Patent ID: 9543171
Date: 2017-01-10
CPC Classifications: H01L

Claim:
1. A method for auto-correction of at least one malfunctioning thermal control element among an array of thermal control elements that are independently controllable and located in a temperature control plate of a substrate support assembly which supports a semiconductor substrate during processing thereof, the method comprising: detecting, by a control unit including a processor, that at least one thermal control element of the array of thermal control elements is malfunctioning; deactivating, by the control unit, the at least one malfunctioning thermal control element; and modifying, by the control unit, a power level of at least one functioning thermal control element in the temperature control plate to minimize impact of the malfunctioning thermal control element on the desired temperature output at the location of the at least one malfunctioning thermal control element, wherein the at least one malfunctioning thermal control element is detected by performing electrical monitoring that senses an open circuit, a closed circuit, or an altered state of the at least one malfunctioning thermal control element.