Bonding apparatus and bonding process method

According to one embodiment, a bonding apparatus for processing a retained substrate includes a main body unit, a nozzle, a gas supply unit, and a substrate support unit. The nozzle opens on a face of the main body unit on a side that a first substrate is retained. The gas supply unit is configured to supply gas to the nozzle, to apply suction to the first substrate and to separate the substrate from the face of the main body unit. The substrate support unit is configured to support a peripheral edge portion of a second substrate provided in opposition to the first substrate with a predetermined gap.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-287536, filed on Dec. 28, 2012; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Field

Embodiments of the invention described herein relate to a bonding apparatus and a bonding process method.

Description of the Related Art

In bonding apparatus used for manufacturing electronic devices such as semiconductor devices and flat panel displays, substrates are attracted and retained using an electrostatic chuck or vacuum chuck provided on a mounting platform (for example, see Patent Document 1).

However, when a substrate is attracted to the mounting face of the mounting platform using an electrostatic chuck or vacuum chuck provided on the mounting platform, the substrate is attracted and retained so as to follow the mounting face.

Therefore, there is a possibility that the substrate will be deformed into a shape that is not suitable for processing. In particular, if the thickness of the substrate is small, such as silicon wafers and the like, the effect of the condition of the mounting face becomes significant.

Also, if the substrate is deformed into a shape that is not suitable for processing, for example, there is a possibility that in the substrate bonding process, the substrate will be bonded in a position deviated from the proper position.

Also, the substrate contacts the mounting face of the mounting platform, so there is a possibility of damage to the substrate and generation of particles.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1 JP 2012-156163 A (Kokai)

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a bonding apparatus for processing a retained substrate includes a main body unit, a nozzle, a gas supply unit, and a substrate support unit. The nozzle opens on a face of the main body unit on a side that a first substrate is retained. The gas supply unit is configured to supply gas to the nozzle, to apply suction to the first substrate and to separate the substrate from the face of the main body unit. The substrate support unit is configured to support a peripheral edge portion of a second substrate provided in opposition to the first substrate with a predetermined gap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same numerals are applied to similar constituent elements in the drawings and detailed descriptions of such constituent elements are appropriately omitted.

FIG. 1is a schematic view for illustrating a bonding apparatus1according to the embodiment.

FIG. 1illustrates the bonding apparatus1that bonds the bonding faces of two substrates together to produce a single substrate.

The bonding apparatus1can directly bond two silicon wafers, for example.

As shown inFIG. 1, a processing container11, a substrate retention unit12, a substrate support unit13, a pressing unit14, a exhaust unit15, a measurement unit16, and a detection unit17are provided in the bonding apparatus1.

The processing container11has an air-tight structure capable of maintaining an atmosphere at a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure. An opening11afor transporting in and transporting out a substrate W1(corresponding to one example of a first substrate) and a substrate W2(corresponding to one example of a second substrate) and a door11bcapable of opening and closing the opening11ain an air-tight manner are provided in a side wall of the processing container11. Also, an opening11cis provided in the bottom of the processing container11for evacuating the air within the processing container11.

The substrate retention unit12that retains the first substrate W1to be bonded is provided within the processing container11.

The substrate retention unit12retains the substrate W1in a suspended state.

A main body unit12aand a gas supply unit12bare provided in the substrate retention unit12.

The main body unit12ais cylindrical shaped and includes nozzles12a2that open on a face12a1on the side that the substrate W1is retained.

FIG. 2is a schematic view for illustrating the layout of the nozzles12a2.

Furthermore,FIG. 2is a drawing viewed from the arrow direction of the line A-A inFIG. 1.

As shown inFIG. 2, the nozzles12a2are provided in a region12a1aof the face12a1in opposition to the central region of the substrate W1, a region12a1bof the face12a1in opposition to the peripheral edge region of the substrate W1, and a region12a1cof the face12a1in opposition to the region between the central region and the peripheral edge region of the substrate W1.

The layout and number of the nozzles12a2are not limited to that illustrated, but they may be changed as appropriate. For example, the nozzles12a2can be arranged concentrated in regions where the substrate W1can easily warp or regions where it is necessary to deform the substrate W1.

