1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of semiconductor manufacturing and more specifically to a method and apparatus for mixing a precise amount of chemicals in a single wafer process.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Wet etching and wet cleaning of silicon wafers is typically done by immersing the wafers into a liquid. This can also be done by spraying a liquid onto a wafer or a batch of wafers. Wet wafer cleaning and etching is traditionally done in a batch mode. Because of the need for a shorter cycle time in chip manufacturing, there is a need for fast single wafer processing. When using single wafer processing, the amount of chemicals in processes is much smaller than when using batch processing. Even though the quantities in use at any time are much smaller than in batch processing, the accuracy of mixing has to be similar to batch processing.
When performing wet etching operations, the accuracy of the etch has to be smaller than 1% 1 sigma total variation on a 300 mm wafer. This variation is the result of variations in contact time over the wafer when spraying chemicals, the variation in temperature in the etching chemical and on the wafer surface and the variation in chemical concentration. Therefore the variation in chemical concentration has to be controlled very tight. When using wet chemicals for cleaning instead of etching wafers, the accuracy of mixing can be relaxed. Traditionally, in batch equipment, the chemicals are premixed in an off-line tank, where water and chemicals are added separately. Usually, at first chemicals are added and the amount is monitored by monitoring the level. Then the water is added to the full level. The chemicals in this off-line tank can be heated and when needed are transferred to the etching or cleaning tank. Inside the tank the concentration can be monitored and additional chemical or water can be added to adjust for any variations. Alternatively, such as in a flow-through reactor (e.g. CFM Technologies), chemicals are measured in a tube in which the level is monitored and are injected in a stream of DI water of which the flow is controlled. These techniques work well for mixing chemical volumes of the order of 1 to 41 of chemicals with multiple volumes of DI water.
Most single wafer wet processors available today use a similar principle. I.e., chemicals are premixed in an off-line tank and then are pumped to the single wafer chamber when needed. The problem with this approach is that for every mixing ratio of chemical, a specific mixing tank has to be constructed and chemicals have to be mixed in quantities far exceeding the necessary amount for the processing of one wafer.
Thus, there is a need for a simple and accurate mixing system coupled to a single wafer wet processing chamber that can be connected to the bulk supply of the semiconductor fab directly, without the use of a big pre-mixing tank for multiple wafer processing
A method of and apparatus for mixing chemicals in a single wafer process. According to the present invention a chemical is fed into a valve system having a tube of a known volume. The chemical is fed into the valve system to fill the tube with a chemical to generate a measured amount of the chemical. The measured amount of chemical is then used in a single wafer process.
The present invention is a method and apparatus for chemical mixing in a single wafer process. In the following description a number of specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that these specific details are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Additionally, in other instances, well-known processing techniques and equipment have not been set forth in particular detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
The present invention describes a method and apparatus for mixing a precise amount of chemicals in a single wafer process. The present invention utilizes a 6-port valve to accurately measure precise amounts of a chemical in a chemical mix or supply system. Because small amounts of chemicals can be precisely measured with a 6-port valve, the present invention provides a simple and accurate mixing system for single wafer processing where very small amounts of chemicals are used. The 6-port valve mixing apparatus of the present invention can be used to mix chemicals during or before use in a single wafer process.
In the present invention measuring tube 106 has a precisely known volume, so that when it is filled or “charged” measuring tube 106 contains a precise amount of chemicals. The amount of chemicals can be varied by changing the volume of measuring tube 106 between ports 3 and 6.
Next, as shown in
In one embodiment of the present invention as shown in
In an embodiment of the present invention as shown in
In another system 400 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention as shown in
Thus, a method and apparatus for precisely mixing chemicals in a single wafer process has been described. It is to be appreciated that the present invention is not to be limited to the specific details set forth in the preferred embodiment herein. For example, although the present invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment where a chemical is mixed with DI water, the present invention is equally useful for mixing any two chemicals. Additionally, although the present invention ideally uses 6-port valves it is to be appreciated that other valving systems, such as two 3-port valves as shown in
This application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/214,056 filed Jun. 26, 2000 entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CHEMICAL MIXING IN A SINGLE WAFER PROCESS.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20020075750 A1 | Jun 2002 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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60214056 | Jun 2000 | US |