Apparatus and method for treating substrate

Provided are an apparatus and method for treating a substrate. Specifically, provided are an apparatus and method for treating a substrate through a supercritical process. The apparatus includes: a housing providing a space for performing a process; a support member disposed in the housing to support a substrate; a supply port configured to supply a process fluid to the housing; a shield member disposed between the supply port and the support member to prevent the process fluid from being directly injected to the substrate; and an exhaust port configured to discharge the process fluid from the housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This U.S. non-provisional patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2011-0076241, filed on Jul. 29, 2011, and 10-2011-0140015, filed on Dec. 22, 2011, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention disclosed herein relates to an apparatus and method for treating a substrate, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for treating a substrate through a supercritical process.

Semiconductor devices are manufactured through various processes such as a photolithography process in which circuit patterns are formed on a substrate such as a silicon wafer. During such processes, various contaminants such as particles, organic contaminants, and metallic impurities are generated. Such contaminants cause defects on a substrate and thus affect semiconductor device performance and process yield. Therefore, cleaning processes are included in semiconductor device manufacturing processes to remove contaminants.

For example, cleaning processes include: a chemical process in which contaminants are removed from a substrate using a chemical; a washing process in which the chemical is washed using pure water; and a drying process in which the substrate is dried. In such a drying process, the pure water is replaced with an organic solvent such as isopropyl alcohol (IPA) having relatively low surface tension, and the organic solvent is evaporated.

However, although an organic solvent is used in a drying process, the drying process may cause pattern collapse in semiconductor devices having fine circuit patterns having line widths of 30 nm or smaller. Thus, instead of such a drying process, the use of a supercritical drying process increases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is provided to dry a non-pattern side of a substrate as well as a patterned side of the substrate by using a supercritical fluid.

In addition, the present invention is provided to prevent substrate leaning in a supercritical process.

Features and aspects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other features and aspects of the present invention will be apparently understood by those skilled in the art through the following description and accompanying drawings.

Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatuses for treating a substrate, the apparatus including: a housing providing a space for performing a process; a support member disposed in the housing to support a substrate; a supply port configured to supply a process fluid to the housing; a shield member disposed between the supply port and the support member to prevent the process fluid from being directly injected to the substrate; and an exhaust port configured to discharge the process fluid from the housing.

In some embodiments, the supply port may include a first supply port and a second supply port that are disposed at different surfaces of the housing, and the shield plate may be disposed between the support member and the first supply port.

In other embodiments, the first supply port may be disposed at a lower surface of the housing to inject the process fluid to a center region of a rear side of the substrate, and the second supply port may be disposed at an upper surface of the housing to inject the process fluid to a center region of a topside of the substrate.

In still other embodiments, the apparatus may further include a controller performing a control operation to supply the process fluid through the first supply port and then the second supply port.

In even other embodiments, the apparatus may further include a support extending from the lower surface of the housing, wherein the shield plate may be placed on the support.

In yet other embodiments, the shield plate may have a radius greater than that of the substrate.

In further embodiments, the process may be a supercritical process, and the process fluid may be in supercritical fluid phase.

In still further embodiments, the housing may include an upper housing and a lower housing disposed under the upper housing, wherein the apparatus may further include a lift member configured to lift one of the upper housing and the lower housing.

In even further embodiments, the support member may extend downward from the upper housing, and a lower end of the support member may be bent horizontally to support an edge region of the substrate.

In yet further embodiments, the apparatus may further include a horizontal positioning member to adjust a horizontal position of the upper housing.

In some embodiments, the first supply port may be disposed at the lower housing, and the second supply port may be disposed at the upper housing.

In other embodiments, the housing may have an opened side and include a door vertically movable for opening and closing the opened side.

In still other embodiments, the apparatus may further include a pressing member configured to apply a pressure to the door for closing the housing.

In other embodiments of the present invention, there are provided methods for treating a substrate, the methods including: carrying a substrate into a housing; placing the substrate on a support member; supplying a process fluid to the substrate; preventing the process fluid from being directly injected to the substrate; discharging the process fluid from the housing; and carrying the substrate out of the housing.

In some embodiments, the preventing of the process fluid may be performed using a shield plate disposed between the support member and a supply port through which the process fluid is supplied.

In other embodiments, the supplying of the process fluid port may be performed by injecting the process fluid toward a topside of the substrate through a first supply port disposed at an upper surface of the housing and injecting the process fluid toward a rear side of the substrate through a second supply port disposed at a lower surface of the housing, and the preventing of the process fluid may be performed using the shield plate disposed between the second support port and the support member so as to prevent the process fluid injected toward the rear side of the substrate from being directly injected to the substrate.

In still other embodiments, in the supplying of the process fluid, the process fluid may be injected through the second supply port, and if an inside pressure of the housing reaches a preset value, the process fluid may be started to be injected through the first supply port.

In even other embodiments, the process fluid may be a supercritical fluid, and the supercritical fluid may dissolve an organic solvent remaining on the substrate.

In yet other embodiments, the housing may include an upper housing and a lower housing disposed under the upper housing, the substrate may be placed on the support member in a state where the upper housing and the lower housing are spaced apart from each other, and after the substrate is carried into the housing, one of the upper housing and the lower housing may be lifted or lowered to close the housing.

In still other embodiments of the present invention, there are provided methods for treating a substrate, the methods including: carrying a substrate on which an organic solvent remains into a housing; creating a supercritical atmosphere in the housing by supplying a supercritical fluid toward a non-patterned side of the substrate while preventing the supercritical fluid from being directly injected to the substrate; and after the supercritical atmosphere is created, injecting the process fluid to a patterned side of the substrate to dissolve the organic solvent remaining between circuit patterns of the substrate and dry the substrate.

