Patent ID: 8721908

Claim:
A method of reducing curvature of a bowed semiconductor substrate during bevel edge cleaning, comprising: loading a semiconductor substrate having a bowed curvature onto a vacuum chuck arrangement of a bevel etcher wherein a bevel edge of a semiconductor substrate is subjected to plasma cleaning, comprising: a support ring having an upper surface configured to support a semiconductor substrate such that a bevel edge of the substrate extends outwardly of an outer edge of the upper surface; a chuck body having a recessed surface with optional lift pin holes therein, the recessed surface extending between an inner periphery of the support ring, the recessed surface being below the underside of the substrate supported on the upper surface of the support ring, the recessed surface and inner periphery defining a vacuum region beneath the substrate supported on the support ring; and at least one gas passage having an inlet in fluid communication with the vacuum region, the gas passage having an outlet to which a vacuum force can be applied to place a vacuum force on the underside of the substrate; evacuating the vacuum region; and energizing process gas into a plasma state and removing buildup on the bevel edge by etching the buildup with the plasma.