Abstract:
The aim of the invention is the simple and economical production of a hydrogen-rich process gas from water vapour and hydrogen, whereby the proportion of water vapour to hydrogen may be precisely controllable and reproducible. Said aim is achieved, with a method and device for the production of a process gas for the treatment of substrates, in particular semiconductor substrates, in which the oxygen for formation of a process gas, comprising water vapour and hydrogen, is burnt in a hydrogen-rich environment in a combustion chamber.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the production of a process gas for the treatment of substrates, especially semiconductor substrates. 
   Computer chips, as well as other electronic components, are manufactured on semiconductor disks, so-called wafers. For this purpose, many operating steps and processes are necessary, such as, for example, structuring, lithography, ion implantation, etching or coating. Coating processes are frequently carried out during a thermal treatment of the wafers in a prescribed process gas atmosphere. In this connection, it is known to use a process gas comprising water vapor and oxygen for an oxygen-rich wet oxidation of the wafers. The oxygen-rich process gas is particularly suitable for building up thick oxide layers of 2000 angstroms at low thermal budget, as well as for the production of thin gate-oxides having a layer thickness of less than approximately 40 angstroms. Furthermore, a hydrogen-rich wet oxidation is known according to which the process gas comprises water vapor and hydrogen. The hydrogen-rich process gas is particularly suitable for the selective oxidation of gate-stacks with metal gates or metal gate contacts. 
   For the production of the oxygen-rich process gas and of the hydrogen-rich process gas (i.e. a process gas comprising water vapor and oxygen or hydrogen), different methods were used in the past. 
   The oxygen-rich process gas was, for example, produced in a burner having a combustion chamber in which oxygen and hydrogen were burned to produce water vapor. For the combustion, more oxygen was always made available than could be burned with the hydrogen. In this way, there resulted an excess of oxygen, so that a process gas comprising water vapor and oxygen was formed. This process gas was subsequently conveyed via an appropriate conduit into a process chamber for the treatment of a semiconductor wafer. Additional oxygen could be introduced into the conduit in order to establish the oxygen content in the process gas. 
   For the production of a hydrogen-rich process gas, in the past hydrogen gas was mixed with water vapor, whereby the water vapor was produced by the evaporation of distilled water. However, this method does not permit high gas flows. Furthermore, the ratio of water vapor and hydrogen cannot be precisely controlled and reproduced. A further drawback of this method is that contaminations frequently occur. 
   Proceeding from the known state of the art, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus which, in a straightforward and economical manner, enable the production of a hydrogen-rich process gas comprising water vapor and hydrogen, whereby the mixture ratio of water vapor and hydrogen can be precisely controlled and reproduced. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Pursuant to the invention, this object is realized with a method for the production of a process gas for the treatment of substrates, especially semiconductor substrates, in that oxygen for the formation of a process gas comprising water vapor and hydrogen is burned in a hydrogen-rich environment in a combustion chamber. With this method, high gas flows from the process gas can be achieved. Furthermore, the ratio between water vapor and hydrogen can be precisely controlled and reproduced, since the quantity of the resulting water vapor is directly proportional to the oxygen that is introduced and burned with the hydrogen. Furthermore, pure hydrogen results during the combustion, so that the process gas has a high purity. 
   Instead of oxygen, in general, an oxygen-containing gas, such as, for example, NO or O 3 , can be used, and similarly in place of hydrogen a gas containing hydrogen or a hydrogen isotope, such as, for example, NH 3 , deuterium, or NO 3 , can be used. 
   To ensure that all of the oxygen in the combustion chamber is burned, the presence of unburned oxygen is detected downstream of the combustion chamber. If unburned oxygen is detected downstream of the combustion chamber, pursuant to one embodiment of the invention the method is interrupted, since the unburned oxygen can form an oxyhydrogen gas or an explosive gas mixture with the hydrogen that is present in the process gas. For this reason, preferably an inert gas is also introduced into the process gas if unburned oxygen is detected downstream of the combustion chamber in order to prevent the danger of the formation of oxyhydrogen or explosive gas downstream of the combustion chamber. 
   Pursuant to one preferred embodiment of the invention, hydrogen is introduced into the process gas downstream of the combustion chamber, as a result of which the hydrogen concentration in the process gas can be established as desired. The ratio of hydrogen to water vapor is preferably set between the stoichiometric combustion (0% H 2 ) and 1000/1 (0.1% H 2 O). 
