US4698486A — Method of heating semiconductor wafers in order t…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 72 words

A method of rapid annealing dopant-implanted semiconductor wafers, comprising: (a) employing CW lamp means and an integrating light pipe to effect relatively uniform isothermal heating of a dopant-implanted semiconductor wafer to a relatively high temperature less than the melting point of the semiconductor material forming said wafer, (b) causing the aspect ratio to be at least 1, and (c) maintaining said heating for a sufficient number of seconds to achieve rapid annealing.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 72 words

A method of rapid annealing dopant-implanted semiconductor wafers, comprising: (a) employing CW lamp means and an integrating light pipe to effect relatively uniform isothermal heating of a dopant-implanted semiconductor wafer to a relatively high temperature less than the melting point of the semiconductor material forming said wafer, (b) causing the aspect ratio to be at least 1, and (c) maintaining said heating for a sufficient number of seconds to achieve rapid annealing.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 57 words

The invention as claimed in claim 1, in which the power to said CW lamp means is so controlled as to effect a temperature rise rate in the range of about 200° C. to about 500° C. per second, and in which said high temperature is in the range of about 1000° C. to about 1200° C.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 14 words

The invention as claimed in claim 2, in which said semiconductor wafer is silicon.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 96 words

A combination method of rapid annealing a dopant-implanted semiconductor wafer, comprising: (a) employing CW lamp means and an integrating light pipe to effect relatively uniform isothermal heating of a dopant-implanted semiconductor wafer, (b) employing pulsed lamp means and an integrating light pipe to effect substantially uniform thermal flux heating of the dopant-implanted surface region of said wafer after said isothermal heating step has generated an elevated temperature in the semiconductor material forming said wafer, and (c) causing the aspect ratio relative to said CW lamp means and said pulsed lamp means to be at least 1.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 96 words

A combination method of rapid annealing a dopant-implanted semiconductor wafer, comprising: (a) employing CW lamp means and an integrating light pipe to effect relatively uniform isothermal heating of a dopant-implanted semiconductor wafer, (b) employing pulsed lamp means and an integrating light pipe to effect substantially uniform thermal flux heating of the dopant-implanted surface region of said wafer after said isothermal heating step has generated an elevated temperature in the semiconductor material forming said wafer, and (c) causing the aspect ratio relative to said CW lamp means and said pulsed lamp means to be at least 1.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 111 words

A combination method of rapid annealing a dopant-implanted semiconductor wafer formed of silicon, said method comprising: (a) employing CW lamp means and an integrating light pipe to effect relatively uniform isothermal heating of a dopant-implanted semiconductor wafer formed of silicon, to a temperature in the range of about 800° C. to about 1100° C., and (b) employing pulsed lamp means and an integrating light pipe to effect substantially uniform thermal flux spike-heating of the dopant-implanted surface region of said wafer, to a temperature in the range of about 1200° C. to about 1400° C., after said isothermal heating step has generated the elevated temperature in the semiconductor material forming said wafer.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 111 words

A combination method of rapid annealing a dopant-implanted semiconductor wafer formed of silicon, said method comprising: (a) employing CW lamp means and an integrating light pipe to effect relatively uniform isothermal heating of a dopant-implanted semiconductor wafer formed of silicon, to a temperature in the range of about 800° C. to about 1100° C., and (b) employing pulsed lamp means and an integrating light pipe to effect substantially uniform thermal flux spike-heating of the dopant-implanted surface region of said wafer, to a temperature in the range of about 1200° C. to about 1400° C., after said isothermal heating step has generated the elevated temperature in the semiconductor material forming said wafer.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 113 words

A combination method of rapid annealing a dopant-implanted semiconductor wafer formed of gallium arsenide, said method comprising: (a) employing CW lamp means and an integrating light pipe to effect relatively uniform isothermal heating of a dopant-implanted semiconductor wafer formed of gallium arsenide, to a temperature in the range of about 500° C. to about 600° C., and (b) employing pulsed lamp means and an integrating light pipe to effect substantially uniform thermal flux spike-heating of the dopant-implanted surface region of said wafer, to a temperature in the range of about 950° C. to about 1000° C., after said isothermal heating step has generated the elevated temperature in the semiconductor material forming said wafer.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 113 words

A combination method of rapid annealing a dopant-implanted semiconductor wafer formed of gallium arsenide, said method comprising: (a) employing CW lamp means and an integrating light pipe to effect relatively uniform isothermal heating of a dopant-implanted semiconductor wafer formed of gallium arsenide, to a temperature in the range of about 500° C. to about 600° C., and (b) employing pulsed lamp means and an integrating light pipe to effect substantially uniform thermal flux spike-heating of the dopant-implanted surface region of said wafer, to a temperature in the range of about 950° C. to about 1000° C., after said isothermal heating step has generated the elevated temperature in the semiconductor material forming said wafer.

