dowel pins are used to frictionally engage the at least two blind holes in the upper ring and the at least two blind holes in the lower ring.

Abstract: A susceptor at least a surface thereof being coated with SiC, includes a recess where an wafer is mounted, the recess having an round portion disposed on a lower portion of an outer circumferential portion of the recess, a ring-shaped SiC crystal growth surface portion provided within the round portion in a range of 0.05 mm or more and 0.3 mm or less defined from an outer circumference vertical portion of the recess and a contact portion, where the susceptor contacts with the wafer on the recess, having a surface roughness Ra in a range of 0.5 ?m or more and 3 ?m or less.

Abstract: On a wafer holding area 50 on the upper surface of a susceptor 22, a wafer W is supported by a wafer support 54 such that a gap with a predetermined distance is formed between the wafer W and a wafer heating surface 52. A projection 58 that decreases the distance of the gap with respect to the wafer W is formed on the wafer heating surface 52. At this time, the heating condition for the wafer W by the susceptor 22 is adjusted by means of the distances of the gaps at the respective portions of the wafer holding area 50. Thus, the uniformity of the planar temperature distribution of the wafer W and that of the thickness distribution of the formed film can be improved.

Abstract: A wiring member which becomes substantially symmetrical on the plane of an electrostatic chuck unit is connected to the tip end of an RF introduction rod between the RF introduction rod and the electrostatic chuck unit in order to make uniform generation of an electric field due to bias RF which becomes a cause of plasma damage. The connection point between the electrostatic chuck unit and the wiring member may be single or plural.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus that can accurately control the temperature of a focus ring without causing abnormal electric discharge and the back-flow of radio frequency electrical power during the application of radio frequency electrical power. A wafer is mounted on a mounting stage disposed in a housing chamber. An annular focus ring is mounted on the mounting stage in such a manner as to surround the peripheral portion of the mounted wafer. The pressure in the housing chamber is reduced, radio frequency electrical power is applied to the mounting stage, and the focus ring generates heat by itself.

Abstract: A housing assembly for an induction heating device defines a processing chamber and includes a susceptor and a thermally conductive liner. The susceptor surrounds at least a portion of the processing chamber. The thermally conductive liner is interposed between the susceptor and the processing chamber. The liner is separately formed form the susceptor. The liner is removable from the susceptor without requiring disassembly of the susceptor.

Abstract: An apparatus for CVD is disclosed. Processing gas is injected to an upper center portion of a wafer supporting member by a gas focus ring installed at an inner side surface of a reaction chamber. The processing gas is prevented from coming down to a lower space of the reaction chamber by purge gas supplied from a lower surface of the reaction chamber. Accordingly to this, a particle source is minimized and a period to check an equipment is prolonged. Also, the purge gas is prevented from mounting to an upper space of the reaction chamber by a pressure of the processing gas, thereby not influencing to a process for CVD. The processing gas and the purge gas are exhausted through a gas outlet installed at a lateral wall of the reaction chamber as a ring shaped recess. A shielding layer for preventing the processing gas and the purge gas from being mixed each other is horizontally installed at a middle portion of the gas outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a semiconductor substrate comprises a plate having a pocket which holds the substrate, wherein the pocket comprises a lower surface and an inner edge. The inner edge comprises a plurality of members extending radially inward to reduce the area of contact between the inner edge and the substrate. The beveled edge is inclined so that there is an acute angle between the lower surface of the pocket and the beveled edge.

Abstract: A new and improved insert ring for a wafer support inside a processing chamber for the processing, particularly dry etching, of semiconductor wafer substrates. The insert ring includes a generally convex inner surface which faces the wafer support and defines a gap or berline wall between the insert ring and the wafer support. In one embodiment, the convex inner surface is convexly-tapered. In another embodiment, the convex inner surface is convexly-curved. Throughout etching of multiple successive substrates on the wafer support, accumulations of polymer material on the inner surface of the insert ring are prevented or at least substantially reduced. Consequently, polymer peeling is eliminated or reduced and operational intervals for the processing chamber or system between periodic maintenance or cleanings, are prolonged.

