An upper radiation thermometer is provided obliquely above a semiconductor wafer to be measured. The upper radiation thermometer includes a photovoltaic detector that produces an electromotive force when receiving light. The photovoltaic detector has both high-speed responsivity and good noise properties in a low-frequency range. The upper radiation thermometer does not require a mechanism for cooling because the photovoltaic detector is capable of obtaining sufficient sensitivity at room temperature without being cooled. There is no need to provide a light chopper and a differentiating circuit in the upper radiation thermometer. This allows the upper radiation thermometer to measure the front surface temperature of the semiconductor wafer with a simple configuration both during preheating by means of halogen lamps and during flash irradiation.

Methods and systems are described for reducing adhesion and controlling friction between a wafer and a wafer table during semiconductor photolithography wherein the tops of burls on the wafer table have a layer with a nanoscale topography.

Support plates for localized heating in thermal processing systems to uniformly heat workpieces are provided. In one example implementation, localized heating is achieved by modifying a heat transmittance of a support plate such that one or more portions of the support plate proximate the areas that cause cold spots transmit more heat than the rest of the support plate. For example, the one or more portions (e.g., areas proximate to one or more support pins) of the support plate have a higher heat transmittance (e.g., a higher optical transmission) than the rest of the support plate. In another example implementation, localized heating is achieved by heating a workpiece via a coherent light source through a transmissive support structure (e.g., one or more support pins, or a ring support) in addition to heating the workpiece globally by light from heat sources.

A method is provided and includes: determining a temperature distribution pattern across a substrate or a support plate of a substrate support; determining, based on the temperature distribution pattern, a number of masks to apply to a top surface of the support plate, where the number of masks is greater than or equal to two; and determining patterns of the masks based on the temperature distribution pattern; and applying the masks over the top surface. The method further includes: performing a first machining process to remove a portion of the support plate unprotected by the masks to form first mesas and first recessed areas between the first mesas; removing a first mask from the support plate; performing a second machining process to form second recessed areas and at least one of second mesas or a first seal band area; and removing a second mask from the support plate.

Embodiments disclosed herein may include a heater pedestal. In an embodiment, the heater pedestal may comprise a heater pedestal body and a conductive mesh embedded in the heater pedestal. In an embodiment, the conductive mesh is electrically coupled to a voltage source In an embodiment, the heater pedestal may further comprise a support surface on the heater pedestal body. In an embodiment, the support surface comprises a plurality of pillars extending out from the heater pedestal body and arranged in concentric rings. In an embodiment pillars in an outermost concentric ring have a height that is greater than a height of pillars in an innermost concentric ring.

A carrier containing a plurality of semiconductor wafers in a lot is transported into a heat treatment apparatus. Thereafter, a recipe specifying treatment procedures and treatment conditions is set for each of the semiconductor wafers. Next, a reflectance of each of the semiconductor wafers stored in the carrier is measured. Based on the set recipe and the measured reflectance of each semiconductor wafer, a predicted attainable temperature of each semiconductor wafer at the time of flash heating treatment is calculated, and the calculated predicted attainable temperature is displayed. This allows the setting of the treatment conditions with reference to the displayed predicted attainable temperature, to thereby easily achieve the setting of the heat treatment conditions.

In this sample stage that adsorbs and holds a sample, the configuration includes: an outer circumference stage that has a first adsorption surface and a pressure receiving chamber that is a recess formed in the center thereof; an inner circumference stage that has a second adsorption surface, and that is housed in the pressure receiving chamber and can project upward from the outer circumference stage; a first flow channel for a sample desorption operation that is formed on the outer circumference stage and is opened on the first adsorption surface; a second flow channel for the sample desorption operation that is formed on the outer circumference stage and the inner circumference stage and is opened on the second adsorption surface; and a third flow channel for inner circumference stage elevating driving that is formed on the outer circumference stage and is opened in the pressure receiving chamber.

Exemplary substrate support assemblies may include an electrostatic chuck body that defines a substrate support surface. The substrate support surface may define a plurality of protrusions that extend upward from the substrate support surface. A density of the plurality of protrusions within an outer region of the substrate support surface may be greater than in an inner region of the substrate support surface. The substrate support assemblies may include a support stem coupled with the electrostatic chuck body. The substrate support assemblies may include an electrode embedded within the electrostatic chuck body.

A substrate treating apparatus and a substrate treating method are provided. The substrate treating apparatus includes a support member to support a substrate, a treatment liquid nozzle to supply a treatment liquid to the substrate positioned on the support member, and a controller to control the treatment liquid nozzle such that the treatment liquid supplied to the substrate is differently discharged in a low-flow-supply section and a high-flow-supply section in which an average discharge amount per hour is more than an average discharge amount per hour in the low-flow-supply section.

A holding apparatus, in particular a chuck, for a substrate comprises a main body with a upper side, a carrier element arranged in a recess of the main body so as to be vertically movable such that it can be adjusted between a protruding loading position and a retracted clamping position, the carrier element comprising a support surface for placement of the substrate. The support surface has a smaller diameter than the main body. A lifting element lifts the carrier element to the loading position. The carrier element seals the recess such that a sealed cavity is provided between the main body and the carrier element, which cavity can have a negative pressure applied thereto which counteracts the effect of the lifting element.