CONTROLLING APPARATUS, SUBSTRATE PROCESSING APPARATUS, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE, AND RECORDING MEDIUM

There is provided a technique that includes: a recipe including a plurality of steps for which a processing condition for a substrate is defined; a display capable of displaying at least one selected from information on the plurality of steps included in the recipe and information on the processing condition of at least one step selected from the plurality of steps; an operator configured to perform an editing operation for the processing condition; and a controller capable of controlling information on a step for which the editing operation for the processing condition is performed to be displayed in a different manner from information on a step for which the editing operation is not performed.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-063051, filed on Apr. 7, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a controlling apparatus, a substrate processing apparatus, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, and a recording medium.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the related art, a substrate processing apparatus is described, which displays other recipes on the same screen when editing a specific recipe, thereby allowing for the creation of the specific recipe while referring to the contents of the other recipes.

In the technique disclosed in the related art, if settings that affect other steps are made when editing a selected step, switching between the steps is performed to check the settings. Therefore, this may lead to a decrease in operational efficiency during recipe-editing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a technique capable of achieving an improvement in operational efficiency during recipe-editing.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a technique that includes: a recipe including a plurality of steps for which a processing condition for a substrate is defined; a display capable of displaying at least one selected from information on the plurality of steps included in the recipe and information on the processing condition of at least one step selected from the plurality of steps; an operator configured to perform an editing operation for the processing condition; and a controller capable of controlling information on a step, among the plurality of steps, for which the editing operation for the processing condition is performed to be displayed in a different manner from information on a step, among the plurality of steps, for which the editing operation is not performed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described mainly with reference toFIGS.1to9. In addition, the drawings used in the following description are all schematic, and a relationship between the dimensions of respective elements, the ratios of respective elements, etc. illustrated in the drawings do not necessarily correspond to the reality. Further, a relationship between the dimensions of respective elements, the ratios of respective elements, etc. may not necessarily correspond between multiple drawings. Further, the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments in any way, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present disclosure as appropriate.

First, the outline of a controlling apparatus, a substrate processing apparatus, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, and a program according to the present embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS.1and2.

FIG.1is a perspective view illustrating an example of a substrate processing apparatus1according to the present embodiment. Further,FIG.2is a cross-sectional view of the substrate processing apparatus1according to the present embodiment when viewed from the side.FIGS.1and2illustrate the vertical substrate processing apparatus1as an example of a substrate processing apparatus. In addition, a substrate processed in the substrate processing apparatus1is illustrated as an example of a semiconductor wafer made of silicon or the like.

As illustrated inFIGS.1and2, the substrate processing apparatus1includes a housing2, and a front maintenance port4, which serves as a maintenance-friendly opening, is formed in a lower portion of a front wall3of the housing2. The front maintenance port4is opened or closed by a front maintenance door5.

A pod loading/unloading port6is formed in the front wall3of the housing2to allow communication between the inside and outside of the housing2. The pod loading/unloading port6is opened or closed by a front shutter7, which is a loading/unloading port opening/closing mechanism. A load port8, which is a substrate transfer container delivery platform, is installed at the front side of the pod loading/unloading port6. The load port8is configured to align a pod9placed thereon.

The pod9is a sealed substrate transfer container and is loaded onto or unloaded from the load port8by an in-process transfer device (not illustrated).

A rotary pod shelf11, which is a substrate transfer container storage shelf, is installed in an upper region inside the housing2at the approximately center in the front-to-back direction. The rotary pod shelf11is configured to store a plurality of pods9.

The rotary pod shelf11includes a pillar12, which is vertically erected and intermittently rotates, and shelf plates13, which serve as multi-level substrate transfer container placement plates, supported radially by the pillar12at upper, middle, and lower positions, respectively. The shelf plates13are configured to store at least one pod9placed thereon.

A pod opener14, which serves as a substrate transfer container lid opening/closing mechanism, is provided below the rotary pod shelf11. The pod opener14is configured to place the pod9thereon and to enable the opening or closing of a lid of the pod9.

A pod transfer mechanism15, which serves as a container transfer mechanism is installed between the load port8, the rotary pod shelf11, and the pod opener14. The pod transfer mechanism15is configured to be vertically raised or lowered and horizontally advanced or retracted while holding the pod9. The pod transfer mechanism15is configured to transfer the pod9between the load port8, the rotary pod shelf11, and the pod opener14.

A sub-housing16is provided along the rear end in a lower region inside the housing2at the approximately center in the front-to-back direction. A pair of wafer loading/unloading ports19, which serve as substrate loading/unloading ports for loading or unloading a wafer18, which is a substrate, into or out of the sub-housing16are formed in a front wall17of the sub-housing16and are arranged at two upper and lower levels. The pod opener14is provided for each of the wafer loading/unloading ports19at the upper and lower levels.

