Patent ID: 6610967
Filing Date: 2003-08-26
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A multiwafer thermal processing system comprising:a thermal processing chamber adapted to receive semiconductor wafers; a substrate holder contained within said thermal processing chamber, said substrate holder being configured to hold a plurality of semiconductor wafers, said wafers being held in a stacked arrangement wherein adjacent wafers are spaced apart a determined distance; a plurality of energy dispersing members made from a substantially transparent material positioned within said thermal processing chamber, wherein at least one of said energy dispersing members is placed at a distance between adjacent semiconductor wafers held on said substrate holder; and a cylindrical sleeve being positioned so as to encircle said semiconductor wafers held on said substrate holder, said cylindrical sleeve being made from a thermally conductive material; a plurality of light energy sources surrounding said cylindrical sleeve of said thermal processing chamber for indirectly heating said semiconductor wafers, said light energy sources being positioned so as to heat said cylindrical sleeve, wherein by heating said cylindrical sleeve, said cylindrical sleeve in turn heats said plurality of semiconductor wafers held on said substrate holder.