Substrate processing apparatus and substrate processing method using the same

Provided are a substrate processing apparatus and a substrate processing method using the same and, more particularly, a substrate processing apparatus capable of controlling deposition of a reactive-metal-containing precursor in an exhaust line, and a substrate processing method using the same.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0169968, filed on Dec. 13, 2016, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a substrate processing apparatus and a substrate processing method using the same and, more particularly, to a substrate processing apparatus capable of controlling deposition of a reactive-metal-containing precursor in an exhaust line, and a substrate processing method using the same.

2. Description of the Related Technology

In a semiconductor device manufacturing process, a thin film is generally deposited using a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process or a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process.

A deposition method having excellent step coverage characteristics is required due to increased integration of a semiconductor device, but the CVD and PVD processes do not easily satisfy the requirement. As such, an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process has been proposed as an alternative to the CVD and PVD processes.

However, in the ALD process, a source gas, e.g., a first process gas including a reactive-metal-containing precursor, is deposited in an exhaust line while the source gas is being purged and/or pumped and thus problems such as pump overload and frequent replacement of a pump line are caused.

Therefore, a technical solution for solving problems due to deposition of a source gas in an exhaust line in an ALD process, e.g., pump overload and frequent replacement of a pump line, is necessary.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a substrate processing apparatus capable of solving problems due to deposition of a first process gas including a reactive-metal-containing precursor, in an exhaust line, and a substrate processing method using the same.

However, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a substrate processing apparatus.

The substrate processing apparatus may include a process chamber in which a process space is provided and including a susceptor on which at least one substrate is placed, a process gas sprayer for providing a first process gas including a reactive-metal-containing precursor and a second process gas including a reactive gas reacting with the first process gas, onto the substrate, an exhauster including one or more exhaust lines connected to exhaust pumps provided outside the process chamber to discharge the first and second process gases remaining in the process chamber, and a reaction gas generator for supplying the second process gas to the process gas sprayer and supplying the second process gas to at least one of the one or more exhaust lines to prevent deposition of the first process gas in the one or more exhaust lines.

The susceptor may be configured such that a plurality of substrates are placed on the susceptor and may rotate relatively to the process gas sprayer, the process gas sprayer may be configured as a process gas sprayer assembly including a first process gas sprayer for providing the first process gas onto the plurality of substrates and a second process gas sprayer for providing the second process gas, the exhauster may include a first exhaust line provided below a first process gas spray area and connected to a first exhaust pump provided outside the process chamber to discharge the first process gas, and a second exhaust line provided below a second process gas spray area and connected to a second exhaust pump provided outside the process chamber to discharge the second process gas, and the reaction gas generator may supply the second process gas to the second process gas sprayer and supply the second process gas to the first exhaust line to prevent deposition of the first process gas in the first exhaust line.

For example, the first process gas may include any gas selected from the group consisting of hafnium (Hf), zirconium (Zr), titanium (Ti), and tantalum (Ta).

For example, the second process gas may include ozone (O3) gas.

The reaction gas generator may include, for example, a first supply line for supplying the second process gas to the process gas sprayer, and a second supply line for supplying the second process gas to the exhaust lines.

The reaction gas generator may include, for example, a first reaction gas generator for supplying the second process gas to the process gas sprayer, and a second reaction gas generator for supplying the second process gas to the exhaust lines.

The substrate processing apparatus may further include a controller for controlling a supply condition including a time and content for providing the second process gas supplied from the reaction gas generator, into the exhaust lines, based on a process condition.

The substrate processing method may use the above-described substrate processing apparatus and include the steps of: depositing a thin film using the first process gas including a reactive-metal-containing precursor and the second process gas, and supplying the second process gas to at least one of the exhaust lines of the substrate processing apparatus.

The depositing of the thin film may include stabilizing a process condition, and the supplying of the second process gas may include supplying the second process gas to at least one of the exhaust lines during the stabilizing of the process condition.

