Method and apparatus for post exposure processing of photoresist wafers

Embodiments described herein relate to methods and apparatus for performing immersion field guided post exposure bake processes. Embodiments of apparatus described herein include a chamber body defining a processing volume. A pedestal may be disposed within the processing volume and a first electrode may be coupled to the pedestal. A moveable stem may extend through the chamber body opposite the pedestal and a second electrode may be coupled to the moveable stem. In certain embodiments, a fluid containment ring may be coupled to the pedestal and a dielectric containment ring may be coupled to the second electrode.

BACKGROUND

Field

The present disclosure generally relates to methods and apparatus for processing a substrate, and more specifically to methods and apparatus for improving photolithography processes.

Description of the Related Art

Integrated circuits have evolved into complex devices that can include millions of components (e.g., transistors, capacitors and resistors) on a single chip. Photolithography is a process that may be used to form components on a chip. Generally the process of photolithography involves a few basic stages. Initially, a photoresist layer is formed on a substrate. A chemically amplified photoresist may include a resist resin and a photoacid generator. The photoacid generator, upon exposure to electromagnetic radiation in the subsequent exposure stage, alters the solubility of the photoresist in the development process. The electromagnetic radiation may have any suitable wavelength, for example, a 193 nm ArF laser, an electron beam, an ion beam, or other suitable source.

In an exposure stage, a photomask or reticle may be used to selectively expose certain regions of the substrate to electromagnetic radiation. Other exposure methods may be maskless exposure methods. Exposure to light may decompose the photo acid generator, which generates acid and results in a latent acid image in the resist resin. After exposure, the substrate may be heated in a post-exposure bake process. During the post-exposure bake process, the acid generated by the photoacid generator reacts with the resist resin, changing the solubility of the resist during the subsequent development process.

After the post-exposure bake, the substrate, particularly the photoresist layer, may be developed and rinsed. Depending on the type of photoresist used, regions of the substrate that were exposed to electromagnetic radiation may either be resistant to removal or more prone to removal. After development and rinsing, the pattern of the mask is transferred to the substrate using a wet or dry etch process.

The evolution of chip design continually requires faster circuitry and greater circuit density. The demands for greater circuit density necessitate a reduction in the dimensions of the integrated circuit components. As the dimensions of the integrated circuit components are reduced, more elements are required to be placed in a given area on a semiconductor integrated circuit. Accordingly, the lithography process must transfer even smaller features onto a substrate, and lithography must do so precisely, accurately, and without damage. In order to precisely and accurately transfer features onto a substrate, high resolution lithography may use a light source that provides radiation at small wavelengths. Small wavelengths help to reduce the minimum printable size on a substrate or wafer. However, small wavelength lithography suffers from problems, such as low throughput, increased line edge roughness, and/or decreased resist sensitivity.

In a recent development, an electrode assembly is utilized to generate an electric field to a photoresist layer disposed on the substrate prior to or after an exposure process so as to modify chemical properties of a portion of the photoresist layer where the electromagnetic radiation is transmitted to for improving lithography exposure/development resolution. However, the challenges in implementing such systems have not been overcome.

Therefore, there is a need for improved methods and apparatus for improving photolithography processes.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a substrate processing apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a chamber body defining a processing volume and a pedestal disposed within the processing volume. One or more fluid sources may be coupled to the processing volume through the pedestal and a drain may be coupled to the processing volume through the pedestal. A first electrode is coupled to the pedestal and a fluid containment ring is coupled to the pedestal radially outward of the first electrode. A moveable stem may be disposed opposite the pedestal and extend through the chamber body, and a second electrode may be coupled to the stem.

In another embodiment, a substrate processing apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a chamber body defining a processing volume and a pedestal is disposed in the processing volume. A drain may be coupled to the processing volume through the pedestal, a first electrode may be coupled to the pedestal, and a fluid containment ring may be coupled to the pedestal radially outward of the first electrode. A moveable stem may be disposed opposite the pedestal and extend through the chamber body. A second electrode may be coupled to the stem and a dielectric containment ring may be coupled to the second electrode. One or more fluid sources may be coupled to the processing volume through the dielectric containment ring.

