Substrate chucking member, substrate processing apparatus having the member, and method of processing substrate using the member

A substrate chucking member includes a substrate supporting member and a rotation adjustment unit. The supporting member includes a rotatable supporting plate to load a substrate, and chucking pins disposed at the supporting plate for spacing the substrate off the top of the supporting plate by supporting the edge of the substrate from a side of the substrate. Each of the chucking pins is rotatable for rotating the substrate supported on the chucking pins. The rotation adjustment unit is disposed under the supporting plate for adjusting rotation of the chucking pins. During a process, since a substrate is rotated by the chucking pins to vary points of the substrate making contact with the chucking pins, positions of the substrate where a process liquid falls after colliding with the chucking pins can be continuously varied. Therefore, the substrate can be processed without defects at an end part of the substrate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This U.S. non-provisional patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2008-0118260, filed on Nov. 26, 2008, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention disclosed herein relates to an apparatus for processing a semiconductor substrate, and more particularly, to a substrate chucking member for processing a semiconductor substrate using a process liquid, a substrate processing apparatus having the substrate chucking member, and a method of processing a substrate using the substrate chucking member.

Electronic devices such as semiconductor memory devices and a flat display device include a substrate. Such a substrate may be a silicon wafer or a glass substrate. A plurality of conductive-layer patterns are formed on the substrate and insulation-layer patterns are disposed between the conductive-layer patterns for insulating the conductive-layer patterns. The conductive-layer patterns or the insulation-layer patterns are formed through a series of processes such as exposing, developing, and etching processes.

Such processes include a process of removing impurity particles. If the impurity particles are contained on the surface of the substrate during process forming a pattern, the impurity particles will induce defects of the pattern. To prevent such problem, the impurity particle removing process is necessary. Impurities can be removed from the substrate by, for example, a chemical method or a physical method. In the chemical method, the surface of the substrate is processed by using a chemical. In the physical method, impurity particles adsorbed on the surface of the substrate are removed by applying a physical force.

When the substrate is cleaned with a chemical, although a chemical is injected toward the substrate, the chemical can fall back into the substrate after colliding with chucking pins used to support the lateral side of the substrate. Particularly, since the substrate is cleaned in a state where the substrate is fixed by the chucking pins, a chemical may fall only on certain positions after colliding with the chucking pins. Therefore, substrate cleaning errors may be caused.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a substrate chucking member configured to prevent substrate processing errors.

The present invention also provides a substrate processing apparatus including the substrate chucking member.

The present invention also provides a method of processing a substrate using the substrate chucking member.

Embodiments of the present invention provide substrate chucking members including a substrate supporting member and a rotation adjustment unit.

The substrate supporting member includes a rotatable supporting plate configured to load a substrate thereon, and a plurality of chucking pins disposed at the supporting plate for spacing a substrate loaded on the supporting plate off a top surface of the supporting plate by supporting an edge part of the substrate from a side of the substrate. Each of the chucking pins is rotatable for rotating the substrate supported on the chucking pins. The rotation adjustment unit is disposed under the supporting plate for adjusting rotation of the chucking pins.

In other embodiments of the present invention, devices/methods substrate processing apparatuses include a process vessel and a substrate chucking unit.

The process vessel is configured to process a substrate therein. The substrate chucking unit is disposed in the process vessel for supporting a substrate. The substrate chucking unit includes a substrate supporting member and a rotation adjustment unit. The substrate supporting member includes a rotatable supporting plate configured to load a substrate thereon, and a plurality of chucking pins disposed at the supporting plate for spacing a substrate loaded on the supporting plate off a top surface of the supporting plate by supporting an edge part of the substrate from a side of the substrate. Each of the chucking pins is rotatable for rotating the substrate supported on the chucking pins. The rotation adjustment unit is disposed under the supporting plate for adjusting rotation of the chucking pins.

In still other embodiments of the present invention, there are provided methods of processing a substrate. The methods are as follows. First, a substrate is placed at a supporting plate. The substrate is spaced off the supporting plate by supporting an edge part of the substrate from a side of the substrate by using a plurality of chucking pins disposed at the supporting plate. While rotating the substrate by rotating the supporting plate, a process liquid is injected onto the substrate so as to process the substrate, and together with this, the chucking pins are rotated on center axes thereof so as to vary points of the substrate that make contact with the chucking pins.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, it will be described about an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1is a perspective view illustrating a substrate processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 2is a vertical sectional view illustrating a process vessel and a substrate supporting member ofFIG. 1; andFIG. 3is a view illustrating the spin head110and the rotation adjustment unit450ofFIG. 2.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, a substrate processing apparatus500may include a substrate supporting member100, a process vessel200, a plurality of nozzles310and320, an elevating unit330, and a rotation adjustment unit450.

