Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 February 2011
Isothermal electron beam heating has been combined with in situ optical measurements in order to measure the emissivity of coated silicon samples at elevated temperatures. The coatings include a number of oxide, nitride, and silicon films. Infrared emission spectra were recorded from I to 9 μm for temperatures between 750 and 1200°C. The experimental results were compared with calculated theoretical values, which were predicted from the theory of thin film coatings, using a matrix model incorporating the optical constants for the materials. A good match between experimental and theoretical values validates the use of the infrared optical constants for theoretical modelling related to control and temperature measurements in rapid thermal processing systems.