   The combustion chamber is advantageously filled with pure hydrogen prior to the combustion of oxygen, and oxygen is first introduced for triggering the combustion, in order to prevent oxyhydrogen or explosive gas from forming in the combustion chamber which after the triggering of the combustion is not completely burned and exits the combustion chamber. Prior to the filling with hydrogen, the combustion chamber and/or the downstream gas system is advantageously flushed with inert gas (for example N 2 , He or Ar) in order to remove possible atmospheric oxygen. 
   For the production of an oxygen-rich process gas in the same unit, the ratio of oxygen to hydrogen in the combustion chamber is preferably changed during the combustion. In this way, in a straightforward and economical manner, it is possible to change from a hydrogen-rich process gas to an oxygen-rich process gas to the extent that this is desired for a subsequent process. Furthermore, in this way, using the same apparatus, different processes can be enhanced in subsequent apparatus, for example separate rapid heating units or in general units for the thermal treatment of substrates (semiconductors). To ensure that during the change between the production a hydrogen-rich and an oxygen-rich process gas no oxyhydrogen or explosive gases are produced, a stoichiometric combustion of oxygen and hydrogen is carried out for a predetermined period of time. Due to the stoichiometric combustion, the previous excess hydrogen is displaced from the chamber by the resulting water vapor. Only after all of the hydrogen is displaced, is the oxygen content again increased in order to provide an oxygen-rich combustion. In this way, it is ensured that no oxyhydrogen or explosive gases are formed in the combustion chamber and/or in downstream gas systems, such as, for example, the process chamber of rapid heating units. In this connection, for safety reasons the concentration of unburned oxygen and/or hydrogen can be monitored, thereby ensuring that a possible oxygen/hydrogen mixture is below the explosion limit, which is a function of pressure, temperature and further parameters (such as, for example, UV irradiation). 
   For a precise setting of the oxygen concentration in the oxygen-rich process gas, additional oxygen is preferably introduced downstream of the combustion chamber. The ratio of oxygen to hydrogen is preferably between 0% (complete combustion or 100% H 2 O) and 100% (0.1% H 2 O). 
   To prevent a production of oxyhydrogen or explosive gas in the conduit that is disposed downstream of the combustion chamber, an oxygen supply line is blocked downstream of the combustion chamber if a hydrogen-rich process gas is produced in the combustion chamber. In the same manner, a hydrogen supply line is preferably blocked downstream of the combustion chamber if an oxygen-rich process gas is produced in the combustion chamber. Furthermore, the hydrogen supply line and the oxygen supply line are engaged in opposition to one another, i.e. always only one of the two supply lines is open. For a changing of the process gas, a further fluid is preferably introduced into the process gas downstream of the combustion chamber in order to be able to enhance different mechanisms during the subsequent substrate treatment. The further fluid can be a gas that is reactive or inert for the subsequent thermal process for processing semiconductor wafers, or can be a mixture of such gases (e.g. Ar, N 2 ). 
   Pursuant to one embodiment of the invention, an oxygen-rich process gas is first produced in the combustion chamber in that oxygen is burned in a hydrogen-poor environment, and subsequently the ratio of hydrogen to oxygen in the combustion chamber is changed for the combustion of oxygen in a hydrogen-rich environment. Thus, it is possible to selectively start with the production of a hydrogen-rich or oxygen-rich process gas, and subsequently it is possible to change as desired between the production of these two process gases without having to shut the burner down. 
   If an oxygen-rich combustion is effected in the combustion chamber, the method is preferably interrupted and/or an inert gas is introduced into the process gas if downstream of the combustion chamber unburned hydrogen is detected by a device for detecting hydrogen (e.g. a hydrogen sensor). In this way, the formation of an oxyhydrogen gas explosive gas mixture downstream of the combustion chamber is prevented. 
   When changing from a combustion of oxygen in a hydrogen-poor environment to a hydrogen-rich environment, for a predetermined period of time a stochiometric combustion of oxygen and hydrogen is preferably carried out in order to ensure that the combustion chamber contains only water vapor and no unburned oxygen or hydrogen. 
   To prevent the formation of oxyhydrogen or explosive gases, the combustion chamber is preferably rinsed with an inert gas prior to the combustion process. 
