COMPONENT CARRIER FOR SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING AND COMPONENT TRANSPORT SYSTEM USING SAME

Proposed is a component carrier for semiconductor manufacturing and component transport system using the same and, more particularly, to a component carrier for semiconductor manufacturing and component transport system using the same with an improved structure to prevent a ring from being separated from the component carrier for semiconductor manufacturing during a ring transport process by temporarily fixing the ring using vacuum adsorption. The carrier transports components while a lower surface thereof is in contact with a transport hand and an upper surface thereof is in contact with a component for semiconductor manufacturing. The carrier includes a first vacuum hole formed through the upper surface, a second vacuum hole formed through the lower surface, and an air passage provided between the first vacuum hole and the second vacuum hole.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0073363, filed Jun. 16, 2022, the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a component carrier for semiconductor manufacturing and component transport system using the same and, more particularly, to a component carrier for semiconductor manufacturing and component transport system using the same with an improved structure to prevent a ring from being separated from the component carrier for semiconductor manufacturing during a ring transport process by temporarily fixing the ring using vacuum adsorption.

Description of the Related Art

In the semiconductor manufacturing process, transport arms are used when transferring wafers from storage areas such as FOUPs to process chambers, or from process chambers to process chambers.

The process system includes a process chamber in which several processes are performed, and gas is sometimes used to etch objects in the process chamber. At this time, a process kit ring covers an object to protect all or part of the object or chamber. For example, an annular edge ring is disposed on the outer diameter of the object to protect the surface of an electrostatic chuck (ESC) supporting the object while the object is being etched.

Like the above-described ring, when a component to be transferred has a shape in which the center thereof is penetrated or the bottom surface thereof is not flat, making it difficult to adsorb and transfer the component by a transport arm, a carrier is used. The carrier is disposed between a component such as a ring and a transport arm to support the component when transferring the component. Yet, since conventional component carriers for semiconductor manufacturing do not include a configuration for temporarily fixing components such as rings, and the components are temporarily fixed only by the frictional force between the component and the carrier, components such as rings may move or escape from the component carrier during the transfer process, which is problematic.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present disclosure has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the related art, and the present disclosure is intended to provide a component carrier for semiconductor manufacturing and component transport system using the same, capable of preemptively preventing the possibility of a component being separated from the component carrier in the process of transferring a component for semiconductor manufacturing, such as a ring.

In order to achieve the above objective, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a component carrier for semiconductor manufacturing that transports components while a lower surface thereof is in contact with a transport hand and an upper surface thereof is in contact with a component for semiconductor manufacturing. The carrier includes: a first vacuum hole formed through the upper surface; a second vacuum hole formed through the lower surface; and an air passage provided between the first vacuum hole and the second vacuum hole.

The carrier may further include: a component support pad configured to include a through hole installed on the upper surface to generate frictional force with component part and communicate with the first vacuum hole.

The first vacuum hole is formed in a portion where the component support pad is installed.

The first vacuum hole is provided in plural, and one second vacuum hole is provided.

The second vacuum hole is provided at a position capable of communicating with a vacuum hole formed in the transport hand.

The air passage may individually connect the second vacuum hole and the first vacuum holes, or may include: a first air passage configured to connect the second vacuum hole and any one of the first vacuum holes; and a second air passage configured to connect all of the first vacuum holes.

In order to achieve the above objective, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a component transport system for semiconductor manufacturing, the system including: a component carrier for semiconductor manufacturing configured to transport a component while in contact with the component; a transport hand configured to contact a lower surface of the component carrier for semiconductor manufacturing; and a transport arm configured to drive the transport hand, wherein the component carrier for semiconductor manufacturing may include: a first vacuum hole formed through an upper surface thereof; a second vacuum hole formed through the lower surface thereof; and an air passage provided between the first vacuum hole and the second vacuum hole.

The component transport system may further include: a component support pad configured to include a through hole installed on the upper surface to generate frictional force with component part and communicate with the first vacuum hole.

The first vacuum hole is formed in a portion where the component support pad is installed.