In some embodiments, the supercritical fluid may be prevented from being directly injected to the substrate by a shield member disposed on a path along which the supercritical fluid is injected toward the non-patterned side of the substrate.

In other embodiments, the supercritical fluid may be supercritical carbon dioxide.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, terms and drawings are used for explaining embodiments of the present invention while not limiting the present invention.

Known techniques used in the present invention but not related to the concept of the present invention will not be explained in detail.

Hereinafter, a substrate treating apparatus100will be described according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

The substrate treating apparatus100may be used to perform a supercritical process for treating a substrate (S) using a supercritical fluid as a process fluid.

The term “substrate (S)” is used herein to denote any substrate used to manufacture a product such as a semiconductor device and a flat panel display (FPD) in which circuit patterns are formed on a thin film. Examples of substrates (S) include wafers such as silicon wafers, glass substrates, and organic substrates.

The term “supercritical fluid” means any substance having both the gas and liquid characteristics because the phase of the substance is in a supercritical state above its critical temperature and pressure. A supercritical fluid has molecular density close to that of liquid and viscosity close to that of gas, and is thus outstanding in diffusion ability, permeation ability, and dissolving other substances. Therefore, a supercritical fluid is advantageous in chemical reaction. In addition, a supercritical fluid has little surface tension, and thus applies little interfacial tension to microstructures.

Supercritical processes are performed using the properties of a supercritical fluid, and examples of supercritical processes include a supercritical drying process and a supercritical etch process. Hereinafter, a supercritical process will be explained based on a supercritical drying process. Although the following explanation is given based on a supercritical drying process for conciseness of explanation, the substrate treating apparatus100can be used for performing other supercritical processes.

A supercritical drying process may be performed to dissolve an organic solvent remaining on circuit patterns of a substrate (S) in a supercritical fluid and dry the substrate (S). In this case, satisfactory drying efficiency may be obtained while preventing pattern collapse. A substance miscible with an organic solvent may be used as a supercritical fluid in a supercritical drying process. For example, supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) may be used as a supercritical fluid.

FIG. 1is a phase diagram of carbon dioxide.

Since carbon dioxide has a relatively low critical temperature of 31.1° C. and critical pressure of 7.38 Mpa, it is easy to make carbon dioxide supercritical and control the phase of carbon dioxide by adjusting temperature and pressure. In addition, carbon dioxide is inexpensive. Furthermore, carbon dioxide is nontoxic, harmless, nonflammable, and inert, and has a diffusion coefficient about ten to hundred times the diffusion coefficient of water or other organic solvents to rapidly permeate and replace an organic solvent. Furthermore, carbon dioxide has little surface tension. That is, the properties of carbon dioxide are suitable for drying a substrate (S) having fine patterns. In addition, carbon dioxide obtained from byproducts of various chemical reactions can be reused, and carbon dioxide used in a supercritical drying process can be separated from an organic solvent by vaporizing the carbon dioxide for reusing the carbon dioxide. That is, carbon dioxide is environmentally friendly.

Hereinafter, the substrate treating apparatus100will be described according to an embodiment of the present invention. The substrate treating apparatus100of the embodiment may be used to perform a cleaning process including a supercritical drying process.

FIG. 2is a plan view illustrating the substrate treating apparatus100according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 2, the substrate treating apparatus100includes an index module1000and a process module2000.

The index module1000may receive substrates (S) from an external apparatus and carry the substrates (S) to the process module2000, and the process module2000may perform a supercritical drying process.

The index module1000is an equipment front end module (EFEM) and includes load ports1100and a transfer frame1200.

Containers (C) in which substrates (S) are stored are placed on the load ports1100. Front opening unified pods (FOUPs) may be used as containers (C). Containers (C) may be carried to the load ports1100from an outside area or carried from the load ports1100to an outside area via an overhead transfer (OHT).

The transfer frame1200carries substrates (S) between the containers (C) placed on the load ports1100and the process module2000. The transfer frame1200includes an index robot1210and an index rail1220. The index robot1210may carry a substrate (S) while moving on the index rail1220.

The process module2000is a module in which processes are actually performed. The process module2000includes a buffer chamber2100, a transfer chamber2200, a first process chamber3000, and a second process chamber4000.

A substrate (S) is temporarily stored in the buffer chamber2100while being carried between the index module1000and the process module2000. A buffer slot may be formed in the buffer chamber2100to place a substrate (S) therein. For example, the index robot1210may pick up a substrate (S) from a container (C) and place the substrate (S) in the buffer slot, and a transfer robot2210of the transfer chamber2200may pick up the substrate (S) from the buffer slot and transfer the substrate (S) to the first process chamber3000or the second process chamber4000. A plurality of buffer slots may be formed in the buffer chamber2100so that a plurality of substrates (S) can be placed in the buffer chamber2100.

A substrate (S) is carried among the buffer chamber2100, the first process chamber3000, and the second process chamber4000through the transfer chamber2200. The transfer chamber2200may include the transfer robot2210and a transfer rail2220. The transfer robot2210may carry a substrate (S) while moving on the transfer rail2220.

The first process chamber3000and the second process chamber4000may be used to perform a cleaning process. Procedures of a cleaning process may be sequentially performed in the first process chamber3000and the second process chamber4000. For example, a chemical process, a rinsing process, and an organic solvent process of a cleaning process may be performed in the first process chamber3000, and a supercritical drying process of the cleaning process may be performed in the second process chamber4000.

The first process chamber3000and the second process chamber4000are disposed on sides of the transfer chamber2200. For example, the first process chamber3000and the second process chamber4000may be disposed on opposite sides of the transfer chamber2200to face each other.

