Flow path assembly and valve device

A flow path assembly incorporating functional components, such as orifices and filters, is provided in which gaps between the functional components and the flow path components defining the flow path are sealed for an extended period of time. An annular elastic member interposed between the flow path members is provided outside the opposing surfaces of the flow path members, the flow path member has a caulking portion, the caulking portion integrates the flow path members and the plate-like member, exerts a force on the flow path member such that one of the opposing surfaces faces the other of the opposing surfaces, seals the gaps between the orifice plate and the opposing surfaces, and the elastic member is crushed between the flow path members to seal the gap between the flow path members.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a flow path assembly and a valve device, a flow rate control device, a fluid control device, a flow rate control method, a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, and a semiconductor manufacturing method using the same.

BACKGROUND ART

In various manufacturing processes such as semiconductor manufacturing processes, a fluid control device in which various fluid devices such as an open-close valve, a regulator, a mass flow controller, and the like are integrated is used in order to supply accurately measured process gases to a processing chamber.

In such a fluid control device as described above, integration is realized by arranging an installation block (hereinafter referred to as a base block) in which a flow path is formed along the longitudinal direction of the base plate instead of a pipe joint, and installing a plurality of fluid devices, including a joint block to which pipe joints and various fluid devices are connected, and the like on the base block (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

PATENT LITERATURE

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

Controlling the supply of process gases in various manufacturing processes requires higher responsiveness and requires that the fluid control device be as compact and integrated as possible and installed closer to the processing chamber to which the fluid is supplied.

Along with the increase in size of processing objects, such as the increase in size of the diameter of the semiconductor wafer, it becomes necessary to also increase the supply flow rate of the fluid supplied from the fluid control device into the processing chamber.

In addition, in order to improve the responsiveness of the supply control of the process gas, shortening of the flow path is indispensable, and a technique of integrating functional components such as orifices and filters into the valve body of the valve device has also been proposed (see Patent Literatures 2 and 3, etc.).

When functional components such as orifices and filters are integrated in the flow path of the valve body of the valve device, a technique for reliably sealing the space between the member defining the flow path and the functional components such as the orifice and the filter for a long period of time is required.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a flow path assembly incorporating functional components such as orifices and filters, wherein the functional components and the flow path components defining the flow path are reliably sealed for a long period of time.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a valve device, a flow rate control device, a fluid control device, a flow rate control method, a semiconductor manufacturing device, and a semiconductor manufacturing method in which the above-mentioned flow path assembly is incorporated in a valve body to form a part of the flow path.

Solution to Problem

The flow path assembly of the present invention is a flow path assembly comprising first and second metallic flow path members defining a fluid flow path connected to each other and a plate-like member provided between the first and second flow path members and having an acting part providing a specific action on a fluid flowing through the fluid flow path are integrated,

the first and second flow path members being disposed around the opening of the fluid flow path and having annular opposing surfaces opposing each other across the plate-like member,

the flow path assembly further comprising an annular elastic member interposed between the first and second flow path members on the outer side of the opposing surface,

one of the first and second flow path members having a caulking portion for integrating the first and second flow path members and the plate-like member and for exerting a force on the other of the first and second flow path members so that one of the opposing surfaces faces the other of the opposing surfaces to seal a gap between the plate-like member and the opposing surface, and

the elastic member being crushed between the first and second flow path members by receiving a force from the caulking portion, to seal a gap between the first and second flow path members.

Preferably, the elastic member may be disposed at a position in direct contact with the caulking portion. In addition, the restoring force of the elastic member acting on the first and second flow path members may act as a part of a force for sealing a gap between the plate-like member and the opposing surface.

More preferably, the acting part may be configured to include an orifice.

