Patent ID: 6649883
Filing Date: 2003-11-18
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A method of calibrating a semiconductor wafer drying apparatus including a heater and a vessel containing a solvent and capable of receiving semiconductor wafers, the method comprising:selecting a test heater temperature and a test processing time, placing a first set of wafers in the vessel, operating the heater at said test heater temperature so that a solvent vapor cloud is created in the vessel, monitoring for substantial envelopment of said first set of wafers by the vapor cloud during said test processing time, said monitoring step including subjecting at least some of said first set of wafers to epitaxial treatment or chemical vapor deposition subsequent to said operating step and thereafter measuring defects in the wafers, and based on said monitoring step, adjusting at least one of said test heater temperature and said test processing time to establish at least one operating parameter of an operating heater temperature parameter and an operating processing time parameter for processing successive sets of wafers so as to promote substantial vapor cloud envelopment of each set of wafers dried in said drying apparatus to inhibit defects in each set of wafers.