Abstract: A wafer processing device or apparatus, i.e., a heater or an electrostatic chuck, comprises a planar support platen, a support shaft having centrally located bore, and a pair of electrical conductors located in the shaft. In one embodiment, the electrical conductors are concentrically located within the bore of the shaft, with the first electrical lead being in the form of a pyrolytic graphite rod and separated from the outer second graphite electrical lead by means of a pyrolytic boron nitride (pBN) coating. In a second embodiment, the support platen and the support shaft are formed from a single unitary body of graphite. In yet another embodiment of the device of the invention, the connection posts comprise a carbon fiber composite and the exposed ends of the electrical connectors are coated with a protective ceramic paste for extended life in operations.

Abstract: In the substrate processing apparatus, a ceramic module for mounting a substrate has a flat plate portion having an electric circuitry and a ceramic base body, and as at least a part of a surface of the flat plate portion other than the surface mounting the substrate is in contact with a chamber, it is supported by the chamber. Thus, a substrate processing apparatus can be provided which improves thermal uniformity, reduces cost, is suitable for size reduction of the apparatus and which can ease restrictions in mounting a power supply conductive member or the like.

Abstract: A thermally zoned substrate holder including a substantially cylindrical base having top and bottom surfaces configured to support a substrate. A plurality of temperature control elements are disposed within the base. An insulator thermally separates the temperature control elements. The insulator is made from an insulting material having a lower coefficient of thermal conductivity than the base (e.g., a gas-or vacuum-filled chamber).

Abstract: An insert ring for a wafer support inside a processing chamber for the processing, particularly dry etching, of semiconductor wafer substrates. The insert ring has a generally step-shaped cross-sectional configuration which defines a perpendicular gap or flow space between the insert ring and the wafer support. In the etching of substrates on the wafer support, the perpendicular gap or flow space defines a perpendicular flow path for plasma species. Consequently, flow of heavy plasma species against the outer wall of the wafer support is substantially hindered or reduced to reduce accumulation of polymer material on the inner surface of the insert ring and/or the outer wall of the wafer support.

Abstract: A susceptor 24 includes a heater 38 disposed in a planar state, upper and lower ceramic-metal composites 40A and 40B disposed so as to sandwich the heater 38 from above and from below, and a ceramic electrostatic chuck 28 for attracting and holding an object to be treated, W. The electrostatic chuck is joined to an upper surface of the upper ceramic-metal composite 40A. The electrostatic chuck 28 has nearly the same coefficient of linear thermal expansion as that of the upper ceramic-metal composite 40A. Thus, peeling or cracking of the electrostatic chuck 28 due to the difference in thermal expansion and contraction between the electrostatic chuck 28 and the upper ceramic-metal composite 40A can be prevented.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a stationary supporting base for mounting a semiconductor wafer thereon, and a rotatable heating unit having a plurality of heating lamps located above the wafer. The stationary supporting base is fixed and the rotatable heating unit rotates horizontally on a rotating axis. Therefore, the uniformity of wafer heating can be improved, and the breakage or the warpage of the wafer can be prevented.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck 108 is provided on a lower electrode 106 provided inside a processing chamber 102 of an etching apparatus 100, and a conductive inner ring body 112a and an insulating outer ring body 112b are encompassing the outer edges of a wafer W mounted on the chuck surface. The temperatures of the wafer W and the inner and outer ring bodies 112a and 112b are detected by first˜third temperature sensors 142, 144 and 146. A controller 140 controls the pressure levels of He supplied to the space between the center of the wafer W and the electrostatic chuck 108 via first gas outlet ducts 114 and to the space between the outer edges of the wafer W and the electrostatic chuck 108 via second gas outlet ducts 116 and the quantity of heat generated by a heater 148 inside the outer ring body 112b based upon the information on the temperatures thus detected so that the temperatures of the wafer W and the inner ring body 112a are set roughly equal to each other.