Also, as shown inFIG. 1, a first end of a flow channel12a3is connected to the nozzles12a2. A second end of the flow channel12a3is connected to an on-off valve12b4.

Details of the action of the nozzle12a2are described later.

The gas supply unit12bsupplies gas to the nozzle12a2, and applies suction to the substrate W1by generating at least one of the cyclone effect and the Bernoulli effect, and separates the substrate W1from the face12a1of the main body unit12a. In other words, the substrate W1is suspended and attracted to the face12a1of the main body unit12a. If it is possible to separate the substrate W1from the face12a1of the main body unit12a, the substrate W1is not affected by the condition of the face12a1, so it is possible to retain the substrate W1as well as keep the substrate W1in a shape suitable for processing.

A gas supply source12b1, a temperature control unit12b2, a flow rate control unit12b3, and the on-off valve12b4are provided in the gas supply unit12b.

The gas supply source12b1, the temperature control unit12b2, the flow rate control unit12b3, and the on-off valve12b4are provided for each set of nozzles12a2provided in the regions12a1ato12a1c. Therefore, it is possible to control the gas temperature, the gas flow rate, and the supply and stoppage of the gas in each of the regions12a1ato12a1c.

The gas supply source12b1can be, for example, a pressure vessel that contains high pressure gas, or the like. The gas contained in the gas supply source12b1is supplied to the nozzles12a2via the temperature control unit12b2, the flow rate control unit12b3, and the on-off valve12b4, and released into the processing container11from the opening of the nozzles12a2. Therefore, the gas contained in the gas supply source12b1has little effect on the processing (bonding of substrates) of the substrates. The gas contained in the gas supply source12b1can be, for example, nitrogen gas or an inert gas such as argon gas, helium gas, and the like.

The temperature control unit12b2is connected to the gas outflow side of the gas supply source12b1. The temperature control unit12b2controls the temperature of the gas to be supplied to the inside of the nozzles12a2from the gas supply source12b1. The temperature control unit12b2can be, for example, a heater or a cooler or a device that heats and cools, or the like.

If there is an in-plane temperature distribution of the substrate W1, there is a possibility of deformation of the substrate W1(for example, warping).

If the substrate W1is initially not deformed, the temperature of the gas for each of the regions12a1ato12a1ccan be controlled so that the in-plane temperature of the substrate W1is uniform, so that the substrate W1is not deformed.

Also, the substrate W1may be deformed initially. In this case, if the deformation of the substrate W1is small, the temperature of the gas can be controlled for each of the regions12a1ato12a1cso that the in-plane temperature distribution of the substrate W1is small. If the deformation of the substrate W1is large, the temperature of the gas can be controlled in each of the regions12a1ato12a1cso that the deformation of the substrate W1becomes smaller. In other words, if the substrate W1is initially deformed, the in-plane temperature of the substrate W1can be made uniform so that the substrate W1does not further deform, or by locally heating or cooling, the deformed substrate W1can be corrected.

The flow rate control unit12b3is connected to the gas outflow side of the temperature control unit12b2. The flow rate control unit12b3controls the flow rate of the gas to be supplied to the inside of the nozzles12a2from the gas supply source12b1. The flow rate control unit12b3can be a mass flow controller (MFC) or the like.

As described later, by controlling the flow rate of the gas to be supplied to the inside of the nozzles12a2, it is possible to control the suction force applied to the substrate W1. For example, by increasing the flow rate of the gas to be supplied to the inside of the nozzles12a2, it is possible to increase the suction force applied to the substrate W1. By reducing the flow rate of the gas to be supplied to the inside of the nozzles12a2, it is possible to reduce the suction force applied to the substrate W1.

In this case, if the substrate W1is not deformed, or if the deformation of the substrate W1is small, the flow rate of the gas can be controlled so that the suction force in the regions12a1ato12a1cis uniform. If the deformation of the substrate W1is large, the flow rate of the gas can be controlled in each of the regions12a1ato12a1cso that the deformation of the substrate W1becomes smaller. In other words, it is possible to make the suction force applied to the substrate W1uniform so that the substrate W1does not deform, and it is possible to locally change the suction force applied to the substrate W1to correct the substrate W1.

The state of deformation of the substrate W1can be measured by the measurement unit16as described later.