The first vacuum hole is provided in plural and one second vacuum hole is provided.

The second vacuum hole is provided at a position capable of communicating with a vacuum hole formed in the transport hand.

A friction pad including a through hole having a larger cross-sectional area than the vacuum hole is provided on the upper part of the vacuum hole formed in the transport hand, and the second vacuum hole communicates with the through hole of the friction pad.

In order to achieve the above objective, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a plasma processing facility, including: a process chamber in which plasma treatment is performed on a substrate; and a transport robot configured to transport the substrate to the process chamber, and include a transport hand for supporting the substrate from a bottom and a transport arm for driving the transport hand, wherein the process chamber may include: a housing having a processing space therein; a support unit supporting the substrate in the processing space; a gas supply unit supplying a process gas to the processing space; and a plasma source generating plasma from the process gas, wherein the support unit may include: an electrostatic chuck on which the substrate is placed; and a focus ring provided to surround the substrate placed on the electrostatic chuck, and detachably provided from the electrostatic chuck, wherein the focus ring may be coupled to a component carrier for semiconductor manufacturing and transported by the transport robot, wherein the component carrier for semiconductor manufacturing may be configured such that a lower surface thereof is in contact with the transport hand, and on an upper surface thereof, a ring support pad generating frictional force with the focus ring is installed to come into contact with the focus ring, and may include: a first vacuum hole formed through the upper surface; a second vacuum hole formed through the lower surface; and an air passage provided between the first vacuum hole and the second vacuum hole.

As described above, according to the component carrier for semiconductor manufacturing and component transport system using the same of the present disclosure, the possibility of a component being separated from the component carrier in the process of transferring a component for semiconductor manufacturing, such as a ring, can be preemptively prevented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, specific details for carrying out the present disclosure will be provided by describing embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, one embodiment of a component carrier for semiconductor manufacturing, which is the first aspect of the present disclosure, will be described.

Hereinafter, in the description of the component carrier for semiconductor manufacturing according to the embodiment, a component for semiconductor manufacturing is a ring. Accordingly, in the following description, components and rings are used interchangeably, for example, a component carrier for semiconductor manufacturing is referred to as a ring carrier and a component support pad is referred to as a ring support pad.

A ring carrier100according to the embodiment has a disk shape as shown inFIG.1. A lower surface120of the ring carrier100is in contact with a transport hand200of a transport arm, and on an upper surface110of the ring carrier100, a ring support pad130is installed so that a ring R is transported while being in contact with the ring support pad130.

Of the two surfaces of the ring carrier100, the surface in contact with the ring is referred to as the upper surface110, and the surface in contact with the transport hand is referred to as the lower surface120.

The ring carrier100includes a first vacuum hole10, a second vacuum hole20, and an air passage30.

The first vacuum hole10is a hole formed in a portion where the ring support pad130is installed, and is provided in plural.

In this embodiment, three first vacuum holes10are provided, and a contained angle θ between the pair of first vacuum holes10adjacent to the center O of the ring carrier100is 120 degrees, which is a value obtained by dividing 360 by N, which is the number of first vacuum holes10(which is 3 in this embodiment).

Meanwhile, the first vacuum hole10is not necessarily provided in plural. Even if one first vacuum hole10is formed, the ring may be fixed by applying downward force to the ring by the adsorption force acting on the first vacuum hole10. In addition, the frictional force may be defined as the product of the normal force and the coefficient of friction, and as the normal force between the ring support pad130and the ring R increases due to the downward force (adsorption force) acting on the ring, the frictional force between the ring support pad130and the ring R increases, and thus the effect of preventing separation of the ring R may be expected due to the increased frictional force.

Of course, when there are several first vacuum holes10, it is clear that there is an advantage in stably supporting the ring compared to a case with one first vacuum hole10. Thus, in this embodiment, three first vacuum holes10are provided.

The ring support pad130is a friction member that is in direct contact with the ring R and is disposed on the upper surface110, and the first vacuum hole10is formed in a portion where the ring support pad130is installed.

