Apparatus and system for eliminating contaminants on a substrate surface

• Main Authors: Conchieri, Brian P, Dussault, David D, Ishaq, Mousa H
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 15.02.2005

An intergrated closed apparatus and system for eliminating contaminants including metallic and/or hydrocarbon-containing contaminants on a surface of a semiconductor substrate. The apparatus and system include a heating chamber for heating the contaminated substrate to an elevated temperature, and an input line for purging the chamber with a chlorine-containing gas. The chlorine dissociates from the chlorine-containing gas, reacts with the contaminates, and forms volatile chloride byproducts which are removed from the heating chamber via an output line. A cooling chamber of the apparatus and system having an input line for providing a gas therein cools the substrate. A workpiece holds the substrate, which in turn, is held in position by a pedestal. The pedestal is in contact with a door that seals the closed apparatus and system, whereby the door transfers the substrate from the heating chamber to the cooling chamber, and vice versa.