In other words, the flow rate control unit12b3controls the gas flow rate in accordance with the shape of the substrate W1.

In this case, the flow rate control unit12b3can control the flow rate of the gas in at least one of each of the plurality of nozzles12a2and each of the groups of the plurality of nozzles12a2.

In addition, it is possible to control the flow rate or the temperature of the gas to be supplied to the inside of the nozzles12a2to deform the substrate W1into a shape suitable for processing. For example, it is possible to deform the substrate into a shape so that the central region of the substrate W1projects upwards (substrate W2side). By deforming the substrate W1into this shape, the central region of the substrate W1can easily contact the substrate W2, so bonding is easy.

The on-off valve12b4is connected to the gas outflow side of the flow rate control unit12b3. The on-off valve12b4controls the supply and stoppage of the gas to be supplied to the inside of the nozzles12a2from the gas supply source12b1.

The gas outflow side of the on-off valve12b4is connected to the nozzles12a2via the flow channel12a3.

The substrate support unit13supports the peripheral edge portion of the substrate W2provided in opposition to the substrate W1supported by the substrate retention unit12with a predetermined gap. In other words, the substrate support unit13supports the peripheral edge portion of the substrate W2to be bonded to the substrate W1.

The substrate support unit13includes a support claw13a, a moving part13b, a base part13c, a positioning part13d, and a positioning part13e.

The support claw13asupports the peripheral edge portion of the substrate W2. Then, by supporting the substrate W2with the support claw13a, the substrate W2is supported in a predetermined position in opposition to the substrate W1retained by the substrate retention unit12.

The moving part13bmoves the support claw13abetween the position where the substrate W2is supported and a position retracted to the outside in the radial direction of the substrate W2. The moving part13bcan include a control motor such as, for example, a servo motor, a pulse motor, or the like as a constituent element.

The base part13cis provided on the bottom face of the processing container11. The support claw13aand the moving part13bare provided on the upper end portion of the base part13c. A case in which the base part13cis provided for each of the support claw13aand the moving part13bis illustrated, but this is not a limitation. For example, a plurality of support claws13aand moving parts13bcan be provided on a single base part13c.

The positioning part13dchanges the relative position of the substrate W1and the substrate W2based on information regarding the positioning from the detection unit17to be described later. In this case, the positioning part13dpositions the substrate W2within the horizontal plane. The positioning part13dcan position the substrate W2relative to the substrate W1retained by the substrate retention unit12, for example. In this case, an example in which the substrate W2supported by the support claw13ais positioned by pushing the outer periphery of the substrate W2in the horizontal direction is illustrated as the positioning part13d. For example, the positioning part13dcan operate by a moving part not illustrated on the drawings that is configured from a control motor such as a servo motor, a pulse motor, or the like.

The positioning part13epositions the substrate W2in the rotational direction. For example, the positioning part13ecan position the substrate W2in the rotational direction by inserting a pin in a notch provided in the periphery of the substrate W1. For example, the positioning part13ecan operate by a moving part not illustrated on the drawings that is provided in the base part13cand configured from a control motor such as a servo motor, a pulse motor, or the like.

There is no particular limitation on the number of support claws13aprovided, but preferably the support claw13ais provided at not less than three equidistant positions on the periphery of the substrate W2. In this way, the support state of the substrate W2can be stabilized.

The pressing unit14bends the substrate W2by pressing approximately the central portion of the substrate W2supported by the support claw13ausing a pad14c, to bring a portion of the bonding face of the substrate W1into contact with a portion of the bonding face of the substrate W2.

A moving part14a, a moving shaft14b, and the pad14care provided in the pressing unit14.

The pressing unit14is provided in opposition to the face12a1of the main body unit12a. Also, the pressing unit14is provided in a position so that it can press approximately the central portion of the substrate W2supported by the support claw13ausing the pad14c.

The moving part14ais provided on the outside of the processing container11in a position in opposition to the face12a1of the main body unit12a. The moving part14acan include a control motor such as a servo motor, a pulse motor, or the like as a constituent element. Also, it can include an element that is driven by pressure controlled fluid (for example, an air cylinder or the like) as a constituent element.

