SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT AND METHOD FOR TREATING WAFER

A semiconductor manufacturing equipment includes a processing chamber, at least one reflector and at least one electromagnetic wave emitting device. The reflector is present in the processing chamber. The electromagnetic wave emitting device is present between the reflector and a wafer in the processing chamber. The electromagnetic wave emitting device is configured to emit a spectrum of electromagnetic wave to the wafer. The reflector has a relative reflectance to Al2O3 with respect to the spectrum of electromagnetic wave, and the relative reflectance of the reflector is in a range from about 70% to about 120%.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally relates to semiconductor manufacturing equipments.

Throughout a semiconductor manufacturing process, a number of procedures are carried out to treat the wafer. Among these procedures, the application of light treatment is involved. In general, the light treatment includes the applications of flash annealing, ultraviolet (UV) curing and heating by infrared (IR), etc.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is made toFIG. 1.FIG. 1is a schematic view of a semiconductor manufacturing equipment100in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 1, the semiconductor manufacturing equipment100includes a processing chamber110, at least one reflector120and at least one electromagnetic wave emitting device130. The reflector120is present in the processing chamber110. The electromagnetic wave emitting device130is present between the reflector120and a wafer200in the processing chamber110. The electromagnetic wave emitting device130is configured to emit a spectrum of electromagnetic wave to the wafer200. The reflector120has a reflectance with respect to the spectrum of electromagnetic wave, and the reflectance of the reflector120is in a range from about 90.5% to about 99.9%.

In practical applications, during the operation of the semiconductor manufacturing equipment100, the electromagnetic wave emitting device130emits a spectrum of electromagnetic wave and at least a part of the spectrum of electromagnetic wave propagates to the wafer200and arrives at the wafer200in a period of time. In the same period of time, however, another part of the spectrum of electromagnetic wave emitted by the electromagnetic wave emitting device130propagates in a direction away from the wafer200. As shown inFIG. 1, the reflector120is present at a side of the electromagnetic wave emitting device130opposite to the wafer200. When the spectrum of electromagnetic wave propagating away from the wafer200arrives at the reflector120, the reflector120reflects the spectrum of electromagnetic wave initially propagating away from the wafer200back to the wafer200. In this way, a majority of the spectrum of electromagnetic wave emitted by the electromagnetic wave emitting device130is directed to the wafer200. To be more specific, the percentage of the spectrum of electromagnetic wave being reflected by the reflector120depends on the reflectance of the reflector120, which ranges from about 90.5% to about 99.9% as mentioned above. For example, if about 90% of the spectrum of electromagnetic wave is reflected by the reflector120, this means about 10% of the spectrum of electromagnetic wave will be absorbed by the reflector120.

As compared to the material of aluminum oxide Al2O3, the reflector120has a relative reflectance to Al2O3with respect to the spectrum of electromagnetic wave. In some embodiments, the relative reflectance of the reflector120is in a range from about 70% to about 120% as compared to Al2O3. Since the relative reflectance of the reflector120can be greater than about 70% as compared to Al2O3, the reflector120can reflect a higher percentage of the spectrum of electromagnetic wave initially propagating away from the wafer200back to the wafer200. In other words, when the spectrum of electromagnetic wave emitted by the electromagnetic wave emitting device130initially propagating away from the wafer200reaches the reflector120, a lower percentage of the spectrum of electromagnetic wave initially propagating away from the wafer200will be absorbed by the reflector120.

Since the reflector120reflects the spectrum of electromagnetic wave initially propagating away from the wafer200back to the wafer200, the percentage of the spectrum of electromagnetic wave emitted by the electromagnetic wave emitting device130which is directed to the wafer200is increased by the reflector120. As a result, for the same amount of spectrum of electromagnetic wave to be directed to the wafer200, less power is required to generate the electromagnetic wave emitting device130to emit the spectrum of electromagnetic wave. Therefore, the operating cost of the semiconductor manufacturing equipment100is reduced, while the efficiency of the semiconductor manufacturing equipment100is increased. In practical applications, in some embodiments, the electromagnetic wave emitting device130has at least an electrode disposed inside. With less power supplied to the electromagnetic wave emitting device130for emitting the spectrum of electromagnetic wave, the degradation rate of the electrode disposed inside the electromagnetic wave emitting device130is correspondingly slowed down. Hence, the working life of the electromagnetic wave emitting device130is also correspondingly increased.

Furthermore, in order to achieve an even reflection of the spectrum of electromagnetic wave emitted by the electromagnetic wave emitting device130, the reflector120has a diffuse reflectance with respect to the spectrum of electromagnetic wave. In some embodiments, the diffuse reflectance of the reflector120is in a range from about 90.5% to about 99.9%.

