Semiconductor processing device equipped with process chamber

A semiconductor processing device according to the present invention includes a process chamber having an inner space in which plasma is generated and a chuck unit disposed in the inner space and supporting a substrate processed by the plasma. The process chamber includes a first chamber portion and a second chamber portion that are opened from each other, and when the first chamber portion and the second chamber portion are closed together, the process chamber is provided with the inner space in which the plasma is generated. When the first chamber portion and the second chamber portion are opened from each other, the chuck unit is exposed to outside.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application NO. 10-2017-0041458, filed Mar. 31, 2017, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a semiconductor processing device equipped with a standardized process chamber having a vacuum chamber in which a semiconductor substrate such as a wafer is processed.

Description of the Related Art

A semiconductor processing device for a surface treatment for forming a fine pattern on the surface of a semiconductor wafer includes a photolithography device that forms a pattern designed on a mask, an etching device that removes a patterned thin film on the wafer, and a deposition device that deposits a pattern thin film on the wafer.

Even though the process steps are different, semiconductor processing devices have common features such as a chamber that processes wafers, a vacuum module that provides a vacuum in the chamber, a chuck module that supports the wafer loaded in the chamber, a frame module that supports the respective modules, a gas supply module that supplies gas into the vacuum chamber, and an energy source module that generates plasma or microwave which is energy for etching or deposition.

Such semiconductor processing devices have been developed by Tokyo Electron (TEL) in Japan, Lam Research Corporation (LRC) in the US, Applied Materials (AMT) in the US, and the like.

Each company's system has unique characteristics and a characteristic of a specific device is different from another device according to the process to be performed. Even if the same process is performed, the device has a different structure depending on the device manufacturer, and even devices of the same manufacturer are not standardized. If process technology advances from 20 nanometer process to 10 nanometer process, a completely new device is required to be introduced. Although Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International has created SEMI Standards, the entire semiconductor processing device is not yet standardized.

For example, when an additional semiconductor factory is built or a process technology is changed, an etching process chamber designed for an existing process is required to be modified extensively or a new etching process chamber is required to be introduced.

For example, even in the etching process, the compatibility between the etching device of a dielectric thin film and the etching device of a conductive thin film is very low.

On the other hand, in order to expose a chuck unit for maintenance thereof, all the modules connected to the chamber are removed and an operator repairs the chuck unit by inserting a tool from an upper side of the chamber.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the related art, and the present invention is intended to propose a semiconductor processing device equipped with a standardized process chamber.

The present invention is intended to propose a semiconductor processing device that has compatibility with a semiconductor processing device performing the same process or a similar process, and has scalability so that it can be easily modified to another processing device.

According to the present invention, as a module design concept for standardization is introduced, another process can be immediately performed by replacing only a few modules constituting a semiconductor processing device. For example, when the present invention is adapted to an etching device, an etching device for a dielectric film can be quickly modified to an etching device for a conductor.

According to the present invention, it is also possible to modify an etching device into a deposition device or easily modify the deposition device into various types of deposition devices according to a desired process.

Since the present invention adopts a standardized process chamber, speed and efficiency can be achieved in production, application, maintenance, repair, upgrading, etc. of the device, regardless of a difference of a manufacturer.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor processing device includes: a chuck unit supporting a substrate; and a process chamber in which the chuck unit is disposed, the process chamber having an inner space in which the substrate is processed.

The process chamber may be divided into a first chamber portion and a second chamber portion on the basis of a division surface. When the first chamber portion and the second chamber portion are closed together at the division surface, the inner space of the process chamber may be closed. When the first chamber portion and the second chamber portion are opened from each other, the inner space of the process chamber and the chuck unit may be exposed to outside.

When the first chamber portion and the second chamber portion are closed together at the division surface, the inner space of the process chamber may be closed. When the first chamber portion and the second chamber portion are opened from each other, the inner space of the process chamber and the chuck unit may be exposed to outside.