The pod opener14includes a stage21for placing the pod9thereon and an opening/closing mechanism22for opening or closing the lid of the pod9. The pod opener14is configured to open or close a wafer entrance/exit of the pod9by opening or closing the lid of the pod9placed on the stage21using the opening/closing mechanism22.

The sub-housing16configures a transfer chamber23, which is airtightly isolated from a space (pod transfer space) where the pod transfer mechanism15and the rotary pod shelf11are arranged. A wafer transfer mechanism24, which serves as a substrate transfer mechanism, is installed in a front region of the transfer chamber23. The wafer transfer mechanism24includes a required number (e.g., five in the illustration) of wafer placement plates25for placing the wafer18thereon. The wafer placement plates25are configured to be movable linearly in the horizontal direction, to be rotatable in the horizontal direction, or to be vertically raised or lowered. The wafer transfer mechanism24is configured to charge or discharge the wafer18into or out of a boat26, which serves as a substrate holder.

A waiting section27, where the boat26is accommodated in a waiting state, is configured in a rear region of the transfer chamber23, and a vertical process furnace28is provided above the waiting section27. The process furnace28defines a process chamber29in the interior thereof, and a lower end of the process chamber29forms a furnace opening. The furnace opening is opened or closed by a furnace opening shutter31, which serves as a furnace opening/closing mechanism. In addition, the process chamber29is an example of a process container that processes a substrate.

A boat elevator32, which serves as a substrate holder elevating mechanism for raising or lowering the boat26, is installed between a right end of the housing2and a right end of the waiting section27in the sub-housing16. A seal cap34, which serves as a lid, is installed horizontally to an arm33connected to an elevating platform of the boat elevator32. The seal cap34is configured to vertically support the boat26and to airtightly close the furnace opening when the boat26is charged into the process chamber29.

The boat26is configured to hold a plurality of (e.g., 50 to 125) wafers18at multiple levels in a horizontal posture while aligning them around the center thereof. In addition, the notation of a numerical range such as “50 to 125” herein implies that the lower and upper limit values are included in that range. Thus, for example, “50 to 125” implies “50 or more and 125 or less”. The same is applied to other numerical ranges.

A clean unit35is arranged at a position opposite to the boat elevator32. The clean unit35is composed of a supply fan and a dust-proof filter to supply a purified atmosphere or inert gas such as clean air36. For example, a nitrogen (N)-containing gas may be used as the inert gas. Examples of the N-containing gas may include a nitrogen (N2) gas, ammonia (NH3) gas, etc. One or more of these may be used as the N-containing gas. A notch aligner (not illustrated), which serves as a substrate alignment device for aligning the circumferential position of the wafer18, is installed between the wafer transfer mechanism24and the clean unit35.

The clean air36blown out from the clean unit35circulates through the notch aligner (not illustrated), the wafer transfer mechanism24, and the boat26, and is then sucked in by a duct (not illustrated), thereby being either discharged to the outside of the housing2or blown into the transfer chamber23by the clean unit35.

Next, the operation of the substrate processing apparatus1will be described.

When the pod9is supplied to the load port8, the pod loading/unloading port6is opened by the front shutter7. The pod9on the load port8is loaded to the interior of the housing2through the pod loading/unloading port6by the pod transport mechanism15and is placed on the designated shelf plate13of the rotary pod shelf11. After being temporarily stored on the rotary pod shelf11, the pod9is transferred from the shelf plate13to either one of the pod opener14by the pod transfer mechanism15, thereby being either placed on the stage21, or transferred directly from the load port8to the stage21.

At this time, each wafer loading/unloading port19is closed by the opening/closing mechanism22, and the transfer chamber23is filled with the circulated clean air36. For example, the transfer chamber23is filled with the N-containing gas as the clean air36, so that the concentration of oxygen is set to, for example, 20 ppm or less, which is lower than the concentration of oxygen in the interior (atmospheric atmosphere) of the housing2.

The end surface at the opening side of the pod9placed on the stage21is pressed against the opening edge of the wafer loading/unloading port19in the front wall17of the sub-housing16, and the lid of the pod9is removed by the opening/closing mechanism22to open the wafer entrance/exit.

When the pod9is opened by the pod opener14, the wafer18is retrieved from the pod9by the wafer transfer mechanism24and is then transferred to the notch aligner (not illustrated). After the wafer18is aligned in the notch aligner, the wafer transfer mechanism24loads the wafer18to the waiting section27in the rear region of the transfer chamber23to charge the wafer18into the boat26.

After delivering the wafer18to the boat26, the wafer transfer mechanism24returns to the pod9and charges the next wafer18into the boat26.