As compared to the material of Al2O3, the reflector120has a relative diffuse reflectance to Al2O3with respect to the spectrum of electromagnetic wave. In some embodiments, the relative diffuse reflectance of the reflector120is in a range from about 90% to about 110% as compared to Al2O3. Since the relative diffuse reflectance of the reflector120can be greater than about 90% as compared to Al2O3, the reflector120can achieve a more even reflection when reflecting the spectrum of electromagnetic wave initially propagating away from the wafer200back to the wafer200. In other words, when the spectrum of electromagnetic wave emitted by the electromagnetic wave emitting device130initially propagating away from the wafer200reaches the reflector120, the spectrum of electromagnetic wave initially propagating away from the wafer200will be reflected by the reflector120in a more even manner.

In order to maintain the intensity of the spectrum of electromagnetic wave emitted by the electromagnetic wave emitting device130, the semiconductor manufacturing equipment100further includes a sensor140and a power control150. The sensor140is configured for detecting an intensity of the spectrum of electromagnetic wave arriving at the wafer200. On the other hand, the power control150is electrically connected to the electromagnetic wave emitting device130. The power control150is configured for supplying a power to the electromagnetic wave emitting device130according to the intensity of the spectrum of electromagnetic wave detected by the sensor140. For example, if the electrode disposed inside the electromagnetic wave emitting device130is degraded after a time period of utilization and the intensity of the spectrum of electromagnetic wave emitted by the electromagnetic wave emitting device130is reduced, the sensor140will detect the reduced intensity of the spectrum of electromagnetic wave arriving at the wafer200. Consequently, the power control150will supply more power to the electromagnetic wave emitting device130according to the reduced intensity of the spectrum of electromagnetic wave detected by the sensor140, so as to maintain the intensity of the spectrum of electromagnetic wave emitted by the electromagnetic wave emitting device130.

Furthermore, the semiconductor manufacturing equipment100further includes a heater160. The heater160is present in the processing chamber110and is configured to allow the wafer200to be disposed thereon. In other words, during the operation of the semiconductor manufacturing equipment100, the wafer200is disposed on the heater160. The heater160works to increase the temperature of the wafer200according to actual situations.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG. 1, the number of the electromagnetic wave emitting device130is plural and there exists a space S between the adjacent electromagnetic wave emitting devices130. In this way, when the spectrum of electromagnetic wave initially propagating away from the wafer200reaches the reflector120, the spectrum of electromagnetic wave initially propagating away from the wafer200will be reflected by the reflector120and the spectrum of electromagnetic wave reflected by the reflector120will pass the spaces S and propagate towards the wafer200.

In some practical applications, the light treatment to the wafer200performed by the semiconductor manufacturing equipment100can be flash annealing. In flash annealing, light energy is applied on the surface of the wafer200in a period of time, for instance, between some hundred microseconds and some milliseconds. In this way, the surface of the wafer200is thermally treated and the quality of the wafer200is correspondingly improved.

In some embodiments, the electromagnetic wave emitting device130includes at least one visible light source. The visible light source is configured to emit a visible light. The wavelength of the visible light falls approximately between about 200 nm and about 900 nm approximately. During the operation of the semiconductor manufacturing equipment100for flash annealing, the visible light source of the electromagnetic wave emitting device130emits a visible light to the wafer200in a period of time, for instance, between some hundred microseconds and some milliseconds. In the same period of time, however, another part of the visible light emitted by the visible light source of the electromagnetic wave emitting device130propagates in a direction away from the wafer200. When the visible light propagating away from the wafer200reaches the reflector120, the reflector120reflects the visible light initially propagating away from the wafer200back to the wafer200. In some embodiments, the range of the wavelength of the electromagnetic waves that the reflector120is capable to reflect is wide enough to include the wavelength of the visible light. In this way, a majority of the visible light emitted by the visible light source of the electromagnetic wave emitting device120is directed to the wafer200.

Furthermore, as mentioned above, since the relative reflectance of the reflector120can be greater than about 70% as compared to Al2O3, the reflector120can reflect a higher percentage of the visible light initially propagating away from the wafer200back to the wafer200. In other words, when the visible light emitted by the visible light source of the electromagnetic wave emitting device130initially propagating away from the wafer200reaches the reflector120, a lower percentage of the visible light initially propagating away from the wafer200will be absorbed by the reflector120. In some embodiments, for example, the reflector120can reflect the visible light initially propagating away from the wafer200back to the wafer200by over about 95%. This means the reflector120absorbs less than about 5% of the visible light initially propagating away from the wafer200when the visible light initially propagating away from the wafer200reaches the reflector120.