In yet another embodiment, a substrate processing apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a chamber body defining a processing volume, a pedestal may be disposed in the processing volume, and a first electrode may be coupled to the pedestal. A moveable stem may be disposed opposite the pedestal and extend through the chamber body. A second electrode may be coupled to the stem and a dielectric containment ring may be coupled to the second electrode. An elastomeric O-ring may be coupled to the dielectric containment ring opposite the second electrode. One or more fluid sources, a drain, and a purge gas source may each be coupled to the processing volume through the dielectric containment ring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a processing chamber100according to one embodiment described herein. The processing chamber100includes a chamber body102which defines a processing volume104. A pump172may be fluidly coupled to the processing volume104through the chamber body102and may be configured to generate a vacuum within the processing volume104or exhaust fluids and other materials from the processing volume104. A slit valve148may be formed in the chamber body102to provide for ingress and egress of a substrate for processing. A slit valve door150may be coupled to the chamber body102adjacent the slit valve148. Generally, the chamber body102may be formed from materials suitable for performing immersion field guided post exposure bake (iFGPEB) processes therein, such as aluminum, stainless steel, and alloys thereof. The chamber body102may also be formed from various other materials such as polymers, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or high temperature plastics, such as polyether ether ketone (PEEK).

A pedestal106may be disposed in the processing volume104and may be coupled to the chamber body102. In one embodiment, the pedestal106may be fixably coupled to the chamber body102. In another embodiment, the pedestal106may be rotatably coupled to the chamber body102. In this embodiment, a motor (not shown) may be coupled to the pedestal106and the motor may be configured to impart rotational movement to the pedestal106. It is contemplated that rotation of the pedestal106may be utilized to spin dry substrates after processing of the substrates.

A first electrode108may be coupled to the pedestal106. The first electrode108may be fixably coupled to the pedestal106or may be rotatably coupled to the pedestal106. In embodiments where the first electrode108is rotatably coupled to the pedestal106, the rotation of the first electrode108may be utilized to spin dry substrates after processing. The first electrode108may be formed from an electrically conductive metallic material. In addition, the material utilized for the first electrode108may be a non-oxidative material. The materials selected for the first electrode108may provide for desirable current uniformity and low resistance across the surface of the first electrode108. In certain embodiments, the first electrode108may be a segmented electrode configured to introduce voltage non-uniformities across the surface of the first electrode108. In this embodiment, a plurality of power sources may be utilized to power different segments of the first electrode108.

A fluid containment ring112may be coupled to the pedestal106radially outward from the first electrode108. The fluid containment ring112may be manufactured from a non-conductive material, such as a ceramic material or a high temperature plastic material. The pedestal106and the fluid containment ring112may have a substantially similar diameter and a distance radially inward from the fluid containment ring112to the first electrode108may be between about 0.1 cm and about 3.0 cm, such as between about 0.5 cm and about 2.0 cm, for example, about 1.0 cm. The fluid containment ring112may extend from the pedestal106to further define the processing volume104. Generally, a top of the fluid containment ring112may be co-planar with or disposed below a plane occupied by the slit valve148.

The pedestal106may include one or more conduits disposed therethrough and an integrally disposed heating apparatus (not shown) may be disposed within the pedestal106to preheat fluids traveling through the conduits. A process fluid source116may be fluidly coupled to the processing volume104via a conduit114. The conduit114may extend from the process fluid source116through the chamber body102and the pedestal106to the processing volume104. In one embodiment, a fluid outlet124may be formed in the pedestal106radially outward from the first electrode108and radially inward from the fluid containment ring112. A valve118may be disposed on the conduit114between the fluid outlet124and the process fluid source116. A rinse fluid source120may also be fluidly coupled to the processing volume104via the fluid conduit114. A valve122may be disposed on the conduit114between the fluid outlet124and the rinse fluid source120. The process fluid source116may be configured to deliver fluids utilized during application of an electrical field during an iFGPDB process. The rinse fluid source120may be configured to deliver fluids to rinse substrates after an iFGPEB process has been performed.

A drain128may be fluidly coupled to the processing volume104via a conduit126. The conduit126may extend from the drain128through the chamber body102and the pedestal106. In one embodiment, a fluid inlet132may be formed in the pedestal106radially outward from the first electrode108and radially inward from the fluid containment ring112. A valve130may be disposed on the conduit126between the fluid inlet132and the drain128. Fluids, such as fluid from the process fluid source116and the rinse fluid source120, may be removed from the processing volume104via the fluid inlet132and drain128.