While the wafer transfer mechanism24is charging the wafer18from the pod opener14at one side (either upper or lower level) into the boat26, another pod9is transferred from the rotary pod shelf11to the pod opening14at the other side (either lower or upper level) by the pod transfer mechanism15. Simultaneously, the pod9is opened by the pod opener14at the other side.

Once a predetermined number of wafers18have been charged into the boat26, the furnace opening of the process furnace28, which was closed by the furnace opening shutter31, is opened by the furnace opening shutter31. Subsequently, the boat26is raised by the boat elevator32and is loaded into the process chamber29.

After loading, the furnace opening is airtightly closed by the seal cap34. In addition, in the present embodiment, at this timing (after loading), the process chamber29undergoes a purge step (pre-purge step) in which it is replaced with an inert gas.

The process chamber29is evacuated by a gas exhaust mechanism (not illustrated) to reach a desired pressure (vacuum degree). Further, the process chamber29is heated to a predetermined temperature by a heater driver (not illustrated) to achieve desired temperature distribution.

Further, a process gas controlled at a predetermined flow rate is supplied by a gas supply mechanism (not illustrated). During the circulation of the process gas through the process chamber29, the process gas comes into contact with a surface of the wafer18, and a predetermined process is performed on the surface of the wafer18. Furthermore, the reacted process gas is discharged from the process chamber29by the gas exhaust mechanism. The term “process gas” herein refers to a gas supplied into the process chamber29. These are also the same in the following description.

After a preset process time has passed, an inert gas is supplied from an inert gas source (not illustrated) by the gas supply mechanism, so that the process chamber29is replaced with the inert gas, and the pressure in the process chamber29returns to normal pressure (after-purge step). Then, the boat26is lowered through the seal cap34by the boat elevator32. The term “process time” herein refers to a time during which the process is continued. These are also the same in the following description.

For the unloading of the processed wafer18, the reverse procedure of the above description is followed to discharge the wafer18and the pod9to the outside of the housing2. Unprocessed wafers18are also charged into boat26, and the batch process of wafers18is repeated.

Here, as illustrated inFIGS.1and2, the substrate processing apparatus1includes a controlling apparatus100, and the controlling apparatus100controls the substrate processing apparatus1. The controlling apparatus100may be built into the substrate processing apparatus1, or may be provided in an accessible manner outside the substrate processing apparatus1. The substrate processing apparatus1is an example of a target apparatus. In the following, a case where the controlling apparatus100according to the present embodiment is applied to the substrate processing apparatus1will be described, but the controlling apparatus100may control apparatuses other than the substrate processing apparatus1.

Next, a configuration of a control system of the substrate processing apparatus1according to the present embodiment will be described with reference toFIG.3.

FIG.3is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the controlling apparatus100included in the substrate processing apparatus1according to the embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG.3, the substrate processing apparatus1includes the controlling apparatus100as a main controller, an external communicator201, an external memory202, an operator203, a display204, a process controller205, and a transfer controller206. The controlling apparatus100contains a recipe having a plurality of steps for which substrate processing conditions are defined.

Further, the controlling apparatus100includes a controller101, a memory104, and an I/O (also referred to as an I/O port)105. The controller101includes a central processing unit (CPU)102, a random access memory (RAM)103, and a determiner106.

The controlling apparatus100is connected to the operator203and is also connected to the process controller205and the transfer controller206via the I/O105. Since the controlling apparatus100is electrically connected to each of the process controller205and the transfer controller206via the I/O105, it allows for the transmission and reception of each datum as well as the downloading and uploading of each file.

The controlling apparatus100is connected to an external host computer (not illustrated) via the external communicator201. Therefore, even if the substrate processing apparatus1is installed in a clean room, the host computer may be located outside the clean room such as in an office. Further, the controlling apparatus100is connected to the external memory202, which serves as a mount into which a recording medium such as a universal serial bus (USB) memory is detachably inserted.

The operator203is integrated with the display204, or is connected to the display204through, e.g., a video cable. The display204is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel. The display204is configured to display each operation screen for operating the substrate processing apparatus1. The operation screen includes a screen for monitoring the state of a substrate process system controlled by the process controller205and a substrate transfer system controlled by the transfer controller206. The display204may further include an input element such as each operation button to input operational instructions for the substrate process system and the substrate transfer system. The operator203enables the display204to display information generated in the substrate processing apparatus1through the operation screen. Further, the operator203enables, for example, the output of the information displayed on the display204to a device such as a USB memory inserted into the external memory202. The operator203receives input data (input instructions) from the operation screen displayed on the display204and transmits the input data to the controlling apparatus100. Further, the operator203receives instructions (control instructions) to execute an arbitrary substrate process recipe (also referred to as “process recipe”) among a plurality of recipes developed in the RAM103or stored in the memory104and transmits the instructions to the controlling apparatus100. In addition, the operator203and the display204may be configured with a touch panel. Here, the operator203and the display204are provided separately from the controlling apparatus100, but may be integrally included in the controlling apparatus100.