Claim 11

Independent Claim 116 words

A method of quick annealing the dopant-implanted surface of a semiconductor wafer having a diameter of at least 3 inches, comprising: (a) effecting substantially uniform isothermal heating of a dopant-implanted semiconductor wafer, having a diameter of at least 3 inches, across the entire area thereof by CW lamp means, (b) effecting, substantially concurrently with said step (a), substantially uniform thermal flux heating of the dopant-implanted surface of said wafer, across the entire area of said wafer, by pulsed means, and (c) effecting said substantially uniform isothermal heating and said substantially uniform thermal flux heating in an optical cavity, the aspect ratio relative to said CW lamp means being at least 1, to thereby effect said annealing.

Claim 12

Independent Claim 116 words

A method of quick annealing the dopant-implanted surface of a semiconductor wafer having a diameter of at least 3 inches, comprising: (a) effecting substantially uniform isothermal heating of a dopant-implanted semiconductor wafer, having a diameter of at least 3 inches, across the entire area thereof by CW lamp means, (b) effecting, substantially concurrently with said step (a), substantially uniform thermal flux heating of the dopant-implanted surface of said wafer, across the entire area of said wafer, by pulsed means, and (c) effecting said substantially uniform isothermal heating and said substantially uniform thermal flux heating in an optical cavity, the aspect ratio relative to said CW lamp means being at least 1, to thereby effect said annealing.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 49 words

The invention as claimed in claim 7, in which the method is so performed that the uniformity of the heating across the entire wafer is within plus or minus 2 percent, and in which said method further comprises causing said optical cavity to have a substantially nesting cross-sectional shape.

Claim 14

Independent Claim 120 words

A method of heating a large-diameter semiconductor wafer, comprising: (a) employing a kaleidoscope and a source of radiant thermal energy to apply to at least one surface of a large-diameter semiconductor wafer a radiant thermal flux which is substantially uniform across the entire wafer, said step (a) including causing said radiant source and wafer to be in said kaleidoscope, with said wafer spaced from said source a substantial distance axially of said kaleidoscope, and further including causing the aspect ratio in said kaleidoscope to be at least 1, and (b) employing said substantially uniform radiant thermal flux to heat said wafer at such temperatures and for such time period as to achieve a desired process step relative to said wafer.

Claim 15

Independent Claim 120 words

A method of heating a large-diameter semiconductor wafer, comprising: (a) employing a kaleidoscope and a source of radiant thermal energy to apply to at least one surface of a large-diameter semiconductor wafer a radiant thermal flux which is substantially uniform across the entire wafer, said step (a) including causing said radiant source and wafer to be in said kaleidoscope, with said wafer spaced from said source a substantial distance axially of said kaleidoscope, and further including causing the aspect ratio in said kaleidoscope to be at least 1, and (b) employing said substantially uniform radiant thermal flux to heat said wafer at such temperatures and for such time period as to achieve a desired process step relative to said wafer.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 33 words

The invention as claimed in claim 9, in which said method further comprises causing said kaleidoscope to have a reflective end wall lying in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said kaleidoscope.

