Patent ID: 6645303
Filing Date: 2003-11-11
Classification: G07C,G07F

Abstract:
An apparatus for fabricating an integrated circuit device comprising:an enclosure housing a processing chamber and having a gas inlet for receiving process gases into the processing chamber and a gas outlet for discharging the process gases; a heating assembly disposed within the processing chamber having a pedestal for supporting a semiconductor wafer thereon and a heating element for heating the wafer, the pedestal having an outer surface exposed to the processing chamber, the heating assembly including a support shaft coupled to a lower surface of the pedestal, the support shaft having an outer wall surrounding a hollow interior, the outer wall comprising aluminum nitride and being substantially resistant to reactions with the process gases and to deposition by the process gases on the pedestal at temperatures of at least about 600Â° C.; and a lift assembly including a lift tube disposed beneath the pedestal; and one or more lift fingers extending through holes in the pedestal for moving the wafer between an unloading/loading position suspended above the pedestal, and a processing position on or near the upper surface of the pedestal.