The process controller205, although not illustrated here, includes at least one of a temperature controller, a gas flow-rate controller, and a pressure controller. Each of the temperature controller, the gas flow-rate controller, and the pressure controller constitutes a sub-controller and is electrically connected to the process controller205, enabling the transmission and reception of each datum, the downloading and uploading of each file, etc. In addition, the process controller205and each sub-controller (temperature controller, gas flow-rate controller, and pressure controller) may be configured separately or as an integrated component.

The transfer controller206, although not illustrated here, includes a mechanism controller. This mechanism controller is configured to control each of a driver system, a rotator system, and an elevator system of the substrate processing apparatus1. The transfer controller206is configured to control, for example, the transfer operation of each of the rotary pod shelf11, boat elevator32, pod transfer mechanism15, wafer transfer mechanism24, boat26, and rotation mechanism (not illustrated).

In addition, the controlling apparatus100, process controller205, and transfer controller206according to the present embodiment are not limited to a dedicated system and may be realized using a conventional computer system. For example, each controller that executes a predetermined process may be configured by installing a program for executing the above-described process from a recording medium (such as CD-ROM or USB) storing that program to a general-purpose computer.

Then, there is an arbitrary way for supplying these programs. The programs may be supplied through a predetermined recording medium as described above, or alternatively, may be supplied through, for example, communication lines, communication networks, communication systems, etc.

The controlling apparatus100is configured as a computer equipped with the CPU102, RAM103, memory104, I/O105, and determiner106. The memory104stores each recipe file for recipes in which processing conditions and process procedures are defined, a control program file for executing each recipe file, a parameter file (setting value file) for setting the processing conditions and process procedures, an error-processing program file, an error-processing parameter file, a file for various screens including an input screen for inputting process parameters, a file for various icons, etc. (none of which are illustrated). In addition, the controlling apparatus100is connected to a network such as the Internet, local area network (LAN), or wide area network (WAN) using the external communicator201, thus enabling communication with external devices through the network.

Each recipe file, such as a recipe, may be acquired from another device through the external communicator201, or may be acquired from a recording medium such as a USB through the external memory202.

Further, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), solid state drive (SSD), and flash memory, etc. are used as the memory104.

The memory104stores a display switching process program for executing a display switching process according to the present embodiment. The display switching process is control to switch a step selected in a step-displaying area, which will be described later, to be displayed in a different manner compared to other steps when an editing operation for processing conditions is performed. The display switching process may be interpreted as a control to differentiate the display of an icon for a step for which an editing operation is performed from the display of an icon for a step for which the editing operation is not performed, when the editing operation for processing conditions is performed.

The display switching process program may be installed in advance in the substrate processing apparatus1, for example. The display switching process program may be realized by recording it on a non-volatile recording medium, or distributing it through a network, and appropriately installing it in the substrate processing apparatus1. In addition, examples of the non-volatile recording medium include a CD-ROM, magneto-optical disk, HDD, DVD-ROM, flash memory, memory card, USB, etc.

The display switching process program may be interpreted as a program for causing the computer to execute first, second, and third procedures. The first procedure involves displaying at least one of a step-displaying area that displays a plurality of steps included in a recipe, for which processing conditions for a substrate are defined, and a processing-condition-displaying area that displays the processing conditions of the steps on a screen. The second procedure involves performing an editing operation for the processing conditions of a step selected in the step-displaying area. The third procedure involves controlling to switch the step selected in the step-displaying area to be displayed in a different manner compared to other steps that the editing operation is not performed when the editing operation for the processing conditions is performed.

The CPU102of the substrate processing apparatus1according to the present embodiment functions as the controller101by writing the display switching process program stored in the memory104into the RAM103and executing it.

The display204is capable of displaying at least one of information on the plurality of steps included in the recipe, for which the substrate processing conditions are defined, and information on the processing conditions of the selected step. Specifically, the display204displays a recipe-editing area on a screen, i.e., a recipe-editing screen, and the recipe-editing area is capable of displaying at least one of the step-displaying area that displays the plurality of steps of the recipe and the processing-condition-displaying area that displays the processing conditions of the steps. Display examples of the step-displaying area and processing-condition-displaying area will be described later.

The operator203performs the editing operation for the processing conditions. Specifically, the operator203performs the editing operation for the processing conditions of the step selected in the step-displaying area.

The controller101is capable of controlling information on a step for which the editing operation for the processing conditions is performed to be displayed in a different manner compared to information on other steps that the editing operation is not performed. Specifically, when the editing operation for the processing conditions is performed, the controller101is capable of controlling to switch the step selected in the step-displaying area to be displayed in a different manner compared to other steps that the editing operation is not performed.

