Patent ID: 6179609
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: C30B,F22B,F23D

Abstract:
For use with a reactor chamber for semiconductor processing, a torch assembly for combustion and flameless oxidation processes including:a quartz chamber for sustaining therein combustion and flameless oxidation processes, said quartz chamber defining a longitudinal axis and having first and second ends of which at least said second end is open so as to allow exit therethrough of gaseous oxidation products which are produced by oxidation of gases in said quartz chamber,a gas injection subassembly mounted in association with said first end of said quartz chamer, said gas injection subassembly having a first gas injection nozzle and a second gas injection nozzle and first conduits and second conduits connecting said nozzles to supplies of first and second gases respectively;a starter unit associated with said gas injection subassembly, including a radiant energy emitter and at least one radiant energy absorber, said at least one radiant energy absorber operative, in response to radiant energy emitted from said radiant energy emitter, to provide at least one hot spot to initiate oxidation of said first and second gases in a preselected zone of said quartz chamber;at least one heater mounted generally parallel to said longitudinal axis within said quartz chamber for heating the first and second gases to a temperature sufficient to sustain oxidation thereof in said preselected zone of said quartz chamber;a cooling arrangement in heat exchange association with a wall portion of said quartz chamber; anda controller associated with the torch assembly for controlling operation thereof.