The valve device of the present invention is a valve device comprising a block-shaped valve body defining opposing top and bottom surfaces and side surfaces extending between the top and bottom surfaces,

the valve body defining an accommodation recess opening at the top surface and containing a valve element, a primary flow path connected to the accommodation recess, and a secondary flow path connected to the accommodation recess,

the valve element comprising

a valve seat having an annular seating surface formed on one end surface, an annular sealing surface formed on the other end surface, and a flow passage formed inside the seating surface and the sealing surface and passing from the one end surface to the other end surface,

a valve seat support having a support surface against which a sealing surface of the valve seat abuts to support a pressing force from the sealing surface, and

a diaphragm provided to be in contact with and spaced apart from the seating surface of the valve seat supported by the valve seat support,

the diaphragm making a flow passage of the valve seat and the secondary flow path communicate through a gap between the diaphragm and the seating surface of the valve seat,

the valve seat support having a sealing surface that cooperates with a part of the inner wall surface of the accommodation recess to block the communication between the primary flow path and the secondary flow path, and a detour passage for connecting the primary flow path with the flow passage of the valve seat,

the valve seat support comprising a flow path assembly which includes:

first and second flow path members made of metal and defining fluid flow paths connected to each other; and a plate-like member provided between the first and second flow path members, having an acting part providing a specific action on the fluid flowing through the fluid flow path and integrated with the first and second flow path members,

the first and second flow path members being disposed around the opening of the fluid flow path and having annular opposing surfaces opposing each other across the plate-like member,

the flow path assembly further including an annular elastic member interposed between the first and second flow path members on the outer side of the opposing surface,

one of the first and second flow path members having a caulking portion for integrating the first and second flow path members and the plate-like member and for exerting a force on the other of the first and second flow path members so that one of the opposing surfaces faces the other of the opposing surfaces to seal a gap between the plate-like member and the opposing surface, and

the elastic member being crushed between the first and second flow path members by receiving a force from the caulking portion, to seal a gap between the first and second flow path members.

The flow rate control device of the present invention is a flow rate control device for controlling the flow rate of a fluid,

comprising the valve device as described above.

The flow rate control method of the present invention uses a fluid control device including a valve device having the above-described configuration for controlling the flow rate of a fluid.

The fluid control device of the present invention is a fluid control device comprising a plurality of fluid devices that are arranged,

the plurality of fluid devices including the valve device described above.

The semiconductor manufacturing method of the present invention, comprises using the above-mentioned valve device for controlling the flow rate of the process gas in a manufacturing process of a semiconductor device requiring a process step using the process gas in a sealed chamber.

The semiconductor manufacturing apparatus of the present invention comprises a fluid control device for supplying a process gas to a processing chamber,

the fluid control device comprising a plurality of fluid devices, and

the fluid devices include the valve device as described above.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, by providing the elastic member, the outer side of the opposing surface is further sealed in addition to sealing between the opposing surfaces of the first and second flow path members, so that the member interposed by the plate-like member can be reliably sealed for a long period of time.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the present specification and the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to denote components having substantially the same functions, and thus a repetitive description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 1AtoFIG. 1Eshow the structure of the valve device according to an embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 2shows the sectional structure of the inner disk,FIG. 3shows the sectional structure of the valve seat, andFIG. 4AandFIG. 4Bshow the operation of the valve device.

InFIG. 1AtoFIG. 4B, it is assumed that arrows A1and A2in the drawing indicate the vertical direction. A1indicates the upward direction, and A2indicates the downward direction. Arrows B1and B2indicate the longitudinal direction of the valve body20of the valve device1, and B1indicates one end side and B2indicates the other end side. It is assumed that C1and C2indicate the width directions orthogonal to the longitudinal directions B1and B2of the valve body20, and C1indicates the front side and C2indicates the back side.

The valve body20is a block-shaped member having a rectangular shape in a top view, and defines a top surface20f1and a bottom surface20f2, and four side surfaces20f3to20f6extending between the top surface20f1and the bottom surface20f2. In addition, it defines a accommodation recess22which opens at the top surface20f1. A valve element2, which will be described later, is incorporated in the accommodation recess22.

