The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 01, 1994
Filed:
Dec. 17, 1992
Randhir P Thakur, Boise, ID (US);
Annette L Martin, Boise, ID (US);
Ralph E Kauffman, Boise, ID (US);
Micron Semiconductor, Inc., Boise, ID (US);
Abstract
A method and system for fabricating semiconductor wafers is disclosed wherein an atomically clean, semiconductor substrate having a surface is provided in a rapid thermal processing chamber. One embodiment involves cleaning the substrate by exposing it to a first gas at a temperature substantially within the range of 850.degree. C. to 1250.degree. C. for approximately 10 to 60 seconds. Subsequently, a coating having a first thickness is formed superjacent the substrate surface by introducing a second gas at a temperature substantially within the range of 850.degree. C. to 1250.degree. C. for approximately 5 to 30 seconds in the chamber. The resultant coating, depending on the gas selected, comprises either SiO.sub.2 or Si-F. Subsequently, the substrate having the coating is exposed to a third gas at a temperature substantially within the range of 900.degree. C. to 1050.degree. C. for approximately 30 minutes to one hour, thereby forming a silicon dioxide layer. The silicon dioxide layer is disposed superjacent the substrate and subjacent the coating. In one embodiment of the invention, this step is performed in a furnace. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a transferring device, such as a robot, is employed, using a load lock, to transfer the substrate between the RTP chamber and the furnace without exposing the substrate to atmospheric pressure.