Claim 17

Independent Claim 101 words

A method of heating a semiconductor wafer to achieve a desired effect, comprising: (a) providing, within an integrating light pipe, incoherent lamp means having sufficient power to heat said wafer to the desired temperature, and (b) providing a semiconductor wafer at a distance from said lamp means, longitudinally of said light pipe, sufficient that said integrating light pipe renders substantially uniform across said entire wafer the radiant thermal energy from said lamp means, said distance being sufficient that the aspect ratio is at least 1, and (c) effecting the desired heating of said wafer by said substantially uniform radiant thermal energy.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 101 words

A method of heating a semiconductor wafer to achieve a desired effect, comprising: (a) providing, within an integrating light pipe, incoherent lamp means having sufficient power to heat said wafer to the desired temperature, and (b) providing a semiconductor wafer at a distance from said lamp means, longitudinally of said light pipe, sufficient that said integrating light pipe renders substantially uniform across said entire wafer the radiant thermal energy from said lamp means, said distance being sufficient that the aspect ratio is at least 1, and (c) effecting the desired heating of said wafer by said substantially uniform radiant thermal energy.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method as claimed in claim 11, in which said lamp means comprises CW lamps.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 55 words

The invention as claimed in claim 11, in which said method further comprises employing both pulsed lamp means and CW lamp means as said lamp means, and effecting combination heating of said semiconductor wafer by both of said lamp means, said CW lamp means being initially operated prior to operation of said pulsed lamp means.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 21 words

The invention as claimed in claim 11, in which said method further comprises employing a kaleidoscope as said integrating light pipe.

Claim 22

Independent Claim 84 words

A method of heating large-diameter semiconductor wafers, comprising: (a) providing a kaleidoscope having a closed and internally-reflective end, and containing, relatively adjacent said end, a source of radiant thermal energy, (b) employing said kaleidoscope to render substantially uniform the radiation from said energy source, (c) disposing a large-diameter semiconductor wafer at a location where said energy is thus relatively uniform, said location being such that the aspect ratio is at least 1, and (d) employing said uniform energy to heat said wafer substantially uniformly.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 84 words

A method of heating large-diameter semiconductor wafers, comprising: (a) providing a kaleidoscope having a closed and internally-reflective end, and containing, relatively adjacent said end, a source of radiant thermal energy, (b) employing said kaleidoscope to render substantially uniform the radiation from said energy source, (c) disposing a large-diameter semiconductor wafer at a location where said energy is thus relatively uniform, said location being such that the aspect ratio is at least 1, and (d) employing said uniform energy to heat said wafer substantially uniformly.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 20 words

The invention as claimed in claim 15, in which said method further comprises effecting annealing by means of said heating.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 52 words

The invention as claimed in claim 15, in which said method comprises disposing said wafer internally of said kaleidoscope in spaced relationship from the end of said kaleidoscope remote from said energy source, and further comprises employing a kaleidoscope wherein said end remote from said energy source is closed and internally reflective.

Claim 26

Independent Claim 114 words

A method of heating a large-diameter semiconductor wafer, comprising: (a) providing first and second hollow integrating light pipes in axially-adjacent end-to-end relationship, (b) effecting relative axial movement between said light pipes to separate the adjacent end portions thereof, (c) introducing a large-diameter semiconductor wafer between the relatively adjacent ends of the thus-separated light pipes, until said wafer is between the spaces within said light pipes, (d) effecting relative axial movement of said light pipes to substantially close the space therebetween, and (e) providing radiant thermal energy in both of said light pipes to effect heating of said semiconductor wafer from both sides thereof by radiant thermal energy that is substantially uniform across said wafer.

Claim 27

Independent Claim 114 words

A method of heating a large-diameter semiconductor wafer, comprising: (a) providing first and second hollow integrating light pipes in axially-adjacent end-to-end relationship, (b) effecting relative axial movement between said light pipes to separate the adjacent end portions thereof, (c) introducing a large-diameter semiconductor wafer between the relatively adjacent ends of the thus-separated light pipes, until said wafer is between the spaces within said light pipes, (d) effecting relative axial movement of said light pipes to substantially close the space therebetween, and (e) providing radiant thermal energy in both of said light pipes to effect heating of said semiconductor wafer from both sides thereof by radiant thermal energy that is substantially uniform across said wafer.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 74 words

The invention as claimed in claim 18, in which said method comprises employing light pipes that are closed at the ends thereof remote from said wafer, the closures being internally reflective, and in which said method further comprises generating said radiant thermal energy by lamps disposed within at least one of said light pipes at a distance spaced from said wafer sufficiently far that the resulting thermal flux is substantially uniform across said wafer.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 28 words

The invention as claimed in claim 18, in which said method is employed to effect annealing of said wafer after a surface thereof has been implanted with dopant.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 17 words

The invention as claimed in claim 18, in which each of said light pipes is a kaleidoscope.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 35 words

The invention as claimed in claim 18, in which said method further comprises separating said end portions as soon as said heating has been completed, to thus increase the rate of cooling of said wafer.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 28 words

The invention as claimed in claim 22, in which said method further comprises flowing gas across said wafer as soon as separation occurs, to further increase cooling rate.