As can be seen fromFIG. 4Aand the like, the accommodation recess22is composed of inner peripheral surfaces22a,22b, and22chaving different diameters and a bottom surface22d. The diameter of the inner peripheral surfaces22a.22b, and22cdecreases in this order.

The valve body20defines a primary flow path21and secondary flow paths24A.24B connected to the accommodation recess22. The primary flow path21is a flow path on a side to which a fluid such as a gas is supplied from the outside. The secondary flow paths24A and24B are flow paths for allowing a fluid such as a gas flowing in from the primary flow path21through the valve element2to flow out to the outside.

The primary flow path21is formed to be inclined with respect to the bottom surface20f2of the valve body20, and has one end connected to the bottom surface22dof the accommodation recess22, and the other end opened at the bottom surface20f2.

A seal holding portion21ais formed around the opening on the bottom surface20f2side of the primary flow path21. In the seal holding portion21a, a gasket is disposed as a sealing member. The valve body20is connected to another flow path block (not shown) by screwing a fastening bolt into the screw hole20h1. At this time, since the gasket held by the seal holding portion21ais crushed by the fastening force of the fastening bolt between the gasket and another flow path block (not shown), the periphery of the opening on the bottom surface20f2side of the primary flow path21is sealed.

Examples of the gasket include gaskets made of metal or resin. Examples of the gasket include a soft gasket, a semi-metal gasket, and a metal gasket. Specifically, the following is suitably used.

Joint seat

Expanded graphite sheet

PTFE sheet

PTFE jacketed type

Metal jacket gasket

Ring joint

The same applies to the seal holding portions25aand26bprovided around the openings of the branch flow paths25and26, which will be described later, and a detailed description thereof is omitted.

The secondary flow path24includes two secondary flow paths24A and24B formed on opposite sides with respect to the accommodation recess22in the longitudinal directions B1and B2of the valve body20. The secondary flow paths24A and24B are formed on a common axis J1extending in the longitudinal directions B1and B2of the valve body20.

One end of the secondary flow path24A is opened at the inner peripheral surface22bof the accommodation recess22, and the other end24a1is closed inside the valve body20.

One end of the secondary flow path24B is opened on the inner peripheral surface22bof the accommodation recess22, and the other end24b1is opened on the side surface20f6.

The opening of the side surface20f6of the secondary flow path24B is provided with a blocking member30by means of welding or the like, and the opening of the secondary flow path24B is blocked.

The secondary flow path24can be easily formed by machining using a tool such as a drill.

In the valve device1according to the present embodiment, a fluid such as a gas flowing into the primary flow path21can be divided into four by the branch flow paths25and26of the secondary flow path24.

Each of the valve elements2has a diaphragm14, an inner disk15, a valve seat16, and a valve seat support50composed of a flow passage assembly, which will be described later. In the following, the valve seat support50will also be referred to as a flow path assembly50.

As shown inFIG. 4A, the outer peripheral surface50b1of the valve seat support50is fitted and inserted into the inner peripheral surface22cof the accommodation recess22. The flow path assembly constituting the valve seat support50will be described in detail later. In the valve seat support50, a detour passage50ais formed at the center, and an annular support surface50f1centered on the detour passage50ais formed at the upper end surface. The support surface50f1of the valve seat support50is formed of a flat surface, and a step is formed on an outer peripheral portion of the support surface50f1. The outer peripheral surface50b1of the valve seat support50has a diameter to fit into the inner peripheral surface22cof the accommodation recess22, and there is a step between the outer peripheral surface50b2which is reduced in diameter of the lower end side. An annular end surface50b3is formed by the step. As shown inFIG. 4Aor the like, a sealing member55made of a resin such as PTFE or the like is fitted into the outer peripheral surface50b2. The sealing member55is formed to have a rectangular cross-sectional shape and has a size such that it is crushed between the bottom surface22dof the accommodation recess22and the end surface50b3of the valve seat support50. When the sealing member55is crushed between the bottom surface22dof the accommodation recess22and the end surface50b3of the valve seat support50, resin enters between the outer peripheral surface50b1of the valve seat support50and the inner peripheral surface22cand the bottom surface22dof the accommodation recess22, and the space between the valve seat support50and the accommodation recess22is reliably sealed. That is, the outer peripheral surface50b2and the end surface50b3serving as sealing surfaces cooperate with the inner peripheral surface22cand the bottom surface22dof the accommodation recess22to block the communication between the primary flow path21and the secondary flow path24.