The process module2000may include a plurality of first process chambers3000and a plurality of second process chambers4000. In this case, the first process chambers3000and the second process chambers4000may be arranged in lines along sides of the transfer chamber2200or may be vertically stacked at sides of the transfer chamber2200. In addition, the first process chambers3000and the second process chambers4000may be arranged in a combination of the above-mentioned manners.

Arrangement of the first process chambers3000and the second process chambers4000is not limited to the above-mentioned manners. That is, the first process chambers3000and the second process chambers4000may be arranged in various manners in consideration of the footprint or processing efficiency of the substrate treating apparatus100.

Hereinafter, the first process chamber3000will be described in detail.

FIG. 3is a sectional view illustrating the first process chamber3000depicted inFIG. 2.

The first process chamber3000may be used to perform a chemical process, a rinsing process, and an organic solvent process. Alternatively, the first process chamber3000may be used to perform some of such processes. The chemical process may be performed to remove contaminants from a substrate (S) by applying a detergent to the substrate (S), the rinsing process may be performed to remove the detergent remaining on the substrate (S) by applying a rinsing agent to the substrate (S), and the organic solvent process may be performed to replace the rinsing agent remaining between circuit patterns of the substrate (S) with an organic solvent having low surface tension.

Referring toFIG. 3, the first process chamber3000includes a support member3100, a nozzle member3200, and a collecting member3300.

The support member3100may support a substrate (S) and rotate the substrate (S). The support member3100may include a support plate3110, support pins3111, chucking pins3112, a rotation shaft3120, and a rotary actuator3130.

The support plate3110has a top surface shaped like a substrate (S), and the support pins3111and the chucking pins3112are provided on the top surface of the support plate3110. The support pins3111may support a substrate (S), and the chucking pins3112may hold the substrate (S) firmly.

The rotation shaft3120is connected to the bottom side of the support plate3110. The rotation shaft3120receives rotation power from the rotary actuator3130to rotate the support plate3110. Thus, a substrate (S) placed on the support plate3110can be rotated. At this time, the chucking pins3112prevent the substrate (S) from departing from a set position.

The nozzle member3200injects a chemical to the substrate (S). The nozzle member3200includes a nozzle3210, a nozzle bar3220, a nozzle shaft3230, and a nozzle shaft actuator3240.

The nozzle3210is used to inject a chemical to the substrate (S) placed on the support plate3110. The chemical may be a detergent, a rinsing agent, or an organic solvent. Examples of the detergent may include: a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) solution; a solution prepared by mixing a hydrogen peroxide solution with ammonia (NH4OH), hydrochloric acid (HCl), or sulfuric acid (H2SO4); and a hydrofluoric acid (HC) solution. The rinsing agent may be pure water. Examples of the organic solvent may include: isopropyl alcohol, ethyl glycol, 1-propanol, tetrahydrofuran, 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-pentanone, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, methanol, ethanol, n-propyl alcohol, and dimethyl ether. Such organic solvents may be used in the form of a solution or gas.

The nozzle3210is provided on a lower side of an end of the nozzle bar3220. The nozzle bar3220is coupled to the nozzle shaft3230, and the nozzle shaft3230can be lifted or rotated. The nozzle shaft actuator3240may lift or rotate the nozzle shaft3230to adjust the position of the nozzle3210.

The collecting member3300collects a supplied chemical. If a chemical is supplied to the substrate (S) through the nozzle member3200, the support member3100may rotate the substrate (S) so as to distribute the chemical uniformly to the entire area of the substrate (S). When the substrate (S) is rotated, the chemical may scatter from the substrate (S). The collecting member3300collects the chemical scattering from the substrate (S).

The collecting member3300may include a collecting vessel3310, a collecting line3320, a lift bar3330, and a lift actuator3340.

The collecting vessel3310has a ring shape surrounding the support plate3110.

A plurality of collecting vessels3310may be provided. In this case, the collecting vessels3310may have ring shapes surrounding the support plate3110and sequentially spaced apart from the support plate3110when viewed from the topside. The more distant the collecting vessel3310is from the supporting plate3110, the higher the collecting vessel3310is. Collecting slots3311are formed between the collecting vessels3310to receive a chemical scattering from the substrate (S).

The collecting line3320is formed on the bottom side of the collecting vessel3310. A chemical collected in the collecting vessel3310is supplied to a chemical recycling system (not shown) through the collecting line3320.

The lift bar3330is connected to the collecting vessel3310to receive power from the lift actuator3340and move the collecting vessel3310vertically. If a plurality of collecting vessels3310are provided, the lift bar3330may be connected to the outermost collecting vessel3310. The lift actuator3340may lift or lower the collecting vessels3310using the lift bar3330so as to adjust the position of one of the collecting slots3311when a scattering chemical is collected through the one of the collecting slots3311.

Hereinafter, the second process chamber4000will be described in detail.

The second process chamber4000may be used to perform a supercritical drying process using a supercritical fluid. As described above, the second process chamber4000may be used to perform other processes as well as the supercritical drying process.

Hereinafter, the second process chamber4000will be described in detail according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4is a sectional view illustrating the second process chamber4000depicted inFIG. 2.

Referring toFIG. 4, the second process chamber4000may include a housing4100, a lift member4200, a support member4300, a heating member4400, supply ports4500, a shield member4600, and an exhaust port4700.

The housing4100provides a space in which a supercritical drying process can be performed. The housing4100is formed of a material resistant to high pressures equal to or higher than a critical pressure.

The housing4100may include an upper housing4110and a lower housing4120disposed under the upper housing4110. That is, the housing4100may have upper and lower structures.

The upper housing4110may be fixed, and the lower housing4120may be vertically movable.