Abstract: A device for depositing crystalline layers onto one or more substrates in a process chamber, including: a reverse-heatable support plate which forms a wall of the process chamber and which is heated with a high frequency and is formed of inertly coated graphite; a gas inlet mechanism which is located in the center of the process chamber having a cover plate that is situated at a distance from the support plate; and a gas outlet ring formed of solid graphite which forms the outer limit of the process chamber and which has a plurality of radial gas outlets.

Abstract: An electron bombardment heating apparatus, in which thermions emitted from filaments 9 are accelerated and impinge upon a heating plate 2, so as to heat the heating plate 2, wherein a peripheral wall of a heated material supporting member 1 having a heating plate as a ceiling thereof is made of multi-staged peripheral wall portions 13a and 13b, positioned vertically and having a different radius, and those peripheral wall portions 13a and 13b are connected with each other by means of a ring-like horizontal wall 5. With this, thermal stress can be mitigated, which is caused due to a difference in temperature between the lower end portion of the heated material supporting member 1 and the heating plate 2 when heating up the heating plate 2, thereby causing no breakage in the heated material supporting member when conducting heating and cooling upon the heating plate, repetitively.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus utilized for thermal processing of substrates during semiconductor manufacturing. The method includes heating the substrate to a predetermined temperature using a heating assembly, cooling the substrate to the predetermined temperature using a cooling assembly located such that a thermal conductance region is provided between the heating and cooling assemblies, and adjusting a thermal conductance of the thermal conductance region to aid in heating and cooling of the substrate. The apparatus includes a heating assembly, a cooling assembly located such that a thermal conductance region is provided between the heating and cooling assemblies, and a structure or configuration for adjusting a thermal conductance of the thermal conductance region.

Abstract: Components of semiconductor processing apparatus comprise thermal sprayed yttria-containing coatings that provide erosion, corrosion and/or corrosion-erosion resistance in plasma atmospheres. The coatings can protect substrates from physical and/or chemical attack.

Abstract: A temperature unit to control a temperature of a device under test using a fluid includes a block disposed opposite the device under test and which defines a gap therebetween and through which the fluid passes across the device under test at a gap flow rate, and an actuator which moves the block. By adjusting the gap, the gap flow rate of the fluid flowing over the device under test changes so as to adjust the temperature of the device under test. Additionally, the block can be a heater block which generates heat receivable by the device under test across the gap such that the adjustment of the heater block by the actuator changes a thermal resistance across the gap.

Abstract: A plasma processing method for processing a sample by reducing a pressure within a processing chamber, including mounting the sample on a sample holder disposed in the processing chamber, and processing using a plasma generated in the processing chamber above the sample holder while supplying a gas for heat transfer to a space between a surface of the sample holder having the sample mounted thereon and a rear surface of the sample. The sample holder has a plurality of substantially ring-shaped depressed portions at the surface where the sample is mounted. A pressure in a space between the depressed portions arranged at a central portion of the sample holder with respect to outer circumferential portion and the sample is set to be lower than a pressure in a space between the depressed portions at the outer circumferential portion and the sample.

Abstract: Components of semiconductor processing apparatus comprise thermal sprayed yttria-containing coatings that provide erosion, corrosion and/or corrosion-erosion resistance in plasma atmospheres. The coatings can protect substrates from physical and/or chemical attack.

Abstract: A method of changing the temperature of a substrate during processing of the substrate includes providing the substrate on a substrate holder, the substrate holder including a temperature controlled substrate support for supporting the substrate, a temperature controlled base support for supporting the substrate support and a thermal insulator interposed between the temperature controlled substrate support and the temperature controlled base support. The method further includes setting the temperature of the base support to a first base temperature corresponding to a first processing temperature of the substrate, setting the substrate support to a first support temperature corresponding to the first processing temperature of the substrate, setting the temperature of the base support to a second base temperature corresponding to a second processing temperature of the substrate, and setting the substrate support to a second support temperature corresponding to the second processing temperature of the substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing minute particles from a surface of a sample are provided that prevent redeposition of the particles onto the surface. By combining thermophoresis with laser assisted particle removal (LAPR), the methods and apparatus remove minute particles (for example, micrometer and nanometer sizes) and assure that they will not redeposit.