A vacuum source136may be coupled via a conduit134to a top surface of the first electrode108. The conduit134may extend through the chamber body102, the pedestal106, and the first electrode108. As illustrated, a substrate110may be disposed on the first electrode108. The conduit134may be positioned underneath a region covered by the substrate110when the substrate110is positioned on the first electrode108. The vacuum source136may be configured to draw a vacuum to secure the substrate110to the first electrode108. In certain embodiment, the vacuum source136and the conduit134may be optional if the substrate secured on the first electrode108by other means, such as electrostatic chucking or mechanical apparatus (i.e. rings, pins, etc.)

A heat source140may be electrically coupled to the first electrode108via a conduit138. The heat source140may provide power to one or more heating elements, such as resistive heaters, disposed within the first electrode108. It is also contemplated that the heat source140may provide power to heating elements disposed within the pedestal106. The heat source140is generally configured to heat either the first electrode108and/or the pedestal106to facilitate preheating of fluid during iFGPEB processes. In one embodiment, the heat source140may be configured to heat the first electrode108to a temperature of between about 70° C. and about 130° C., such as about 110° C. In other embodiments, the heat source may be coupled to the conduits114to preheat fluids entering the processing volume104from the process fluid source116and/or the rinse fluid source120. A temperature sensing apparatus142may also be coupled to the first electrode108via the conduit138. The temperature sensing apparatus142, such as a thermocouple or the like, may be communicatively coupled to the heat source140to provide temperature feedback and facilitate heating of the first electrode108.

A power source144is also coupled to the first electrode108via the conduit138. The power source144may be configured to supply, for example, between about 1 V and about 20 kV to the first electrode. Depending on the type of process fluid utilized, current generated by the power source144may be on the order of tens of nano-amps to hundreds of milliamps. In one embodiment, the power source144may be configured to generate electric fields ranging from about 1 kV/m to about 2 MeV/m. In some embodiments, the power source144may be configured to operate in either voltage controlled or current controlled modes. In both modes, the power source may output AC, DC, and/or pulsed DC waveforms. Square or sine waves may be utilized if desired. The power source144may be configured to provide power at a frequency of between about 0.1 Hz and about 1 MHz, such as about 5 kHz. The duty cycle of the pulsed DC power or AC power may be between about 5% and about 95%, such as between about 20% and about 60%.

The rise and fall time of the pulsed DC power or AC power may be between about 1 ns and about 1000 ns, such as between about 10 ns and about 500 ns. A sensing apparatus146may also be coupled to the first electrode108via the conduit138. The sensing apparatus146, such as a voltmeter or the like, may be communicatively coupled to the power source144to provide electrical feedback and facilitate control of the power applied to the first electrode108. The sensing apparatus146may also be configured to sense a current applied to the first electrode108via the power source144.

A moveable stem152may be disposed through the chamber body102opposite the pedestal106. The stem152is configured to move in the Z direction (i.e. towards and away from the pedestal106) and may be moved between a non-processing position as shown and a processing position (illustrated inFIG. 2). A second electrode154may be coupled to the stem152. The second electrode154may be formed from the same materials as the first electrode108. Similar to the first electrode108, the second electrode154may be segmented in certain embodiments.

A purge gas source158may be fluidly coupled to the processing volume104via a conduit156. The conduit156may extend from the purge gas source158through the stem152and the second electrode154. In certain embodiments, the conduit156may be formed from a flexible material to accommodate movement of the stem152. Although not illustrated, in an alternative embodiment, the conduit may extend through the stem152to the processing volume104and not the second electrode154. A valve160may be disposed on the conduit156between the stem152and the purge gas source158. Gases provided by the purge gas source158may include nitrogen, hydrogen, inert gases and the like to purge the processing volume104during or after iFGPEB processing. When desired, purge gases may be exhausted from the processing volume104via the pump172.

A heat source170, temperature sensing apparatus168, a power source166, and a sensing apparatus164may be communicatively coupled to the second electrode154via a conduit162. The heat source170, the temperature sensing apparatus168, the power source166, and the sensing apparatus164may be configured similarly to the heat source140, the temperature sensing apparatus142, the power source144, and the sensing apparatus146.

The embodiments described herein relate to methods as well as the apparatus for performing immersion field guided post exposure bake processes. The methods and apparatuses disclosed herein may increase the photoresist sensitivity and productivity of photolithography processes. The random diffusion of acids generated by a photoacid generator during a post-exposure bake procedure contributes to line edge/width roughness and reduced resist sensitivity. An electrode assembly may be utilized to apply an electric field to the photoresist layer during photolithography processes. The field application may control the diffusion of the charged species generated by the photoacid generator.