The depositing of the thin film may include at least one unit cycle including a first operation for providing the first process gas onto the substrate, and a second operation for providing the second process gas onto the substrate.

For example, the unit cycle may further include a purging and/or pumping operation for removing the first and second process gases remaining in the process chamber, and the supplying of the second process gas may include supplying the second process gas to at least one of the exhaust lines during the purging and/or pumping operation.

The supplying of the second process gas may be performed in an operation other than the depositing of the thin film.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by explaining embodiments of the invention with reference to the attached drawings.

It will be understood that when an element, such as a layer, a region, or a substrate, is referred to as being “on” another element, it may be directly on the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there are no intervening elements present. For example, when a thin film is referred to as being deposited “on” a substrate, a base layer may be or may not be present between the substrate and the thin film.

Embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to cross-section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the invention. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments of the invention should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. In the drawings, the thicknesses or sizes of layers may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of explanation, and like reference numerals denote like elements.

FIG. 1is a cross-sectional diagram of a substrate processing apparatus1according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the substrate processing apparatus1according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a process chamber100having a process space therein and including a susceptor101configured to place at least one substrate102thereon, a process gas sprayer200for providing a first process gas201including a reactive-metal-containing precursor and a second process gas202including a reactive gas reacting with the first process gas201, onto the substrate102, an exhauster300including one or more exhaust lines302connected to exhaust pumps301provided outside the process chamber100to discharge the first and second process gases201and202remaining in the process chamber100, and a reaction gas generator400for supplying the second process gas202to the process gas sprayer200and supplying the second process gas202to at least one of the exhaust lines302to prevent deposition of the first process gas201in the exhaust lines302.

The process gas sprayer200may have a structure in which the above-described first and second process gases201and202are provided onto the substrate102from a single shower head, or have a structure in which the first and second process gases201and202are provided from a first process gas sprayer200aand a second process gas sprayer200bonto the substrate102as illustrated inFIG. 2. It should be understood that the process gas sprayer200illustrated inFIG. 1includes both of the two structures.

Although the exhauster300of the substrate processing apparatus1includes two exhaust lines302and two exhaust pumps301inFIG. 1, the exhaust lines302and the exhaust pumps301included in the exhauster300may vary based on a process condition and it should be understood that the substrate processing apparatus1ofFIG. 1includes all structures including one or more exhaust lines302and one or more exhaust pumps301.

In addition, although the substrate processing apparatus1illustrated inFIG. 1includes one reaction gas generator400, the reaction gas generator400according to the present invention may be configured as a first reaction gas generator or may include first and second reaction gas generators, and thus it should be understood that the substrate processing apparatus1illustrated inFIG. 1includes both of the two structures.

The substrate processing apparatus1configured as illustrated inFIG. 1may effectively prevent deposition of the first process gas201in the exhaust lines302for discharging the first process gas201remaining in the process chamber100. As such, ultimately, pump overload may be prevented and process restrictions due to frequent replacement of a pump line may be solved.

The substrate processing apparatus1according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the process chamber100. The process chamber100serves as a reactor in which reaction occurs, and includes the susceptor101configured to place the substrate102thereon.

The susceptor101may serve as a table for stably supporting the substrate102during a substrate deposition process. In addition, the susceptor101may include a heater therein or thereunder to serve as a thermostat for depositing a thin film on the substrate102to an appropriate thickness.

The first process gas201including a reactive-metal-containing precursor and the second process gas202reacting with the first process gas201to deposit a thin film are provided onto the substrate102. Thus, the substrate102is not limited to any particular type and the substrate processing apparatus1may use a variety of well-known substrates without restriction in the present invention.

For example, the substrate102may be a stepped structure including a via, hole, or trench structure, but is not limited thereto.

The susceptor101and the substrate102may be included in, for example, a substrate supporter, and one or more susceptors101and one or more substrates102may be included in the substrate supporter.

