Patent ID: 7938906
Filing Date: 2011-05-10
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for chemically processing a semiconductor wafer comprising: (a) a micro chamber in which a semiconductor wafer is closely received and processed, said chamber comprising a first section having portions defining an upper working surface and an upper interior perimeter, and a second section having portions defining a lower working surface and lower interior perimeter, said processing chamber shiftable between an open position for receiving and removing the semiconductor wafer therefrom and a closed position for closely receiving the semiconductor wafer for chemical processing; (b) wherein when said chamber is in closed position, the semiconductor wafer is disposed between the upper working surface and lower working surface to define a narrow gap between the upper working surface and the adjacent surface of the semiconductor wafer and/or a narrow gap between the lower working surface and the adjacent surface of the semiconductor wafer and/or a narrow gap between the outer perimeter of the semiconductor wafer and the interior perimeters of the chamber first and/or second sections; (c) at least one entrance opening in the chamber first section and/or chamber second section for directing processing fluids into the chamber; (d) wherein the chamber second section is contoured so that portions of the lower working surface are at an elevation below the remainder of the lower work surface to serve as a collection location for spent processing fluid; (e) an outlet in fluid flow communication with the collection location of the chamber second section to direct spent processing fluid away from the chamber, and (f) at least one entrance opening in the chamber for directing gas into the chamber, said gas acting as a carrier for the processing fluid to carry the processing fluid into the collection location; wherein the lower interior perimeter comprises a rim that extends slightly upwardly above the lower working surface of the second section; and a corresponding recessed portion of the first section is located so as to receive at least a portion of the rim when the micro chamber is in the closed position; wherein the upper interior perimeter comprises a circular abutment ring, projecting downwardly, and disposed diametrically inwardly from the rim, the abutment ring having a cross section that defines a generally right-triangular shape, with the hypotenuse portion of the triangle extending downwardly and diagonally outwardly relative to the center of the upper working surface, and the abutment ring having a segment that is rectangular in cross section; wherein the contoured chamber second section includes portions that define at least a first groove and a second groove; the first groove located diametrically inward of the second groove; the second groove located such that it is diametrically inward of the rim; and the second groove aligned with the abutment ring when the chamber is in the closed position.