Claim 33

Independent Claim 160 words

A method of performing a process step in the manufacture of a large-diameter semiconductor component, which comprises: (a) providing an optical cavity having reflective interior surfaces so constructed and related that radiant heat energy from incoherent radiant-heat source means located in a region of said optical cavity is, by numerous reflections and re-reflections off said reflective interior surfaces, rendered uniform, within plus or minus a few percent, across a large-diameter target area, (b) providing incoherent radiant-heat source means in said region of said cavity, (c) providing a large-diameter semiconductor component at said target area and in such orientation that heat from said radiant-heat source means is uniformly distributed, within plus or minus a few percent, across said component, the aspect ratio being at least 1, (d) providing a controlled atmosphere around said component, and (e) energizing said radiant-heat source means for a time period sufficient to heat said semiconductor component for performance of a process step relative to said component.

Claim 34

Independent Claim 160 words

A method of performing a process step in the manufacture of a large-diameter semiconductor component, which comprises: (a) providing an optical cavity having reflective interior surfaces so constructed and related that radiant heat energy from incoherent radiant-heat source means located in a region of said optical cavity is, by numerous reflections and re-reflections off said reflective interior surfaces, rendered uniform, within plus or minus a few percent, across a large-diameter target area, (b) providing incoherent radiant-heat source means in said region of said cavity, (c) providing a large-diameter semiconductor component at said target area and in such orientation that heat from said radiant-heat source means is uniformly distributed, within plus or minus a few percent, across said component, the aspect ratio being at least 1, (d) providing a controlled atmosphere around said component, and (e) energizing said radiant-heat source means for a time period sufficient to heat said semiconductor component for performance of a process step relative to said component.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 22 words

The invention as claimed in claim 24, in which said method further comprises causing said reflective interior surfaces to be nondiffusely reflective.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 22 words

The invention as claimed in claim 24, in which said method further comprises causing said reflective interior surfaces to be diffusely reflective.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 65 words

The invention as claimed in claim 24, in which said method further comprises so relating said radiant-heat source means and said component that all radiant heat energy from said source means must travel in said cavity, between said source means and said component, a distance in the range of from about one diameter of said cavity to at least about two diameters of said cavity.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 23 words

The invention as claimed in claim 24, in which said method further comprises causing said cavity to have a substantially nesting cross-sectional shape.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 26 words

The invention as claimed in claim 24, in which said method further comprises not locating any hot plate near or in contact with said semiconductor component.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 25 words

The invention as claimed in claim 24, in which said method further comprises not locating any susceptor near or in contact with said semiconductor component.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 42 words

The invention as claimed in claim 24, in which said method further comprises not putting a diffuser in the path of radiant heat from said source means to said semiconductor component, and not contacting said component with any susceptor or hot plate.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 23 words

The invention as claimed in claim 24, in which said method further comprises causing said semiconductor component to be a large-diameter semiconductor wafer.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 34 words

The invention as claimed in claim 24, in which said method further comprises causing said controlled atmosphere to be a gas selected from a group consisting of argon, helium, oxygen, nitrogen, and mixtures thereof.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 37 words

The invention as claimed in claim 24, in which said method further comprises causing said semiconductor component to be a large-diameter semiconductor wafer implanted with dopant, and in which said process step is annealing of said wafer.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 38 words

The invention as claimed in claim 24, in which said method further comprises causing said semiconductor component to be a semiconductor wafer having a layer of refractory metal thereon, and in which said process step is silicide formation.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 63 words

The invention as claimed in claim 24, in which said method further comprises causing said semiconductor component to be a semiconductor wafer, and in which said method further comprises effecting said heating in the presence of a gas selected from a group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, and mixtures thereof, and in which said process step is formation of an insulating or dielectric layer.

