Patent ID: 7049549
Filing Date: 2006-05-23
Classification: C23C,H01L

Abstract:
1. A multi-thermal zone shielding apparatus for shielding a portion of a heated workpiece in a high temperature processing system, the apparatus keeping the workpiece temperature hot at the shielded area and maintaining the rest of the shield cooler, the apparatus comprising: a) a heater to heat the workpiece within the system, the heater being positioned underneath the workpiece; b) a multi-thermal zone shield positioned above the workpiece for engaging a portion of the workpiece, the shield covering the engaged portion of the workpiece and shielding the engaged portion of the workpiece during processing thereof to prevent processing on the engaged portion of the workpiece, the multi-thermal zone shield comprising: a low thermal transmissivity section in the portion of the shield that engages and shields the workpiece, the low transmissivity section proximately positioned near the workpiece to prevent heat loss from the shielded portion of the hot workpiece; and a high thermal transmissivity section that is coupled to the low thermal transmissivity section and that extends away from the workpiece, the high thermal transmissivity section allows thermal energy from the heater and from the heated workpiece to transmit through the shield without heating the shield.