The moving shaft14bis provided penetrating a wall face of the processing container11and a first end of the moving shaft14bis connected to the moving part14a. Also, the pad14cis fitted to a second end of the moving shaft14b.

The tip of the pad14chas substantially a hemispherical shape, and the base of the pad14chas a cylindrical shape. The pad14cis formed from a soft elastic material, so that when pressed, the contact portion can deform from point contact to plane contact. Therefore, it is possible to relieve the stress at the pressing point (contact point), so it is possible to suppress damage to the substrate W2. Also, it is also possible to suppress the occurrence of voids, the occurrence of breakage and defects, the occurrence of rubbing damage, and the occurrence of positional deviation due to slips, and the like. The pad14ccan be formed from a soft resin such as, for example, silicon rubber, fluorine rubber, or the like. In this case, if the pad14cis formed from silicon rubber or fluorine rubber, it is possible to suppress contamination of the substrate W2.

Also, a detection apparatus such as a load cell or the like can be provided in at least one of the moving part14a, the moving shaft14b, and the pad14c, to detect the pressing force of the pad14c, so it is possible to control the pressing force to a predetermined value.

Also, by controlling the pressing force of the pad14c, it is possible to ensure that when bonding the substrate W1and the substrate W2, the reverse side of the substrate W1(the face on the side opposite the face to be bonded to the substrate W2) suspended and attracted to the face12a1of the main body unit12adoes not contact the face12a1of the main body unit12a.

In other words, the pressing unit14presses the substrate W2to bring a portion of the substrate W1and a portion of the substrate W2into contact, and it is possible to control the pressing force so that the reverse side of the substrate W1does not contact the face12a1of the main body unit12a.

By ensuring that the reverse side of the substrate W1and the face12a1of the main body unit12ado not contact, even if, for example, there is a particle on the face12a1, it is possible to carry out the bonding while maintaining a clean state without the particle adhering to the reverse side of the substrate W1.

The exhaust unit15is connected to the opening11cvia a pipe15a. The exhaust unit15evacuates the air within the processing container11. The exhaust unit15can be, for example, a dry pump or the like.

In this case, gas is supplied to the inside of the processing container11by the gas supply unit12b. Therefore, the quantity of air evacuated by the exhaust unit15is greater than the quantity of gas supplied by the gas supply unit12b.

Bonding the substrate W1and the substrate W2is not necessarily carried out under a reduced pressure atmosphere, for example, it may also be carried out under an atmospheric pressure atmosphere. If bonding of the substrate W1and the substrate W2is not carried out under a reduced pressure atmosphere, it is not necessary to provide the exhaust unit15, and, the processing container11needs only to have an air-tight structure sufficient to suppress the ingress of particles and the like.

It is possible to provide a support member not illustrated on the drawings to provide the pressing unit14in opposition to the face12a1of the main body unit12a, without providing the processing container11. The support member not illustrated on the drawings can be, for example, provided with an approximately inverted U-shape, that straddles the main body unit12aand the substrate support unit13.

However, if bonding of the substrate W1and the substrate W2is carried out under a reduced pressure atmosphere, it is possible to suppress air being trapped between the substrate W1and the substrate W2, so it is possible to further suppress the occurrence of voids.

The measurement unit16measures the deformation state of the substrate W1.

A measurement head16a, a moving part16b, and a calculation unit16cis provided in the measurement unit16.

The measurement head16acan convert the amount of deformation of the substrate W1into an electrical signal. The measurement head16acan be, for example, a laser deformation meter or the like.

The moving part16bchanges the relative positions of the measurement head16aand the substrate W1. The moving part16bcan include a control motor such as, for example, a servo motor, a pulse motor, or the like as a constituent element.

The calculation unit16cconverts the electrical signal from the measurement head16ainto the amount of deformation of the substrate W1, to obtain the deformation state of the substrate W1.

The measurement unit16may be provided on the ceiling of the processing container11, as illustrated inFIG. 1, but, for example, it may also be provided within the main body unit12a, and by measuring the displacement of the reverse side of the substrate W1, the deformation state of the substrate W1is measured.