An air gap defined between the photoresist layer and the electrode assembly may result in voltage drop applied to the electrode assembly, thus, adversely lowering the level of the electric field desired to be generated to the photoresist layer. As a result of the voltage drop, levels of the electric field at the photoresist layer may result in insufficient or inaccurate voltage power to drive or create charged species in the photoresist layer in certain desired directions. Thus, diminished line edge profile control to the photoresist layer may prevalent.

An intermediate medium may be disposed between the photoresist layer and the electrode assembly to prevent the air gap from being created so as to maintain the level of the electric field interacting with the photoresist layer at a certain desired level. By doing so, the charged species generated by the electric field may be guided in a desired direction along the line and spacing direction, preventing the line edge/width roughness that results from inaccurate and random diffusion. Accordingly, a controlled or desired level of electric field as generated may increase the accuracy and sensitivity of the photoresist layer to exposure and/or development process. In one example, the intermediate medium may be non-gas phase medium, such as a slurry, gel, or liquid solution that may efficiently maintain voltage level as applied at a determined range when transmitting from the electrode assembly to the photoresist layer disposed on the substrate. Charges generated by the electric field may be transferred between the intermediate medium and the photoresist which may result in a net current flow. In certain embodiments, the net current flow may improve reactions characteristics, such as improving the reaction rate of the photoresist. Operating the power source144in a current controlled mode also advantageously enables control of the amount of charges that are transferred between the intermediate medium and the photoresist.

FIG. 2schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of the chamber100ofFIG. 1in a processing position according to one embodiment described herein. The stem152may be moved toward the pedestal106into a processing position. In the processing position, a distance174between the second electrode154and the substrate110may be between about 1 mm and about 1 cm, such as about 2 mm. Processing fluid may be delivered to the processing volume104defined and retained by the fluid containment ring112and the second electrode154may be partially or completely submerged when the stem152is located in the processing position. Power may be applied to one or both of the electrodes108,154to perform an iFGPEB process

In some embodiments, the first electrode108and the second electrode154are configured to generate an electric field parallel to the x-y plane defined by the substrate110. For example, the electrodes108,154may be configured to generate an electric field in one of the y direction, x direction or other direction in the x-y plane. In one embodiment, the electrodes108,154are configured to generate an electric field in the x-y plane and in the direction of latent image lines, which may be patterned on the substrate110. In another embodiment, the electrodes108,154are configured to generate an electric field in the x-y plane and perpendicular to the direction of latent image lines patterned on the substrate110. The electrodes108,154may additionally or alternatively be configured to generate an electric field in the z-direction, such as, for example, perpendicular to the substrate110.

FIG. 3schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of an iFGPEB chamber300according to one embodiment described herein. A third electrode302may be similar to the second electrode154in certain aspects. A dielectric containment ring304may be coupled to the third electrode302opposite the stem152. The dielectric containment ring304may have a diameter similar to the diameter of the third electrode302. The dielectric containment ring304may be formed from a dielectric material, such as polymers or ceramics with suitable dielectric properties. An O-ring308may be coupled to the dielectric containment ring304opposite the third electrode302and extend circumferentially about the dielectric containment ring304. The O-ring308may be formed from an elastomeric material, such as a polymer and may be compressible when the stem152is disposed in a processing position.

For example, when the stem152is disposed in the processing position (illustrated inFIG. 2) the O-ring308may contact a region310of the first electrode108or a region312of the pedestal106. The diameter of the third electrode302and the diameter of the dielectric containment ring304may be selected depending on the desired region310,312of contact by the O-ring308. It is contemplated that when the O-ring308, and third electrode302/dielectric containment ring304are configured to contact the region312on the pedestal106, the point of contact by the O-ring308may be radially inward from the fluid inlet132to provide for unrestricted fluid access to the drain128. The O-ring308, when the stem152is disposed in the processing position, may also be sized and positioned to contact an exclusion zone of the substrate110. Generally, the exclusion zone of the substrate110is a region of the substrate110radially inward a distance of about 1 mm to about 3 mm from the circumference of the substrate110. In this embodiment, the processing volume104may be defined by the substrate110, the dielectric containment ring304, and the third electrode302. Advantageously, a backside of the substrate110coupled to the first electrode108may remain unexposed to process or rinse fluids which aids in preventing fluid from entering the vacuum source136.

