Patent ID: 6419984
Filing Date: 2002-07-16
Classification: C23C

Abstract:
A method for performing Low Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition onto a substrate, comprising the sequential steps of:providing a heated reaction chamber, including a source of reactive gases and a pumping system controlled through a gate valve; providing an end plate for sealing said reaction chamber; providing an openable bypass vent for said gate valve; opening said bypass vent, thereby causing air to flow from the reaction chamber to the pumping system; inserting the substrate into said chamber; closing the bypass vent; then sealing said reaction chamber with said end plate; opening said gate valve, thereby causing said chamber to be evacuated; admitting said reactive gas to the chamber, thereby causing the reaction products of the decomposition of said reactive gas to deposit as a layer on said substrate; heating the section of the pumping system that is closest to the reaction chamber; terminating the admission of the reactive gas; continuing to evacuate the reaction chamber until the reactive gas has been substantially removed from the reaction chamber; then closing said gate valve and admitting air into the reaction chamber until it is in equilibrium with the atmosphere; removing said end plate; opening said bypass vent, thereby causing a stream of air to flow from the reaction chamber towards the pumping system; and removing the substrate from the reaction chamber.