Claim 47

Independent Claim 95 words

A method of semiconductor-wafer heating, comprising: (a) providing an optical cavity having a substantially nesting cross-sectional shape, and having sidewalls all of which are highly reflective on the interior surfaces thereof, (b) providing a source of radiant heat energy within said optical cavity, (c) supporting a semiconductor wafer in said cavity and in spaced relationship from said energy source, at such location that the radiant energy from said source, and passing through said optical cavity, will strike and heat said wafer, and (d) causing the aspect ratio in said cavity to be at least 1.

Claim 48

Independent Claim 95 words

A method of semiconductor-wafer heating, comprising: (a) providing an optical cavity having a substantially nesting cross-sectional shape, and having sidewalls all of which are highly reflective on the interior surfaces thereof, (b) providing a source of radiant heat energy within said optical cavity, (c) supporting a semiconductor wafer in said cavity and in spaced relationship from said energy source, at such location that the radiant energy from said source, and passing through said optical cavity, will strike and heat said wafer, and (d) causing the aspect ratio in said cavity to be at least 1.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 29 words

The invention as claimed in claim 37, in which said method further comprises providing said source of radiant heat energy in the form of a source of incoherent light.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 27 words

The invention as claimed in claim 37, in which said method further comprises causing said interior surfaces of the walls of said cavity to be nondiffusely reflective.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 27 words

The invention as claimed in claim 37, in which said method further comprises causing said interior surfaces of the walls of said cavity to be diffusely reflective.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 24 words

The invention as claimed in claim 37, in which said method further comprises causing the aspect ratio in said cavity to be about 2.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 23 words

The invention as claimed in any of claims 28, or 37-40, inclusive, or 41, in which said nesting cross-sectional shape is a square.

Claim 54

Independent Claim 70 words

A method of performing a process step relative to a semiconductor wafer, which comprises: (a) providing an integrating light pipe, (b) effecting isothermal heating of a semiconductor wafer by employing a radiant thermal source disposed in said light pipe, the aspect ratio being at least 1, and (c) effecting pulse heating of at least one surface of said wafer while it is hot as the result of said isothermal heating.

Claim 55

Independent Claim 70 words

A method of performing a process step relative to a semiconductor wafer, which comprises: (a) providing an integrating light pipe, (b) effecting isothermal heating of a semiconductor wafer by employing a radiant thermal source disposed in said light pipe, the aspect ratio being at least 1, and (c) effecting pulse heating of at least one surface of said wafer while it is hot as the result of said isothermal heating.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 27 words

The invention as claimed in claim 43, in which said method further comprises employing as said integrating light pipe a light pipe having a nesting cross-sectional shape.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 21 words

The invention as claimed in claim 43, in which said method further comprise employing as said integrating light pipe a kaleidoscope.

Claim 58

Independent Claim 206 words

A method of performing at least one step relative to semiconductor wafers, said method comprising: (a) providing an optical cavity having a nesting cross-sectional shape, and having a size sufficiently large to receive, in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said cavity, at least one of the semiconductor wafers to be treated, said cavity having sidewalls, the interior surfaces of all sidewalls of said cavity being caused to be highly reflective, (b) providing a bank of lamps in said cavity in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said cavity, (c) providing wafer-support elements in said cavity and shaped to be in only small-area contact with a wafer, to support said wafer in a second plane that is perpendicular to said cavity axis and is spaced a substantial distance from said first-mentioned plane, (d) causing the aspect ratio in said cavity to be at least 1, (e) providing light-transmissive separator means between said wafer-support elements and said lamps, (f) disposing a semiconductor wafer on said wafer-support elements, (g) providing a controlled atmosphere around said wafer, on the side of said separator means remote from said lamps, (h) energizing said lamps to heat said wafer, and (i) de-energizing said lamps to cause said wafer to cool.

Claim 59

Independent Claim 206 words

A method of performing at least one step relative to semiconductor wafers, said method comprising: (a) providing an optical cavity having a nesting cross-sectional shape, and having a size sufficiently large to receive, in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said cavity, at least one of the semiconductor wafers to be treated, said cavity having sidewalls, the interior surfaces of all sidewalls of said cavity being caused to be highly reflective, (b) providing a bank of lamps in said cavity in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said cavity, (c) providing wafer-support elements in said cavity and shaped to be in only small-area contact with a wafer, to support said wafer in a second plane that is perpendicular to said cavity axis and is spaced a substantial distance from said first-mentioned plane, (d) causing the aspect ratio in said cavity to be at least 1, (e) providing light-transmissive separator means between said wafer-support elements and said lamps, (f) disposing a semiconductor wafer on said wafer-support elements, (g) providing a controlled atmosphere around said wafer, on the side of said separator means remote from said lamps, (h) energizing said lamps to heat said wafer, and (i) de-energizing said lamps to cause said wafer to cool.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 23 words