FIG.4is a front view illustrating an example of a recipe-editing screen40according to the present embodiment. The display204displays the recipe-editing screen40illustrated inFIG.4under the control of the controller101. The recipe-editing screen40includes a step-displaying area41and a processing-condition-displaying area42. The display204is capable of displaying the step-displaying area41and the processing-condition-displaying area42side by side on the recipe-editing screen40. Displaying the step-displaying area41and the processing-condition-displaying area42side by side on the recipe-editing screen40allows to check the editing state of the step selected in the step-displaying area41while also checking the editing state of other steps. Further, if the step-displaying area41and the processing-condition-displaying area42are displayed to overlap each other, switching between the respective displaying areas occurs. However, displaying the respective displaying areas side by side enables to make detailed settings while checking the state of each step.

The step-displaying area41displays the plurality of steps included in the recipe in order in which the steps are defined. The step-displaying area41may be interpreted as an area that lists the plurality of steps included in the recipe.

The step-name-displaying area412displays a name indicating each step in the step-displaying area41, for example, a step ID.

The setting-item-displaying area413displays the editing state of the steps. Specifically, when the editing operation for the processing conditions including setting items is performed in the processing-condition-displaying area42, the setting-item-displaying area413displays a step selected in the step-displaying area41to be displayed in a different manner compared to other steps that the editing operation is not performed. The displaying the step selected in the step-displaying area41involves a first icon indicating that the editing operation is performed. By differentiating the display modes of the step for which the editing operation is performed and other steps that the editing operation is not performed in the step-displaying area41, it becomes easier to check the step for which the editing operation is performed, which results in an improvement in editing workability.

When the setting items are edited in the processing-condition-displaying area42, the “editing status information” in the processing-condition-displaying area42becomes valid. The “editing status information” in the processing-condition-displaying area42is checked for the setting items within the step selected in the step-displaying area41, and if the “editing status information” is valid, the first icon is displayed. In this way, the immediate display of the first icon in the step-displaying area41when the setting items are edited allows for the recognition of the current step undergoing the editing operation.

FIG.5is a diagram illustrating an example of icons displayed in the step-displaying area41. The processing conditions include at least one of the following setting items: temperature, gas flow rate, pressure, and transfer mechanism as types of setting items, and the operator203is capable of performing an editing operation for these setting items.

In the present embodiment, for example, the setting items within each step include various types of setting items such as temperature, gas flow rate, pressure, and transfer mechanism as types of setting items. There are many setting items within each step, and the processing-condition-displaying area42illustrated inFIG.4allows for an editing operation for the setting items such as temperature, gas flow rate, pressure, and transfer mechanism as types of setting items by switching between the respective types using different regions (e.g., layers, tabs, etc.).

In this way, the setting-item-displaying area413of the step-displaying area41includes areas that display editing icons for each type of the setting items such as temperature, gas flow rate, pressure, and transfer mechanism as types of setting items. If a setting item within the selected step is edited, the step-displaying area41displays an editing icon, e.g., a first icon413a, only for the edited setting item. For example, if an editing operation for temperature is performed in Step3, an editing icon corresponding to the temperature, e.g., a temperature-editing icon is displayed only in the edited temperature area of the setting-item-displaying area413of the step-displaying area41. Dividing the setting-item-displaying area413for each type of the setting items allows to easily check the edited type of the setting item within that step.

Similarly, if an editing operation for gas flow rate is performed in Step3, an editing icon corresponding to the gas flow rate is displayed only in the edited gas flow rate area. If an editing operation for pressure is performed in Step3, an editing icon corresponding to the pressure is displayed only in the edited pressure area. Further, if an editing operation for transfer mechanism is performed in Step3, an editing icon corresponding to the transfer mechanism is displayed only in the edited transfer mechanism area.

As illustrated inFIG.5, the editing icons, which are displayed when each of temperature, gas flow rate, pressure, and transfer mechanism as types of setting items is edited, may be displayed in different designs, i.e., displayed in a different manner for each type. Differentiating the editing icons, e.g., the first icons413afor each setting item allows to visually recognize the edited type without checking which of temperature, gas flow rate, pressure, and transfer mechanism as types of setting items is edited.

In addition, if the operator203cancels the editing operation for the setting item, the editing icon, i.e., the first icon413a, may be hidden. Specifically, for example, if the editing operation for temperature is edited, the editing icon corresponding to the temperature within that step in the step-displaying area41may be hidden by pressing a “editing status information” button in the processing-condition-displaying area42, i.e., setting it to OFF (graying it out). If the “editing status information” in the processing-condition-displaying area42is set to OFF as such, the “editing status information” for the step selected in the step-displaying area41is checked, and if the “editing status information” is invalid, the first icon413ais hidden. Setting the “editing status information” to OFF cancels all the edited setting items, which allows the step to revert to the previous contents thereof.

