Metallurgical apparatus – Means treating solid metal – By contact with gas
Reexamination Certificate
2005-03-01
2005-03-01
Kastler, Scott (Department: 1742)
Metallurgical apparatus
Means treating solid metal
By contact with gas
C118S725000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06861027
ABSTRACT:
An apparatus for thermally processing a microelectronic workpiece is set forth. The apparatus comprises a first assembly and a second assembly, disposed opposite one another, with an actuator disposed to provide relative movement between the first assembly and second assembly. More particularly, the actuator provides relative movement between at least a loading position in which the first assembly is in a state for loading or unloading of the microelectronic workpiece, and a thermal processing position in which the first assembly and second assembly are proximate one another and form a thermal processing chamber. A thermal transfer unit is disposed in the second assembly and has a workpiece support surface that is heated and cooled in a controlled manner. As the first assembly and second assembly are driven to the thermal processing position by the actuator, an arrangement of elements bring a surface of the microelectronic workpiece into direct physical contact with the workpiece support surface of the thermal transfer unit. In a preferred embodiment, the thermal transfer unit is comprised of a low thermal mass heater and a high thermal mass cooler disposed to controllably cool the low thermal mass heater.
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McHugh Paul R.
Weaver Robert A.
Wilson Gregory J.
Kastler Scott
Perkins Coie LLP
Semitool Inc.
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