The process chamber may include: a substrate entrance provided at one side surface of the process chamber such that the substrate is moved through the substrate entrance; an upper opening portion provided at an upper end of the process chamber, the upper opening portion being connected to an upper unit that provides an energy for processing the substrate; and a lower opening portion provided at a lower end of the process chamber, the lower opening portion being covered with a lower unit which creates a vacuum in the inner space. The division surface may be disposed between any two of the substrate entrance, the upper opening portion, and the lower opening portion.

When defining a virtual three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, six faces of the process chamber may be closed along three axial directions and the division surface divides four of the six faces as the first chamber portion and the second chamber portion are closed together.

The division surface may cut the process chamber diagonally when the process chamber is viewed from a side.

The division surface may be configured to be inclined upward from one end of the lower opening portion to an opposite end of the upper opening portion, or to be inclined downward from one end of the upper opening portion to an opposite end of the lower opening portion.

A section between one end of the upper opening portion facing the substrate entrance and the substrate entrance may be defined as a first section. A section between one end of the lower opening portion facing the substrate entrance and the substrate entrance may be defined as a second section. A section between an opposite end of the upper opening portion and an opposite end of the lower opening portion may be defined as a third section. Then, the first chamber portion and the second chamber portion may be configured to be opened from each other on the basis of the imaginary line penetrating the inner space when viewed from the side. One end of the imaginary line may be formed at one section among the first section, the second section, and the third section. An opposite end of the imaginary line may be formed at remaining one of among the first section, the second section, and the third section.

The imaginary line may connect the first section to a lower side of the third section, or the second section to a upper side of the third section.

According to the present invention, a process chamber, which provides an inner space in which a substrate is processed, is realized by coupling two chamber portions. Therefore, when the two chambers are opened from each other, the inside of the process chamber is opened such that a chuck unit disposed in the inner space of the process chamber can be easily maintained.

According to the present invention, the process chamber has a structure in which a part of the chamber is detachable so as to open the inner space of the chamber without removing all the modules connected to the chamber. Therefore, when a part the chamber is slid or rotated, the inner space of the chamber is opened and the chuck unit is exposed to outside whereby the maintenance of the device is simple.

In addition, when only the chuck unit inside the process chamber is replaced, it is possible to modify the processing device to another processing device. A gas supply module, a vacuum module, and the like mounted in any one of the chamber portions is maintained, and the other chamber portion and a chuck unit attached thereto can be replaced to modify the processing device directly into a processing device having a different function.

With the gas supply module and the vacuum module left as they are, the entire process chamber can be easily replaced with another process chamber.

A first chamber portion with the vacuum module is fixed, and a second chamber portion and the chuck unit are replaced together or respectively such that the existing process chamber is easily modified into another processing device.

The present invention achieves standardization since it is possible to modify the processing device into another processing device by merely separating the first chamber portion and the second chamber portion instead of replacing the entire semiconductor processing device.

According to the present invention, since a hinge structure or a sliding structure is adopted when separating the two chamber portions, the two chamber portions can be accurately aligned. The process uniformity for the substrate disposed in the inner space of the process chamber can be improved and the wafer yield can be improved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinbelow, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In these drawings, the shapes and sizes of members may be exaggerated for explicit and convenient description. In addition, the terms particularly defined considering functions and operations of the present invention may vary according to intentions or practices of users or operators. Accordingly, the definitions of the terms will be given based on the content throughout the specification.

FIG. 1is a schematic front view showing a semiconductor processing device of the present invention.

The semiconductor processing device of the present invention includes a process chamber100and a chuck unit200.

The chuck unit200is disposed in an inner space109of the process chamber100. The chuck unit200supports a substrate processed by plasma.

The inner space109is provided with an upper opening portion111on an upper side thereof, the upper opening portion111covered by an upper unit400. The inner space109is provided with a lower opening portion121on a lower side thereof, the lower opening portion121covered by a lower unit500.

