Apparatus for thermal treatment of a wafer in an evacuated environment

Claim 2

Apparatus for heating or cooling an article in an evacuated environment comprising: heat-exchanger means defining a heat-exchanging surface generally complementing a surface of said article; means for pushing together said article surface and heat-exchanging surface; and means providing a gas between said article surface and said heat-exchanging surface at a pressure substantially below atmospheric but significantly above that of said evacuated environment; said pushing means being adapted to push said article surface and heat-exchanging surface together sufficiently to inhibit flow of said gas from therebetween during heating or cooling of said article; whereby heat exchange between said article surface and heat-exchanging surface by conduction through said gas may be supported more efficiently than with gas at the pressure of said evacuated environment in heating or cooling said article.

Claim 3

Apparatus as in claim 1, in which said heat-exchanger includes means for controlling the temperature of said heat-exchanging surface.

Claim 4

Apparatus as in claim 2, in which said means for controlling the temperature includes means for cooling said heat-exchanging surface.

Claim 5

Apparatus as in claim 2, in which said means for controlling the temperature includes means for heating said heat-exchanging surface.

Claim 6

Apparatus as in claim 1, in which the volume of said gas between said article surface and said heat-exchanging surface is substantially smaller than that of said evacuated environment.

Claim 7

Apparatus as in claim 1, in which said pushing means causes contact between the peripheries of said article surface and said heat-exchanging surface.

Claim 8

Apparatus as in claim 1, in which said heat-exchanging means includes a raised peripheral portion about said heat-exchanging surface generally of configuration matching the periphery of said article surface.

Claim 9

Apparatus as in claim 1 which further includes means for releasing said gas between said article surface and said heat-exchanging surface into said evacuated environment upon completion of said heating or cooling of said wafer.

Claim 10

Apparatus as in claim 1, in which said means for pushing relaxes upon completion of article heating or cooling to release said gas from between said article surface and said heat-exchange surface into said evacuated environment.

Claim 11

Apparatus as in claim 1, in which said means for pushing comprises means providing a resilient force holding said article adjacent the article periphery and against said heat-exchanging surface to inhibit said escape of said gas during heating or cooling of said article.

Claim 12

Apparatus for thermal treatment of an article in an evacuated environment, comprising: a heat exchanging body having a generally continuous heat exchange surface of a form generally complementary to a surface of said article; and means for maintaining a gas between said article surface and said heat-exchanging surface with said body and article being forced together to bring said body and article into contact at least about the periphery of said article, with said means sufficiently retaining said gas between said surfaces and with said gas at substantially less than atmospheric pressure such that heat transfer by gas conductance between said heat exchanging surface and said article is facilitated during said thermal treatment.

Claim 13

Apparatus for thermal treatment of an article in an evacuated environment, comprising: a heat exchanging body having a generally continuous heat exchange surface of a form generally complementary to a surface of said article; and means for maintaining a gas between said article surface and said heat-exchanging surface with said body and article being forced together to bring said body and article into contact at least about the periphery of said article, with said means sufficiently retaining said gas between said surfaces and with said gas at substantially less than atmospheric pressure such that heat transfer by gas conductance between said heat exchanging surface and said article is facilitated during said thermal treatment.

Claim 14

Apparatus as in claim 11, in which both said article and said heat-exchanging surfaces are generally flat.

Claim 15

Apparatus as in claim 11 in which said means for maintaining further includes means for providing said gas between said article and heat-exchanging surfaces, and means for holding said article and heat-exchange surfaces together sufficiently so as to maintain said pressure of said gas between said surfaces and within said article periphery.

Claim 16

Apparatus as in claim 13, in which said means for holding said article and said heat-exchanging surfaces together includes means maintaining a predetermined spacing between said closely held article and surface while insuring contact between said body and article about the periphery of said article.

Claim 17

Apparatus as in claim 11, in which said means for holding together said gas heat exchanging surface and said article inhibits the flow of said gas into said evacuated environment during said thermal treatment.

Claim 18

Apparatus as in claim 15, in which said evacuated environment contains a gas which is the same as that employed between said article surface and said heat-exchanging surface.

Claim 19

Apparatus as in claim 11 in which said means for holding said article and heat-exchange surfaces together relaxes upon completion of said thermal treatment, enabling said gas to escape into said evacuated environment.

Claim 20

Apparatus as in claim 11 in which said gas pressure between said article and heat exchanging surface is greater than the pressure within said evacuated environment.

Claim 21

Apparatus for thermally treating a wafer-like article in an evacuated environment comprising: a heat-exchanging structure having a heat-exchanging surface within said evacuated environment; and means for providing a gas at a pressure substantially less than atmospheric, but above that of said evacuated environment, between said surface and article while holding said article and structure closely together to sufficiently contain said gas between said article and surface to support heat transfer by gas conduction between said structure and article, said means including means maintaining a predetermined close spacing between said article and surface while insuring contact between said structure and article about the periphery of said article surface in order to provide said sufficient containment of said gas therebetween.