Abstract: To provide a semiconductor manufacturing device, which is provided with a wafer holder capable of improving the cooling rate of a heater and retaining the homogeneity of the temperature distribution of the heater at cooling time and which can markedly shorten the time period for treating a semiconductor wafer. The wafer holder includes the heater 1 for carrying the semiconductor wafer thereon to heat the same, and the cooling block 2 for cooling the heater 1. The cooling block 2 is arranged so as to come into and out of abutment against the back 1b of the heater on the side opposed to the wafer carrying face 1a, and its abutment face 2a to abut against the heater 1 has a warpage of 1 mm or less. The cooling block 2 can be provided therein with a passage for a cooling liquid. It is preferred that the passage has a sectional area of 1 mm2 or larger over 80% of its entire length, and that the area of the portion having the passage formed is 3% or larger of the entire area of the abutment face 2a.

Abstract: Generally, a substrate support member for supporting a substrate is provided. In one embodiment, a substrate support member for supporting a substrate includes a body coupled to a lower shield. The body has an upper surface adapted to support the substrate and a lower surface. The lower shield has a center portion and a lip. The lip is disposed radially outward of the body and projects towards a plane defined by the first surface. The lip is disposed in a spaced-apart relation from the body. The lower shield is adapted to interface with an upper shield disposed in a processing chamber to define a labyrinth gap that substantially prevents plasma from migrating below the member. The lower shield, in another embodiment, provides the plasma with a short RF ground return path.

Abstract: An adjustable RF coupling ring is capable of reducing a vertical gap between a substrate and a hot edge ring in a vacuum processing chamber. The reduction of the gap reduces polymer deposits on the substrate and electrostatic chuck and improves wafer processing.

Abstract: A processing gas is prevented from entering into a space below a placement table. A supporting surface for supporting the lower face of a placement table is provided at an inner circumferential portion of the upper end of a support column. A circumferentially extending purge gas groove is formed outside the supporting surface, in an intermediate circumferential portion of the upper end of the support column. A narrow flow path is provided outside the purge gas groove, at a position corresponding to an outer circumferential portion of the upper end of the support column. A purge gas diffuses in the circumferential direction in the purge gas groove and flows out to the outside from the narrow flow path. Such a flow of the purge gas prevents a processing gas from entering into the purge gas groove and a space below the placement table.

Abstract: A plasma processing system and methods for processing a substrate using a heat transfer system are provided. The heat transfer system, which is capable of producing a high degree of processing uniformity across the surface of a substrate, comprises a uniformity pedestal supported on and in good thermal contact with a heat transfer member. The uniformity pedestal includes a pin array which provides a conformal substrate support surface (i.e., contact surface) that can conform to the profile of a backside surface of a substrate during processing. To uniformly cool a substrate, a large thermal gradient can be established between the uniformity pedestal and the heat transfer member during the processing of a substrate.

Abstract: A stage has a plate, a first seal surface, a stem, a second seal surface, a cover, a conductor and a flow path. A heater is embedded in the plate. A terminal for supplying power to the heater is exposed at one surface of the plate. The first seal surface is provided on the plate, shaped like a ring and surrounds the terminal. The stem is shaped like a hollow cylinder, surrounds the terminal and supports the plate. The second seal surface is provided on that end of the stem which supports the plate, and is shaped like a ring. The cover closes an open end of the stem, which is opposite to the end which supports the plate. The conductor passes through the cover into the stem and is connected to the terminal. The flow path is provided in the cover, for supplying inert gas into the stem at a pressure equal to or higher than the pressure of process gas present outside the stem.