   Pursuant to one embodiment of the invention, the process gas is preferably used for the thermal treatment of at least one semiconductor wafer or semiconductor material, and within a treatment cycle is changed between a hydrogen-rich and an oxygen-rich process gas. The term treatment cycle is intended to mean that the semiconductor (e.g. semiconductor wafer) is subjected to a temperature-time cycle that includes at least a heating-up and a cooling-off of the semiconductor. The semiconductor, which is generally in substrate form, can include Si and can be a III–V, II–VI, or IV—IV semiconductor. 
   Pursuant to an alternative embodiment, the process gas is used for the thermal treatment of at least one semiconductor wafer, and during successive thermal treatment cycles a change is made between a hydrogen-rich and an oxygen-rich process gas. During a thermal treatment cycle, the concentration of hydrogen or oxygen in the water vapor of the process gas is preferably changed. 
   The object of the invention is also realized by an apparatus for the production of a process gas for the treatment of substrates, especially semiconductor substrates, which apparatus has a burner with a combustion chamber, at least one oxygen supply line and at least one hydrogen supply line into the combustion chamber, an ignition unit for igniting an oxygen/hydrogen mixture in the combustion chamber, and a control unit, which is controllable is such a way that for the formation of a process gas comprising water vapor and hydrogen, the oxygen is ignited in a hydrogen-rich environment and is completely burned. The apparatus has the advantages that were already mentioned above. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be explained subsequently with the aid of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings; shown in the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  a schematic cross-sectional illustration through a burner; and 
       FIG. 2  a schematic block diagram of a substrate treatment apparatus into which is integrated a device for the production of a process gas pursuant to the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  shows a schematic illustration of a burner  1  in which, pursuant to the inventive method, oxygen and hydrogen are burned to form a gas that contains water vapor. 
   The burner  1  is provided with a housing  3  that in the interior includes a combustion chamber  5 . The combustion chamber  5  has an inlet  7  that is in communication with a first gas inlet line  8 . The first gas inlet line  8  is in communication with a supply line  10  via which, as will be explained in greater detail subsequently, hydrogen is introduced into the burner  1 . 
   In the region of the first gas inlet line  8 , a second gas inlet line  12  is also provided. The second gas inlet line  12  extends at least partially in the first gas inlet line  8 , and is embodied as a so-called lance. By means of the second gas inlet, as will be explained in greater detail subsequently, oxygen is introduced into the burner  1 . The second inlet line  12  has an outlet end  14  that is disposed in the region of the first inlet line  8 , so that a mixing of the gases introduced via the two inlet lines  8 , 12  is already effected in the region of the first inlet line  8 , before the mixture enters into the combustion chamber. 
   The region of the first inlet line  8 , into which the second inlet line  12  opens, is surrounded by a heating ring  17  in order to heat the resulting oxygen/hydrogen gas mixture in this region above its ignition temperature, and to ignite it. Alternatively, some other device can also be provided for the ignition of the mixture. 
   Furthermore provided in the housing  3  of the burner  1  is a UV detector  20 , which is directed toward a combustion region of the oxygen/hydrogen gas mixture in order to monitor the burning process. Since oxygen and hydrogen burn with a visible flame, the UV detector can monitor the combustion process at a measurement range of 260 nm. The UV detector is coupled with an appropriate control device that stops the supply of gas via the inlet lines  8  and  12  when the detector determines that the flame is extinguished. 
   The combustion chamber  5  also has an outlet end  21  that communicates with an outlet conduit  24  which, as will be explained in greater detail subsequently with reference to  FIG. 2 , communicates with a rapid heating unit or in general a process chamber for the thermal treatment of semiconductors. 
   Provided in the outlet conduit  24  is a non-illustrated oxygen and hydrogen sensor, or an appropriate detection device, in order to detect unburned oxygen or unburned hydrogen in the conduit  24 . 
     FIG. 2  shows a schematic block diagram of an apparatus  30  for the treatment of semiconductor wafers; the burner  1  of  FIG. 1  is integrated into this apparatus. 
