Patent ID: 6448537
Filing Date: 2002-09-10
Classification: H01L,Y02P

Abstract:
A thermal processing chamber configured to enclose and heat treat an electronic substrate at an exposed surface comprising:an enclosed gas tight and particle free heat insulated chamber; an electronic substrate support within the enclosed gas tight and particle free heat insulated chamber; a convection gas inlet distribution manifold to provide a flow of heated gas over and onto the exposed surface of the electronic substrate to be treated; a heated convection gas outlet below the electronic substrate for the collection of heated gas after flowing over, around and below the exposed surface of the electronic substrate to be treated; a door movable between and open and closed position to provide a path to move the electronic substrate into and out of the chamber to and from the electronic substrate support in an open position, the door having a gas-tight seal with respect to the chamber when in the closed position; a heater having an inlet for receiving gas, and an outlet for discharging heated gas; and, a heat exchanger for receiving gas from the convection gas outlet and discharging gas to the heater inlet to enable heat within gas discharged from the convention gas outlet to be recovered to gas provided to the heater inlet.