Particularly, since the substrate processing apparatus1according to the present invention is applicable to both of time-division and space-division deposition methods, one substrate102or a plurality of substrates102may be provided in the process chamber100.

For example, one substrate102may be provided on the susceptor101and, in this case, the substrate processing apparatus1may be used for a time-division deposition method or a space-division deposition method.

As another example, a plurality of substrates102may be provided on the susceptor101and, in this case, the susceptor101and the substrate102may be located in a predetermined area on the substrate supporter including the susceptor101.

Specifically, the substrate supporter may be equally divided into sub areas and the susceptor101and the substrate102placed on the susceptor101may be present in each area.

Here, a deposition method using the deposition apparatus illustrated inFIG. 2, e.g., a space-division deposition method for depositing a thin film on the substrates102based on relative rotation between the susceptor101and the process gas sprayer200for providing the first and second process gases201and202onto the substrates102, may be employed.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the process chamber100may have a structure capable of blocking entering of external air due to a bottom part103, an outer wall104, and a top plate105.

Therefore, a thin film deposition process in the process chamber100may be performed in a thin film deposition space between the process gas sprayer200located near the top plate105, and the substrate102.

A substrate transfer slot (not shown) through which the substrate102is loaded or unloaded may be provided in the outer wall104.

The exhaust lines302and the exhaust pumps301for discharging the first and second process gases201and202remaining in the process chamber100may be located under the bottom part103.

The substrate processing apparatus1ofFIG. 1according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the process gas sprayer200. The process gas sprayer200provides the first process gas201including a reactive-metal-containing precursor and the second process gas202including a reactive gas, onto the substrate102.

The process gas sprayer200serves to provide process gases for depositing a thin film on the substrate102, e.g., a source gas such as the first process gas201including a reactive-metal-containing precursor and a reaction gas such as the second process gas202, and may be located near the top plate105of the process chamber100to supply the gases into the process chamber100.

The first process gas201including a reactive-metal-containing precursor may refer to a gas capable of depositing an atomic layer or a thin film of a predetermined thickness on the substrate102through reaction with a reaction gas such as the second process gas202.

For example, the first process gas201including a reactive-metal-containing precursor may include any gas selected from the group consisting of hafnium (Hf), zirconium (Zr), titanium (Ti), and tantalum (Ta), but is not limited thereto.

The second process gas202may refer to a gas capable of depositing an atomic layer or a thin film on the substrate102through reaction with the above-described first process gas201, and may be, for example, ozone (O3) gas.

The process gas sprayer200may provide a purge gas for purging the first and second process gases201and202remaining in the process chamber100.

The purge gas may be an inert gas having no reactivity with the first and second process gases201and202, e.g., nitrogen (N) or argon (Ar) gas.

The process gas sprayer200may have a single shower head structure configured as only, for example, a first process gas sprayer. In this case, a first process gas supply line and a second process gas supply line may be connected to the first process gas sprayer.

Alternatively, as illustrated inFIG. 2, the process gas sprayer200may include the first and second process gas sprayers200aand200b.In this case, a first process gas supply line201amay be connected to the first process gas sprayer200aand a second process gas supply line202amay be connected to the second process gas sprayer200bin such a manner that the first and second process gases201and202are provided into the first and second process gas sprayers200aand200b,respectively.

Referring back toFIG. 1, the substrate processing apparatus1includes the exhauster300. The exhauster300includes the exhaust lines302connected to the exhaust pumps301provided outside the process chamber100.

The exhaust lines302may be connected to the process chamber100to discharge the first and second process gases201and202remaining in the process chamber100.

The exhauster300may include, for example, one or more exhaust lines302and one or more exhaust pumps301to discharge the first and second process gases201and202through the exhaust lines302at the same time or at different times. In this case, the reaction gas generator400to be described below may supply the second process gas202to the one or more exhaust lines302to prevent deposition of the first process gas201in the exhaust lines302.