As shown inFIG.4, the ring support pad130is formed with a through hole131communicating with the first vacuum hole10so that air may flow without clogging.

The position where a component support pad (ring support pad in this embodiment) is installed is determined according to the shape of the component to be supported. When the component is a ring as in the present embodiment, the support pad is installed on the rim of the upper surface110according to the shape of the ring and is installed to directly contact the ring. However, when the shape of a component changes, the position of the ring support pad130may also change.

On the other hand, the ring carrier100and the ring R may be in direct contact without the ring support pad130.

The second vacuum hole20is a hole formed through the lower surface120of the ring carrier100, and is formed at a position capable of communicating with a vacuum hole210formed in the transport hand200. In this embodiment, one second vacuum hole20is provided, but several second vacuum holes20may be provided.

The air passage30is a tube connecting the first vacuum hole10and the second vacuum hole20to each other. The air passage30may be composed of tubes30a,30b, and30cconnecting the second vacuum hole20and the respective first vacuum holes10as shown inFIG.3A, or may include a first air passage31connecting the second vacuum hole and any one first vacuum hole and a second air passage32formed in a circular shape along the rim of the ring carrier100to connect all of the first vacuum holes10as shown inFIG.3B. Unlike the present embodiment, when there is only one first vacuum hole10, only one tube connecting the first vacuum hole10and the second vacuum hole20needs to be installed.

When comparing the air passage30of the type shown inFIG.3Aand the air passage30of the type shown inFIG.3B, it can be said that the effect is almost the same. Since the length of the air passage is not several meters but several tens of centimeters, there is not a big difference in the distance the air travels by means of a vacuum pump (not shown), and thus almost the same effect occurs in both cases in that the first vacuum hole10may adsorb the ring R immediately when the vacuum pump is operated. Nevertheless, the air passage30shown inFIG.3Ais characterized by being shorter than the air passage30shown inFIG.3B, whereas in the case of the air passage30shown inFIG.3B, since the air passage30is provided over the entire rim of the ring carrier100, when the first vacuum hole10is additionally formed, there is no need to additionally install the air passage30.

Hereinafter, a mechanism for temporarily fixing the ring R by the ring carrier100using the above configuration will be described.

First, the ring carrier100is mounted on the upper surface (the surface facing upward) of the transport hand200. A friction pad220including a through hole221is installed in the transport hand200.

At this time, as shown inFIG.6, the second vacuum hole20of the ring carrier100is configured to communicate with any one of the vacuum holes210formed in the transport hand200, and thus an arrangement considering this is required. To make this easier, the friction pad220includes the through hole221having a cross-sectional area larger than that of the vacuum hole210, so that when the second vacuum hole20is disposed only on top of the through hole221, air flow may occur. When the cross-sectional area of the through hole221is equal to the cross-sectional area of the vacuum hole210, a very precise arrangement is required because the center of the second vacuum hole20and the center of the vacuum hole210need to be arranged on a straight line. However, this difficulty may be alleviated by increasing the size of the through hole221.

As shown inFIG.7, when the ring R is disposed on the upper surface of the ring carrier100, air is sucked in by the vacuum pump, and air flows along the first vacuum holes10, the air passage30, the second vacuum hole20, the through hole131, the vacuum hole210formed through the upper surface of the transport hand, a pipe of the transport hand, the vacuum hole240formed through the lower surface of the transport hand, and a pipe (not shown) formed in the transport arm. Due to this air flow, an attractive force acts between the first vacuum hole10and the ring R, and by this attractive force, the movement of the ring R is restricted during the transport process of the ring R. In addition, as previously described, the first vacuum hole10is formed in a portion where the ring support pad130is installed, and an attractive force also acts between the ring R and the ring support pad130, which acts as a normal force along with gravity acting on the ring R and the ring carrier100. Accordingly, the frictional force between the ring R and the ring support pad130also increases, so that the movement of the ring R is limited by the frictional force.

A component transport system (ring transport system), which is the second aspect of the present disclosure, includes the aforementioned ring carrier100, the transport hand200, and a transport arm A.

