Patent ID: 8107800

Claim:
An article for supporting a workpiece during thermal processing, comprising: a first element adapted to support a weight of the workpiece, wherein the workpiece consists essentially of silicon; and at least three elongated support members extending upwardly from the first element for supporting the workpiece above the first element, each of the support members including a (i) first portion adjacent to the workpiece, the first portion having a first thermal response faster than a thermal response of the workpiece, and (ii) a second portion extending downwardly from the first portion, the second portion having a second thermal response slower than the thermal response of the workpiece, wherein the support members consist essentially of at least one material selected from the group consisting of quartz, fused silica and silicon carbide, the article further comprising elements removably mountable above the second portions of the support members, the elements having a third thermal response slower than the first thermal response.