Patent ID: 6520191
Filing Date: 2003-02-18
Classification: H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
A carrier for receiving and holding a plurality of semiconductor wafers and permitting surfaces of the wafers to receive maximum exposure to ultrasonic waves during a wafer cleaning process in which the carrier and the wafers are immersed in a liquid medium and ultrasonic waves are generated in the liquid medium, the carrier being adapted to hold wafers having a size defined by a wafer diameter, the carrier comprising:two vertical sidewalls in spaced relationship; at least three horizontal supporting rods positioned in spaced relation for support of wafers in generally parallel relationship with respect to each other, each of the supporting rods extending between the sidewalls; a series of spaced apart teeth on at least one of said supporting rods, each adjacent pair of teeth defining a channel therebetween having a shape generally in the form of a â€œVâ€  to receive a peripheral edge portion of a wafer for holding the wafer in spaced apart position relative to other wafers in the carrier; at least one stabilizing rod extending horizontally between the sidewalls to limit wafer motion relative to the carrier for steadying of wafers; and a series of spaced apart teeth on the stabilizing rod and troughs formed between each two adjacent teeth for receiving wafers, each trough being sized and shaped so that the wafer is loosely received therein to permit the wafer to move in vibration between a nominal position in which the wafer is supported by the supporting rods substantially free of any contact with the teeth on the stabilizing rod, and a deflected position in which the wafer engages one tooth on the stabilizing rod at a side of the trough to prevent further vibratory deflection of the wafer.