The upper unit400is provided with a plasma source, generating plasma in the inner space109. The plasma source is generated by a capacitively coupled plasma (CCP) type that is a parallel planar shaped plasma type, an inductive coupling plasma (ICP) type in which plasma is induced by an antenna410, and a helicon plasma type, and so on.

An energy for processing the substrate may be a plasma as an example and generated by the upper unit400. The energy generated by the upper unit400may be any energy such as ion beam and microwave, in addition to the plasma.

As an example, the semiconductor processing device ofFIG. 1may be provided with an ICP type of a plasma source. The plasma source may be provided with the antenna410.

When high frequency power is applied to the antenna410, the antenna410produces an electromagnetic field, which generates the plasma in the inner space109.

The upper unit400is provided with a cover plate490covering the upper opening portion111of the inner space109. The cover plate490is interposed between the antenna410and the inner space109. The cover plate490covering the upper opening portion111provides an upper wall of the inner space109in which the plasma is generated. The antenna410is disposed at outside, which is separated from the inner space109by the cover plate490. The cover plate490may include a dielectric substance such as quartz.

The antenna410rotates around a rotary shaft430that is perpendicular to the substrate. As an example, the upper unit400is provided with the rotary shaft430and a motor450for rotating the rotary shaft430perpendicular to the substrate. When the rotary shaft430is rotated by the motor450, the antenna410rotates about the fixed process chamber100.

The upper unit400is provided with a high frequency power supply470that generates the high frequency power applied to the antenna410.

An upper O-ring151having a closed-loop shape is interposed between the process chamber100and the upper unit400to maintain an airtightness of the inner space109.

The upper unit400can be separated from the upper opening portion111for maintenance of the process chamber100and the chuck unit200.

FIG. 2is a schematic view showing the process chamber100of the present invention.

Although the upper unit400is separated from the process chamber100, the chuck unit200remains inside the inner space109. Therefore, it is difficult to secure a sufficient work place for the maintenance of the chuck unit200and the inner space109.

According to the present invention, the process chamber100includes a first chamber portion110and a second chamber portion120, which are configured to be opened from each other, to secure the sufficient work place.

The first chamber portion110and the second chamber portion120are opened from each other or closed together along an imaginary plane or an imaginary line L crossing the inner space109. Therefore, the inner space109where the substrate is processed is formed as the first chamber portion110and the second chamber portion120are closed together. When the first chamber portion110and the second chamber portion120are opened from each other, the inner space109is opened such that the chuck unit200is exposed to outside. Therefore, when the first chamber portion110and the second chamber portion120are opened from each other, a sufficient work place for the maintenance of the inner space109and the chuck unit200is realized.

When the first chamber portion110and second chamber portion120are opened from each other, it is preferable that any one of the chamber portions is fixed and a remaining chamber portion is movable. This is because the process chamber100is connected to a transfer chamber300provided with a transfer robot310. Thus, in the case the second chamber portion120is connected to the transfer chamber300, it is preferable that the second chamber portion120is fixed and a separation thereof is determined by a movement of the first chamber portion110. At this point, the chuck unit200is connected to the first chamber portion110.

When the first chamber portion110and the second chamber portion120are opened from each other, the chuck unit200moves with the first chamber portion110. Accordingly, the chuck unit200is removed from the process chamber100.

A cutting plane of the process chamber100corresponding to a division surface125of the first chamber portion110and the second chamber portion120is configured not to cut a substrate entrance101, the upper opening portion111, and the lower opening portion121. This is because if the substrate entrance101, the upper opening portion111, the lower opening portion121are cut, it is difficult to maintain the airtightness of the inner space109when the first chamber portion110and the second chamber portion120are closed together. The cutting plane of the process chamber100is preferably determined to maintain the airtightness of the inner space109.

The first chamber portion110and the second chamber portion120are configured to be opened from each other on the basis of the imaginary line L dividing the inner space109when viewed from a side.