Abstract: A substrate holder for supporting a substrate in a processing system and controlling the temperature thereof is described. The substrate holder comprises a first heating element positioned in a first region for elevating the temperature of the first region. A second heating element positioned in a second region is configured to elevate the temperature in the second region. Furthermore, a first controllably insulating element is positioned below the first heating element, and is configured to control the transfer of heat between the substrate and at least one cooling element positioned therebelow in the first region. A second controllably insulating element is positioned below the second heating element and is configured to control the transfer of heat between the substrate and at least one cooling element positioned therebelow in the second region.

Abstract: A substrate holding structure having excellent corrosion resistance and airtightness, excellent dimensional accuracy and sufficient durability when mechanical or thermal stress is applied thereto is obtained. A holder (1) serving as the substrate holding structure includes a ceramic base (2) for holding a substrate, a protective cylinder (7) joined to the ceramic base (2) and a joining layer (8) positioned therebetween for joining the ceramic base (2) and the protective cylinder (7) to each other. The joining layer (8) contains at least 2 mass % and not more than 70 mass % of a rare earth oxide, at least 10 mass % and not more than 78 mass % of aluminum oxide, and at least 2 mass % and not more than 50 mass % of aluminum nitride. The rare earth oxide or the aluminum oxide has the largest proportional content among the aforementioned three types of components in the joining layer (8).

Abstract: An electrode-built-in susceptor is formed by a susceptor base body which is made of an aluminium-nitride-group-sintered-member on one of which surface a plate sample is mounted, an inner electrode which is built in the susceptor member, a power supplying terminal which is disposed in the susceptor base body so as to be attached to the inner electrode, and an insulating layer which is formed mainly by one of a boron nitride, a lithium oxide, an aluminium oxide, or a magnesium oxide is formed between the inner electrode and the mounting surface. By doing this, it is possible to provide an electrode-built-in susceptor which has a superior durability under a high temperature oxidizing atmosphere condition without a concern in that a thermal efficiency decreases and a plate sample is contaminated.

Abstract: A plasma processing method utilizing a plasma processing apparatus having a plasma generating unit, a process chamber including an outer cylinder for withstanding a reduced pressure, and an inner cylinder made of non-magnetic material and being replaceable arranged inside the outer cylinder, a process gas supply unit for supplying gas to the process chamber, a specimen table for holding a specimen and a vacuum pumping unit. A temperature of the inner cylinder is monitored, and a desired inner cylinder temperature which is inputted in advance in response to a processing condition of the specimen is compared with the monitored temperature of the inner cylinder. A temperature of the outer cylinder is controlled in response to a result of the comparison so as to control the inner cylinder temperature to a predetermined value.

Abstract: On top of respective areas divided by partition plates, that is, a cassette station, a processing station, and an interface section in a coating and developing processing system, gas supply sections for supplying an inert gas into the respective areas are provided. Exhaust pipes for exhausting atmospheres in the respective areas are provided at the bottom of the respective areas. The atmospheres in the respective areas are maintained in a clean condition by supplying the inert gas not containing impurities such as oxygen and fine particles from the respective gas supply sections into the respective areas and exhausting the atmospheres in the respective areas from the exhaust pipes.

Abstract: In a metal film production apparatus, a copper plate member is etched with a Cl2 gas plasma within a chamber to form a precursor comprising a Cu component and a Cl2 gas; and the temperatures of the copper plate member and a substrate and a difference between their temperatures are controlled as predetermined, to deposit the Cu component of the precursor on the substrate, thereby forming a film of Cu. In this apparatus, Cl* is formed in an excitation chamber of a passage communicating with the interior of the chamber to flow a Cl2 gas, and the Cl* is supplied into the chamber to withdraw a Cl2 gas from the precursor adsorbed onto the substrate, thereby promoting a Cu film formation reaction. The apparatus has a high film formation speed, can use an inexpensive starting material, and can minimize impurities remaining in the film.