Alternatively, as illustrated inFIG. 2, the exhauster300may include a first exhaust line302aand a second exhaust line302b.At this time, the first process gas201remaining in the process chamber100may be discharged through the first exhaust line302a,and the second process gas202may be discharged through the second exhaust line302b.In this case, the reaction gas generator400to be described below may supply the second process gas202to the first exhaust line302ato prevent deposition of the first process gas201in the first exhaust line302a.

Referring back toFIG. 1, the substrate processing apparatus1according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the reaction gas generator400. The reaction gas generator400supplies the second process gas202to the process gas sprayer200, and provides the second process gas202to the exhaust lines302to prevent deposition of the first process gas201in the exhaust lines302. As described above, by supplying the second process gas202generated by the reaction gas generator400, to the exhaust lines302, deposition of the first process gas201including a reactive-metal-containing precursor, in the exhaust lines302may be effectively suppressed.

In the above description, the expression ┌deposition of the first process gas201including a reactive-metal-containing precursor, in the exhaust lines302┘ means that a reactive-metal-containing precursor and a foreign substance including the same are generated to a predetermined thickness in the exhaust lines302. For example, when the exhaust lines302have a cylindrical shape, the above expression means that a reactive-metal-containing precursor and a foreign substance including the same are generated on inner circumferential surfaces of the cylindrical exhaust lines302to reduce inner diameters of the exhaust lines302.

The reaction gas generator400may be configured as one reaction gas generator or may include two or more reaction gas generators.

Specifically, when the substrate processing apparatus1includes the first and second reaction gas generators, the first reaction gas generator may supply the second process gas202to the process gas sprayer200, and the second reaction gas generator may supply the second process gas202to the exhaust lines302.

That is, the reaction gas generator400may include, for example, the first reaction gas generator for supplying the second process gas202to the process gas sprayer200, and the second reaction gas generator for supplying the second process gas202to the exhaust lines302.

As described above, when the substrate processing apparatus1includes at least two reaction gas generators, the second process gas202may be continuously supplied to the exhaust lines302irrespective of a process condition. As such, deposition of the first process gas201in the exhaust lines302may be more effectively controlled.

As another example, when the substrate processing apparatus1includes only the first reaction gas generator, the reaction gas generator400may supply the second process gas202to the process gas sprayer200through a first supply line, and supply the second process gas202to the exhaust lines302through a second supply line.

That is, the reaction gas generator400may include, for example, the first supply line for supplying the second process gas202to the process gas sprayer200, and the second supply line for supplying the second process gas202to the exhaust lines302.

The substrate processing apparatus1according to an embodiment of the present invention is applicable to both of space-division and time-division deposition processes, and the space-division substrate processing apparatus1illustrated inFIG. 2will now be described in detail.

FIG. 2illustrates the space-division substrate processing apparatus1as an example of the substrate processing apparatus1ofFIG. 1.

Specifically, referring toFIG. 2, the substrate processing apparatus1according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the process chamber100including the susceptor101configured to place a plurality of substrates102thereon, the process gas sprayer200rotating relatively to the susceptor101and configured as a process gas sprayer assembly203including the first process gas sprayer200afor providing the first process gas201onto the plurality of substrates102and the second process gas sprayer200bfor providing the second process gas202, the exhauster300including the first exhaust line302aprovided below a first process gas spray area and connected to a first exhaust pump301aprovided outside the process chamber100to discharge the first process gas201, and the second exhaust line302bprovided below a second process gas spray area and connected to a second exhaust pump301bprovided outside the process chamber100to discharge the second process gas202, and the reaction gas generator400for supplying the second process gas202to the second process gas sprayer200band supplying the second process gas202to the first exhaust line302ato prevent deposition of the first process gas201in the first exhaust line302a.