The invention as claimed in claim 46, in which said method further comprises causing said nesting cross-sectional shape to be a substantial square.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 22 words

The invention as claimed in claim 46, in which said method further comprises causing said separator means to be a transparent window.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 26 words

The invention as claimed in claim 46, in which said method further comprises not using any diffuser or susceptor relative to said heating of said wafer.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 26 words

The invention as claimed in any of claims 28, or 37-40, inclusive, or 41, or 46, in which said nesting cross-sectional shape is a regular hexagon.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 26 words

The invention as claimed in any of claims 28, or 37-40, inclusive, or 41, or 46, in which said nesting cross-sectional shape is an equilateral triangle.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 23 words

The invention as claimed in any of claims 28, or 37, 41, or 46, in which said nesting cross-sectional shape is a rectangle.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 29 words

The invenion as claimed in any of claims 1, 4, 7, 9, 11, 15, 24, 37, 43, and 46, in which said aspect ratio is substantially greater than 1.

Claim 67

Independent Claim 172 words

A method of heating a semiconductor wafer, said method comprising: (a) providing a hollow, integrating light pipe that causes the intensity of light to become relatively uniform across said pipe by reflections and rereflections as the light moves along said pipe, (b) providing lamp means to create incoherent thermal radiation and to transmit such radiation along said pipe, (c) supporting a semiconductor wafer surrounded by a controlled atmosphere in such position as to be struck by radiation radiated from said lamp means and integrated by said pipe, said supporting step (d) being such that the location of said semicondutor wafer is sufficiently far from said lamp means, in a direction perpendicular to a cross-section of said pipe, that said wafer will be relatively uniformly heated by radiation radiated from said lamp means and integrated by said pipe, the aspect ratio being at least 1, and (d) providing a window between said semiconductor wafer and said lamp means to contain said controlled atmosphere and maintain it out of contact with said lamp means.

Claim 68

Independent Claim 172 words

A method of heating a semiconductor wafer, said method comprising: (a) providing a hollow, integrating light pipe that causes the intensity of light to become relatively uniform across said pipe by reflections and rereflections as the light moves along said pipe, (b) providing lamp means to create incoherent thermal radiation and to transmit such radiation along said pipe, (c) supporting a semiconductor wafer surrounded by a controlled atmosphere in such position as to be struck by radiation radiated from said lamp means and integrated by said pipe, said supporting step (d) being such that the location of said semicondutor wafer is sufficiently far from said lamp means, in a direction perpendicular to a cross-section of said pipe, that said wafer will be relatively uniformly heated by radiation radiated from said lamp means and integrated by said pipe, the aspect ratio being at least 1, and (d) providing a window between said semiconductor wafer and said lamp means to contain said controlled atmosphere and maintain it out of contact with said lamp means.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method as claimed in claim 54, in which said method further comprises causing said integrating light pipe to be a kaleidoscope.

Claim 70

Independent Claim 225 words

A method of effecting double-sided and substantially uniform heating of a semiconductor wafer, said method comprising: (a) providing a kaleidoscope that causes the intensity of light to become relatively uniform across said kaleidoscope by reflections and rereflections as the light moves along said kaleidoscope, (b) closing one end of said kaleidoscope by an inwardly-facing reflective end-closure wall, (c) supporting a semiconductor wafer within said kaleidoscope at an intermediate region thereof, said supporting step and said wafer respectively having such characteristics and such size as to permit a substantial percentage of radiant thermal energy within said kaleidoscope to pass along said kaleidoscope past said wafer, the aspect ratio in said kaleidoscope being at least 1, and (d) supplying radiant thermal energy to said kaleidoscope at a region farther from said reflective end-closure wall than is said wafer, said method causing said wafer to be heated relatively uniformly on both sides, one side of said wafer being heated by radiant thermal energy resulting from said step (d) and directed and integrated by said kaleidoscope, the other side of said wafer being heated by radiant thermal energy resulting from said step (d) and directed and integrated by said kaleidoscope, then passing past said wafer, then reflecting off said reflective end-closure wall, and then being directed and integrated by said kaleidoscope back to said other side of said wafer.

