Axcelis Technologies, Inc.
Wafer soak temperature readback and control via thermocouple embedded end effector for semiconductor processing equipment

Abstract:

A workpiece processing system and method provides an end effector coupled to a workpiece transfer apparatus. The end effector has support members for selectively contacting and supporting a workpiece. One or more temperature sensors are coupled to the support members and are configured to contact a backside of the workpiece to measure and define one or more measured temperatures of the workpiece. A heated chuck has a support surface at a predetermined temperature, and is configured to radiate heat from the support surface. A controller control the workpiece transfer apparatus to selectively support the workpiece at a predetermined distance from the support surface of the heated chuck to radiatively heat the workpiece, and to selectively transfer the workpiece from the end effector to the support surface of the heated chuck based, at least in part, on the one or more measured temperatures.