The detour passage50aof the valve seat support50is connected to the primary flow path21that opens at the bottom surface22dof the accommodation recess22.

A valve seat16is provided on a support surface50f1of the valve seat support50.

The valve seat16is formed of a resin such as PFA or PTFE so as to be elastically deformable, and, as shown inFIG. 3, the valve seat16is formed in an annular shape, and an annular seating surface16sis formed on one end surface, and an annular sealing surface16fis formed on the other end surface. Inside the seating surface16sand the sealing surface16f, a flow passage16aformed of a through hole is formed. The valve seat16has a small diameter portion16b1and a large diameter portion16b2on the outer peripheral side thereof, and a step portion is formed between the small diameter portion16b1and the large diameter portion16b2.

The valve seat16is positioned with respect to the support surface50f1of the valve seat support50by the inner disk15as a positioning and pressing member, and is pressed toward the support surface50f1of the valve seat support50. Specifically, a large diameter portion15a1and a small diameter portion15a2formed in the center portion of the inner disk15are formed, and a step surface15a3is formed between the large diameter portion15a1and the small diameter portion15a2. An annular flat surface15f1is formed on one end surface side of the inner disk15. An annular flat surface15f2is formed on the outer side on the other end surface side of the inner disk15, and an annular flat surface15f3is formed on the inner side. The flat surface15f2and the flat surface15f3have different heights, and the flat surface15f3is positioned closer to the flat surface15f1. An outer peripheral surface15bthat fits into the inner peripheral surface22aof the accommodation recess22is formed on the outer peripheral side of the inner disk15. Further, a plurality of flow paths15hpassing from one end surface to the other end surface are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The large diameter portion16b2and the small diameter portion16b1of the valve seat16are fitted to the large diameter portion15a1and the small diameter portion15a2of the inner disk15, whereby the valve seat16is positioned with respect to the support surface50f1of the valve seat support50.

The flat surface15f2of the inner disk15is disposed on a flat step surface formed between the inner peripheral surface22aand the inner peripheral surface22bof the accommodation recess22. A diaphragm14is disposed on a flat surface15f1of the inner disk15, and a holding ring13is disposed on the diaphragm14.

The actuator10is driven by a driving source such as a pneumatic pressure and drives the diaphragm presser12movably held in the vertical directions A1and A2. As shown inFIG. 1A, the tip end portion of the casing11of the actuator10is screwed into and fixed to the valve body20. The tip end portion presses the holding ring13in downward direction A2, and the diaphragm14is fixed in the accommodation recess22. The diaphragm14seals the accommodation recess22on the opening side. In addition, the inner disk15is also pressed in downward direction A2. The height of the step surface15a3is set so that the step surface15a3presses the valve seat16toward the support surface50f1of the valve seat support50in a state in which the flat surface15f2of the inner disk15is pressed against the step surface of the accommodation recess22. The flat surface15f3of the inner disk15does not abut against the upper end surface of the valve seat support50.

The diaphragm14has a diameter larger than the diameter of the valve seat16, and is formed of a metal such as stainless steel and a NiCo based alloy, or fluorinated resin in a spherical shell shape so as to be elastically deformable. The diaphragm14is supported by the valve body20so as to be able to abut against and separate from the seating surface16sof the valve seat16.

InFIG. 4A, the diaphragm14is pressed and elastically deformed by the diaphragm presser12, and is pressed against the seating surface16sof the valve seat16. The valve element2is in the closed state.