Claim 71

Independent Claim 225 words

A method of effecting double-sided and substantially uniform heating of a semiconductor wafer, said method comprising: (a) providing a kaleidoscope that causes the intensity of light to become relatively uniform across said kaleidoscope by reflections and rereflections as the light moves along said kaleidoscope, (b) closing one end of said kaleidoscope by an inwardly-facing reflective end-closure wall, (c) supporting a semiconductor wafer within said kaleidoscope at an intermediate region thereof, said supporting step and said wafer respectively having such characteristics and such size as to permit a substantial percentage of radiant thermal energy within said kaleidoscope to pass along said kaleidoscope past said wafer, the aspect ratio in said kaleidoscope being at least 1, and (d) supplying radiant thermal energy to said kaleidoscope at a region farther from said reflective end-closure wall than is said wafer, said method causing said wafer to be heated relatively uniformly on both sides, one side of said wafer being heated by radiant thermal energy resulting from said step (d) and directed and integrated by said kaleidoscope, the other side of said wafer being heated by radiant thermal energy resulting from said step (d) and directed and integrated by said kaleidoscope, then passing past said wafer, then reflecting off said reflective end-closure wall, and then being directed and integrated by said kaleidoscope back to said other side of said wafer.

Claim 72

Independent Claim 253 words

A method of effecting double-sided and relatively uniform heating of a semiconductor wafer, said method comprising: (a) providing a hollow, integrating light pipe that operates, by reflections and rereflections, to cause the intensity of light to become substantially uniform across said pipe as the light moves along said pipe, (b) closing both ends of said pipe by inwardly-facing reflecting end walls, (c) supporting a semiconductor wafer, in a controlled atmosphere, within said pipe at a region intermediate said reflecting end walls, said wafer having such size and characteristics as to permit a substantial percentage of radiant thermal energy within said pipe to pass along said pipe past said wafer, and (d) disposing lamp means within said pipe relatively adjacent one of said reflecting end walls, and radiating thermal energy from said lamp means both toward and away from said one wall, said method effecting heating of said wafer relatively uniformly on both sides, one side of said wafer being heated by radiant thermal energy from said lamp means and directed and integrated by said pipe, another side of said wafer being heated by radiant thermal energy from said lamp means, directed and integrated by said pipe, and then passing past said wafer to engage the other of said reflecting end walls, and then being directed and integrated by said pipe back to said other side of said wafer, the aspect ratio in said light pipe being at least 1, said wafer being disposed a substantial distance from each of said reflecting end walls.

Claim 73

Independent Claim 253 words

A method of effecting double-sided and relatively uniform heating of a semiconductor wafer, said method comprising: (a) providing a hollow, integrating light pipe that operates, by reflections and rereflections, to cause the intensity of light to become substantially uniform across said pipe as the light moves along said pipe, (b) closing both ends of said pipe by inwardly-facing reflecting end walls, (c) supporting a semiconductor wafer, in a controlled atmosphere, within said pipe at a region intermediate said reflecting end walls, said wafer having such size and characteristics as to permit a substantial percentage of radiant thermal energy within said pipe to pass along said pipe past said wafer, and (d) disposing lamp means within said pipe relatively adjacent one of said reflecting end walls, and radiating thermal energy from said lamp means both toward and away from said one wall, said method effecting heating of said wafer relatively uniformly on both sides, one side of said wafer being heated by radiant thermal energy from said lamp means and directed and integrated by said pipe, another side of said wafer being heated by radiant thermal energy from said lamp means, directed and integrated by said pipe, and then passing past said wafer to engage the other of said reflecting end walls, and then being directed and integrated by said pipe back to said other side of said wafer, the aspect ratio in said light pipe being at least 1, said wafer being disposed a substantial distance from each of said reflecting end walls.