The substrate supporting member100is disposed in the process vessel200. The substrate supporting member100may include a spin head110, a rotation shaft120, and a rotation driving unit130. The substrate supporting member100is used to fix a wafer10for processing a wafer10.

In detail, the spin head110has substantially a disk shape. When the wafer10is process, the wafer10is placed on the spin head110and faces to the top surface of the spin head110.

The rotation shaft120is coupled to the bottom side of the spin head110. The rotation shaft120is also coupled to the rotation driving unit130so that the rotation shaft120can be rotated on its center axis by receiving rotation power from the rotation driving unit130. The rotation power is transmitted from the rotation shaft120to the spin head110so that the spin head110can be rotated together with the wafer10fixed to the spin head110.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, an explanation will now be given on the structure of the spin head110.

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 3, the spin head110may include a supporting plate111, a plurality of chucking pins112, and a plurality of supporting pins113.

In detail, a wafer10is loaded above the supporting plate111, which is configured to be rotated by the rotation shaft120coupled to the bottom side of the spin head110. The chucking pins112and the supporting pins113are disposed on the top surface of the supporting plate111.

The supporting pins113supports the bottom surface of the wafer10loaded above the supporting plate111in a state where the wafer10is spaced apart from the top surface of the supporting plate111. The chucking pins112are disposed around the supporting pins113so as to space the wafer10off the supporting pins113by supporting the lateral edge of the wafer10placed on the supporting pins113.

Specifically, each of the chucking pins112may include a supporting part112a, a rotation shaft112b, and a pin rotation part112c. The supporting part112ais concaved at its longitudinal center, and during a process, the edge of the wafer10is placed on the concaved portion of the supporting part112a.

The supporting part112ais coupled to the upper end of the rotation shaft112b. The rotation shaft112bis inserted through the supporting plate111and configured to be rotated on its center axis. The pin rotation part112cis coupled to the lower end of the rotation shaft112b. The pin rotation part112chas magnetism so that the pin rotation part112ccan be rotated by magnetic interaction with the rotation adjustment unit450. A rotation force of the pin rotation part112cis transmitted to the supporting part112athrough the rotation shaft112bsuch that the supporting part112acan be rotated.

The wafer10placed on the supporting part112ais rotated as the supporting part112ais rotated, and thus points of the wafer10making contact with the chucking pins112are varied. Owing to this structure, when a wafer10is processed by using the substrate processing apparatus500, positions of the wafer10, at which process liquid falls on the wafer10after the process liquid collides with the chucking pins112, can be continuously varied, and thus generation of defects at the edge part of the wafer10can be prevented.

FIG. 4is a rear plan view illustrating a pin rotation part ofFIG. 3.

Referring toFIGS. 3 and 4, the pin rotation part112ccan be shaped like a disk and include first and second pin magnets12aand12b. Each of the first pin magnets12ahas a fan shape with N-polarity. Each of the second pin magnets12bhas a fan shape with S-polarity. The first and second pin magnets12aand12bare alternately arranged.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the chucking pins112can be horizontally moved in radial directions of the supporting plate111. That is, when a wafer10is loaded above the supporting plate111, the chucking pins112are moved toward the center of the supporting plate111for supporting the wafer10, and when a process is completed, the chucking pins112are moved toward the edge of the supporting plate111to put the wafer10down on the supporting pins113.

The rotation adjustment unit450is disposed at a side of the pin rotation part112c. The rotation adjustment unit450is disposed under the supporting plate111to adjust rotation of the chucking pin112.

In detail, the rotation adjustment unit450may include at least one magnetic unit430and a vertical actuation part440. The magnetic unit430is disposed at a side of the pin rotation part112c, and thus a magnetic force can be formed between the magnetic unit430and the pin rotation part112cto adjust rotation of the pin rotation part112c.

FIG. 5is a plan view illustrating a magnetic unit430ofFIG. 3;FIG. 6is a plan view illustrating a first magnetic unit ofFIG. 5; andFIG. 7is a plan view illustrating a second magnetic unit ofFIG. 5.

Referring toFIGS. 3 and 5, the magnetic unit430is disposed at the bottom side of the supporting plate111and has a ring shape surrounding the supporting plate111. The magnetic unit430may include first and second magnetic units410and420having different polarities.

Referring toFIGS. 3 and 6, the first magnet unit410may include a plurality of first magnets411and a first accommodation plate412. The first magnets411are spaced apart from each other, and have S-polarity respectively. The first accommodation plate412has a ring shape, and the first magnets411are disposed on the top side of the first accommodation plate412. The first magnets411are arranged according to the shape of the first accommodation plate412. That is, the first magnets411are arranged in a ring shape.