The processing-condition-displaying area42allows the operator203to set commands (not illustrated), which are execution conditions for the selected step. The step-displaying area41includes the step-execution-condition-displaying area417that displays the step execution conditions set in the processing-condition-displaying area42. The step-execution-condition-displaying area417includes at least one of the jump-information-displaying area416that displays a jump icon, i.e., jump information indicating transition from the selected step to another step, and the loop-information-displaying area415that displays a loop icon, i.e., loop information indicating repetition of each step between the selected step and a specified step. Providing the jump-information-displaying area416and the loop-information-displaying area415in the step-execution-condition-displaying area417allows for the recognition of the step state of a jump source and jump destination and the step state of a loop start and loop end. Steps have a function to execute specified commands such as a jump command to transition to a specified step and a loop command to repeat a cycle between the current step being edited and a specified step. Further, sub-recipes (not illustrated) may be invoked, and settings that specify no command may be made. Only one command among these commands may be selected.

If a command, e.g., a jump command is selected and a step for the jump destination is specified in the processing-condition-displaying area42, the display204switches a step where a jump starts, i.e., a jump start step and a step where the jump ends, i.e., a jump end step to be displayed in a different manner compared to other steps in the jump-information-displaying area416. Specifically, if a jump is specified as a step command, a screen for selecting a step for the jump destination is displayed. If the jump destination step is selected from the screen, the display204sets the current step selected in the step-displaying area41to the jump start step, i.e., a jump source step, and the specified jump destination step to the jump end step. Then, the display204differentiates the display of each set step from the display of steps where no jump is specified. Differentiating the display of the jump start and end steps from that of steps where no jump is specified allows to easily check the jump step and end steps.

The display204displays, as second icons416a, an icon indicating the jump start step, i.e., a jump start icon, and an icon indicating the jump end step, i.e., a jump end icon, the jump start icon and the jump end icon being different from each other. Specifically, the display204displays the second icons416a, which are jump icons different from the editing icons, for the jump start step and the jump end step. The second icons416adisplayed for the jump start step and the jump end step are displayed in a different manner, respectively. For example, the second icon416awith the mode corresponding to the jump start step is displayed in the jump-information-displaying area416for Step3. The second icon416awith the mode corresponding to the jump end step is displayed in the jump-information-displaying area416for Step7. Differentiating the display of the second icons416aallows to easily distinguish the jump start and end steps.

The step-displaying area41includes the jump-information-displaying area416that displays the jump icons (jump start icon and jump end icon), which are the second icons416a, and the setting-item-displaying area413that displays the setting items. The jump icons, which are the second icons416a, are displayed differently from the editing icons displayed in the setting-item-displaying area413. Differentiating the display mode of the second icons416a, which correspond respectively to the jump start and end steps, from the display mode of the first icons413ain the setting-item-displaying area413ensures that each setting information is clearly distinguished.

When a command, e.g., a loop command is selected and a step for the loop destination is specified in the processing-condition-displaying area42, the display204switches a step where a loop starts, i.e., a loop start step and a step where the loop ends, i.e., a loop end step to be displayed in a different manner compared to other steps in the loop-information-displaying area415. Specifically, if a loop is specified as a step command, a screen for selecting a step for the loop destination step displayed. If the loop destination step is selected from the screen, the display204sets the current step selected in the step-displaying area41to the loop start step and the specified loop destination step to the loop end step and differentiates the display of each set step from the display of steps where no loop is specified. Differently displaying the loop start and end steps from steps where no loop is specified allows to easily check the loop start and end steps.

The display204displays, as third icons415a, an icon indicating the loop start step, i.e., a loop start icon, and an icon indicating the loop end step, i.e., a loop end icon, the loop start icon and the loop end icon being different from each other. Specifically, the display204displays the third icons415a, which are loop icons different from the first and second icons413aand416a, for the loop start step and the loop end step. Further, the third icons415adisplayed for the loop start step and the loop end step are displayed in a different manner, respectively. The third icon415acorresponding to the loop start step is displayed in the loop-information-displaying area415for Step6illustrated inFIG.5, and the third icon415acorresponding to the loop end step is displayed in the loop-information-displaying area415for Step3. Differentiating the display of the third icons415afor the loop start step and the loop end step allows to easily distinguish the loop start and end steps.

The step-displaying area41includes the loop-information-displaying area415that displays the loop icons, which are the third icons415a, and the setting-item-displaying area413that displays the setting items. The loop icons, which are the third icons415a, are displayed differently from the editing icons displayed in the setting-item-displaying area413. Differentiating the display mode of the third icons415a, which correspond respectively to the loop start step and loop end step, from the display mode of the first icons413ain the setting-item-displaying area413ensures that each setting information is clearly distinguished.