   The apparatus  30  has a process gas production portion  31  and, for example, a rapid heating unit  32  in which at least one semiconductor wafer is disposed and is thermally treated. The rapid heating unit  32  has, for example, a construction such as is known from DE-A-199 05 524, which originates with the same applicant and to this extent is made the subject matter of the present invention in order to avoid repetition. The outlet conduit  24  of the burner  1  communicates with an inlet of a process chamber of the rapid heating unit  32  in order to be able to convey process gases, which are produced in the burner  1 , into the rapid heating unit. 
   The process gas production portion  31  of the apparatus  30  includes the burner  1 , an electronic control unit  34 , as well as a plurality of mass flow controllers or gas flow control units  36  to  41 , which are each controlled by the control unit  34  to provide a controlled gas flow therethrough. 
   The mass flow controller  36  has a gas supply line  43  as well as an outlet line  44 . The supply line  43  is in communication with a gas source. The outlet line  44  is in communication with the conduit  24  between the burner  1  and the rapid heating unit  32  in order to introduce an additional gas into the process gas produced in the burner  1 , which gas is required in the subsequent process. 
   The mass flow controller  37  has a supply line  46  as well as an outlet line  47 . The supply line  46  is in communication with a source of an inert gas, such as nitrogen or argon. The outlet line  47  is in communication with the supply line  10  of the first inlet line  8  of the burner  1 , as well as with the second inlet line  12  of the burner  1 . 
   The mass flow controller  38  has a supply line  50  as well as an outlet line  51 . The supply line  50  is in communication with an oxygen source or with a source for some other oxygen-containing gas, while the outlet line  51  is in communication with the second inlet line  12  of the burner  1 . 
   The mass flow controller  39  has an inlet line  54  that is in communication with a hydrogen source or with a source for some other hydrogen-containing gas, as well as an outlet line  55 , which is in communication with the supply line  10 . 
   The mass flow controller  40  communicates with an inlet line  58  as well as with an outlet line  59 . The supply line  58  is connected with an oxygen source or with a source for some other oxygen-containing gas, while the outlet line  59  is in communication with the conduit  24  between the burner  1  and the rapid heating unit  32 . 
   The mass flow controller  41  again has a supply line  62  as well as an outlet line  63 . The supply line  62  is in communication with a hydrogen source or with a source for some other hydrogen-containing gas, while the outlet line  63  is in communication with the conduit  24  between the burner  1  and the rapid heating unit  32 . 
   As mentioned previously, the mass-flow controllers  36  to  41  are controlled by the control unit  34  so that they either convey controlled quantities of gas from their respective supply lines to their respective outlet lines, or they are closed. 
   The function of the process gas production portion  31 , and an inventive method for operating the same, will be explained in greater detail subsequently with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
   Prior to the production of a process gas, all of the mass flow controllers  36  to  41  are initially closed. Subsequently, the mass flow controller  37  is actuated in order to introduce an inert gas into the burner  1  via the supply line  10  as well as the second inlet line  12 . In this way, the supply lines  10 ,  12 , the burner  1 , as well as the outlet conduit  24  and possibly the process chamber of the rapid heating unit  32  are flushed with inert gas to ensure that no oxygen or hydrogen are in the burner  1 , the conduit  24  as well as the rapid heating unit  32 . Furthermore, uncontrolled reactions with residual gases, such as air, can be prevented. 
   After a prescribed rinsing time, the mass flow controller  37  is closed. Hydrogen is now introduced via the mass flow controller  39  and the supply line  10  into the burner  1 , whereby at least the combustion chamber  5  and possibly also partially the conduit  24  and the process chamber of the rapid heating unit  32  are filled with pure hydrogen. In this connection, the flow velocity of the hydrogen can be controlled as desired. After the combustion chamber is completely filled with hydrogen, the heating device  17  is activated and now oxygen is introduced into the combustion chamber  5  via the mass flow controller  38  and the second inlet line  12 . The oxygen is introduced, for example, with a time delay of five seconds relative to the hydrogen. When the oxygen starts to exit from the outlet end  14  of the second inlet line  12 , the oxygen is immediately ignited and is burned together with the hydrogen. In this connection, it is important that at this point in time the heating device  17  has already reached the required temperature in order to prevent the formation, in the combustion chamber  5 , of a large quantity of oxyhydrogen gas or an explosive mixture of oxygen and hydrogen. For example, the heating device  17  heats the region at the outlet end  14  of the inlet line  12  to 700° C. During the combustion there results a flame that extends into the combustion chamber  5  and is detected by the UV detector. 
