Patent ID: 6762136
Filing Date: 2004-07-13
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A method for rapid thermal processing (RTP) of a substrate used to make semiconductor devices comprising the steps of:forming a hot gas stream whose temperature is substantially above a peak substrate surface temperature obtained during thermal processing of the substrate by the hot gas stream and whose power density is sufficiently high to increase the surface temperature of the substrate at a rate in excess of about 103Â° C./sec; and effectively moving a substrate through the hot gas stream at a speed selected to treat an area of the surface of the substrate at a high peak temperature while establishing a temperature differential throughout the thickness of the substrate to enable the substrate to produce enhanced cooling of a treated area of the substrate by thermal conduction into the bulk of the substrate and enable the substrate to cool the treated area at a rate of at least about 103Â° C./sec after the treated area has passed out of the hot gas stream.