Patent ID: 6352593
Filing Date: 2002-03-05
Classification: C23C

Abstract:
An apparatus for processing a plurality of semiconductor wafers, comprising:(a) a vacuum chamber having a top, a bottom, and one or more sidewalls including a metal portion, said chamber having an interior for placement of a wafer boat for processing a plurality of wafers, said chamber further including (i) a chamber side wall including a window for transmission of radiant heat energy from the exterior of said chamber through said window to said interior of said chamber; and (ii) a plurality of diffuser shield plates of low thermal mass material with gaps interposed between said plates, at least one of said plates positioned between said window and said interior for diffusing said heat energy for heating said wafers; (b) at least one radiant heat source located on the exterior of said vacuum chamber for transmitting heat energy through said window to said interior for heating said diffuser shield plate; (c) cooling apparatus for cooling of said metal portion of at least one of the top, botton, or side walls; (d) a positioning apparatus for positioning said boat in said interior of said chamber; (e) a gas injector apparatus for injecting a reactant gas substantially parallel across the deposition surface of each wafer, said gas injection apparatus located in a gap between said diffuser shield plates whereby the heat load on the gas injection apparatus is reduced; and (f) a gas exhaust for pulling said reactant gas substantially parallel across the deposition surface of each wafer, said exhaust apparatus positioned opposite said boat from said injector apparatus for exhausting said gas from said chamber.