The detection unit17detects the positions of the substrate W1and the substrate W2by detecting the peripheral edge portions of the substrate W1and the substrate W2. In other words, the detection unit17detects the relative positions of the substrate W1and the substrate W2at the peripheral edge portion of the substrate W1retained by the substrate retention unit12and the peripheral edge portion of the substrate W2supported by the substrate support unit13. Also, the detection unit17detects the positions of notches provided in the peripheral edge portions of the substrate W1and the substrate W2.

A detection head17aand a calculation unit17bare provided in the detection unit17.

The detection head17acan be provided on the ceiling of the processing container11, for example.

The detection head17acan be, for example, a charge coupled device (CCD) image sensor or the like.

There is no particular limitation on the number of detection heads17aprovided, but if a plurality of detection heads17ais provided at equal intervals around the main body unit12a, it is possible to increase the accuracy of detection.

The calculation unit17bis electrically connected to the detection head17a. The calculation unit17bcalculates the relative positions of the substrate W1and the substrate W2, based on the information from the detection head17a, and produces information regarding positioning. The calculation unit17bcan be, for example, an image processing apparatus. The information regarding positioning is sent to the substrate support unit13, and is used when positioning by changing the relative positions of the substrate W1and the substrate W2. For example, in the case illustrated inFIG. 1, the information regarding positioning is used when positioning the substrate W2relative to the substrate W1retained by the substrate retention unit12.

Next, the action of the nozzle12a2is further illustrated.

FIGS. 3A and 3Bare schematic views for illustrating the action of the nozzle12a2.

FIG. 3Ashows a case in which the cyclone effect is used, andFIG. 3Bshows a case in which the Bernoulli effect is used.

As shown inFIG. 3A, the flow channel12a3is connected to the side wall of the nozzle12a2which is a cylindrical shaped hole with a bottom. As a result of the gas supplied to the inside of the nozzle12a2from the flow channel12a3, a flow of the gas is formed along the inner side wall of the nozzle12a2, and a swirling flow is formed to the inside of the nozzle12a2. Then, a suction force F1applied to the substrate W1is generated by the cyclone effect (the pressure difference between the central portion and the peripheral edge portion of the inside of the nozzle12a2). On the other hand, the gas supplied from the flow channel12a3to the inside of the nozzle12a2flows out from the opening of the nozzle12a2, and passes between the face12a1of the main body unit12aand the substrate W1, and is released into the inside of the processing container11. As a result, it is possible to retain the substrate W1with the substrate W1suspended from the face12a1of the main body unit12a. In other words, it is possible to retain the substrate W1without contact.

As shown inFIG. 3B, the flow channel12a3is connected to the bottom face of the nozzle12a2which is a cylindrical shaped hole with a bottom. The gas supplied from the flow channel12a3to the inside of the nozzle12a2flows out from the opening of the nozzle12a2, and passes between the face12a1of the main body unit12aand the substrate W1, and is released into the inside of the processing container11. In this case, the dimension between the face12a1of the main body unit12aand the substrate W1is small, so the flow velocity of the gas flowing between the face12a1of the main body unit12aand the substrate W1is fast. Therefore, a suction force F2applied to the substrate W1is generated by the Bernoulli effect. As a result, it is possible to retain the substrate W1with the substrate W1suspended from the face12a1of the main body unit12a. In other words, it is possible to retain the substrate W1without contact.

Also, by controlling the flow rate of the gas to be supplied to the inside of the nozzle12a2, it is possible to change the magnitude of the suction forces F1, F2applied to the substrate W1. For example, by increasing the flow rate of the gas to be supplied to the inside of the nozzles12a2, it is possible to increase the suction forces F1, F2applied to the substrate W1. By reducing the flow rate of the gas to be supplied to the inside of the nozzles12a2, it is possible to reduce the suction forces F1, F2to be applied to the substrate W1. As a result, it is possible to make the suction forces F1, F2applied to the substrate W1uniform so that the substrate W1does not deform, and it is possible to change the suction forces F1, F2applied to the substrate W1at each group of nozzles12a2provided in the regions12a1ato12a1c, for example, so that the deformed substrate W1is corrected.

In addition, it is possible to control the flow rate of the gas to be supplied to the inside of the nozzles12a2to deform the substrate W1into a shape suitable for processing. For example, it is possible to deform the substrate into a shape so that the central region of the substrate W1projects upwards. By deforming the substrate W1into this shape, the central region of the substrate W1can easily contact the substrate W2, so bonding is easy.

