IP Library Granted Patent US 11,282,715
Granted Patent B2
US 11,282,715 · App. 16/437,996 · Granted Mar 22, 2022

Apparatus for stressing semiconductor substrates

Inventors: Robert J. Falster (London, GB); Vladimir V. Voronkov (Merano, IT); John A. Pitney (O'Fallon, MO); Peter D. Albrecht (O'Fallon, MO)
Assignee: GlobalWafers Co., Ltd.
H01L21/322C30B25/12H01L21/302H01L21/67092H01L21/6838H01L21/6875H01L21/68735
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,282,715
App. No.
16/437,996
Granted
Mar 22, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

Apparatus for use in preparing heterostructures having a reduced concentration of defects including apparatus for stressing semiconductor substrates to allow them to conform to a crystal having a different crystal lattice constant.

Claims (26)

1. An apparatus for stressing a semiconductor substrate, the substrate having a front surface, a back surface and a peripheral edge, the apparatus comprising:

one or more chamber walls that fully enclose a processing chamber,

a heater for heating the chamber,

a substrate holder mounted in the processing chamber fully enclosed by the chamber walls, the holder including:

a front ring,

a back ring,

a clamp for holding the front ring and back ring, and

each ring including an annular support for contacting the substrate adjacent a peripheral edge of the substrate, the front ring adapted to contact the front surface and the back ring adapted to contact the back surface of the substrate, and

a mechanical device for moving the front and back rings radially, the device being driven by pneumatics, hydraulics or a motor.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the front ring comprises an annular front support for contacting the substrate at its peripheral edge.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein the back ring comprises an annular back support for contacting the substrate at its peripheral edge.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the back ring comprises an annular back support for contacting the substrate at its peripheral edge.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the chamber walls are transparent to allow heating light to pass into the processing chamber.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein the heater is disposed exterior to the processing chamber.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein the heater is a first heater, the first heater being disposed above the one or more the chamber walls, the apparatus composing a second heater, the second heater being disposed below the one or more chamber walls.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 comprising a temperature sensor mounted in the processing chamber configured to monitor the temperature of the substrate holder or semiconductor substrate.

9. An apparatus for stressing a semiconductor substrate, the substrate having a front surface, a back surface and a peripheral edge, the apparatus comprising:

a chamber,

a heater for heating the chamber,

a substrate holder mounted in the chamber, the holder including:

a front ring,

a back ring,

a clamp for holding the front ring and back ring, and

each ring including an annular support for contacting the substrate adjacent a peripheral edge of the substrate, the front ring adapted to contact the front surface and the back ring adapted to contact the back surface of the substrate; a mechanical device for moving the front and back rings radially, the device being driven by pneumatics, hydraulics or a motor; and

a temperature sensor mounted in the chamber configured to monitor the temperature of the substrate holder or semiconductor substrate.

10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein the temperature sensor is a pyrometer that receives infrared radiation emitted by the holder or substrate.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 18, 2020
From: FALSTER, ROBERT J; VORONKOV, VLADAMIR V; ALBRECHT, PETER D
To: MEMC ELECTRONIC MATERIALS, INC.
Reel/Frame 051848/0101 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 18, 2020
From: FALSTER, ROBERT J; VORONKOV, VLADAMIR V; PITNEY, JOHN A; ALBRECHT, PETER D
To: SUNEDISON SEMICONDUCTOR PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 051848/0234 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 18, 2020
From: SUNEDISON SEMICONDUCTOR PTE. LTD.
To: SUNEDISON SEMICONDUCTOR LIMITED
Reel/Frame 051848/0489 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 18, 2020
From: SUNEDISON SEMICONDUCTOR LIMITED; MEMC ELECTRONIC MATERIALS, INC.
To: GLOBALWAFERS CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 051848/0710 →
Continuity (6)
Division 14142559 · Dec 27, 2013
Provisional Application 61793999 · Mar 15, 2013
Provisional Application 61788744 · Mar 15, 2013
Provisional Application 61790445 · Mar 15, 2013
Provisional Application 61747613 · Dec 31, 2012
Related Publication 20190295853A1 · Sep 26, 2019