The space-division substrate processing apparatus1illustrated inFIG. 2may deposit a thin film on the substrates102based on relative rotation between the process gas sprayer200and the susceptor101having the plurality of substrates102placed thereon.

In the above description, the term ┌relative rotation┘ means that at least one of the susceptor101and the process gas sprayer200rotates relatively to the other in such a manner that the first and second process gases201and202sprayed from the process gas sprayer200are sequentially or simultaneously provided onto any one of the plurality of substrates102placed on the susceptor101.

Specifically, relative rotation between the susceptor101and the process gas sprayer200means that the substrate supporter including the susceptor101or the process gas sprayer200rotates in such a manner that the first process gas201, the purge gas, the second process gas202, and the purge gas are sequentially provided onto any one of the plurality of substrates102placed on the susceptor101.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the process gas sprayer200of the space-division substrate processing apparatus1is configured as the process gas sprayer assembly203, and the process gas sprayer assembly203includes at least two shower heads.

Specifically, the process gas sprayer assembly203includes the first process gas sprayer200arotating relatively to the susceptor101to provide the first process gas201onto the plurality of substrates102, and the second process gas sprayer200bfor providing the second process gas202.

The first and second process gas sprayers200aand200bmay be, for example, radially provided along a circumferential direction of the process gas sprayer200, and a purge gas sprayer (not shown) for providing the purge gas may be located between the first and second process gas sprayers200aand200b.The process gas sprayer200may further include a central purge gas supplier200cat a center part thereof.

As described above, when the process gas sprayer200is configured as the process gas sprayer assembly203including the first and second process gas sprayers200aand200b,the first process gas supply line201amay be connected to the first process gas sprayer200aand the second process gas supply line202amay be connected to the second process gas sprayer200bin such a manner that the first and second process gases201and202are provided into the first and second process gas sprayers200aand200b,respectively.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the exhauster300of the space-division substrate processing apparatus1includes the first and second exhaust lines302aand302b.The first and second exhaust lines302aand302bare located below the first and second process gas spray areas to discharge the first and second process gases201and202remaining in the process chamber100, respectively. In this case, the reaction gas generator400may supply the second process gas202to the first exhaust line302aand the second process gas sprayer200b.As such, the second process gas202for depositing a thin film on the substrates102may be provided into the process chamber100, and deposition of the first process gas201in the first exhaust line302amay be effectively prevented.

The space-division substrate processing apparatus1according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the first and second reaction gas generators, or include only the first reaction gas generator, and a method of supplying the second process gas202to the process gas sprayer200and the exhaust lines302is as described above.

In the substrate processing apparatus1according to an embodiment of the present invention, a time, order, etc. for supplying the second process gas202to the exhaust lines302may vary based on a deposition method, e.g., a time-division or space-division deposition method, and the number of reaction gas generators400.

In other words, when the reaction gas generator400is configured as the first reaction gas generator, since the second process gas202is supplied from a single reaction gas generator to the process gas sprayer200and to the exhaust lines302, a stabilization method for preventing non-uniform deposition of a thin film due to reduction in stability of a supply flow rate is required.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, the substrate processing apparatus1according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a controller500for controlling a supply condition including a time and content for providing the second process gas202generated by the reaction gas generator400, into the exhaust lines302, based on a process condition.

As described above, since a time, content, order, etc. for supplying the second process gas202to the exhaust lines302may vary based on a process condition included in the substrate processing apparatus1according to an embodiment of the present invention, the controller500may control the same to effectively achieve the goal of the substrate processing apparatus1according to an embodiment of the present invention.

That is, the controller500may set an overall operation process of the substrate processing apparatus1including the exhaust lines302for discharging the first process gas201using a pre-programmed device.

Specifically, for example, the controller500may perform a process for controlling a supply condition including a time and content for providing the second process gas202generated by the reaction gas generator400, into the exhaust lines302, based on a process condition such as a time-division deposition process or a space-division deposition process, or the number of reaction gas generators400.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, due to the above-described configuration of the substrate processing apparatus1, deposition of the first process gas201including a reactive-metal-containing precursor, in the exhaust lines302may be suppressed.