In some practical applications, the light treatment to the wafer200performed by the semiconductor manufacturing equipment100can be ultraviolet (UV) curing. UV curing is a speed curing process in which ultraviolet is used to create a photochemical reaction that instantly cures inks, adhesives and coatings. UV curing is adaptable to printing, coating, decorating, stereo-lithography and assembling of a variety of products and materials owing to some of its attributes. UV curing is a low temperature process, a high speed process, and a solventless process. In UV curing, cure is by polymerization rather than by evaporation.

In some embodiments, the electromagnetic wave emitting device130includes at least one ultraviolet source. The ultraviolet source is configured to emit an ultraviolet light. The wavelength of the ultraviolet light approximately falls between about 100 nm and about 400 nm. During the operation of the semiconductor manufacturing equipment100for UV curing, the ultraviolet source of the electromagnetic wave emitting device130emits an ultraviolet light to the wafer200in a period of time. In the same period of time, however, another part of the ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet source of the electromagnetic wave emitting device130propagates in a direction away from the wafer200. When the ultraviolet light propagating away from the wafer200reaches the reflector120, the reflector120reflects the ultraviolet light initially propagating away from the wafer200back to the wafer200. In some embodiments, the range of the wavelength of the electromagnetic waves that the reflector120is capable to reflect is wide enough to include the wavelength of the ultraviolet light. In this way, a majority of the ultraviolet emitted by the ultraviolet light source of the electromagnetic wave emitting device120is directed to the wafer200.

Furthermore, as mentioned above, since the relative reflectance of the reflector120can be greater than about 70% as compared to Al2O3, the reflector120can reflect a higher percentage of the ultraviolet light initially propagating away from the wafer200back to the wafer200. In other words, when the ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet source of the electromagnetic wave emitting device130initially propagating away from the wafer200reaches the reflector120, a lower percentage of the ultraviolet light initially propagating away from the wafer200will be absorbed by the reflector120. In some embodiments, for example, the reflector120can reflect the ultraviolet light initially propagating away from the wafer200back to the wafer200by over about 95%. This means the reflector120absorbs less than about 5% of the ultraviolet light initially propagating away from the wafer200when the ultraviolet initially propagating away from the wafer200reaches the reflector120.

In some practical applications, infrared (IR) light is utilized in the light treatment. In some embodiments, the electromagnetic wave emitting device130includes at least one infrared source. The infrared source is configured to emit an infrared light. The wavelength of the infrared light falls approximately between about 700 nm and about 1 mm. During the operation of the semiconductor manufacturing equipment100for the application of infrared light, the infrared source of the electromagnetic wave emitting device130emits an infrared light to the wafer200in a period of time. In the same period of time, however, another part of the infrared light emitted by the infrared source of the electromagnetic wave emitting device130propagates in a direction away from the wafer200. When the infrared light propagating away from the wafer200reaches the reflector120, the reflector120reflects the infrared light initially propagating away from the wafer200back to the wafer200. In some embodiments, the range of the wavelength of the electromagnetic waves that the reflector120is capable to reflect is wide enough to include the wavelength of the infrared light. In this way, a majority of the infrared light emitted by the infrared source of the electromagnetic wave emitting device120is directed to the wafer200.

Furthermore, as mentioned above, since relative reflectance of the reflector120can be greater than about 70% as compared to Al2O3, the reflector120can reflect a higher percentage of the infrared light initially propagating away from the wafer200back to the wafer200. In other words, when the infrared light emitted by the infrared source of the electromagnetic wave emitting device130initially propagating away from the wafer200reaches the reflector120, a lower percentage of the infrared light initially propagating away from the wafer200will be absorbed by the reflector120. In some embodiments, for example, the reflector120can reflect the infrared light initially propagating away from the wafer200back to the wafer200by over about 95%. This means the reflector120absorbs less than about 5% of the infrared light initially propagating away from the wafer200when the infrared initially propagating away from the wafer200reaches the reflector120.

In some embodiments, the reflector120is made of a material including silver. In practical applications, the silver can be coated as a layer over the reflector120. In other words, the reflector120has a surface facing the electromagnetic wave emitting device130, and the said surface of the reflector120includes silver.

