Patent ID: 7413616
Filing Date: 2008-08-19
Classification: B08B,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method for shielding an electrofill chemical bath from a fluid rinse treatment of a semiconductor wafer, said wafer situated over said bath during said rinse, said method comprising: attaching a shield over said bath, said shield having a frame with a pivot axis and a plurality of overlapping, interlocking blades connected to said pivot axis; connecting a mechanical actuator having an actuator arm to at least one of said plurality of overlapping, interlocking blades through said pivot axis; and closing said shield by subjecting all of said plurality of overlapping blades to rotation by interlocking an upper ledge traversing the length of each lower blade with a lower ledge traversing the length of each adjacent upper blade in a first direction over said bath, such that when fully rotated, said upper ledges are in peripheral contact with said lower ledges sealing said shield and blocking rinse water from falling into said chemical bath, said closing rotation performed by rotating a pivot boss at a pivot point of each blade that interacts with a pivot interlock cut on each adjacent blade; applying said rinse to said wafer; redirecting said rinse by exposing angled blade ledges to said rinse; draining said fluid off said shield for subsequent collection; and opening said shield by subjecting all of said plurality of overlapping, interlocking blades to rotation in a direction opposite said first direction such that said blades stack upon each other on one side of said frame; said opening rotation performed by rotating a pivot boss at a pivot point of each blade that interacts with a pivot interlock cut on each adjacent blade.