The imaginary line is a diagonal line extending from between an upper end of the substrate entrance101and the upper opening portion111to an opposite side surface of the inner space109. In detail, one end of the substrate entrance101of the imaginary line may be provided above the center of the chuck unit200, and an opposite end of the imaginary line may be provided below the center of the chuck unit200. According to the imaginary line, when the substrate entrance101is provided on the second chamber portion120, the process chamber100is cut without damages of the substrate entrance101, the upper opening portion111, and the lower opening portion121.

In addition, when the first chamber portion110moves with respect to the second chamber portion120in which a position thereof is fixed due to the substrate entrance101, the first chamber portion110provides an enough space for connecting the chuck unit200therewith. According to the present invention, half or more than half of the process chamber100or the inner space109provides the space for the first chamber portion110. Thus, the chuck unit200provided with various components is connected to the first chamber portion110easily. The chuck unit200is connected with a cooling pipe in which cooling water flows, a gas pipe in which heat conductive gas flows, a first wire through which direct current power flows, a second wire through which the high frequency power flows, and so on. The first chamber portion110and the chuck unit200are connected with each other by a pipe-shaped connecting portion170. The cooling pipe, the gas pipe, the first wire, the second wire, etc. are disposed inside the connecting portion170.

In related art, the connecting portion170is only a passage for reaching to the chuck unit200and a position of the connecting portion170is fixed whereby it is inevitable to put tools into the connecting portion170for the maintenance. However, the chuck unit200can be exposed to outside in the related art, whereby the chuck unit200can be repaired without passing through the connecting portion170. In addition, the connecting portion170can be moved by rotating or sliding the first chamber portion110such that the maintenance is facilitated at a position that can be easily accessed by a worker.

The second chamber portion120is fixed with respect to the transfer robot310. The first chamber portion110is configured to be movable with respect to the second chamber portion120. As the first chamber portion110moves and then is closed to the second chamber portion120, the chuck unit200connected to the first chamber portion110is arranged on a predetermined position with respect to the upper unit400or the substrate entrance101.

Meanwhile, the predetermined position of the chuck unit200with respect to the upper unit400or the substrate entrance101may deviate from the initial predetermined position when the first chamber portion110and the second chamber portion120are closed together. If the predetermined position deviates, it is hard to perform a plasma process (etching, washing, deposition) on the substrate uniformly.

It is required to arrange the first chamber portion110and the second chamber portion120mutually to dispose the position of the chuck unit200to the initial predetermined position. As a length or an area of the division surface125is longer or larger when two opened components are closed together, the two components are arranged more accurately. According to the present invention, the imaginary line L corresponding to the division surface125between the first chamber portion110and the second chamber portion120is configured to be a diagonal line. As the length of the imaginary line L becomes maximized, the alignment accuracy between the first chamber portion110and the second chamber portion120is improved when coupled and the chuck unit200can be disposed at the initial predetermined position.

When the first chamber portion110and the second chamber portion120are opened from each other, an inner periphery of the division surface125defines a closed curve. The closed curve may be a circle or an ellipse. In addition, an airtight means closing the clearance of the division surface125may be configured as a circle ring or an elliptic ring. A chamber O-ring153is an example of the airtight means interposed between the first chamber portion110and the second chamber portion120.

FIG. 3is a schematic side view showing the semiconductor processing device of the present invention.

The lower unit500covering the lower opening portion121of the inner space109creates a vacuum in the inner space109of the process chamber100. The lower unit500is provided with a discharging portion discharging gas inside the inner space109to outside.

As an example, the discharging portion is provided with a pump530pumping the gas inside the inner space109to discharge to outside and an exhaust valve520interposed between the pump530and the inner space109and opening and closing a gas pipe. A connection pipe510is interposed between the exhaust valve520and the inner space109. The connection pipe510is provided with a discharge port509for gas.