Reference is made toFIG. 2.FIG. 2is a partially magnified view of the reflector120ofFIG. 1. As shown inFIG. 2, in order to increase the reflectance of the reflector120, the reflector120includes a plurality of fibrils121in a microscopic scale. The microscopic scale is the scale of objects and events smaller than those that can be seen by the naked eye but large enough to be seen under a microscope. The fibrils121are configured to reflect and refract the spectrum of electromagnetic wave such that the reflectance of the reflector120is increased. In other words, the reflector120has a surface facing the electromagnetic wave emitting device130, and the fibrils121are present on the said surface thereof. Practically speaking, the reflector120is made of a material including polytetrafluoroethene (PTFE).

The reflector120with the fibrils121may have a substantially lambertian surface facing the electromagnetic wave emitting device130and/or the wafer200. In other words, the surface of the reflector120facing the electromagnetic wave emitting device130and/or the wafer200is substantially lambertian. A luminance of the lambertian surface of the reflector120facing the electromagnetic wave emitting device130and/or the wafer200is substantially isotropic, which means that a brightness of the said surface is substantially the same regardless of an observer's angle of view from about 0° to about 180°.

In addition, in some embodiments, the reflector120can be made of aluminum alloys such as 5052 and 6061, such that the relative reflectance of the reflector120is in a range from about 70% to about 120% as compared to Al2O3.

Reference is made toFIG. 3.FIG. 3is a schematic view of a semiconductor manufacturing equipment300in accordance with some other embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the semiconductor manufacturing equipment300further includes a wafer support380. The wafer support380is configured to support the wafer200. Meanwhile, a plurality of the electromagnetic wave emitting devices330is present at opposite sides of the wafer200. As shown inFIG. 3, the semiconductor manufacturing equipment300includes a processing chamber310. The electromagnetic wave emitting devices330are disposed in the processing chamber310. The wafer200is located between the electromagnetic wave emitting devices330.

In practical applications, the wafer support380is transparent to the spectrum of electromagnetic wave. In other words, when the electromagnetic wave emitting devices330located at the side of the wafer support380away from the wafer200emit a spectrum of electromagnetic wave towards the wafer200, the spectrum of electromagnetic wave will penetrate through the wafer support380and reach the wafer200.

In addition, as shown inFIG. 3, a plurality of the reflectors320is present at opposite sides of the wafer200. Moreover, the electromagnetic wave emitting devices330are located between the reflectors320.

In some embodiments, during the process of light treatment by the semiconductor manufacturing equipment300, the electromagnetic wave emitting devices330present at the opposite sides of the wafer200emit a spectrum of electromagnetic wave and at least a part of the spectrum of electromagnetic wave propagates to the opposite sides of the wafer200in a period of time. In the same period of time, however, another part of the spectrum of electromagnetic wave emitted by the electromagnetic wave emitting devices330propagates in a direction away from the wafer200. When the spectrum of electromagnetic wave propagating away from the wafer200reaches the reflectors320, the reflectors320reflect the spectrum of electromagnetic wave initially propagating away from the wafer200back to the wafer200. In this way, a majority of the spectrum of electromagnetic wave emitted by the electromagnetic wave emitting device330present at the opposite sides of the wafer200is directed to the opposite sides of the wafer200.

Similarly, in order to maintain the intensity of the spectrum of electromagnetic wave emitted by the electromagnetic wave emitting devices330, the semiconductor manufacturing equipment300further includes a sensor340and a power control350. For example, if the electrode disposed inside each of the electromagnetic wave emitting devices330is degraded after a time period of utilization and the intensity of the spectrum of electromagnetic wave emitted by the electromagnetic wave emitting devices330is reduced, the sensor340will detect the reduced intensity of the spectrum of electromagnetic wave arriving at the wafer200. Consequently, the power control350will supply more power to the electromagnetic wave emitting devices330according to the reduced intensity of the spectrum of electromagnetic wave detected by the sensor340, so as to maintain the intensity of the spectrum of electromagnetic wave emitted by the electromagnetic wave emitting devices330.

Reference is made toFIG. 4.FIG. 4is a schematic view of a semiconductor manufacturing equipment500in accordance with yet some other embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the semiconductor manufacturing equipment500includes a wafer support580. The wafer support580is configured to support the wafer200. As shown inFIG. 4, the wafer support580supports a plurality of wafers200such that the wafers200are stacked as a column in the processing chamber510. Furthermore, the wafer support580, and thus the column of the wafers200, is surrounded by the electromagnetic wave emitting devices530. In practical applications, the electromagnetic wave emitting devices530are disposed vertically in the processing chamber510and the wafer support580, and thus the column of the wafer200, is located between the electromagnetic wave emitting devices530.

