Patent ID: 8753447

Claim:
A method of enhancing the efficiency of a semiconductor processing apparatus having a processing chamber within which is supported at least one heater for heating a workpiece supported relative to a first side of the heater, comprising: providing a heater for heating the workpiece in the chamber for treatment in the chamber via a power source to heat the workpiece to a predetermined temperature; forming a heat shield having first side adjacent to a second side of the heater so that a substantial temperature differential is established between the heater and a second side of the heat shield; selecting a high performance insulation for the heat shield having a thermal conductivity below that of still air over a predetermined temperature range to reduce power required to heat the workpiece to the predetermined temperature; covering the heat shield insulation with a metallic shell; providing protrusions on an outer surface of the metallic shell to maintain spacing between the metallic shell and the second side of the heater; flowing purge gas between the metallic shell and the second side of the heater during operation of the heater; providing a vent to the metallic shell; and evacuating the metallic shell by evacuating the processing chamber prior to workpiece treatment.