Also, if the substrate W1is deformed into a shape so that the central region of the substrate projects upwards, it is possible to bring the central region of the substrate W2into contact with the substrate W1without pressing with the pressing unit14, by adjusting the distance to the substrate W2. In this case, it is not necessary to provide the pressing unit14.

Also, a portion of the peripheral edge region of the substrate W1may be projected upwards. In this case, the support claw13aat a position in opposition to or near to the projecting portion of the substrate W1can be moved (retracted) in the horizontal direction prior to the other support claws13aso that the substrate W2can be bonded to the substrate W1using its self weight.

Examples have been described separately for the cyclone effect and the Bernoulli effect, but both the cyclone effect and the Bernoulli effect can be realized. Also, nozzles that realize the cyclone effect and nozzles that realize the Bernoulli effect can both be provided. Therefore, it is sufficient that at least one of the cyclone effect and the Bernoulli effect be realized.

However, there is no limitation on suspending and apply suction to the substrate W1by realizing the cyclone effect or the Bernoulli effect, provided that it is possible to suspend and apply suction to the substrate W1.

Next, the action of the bonding apparatus1and the bonding process method are illustrated.

FIGS. 4A to 4Hare schematic process views for illustrating the action of the bonding apparatus1.FIGS. 4A, 4C, 4E, and 4Gare side views,FIG. 4Bis a plan view ofFIG. 4A,FIG. 4Dis a plan view ofFIG. 4C,FIG. 4Fis a plan view ofFIG. 4E, andFIG. 4His a plan view ofFIG. 4G.

FIGS. 5A to 5Dare also schematic process views for illustrating the action of the bonding apparatus1.FIGS. 5A and 5Bare schematic process views continuing fromFIGS. 4Gand4H.

First, the substrate W1is transported to the inside of the processing container11from the opening11aby a transport apparatus not shown on the drawings. The door11bis opened by a drive unit not illustrated on the drawings.

The substrate W1transported to the inside of the processing container11is placed above the face12a1of the main body unit12a.

Next, the substrate W1is retained in a suspended state.

Gas is supplied from the gas supply unit12bto the nozzles12a2, and using at least one of the cyclone effect and the Bernoulli effect, the substrate W1is retained in the suspended state.

Also, as shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B, the deformation state of the substrate W1is measured by the measurement unit16. For example, the deformation state of the substrate W1is measured by measuring the displacements of the surface of the substrate W1by moving the measurement head16aby the moving part16b.

Then, the flow rate or the temperature of the gas to be supplied to the inside of the nozzles12a2is controlled based on the measured deformation state of the substrate W1.

For example, by controlling the flow rate of the gas to be supplied to the inside of the nozzles12a2, it is possible to make the suction force applied to the substrate W1uniform so that the substrate W1does not deform, and it is possible to change the suction force applied to the substrate W1at each group of nozzles12a2provided in the regions12a1ato12a1c, to correct the deformed substrate W1. Also, it is possible to correct the deformed substrate W1by changing the suction force of any one of the plurality of nozzles12a2, not a group.

Also, by controlling the temperature of the gas to be supplied by the temperature control unit12b2, the in-plane temperature of the substrate W1can be made uniform so that the substrate W1does not deform, or by locally heating or cooling the substrate W1, the deformed substrate W1can be corrected.

In addition, it is possible to deform the substrate W1into a shape suitable for processing. For example, it is possible to deform the substrate into a shape so that the central region of the substrate W1projects upwards. By deforming the substrate W1into this shape, the central region of the substrate W1can easily contact the substrate W2, so bonding is easy.

In other words, the bonding process method according to the embodiment includes applying suction to the substrate W1and separating the substrate W1from the face12a1of the main body unit12aby supplying gas to the nozzles12a2that open to the face12a1on the side of the main body unit12aon which the substrate W1is retained; and controlling the flow rate of the gas in accordance with the shape of the substrate W1.

Also, in the process of controlling the flow rate of the gas in accordance with the shape of the substrate W1, it is possible to control the flow rate of the gas in at least one of each of the plurality of nozzles12a2and each group of the plurality of nozzles12a2provided in the regions12a1ato12a1c.

