Patent ID: 7452826
Filing Date: 2008-11-18
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. An oxidation method comprising the steps of: supplying an oxidizing gas and a reducing gas into a processing vessel defining a processing space, and capable of holding a plurality of workpieces at predetermined pitches and of being evacuated; creating a process atmosphere containing active oxygen species and active hydroxyl species through the interaction of the oxidizing gas and the reducing gas; and oxidizing surfaces of the workpieces in the process atmosphere, wherein at least either of the oxidizing gas and the reducing gas is supplied by a gas supply nozzle having gas outlets arranged longitudinally and said at least either of the oxidizing gas and the reducing gas is jetted into an upstream region from the gas outlets disposed at a bottom area of the processing space, jetted into a middle region from the gas outlets disposed at a middle area of the processing space and jetted into a downstream region from the gas outlets disposed at a top area of the processing space where the workpieces are held.