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.

Date of Patent:
Aug. 27, 2013

Filed:

Jul. 31, 2012
Applicants:

Eugene Smargiassi, Tualatin, OR (US);

Stephen Yu-hong Lau, Lake Oswego, OR (US);

George D. Kamian, Scotts Valley, CA (US);

Ming Xi, Palo Alto, CA (US);

Inventors:

Eugene Smargiassi, Tualatin, OR (US);

Stephen Yu-Hong Lau, Lake Oswego, OR (US);

George D. Kamian, Scotts Valley, CA (US);

Ming Xi, Palo Alto, CA (US);

Assignee:

Novellus Systems, Inc., San Jose, CA (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
C23F 1/00 (2006.01); H01L 21/306 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract

An apparatus for purging a space in a processing chamber comprises a source of a purge gas; an inlet portion of a purge ring; an inlet baffle located in the inlet portion and fluidically connected to the source of purge gas; and an exhaust portion of the purge ring. The inlet portion and the exhaust portion define a ring hole space having a 360° periphery. The inlet baffle preferably surrounds not less than 180° of said periphery. The inlet baffle is operable to convey purge gas into the ring hole space. The exhaust portion is operable to convey purge gas and other matter out of the ring hole space. Cleaning of the purge ring and other structures in a processing chamber is conducted by flowing a cleaning gas through the inlet baffle. Some embodiments include a gas inlet plenum and an exhaust channel but not a purge ring.


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