Also, in the process of applying suction to the substrate W1and separating the substrate W1from the face12a1of the main body unit12a, by supplying gas to the nozzles12a2that open on the face12a1on the side of the main body unit12aon which the substrate W1is retained, it is possible to realize at least one of the cyclone effect and the Bernoulli effect.

Also, at least one of the substrate W1and the substrate W2can be a silicon wafer.

Next, as shown inFIGS. 4C and 4D, the position of a notch W1aon the substrate W1is detected by the detection unit17.

Next, as shown inFIGS. 4E and 4F, the support claw13ais moved to the position to support the substrate W2.

Next, the substrate W2is transported to the inside of the processing container11from the opening11aby a transport apparatus not illustrated on the drawings.

Then, as shown inFIGS. 4G and 4H, the substrate W2is placed on the support claw13a.

Next, the substrate W2is positioned within the horizontal plane by the positioning part13d.

Next, the position of a notch W2aprovided on the peripheral edge of the substrate W2is detected by the detection unit17. At this time, the substrate W1is moved in the horizontal direction to a position that will not obstruct detection of the position of the notch W2aof the substrate W2. After the position of the notch W2ahas been detected, the substrate W1is moved horizontally, to match the horizontal position of the substrate W2(return to the position ofFIG. 4G).

Next, the positioning part13ealigns the substrate W2with the position of the substrate W1in the rotational direction. For example, by inserting a pin into the notch W1aprovided in the peripheral edge of the substrate W1, the position in the rotational direction of the substrate W1is aligned with the position in the rotational direction of the substrate W2.

First, the door11bis closed and the processing container11is sealed. Then, the air is evacuated from the inside of the processing container11.

If bonding is to be carried out in the atmosphere, it is not necessary to evacuate the air within the processing container11.

Next, as shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B, the substrate W2is bent by pressing with the pad14capproximately the central portion of the substrate W2supported by the support claw13a, to bring a portion of the bonding face of the substrate W1into contact with a portion of the bonding face of the substrate W2.

In this case, the support claw13ais gradually moved in the retraction direction as the bonding progresses. When the support claw13ais moved in the retraction direction, the portion supported by the support claw13amoves to the peripheral edge portion side of the substrate W2, so the position in the height direction of the peripheral edge portion of the substrate W2is lowered. Therefore, the portion in which the bonding face of the substrate W1and the bonding face of the substrate W2are in contact (the bonded portion) spreads from the central portion to the peripheral edge portion. Then, when the peripheral edge portion of the substrate W2is released from the support claw13a, the bonding face of the substrate W1and the bonding face of the substrate W2are in contact over the whole face. In other words, the substrate W is formed by bonding the substrate W1and the substrate W2.

Also, as the bonding progresses, the positioning by the positioning parts13d,13eis released.

Also, when pressing approximately the central portion of the substrate W2with the pad14c, the pressing force of the pad14cis controlled so that the reverse side of the substrate W1(the face on the side opposite the bonding face with the substrate W2) suspended and attracted to the face12a1of the main body unit12adoes not contact the face12a1of the main body unit12a.

The bonded substrate W is transported to the outside of the processing container11by transport apparatus not illustrated on the drawings. Thereafter, if necessary, the procedure as described above can be repeated to continuously bond the substrate W1and the substrate W2.

This completes the explanation of the embodiments. However, the invention is not limited to the above description.

In the above described embodiments, when constituent elements are appropriately added, removed or changed in design, processes are added or omitted, or conditions are modified by a person skilled in the art, provided that the resulting configuration includes the characteristics of the invention, it falls within the scope of the invention. For example, the shape, dimensions, material, arrangement, number, and the like of each of the elements included in the bonding apparatus1are not limited to those described above, but can be changed as appropriate. Also, in the embodiments as described above, an example of a bonding apparatus that directly bonds two silicon wafers was described, but the invention can also be applied to a bonding apparatus that bonds a silicon wafer to a support substrate via an adhesive layer, a bonding apparatus that bonds substrates other than silicon wafers (such as glass substrates, for example), and the like.

Components included in the embodiments described previously may be combined to the extent possible and such combinations are also encompassed within the scope of the invention as long as they include the features of the invention.