The transfer chamber300is provided at a side of the process chamber100. The transfer chamber300is provided with the transfer robot310transferring the substrate. A gate valve330is interposed between the process chamber100and the transfer chamber300, the gate valve330opening and closing the substrate entrance101of the inner space109.

The chuck unit200is provided with an elevating pin210, a cooling pipe220, and a heat conductive gas pipe250. The elevating pin210raises the substrate. When the substrate is supported by the elevating pin210, the transfer robot310moves to the transfer chamber300.

A coolant flowing in the cooling pipe220cools the chuck unit200heated by the plasma process. The heat conductive gas pipe250supplies a heat conductive gas such as helium between one surface of the chuck unit200and the substrate.

The chuck unit200is provided with a direct current electrode230applying a direct current power or a high frequency electrode240applying a high frequency power. The direct current electrode230induces an attractive force to attract the substrate toward the chuck unit200. The high frequency electrode240induces the plasma in the inner space109.

Since the chuck unit200has a complicated structure provided with the elevating pin210, the cooling pipe220, the heat conductive gas pipe250, the direct current electrode230, the high frequency electrode240, and so on, maintenance of the chuck unit200is obligatorily.

According to the present invention, the inner space109where the chuck unit200is disposed is split in multiple numbers, maintenance of the chuck unit200is easily facilitated.

FIG. 4is a perspective view showing the process chamber100of the present invention, andFIG. 5is another perspective view showing the process chamber100of the present invention.

The first chamber portion110is configured to move linearly or rotate with respect to the second chamber portion120.

As an example, a hinge portion130is provided to connect the first chamber portion110and the second chamber portion120together. The hinge portion130includes a first hinge means131, a second hinge means132, and a rotary shaft133. An end of the first hinge means131connects to the first chamber portion110and an end of the second hinge means132connects to the second chamber portion120.

The rotary shaft133connects another end of the first hinge means131to another end of the second hinge means132, and becomes a central axis of the first hinge means131and the second hinge means132. The first chamber portion110and the second chamber portion120connected with each hinge means rotate about the rotary shaft133as the central axis.

The first chamber portion110rotates within a predetermined angle range to easily facilitate the maintenance of the chuck unit200moving with the first chamber portion110.

As an example, the first chamber portion110rotates within an angle range in which a supporting surface of the chuck unit200for the substrate faces a side surface of the process chamber100as shown inFIG. 5. The supporting surface of the chuck unit200for the substrate may correspond to an upper surface of the chuck unit200when the chuck unit200is disposed inside the inner space109.

It is preferable that the supporting surface of the chuck unit200is maintained at an angle of 80 to 80 degrees based on the ground surface, for ease of the operation. Therefore, it is preferable that a maximum rotation angle range of the first chamber portion110is also determined within the range of 80 to 90 degrees.

The inner space109is required to maintain the airtightness thereof when the first chamber portion110and the second chamber portion120are closed together. Thus, it is important how the process chamber100is cut to form the first chamber portion110and the second chamber portion120for maintaining the airtightness of the inner space109.

The upper O-ring151is interposed between the first chamber portion110and the upper unit400, the upper O-ring151having the closed-loop shape and closing the upper opening portion111. The upper O-ring151is an important component to close the upper opening portion111of the inner space109, so the upper O-ring151should not be cut. Therefore, the upper O-ring151preferably maintains the original closed-loop shape thereof. A lower O-ring152is also an important component to isolate the lower opening portion121of the inner space109from outside, so the closed-loop shape is preferable.

Assuming the imaginary line L crossing between the upper O-ring151and the lower O-ring152, the first chamber portion110and the second chamber portion120are configured to separate from each other on the basis of the imaginary line L when viewed from the side. As shown inFIG. 2, when the first chamber portion110and the second chamber portion120are opened from each other along the imaginary line L crossing between the upper O-ring151and the lower O-ring152, the upper O-ring151and the lower O-ring152can be maintained intact.