The ring carrier100according to the embodiment has a disk shape as shown inFIG.1. A lower surface120of the ring carrier100is in contact with the transport hand200of the transport arm, and on an upper surface110of the ring carrier100, a ring support pad130is installed so that a ring R is transported while being in contact with the ring support pad130.

Of the two surfaces of the ring carrier100, the surface in contact with the ring is referred to as the upper surface110, and the surface in contact with the transport hand is referred to as the lower surface120.

The ring carrier100includes a first vacuum hole10, a second vacuum hole20, and an air passage30.

The first vacuum hole10is a hole formed in a portion where the ring support pad130is installed, and is provided in plural.

In this embodiment, three first vacuum holes10are provided, and a contained angle θ between the pair of first vacuum holes10adjacent to the center O of the ring carrier100is 120 degrees, which is a value obtained by dividing 360 by N, which is the number of first vacuum holes10(which is 3 in this embodiment).

Meanwhile, the first vacuum hole10is not necessarily provided in plural. Even if one first vacuum hole10is formed, the ring may be fixed by applying downward force to the ring by the adsorption force acting on the first vacuum hole10. In addition, the frictional force may be defined as the product of the normal force and the coefficient of friction, and as the normal force between the ring support pad130and the ring R increases due to the downward force (adsorption force) acting on the ring, the frictional force between the ring support pad130and the ring R increases, and thus the effect of preventing separation of the ring R may be expected due to the increased frictional force.

Of course, when there are several first vacuum holes10, it is clear that there is an advantage in stably supporting the ring compared to a case with one first vacuum hole10. Thus, in this embodiment, three first vacuum holes10are provided.

The ring support pad130is a friction member that is in direct contact with the ring R and is disposed on the upper surface110, and the first vacuum hole10is formed in a portion where the ring support pad130is installed.

As shown inFIG.4, the ring support pad130is formed with a through hole131communicating with the first vacuum hole10so that air may flow without clogging.

The position where a component support pad (ring support pad in this embodiment) is installed is determined according to the shape of the component to be supported. When the component is a ring as in the present embodiment, the support pad is installed on the rim of the upper surface110according to the shape of the ring and is installed to directly contact the ring. However, when the shape of a component changes, the position of the ring support pad130may also change.

On the other hand, the ring carrier100and the ring R may be in direct contact without the ring support pad130.

The second vacuum hole20is a hole formed through the lower surface120of the ring carrier100, and is formed at a position capable of communicating with a vacuum hole210formed in the transport hand200. In this embodiment, one second vacuum hole20is provided, but several second vacuum holes20may be provided.

The air passage30is a tube connecting the first vacuum hole10and the second vacuum hole20to each other. The air passage30may be composed of tubes30a,30b, and30cconnecting the second vacuum hole20and the respective first vacuum holes10as shown inFIG.3A, or may include a first air passage31connecting the second vacuum hole and any one first vacuum hole and a second air passage32formed in a circular shape along the rim of the ring carrier100to connect all of the first vacuum holes10as shown inFIG.3B. Unlike the present embodiment, when there is only one first vacuum hole10, only one tube connecting the first vacuum hole10and the second vacuum hole20needs to be installed.

When comparing the air passage30of the type shown inFIG.3Aand the air passage30of the type shown inFIG.3B, the effect is almost the same. Since the length of the air passage30is not several meters but several tens of centimeters, there is not a big difference in the distance the air travels by means of a vacuum pump (not shown), and thus almost the same effect occurs in both cases in that the first vacuum hole10may adsorb the ring R immediately when the vacuum pump is operated. Nevertheless, the air passage30shown inFIG.3Ais characterized by being shorter than the air passage30shown inFIG.3B, whereas in the case of the air passage30shown inFIG.3B, since the air passage30is provided over the entire rim of the ring carrier100, when the first vacuum hole10is additionally formed, there is no need to additionally install the air passage30.

The transport hand200contacts the lower surface of the ring carrier100, and includes the vacuum hole210and a friction pad220.

A through hole221is formed in the friction pad220, and the cross-sectional area of the through hole221is larger than that of the vacuum hole210.