In addition, as shown inFIG. 4, the wafer support580is surrounded by the reflectors520. Moreover, the electromagnetic wave emitting devices530are located between the reflectors520.

With reference to the semiconductor manufacturing equipment100as mentioned above, the embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a method for treating the wafer200. The method includes the following steps (it is appreciated that the sequence of the steps and the sub-steps as mentioned below, unless otherwise specified, all can be adjusted according to the actual situations, or even executed at the same time or partially at the same time):

(1) emitting a spectrum of electromagnetic wave, at least a part of the spectrum of electromagnetic wave arriving at the reflector120.

(2) reflecting about 90.5 percent to about 99.9 percent of the said part of the spectrum of electromagnetic wave arriving at the reflector120to the wafer200.

To be more specific, during the process of light treatment to the wafer200performed by the semiconductor manufacturing equipment100, the electromagnetic wave emitting device130emits a spectrum of electromagnetic wave and at least a part of the spectrum of electromagnetic wave propagates to the wafer200and arrives at the wafer200in a period of time. In the same period of time, however, another part of the spectrum of electromagnetic wave emitted by the electromagnetic wave emitting device130propagates in a direction away from the wafer200. When the spectrum of electromagnetic wave propagating away from the wafer200arrives at the reflector120, the reflector120reflects about 90.5 percent to about 99.9 percent of the spectrum of electromagnetic wave initially propagating away from the wafer200back to the wafer200. In this way, a majority of the spectrum of electromagnetic wave emitted by the electromagnetic wave emitting device130is directed to the wafer200.

In order to increase the reflectance of the reflector120, in some embodiments, the reflector120has a surface facing the wafer200. The said surface of the reflector120includes silver. In practical applications, the silver can be coated as a layer over the reflector120.

On the other hand, in some embodiments, in order to increase the reflectance of the reflector120, the reflector120includes structurally a plurality of fibrils121on the said surface in a microscopic scale. The fibrils121are configured to reflect and refract the spectrum of electromagnetic wave such that the reflectance of the reflector120is increased. In other words, the fibrils121are present on the surface of the reflector120facing the electromagnetic wave emitting device130in a microscopic scale.

In some embodiments, the reflector120with the fibrils121may have a substantially lambertian surface facing the electromagnetic wave emitting device130and/or the wafer200. In other words, the surface of the reflector120facing the electromagnetic wave emitting device130and/or the wafer200is substantially lambertian. A luminance of the lambertian surface of the reflector120facing the electromagnetic wave emitting device130and/or the wafer200is substantially isotropic, which means that a brightness of the said surface is substantially the same regardless of an observer's angle of view from about 0° to about 180°.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, since the reflector120reflects the spectrum of electromagnetic wave initially propagating away from the wafer200back to the wafer200with a reflectance ranging from about 90.5% to about 99.9%, the percentage of the spectrum of electromagnetic wave emitted by the electromagnetic wave emitting device130which is directed to the wafer200is increased by the reflector120. As a result, for the same amount of spectrum of electromagnetic wave to be directed to the wafer200, less power is required to generate the electromagnetic wave emitting device130to emit the spectrum of electromagnetic wave. Therefore, the operating cost of the semiconductor manufacturing equipment100is reduced, while the efficiency of the semiconductor manufacturing equipment100is increased.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the semiconductor manufacturing equipment includes the processing chamber, at least one reflector and at least one electromagnetic wave emitting device. The reflector is present in the processing chamber. The electromagnetic wave emitting device is present between the reflector and the wafer in the processing chamber. The electromagnetic wave emitting device is configured to emit the spectrum of electromagnetic wave to the wafer. The reflector has a relative reflectance to Al2O3with respect to the spectrum of electromagnetic wave, and the relative reflectance of the reflector is in a range from about 70% to about 120%.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the semiconductor manufacturing equipment includes the processing chamber, the electromagnetic wave emitting device and the reflector. The electromagnetic wave emitting device is present in the processing chamber. The electromagnetic wave emitting device is configured to emit the spectrum of electromagnetic wave to the wafer. The reflector is present at the side of the electromagnetic wave emitting device opposite to the wafer, in which the reflector has the relative diffuse reflectance to Al2O3with respect to the spectrum of electromagnetic wave, and the relative diffuse reflectance of the reflector is in a range from about 90% to about 110%.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the method for treating the wafer includes emitting the spectrum of electromagnetic wave, at least a part of the spectrum of electromagnetic wave arriving at the reflector, and reflecting about 90.5 percent to about 99.9 percent of the said part of the spectrum of electromagnetic wave arriving at the reflector to the wafer.