Meanwhile, the inner space109may be configured with the substrate entrance101at one side surface thereof, the inner space109through which the transfer robot310carrying the substrate moves. Here, if the substrate entrance101is divided into a plurality of parts, it may become difficult to maintain the airtightness. Therefore, the substrate entrance101is also preferably maintained intact without regard to the separation of the first chamber portion110and the second chamber portion120.

FIG. 6is a schematic view showing a cutting line of the process chamber100.

In the process chamber100, a section between one end of the upper opening portion111facing the substrate entrance101and the substrate entrance101is defined as a first section {circle around (1)}.

In the process chamber100, a section between one end of the lower opening portion121facing the substrate entrance101and the substrate entrance101is defined as a second section {circle around (2)}.

In the process chamber100, a section between an opposite end of the upper opening portion111and an opposite end of the lower opening portion121is defined as a third section {circle around (3)}.

The first chamber portion110and the second chamber portion120are configured to be opened from each other on the basis of the imaginary line L penetrating the inner space109when viewed from the side.

As an example, one end of the imaginary line L may be formed at one section among the first section {circle around (1)}, the second section {circle around (2)}, and the third section {circle around (3)}. An opposite end of the imaginary line L may be formed at a remaining one of among the first section {circle around (1)}, the second section {circle around (2)}, and the third section {circle around (3)}.

According to the embodiment, the imaginary line L is configured to avoid the upper O-ring151closing the upper opening portion111, the lower O-ring152closing the lower opening portion121, and the substrate entrance101. Thus, the upper O-ring151, the lower O-ring152, and the substrate entrance101can be maintained intact. The chamber O-ring153interposed between the first chamber portion110and the second chamber portion120ensures the airtightness of the inner space109.

When the first chamber portion110and the second chamber portion120are closed together, the longer imaginary line L is preferable for the alignment of the chuck unit200. The imaginary line L may be configured as a curve to increase the length thereof.

The imaginary line L preferably crosses between the first section {circle around (1)} and a lower portion of the third section {circle around (3)}, or between the second section {circle around (2)} and an upper portion of the third section {circle around (3)} to increase the length thereof. The lower portion of the third section {circle around (3)} may be lower than the center of the third section {circle around (3)} in the direction of gravity. The upper portion of the third section {circle around (3)} may be above the center of the third section {circle around (3)} in the direction of gravity.

Based on the imaginary line L, the upper portion of the process chamber100may serve as the first chamber portion110, and the lower portion of the process chamber100may serve as the second chamber portion120.

FIG. 7is a schematic view showing opening portions provided on the process chamber100.

According to the present invention, the inner space109in the process chamber100is provided with four opening portions. An opening portion connected to an outer pipe to make the inner space109vacuum, and the like are excluded.

The four opening portions includes the substrate entrance101, the upper opening portion111, and the lower opening portion121. A remaining one opening portion may include a chamber opening portion141provided on the division surface125of the first chamber portion110and the second chamber portion120. The chamber opening portion141corresponds to the cutting plane of the inner space109.

The chamber opening portion141may be configured to maintain the upper O-ring151, the lower O-ring152, and the substrate entrance101intact without regard to the separation and coupling of the first chamber portion110and the second chamber portion120.

As an example, one end of the chamber opening portion141may be formed at one section among the first section {circle around (1)}, the second section {circle around (2)}, and the third section {circle around (3)}. An opposite end of the chamber opening portion141may be formed at a remaining one of among the first section {circle around (1)}, the second section {circle around (2)}, and the third section {circle around (3)}.

The chamber opening portion141according to the present embodiment is configured to avoid the upper O-ring151, the lower O-ring152, and the substrate entrance101whereby the airtightness of the inner space109is ensured when the first chamber portion110and the second chamber portion120are closed together.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible. It is thus well known to those skilled in that art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment disclosed in the detailed description, and the patent right of the present invention should be defined by the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.