If the lower housing4120is moved down away from the upper housing4110, the inside of the second process chamber4000is opened so that a substrate (S) can be carried into or out of the second process chamber4000. A substrate (S) on which an organic solvent remains as a result of an organic solvent process performed in the first process chamber3000may be carried into the second process chamber4000. If the lower housing4120is moved upward against the upper housing4110, the inside of the second process chamber4000is closed, and then a supercritical drying process can be performed in the second process chamber4000. Alternatively, the lower housing4120of the housing4100may be fixed, and the upper housing4110of the housing4100may be vertically movable.

The lift member4200is used to lift or lower the lower housing4120. The lift member4200may include lift cylinders4210and lift rods4220. The lift cylinders4210are coupled to the lower housing4120to apply vertical driving forces, that is, lifting/lowering forces to the lower housing4120. During a supercritical drying process, the lift cylinders4210generate driving forces enough to push the lower housing4120against the upper housing4110for firmly closing the second process chamber4000although the inside pressure of the second process chamber4000is high at a value equal to or higher than a critical pressure. Ends of the lift rods4220are inserted in the lift cylinders4210, and the other ends of the lift rods4220extending upward in a vertical direction from the ends are coupled to the upper housing4110. In this structure, if the lift cylinders4210generate driving forces, the lift cylinders4210and the lift rods4220are relatively moved, and thus the lower housing4120coupled to the lift cylinders4210can be lifted or lowered. In addition, while the lower housing4120is lifted or lowered by the lift cylinders4210, the lift rods4220guide the lower housing4120and prevent the upper housing4110and the lower housing4120from moving horizontally, and thus the upper housing4110and the lower housing4120do not depart from regular positions or paths.

The support member4300supports a substrate (S) at a position between the upper housing4110and the lower housing4120. The support member4300may extend downward from the bottom side of the upper housing4110in a vertical direction, and a lower end of the support member4300may be bent in a horizontal direction. Thus, the support member4300may support an edge region of the substrate (S). Since the support member4300makes contact with only the edge region of the substrate (S) and supports the substrate (S), a supercritical drying process can be performed on the entire top surface of the substrate (S) and most of the bottom surface of the substrate (S). The top surface of the substrate (S) may be a patterned surface, and the bottom surface of the substrate (S) may be a non-patterned surface. In addition, since the support member4300is disposed on the fixed upper housing4110, the support member4300can stably support the substrate (S) while the lower housing4120is lifted or lowered.

A horizontal positioning member4111may be disposed on the upper housing4110where the support member4300is provided. The horizontal positioning member4111is used to adjust the horizontal position of the upper housing4110. The horizontal position of the substrate (S) placed on the support member4300of the upper housing4110can be adjusted by adjusting the horizontal position of the upper housing4110. If the substrate (S) is inclined during a supercritical drying process, an organic solvent remaining on the substrate (S) may flow down, and thus a portion of the substrate (S) may not be dried or may be over-dried. The horizontal positioning member4111can prevent this by adjusting the horizontal position of the substrate (S). Alternatively, the horizontal positioning member4111may be disposed on the lower housing4120if the upper housing4110is lifted or lowered and the lower housing4120is fixed or if the support member4300is disposed on the lower housing4120.

The heating member4400is used to heat the inside of the second process chamber4000. The heating member4400may heat a supercritical fluid supplied into the second process chamber4000to a critical temperature or higher to maintain the supercritical fluid at a supercritical state or change the supercritical fluid into the supercritical state. The heating member4400may be buried in a wall of at least one of the upper housing4110and the lower housing4120. For example, a heater configured to generate heat from electricity received from an external power source may be used as the heating member4400.

The supply ports4500supply a supercritical fluid to the second process chamber4000. The supply ports4500may be connected to a supply line4550. A valve may be disposed at the supply ports4500to control the flow rate of a supercritical fluid supplied from the supply line4550.

The supply ports4500include an upper supply port4510and a lower supply port4520. The upper supply port4510is disposed at the upper housing4110to supply a supercritical fluid to the top surface of the substrate (S) placed on the support member4300. The lower supply port4520is disposed at the lower housing4120to supply a supercritical fluid to the rear surface of the substrate (S) placed on the support member4300.

The supply ports4500(the upper supply port4510and the lower supply port4520) may supply a supercritical fluid to center regions of the substrate (S). For example, the upper supply port4510may be located above the substrate (S) supported on the support member4300and aligned with the center of the substrate (S). For example, the lower supply port4520may be located under the substrate (S) supported on the support member4300and aligned with the center of the substrate (S). Then, a supercritical fluid supplied through the supply port4500can be uniformly distributed to the entirety of the substrate (S) as the supercritical fluid reaches the center regions of the substrate (S) and spreads to the edge regions of the substrate (S).

A supercritical fluid may be supplied through the lower supply port4520and then the upper supply port4510. In an early stage of a supercritical drying process, the inside pressure of the second process chamber4000may be lower than a critical pressure, and thus a supercritical fluid supplied into the second process chamber4000may be liquefied. Therefore, if a supercritical fluid is supplied through the upper supply port4510in an early stage of a supercritical drying process, the supercritical fluid may liquefy and fall to the substrate (S) by gravity to damage the substrate (S). A supercritical fluid may be supplied through the upper supply port4510after the supercritical fluid is supplied into the second process chamber4000through the lower supply port4520and the inside pressure of the second process chamber4000reaches a critical pressure, so as to prevent the supercritical fluid from liquefying and falling to the substrate (S).

The shield member4600prevents a supercritical fluid supplied through the supply ports4500from directly reaching the substrate (S). The shield member4600may include a shield plate4610and a support4620.

