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US4186032A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method for cleaning and drying semiconductors

Assignee: RCA Corp
•
Filing: 1977-09-02
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Granted: 1980-01-29
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Expires: 1997-09-02
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Abstract

Abstract A semiconductor wafer is cleansed of loose foreign surface matter and chemical impurities near the surface in an apparatus which passes superheated steam over the wafer. Condensate is permitted to form and drip off the wafer. After rising above 100° C. the wafer becomes dry, and is removed from the apparatus and then permitted to cool.

Inventors

  • 👤 William E. Ham

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-01 21:20
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10P; H10P70/00; H10P70/10; H10P70/12; C; C30; C30B; C30B33/00; H10P72/00; H10P72/04; H10P72/0402; H10P72/0406; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S134/00; Y10S134/902

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim 129 words
A method for cleaning and drying a surface of a semiconductor wafer comprising: (a) providing a semiconductor wafer at an initial temperature below 100° C. and above 0° C.; (b) placing the wafer against a holder having a low thermal mass, the holder having an inclined surface adapted to receive the wafer and adapted for the passage of cooling fluid therethrough; (c) passing superheated steam over a surface of the wafer; (d) condensing a portion of the superheated steam on the surface whereby a water condensate is formed; (e) dripping the condensate from the inclined wafer for a preselected time; (f) raising the temperature of the wafer above 100° C.; and (g) removing the wafer to an environment below 100° C. after all water adjacent the wafer is evaporated.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 129 words
A method for cleaning and drying a surface of a semiconductor wafer comprising: (a) providing a semiconductor wafer at an initial temperature below 100° C. and above 0° C.; (b) placing the wafer against a holder having a low thermal mass, the holder having an inclined surface adapted to receive the wafer and adapted for the passage of cooling fluid therethrough; (c) passing superheated steam over a surface of the wafer; (d) condensing a portion of the superheated steam on the surface whereby a water condensate is formed; (e) dripping the condensate from the inclined wafer for a preselected time; (f) raising the temperature of the wafer above 100° C.; and (g) removing the wafer to an environment below 100° C. after all water adjacent the wafer is evaporated.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2820728A Cited
US2956911A Cited
US3120454A Cited
US3084076A Cited
US3281915A Cited
US3410724A Cited
GB1209491A Cited
US3802918A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1983-01-28 1983-07-30 1984-01-29 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1987-01-28 1987-07-30 1988-01-29 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1991-01-28 1991-07-30 1992-01-29 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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