Patent ID: 7754014
Filing Date: 2010-07-13
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method of extending life to a seal in a vacuum valve used in a vacuum processing chamber comprising: providing a semiconductor wafer processing chamber having a vacuum valve seat, a gate closing the vacuum valve seat, and a seal between the gate and the vacuum valve seat, the seal being exposed to the chamber; introducing a reactive gas mixture to the chamber to process a semiconductor wafer therein, the reactive gas mixture comprising a reactive gas, adapted to react with a portion of the semiconductor wafer, diluted by a carrier gas, said reactive gas also being reactive with said seal; introducing said carrier gas in the shape of an annular gas curtain through an opening into the vicinity of the seal between the gate and the vacuum valve seat, the carrier gas continuously flowing so as to initially shield the seal from the reactive gas and then subsequently pass into the chamber and mix with the reactive gas; wherein the vacuum valve seat has a seat sealing face and further including moving said gate toward and away from the vacuum valve seat in a direction perpendicular to the seat sealing face to seal and open the vacuum valve seat; and wherein the carrier gas is distributed in the shape of an annular gas curtain.