The rinse fluid source120may be fluidly coupled with the processing volume104via the conduit156which may extend through the stem152, the third electrode302and the dielectric containment ring304. A fluid outlet306of the conduit156may be disposed at an inner diameter of the dielectric containment ring304. The rinse fluid source120and the purge gas source158may also be coupled to the conduit156. Alternatively, the fluid conduit156may extend through the stem152above the third electrode302and extend radially outward of the third electrode302through the dielectric containment ring304to the fluid outlet306.

FIG. 4schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of an iFGPEB chamber400according to one embodiment described herein. The chamber400is similar to the chamber300in certain aspects, however, the fluid containment ring112is not coupled to the pedestal106. An exhaust418may be fluidly coupled to the processing volume104via a conduit414which may extend through the stem152, a fourth electrode402(which is coupled to the stem152), and a dielectric containment ring404. In certain embodiments, the conduit414may be formed from a flexible material to accommodate movement of the stem152. A fluid outlet416of the conduit414may be disposed at an inner diameter of the dielectric containment ring404. A valve may be disposed on the conduit414between the exhaust418and the stem152. Alternatively, the conduit414may extend through the stem152above the fourth electrode402and extend radially outward of the fourth electrode402through the dielectric containment ring404to the fluid outlet416.

Similar to the chamber300, when the stem152is disposed in a processing position (illustrated inFIG. 2), the fourth electrode402, the dielectric containment ring404, and an O-ring408coupled circumferentially about the dielectric containment ring404opposite the fourth electrode402, may be sized such that the O-ring408contacts either the region410on the first electrode108or the region412of the pedestal106. During processing, various process and rinse fluid may be introduced to the processing volume104which is further defined by the dielectric containment ring404and the fourth electrode402. The fluids may be exhausted from the processing volume104via the fluid outlet416to the exhaust418.

Although not shown inFIGS. 1-4, lift pins may extend through the pedestal106and/or first electrode108to facilitate positioning of the substrate110on the first electrode108. For example, when the stem152is in a non-processing raised position, the lift pins may extend upward and receive a substrate from a robot blade extending through the slit valve148. The lift pins may then retract and position the substrate110on the first electrode108.

FIG. 5schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of an iFGPEB chamber500according to one embodiment described herein. The chamber500includes a chamber body502defining a processing volume504, a pedestal506, a first electrode508, and a fluid containment ring512which may be similar in certain aspects to the chamber body102, the processing volume104, the pedestal106, the first electrode108, and the fluid containment ring112, except that the components of the chamber500are sized to accommodate a rotational stem516and a second electrode518coupled to the rotational stem516. The rotational stem516may be rotatably coupled to a bearing member514. The bearing member514may be coupled to the chamber body502such that the bearing member514rotates about an X or Y (horizontal) axis.

The substrate110may be disposed on the second electrode518in the non-processing position illustrated inFIG. 5.FIG. 6illustrates the chamber500ofFIG. 5in a processing position. The rotatable stem516, having received the substrate110on the second electrode518, may rotate about the horizontal axis to the processing position as illustrated. Fluid supplied to the processing volume504further defined by the fluid containment ring512may be in an amount suitable to partially or entirely submerge the second electrode518. An iFGPEB process may be performed and the rotatable stem516may rotate back to the non-processing position. The bearing member514may also be configured to rotate about the Z axis (vertical) to spin the rotatable stem516and second electrode518to expel fluid remaining on the substrate110.

FIG. 7schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of an immersion field guided post exposure bake chamber700according to one embodiment described herein. The chamber700includes a chamber body702, which may be manufactured from a metallic material, such as aluminum, stainless steel, and alloys thereof. The chamber body702may also be formed from various other materials such as polymers, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or high temperature plastics, such as polyether ether ketone (PEEK). The body702includes a fluid containment ring712which may extend from the body702and at least partially define a first processing volume704. The body702may also include sidewalls794and a lid796which extends from the sidewalls794. The body702, the fluid containment ring712, the sidewalls794, and the lid796may define a second processing volume754which is formed radially outward from the first processing volume704. An opening792may be defined by the lid796and the opening792may be sized to accommodate passage of a substrate710therethrough.