In this way, when the cross-sectional area of the through hole221is larger than the cross-sectional area of the vacuum hole210, the air flow is maintained even if the center of the second through hole20of the ring pad100and the center of the vacuum hole210are not exactly aligned.

The transport arm A is coupled with the transport hand200to drive the transport hand200.

Although the above-described embodiment has been described based on an embodiment in which the ring carrier100is provided in a disk shape, the ring carrier100is not limited to a specific shape and may be provided in various ways. For example, as shown inFIG.8, a portion of the disk is formed flat, so that the ring carrier100may be easily put down or lifted in another seating position. In addition, as shown inFIG.8, openings40may be formed in parts of the ring carrier100to reduce the weight of the ring carrier100. As shown inFIG.9, the ring carrier100may be formed in a triangular shape so that the ring carrier100may be easily put down or lifted, and weight thereof may be reduced at the same time.

Meanwhile, the above-described ring carrier100and a ring transport system including the ring carrier100may be configured in a plasma processing facility.

FIG.10is a plan view illustrating a plasma processing facility300according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.10, the plasma processing facility300includes an index module310, a load lock module330, and a process module320. The index module310includes a load port420and a transport frame440. The load port420, the transport frame440, and the process module320are sequentially arranged in a line. Hereinafter, a direction in which the load port420, the transport frame440, the load lock module330, and the process module320are arranged is referred to as a first direction12, a direction perpendicular to the first direction12when viewed from above is referred to as a second direction14, and a direction perpendicular to the plane including the first direction12and the second direction14is referred to as a third direction16.

In the present invention, the load lock module330and the process module320are collectively referred to as a processing module.

A cassette318in which a plurality of substrates W are accommodated is seated in the load port420. A plurality of load ports420are provided, and the load ports420are arranged in a line along the second direction14.FIG.10shows that two load ports420and one carrier storage unit421are provided. However, the number of load ports420may increase or decrease according to conditions such as process efficiency of the process module320and footprints. The cassette318has a slot (not shown) provided to support the edges of the substrate. A plurality of slots are provided in the third direction16, and the substrates are positioned in the cassette318to be stacked while being spaced apart from each other along the third direction16. A front opening unified pod (FOUP) may be used as the cassette318.

The carrier storage unit421may be provided in the index module310. The carrier storage unit421is a unit in which a carrier on which a ring member (ring R) is placed is stored when the ring member is transported into a chamber using a hand. The outer shape of the carrier storage unit421may be provided similar to that of the cassette318. The interior of the carrier storage unit421may also be provided similarly to the interior of the cassette318.

In the transport frame440provided with one or more load ports420into which the cassettes318are placed in the index module310, and an index robot that transports substrates between the cassette318placed in the load port420and the processing module, the load ports420and the transport frame440may be arranged in a first direction, and the load ports420and the carrier storage unit421may be arranged in the same direction as the first direction12when viewed from above.

As shown inFIG.10, the carrier storage unit421and the load ports420are arranged side by side. According toFIG.10, the carrier storage unit421is shown to be disposed at the edge, but may also be disposed between the load ports420. That is, the carrier storage unit421may be placed anywhere where the load port420may be placed.

In another embodiment, the carrier storage unit421may be arranged in the second direction14perpendicular to the first direction12when viewed from above. The carrier storage unit421may be disposed on one side of the transport frame440other than the side on which the load ports420are disposed. According to another embodiment, the carrier storage unit421may be provided at a location spaced apart from the processing module320/330and the index module310. When the carrier storage unit421is provided at a location spaced apart from the processing module320/330and the index module310, the carrier storage unit421may be transported into the index module310using a separate transport system (a component transport system for semiconductor manufacturing).

