Patent ID: 6907364

Claim:
A method of deriving heat flux data for a workpiece having a top surface and a bottom surface in a process chamber for a temperature sensitive process, the process chamber includes a support for supporting the bottom surface of the workpiece and regulating the temperature of the workpiece, the process includes using at least two process parameters activated for an amount of time, the method being performed using a sensor apparatus for measuring temperature data, processing, storing, and transmitting the temperature data, the sensor apparatus having at least one temperature sensor, an information processor, a memory for storing information, a wireless information transmitter, a wireless information receiver, and a base for supporting the sensor, the information processor, the memory, the information transmitter, and the information receiver, the method comprising the steps of: A. loading the sensor apparatus into the process chamber; B. collecting and storing non-process temperature data using the sensor apparatus with all of the at least two process parameters turned off; C. collecting and storing separate parameter process temperature data using the sensor apparatus with each of the at least two process parameters separately activated; D. collecting and storing combined parameter process temperature data using the sensor apparatus with all of the at least two process parameters for processing the workpiece jointly activated; and E. calculating the heat flux into and out of the workpiece using temperatures measured in steps B-D and intrinsic thermal properties of the workpiece.