When the diaphragm14is pressed against the seating surface16sof the valve seat16, the flow path between the primary flow path21and the secondary flow path24is closed. When the diaphragm14of the valve element2is released from being pressed by the diaphragm presser12, the valve element2is restored to a spherical shell shape as shown inFIG. 4B. When the diaphragm presser12is moved upward A1, the diaphragm14moves away from the seating surface16sof the valve seat16, as shown inFIG. 4B. Then, a fluid such as a process gas supplied from the primary flow path21flows through a gap between the diaphragm14and the seating surface16sof the valve seat16into the secondary flow path24. The fluid eventually flows out of the valve body20through the branch flow paths25and26. That is, the fluid is divided into four.

FIG. 5shows the flow path assembly that comprises the valve seat support50described above.

The flow path assembly50includes flow path members51and52, an orifice plate53as a plate-like member provided between the flow path members51and52, and an annular elastic member54interposed between the flow path members51and52.

The flow path member51is formed of a cylindrical member made of metal in which a fluid flow path51abeing a through hole is formed at the center, and a protruding portion51tis formed on the outer peripheral surface51bin the circumferential direction.

The flow path member52is formed of a closed cylindrical member made of metal in which a fluid flow path52abeing a through hole is formed at a central portion, and a caulking portion52e-cis formed at a tip end portion of the cylindrical portion52e. InFIG. 5, the caulking portion52e-cshows a state after plastic deformation, and although not shown in the figure before plastic deformation, the caulking portion52e-cis located at a position away from the lower inclined surface portion51t2of the protruding portion5t.

The orifice plate53is made of a disk-shaped member made of metal, and an orifice53ais formed at the center. The orifice53ais provided to allow a fluid flowing through the fluid flow paths51aand52ato pass therethrough. The orifice53aacts as a resistance to fluid flow and creates a pressure difference between the fluid flow path51aside and the fluid flow path52aside.

The flow path members51and52and the orifice plate53may be formed of the same type of metal material such as a stainless steel alloy, or may be formed of different metal materials.

The outer peripheral surface51eon the upper end side of the flow path member51and the inner peripheral surface52e1formed in the vicinity of the root of the cylindrical portion52eof the flow path member52are formed so as to fit with each other, whereby the central axes of the fluid flow paths51aand52aare aligned.

The flow path member51and the flow path member52are formed with annular opposing surfaces51fand52ffacing each other. The opposing surfaces51fand52fare formed around the openings of the fluid flow paths51aand52a, and are arranged concentrically with the central axes of the fluid flow paths51aand52a. The opposing surfaces51fand52fare flat surfaces, and annular protrusions51pand52pare formed at positions corresponding to each other from the opposing surfaces51fand52f. The annular protrusions51pand52pare crushed by receiving a force when the caulking portion52e-cis caulked, and they seal gap between the opposing surfaces51fand52fand the orifice plate53.

The outer peripheral surface51eand the upper end surface51t1of the protruding portion51tof the flow path member51and the inner peripheral surface52e2and the lower end surface52e3of the flow path member52define an accommodation space for accommodating the annular elastic member54. The accommodation space has a shape that matches the substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape of the elastic member54. The volume of the accommodation space is reduced by plastically deforming the caulking portion52e-c, and the elastic member54is formed so as to be crushed by the upper end surface51t1and the lower end surface52e3. Specifically, when the caulking portion52e-cis deformed inward, the caulking portion52e-cengages with the lower inclined surface portion51t2of the protruding portion51t. As a result, the caulking portion52e-cexerts a force on the flow path members51and52such that one of the opposing surfaces51fand52ffaces the other of the opposing surfaces51fand52f, that is, such that the opposing surface51fapproaches the opposing surface52f. As a result, the elastic member54comes into close contact with the outer peripheral surface51eof the flow path member51and the upper end surface51t1of the protruding portion51t, the inner peripheral surface52e2and the lower end surface52e3of the flow path member52, and seals the space between the flow path member51and the flow path member52.

