US Patent 7163587 Reactor assembly and processing method

A reactor assembly and processing method for treating a substrate generally includes a base unit, a chuck assembly, a process chamber, an inlet manifold assembly and an exit manifold assembly. The inlet manifold assembly is in fluid communication with a first opening of the process chamber, wherein the inlet manifold assembly comprises a flow-shaping portion adapted to laterally elongate a gas and/or a reactant flow into the process chamber. The exhaust manifold assembly in fluid communication with a second opening of the process chamber and is diametrically opposed to the inlet manifold assembly. The process includes flowing a gas and/or reactive species into the process chamber of the reactor assembly in a direction that is about planar with the substrate surface providing improved uniformity and increased reactivity.