The controller101includes a determiner106that determines the consistency of steps. The determiner106determines at least one of the consistency within a step for which is edited for the processing conditions and the consistency with steps before and after the edited step.

The consistency determination by the determiner106includes two types of determinations. A first determination includes consistency determination for each setting item within the step, consistency determination for jump setting, and consistency determination for loop setting. The consistency determination for each setting item within the step involves checking whether a set value of the setting item falls within a predefined threshold range. The consistency determination for jump setting involves checking whether the jump destination step is specified as a step after the current step being edited. The consistency determination for loop setting involves checking whether the loop setting (double loop) is not in loop designation and whether the loop destination step is specified as a step before the current step being edited. If the result of these consistency determinations is mismatch, each icon in each area is switched to an icon indicating an error. Performing the consistency determination within the step may avoid the setting of an incorrect value. Performing the consistency determination for jump setting may avoid an infinite step jump due to an incorrectly specified step. Performing the consistency determination for loop setting may avoid an unnecessary loop or incorrect loop.

A second determination involves determining differences in the editing contents of the setting-item-displaying area413between the start step and the end step when specifying the jump or loop. For example, if the editing icon displayed in the setting-item-displaying area413for the jump start step differs from the editing icon displayed in the setting-item-displaying area413for the jump end step, it visually indicates that the jump start step and the jump end step have different editing contents. However, it cannot necessarily be considered an error since such a setting may be made intentionally in recipe setting.

If the result determined by the determiner106is mismatch, the controller101controls the display204to display a determination result icon, which is a fourth icon414a, according to the result determined by the determiner106. Since the result of the second consistency determination requires the worker's confirmation, the controller101displays, in the step-displaying area41, the determination result icon, i.e., the fourth icon414adisplayed in a different manner from the first to third icons413a,416a, and415a. This allows for the easy recognition of steps that require the confirmation.

The step-displaying area41includes the consistency-determination-result-displaying area414that displays the result determined by the determiner106, and the determination result icon, i.e., the fourth icon414a, is displayed in the consistency-determination-result-displaying area414. Specifically, the step-displaying area41includes the consistency-determination-result-displaying area414that displays the determination result icon, which is the fourth icon414a. Steps where the fourth icon414ais displayed may have different values of the setting items even if the edited type is the same. Therefore, in this case, the fourth icon414ais displayed in a different manner in the consistency-determination-result-displaying area414.

For example, if the setting items are the same for Step3as the loop start step and Step6as the loop end step, but there are differences in the detailed setting contents, the fourth icon414aprompting the checking of the setting contents is displayed in the consistency-determination-result-displaying area414for Step3. Further, if the contents of the edited setting items are different between Step7as the jump start step and Step3as the jump end step, the fourth icon414aindicating that the contents of the setting items are different is displayed in the consistency-determination-result-displaying area414for Step7.

In this way, by displaying the fourth icon414a, which is the determination result icon, in a different area from the areas where the first to third icons413a,416a, and415aare displayed, it is possible to easily check steps where the fourth icon414ais displayed.

In addition, the shapes of the icons as described in the present embodiment are not limited to this, as long as it is possible to easily check whether or not editing is performed for each setting item, or the start and end of a jump and the start and end of a loop.

The processing-condition-displaying area42illustrated inFIG.4includes a process-condition-setting area422and a setting-item-editing area423for each setting item.FIG.4illustrates, as an example, a temperature process-condition-setting area and a temperature information setting-item-editing area, which are respectively the process-condition-setting area422and the setting-item-editing area423when temperature is selected as the setting item. The temperature information setting-item-editing area displays editing status information and a plurality of setting items.

Next, the operation of the controlling apparatus100will be described with reference toFIGS.6to9.

FIG.6is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a process of displaying a temperature-editing icon, which is the first icon. If an editing target step is selected in the step-displaying area41(step S101), processing conditions are displayed in the processing-condition-displaying area42(step S102).

If a temperature tab of the processing-condition-displaying area42is selected (step S103), a temperature-setting item is displayed in the setting-item-editing area423corresponding to the temperature. If the setting item is edited (step S104), the consistency of the temperature-setting item is checked (step S105).

If the result of the consistency checking is normal (step S106: “YES”), “1” indicating that the editing status information is valid is set (step S107). In this case, a temperature-editing icon is displayed in the step-displaying area41(step S108), and the series of process ends.

If the result of the consistency checking is not normal (step S106: “NO”), an error message indicating that the result of the consistency checking is not normal is displayed in the processing-condition-displaying area42(step S109). In this case, a temperature-editing icon is not displayed in the step-displaying area41, and the series of process ends.

The error message may be displayed at any position in the processing-condition-displaying area42, and further, an abnormal item may be displayed differently from other items.

