Patent ID: 8858755
Filing Date: 2014-10-14
Classification: B44C,H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A substrate edge bevel etch module adapted to etch a material from a peripheral edge of a substrate with an etchant, the substrate edge bevel etch module comprising: a rotatable substrate holder having a support configured to support and rotate a substrate; and a surface tension etch applicator comprising a wetted etching surface configured to oppose a substrate surface proximate an edge of said substrate when said surface tension etch applicator is located proximate to said edge of said substrate to etch the edge of the substrate without etching central portions of the substrate, and wherein said surface tension etch applicator is mounted such that the rotatable substrate holder rotates the substrate relative to the surface tension etch applicator, said surface tension etch applicator further includes an etchant dispensing portion proximate said wetted etching surface that is adapted to dispense an etchant in a region between said wetted etching surface and said substrate surface and wet at least a portion of said wetted etching surface and said substrate surface as the substrate is rotated relative to the surface tension etch applicator, wherein a spacing between said wetted etching surface and said substrate surface can be selected to retain said etchant using surface tension forces and form a meniscus between the wetted etching surface and the substrate; an applicator positioning system which moves the surface etch applicator vertically between a non-etch position in which the surface tension etch applicator is raised and spaced above the substrate and an etching position in which the surface tension etch applicator is moved vertically toward the substrate such that the wetted etching surface is proximate the edge of the substrate for etching.