Asm International N.v.

Arjen Benjamin Storm

Herbert Terhorst

Vladimir Ivanovich Kuznetsov

Ernst Hendrik August Granneman

Hessel Sprey

Jan Willem Hubert Maes

Method for etching a substrate wherein, after placing in an etching chamber, said substrate is treated with a mixture of HF and acetic acid. Acetic acid is introduced into the chamber first, followed by the hydrogen fluoride. Hydrogen fluoride is introduced via an intermediate stage during which the hydrogen fluoride is stored in an auxiliary chamber. By this means back-flow of a corrosive mixture consisting of hydrogen fluoride and acetic acid into the piping assembly for hydrogen fluoride is prevented and, thus, the life of the piping assembly concerned is appreciably prolonged and metal contamination on substrate treated later is prevented.

Method and installation for etching a substrate

In a method and apparatus for the thermal treatment of semiconductor substrates, such as a wafer, a wafer is brought into a heat treatment apparatus wherein the heat treatment apparatus comprises two substantially flat parts parallel to the introduction position of the wafer, between which the wafer is taken in. The first part is heated to a first high temperature and the second part is cooled with the help of cooling means and is at a second temperature lower than 70&deg; C. By controlling the heat conductivity between the wafer and at least one of the parts, the temperature of the wafer can be influenced to such an extent that during a certain period, the wafer takes on a temperature that is comparatively closer to the first, high temperature and then takes on a temperature which is comparatively closer to the second low temperature.

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Leuven, Belgium

Arjen Benjamin Storm