The shield plate4610is disposed between one of the supply port4500and the substrate (S) supported on the support member4300. For example, the shield plate4610may be disposed between the lower supply port4520and the support member4300under the substrate (S). In this case, the shield plate4610may prevent a supercritical fluid supplied through the lower supply port4520from directly reaching the bottom side of the substrate (S).

The radius of the shield plate4610may be similar to or greater than that of the substrate (S). Then, the shield plate4610may completely prevent a supercritical fluid from being directly injected to the substrate (S). Alternatively, the radius of the shield plate4610may be smaller than that of the substrate (S). In this case, the velocity of a supercritical fluid may be maximally reduced while preventing direct injection of the supercritical fluid to the substrate (S), and thus the supercritical fluid may stably reach the substrate (S) for an effective supercritical drying process.

The support4620supports the shield plate4610. The shield plate4610may be placed on an end of the support4620. The support4620may extend upward from the bottom surface of the housing4100in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the housing4100. The support4620and the shield plate4610may not be coupled to each other but the shield plate4610may simply be placed on the support4620and kept at the position by gravity. If the support4620and the shield plate4610are coupled using parts such as bolts and nuts, a supercritical fluid that can easily permeate into other substances may permeate between the parts to generate contaminants. Alternatively, the support4620and the shield plate4610may be provided in one piece.

If a supercritical fluid is supplied through the lower supply port4520in an early stage of a supercritical drying process, since the inside pressure of the housing4100is low, the supercritical fluid may rapidly be injected. If the high-speed supercritical fluid directly reach the substrate (S), a portion of the substrate (S) to which the supercritical fluid is directly injected may be bent (a leaning phenomenon). Furthermore, the substrate (S) may tremble due to the injection of the supercritical fluid, and thus an organic solvent remaining on the substrate (S) may flow to a circuit pattern of the substrate (S) to damage the circuit pattern.

Therefore, the shield plate4610is disposed between the lower supply port4520and the support member4300to prevent a supercritical fluid from being directly injected to the substrate (S) and thus prevent the substrate (S) from being damaged by a physical force applied by the supercritical fluid.

The position of the shield plate4610is not limited to the position between the lower supply port4520and the support member4300.

FIGS. 5 and 6illustrate a modification example of the second process chamber4000shown inFIG. 4.

Referring toFIG. 5, a shield plate4610may be disposed between the upper supply port4510and a substrate (S) placed on the support member4300. Referring toFIG. 6, a shield plate4610amay be disposed between the upper supply port4510and the support member4300, and a shield plate4610bmay be disposed between the lower supply port4520and the support member4300. In the case where the shield plate4610(4610a) is disposed between the upper supply port4510and the support member4300, a support4620may extend downward from the bottom side of the upper housing4110in a vertical direction, and the lower end of the support4620may be bent in a horizontal direction. Then, the shield plate4610may be supported on the support4620by gravity without any additional coupling part.

In this case, the shield plate4610may be placed in a path through which a supercritical fluid is supplied from one of the supply ports4500to the substrate (S), and thus the supercritical fluid may not be effectively supplied to the substrate (S). Therefore, the position of the shield plate4610may be determined by considering how much the substrate (S) is damaged by a supercritical fluid and how effectively the substrate (S) can be dried by the supercritical fluid.

Particularly, in the case where a plurality of supply ports4500are provided at the second process chamber4000, a shield plate4610may be placed in a path through which a supercritical fluid is supplied from one of the supply ports4500directly to the substrate (S) in an early stage of a supercritical drying process.

The exhaust port4700discharges a supercritical fluid from the second process chamber4000. The exhaust port4700may be connected to an exhaust line4750to discharge a supercritical fluid. A valve may be disposed at the exhaust port4700to control the flow rate of a supercritical fluid to be discharged through the exhaust line4750. A supercritical fluid may be discharged to the atmosphere or a supercritical fluid recycling system (not shown).

The exhaust port4700may be formed in the lower housing4120. In a late stage of a supercritical drying process, the inside pressure of the second process chamber4000may be reduced to a value lower than a critical pressure as a supercritical fluid is discharged from the second process chamber4000, and thus a supercritical fluid filled in the second process chamber4000may be liquefied. The liquefied supercritical fluid may flow to the exhaust port4700of the lower housing4120by gravity and then flow to the outside through the exhaust port4700.

Hereinafter, another embodiment of the second process chamber4000will be described according to another embodiment.

FIG. 7is a perspective view illustrating another example of the second process chamber4000shown inFIG. 2, andFIG. 8is a sectional view illustrating the second process chamber4000ofFIG. 7.

Referring toFIGS. 7 and 8, the second process chamber4000may include a housing4100, a door4130, pressing members4800, a support member4300, a heating member4400, supply port4500, a shield member4600, and an exhaust port4700.

Unlike the previous embodiment of the second process chamber4000, the housing4100has a single structure. An opening may be formed in a side of the housing4100. A substrate (S) may be carried into or out of the housing4100through the opening. The side of the housing4100in which the opening is formed may be perpendicular to a side of the transfer chamber2200along which the second process chamber4000is disposed.

The door4130faces the opening. The door4130may be moved close to or away from the opening in a horizontal direction so as to close or open the housing4100.

The support member4300may be disposed on the door4130. A surface of the door4130on which the support member4300is disposed may face the opening. The support member4300disposed on the door4130may be slid into or out of the housing4100through the opening as the door4130is moved. A side of the support member4300may be fixed to the surface of the door4130facing the opening, and the support member4300may extend horizontal from the surface of the door4130in a plate shape.

The support member4300may support an edge region of a substrate (S). For example, a recess having a shape similar to or equal to the shape of a substrate (S) may be formed in the plate-shaped support member4300, and a hole may be formed in the recess. A substrate (S) may be placed on the recess, and the top and rear surface of the substrate (S) may be exposed owing to the hole formed in the recess. Thus, the entirety of the substrate (S) can be dried during a supercritical drying process.

