Methods of thermal processing and rapid thermal processing

Abstract

In one aspect, the invention includes a method of thermal processing comprising: a) providing a semiconductor substrate, the semiconductor substrate supporting a material that is to be thermally processed; b) forming a sacrificial mass over the material, the mass comprising an inner portion and an outer portion, the inner portion having a different composition than the outer portion and being nearer the material than the outer portion; c) exposing the mass to radiation to heat the mass, the exposing being for a period of time sufficient for the material to absorb heat from the mass and be thermally processed thereby; and d) removing the mass from over the material. In another aspect, the invention includes a method of thermal processing comprising: a) providing a semiconductor substrate, the substrate supporting a material that is to be thermally processed; b) forming a first sacrificial layer over the material; c) forming a second sacrificial layer over the first sacrificial layer, the second sacrificial layer comprising a different composition than the first sacrificial layer; d) exposing the second sacrificial layer to radiation to heat the second layer, the exposing being for a period of time sufficient for the material to absorb heat from the sacrificial layer and be thermally processed thereby; e) cooling the material and the sacrificial layers; and f) removing the sacrificial layers from over the material.