Patent ID: 6019849
Filing Date: 2000-02-01
Classification: C23C,H01L

Abstract:
An apparatus for treating semiconductor wafers with hexamethyl-disilazane, comprising:means for generating a mixture of hexamethyl-disilazane gas mixed with nitrogen gas;a source of dry nitrogen gas;a controlled atmosphere chamber having an input port and an exhaust port;a nozzle having a first input port, a second input port, and an output port wherein said output port of said nozzle is connected to said input port of said controlled atmosphere chamber;a semiconductor wafer holder in said controlled atmosphere chamber wherein said semiconductor wafer holder is in either an up position or a down position;means for heating said semiconductor wafer holder in said controlled atmosphere chamber;a first valve having a first port and a second port wherein said first port of said first valve is connected to said means for generating a mixture of hexamethyl-disilazane gas mixed with nitrogen gas;a second valve having a first port and a second port, wherein said first valve and said second valve are connected so that said second valve is closed when said first valve is open and said second valve is open when said first valve is closed;a third valve having a first port and a second port wherein said second port of said third valve is connected to said source of dry nitrogen gas and said third valve is connected so that said third valve is closed when said semiconductor wafer holder is in said up position and said third valve is open when said semiconductor wafer holder is in said down position;a fourth valve having a first port and a second port wherein said second port of said fourth valve is connected to said first input port of said nozzle;a fifth valve having a first port and a second port wherein said first port of said fifth valve is connected to said second input port of said nozzle and said second port of said fifth valve is connected to said source of dry nitrogen gas;a first pipe having a first end, a second end, and a connecting port between said first end and said second end, wherein said first end of said first pipe is connected to said second port of said first valve and said second end of said first pipe is connected to said first port of said second valve;a second pipe having a first end and a second end wherein said first end of said second pipe is connected to said connecting port of said first pipe and said second end of said second pipe is connected to said first port of said fourth valve;a third pipe having a first end and a second end wherein said first end of said third pipe is connected to said second port of said second valve and said second end of said third pipe is connected to said first port of said third valve;means for opening and closing said first valve and said second valve thereby opening said second valve when said first valve is closed and closing said second valve when said first valve is open;means for opening and closing said third valve thereby closing said third valve when said semiconductor wafer holder is in said up position and opening said third valve when said semiconductor wafer holder in said down position;means for opening and closing said fourth valve;means for opening and closing said fifth valve; andexhaust means connected to said exhaust port of said controlled atmosphere chamber.