A plurality of insertion holes412aare formed in the first accommodation plate412so that the first accommodation plate412can couple with the second magnet unit420. Each of the insertion holes412ais disposed between two first magnets411adjacent to each other.

Referring toFIGS. 3 and 7, the second magnet unit420may be disposed under the first magnet unit410. The second magnet unit420may include a plurality of second magnets421and a second accommodation plate422. The second magnets421are spaced apart from each other, and have N-polarity respectively. The second accommodation plate422has a ring shape, and the second magnets421are disposed on the top side of the second accommodation plate422. The second magnets421are arranged according to the shape of the second accommodation plate422. That is, the second magnets421are arranged in a ring shape.

Referring again toFIGS. 3 and 5, the first magnets411and the second magnets421are alternately arranged when viewed from the top. In detail, the second accommodation plate422of the second magnet unit420may be coupled to the vertical actuation part440so as to be vertically moved. If the second magnet unit420is moved upward to the first magnet unit410by the vertical actuation part440, the second magnets421are inserted into the insertion holes412aof the first accommodation plate412, respectively, and the second accommodation plate422is positioned at the bottom side of the first accommodation plate412. Accordingly, each of the second magnets421is disposed between two first magnets411adjacent each other. In this way, the first magnets411and the second magnets421are arranged in contact with each other.

Since the first and second magnets411and421are alternately arranged, the pin rotation part112ccan be rotated by magnetic forces acting from the first and second magnets411and421.

On the other hand, when the second accommodation plate422is moved downward to its original position by the vertical actuation part440, only the first magnets411having S-polarity remain beside the pin rotation part112c, and thus the pin rotation part112cis not rotated due to an attractive force acting between the N-polarity second pin magnets12bof the pin rotation part112cand the first magnets411.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the vertical actuation part440may be a cylinder actuator.

The substrate supporting member100may further include a back nozzle (not shown) to clean the backside of a wafer10. The back nozzle may be disposed at the center of the top side of the spin head110to inject a cleaning fluid to a wafer10.

Referring again toFIGS. 1 and 2, the substrate supporting member100and the rotation adjustment unit450are disposed inside the process vessel200, and the process vessel200provides a space for processing a wafer.

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 8, the process vessel200surrounds the spin head110and provides a space for processing a wafer. The process vessel200has an opened top side, and the rotation shaft120of the substrate supporting member100is protruded to the outside of the process vessel200through an opening formed through the bottom side of the process vessel200.

The process vessel200may include a first collecting vessel210, a second collecting vessel220, and a third collecting vessel230. Chemicals used in a process can be separated and collected in the collecting vessels210,220, and230of the process vessel200. That is, the collecting vessels210,220, and230may be used for collecting different chemicals used in a process. Thus, the chemicals can be reused.

In the current embodiment, the process vessel200includes three collecting vessels210,220, and230. However, the number of the collecting vessels210,220, and230can be varied based on the process efficiency of the substrate processing apparatus500.

In detail, the first collecting vessel210has a ring shape surrounding the spin head110, the second collecting vessel220has a ring shape surrounding the first collecting vessel210, and the third collecting vessel230has a ring shape surrounding the second collecting vessel220.

The first collecting vessel210may include a bottom plate211, a sidewall212, a top plate213, an inner wall214, and a guide wall215. Each of the bottom plate211, the sidewall212, the top plate213, the inner wall214, and the guide wall215has a ring shape. The top plate213is sloped upwardly from the sidewall212, and the inner wall214faces the sidewall212and is connected to the guide wall215. The guide wall215is spaced apart from the sidewall212and disposed inside the sidewall212, and the guide wall215is sloped downward toward the bottom plate211. The guide wall215and the top plate213are spaced from each other to form a first introduction opening216, and a chemical is introduced into the first collecting vessel210through the first introduction opening216.

The second collecting vessel220surrounds the first collecting vessel210. The second collecting vessel220may include a bottom plate221, a sidewall222, a top plate223, and an inner wall224. Each of the bottom plate221, the sidewall222, the top plate223, and the inner wall214has a ring shape. The bottom plate221of the second collecting vessel220is located under the bottom plate211of the first collecting vessel210to face the bottom plate211. The sidewall222is spaced apart from the sidewall212of the first collecting vessel210and faces the sidewall212. The top plate223is disposed above the top plate213of the first collecting vessel210and has the same shape as the top plate213, and the top plate223is spaced apart from the top plate213of the first collecting vessel210to form a second introduction opening226. A chemical is introduced into the second collecting vessel220through the second introduction opening226. The inner wall224is lower than the first collecting vessel210, and a part of the inner wall224protrudes downward more than the bottom plate221.