Claim 74

Dependent Claim 145 words

A semiconductor wafer-heating method, comprising: (a) providing a plurality of inwardly-facing reflective surfaces in such relationship to each other as to define an optical cavity having a substantially nesting cross-sectional shape, (b) disposing, in said optical cavity, lamp means forming a source of radiant heat energy, and (c) supporting a semiconductor wafer in said cavity in spaced relationship from said lamp means, the direction of said spacing being perpendicular to a cross section of said cavity, said wafer-supporting step being such that when a wafer is thus supported, the radiant heat energy from said lamp means and passing through said optical cavity will heat said wafer, the shape of said optical cavity and the amount of such spacing of said wafer from said lamp means being such that said wafer is substantially uniformly heated, the aspect ratio in said optical cavity being at least 1.

Claim 75

Dependent Claim 145 words

A semiconductor wafer-heating method, comprising: (a) providing a plurality of inwardly-facing reflective surfaces in such relationship to each other as to define an optical cavity having a substantially nesting cross-sectional shape, (b) disposing, in said optical cavity, lamp means forming a source of radiant heat energy, and (c) supporting a semiconductor wafer in said cavity in spaced relationship from said lamp means, the direction of said spacing being perpendicular to a cross section of said cavity, said wafer-supporting step being such that when a wafer is thus supported, the radiant heat energy from said lamp means and passing through said optical cavity will heat said wafer, the shape of said optical cavity and the amount of such spacing of said wafer from said lamp means being such that said wafer is substantially uniformly heated, the aspect ratio in said optical cavity being at least 1.

Claim 76

Dependent Claim 48 words

The method as claimed in claim 58, and further comprising providing an inwardly-facing reflective closure wall across said optical cavity on the side of said lamp means remote from said wafer, and so orienting said last-mentioned wall that it is perpendicular to the axis of said optical cavity.

Claim 77

Dependent Claim 22 words

The invention as claimed in claim 58, in which said method further comprises causing said nesting cross-sectional shape to be a square.

Claim 78

Dependent Claim 23 words

The invention as claimed in claim 58, in which said method further comprises causing said nesting cross-sectional shape to be a regular hexagon.

Claim 79

Dependent Claim 23 words

The invention as claimed in claim 58, in which said method further comprises causing said nesting cross-sectional shape to be an equilateral triangle.

Claim 80

Dependent Claim 22 words

The invention as claimed in claim 58, in which said method further comprises causing said nesting cross-sectional shape to be a rectangle.

Claim 81

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method as claimed in claim 58, in which said method further comprises maintaining said wafer in a controlled atmosphere, and providing a window to separate said lamp means from said controlled atmosphere.

Claim 82

Independent Claim 161 words

A method heating a workpiece, which comprises: (a) defining an elongate optical cavity having reflective inwardly-facing side walls and having a substantially nesting cross-sectional shape, (b) closing both ends of said cavity by closures having inwardly-facing reflective surfaces perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said cavity, and (c) providing incoherent source means of radiant-heat energy in a region of said cavity, and (d) supporting a workpiece at a target region in said cavity, the aspect ratio in said cavity being at least 1, said method causing much of the incoherent radiant heat energy from said source means to be reflected and rereflected many times before traveling from said source means to said workpiece, much of the incoherent radiant heat energy from said source means passing past said workpiece to one of said closures and then being reflected back, and being reflected off said inwardly-facing side walls defining said optical cavity, said method thus effecting heating of said workpiece on both sides.

Claim 83

Independent Claim 161 words

A method heating a workpiece, which comprises: (a) defining an elongate optical cavity having reflective inwardly-facing side walls and having a substantially nesting cross-sectional shape, (b) closing both ends of said cavity by closures having inwardly-facing reflective surfaces perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said cavity, and (c) providing incoherent source means of radiant-heat energy in a region of said cavity, and (d) supporting a workpiece at a target region in said cavity, the aspect ratio in said cavity being at least 1, said method causing much of the incoherent radiant heat energy from said source means to be reflected and rereflected many times before traveling from said source means to said workpiece, much of the incoherent radiant heat energy from said source means passing past said workpiece to one of said closures and then being reflected back, and being reflected off said inwardly-facing side walls defining said optical cavity, said method thus effecting heating of said workpiece on both sides.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1990-10-05	1991-04-06	1991-10-06	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1994-10-05	1995-04-06	1995-10-06	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1998-10-05	1999-04-06	1999-10-06	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method of heating semiconductor wafers in order to achieve annealing, silicide formation, reflow of glass passivation layers, etc.

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