   The control unit  34  sets the flow of the hydrogen and of the oxygen into the combustion chamber  5  via the mass flow controllers  38  and  39  in such a way that more hydrogen is present than is necessary for the combustion of the oxygen, so that the oxygen is burned in a hydrogen-rich environment. Due to the combustion of the oxygen and of the hydrogen, there is produced in the combustion chamber  5  water vapor that, together with the excess hydrogen, is conveyed through the conduit  24  into the process chamber of the rapid heating unit  32 . The process gas can be produced with a high flow of up to 30 slm (standard liters per minute), and is conveyed into the process chamber. As mentioned previously, there is disposed in the conduit  24  an oxygen sensor that detects the presence of unburned oxygen in the conduit  24 . If unburned oxygen is detected in the conduit  24 , the sensor emits a warning signal to the control unit  34  since oxygen in the conduit  24  together with the excess hydrogen can form an oxyhydrogen or explosive gas that upon introduction into the process chamber of the rapid heating unit  32  can explode and thus damage the wafer located therein and possibly also the process chamber itself. After the warning signal is received, the control unit  34  sends appropriate signals to the mass flow controllers  38  and  39  in order to close them and thus interrupt the production of process gas in the burner  1 . Alternatively, or also in addition, inert gas can be introduced via the mass flow controller  37  into the burner  1  and into the conduit  24  in order to prevent the formation of oxyhydrogen or explosive gas in the burner  1  and to again flush the burner. 
   If no unburned oxygen is detected in the conduit  24 , additional hydrogen can be introduced via the mass flow controller  41  and the line  63  into the process gas that is disposed in the conduit  24  and comprises water vapor and hydrogen, in order to increase the hydrogen content in the process gas to a desired value. Furthermore, to the extent that this is desired, a further gas can be introduced via the mass flow controller  36  into the process gas of water vapor and hydrogen. The thereby resulting process gas mixture is now introduced into the process chamber of the rapid heating unit  32  for the treatment of a semiconductor wafer. The process chamber of a process heating unit  32  is first flushed with the process gas before the thermal treatment of the wafer is started. For example, the process chamber is flushed with three times its own volume, which requires, for example, 60 seconds. Only then is the thermal treatment of the wafer disposed in the process chamber started. During the flushing, the wafer is at a low temperature of 20° C. to 560° C. in order to prevent a self-ignition of the process gas, which in the beginning can still be in an undefined composition. Furthermore, one wishes to prevent the wafer from already reacting with the not yet finally defined process gas. The upper temperature of the wafer depends upon the process and the type of wafer. For example, with metal-coated wafers the temperature can be less than 250° C., or even less than 100° C., in order to prevent oxidation or reaction processes in possibly undefined process gases. A hydrogen-rich wet oxidation, for example for the selective oxidation of gate-stacks with metal gates or metal gate contacts, can then be carried out in the process chamber. 
   If for the process in the rapid heating unit  32  it is necessary, after the hydrogen-rich process gas comprising water vapor and hydrogen, to provide an oxygen-rich process gas comprising water vapor and oxygen, the combustion of the oxygen in a hydrogen-rich atmosphere can be changed to a combustion in a hydrogen-poor atmosphere. For this purpose, the control unit  34  first activates the mass flow controllers  38  and  39  in such a way that oxygen and hydrogen in a stoichiometric ratio are introduced into the combustion chamber  5  of the burner  1 . This results in a stoichiometric combustion, whereby pure water vapor is produced and no residual products remain. The stoichiometric combustion or burning is carried out until the excess hydrogen from the previous hydrogen-rich combustion is displaced from the combustion chamber  5  and possibly from the process chamber of the rapid heating unit. The quantity of oxygen introduced via the mass flow controller  38  can now be increased, so that an oxygen-rich combustion is effected, i.e. there is more oxygen present than can be burned with the hydrogen, so that a process gas comprising water vapor and oxygen is formed. This mixture of water vapor and oxygen can now be conveyed via the conduit  24  into the rapid heating unit  32 . Furthermore, additional oxygen can be introduced via the mass flow controller  40  into the conduit  24  in order to increase the oxygen ratio in a desired manner in the process gas comprising water vapor and oxygen. In an analogous manner, it is also possible to change back from the production of an oxygen-rich process gas to the production of a hydrogen-rich process gas, whereby again an intermediate phase is provided whereby a stoichiometric combustion is effected in the combustion chamber  5 . 