The transport frame440transports the substrate W between the cassette318seated in the load port420and the load lock module330. An index rail442and an index robot444are provided on the transport frame440. The length direction of the index rail442is parallel to the second direction14. The index robot444is installed on the index rail442and linearly moves in the second direction14along the index rail442. The index robot444has a base444a, a body444b, and an index arm444cand a hand144d. The base444ais installed to be movable along the index rail442. The body444bis coupled to the base444a. The body444bis provided to be movable along the third direction16on the base444a. In addition, the body444bis provided to be rotatable on the base444a. The index arm444cis coupled to the body444band is provided to be movable forward and backward with respect to the body444b. A plurality of index aims444care provided to be individually driven. The index arms444care stacked and spaced apart from each other along the third direction16. Some of the index arms444cmay be used when transferring the substrate W from the process module320to the cassette318, and the rest of the index arms444cmay be used when transferring the substrate W from the cassette318to the process module320. This may prevent particles generated from the pre-processed substrate W from being attached to the post-processed substrate W during the process of carrying in and taking out the substrate W by the index robot444.

The load lock module330is disposed between the transport frame440and a transport unit540. The load lock module330replaces a normal pressure atmosphere of the index module310with a vacuum atmosphere of the process module320for the substrate W carried into the process module320, or replaces the vacuum atmosphere of the process module320with the normal pressure atmosphere of the index module310for the substrate W carried out to the index module310. The load lock module330provides a processing space110bwhere the substrate W stays before being transferred between the transport unit540and the transport frame440. The load lock module330includes a load lock chamber332and an unload lock chamber334.

The substrate W transported from the index module310to the process module320temporarily stays in the load lock chamber332. The load lock chamber332maintains a normal pressure atmosphere in a stand-by state, and remains open to the index module310while being blocked to the process module320. When the substrate W is loaded into the load lock chamber332, the internal space is sealed for each of the index module310and the process module320. Thereafter, the atmosphere of the internal space of the load lock chamber332is replaced from normal pressure to vacuum, and is opened to the process module320while being blocked from the index module310.

In the unload lock chamber334, the substrate W transferred from the process module320to the index module310temporarily stays. The unload lock chamber334maintains a vacuum atmosphere in a stand-by state, and remains open to the process module320while being blocked to the index module310. When the substrate W is loaded into the unload lock chamber334, the internal space is sealed for each of the index module310and the process module320. Thereafter, the atmosphere of the internal space of the unload lock chamber334is replaced from vacuum to normal pressure, and is opened to the index module310while being blocked from the process module320.

The process module320includes the transport unit540and a plurality of process chambers560.

The transport unit540transfers the substrate W between the load lock chamber332, the unload lock chamber334, and the plurality of process chambers560. The transport unit540includes a transport chamber542and a transport robot550. The transport chamber542may be provided in a hexagonal shape. Optionally, the transport chamber542may be provided in a rectangular or pentagonal shape. Around the transport chamber542, the load lock chamber332, the unload lock chamber334, and the plurality of process chambers560are positioned. Inside the transport chamber542, a transport space544for transferring the substrate W is provided.

The transport robot550transports the substrate W in the transport space544. The transport robot550may be located in the center of the transport chamber542. The transport robot550may move in horizontal and vertical directions, and may have a plurality of transport hands552capable of moving forward, backward, or rotating on a horizontal plane. Each transport hand552may be operated independently, and the substrate W may be placed on the transport hand552in a horizontal state.

The transport robot550may include the transport hand552capable of seating a substrate and a transport arm553. A robot body (not shown) has a drive means such as a stepping motor therein, and controls the operation of the transport arm553. The transport arm553may perform an unfolding or folding operation to transport the substrate W by receiving power from the robot body (not shown), and may also perform an upward or downward movement. The transport arm553may be provided in various shapes. The transport hand200and the transport arm A shown inFIG.6may be applied to the transport hand552and the transport arm553shown inFIG.10, respectively.

In an embodiment, the transport hand552may be provided in a Y-shape connected to the front end of the transport arm553so as to easily receive and hand over the substrate and other members to other configurations. In this embodiment, the shape of the transport hand552has been shown and described as a “Y” shape, but the shape of the transport hand552may be changed and provided in various forms such as an “I” shape.

The process chamber560performs a process of treating a substrate with plasma. According to an example, the substrate treatment process may be an etching process. Alternatively, the process performed in the process chamber560may be a process of treating a substrate using a gas other than plasma.