The third collecting vessel230surrounds the second collecting vessel220. The third collecting vessel230may include a bottom plate231, a sidewall232, and a top plate233. Each of the bottom plate231, the sidewall232, and the top plate233has a ring shape. The bottom plate231of the third collecting vessel230faces the bottom plate221of the second collecting vessel220and is spaced downward from the bottom plate221, and the rotation shaft120of the substrate supporting member100is inserted through the center part of the bottom plate231. The sidewall232is spaced apart from the sidewall222of the second collecting vessel220to face the sidewall222, and the top plate233is disposed above the top plate223of the second collecting vessel220and has the same shape as the top plate223. The top plate233is spaced apart from the top plate223of the second collecting vessel220to form a third introduction opening236, and a chemical is introduced into the third collecting vessel230through the third introduction opening236.

The sizes of the first to third collecting vessels210,220, and230increase in the order of the first to third collecting vessels210,220, and230.

When a process liquid is injected toward a wafer which is placed at the substrate supporting member100and is rotated, the process liquid is spread on the wafer toward the sidewalls212,222, and232of the collecting vessels210,220, and230due to centrifugal force, and is introduced into the collecting vessels210,220, and230through the introduction openings216,226, and236.

In addition, collecting pipes241,243,245, and247are connected to the bottom plates211,221, and231of the first to third collecting vessels210,220, and230so as to discharge process liquids collected in the first to third collecting vessels210,220, and230to an external recycling system (not shown). The collecting pipes241and243are connected to the first and second collecting vessels210and220, respectively, and the collecting pipes245and247are connected to the third collecting vessel230.

The elevating unit330is disposed at an outside of the process vessel200for vertical actuation. The elevating unit330is coupled to the sidewall232of the third collecting vessel230to adjust the vertical position of the process vessel200. In detail, the elevating unit330may include a bracket331, a movable shaft333, and a driver335. The bracket331is fixed to the sidewall232of the third collecting vessel230and is coupled to the movable shaft333. The movable shaft333is connected to the driver335so as to be vertically moved by the driver335.

When a wafer is placed at the spin head110or lifted from the spin head110, the elevating unit330lowers the process vessel200so that the spin head110can be protruded from the top side of the process vessel200. In addition, during a wafer processing process, the elevating unit330is used to raise or lower the process vessel200to adjust the vertical position of the spin head110relative to the collecting vessels210,220, and230so that process liquids supplied to a wafer can be separately collected in the collecting vessels210,220, and230according to the kinds of the process liquids.

In the substrate processing apparatus500of the current embodiment, the process vessel200is vertically moved to adjust the vertical position of the process vessel200relative to the spin head110. However, alternatively, the vertical position of the process vessel200relative to the spin head110can be adjusted by vertically moving the spin head110.

Referring again toFIG. 1, the nozzles310and320are disposed at the outside of the process vessel200. The nozzles310and320are used to inject process liquids or gases to the center or edge part of a wafer fixed to the substrate supporting member100for cleaning or etching the wafer.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, an explanation will now be given on how a wafer10is rotated by the chucking pins112during a processing process.

FIGS. 9A through 9Care views for explaining a process of cleaning the edge of a wafer using the substrate processing apparatus illustrated inFIG. 2.

Referring toFIGS. 9A through 9C, a wafer10is placed at the supporting plate111, and the chucking pins112are moved toward the center of the supporting plate111for supporting the edge of the wafer10.

Next, the nozzle320is moved above the wafer10.

Next, while the wafer10is rotated by rotating the supporting plate111, a process liquid is injected onto the wafer10through the nozzle320. At the same time, the chucking pins112are rotated on their center axes so as to vary points of the wafer10that make contact with the chucking pins112.

That is, the vertical actuation part440raises the second magnet unit420to insert the second magnets421into the insertion holes412aof the first accommodation plate412. Thus, each of the second magnets421is disposed between two first magnets411adjacent to each other. That is, since the first magnets411and the second magnets421are alternately arranged, the pin rotation part112ccan be rotated owing to magnetic forces exerted from the first and second magnets411and421.

After the wafer10is processed by the process liquid, the vertical actuation part440lowers the second accommodation plate422to its original position. Then, only the first magnets411having S-polarity remain beside the pin rotation part112c, and thus the pin rotation part112cis stopped due to attractive forces acting between the first magnets411and the N-polarity second pin magnets12aof the pin rotation part112c.

After the rotation of the chucking pins112cis stopped in this way, a drying fluid is injected onto the wafer10to dry the wafer10.

According to the present invention, during a process, a substrate is rotated by the chucking pins so as to vary points of the substrate making contact with the chucking pins, and thus positions of the substrate on which a process liquid falls after the process liquid collides with the chucking pins can be continuously varied. Therefore, when a substrate is processed using the substrate processing apparatus, generation of defects can be prevented at an end part of the substrate.