The opening formed in a side of the housing4100may have the same shape as the side shape of the support member4300or may be slightly greater than the side of the housing4100. Since the inside of the housing4100is kept at a high pressure equal to or greater than a critical pressure during a supercritical drying process, a force necessary to close the housing4100with the door4130is proportional to the size of the opening. Thus, the size of the opening may be adjusted to side area of the support member4300to reduce a force necessary to close the housing4100.

The pressing members4800moves the door4130to close or opening the housing4100. The pressing members4800may include pressing cylinders4810and pressing rods4820.

The pressing cylinders4810may be disposed at both sides of the housing4100. The pressing rods4820may be inserted in both sides of the opening of the housing4100, and ends of the pressing rods4820may be coupled to the door4130. For example, the ends of the pressing rods4820may be inserted through the door4130, and rod heads4821may be provided on the ends of the door4130at a side of the door4130opposite to the opening of the housing4100.

In this structure, the pressing rods4820may be horizontally moved by the pressing cylinders4810to move the door4130horizontally. If the door4130is moved away from the opening and the support member4300is exposed to the outside of the housing4100, the transfer robot2210can place a substrate (S) on the support member4300. Then, the door4130may be moved so as to close the opening and place the substrate (S) placed on the support member4300in the housing4100.

In addition, during a supercritical drying process, the pressing cylinders4810generate forces to keep the door4130in tight contact with the opening against the inside pressure of the housing4100tending to open the door4130. The forces generated by the pressing cylinders4810are applied to the door4130through the rod heads4821of the pressing rods4820provided on the side of the door4130opposite to the opening so that the housing4100can be kept close during the supercritical drying process.

Since the heating member4400, the supply ports4500, the shield member4600, and the exhaust port4700are identical or similar to those of the second process chamber4000of the previous embodiment, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

Hereinafter, another embodiment of the second process chamber4000will be described.

FIG. 9is a sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the second process chamber4000.

Referring toFIG. 9, the second process chamber4000may include a housing4100, a door4130, a support member4300, a heating member4400, supply ports4500, a shield member4600, and an exhaust port4700.

Like the housing4100of the previous embodiment, the housing4100has a single structure having an opening at a side thereof. The door4130is configured to be vertically moved to open or close the opening of the housing4100. The door4130may include a door plate4131and a door driving unit4132, and the door driving unit4132may vertically move the door plate4131to open or close the opening.

The support member4300extends upward from a lower side of the housing4100in a direction perpendicular to the lower side, and the upper end or upper end portion of the support member4300may be horizontally bent. A substrate (S) may be placed on the support member4300, and a supercritical fluid may be supplied to the top and bottom sides of the substrate (S) placed on the support member4300.

Embodiments of the second process chamber4000have been described, and a plurality of such second process chambers4000may be provided in the substrate treating apparatus100in a stacked manner.

FIG. 10illustrates a stacked state of second process chambers4000a,4000b, and4000csuch as the second process chamber4000shown inFIG. 4.

Referring toFIG. 10, three second process chambers4000a,4000b, and4000care vertically stacked. The number of the second process chambers4000a,4000b, and4000cmay be varied.

A lower housing4120of the uppermost second process chamber4000aand an upper housing4110of the middle second process chamber4000bmay be formed in one piece, and a lower housing4120of the middle second process chamber4000band an upper housing4110of the lowermost second process chamber4000cmay be formed in one piece.

In this case, supply ports4500and exhaust ports4700formed in housings4100except for an upper housing4110of the uppermost second process chamber4000aand a lower housing4120of the lowermost second process chamber4000cmay be connected respectively to a supply line4550and an exhaust line4750through sides of the housings4100. The supply line4550and the exhaust line4750may be formed of an elastic and flexible material.

Lift rods4220of a lift member4200may be inserted through the second process chambers4000a,4000b, and4000c, and ends of the lift rods4220may be coupled to the uppermost second process chamber4000a. Lift cylinders4210may lift or lower the lift rods4220to open or close the second process chambers4000a,4000b, and4000csequentially from the lower or upper side.

While the present invention has been explained for the case where substrate treating apparatus100treats a substrate (S) using a supercritical fluid, the substrate treating apparatus100of the present invention is not limited to performing a supercritical drying process. For example, the substrate treating apparatus100may be used to treat a substrate (S) by supplying a different process fluid into the second process chamber4000through the supply ports4500instead of supplying a supercritical fluid. For example, organic solvents, gases having various ingredients, plasma gases, or inert gases may be used instead of a supercritical fluid.

In addition, the substrate treating apparatus100may further include a controller for controlling elements of the substrate treating apparatus100. For example, the controller may control the heating member4400to adjust the inside temperature of the housing4100. In another example, the controller may control valves disposed at the nozzle member3200, the supply line4550, and the exhaust line4750to adjust the flow rates of a chemical or supercritical fluid. In another example, the controller may control the lift member4200or the pressing member4800to open or close the housing4100. In another example, under the control of the controller, a supercritical fluid may be supplied through one of the upper supply port4510and the lower supply port4520, and if the inside pressure of the second process chamber4000reaches a preset value, the supercritical fluid may be supplied through the other of the upper supply port4510and the lower supply port4520.

The controller may be hardware, software, or a device such as computer provided as a combination of hardware and software.

For example, the controller may be hardware such as ASICs (application specific integrated circuits), DSPs (digital signal processors), DSPDs (digital signal processing devices), PLDs (programmable logic devices), FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays), processors, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and electric devices having similar control functions.