FIG.11is a cross-sectional view illustrating the process chamber560ofFIG.10. Referring toFIG.2, the process chamber includes a housing1100, a substrate support unit1200, a gas supply unit1300, a plasma source1400, and an exhaust baffle1500.

The housing1100has a processing space1106in which the substrate W is processed. The housing1100is provided in a tubular shape. The housing1100is made of a metal material. For example, the housing1100may be made of aluminum. An opening is formed in one side wall of the housing1100. The opening functions as an entrance through which the substrate W is carried in and out. The opening is opened and closed by a door1120. A lower hole1150is formed through the bottom surface of the housing1100. The lower hole1150is connected to a pressure reducing member (not shown). Removing air from the processing space1106of the housing1100is performed by the pressure reducing member, and a reduced pressure atmosphere may be formed.

The substrate support unit1200supports the substrate W in the processing space1106. The substrate support unit1200may be provided as an electrostatic chuck1200that supports the substrate W using electrostatic force. Optionally, the substrate support unit1200may support the substrate W in various ways such as mechanical clamping.

The substrate support unit1200includes a dielectric plate1210, a base1230, and a focus ring1250. The dielectric plate1210is provided as a dielectric plate1210including a dielectric material. The substrate W is directly placed on the upper surface of the dielectric plate1210. The dielectric plate1210is provided in a disk shape. The dielectric plate1210may have a smaller radius than the substrate W. Inside the dielectric plate1210, an internal electrode1212is installed. A power source (not shown) is connected to the internal electrode1212and receives power from the power source (not shown). The internal electrode1212provides electrostatic force based on applied electric power (not shown) so that the substrate W is adsorbed to the dielectric plate1210. A heater1214for heating the substrate W is installed inside the dielectric plate1210. The heater1214may be positioned below the internal electrode1212. The heater1214may be provided as a spiral coil.

The base1230supports the dielectric plate1210. The base1230is positioned below the dielectric plate1210and is fixedly coupled with the dielectric plate1210. The upper surface of the base1230has a stepped shape such that the center area is higher than the edge area. The base1230has the central area of the upper surface corresponding to the bottom surface of the dielectric plate1210. A cooling passage1232is formed inside the base1230. The cooling passage1232is provided as a path through which cooling fluid circulates. The cooling passage1232may be provided in a spiral shape inside the base1230. The base is connected to a high frequency power source1234located outside. The high frequency power source1234applies power to the base1230. Power applied to the base1230guides the plasma generated in the housing1100to move toward the base1230. The base1230may be made of a metal material. When processing a substrate in the processing unit, one or more focus rings1250are provided around the substrate.

The focus ring1250may correspond to the ring R carried by the ring carrier100described in the present disclosure.

The focus ring1250focuses the plasma onto the substrate W. The focus ring1250focuses the plasma onto the substrate W. The focus ring1250is provided in a ring shape and is disposed along the circumference of the dielectric plate1210. An upper surface of the focus ring1250may be stepped so that an inner portion adjacent to the dielectric plate1210is lower than an outer portion. The inner portion of the upper surface of the focus ring1250may be positioned at the same height as the central region of an upper surface of the dielectric plate1210. The inner portion of the upper surface of the focus ring1250supports an edge region of the substrate W positioned outside the dielectric plate1210. The focus ring1250expands an electric field forming region so that the substrate is positioned at the center of a region where plasma is formed.

A drive device1240that drives the focus ring1250may be connected to the focus ring1250. When replacement of the focus ring1250is required, the drive device1240may drive the focus ring1250to move up and down. The drive device1240may include a pin structure (not shown) for lifting and lowering the focus ring. When replacement of the focus ring1250is required, the focus ring1250is lifted and lowered by a pin (not shown) included in the drive device1240. When the focus ring1250is lifted, the hand144dis inserted into the bottom of the focus ring to receive the focus ring from the pin (not shown).