A door706may be operably coupled to the chamber body702and disposed adjacent the lid796. The door706may be formed from materials similar to materials selected for the chamber body702and a shaft798may extend through the door706. Alternatively, the chamber body702may be formed from a first material, such as a polymer, and the door706may be formed from a second material, such as a metallic material. The door706may be coupled to a track (not shown) and the door may be configured to translate along the track in the X-axis. A motor (not shown) may be coupled to the door and/or the track to facilitate movement of the door706along the X-axis. Although the door706is illustrated in a processing position, the door706may be configured to rotate about the shaft798around the Z-axis. Prior to rotating, the door706may move away from the chamber body702along the X-axis and clear the lid796prior to rotating. For example, the door706may rotate about 90° from the illustrated processing position to a loading position where the substrate710may be loaded and unloaded from a first electrode708coupled to the door706.

The first electrode708, which may be similar to the first electrode108, is sized to accommodate attachment of the substrate710thereon. The first electrode708may also be sized to allow for passage through the opening792defined by the lid796. In one embodiment, the first electrode708may be fixably coupled to the door706. In another embodiment, the first electrode708may be rotatably coupled to the door706. In this embodiment, a motor772may be coupled to the door706opposite the first electrode708and the motor772may be configured to rotate the first electrode708about the X-axis. Rotation of the first electrode708may be utilized to spin dry the substrate710after iFGPEB processing. To perform spin drying, the door706may translate along the X-axis away from the fluid containment ring712such that the substrate710has not passed through the opening792. The motor772may be activated to spin the first electrode708(with the substrate710chucked to the first electrode) to remove fluids from surfaces of the substrate710.

A vacuum source736may be in fluid communication with a substrate receiving surface of the first electrode708. The vacuum source736may be coupled to a conduit734which extends from the vacuum source736through the door706and the first electrode708. Generally, the vacuum source736is configured to vacuum chuck the substrate710to the first electrode708. A heat source764, a temperature sensing apparatus766, a power source768, and a sensing apparatus770may also be coupled to the first electrode708via a conduit762. The heat source764, the temperature sensing apparatus766, the power source768, and the sensing apparatus770may be similarly configured to the heat source140, the temperature sensing apparatus142, the power source144, and the sensing apparatus146described in greater detail with regard toFIG. 1.

A second electrode750may be coupled to the chamber body702. The fluid containment ring712may surround the second electrode750such that the first processing volume704is defined (when the door706is in the processing position) by the second electrode750, the fluid containment ring712, and the substrate710. An O-ring752may be coupled to the fluid containment ring712and the O-ring752may be formed from an elastomeric material, such as a polymer or the like. A circumference defined by the O-ring752may be sized to contact an exclusion zone of the substrate710when the substrate710is in the processing position as illustrated. The O-ring752may also be sized to contact an edge of the substrate710. By contacting the substrate710, it is contemplated that the O-ring752may prevent fluid from escaping the first processing volume704and reduce or eliminate the possibility of fluid entering the vacuum source736.

A process fluid source716may fluidly coupled to the first processing volume704via a conduit714. The conduit714may extend from the process fluid source716through the chamber body702and the fluid containment ring712to an inlet749adjacent the first processing volume704. A valve may be disposed on the conduit714between the inlet749and the process fluid source716to control delivery of processing fluid to the first processing volume704. A first rinse fluid source720may also be fluidly coupled to the first processing volume704via the conduit714. A valve722may be disposed on the conduit714between the inlet749and the first rinse fluid source720to control delivery of rinse fluid to the first processing volume704. The process fluid source716and the first rinse fluid source720may be similar to the process fluid source116and the rinse fluid source120, respectively, which are described with regard toFIG. 1.

A first drain728may be in fluid communication with the first processing volume704via the conduit714. A valve730may be disposed on the conduit714between the inlet749and the drain728. Given the vertical orientation of the chamber700, the drain728in fluid communication with the first processing volume704via the fluid inlet749may provide for improved efficiency when removing process fluid or rinse fluid from the first processing volume704. An exhaust735may also be in fluid communication with the first processing volume704via a conduit731. The conduit731may extend through the chamber body702and the fluid containment ring712to a fluid outlet748adjacent the first processing volume704. A valve733may be disposed on the conduit731between the outlet748and the exhaust735.