For example, the controller may be software such as a software code or application written in at least one programming language. Software may be executed by a controller provided in the form of hardware. Alternatively, software may be transmitted from an external device such as a server to a controller provided in the formed of hardware and may be installed on the controller.

Hereinafter, a substrate treating method will be explained using the substrate treating apparatus100according to an embodiment of the present invention. Although the substrate treating method is explained using the substrate treating apparatus100in the following description, the substrate treating method may be performed using another apparatus similar to the substrate treating apparatus100. In addition, the substrate treating method of the present invention may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium in the form of an executable code or program.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the substrate treating method of the present invention will be explained. The embodiment relates to the a cleaning process in general.

FIG. 11is a flowchart for explaining a substrate treating method according to an embodiment.

The substrate treating method of the current embodiment includes: operation S110in which a substrate (S) is carried into the first process chamber3000; operation S120in which a chemical process is performed; operation S130in which a rinsing process is performed; operation S140in which an organic solvent process is performed; operation S150in which the substrate (S) is carried to a second process chamber4000; operation S160in which a supercritical drying process is performed; and operation S170in which the substrate (S) is put in a container (C) placed in a load port1100. The above-listed operations are not required to be performed in the listed order. For example, an operation listed later may be performed prior to an operation listed first. This is equal in another embodiment of the substrate treating method. The operations will now be explained in detail.

A substrate (S) is carried into the first process chamber3000(S110). First, a container in which substrates (S) are stored is placed on the load port1100by a carrying device such as an OHT. Then, the index robot1210picks up a substrate (S) from the container and places the substrate (S) in a buffer slot. The transfer robot2210picks up the substrate (S) from the buffer slot and carries the substrate (S) into the first process chamber3000. The substrate (S) is placed on the support plate3110in the first process chamber3000.

Thereafter, a chemical process is performed (S120). After the substrate (S) is placed on the support plate3110, the nozzle shaft3230is moved and rotated by the nozzle shaft actuator3240to place the nozzle3210directly above the substrate (S). A detergent is injected to the top side of the substrate (S) through the nozzle3210. Contaminants are removed from the substrate (S) as the detergent is injected. At this time, the rotary actuator3130rotates the rotation shaft3120to rotate the substrate (S). As the substrate (S) is rotated, the detergent can be uniformly supplied to the substrate (S) although the detergent scatters from the substrate (S). The detergent scattering from the substrate (S) is collected in the collecting vessels3310where the detergent is discharged to a fluid recycling system (not shown). At this time, the lift actuator3340lifts or lowers the collecting vessels3310so that the scattering detergent can be collected in one of the collecting vessels3310.

After contaminants are removed from the substrate (S), a rinsing process is performed (S130). After the chemical process performed to remove contaminants from the substrate (S), the detergent remains on the substrate (S). The nozzle3210through which the detergent is injected is moved away from the topside of the substrate (S), and another nozzle3210is moved to a position directly above the substrate (S) to inject a rinsing agent to the topside of the substrate (S). The rinsing agent supplied to the substrate (S) cleans the detergent remaining on the substrate (S). During the rinsing process, the substrate (S) may be rotated, and a chemical may be collected. The lift actuator3340adjusts the height of the collecting vessels3310so that the rinsing agent can be collected in one of the collecting vessels3310different from that used to collect the detergent.

After the substrate (S) is sufficiently washed, an organic solvent process is performed (S140). After the rinsing process, another nozzle3210is moved to a position directly above the substrate (S) to inject an organic solvent to the substrate (S). The rinsing agent remaining on the substrate (S) is replaced with the organic solvent. In the organic solvent process, the substrate (S) may not be rotated or may be rotated at low speed. The reason for this is that if the organic solvent evaporates soon, the surface tension of the organic solvent may cause interfacial tension between circuit patterns of the substrate (S) to make the circuit patterns collapse.

After the organic solvent process in the first process chamber3000, the substrate (S) is carried to the inside of the second process chamber4000(S150), and a supercritical drying process is performed in the second process chamber4000. The operations S150and S160will be explained later in more detail when another embodiment of the substrate treating method is explained.

After the supercritical drying process, the substrate (S) is carried into the container placed on the load port1100(S170). The second process chamber4000is opened, and the transfer robot2210picks up the substrate (S). The substrate (S) may be carried to the buffer chamber2100by the transfer robot2210, and the index robot1210may carry the substrate (S) from the buffer chamber2100to the container (C).

Hereinafter, another embodiment of the substrate treating method of the present invention will be explained. The other embodiment of the substrate treating method relates to a supercritical drying process in the second process chamber4000.

FIG. 12is a flowchart for explaining another embodiment of the substrate treating method.

The substrate treating method of the other embodiment includes: operation S210in which a substrate (S) is carried into the second process chamber4000; operation S220in which the housing4100is closed; operation S230in which a supercritical fluid is supplied to the lower supply port4520; operation S240in which the supercritical fluid is prevented from being directly injected to the substrate (S); operation S250in which the supercritical fluid is supplied to the upper supply port4510; operation S260in which the supercritical fluid is discharged; operation S270in which the housing4100is opened; and operation S280in which the substrate (S) is carried out of the second process chamber4000. The operations will now be explained in detail.

FIGS. 13 through 16are views for explaining the substrate treating method ofFIG. 12.

A substrate (S) is carried into the second process chamber4000(S210). The transfer robot2210places the substrate (S) on the support member4300of the second process chamber4000. The transfer robot2210may pick up the substrate (S) from the first process chamber3000in a state where an organic solvent remains on the substrate (S), and may place the substrate (S) on the support member4300.

Referring toFIG. 13, in the case where the second process chamber4000has the upper and lower structures (the upper housing4110and the lower housing4120), the transfer robot2210places the substrate (S) on the support member4300in a state where the upper housing4110and the lower housing4120are separated and opened.