Claim 22

Apparatus for thermally treating a wafer-like article in an evacuated environment comprising: a heat-exchanging structure having a heat-exchanging surface within said evacuated environment; and means for providing a gas at a pressure substantially less than atmospheric, but above that of said evacuated environment, between said surface and article while holding said article and structure closely together to sufficiently contain said gas between said article and surface to support heat transfer by gas conduction between said structure and article, said means including means maintaining a predetermined close spacing between said article and surface while insuring contact between said structure and article about the periphery of said article surface in order to provide said sufficient containment of said gas therebetween.

Claim 23

Apparatus for thermally treating a wafer-like article in an evacuated environment comprising: a heat-exchanging structure having a heat-exchanging surface within said evacuated environment; and means for providing a gas at a pressure substantially less than atmospheric, but above that of said evacuated environment between said surface and article while holding said article and structure closely together to sufficiently contain said gas between said article and surface to support heat transfer by gas conduction between said structure and article, said means including a plurality of spring-like means engaging said wafer-like article edgewise and resiliently biasing said article into contact with said surface whereby to sufficiently contain the pressure of said gas.

Claim 24

Apparatus for thermally treating a wafer-like article in an evacuated environment comprising: a heat-exchanging structure having a heat-exchanging surface within said evacuated environment; and means for providing a gas at a pressure substantially less than atmospheric, but above that of said evacuated environment between said surface and article while holding said article and structure closely together to sufficiently contain said gas between said article and surface to support heat transfer by gas conduction between said structure and article, said means including a plurality of spring-like means engaging said wafer-like article edgewise and resiliently biasing said article into contact with said surface whereby to sufficiently contain the pressure of said gas.

Claim 25

Apparatus as in claim 19 which further includes means for moving said wafer-like article away from said heat-exchanging structure upon completion of said thermal treatment and releasing said gas into said evacuated environment.

Claim 26

Heat transfer apparatus for heating or cooling generally flat wafer-like articles within an evacuated environment, comprising: a structure means having a heat-exchanging surface of area of the order of said article; means for establishing a predetermined close spacing between a face of said article and said heat-exchanging surface, including a peripheral rim portion defined on said structure and enclosing said heat-exchanging surface, and means for engaging said article to resiliently urge said article and said rim portion into contact; means for providing a gas between said article face and said heat-exchanging surface, said resilient force inhibiting the escape of said gas into said evacuated environment, the pressure of said gas between said article and surface being thereby maintained at a level substantially below atmospheric, but above that of said evacuated environment, to facilitate heat transfer between said article and heat-exchanging surface by gas conduction.

Claim 27

Heat transfer apparatus for heating or cooling generally flat wafer-like articles within an evacuated environment, comprising: a structure means having a heat-exchanging surface of area of the order of said article; means for establishing a predetermined close spacing between a face of said article and said heat-exchanging surface, including a peripheral rim portion defined on said structure and enclosing said heat-exchanging surface, and means for engaging said article to resiliently urge said article and said rim portion into contact; means for providing a gas between said article face and said heat-exchanging surface, said resilient force inhibiting the escape of said gas into said evacuated environment, the pressure of said gas between said article and surface being thereby maintained at a level substantially below atmospheric, but above that of said evacuated environment, to facilitate heat transfer between said article and heat-exchanging surface by gas conduction.

Claim 28

Heat transfer apparatus as in claim 22, in which said structure means includes conduit means for enabling the passing therethrough of coolant.

Claim 29

Apparatus as in claim 22, in which said means engaging said article separates said article and rim portion after completion of said heating or cooling.

Claim 30

Apparatus for thermal treatment of an article in an evacuated environment comprising: a heat-exchanging structure; and means for facilitating transfer of heat by gas conductance between said article and said structure, including means for closely holding within said evacuated environment said heat-exchanging structure and said article; and means for providing a gas at a pressure substantially less than atmospheric between said article and said heat-exchanging structure, said means for providing and said means for closely holding cooperating to flow of said gas from between said article and heat exchanging structure during article thermal treatment.

Claim 31

Apparatus for thermal treatment of an article in an evacuated environment comprising: a heat-exchanging structure; and means for facilitating transfer of heat by gas conductance between said article and said structure, including means for closely holding within said evacuated environment said heat-exchanging structure and said article; and means for providing a gas at a pressure substantially less than atmospheric between said article and said heat-exchanging structure, said means for providing and said means for closely holding cooperating to flow of said gas from between said article and heat exchanging structure during article thermal treatment.

Claim 32

Apparatus for treating a wafer-like article comprising: a vacuum chamber adapted to operate at a pressure substantially less than atmospheric pressure; a heat-exchanging structure, said structure having a heat-exchanging surface within said vacuum chamber; means for positioning the article adjacent said heat-exchanging structure so that at least a peripheral portion of a surface of said article contacts said heat-exchanging structure; means for providing gas between said article and heat-exchanging surface at a pressure significantly above that of the vacuum chamber, yet substantially below that of the atmosphere; means for applying a force to hold together said article and said heat-exchanging structure and to inhibit flow of said gas from between said article and heat-exchanging surface during article treatment; said means for applying a force being adapted to permit the release of said force upon completion of a article treatment; whereby said adjacent positioning of said article and heat-exchanging structure and pressure of said gas between said article and said heat-exchanging surface may be maintained during article treatment to enable conduction of heat between said article and said heat-exchanging surface by said gas to be more efficient than with gas at said vacuum chamber pressure.