In operation, process fluid may be provided to the first processing volume704from the process fluid source716and an iFGPEB process may be performed. Any gaseous fluid in the first process volume704may rise toward the fluid outlet748as the first processing volume704is filled with a liquid process fluid. Accordingly, gaseous fluids may be removed from the first processing volume704by the exhaust735. Process fluid may be removed from the first processing volume704via the fluid inlet749and drain728after iFGPEB processing. Optionally, rinse fluids supplied to the first processing volume704via the first rinse fluid source720may be subsequently utilized with the substrate710in the processing position. Similar to the process fluids, the rinse fluids may be removed from the first processing volume704via the fluid inlet749and the drain728.

A second rinse fluid source778may be in fluid communication with the second processing volume754via a conduit774. The conduit774may extend from the second rinse fluid source778through the sidewalls794to an outlet780. A valve776may be dispose on the conduit774between the outlet780and the second rinse fluid source778to control delivery of rinse fluid to the second processing volume754. In one embodiment, after iFGPEB processing of the substrate710in the illustrated processing position, the door706may be moved away from the processing position along the X-axis such that the substrate710is positioned in a similar X-axis plane as the outlet780(i.e. a rinsing position). Once the substrate710is positioned in the rinsing position, rinse fluid from the second rinse fluid source778may be delivered to the second processing volume754and the substrate710. During and/or after rinsing, the substrate710may be spun by the motor772to expel rinse fluid and other fluids/particles from the substrate710.

A second drain788may also be in fluid communication with the second processing volume754. The second drain788may be fluidly coupled to the second processing volume754via a conduit784which extends from the second drain788through the sidewalls794to an inlet790. A valve786may be disposed on the conduit784between the inlet790and the second drain788to control removal of fluids/particles from the second processing volume754. In operation, rinse fluids from the second rinse fluid source778may rinse the substrate710and be removed from the second processing volume754via the second drain788.

A purge gas source758may also be in fluid communication with the second processing volume754. The purge gas source758may be fluidly coupled to the second processing volume754via a conduit756which extends from the purge gas source758through the sidewalls794to an outlet782. A valve760may be disposed on the conduit756between the outlet782and the purge gas source758to control delivery of purge gas to the second processing volume754. In operation, purge gas may be provided during iFGPEB processing and/or during rinsing of the substrate710to prevent particle accumulation within the processing volumes704,754. Purge gas from the purge gas source758may be removed from the processing volumes704,754via the exhaust735.

FIG. 8schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of an immersion field guided post exposure bake chamber800according to one embodiment described herein. The chamber800is similar to the chamber700, however, the chamber800is oriented in a horizontal position instead of a vertical position. A door802, which has the first electrode708coupled thereto, may be slidably coupled to a lift member804. The door802is illustrated in a processing position and may be move vertically along the Z-axis by the lift member804to a non-processing position away from the lid796. In the non-processing position, the door802may rotate about the X-axis 180° such that the first electrode708and the substrate710are disposed above the door802(i.e. loading position). In the loading position, the substrates may be positioned on and removed from the first electrode708. In operation, the substrate710may be secured on the first electrode708when the door802is in the loading position and the door may rotate 180°. The lift member804may lower the door802along the Z-axis to the illustrated processing position and iFGPEB processing may be performed.

FIG. 9illustrates operations of a method900for performing an iFGPEB process. At operation910, a substrate may be positioned on a first electrode. The first electrode may be preheated prior to positioning of the substrate thereon. At operation920, process fluid may be introduced to a processing volume containing the substrate. The process fluid may also be preheated to processing temperatures prior to introduction in to the processing volume. A second electrode may be moved to a processing position at operation930. The positioning of the second electrode may be performed prior to, during, or after introduction of the process fluid in operation920

At operation940, an electric field may be applied to the substrate via the first and/or second electrodes. In one embodiment, the field may be applied to the substrate for an amount of time between about 60 seconds and about 90 seconds. After application of the field, the process fluid may be drained and a rinse fluid may be introduced at operation950. The rinse fluid may be removed from the substrate by spinning the substrate and subsequently drained from the processing volume. A purge gas may be introduced into the processing volume during or after the rinsing and spinning. The purge gas may provide for improved particle reduction after utilization of the process fluid and the rinse fluid. The second electrode may also be returned to a non-processing position and the substrate may be removed from the processing chamber. After removal from the processing chamber, the substrate may be positioned on a cooling pedestal to cool the substrate to room temperature prior to subsequent processing.