In the case where the second process chamber4000has the slide structure with the horizontally slidable door4130, the transfer robot2210places the substrate (S) on the support member4300in a state where the door4130is moved away from an opening. After the substrate (S) is placed, the door4130may be moved to the housing4100to place the substrate (S) in the second process chamber4000.

In the case where the second process chamber4000has the structure in which the door plate4131is moved by the door driving unit4132, the transfer robot2210may move into the housing4100to place the substrate (S) on the support member4300.

After the substrate (S) is carried in the housing4100, the housing4100is closed (S220).

Referring toFIG. 14, in the case where the second process chamber4000has the upper and lower structures, the lift member4200lifts the lower housing4120against the upper housing4110to close the housing4100(that is, to close the second process chamber4000).

In the case where the second process chamber4000has the slide structure, the pressing member4800horizontally moves the door4130against the opening to close the housing4100. Otherwise, the door driving unit4132moves the door plate4131to close the opening.

After the second process chamber4000is closed, a supercritical fluid is supplied to the lower supply port4520(S230). When the supercritical fluid is initially supplied, the inside pressure of the housing4100may be lower than a critical pressure, and thus the supercritical fluid may liquefy. If the supercritical fluid is supplied to a position above the topside of the substrate (S), the supercritical fluid may liquefy and fall to the topside of the substrate (S) by gravity to damage the substrate (S). Therefore, the supercritical fluid may first be supplied through the lower supply port4520and then through the upper supply port4510. At this time, the inside of the housing4100may be heated by the support member4300.

The supercritical fluid is prevented from being directly injected to the substrate (S) (S240). Referring again toFIG. 14, the shield plate4610disposed between the lower supply port4520and the support member4300may prevent the supercritical fluid supplied through the lower supply port4520from being directly injected to the substrate (S). Thus, a physical force may not be applied to the substrate (S) by the supercritical fluid to prevent leaning of the substrate (S). The supercritical fluid injected through the lower supply port4520in a vertically upward direction may collide with the shield plate4610and then flow horizontally to the substrate (S).

Referring toFIG. 15, the supercritical fluid is supplied to the upper supply port4510(S250). If the supercritical fluid is continuously supplied through the upper supply port4510, the inside pressure of the housing4100becomes equal to or greater than a critical pressure, and if the inside of the housing4100is heated by the heating member4400, the inside temperature of the housing4100becomes equal to or greater than a critical temperature. Thus, the inside of the housing4100can be in a supercritical state. When the inside of the housing4100enter a supercritical state, the supercritical fluid may be supplied through the upper supply port4510. That is, under the control of the controller, the supercritical fluid may be supplied through the upper supply port4510when the inside pressure of the housing4100becomes equal to or greater than a critical pressure.

At this time, the supercritical fluid supplied through the upper supply port4510may not blocked by a shield plate4610. The reason for this is that since the inside pressure of the housing4100is greater than a critical pressure, the velocity of the supercritical fluid supplied through the upper supply port4510is largely reduced in the housing4100. Thus, when the supercritical fluid reaches the substrate (S), the velocity of the supercritical fluid is too low to cause leaning of the substrate (S).

Since the supercritical fluid supplied through the upper supply port4510is not blocked by a shield plate4610, the topside of the substrate (S) may be efficiently dried by the supercritical fluid. Since the topside of the substrate (S) is a patterned surface in general, no shield plate4610may be disposed between the upper supply port4510and the support member4300so as to effectively supply the supercritical fluid to the topside of the substrate (S) for removing an organic solvent remaining between circuit patterns of the topside of the substrate (S). Alternatively, according to process conditions, a shield plate4610may be disposed between the upper supply port4510and the support member4300to prevent the supercritical fluid from being directly injected to the topside of the substrate (S).

If the substrate (S) is sufficiently dried as the organic solvent remaining on the substrate (S) is dissolved in the supercritical fluid, the supercritical fluid is discharged (S260). The supercritical fluid is discharged from the second process chamber4000through the exhaust ports4700. Supply and discharge of the supercritical fluid may be controlled by adjusting the flow rates of the supercritical fluid in the supply line4550and the exhaust line4750by using the controller. The supercritical fluid may be discharged to the atmosphere or a supercritical fluid recycling system (not shown).

If the inside pressure of the second process chamber4000is sufficiently reduced to, for example, atmospheric pressure after the supercritical fluid is discharged, the housing4100is opened (S270). Referring toFIG. 16, the lift member4200lowers the lower housing4120to open the housing4100.

In the case where the second process chamber4000has the slide structure with the horizontally slidable door4130, the pressing member4800moves the door4130away from the opening of the housing4100to open the housing4100. In the case where the second process chamber4000has the structure in which the door plate4131is moved by the door driving unit4132, the door driving unit4132moves the door plate4131to open the housing4100.

The substrate (S) is carried out of the second process chamber4000(S280). After the housing4100is opened, the transfer robot2210carries the substrate (S) out of the second process chamber4000.

According to the present invention, the entirety of a substrate can be dried by injecting a supercritical fluid to the topside and rear side of the substrate.

In addition, according to the present invention, the shield plate prevents a supercritical fluid from being directly injected to a substrate so that the substrate may not be leaned.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects. Other effects of the present invention will be apparently understood by those skilled in the art through the description and accompanying drawings.

The above-described embodiments are given so that those of skill in the related art could easily understand the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention.

Thus, the embodiments and elements thereof can be used in other ways or with known technology, and various modifications and changes in form and details can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In addition, the scope of the present invention is defined by the following claims, and all differences within the scope will be considered as being included in the present invention.