The gas supply unit1300supplies a process gas onto the substrate W supported by the substrate support unit1200. The gas supply unit1300includes a gas storage part1350, a gas supply line1330, and a gas inlet port1310. The gas supply line1330connects the gas storage part1350and the gas inlet port1310. The process gas stored in the gas storage part1350is supplied to the gas inlet port1310through the gas supply line1330. The gas inlet port1310is installed on the upper wall of the housing1100. The gas inlet port1310is positioned opposite to the substrate support unit1200. According to an example, the gas inlet port1310may be installed at the center of the upper wall of the housing1100. A valve may be installed in the gas supply line1330to open or close the inner passage or to adjust the flow rate of gas flowing through the inner passage. For example, the processing gas may be an etching gas.

The plasma source1400excites the processing gas in the housing1100into a plasma state. As the plasma source1400, an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) source may be used. The plasma source1400includes an antenna1410and an external power source1430. The antenna1410is disposed on the outer upper portion of the housing1100. The antenna1410is provided in a spiral shape that is wound multiple times and is connected to the external power source1430. The antenna1410receives power from the external power source1430. The antenna1410to which power is applied forms a discharge space in the internal space of the housing1100. The process gas staying in the discharge space may be excited into a plasma state.

The exhaust baffle1500uniformly exhausts the plasma for each area in the processing space1106. The exhaust baffle1500has an annular ring shape. The exhaust baffle1500is positioned between the substrate support unit1200and the inner wall of the housing1100in the processing space1106. A plurality of exhaust holes1502are formed in the exhaust baffle1500. The exhaust holes1502are provided to face up and down. The exhaust holes1502are provided as holes extending from the top to the bottom of the exhaust baffle1500. The exhaust holes1502are spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the exhaust baffle1500. Each exhaust hole1502has a slit shape and has a longitudinal direction toward the radial direction.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the index robot444or the transport robot550transports the focus ring1250, both robots may transport the ring using the carrier1600. However, according to another embodiment, the carrier1600is used when the index robot444transports the focus ring1250, and is not used when the transport robot550transports the focus ring1250. In the latter embodiment, the transport arm553may be modified so that the transport robot550may be used to transfer both the ring member and the substrate, and the ring member may be placed on a pad on the transport arm553and transported without a carrier. According to the latter embodiment, the carrier1600may be used to transport the ring member from the carrier storage unit421to the load lock module330, and may not be used in the process of transporting the ring member from the load lock module330to the process chamber560.

The plasma processing facility300includes: the process chamber560in which plasma treatment is performed on a substrate W; and the transport robot550including the transport hand552that transfers the substrate W to the process chamber560and supports the substrate W from the bottom, and the transport arm553that drives the transport hand552.

The process chamber560includes: the housing1100having the processing space110btherein; the substrate support unit1200supporting a substrate W in the processing space110b; the gas supply unit1300supplying process gas to the processing space110b; and the plasma source1400generating plasma from the process gas.

The substrate support unit1200is provided to surround the dielectric plate1210on which a substrate W is placed and the substrate W placed on the dielectric plate1210, and includes the focus ring1250provided detachably from the dielectric plate1210.

The focus ring1250is coupled to the ring carrier100and transported by the transport robot550. The lower surface120of the ring carrier100is in contact with the transport hand552, and on the upper surface110of the ring carrier100, the ring support pad130generating frictional force with the focus ring1250is installed to come into contact with the focus ring1250.

The ring carrier100includes: the first vacuum hole10formed through the upper surface110; the second vacuum hole20formed through the lower surface; and the air passage30provided between the first vacuum hole10and the second vacuum hole20.

In the previously described embodiment, the ring carrier was described as an example of a component carrier. However, the scope of rights of the present disclosure is not limited to the ring carrier, and it should be seen as extending to the component carrier for a component that needs to be transported using a medium called a carrier because it is difficult to transport the component directly by the transport hand due to the shape of the component, such as the shape with a through-hole or groove in the upward direction.

In the above, specific details for carrying out the present disclosure have been provided by describing the embodiments of the present disclosure. However, the technical spirit of the present disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments, and may be embodied in various forms within the scope not contrary to the technical spirit of the present disclosure.