The substrate processing apparatus1according to an embodiment of the present invention may be a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) apparatus or an apparatus used for atomic layer deposition (ALD).

In addition, the substrate processing apparatus1according to an embodiment of the present invention is applicable to both of time-division and space-division substrate processing methods.

In this specification, the term ┌time-division┘ refers to a method of inducing deposition on a substrate by controlling a supplying, purging, and/or pumping process of a source gas and a reaction gas in a time series manner as shown inFIG. 4.

The term ┌space-division┘ refers to a method of supplying a first process gas, a second process gas, and a purge gas as soon as a thin film deposition process is started, and performing the deposition process while moving a substrate placed on a susceptor, as shown inFIG. 5.

In the space-division deposition method, for example, a source gas supply area and a reaction gas supply area may be divided in a process chamber using a space-division purge gas and, at the same time, a source gas and a reaction gas may be deposited while moving a substrate. As another example, a deposition process using first and second process gases and a purging process using a purge gas are performed while a susceptor having a plurality of substrates placed thereon rotates relatively to a process gas sprayer due to acceleration of a substrate supporter.

A substrate processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention uses the substrate processing apparatus1and includes depositing a thin film using the first process gas201including a reactive-metal-containing precursor, and the second process gas202, and supplying the second process gas202to at least one of the exhaust lines302of the substrate processing apparatus1.

Specifically, the substrate processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention uses the above-described substrate processing apparatus1and includes supplying the second process gas202to the exhaust lines302of the substrate processing apparatus1, thereby controlling deposition of the first process gas201in the exhaust lines302.

The substrate processing method may further include stabilizing a process condition, before the depositing of the thin film.

The stabilizing of the process condition includes, for example, stabilizing flow rates, speeds, or pressures of the first and second process gases201and202or stabilizing temperature of the substrate102before the depositing of the thin film is started, thereby achieving process stability, e.g., uniform thickness of the thin film deposited on the substrate102and stable deposition of the thin film.

After the stabilizing of the process condition, the depositing of the thin film may be performed as a main process. The depositing of the thin film includes depositing the thin film using the first and second process gases201and202. In an embodiment of the present invention, the supplying of the second process gas202to at least one of the exhaust lines302may include supplying the second process gas202to at least one of the exhaust lines302during the stabilizing of the process condition.

The substrate processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention may be a CVD or ALD method and, more particularly, an ALD method.

Accordingly, the depositing of the thin film may include, for example, at least one unit cycle including a first operation for providing the first process gas201including a reactive-metal-containing precursor, onto the substrate102, and a second operation for providing the second process gas202onto the substrate102. The unit cycle may be repeatedly performed, for example, until the thin film is deposited to a desired thickness.

The first operation may be performed by providing the first process gas201from the process gas sprayer200onto the substrate102, and the second operation may be performed by providing the second process gas202from the process gas sprayer200onto the substrate102.

The unit cycle may further include a purging and/or pumping operation for removing the first and second process gases201and202remaining in the process chamber100.

A time or the number of times for performing the purging and/or pumping operation may vary based on a thin film deposition method, e.g., a space-division deposition method or a time-division deposition method.

For example, the purging and/or pumping operation may be performed simultaneously with the first operation, between the first and second operations, or after the second operation of the depositing of the thin film.

Specifically, for example, the purging and/or pumping operation may include a first purging and/or pumping operation for removing the first process gas201remaining in the process chamber100after the first operation and before the second operation, and a second purging and/or pumping operation for removing the second process gas202remaining in the process chamber100after the second operation.

As another example, the purging and/or pumping operation may be performed simultaneously with the first operation and continued until the thin film is completely deposited.

In addition, the purging and/or pumping operation may be performed to remove the first and second process gases201and202remaining in the process chamber100after the thin film is completely deposited and thus supply of the first and second process gases201and202is stopped.

The purging and/or pumping operation may be performed by the purge gas sprayer and the exhaust pumps301of the substrate processing apparatus1.

In an embodiment of the present invention, for time-division ALD, the supplying of the second process gas202to the exhaust lines302may be performed during the purging and/or pumping operation.

The substrate processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention may be an ALD method using plasma.

Accordingly, the unit cycle may further include a third operation for generating plasma of the second process gas202.

For example, the unit cycle may further include the third operation for generating plasma of the second process gas202, and the third operation may be performed simultaneously with or sequentially to the second operation. In this case, the generated plasma may be pulsed plasma or direct plasma.

In the above description, the term ┌pulsed plasma┘ refers to a plasma implementation method for repeatedly applying sub pulse power with a pause during the third operation for generating plasma, and the term ┌direct plasma┘ refers to a plasma implementation method for applying the plasma without a pause during the third operation for generating plasma. The plasma may be generated by, for example, a plasma generating apparatus, and the configuration and structure of the plasma generating apparatus are disclosed in KR 2016-0062487, etc. The plasma generating apparatus may be, for example, provided inside or outside the process chamber100or combined with the process chamber100. For example, the plasma generating apparatus may be provided together with a reaction gas supplier for supplying a reaction gas.

The depositing of the thin film may be performed based on a space-division or time-division deposition method, and a time, etc. for supplying the second process gas202to the exhaust lines302may vary based on the thin film deposition method.

For example, the supplying of the second process gas202may be performed in an operation other than the depositing of the thin film.

For example, the depositing of the thin film may be performed based on the space-division deposition method and, when the reaction gas generator400of the substrate processing apparatus1is configured as the first reaction gas generator, the supplying of the second process gas202may be performed in an operation other than the depositing of the thin film.

Specifically, when the space-division substrate processing apparatus1including only the first reaction gas generator is used, the supplying of the second process gas202to the exhaust lines302and, more particularly, the first exhaust line302amay be performed in an operation other than the depositing of the thin film, for example, in the stabilizing of the process condition or loading or unloading of the substrate102.

As described above, the time for supplying the second process gas202to the exhaust lines302is controlled to prevent non-uniform supply of the second process gas202into the process chamber100and non-uniform deposition of a thin film due to unstable providing of the second process gas202supplied from the first reaction gas generator separately to the first exhaust line302aand the second process gas sprayer200b.The time for supplying the second process gas202to the exhaust lines302may be controlled by, for example, the controller of the substrate processing apparatus1.

When the reaction gas generator400includes at least two reaction gas generators400, the supplying of the second process gas202to the exhaust lines302may be continuously performed during the other operations. In this case, as described above, the first reaction gas generator may supply the second process gas202to the first exhaust line302athrough the first supply line, and the second reaction gas generator may supply the second process gas202to the second process gas sprayer200bthrough the second supply line.

In the time-division substrate processing method, the supplying of the second process gas202to the exhaust lines302may be continuously performed during each process because unstable supply of the second process gas202into the process chamber100and non-uniform thickness of the thin film may be caused in the time-division method for supplying the second process gas202from one reaction gas generator400separately to two or more parts.

That is, when the depositing of the thin film is performed based on the time-division deposition method, the supplying of the second process gas202to the exhaust lines302of the substrate processing apparatus1may be continuously performed during the above operations. In this case, the substrate processing apparatus1may include at least two reaction gas generators400.

A substrate processing apparatus and a substrate processing method using the same according to an embodiment of the present invention may effectively prevent deposition of a first process gas including a reactive-metal-containing precursor, in an exhaust line for discharging the first process gas. As such, ultimately, problems due to a closed exhaust line, e.g., pump overload and frequent replacement of a pump line, may be prevented.

However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above effects.