Patent ID: 6115538
Filing Date: 2000-09-05
Classification: C23C,H01L

Abstract:
Apparatus for ashing an organic film as a part of a semiconductor device production process, said apparatus comprising:an evacuatable plasma chamber adapted for conducting a plasma ashing procedure in a vacuum environment;a closed water-containing vessel formed from a material having good heat-conductive characteristics for evaporating water to provide steam to said plasma chamber during said ashing procedure, said closed vessel having a maximum horizontal cross sectional water evaporation area M and a minimum horizontal cross sectional water evaporation area S, and said vessel being configured so that M/S<8, said closed vessel having a submerged inside surface which is coated with a resin to prevent foreign contamination from migrating out of the material from which the closed vessel is formed during operation;a steam outlet connected to said vessel at a location above the surface of water therein;a conduit interconnecting said outlet and said chamber for directing steam produced in said vessel into said chamber; anda temperature-controlled liquid bath for heating and vaporizing water in said vessel to thereby supply steam to said plasma chamber at a constant rate, said vessel being at least partially submerged in said liquid bath.