The uses of Rapid Thermal Annealing or Rapid Thermal Processing (RTP) have been expanding beyond the original post implant annealing. RTP has been used to reflow low temperature oxides (PSG or BPSG), anneal silicides and to sinter contacts. One application of RTP which is beginning to receive attention is the growth of oxides or nitrides of silicon.

This paper will examine the use of a commercial rapid thermal processing system based on a very high power water-wall DC arc lamp to grow oxides on silicon wafers. The work includes a study of the growth rates of oxides at different temperatures. Direct feedback control of wafer temperature and high ramp-up and cool-down rates are used to minimize the effects of temperature errors or “tails” in the temperature/time profiles. Ellipsometry is used as the primary measurement tool to characterize the oxide films.

In addition to using a pure, dry oxygen atmosphere, several oxygen-argon mixtures are used. The effects of atmosphere on the growth rate of the oxide film are reported.

In order to become a practical application of RTP, oxide growth must be accomplished uniformly and reproducibly. These characteristics are machine-dependent. The uniformity of films grown in this system are discussed. The growth of oxide films and the uniformity measurements are used as an indirect technique to characterize the uniformity of the system. The reproducibility of film thickness is also examined.