Abstract: A semiconductor processing chamber having a silicon containing pre-coat is provided. The chamber includes a top electrode in communication with a power supply and a processing chamber defined within a base, a sidewall extending from the base, and a top disposed on the sidewall. The processing chamber has an outlet enabling removal of fluids within the processing chamber and includes a substrate support where an outer surface of the substrate support coated with the removable silicon containing coating, wherein the silicon containing coating is a compound consisting essentially of silicon and one of bromine and chlorine. The chamber includes an inner surface defined by the base, the sidewall and the top, where the inner surface is coated with a removable silicon containing coating.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for constraining and supporting the lift pins to prevent or minimize lateral movement of the lift pins that causes substrate hand-off problems and associated degradation in substrate processing characteristics and results. In one embodiment, a lift pin assembly for manipulating a substrate above a support surface of a substrate support comprises a plurality of lift pins movable between an up position and a down position. The lift pins include top ends and bottom ends. The top ends are configured to be lifted above the support surface of the substrate support to contact a bottom surface of the substrate in the up position. The top ends are configured to be positioned at or below the support surface of the substrate support in the down position.

Abstract: In many processes used in fabricating semiconductors the wafer is seated on the top surface of a pedestal and heated in a high energy process step, such as plasma etching. The pedestal, chuck or platen may be cooling but the wafer gradually heats until the process can no longer continue. Where large, e.g. 300 mm diameter, wafers are being processed the temperature level across the wafer is difficult to maintain substantially constant. In this system and method the lateral temperature distribution is equalized by a heat sink structure in a chamber immediately under the wafer support on top of the pedestal. A number of spatially distributed wicking posts extend downwardly from a layer of wicking material across the top of the chamber, into a pool of a vaporizable liquid. At hot spots, vaporized liquid is generated and transported to adjacent condensation posts extending up from the liquid. The system thus passively extracts heat to equalize temperatures while recirculating liquid and assuring adequate supply.

Abstract: This application discloses the structure of an ESC stage where a chucking electrode is sandwiched by a moderation layer and a covering layer. The moderation layer and the covering layer have the thermal expansion coefficients between the dielectric plate and the chucking electrode. This application also discloses optimum total thickness of the ESC stage, optimum volume ratio of composite which the moderation layer is made of, and an optimum range of the thermal expansion coefficient of the composite. This application further discloses a substrate processing apparatus for carrying out a process onto a substrate as the substrate is maintained at a temperature higher than room temperature, comprising the electrostatic chucking stage for holding the substrate during the process.

Abstract: A substrate support assembly positively secures a substrate holder support to a rotation shaft with respect to rotationally applied forces. A substrate holder support is configured to have an opening in a socket into which, when aligned with an indentation in the rotational shaft to form a passage, a retaining member is removably inserted to engage both the socket opening and the shaft indentation. Methods of rotating a substrate while minimizing rotational slippage of the substrate holder support with respect to the shaft are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a semiconductor thermal processing system and an apparatus for thermally cooling a semiconductor substrate. According to one aspect of the present invention, a semiconductor thermal processing system and associated apparatus and method are disclosed which provides a segmented cold plate situated within a process chamber, wherein a plurality of segments of the cold plate are operable to radially translate between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein a substrate holder may pass between the plurality of segments when the segments are in the disengaged position. According to another aspect, an elevator is operable to linearly translate a substrate residing on a substrate holder between a heating position proximate to a heater assembly and a cooling position proximate to the segmented cold plate.

Abstract: The present invention presents an improved baffle plate for a plasma processing system, wherein the design and fabrication of the baffle plate advantageously provides for a uniform processing plasma in the process space with substantially minimal erosion of the baffle plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique, including a method and apparatus, for etching a substrate in the manufacture of a device. The apparatus includes a chamber and a substrate holder disposed in the chamber. The substrate holder has a selected thermal mass to facilitate changing the temperature of the substrate to be etched during etching processes. That is, the selected thermal mass of the substrate holder allows for a change from a first temperature to a second temperature within a characteristic time period to process a film. The present technique can, for example, provide different processing temperatures during an etching process or the like.