   It is, of course, also possible to start the burner  1  in such a way that it initially produces an oxygen-rich process gas and possibly subsequently is changed to the production of a hydrogen-rich process gas. 
   The process gas production portion  31  of the apparatus  30  is thus in a position to produce process gas comprising water vapor and selectively oxygen or hydrogen. By means of the mass flow controllers  40  and  41 , any desired mixture ratio of water vapor to oxygen or of water vapor to hydrogen can be established in the process gas. 
   The control unit  34  is designed in such a way that it always locks the mass flow controllers  40  and  41  in opposition to one another, since the simultaneous introduction of hydrogen and oxygen into the conduit  24  would lead to the formation of an oxyhydrogen or explosive gas. Furthermore, it is also possible to mechanically couple the mass flow controllers  40 ,  41  in such a way that they are locked in opposition to one another, i.e. that always only one of the two mass flow controllers  40 ,  41  can be opened. The control unit  34  furthermore provides that the mass flow controller  40  is always closed if a hydrogen-rich combustion is effected in the burner  1 , since also with the introduction of oxygen into a process gas comprising water vapor and hydrogen an oxyhydrogen or explosive gas would be produced. In an analogous manner, the mass flow controller  41  is controlled in such a way that it is always closed if an oxygen-rich combustion is effected in the burner  1 . 
   To increase the safety, as already previously mentioned an oxygen and hydrogen sensor is provided in the conduit  24  for detecting unburned oxygen or unburned hydrogen respectively in the conduit. If after a hydrogen-rich combustion in the burner oxygen is detected in the conduit  24 , this points to an error, and there exists the danger that oxyhydrogen or explosive gas if formed in the conduit  24  and/or the process chamber of the downstream rapid heating unit  32 . Therefore, the appropriate sensor sends a warning signal to the control unit  34  that can interrupt the process and possibly introduce inert gas into the burner. 
   This is applicable in an analogous manner if after an oxygen-rich combustion in the burner  1  unburned hydrogen is detected in the conduit  24 . 
   The apparatus  30  is now in a position to process a semiconductor wafer in the rapid heating unit  32  with a hydrogen-rich and/or oxygen rich process gas that contains water vapor. It is possible, during a single thermal treatment cycle, to switch between a hydrogen-rich and an oxygen-rich process gas that contains water vapor. It is, of course, also possible to switch multiple times between these two process gases during a thermal treatment cycle. A switching-over can also be effected within a process chamber between successive thermal treatment cycles. 
   The apparatus was previously described with the aid of a preferred embodiment of the invention, without, however, being limited to the specific embodiment. For example, the process gas production portion  31  can be connected to a plurality of rapid heating units  32  (or in general process chambers for the processing of semiconductor wafers) that are supplied in parallel with the same or sequentially with the same or different process gas mixtures. For example, one rapid heating unit could respectively require an oxygen-rich process gas that contains water vapor, whereas in the other rapid heating unit respectively a hydrogen-rich process gas that contains water vapor is required. The burner  1  could thus be sequentially used for both units without the necessity for having to shut down the burner between the supply of the one unit and the other unit, and possibly having to rinse the burner with inert gas, since one can change as desired between the production of an oxygen-rich and a hydrogen-rich process gas that contains water vapor. The burner can be operated at overpressure or underpressure, whereby an operation at underpressure is advantageous since gas is conveyed to the outlet by the underpressure in the combustion chamber. Operating in this manner again leads to a uniform burning condition. 
   The present invention also encompasses embodiments that result from the combination and/or the interchange of features of the previously described examples. It should furthermore be noted that instead of a semiconductor or a substrate, any desired object can be processed with the process gas produced pursuant to the method or apparatus of the present invention, whereby the processing is not limited exclusively to thermal, i.e. temperature-time, treatment cycles. 
   In apparatus in which the object is heated, for example, via electro-magnetic radiation, radiated power-time treatment cycles can also be involved. 
   The specification incorporates by reference the disclosure of German priority document 101 19 741.1 filed Apr. 23, 2001 and PCT/EP02/04345 filed Apr. 19, 2002. 
   The present invention is, of course, in no way restricted to the specific disclosure of the specification and drawings, but also encompasses any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.