FIG.7is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a process of displaying a jump icon, which is the second icon. If an editing target step is selected in the step-displaying area41(step S201), processing conditions are displayed in the processing-condition-displaying area42(step S202).

If a jump command is set in the processing-condition-displaying area42(step S203) and “1” indicating that the editing status information is valid is set (step S204), the consistency for jump setting is checked (step S205). Further, following the checking of the consistency for jump setting, the inter-step consistency is checked (step S206).

If the checked result of the consistency for jump setting is normal (step S207: “YES”), an icon indicating that the jump setting is normal is acquired (step S208). If the checked result of the checking for jump setting is not normal (step S207: “NO”), an icon (first error icon) indicating that the jump setting is abnormal is acquired (step S209). After that, the jump icons acquired respectively in steps S208and S209are displayed in the jump-information-displaying area416(step S210).

If the checked result of the inter-step consistency is normal (step S211: “YES”) and an icon (second error icon) indicating that inter-step setting is abnormal is displayed, the icon is hidden in the consistency-determination-result-displaying area414(step S212), and the series of process ends.

If the checked result of the inter-step consistency is not normal (step S211: “NO”), the icon (second error icon) indicating that the inter-step setting is abnormal is displayed in the consistency-determination-result-displaying area414(step S213), and the series of process ends.

FIG.8is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a process of displaying a loop icon, which is the third icon. If an editing target step is selected in the step-displaying area41(step S301), processing conditions are displayed in the processing-condition-displaying area42(step S302).

If a loop command is set in the processing-condition-displaying area42(step S303) and “1” indicating that the editing status information is valid is set (step S304), the consistency for loop setting is checked (step S305). Further, following the checking of the consistency for loop setting, the inter-step consistency is checked (step S306).

If the checked result of the consistency for loop setting is normal (step S307: “YES”), an icon indicating that the loop setting is normal is acquired (step S308). If the checked result of the consistency for loop setting is not normal (step S307: “NO”), an icon (third error icon) indicating that the loop setting is abnormal is acquired (step S309). After that, the loop icons acquired respectively in steps S308and S309are displayed in the loop-information-displaying area415(step S310).

If the checked result of the inter-step consistency is normal (step S311: “YES”) and an icon (fourth error icon) indicating that the inter-step setting is abnormal is displayed, the icon is hidden in the consistency-determination-result-displaying area414(step S312), and the series of process ends.

If the checked result of the inter-step consistency is not normal (step S311: “NO”), the icon (fourth error icon) indicating that the inter-step setting is abnormal is displayed in the consistency-determination-result-displaying area414(step S313), and the series of process ends.

FIG.9is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a process of hiding a temperature-editing icon when the editing status information is invalid. If an editing target step is selected in the step-displaying area41(step S401), processing conditions are displayed in the processing-condition-displaying area42(step S402). After that, if a temperature tab is selected in the processing-condition-displaying area42(step S403) and “0” indicating that the editing status information is invalid is set (step S404), a temperature-editing icon is hidden in the step-displaying area41(step S405), and the series of process ends.

In this way, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to perform control to switch a step selected in the step-displaying area to be displayed in a different manner compared to other steps when an editing operation for processing conditions is performed. As a result, it is possible to achieve an improvement in operational efficiency during recipe-editing.

In the above, the controlling apparatus and the substrate processing apparatus according to the embodiments have been described by way of example. The embodiments may refer to programs for causing a computer to execute the functions of the controlling apparatus and the substrate processing apparatus. The embodiments may also refer to a non-transitory recording medium readable by a computer storing these programs.

Moreover, the configurations of the controlling apparatus and the substrate processing apparatus described in the above embodiments are given by way of example and may be modified according to situations within the scope without departing from the gist.

Further, the process flow of the programs described in the above embodiments are also given by way of example, and unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the process sequence may be changed within the scope without departing from the gist.

Further, in the above embodiments, a case where the process related to the embodiments is realized by a software configuration using a computer through the execution of a program has been described, but the embodiments are not limited to this. The embodiments may be realized, for example, by a hardware configuration or a combination of hardware and software configurations.

In the above embodiments, an example of forming a film using a batch-type substrate processing apparatus that processes a plurality of substrates at once has been described. The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described aspect, and for example, may be suitably applied to a case where a film is formed using a single-wafer type substrate processing apparatus that processes one or several substrates at once. Further, in the above-described aspect, an example of forming a film using a substrate processing apparatus with a hot wall type process furnace has been described. The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described aspect, and may be suitably applied to a case where a film is formed using a substrate processing apparatus with a cold wall type process furnace as well.

Even when using such a substrate processing apparatus, it is possible to perform each process using the same process procedures and processing conditions as in the above-described embodiments, and to achieve the same effects as in the above-described embodiments.

According to the present disclosure in some embodiments, it is possible to achieve an improvement in operational efficiency during recipe editing.