The elastic member54is formed of a resin material such as, but not limited to, a PEEK resin (polyetheretherketone) or a polyimide resin.

As described above, the space between the fluid flow path51aand the fluid flow path52ais sealed by the annular protrusions51pand52pof the opposing surfaces51fand52f, and is also sealed by the elastic member54on the outer side of the opposing surfaces51fand52f.

Here, an example of a flow path assembly500without an elastic member54is shown inFIG. 8. InFIG. 8, the same reference numerals are used for components similar to those ofFIG. 5. By the force exerted by the caulking portion520e-cof the upper flow path member520, the space between the lower flow path member51and the upper flow path member520is sealed only at the annular protrusions51pand52pof the opposing surfaces51fand52f. If leakage occurs in the seal portion and the fluid flows out to the outside of the opposing surfaces51fand52f, the fluid flows out through the space between the outer peripheral surface51eand the inner peripheral surface520e1.

On the other hand, in the flow path assembly50according to the present embodiment shown inFIG. 5, even if leakage occurs in the annular protrusions51pand52pof the opposing surfaces51fand52f, the fluid can be surely prevented from flowing out by the sealing provided by the elastic member54.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 6shows a flow path assembly50B according to another embodiment of the present invention. InFIG. 6, the same reference numerals are used for components similar to those ofFIG. 5.

InFIG. 6, a protruding portion51sis circumferentially formed on the outer peripheral surface51Bb of the flow path member51B. An elastic member54is provided between the lower end surface51s1of the protruding portion51s, the outer peripheral surface51Bb of the flow path member51B, and the caulking portion52e-cof the flow path member52. The elastic member54is disposed at a position in direct contact with the caulking portion52e-c, and is deformed by a force from the caulking portion52e-cto have a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape, but the cross-sectional shape before deformation is a substantially rectangular shape.

As shown in the drawing, the elastic member54constantly receives the force F from the caulking portion52e-c. The annular protrusions51pand52pare crushed by the force F. and seal gaps between the opposing surfaces51fand52fand the orifice plate53. Further, when the elastic member54is crushed by the caulking portion52e-c, the elastic member54comes into close contact with the lower end surface51s, the outer peripheral surface51Bb, and the caulking portion52e-c. As a result, the gap between the flow path member51B and the flow path member52is sealed in the same manner as in the above embodiment.

The important point here is that the elastic member54is directly crushed by the caulking portion52e-c, so that the restoring force of the elastic member54constantly acts on the flow path member51B and the flow path member52.

A part of the reaction force R that the caulking portion52e-creceives from the elastic member54is a restoring force of the elastic member54. Assuming that the vertical component and the horizontal component of the reaction force R are Rv and Rh, the vertical component Rv acts as a sealing force with which the annular protrusions51pand52pseal the gaps between the opposing surfaces51fand52fand the orifice plate53. Since the restoring force of the elastic member54is included in the vertical component Rv, the sealing force can be stabilized for a long period of time.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 7shows a flow path assembly50C according to another embodiment of the present invention. InFIG. 7, the same reference numerals are used for components similar to those ofFIG. 6.

The flow path member SiC shown inFIG. 7does not include a protrusion that receives a caulking force on the outer peripheral surface51Cb.

The elastic member54is crushed between the caulking portion52Be_c formed at the tip end of the cylindrical portion52Be of the upper flow path member52B, the lower end surface52Be1of the cylindrical portion52Be, and the outer peripheral surface51Cb of the flow path member51C, and the gap between the flow path member51C and the flow path member52B is sealed. Further, similarly to the second embodiment, the restoring force of the elastic member54acts as a part of the sealing force by which the annular protrusions51pand52pseal the gaps between the opposing surfaces51fand52fand the orifice plate53.

As described above, various embodiments have been described, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

In the above embodiment, the secondary flow path24is branched into a plurality in the valve body20, the case where the branch flow paths25and26open at the top surface20f1of the valve body20has been exemplified, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a configuration in which they open at the bottom surface20f2or any of the side surfaces20f3to20f6can also be adopted.