Claim 33

Apparatus for treating a wafer-like article comprising: a vacuum chamber adapted to operate at a pressure substantially less than atmospheric pressure; a heat-exchanging structure, said structure having a heat-exchanging surface within said vacuum chamber; means for positioning the article adjacent said heat-exchanging structure so that at least a peripheral portion of a surface of said article contacts said heat-exchanging structure; means for providing gas between said article and heat-exchanging surface at a pressure significantly above that of the vacuum chamber, yet substantially below that of the atmosphere; means for applying a force to hold together said article and said heat-exchanging structure and to inhibit flow of said gas from between said article and heat-exchanging surface during article treatment; said means for applying a force being adapted to permit the release of said force upon completion of a article treatment; whereby said adjacent positioning of said article and heat-exchanging structure and pressure of said gas between said article and said heat-exchanging surface may be maintained during article treatment to enable conduction of heat between said article and said heat-exchanging surface by said gas to be more efficient than with gas at said vacuum chamber pressure.

Claim 34

Apparatus as in claim 11, in which said gas at substantially less than atmospheric pressure is also at a higher pressure than that of said evacuated environment.

Claim 35

Apparatus as in claim 13, in which said surfaces are held closely in facing relationship to define an interstitial region therebetween.

Claim 36

Apparatus as in claim 28, in which said means for providing said gas includes a conduit passing through said heat exchanging body for introducing gas between said surfaces into said interstitial region.

Claim 37

Apparatus as in claim 18, in which said heat exchanging surface is of a substantially gas-impermeable material.

Claim 38

Apparatus as in claim 18, in which said gas is generally inhibited from flowing outwardly of the periphery of said article.

Claim 39

Apparatus as in claim 25, in which the gas between said surfaces leaks into said evacuated environment.

Claim 40

Apparatus as in claim 25, in which said pressure of gas between said surfaces is greater than that within said evacuated environment.

Claim 41

Apparatus as in claim 25, in which said heat exchanging structure is of a substantially gas-impermeable material, with first conduit means being defined therein for said gas, and second conduit means being defined therein for cooling or heating fluid.

Claim 42

Apparatus for treating a wafer-like article comprising: a vacuum chamber; a heat-exchanging structure, said structure having a generally continuous heat-exchanging surface within said vacuum chamber; means for forcing together said article and said heat-exchanging structure and to hold closely said heat-exchanging surface and said article surface, so that at least the periphery of a surface of said article contacts said heat-exchanging structure; means for providing gas between said article and heat-exchanging structure; said means for forcing and said means for providing gas cooperating during treatment so as to inhibit flow of said gas from between said article and heat-exchanging surface, and to maintain an operating pressure of gas between said article surface and heat-exchanging surface which while substantially below that of the atmosphere, is also above that of said vacuum chamber, thereby promoting the transfer of heat via said gas between said article and heat-exchanging surface.

Claim 43

Apparatus for treating a wafer-like article comprising: a vacuum chamber; a heat-exchanging structure, said structure having a generally continuous heat-exchanging surface within said vacuum chamber; means for forcing together said article and said heat-exchanging structure and to hold closely said heat-exchanging surface and said article surface, so that at least the periphery of a surface of said article contacts said heat-exchanging structure; means for providing gas between said article and heat-exchanging structure; said means for forcing and said means for providing gas cooperating during treatment so as to inhibit flow of said gas from between said article and heat-exchanging surface, and to maintain an operating pressure of gas between said article surface and heat-exchanging surface which while substantially below that of the atmosphere, is also above that of said vacuum chamber, thereby promoting the transfer of heat via said gas between said article and heat-exchanging surface.

Claim 44

Apparatus as in claim 35, in which said gas leaks from between said article and heat exchanging surfaces into said chamber.

Claim 45

Apparatus as in claim 35, in which said heat exchanging structure is slightly relieved to define a narrow interstitial space between said article and heat exchanging surfaces upon said article and heat exchanging structure being forced together, said gas being thereupon at least partially confined to said interstitial space.

Claim 46

Apparatus as in claim 32, in which said heat exchanging surface is of substantially gas-impermeable material, with first conduit means being defined therein for said gas, and second conduit means being defined therein adapted to the passage therethrough of fluid for cooling purposes.

Claim 47

Apparatus as in claim 32, in which the facing surfaces of said article and said heat exchanging surface are generally planar surfaces and generally parallel one to the other.

Claim 48

Apparatus as in claim 32, which includes means for positioning the article at said heat exchanging structure from within the vacuum chamber and removing the article from the heat exchanging structure from within the vacuum chamber.