In various manufacturing steps for forming integrated circuits, chemicals are used, for example, in etching and cleaning steps. A chemical is typically transported from a chemical supply system to a production tool, in which the chemical is used. Conventionally, chemicals are transported through pipes formed of stainless steel. It was found that the metals in the stainless steel contaminate the chemicals that are transported in the pipes. The production yield is hence adversely affected.
For a more complete understanding of the embodiments, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The making and using of the embodiments of the disclosure are discussed in detail below. It should be appreciated, however, that the embodiments provide many applicable concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed are illustrative, and do not limit the scope of the disclosure.
A chemical dispense system and the method of dispensing chemicals using the chemical dispense system are provided in accordance with various exemplary embodiments. The variations and the operation of the chemical dispense system in accordance with exemplary embodiments are discussed. Throughout the various views and illustrative embodiments, like reference numbers are used to designate like elements.
Production tool 40 is connected to pipe 14. Production tool 40 may comprise an etcher, a wet cleaner, or any other production tool that uses chemical 20 in integrated circuit manufacturing processes. In some exemplary embodiments, chemical 20 flows to production tool 40 in a liquid form. Alternatively, chemical 2o flows in pipe 14 in a low-pressure gaseous form, with the pressure in pipe 14 close to one atmosphere, for example. Chemical 20 may be an organic solvent in some embodiments. Furthermore, chemical 20 may be ignitable, and may vaporize. In some exemplary embodiments, chemical 20 includes isopropanol (C3H8O), which when transported, may be in the form of pure isopropanol or substantially pure isopropanol. In alternative embodiments, chemical 20 may comprise isopropanol dissolved in water, alcohol, ether, or chloroform. In other embodiments, chemical 20 includes propylene glycol monomethylether, propylene glycol monomethylether acetate, butyl acetate, or the like.
In some embodiments, outer pipe 14B is also formed of a material that is free from metal. Furthermore, outer pipe 14B may be formed of a dielectric material, although it may also be electrical conductive (or semi-conductive). Outer pipe 14B may also be formed of an organic material. In some exemplary embodiments, outer pipe 14B comprises PFA, PTFE, NE-PFA, or the like. Outer pipe 14B may also be a metal pipe, which may be formed of stainless steel, aluminum, copper, or the like. Outer pipe 14B may have thickness T2 between about 1 mm and about 4 mm.
The channel 21, which is between inner pipe 14A and outer pipe 14B, may be filled with fluid 22. Fluid 22 is configured to conduct electrical charges that may be generated due to the static on inner pipe 14A and/or outer pipe 14B. In some embodiments, fluid 22 comprises water (which includes ions that may conduct electrical charges), wet nitrogen (a mixed gas of water vapor and nitrogen), or the like. Other types of fluid that may conduct charges and do not form ignitable vapors may also be dispensed in channel 21.
Referring back to
In alternative embodiments, fluid 22 remains still in channel 21, and does not flow when chemical 20 flows in inner pipe 14A. In these embodiments, fluid 22 may be electrically grounded to electrical ground GND, as schematically illustrated in
In the embodiments of the present disclosure, by using the metal-free inner pipe 14A to transport the chemicals that are used in the integrated manufacturing processes, the metal contamination problem that otherwise would occur (if metals (such as stainless steel pipes) are used for transporting chemicals) is avoided. The fluid in channel 21 (
In accordance with some embodiments, an apparatus includes a production tool and a pipe connected to the production tool. The pipe includes an inner pipe formed of a metal-free material, an outer pipe encircling the inner pipe, and an inlet connected to a channel between the inner pipe and the outer pipe. The apparatus further includes a chemical supply system connected to the pipe. The chemical supply system is configured to supply a chemical through a channel encircled by the inner pipe to the production tool.
In accordance with other embodiments, an apparatus includes a production tool and a pipe connected to the production tool. The pipe includes an inner pipe formed of a metal-free dielectric material, an outer pipe encircling the inner pipe, an inlet connected to a first channel between the inner pipe and the outer pipe, and an outlet connected to the channel. A chemical supply system is connected to the pipe. The chemical supply system is configured to supply a chemical to the production tool through a second channel encircled by the inner pipe.
In accordance with yet other embodiments, a method includes supplying a chemical to a production tool through a pipe connected to the production tool, wherein the pipe includes an inner pipe formed of a metal-free material, with the chemical flows in the inner pipe. The pipe further includes an outer pipe encircling the inner pipe. The method further includes dispensing a conductive fluid into a channel between the inner pipe and the outer pipe.
Although the embodiments and their advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, and composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed, that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the disclosure. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps. In addition, each claim constitutes a separate embodiment, and the combination of various claims and embodiments are within the scope of the disclosure.