In the above embodiment, the inner disk15and the valve seat16are separate members, but it is also possible to integrate the inner disk15and the valve seat16.

In the above embodiment, the flow path21is the primary side, and the flow paths24A and24B are the secondary side, however, the present invention is not limited to this, and the flow path21may be the secondary side, and the flow paths24A and24B may be the primary side.

In the above embodiment, the case where the flow path assembly is used as the valve seat support is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a flow path other than a valve device.

In the above embodiment, the orifice plate is exemplified as the plate-like member, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a filter plate having a filter acting portion as the plate-like member may be employed.

Referring toFIG. 9, an exemplary fluid control device to which the valve device1according to the above embodiment is applied will be described.

The fluid control device shown inFIG. 9is provided with metallic baseplates BS arranged along the widthwise directions W1. W2and extending in the longitudinal directions G1, G2. Note that W1represents the front side. W2represents the back side, G1represents the upstream side, and G2represents the downstream side. Various fluid devices991A to991E are installed on the base plate BS via a plurality of flow path blocks992, and a flow path (not shown) through which a fluid flows from the upstream side G1toward the downstream side G2is formed by the plurality of flow path blocks992.

Here, a “fluid device” is a device used in a fluid control device for controlling a flow of a fluid, and includes a body defining a fluid flow path, and has at least two flow path ports opening at a surface of the body. Specific examples include, but are not limited to, an open-close valve (two-way valve)991A, a regulator991B, a pressure gauge991C, an open-close valve (three-way valve)991D, a mass flow controller991E which is a flow rate control device, and the like. The introducing pipe993is connected to a flow passage port on the upstream side of the flow passage (not shown) described above.

The valve device1according to the present embodiment is applicable to the mass flow controller991E described above, and the flow rate of the fluid is controlled by the mass flow controller991E. The valve device1according to the present embodiment can be applied to valves such as an open-close valve (two-way valve)991A, a regulator991B, a pressure gauge991C, and an open-close valve (three-way valve)991D.

Next.FIG. 10shows an example of a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus to which the above-described fluid control device is applied.

A semiconductor manufacturing apparatus1000is a system for performing a semiconductor manufacturing process using atomic layer deposition (ALD: Atomic Layer Deposition method), where600is a process gas supply source.700is a gas box,710is a tank,800is a processing chamber, and900is an exhaust pump. The fluid control device shown inFIG. 7is housed in a gas box700.

In a treatment process that deposits a film on a substrate, in order to stably supply a process gas, a process gas supplied from a gas box700is temporarily stored in a tank710as a buffer, and a valve720provided in the immediate vicinity of the processing chamber800is opened and closed at high frequency to supply the process gas from the tank to the processing chamber of a vacuum atmosphere.

The ALD method is one of chemical vapor deposition methods, in which two or more types of process gases are alternately flowed on the substrate surface under film forming conditions such as temperature and time to react with atoms on the substrate surface to deposit a film layer by layer. This method allows control per atom layer, making it possible to form a uniform film thickness and grow the film very finely, even in terms of film quality.

In the semiconductor manufacturing process by the ALD method, it is necessary to precisely adjust the flow rate of the processing gas, and it is also necessary to secure the flow rate of the processing gas to some extent by increasing the diameter of the substrate or the like.

A gas box700containing a fluid control device provides an accurately metered amount of process gas to the processing chamber800. The tank710functions as a buffer for temporarily storing the process gas supplied from the gas box700.

The processing chamber800provides a sealed processing space for forming a film on a substrate by an ALD method.

The exhaust pump900draws a vacuum in the processing chamber800.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various additions, modifications, and the like can be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the application example described above, the valve device1is used in a semiconductor manufacturing process by the ALD method, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to any object requiring precise flow rate control, such as an atomic layer etching (ALE: Atomic Layer Etching) method.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST