Light treating member, substrate treating apparatus including the same and substrate treating method

The inventive concept provides a light treating member for performing a light treatment on a substrate. The light treating member comprises a circuit unit comprising a plurality of LED module units connected in series, each LED module unit comprising a plurality of identical LED modules connected with each other in parallel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

A claim for priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 is made to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0178075 filed on Dec. 18, 2020, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the inventive concept described herein relate to a light treating member, a substrate treating apparatus including the same and a substrate treating method.

Various processes such as a photolithography process, an etching process, an ashing process, an ion implantation process, a thin film deposition process, and a cleaning process are carried out to manufacture a semiconductor device or a flat plate display panel. Among them, the etching process is a process of removing unnecessary regions from the thin film formed on the substrate, and a high selectivity and high etching rate for the thin film are required. In addition, during the above process, a process of light-treating the substrate may be accompanied.

Conventionally, there was a tendency to use an IR or a UP lamp to perform light treatment on the substrate. However, there is a problem that the lamp cannot be used for a long time due to its short life, so an LED (light emitting diode) with a long life is used. In general, by connecting and using LED circuits connected with each other in series, the same current may flow, but when an error at any one of LEDs connected with each other in series, the entire LED circuit is broken, causing a problem in the process.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the inventive concept provide a light treating member, with a circuit structure which does not affect an entire process even if an error occurs at an LED module.

The technical objectives of the inventive concept are not limited to the above-mentioned ones, and the other unmentioned technical objects will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description.

The inventive concept provides a light treating member performing a light treatment on a substrate.

In an embodiment, the light treating member comprises a circuit unit to which a plurality of identical LED modules are connected, wherein the circuit unit comprises a plurality of LED module units in which a plurality of identical LED modules are connected in parallel, and wherein the circuit unit is connected in series with the plurality of LED module units.

In an embodiment, the LED module unit further comprises a current sensor connected to any one of the plurality of identical LED modules connected in parallel in the LED module unit.

In an embodiment, a current flowing in the plurality of LED module units is controlled by a constant current control such that a current of a constant value flows.

In an embodiment, the current sensor measures an electrical current flowing through the LED modules connected in parallel within the LED module unit, and the light treating member further comprises a monitoring unit for monitoring whether the LED modules included in the circuit unit is normal, using the sensing value measured by the current sensor.

In an embodiment, the monitoring unit generates an alarm when a value calculated by dividing the constant electrical current value by the number of the LED modules included in the LED module unit is different from a value measured at the current sensor.

In an embodiment, the monitoring unit generates a notice of an abnormality in the LED module unit including the current sensor when a value calculated by dividing the constant current value by the number of the LED modules included in the LED module unit is different from a value measured at the current sensor.

In an embodiment, the light treating member further comprises an illuminance sensor for measuring an amount of light through the circuit unit.

In an embodiment, the LED module comprises a plurality of diodes.

In an embodiment, the LED module is a UV LED.

The inventive concept provides a substrate treating apparatus.

In an embodiment, the substrate treating apparatus comprises: a support member supporting a substrate; a treating liquid nozzle supplying a treating liquid to a substrate supported by the support member; and a light treating member for performing a light treatment on the substrate supported by the support member, the light treating member comprises a circuit unit to which a plurality of identical LED modules are connected, wherein the circuit unit comprises a plurality of LED module units in which a plurality of identical LED modules are connected in parallel, wherein the circuit unit is connected in series with the plurality of LED module.

In an embodiment, the LED module unit further comprises a current sensor connected to any one of the plurality of identical LED modules connected in parallel in the LED module unit.

In an embodiment, a current flowing in the plurality of LED module units is controlled by a constant current control such that a current of a constant value flows.

In an embodiment, the current sensor measures an electrical current flowing through the LED module connected in parallel within the LED module unit, and the light treating member further comprises a monitoring unit for monitoring whether the LED modules included in the circuit unit is normal, using the sensing value measured by the current sensor.

In an embodiment, the monitoring unit generates an alarm when, a value calculated by dividing the constant electrical current value by the number of LED modules included in the LED module unit is different from a value measured at the current sensor.

In an embodiment, the monitoring unit generates a notice of an abnormality in the LED module unit including the current sensor when a value calculated by dividing the constant current value by the number of LED modules included in the LED module unit is different from a value measured at the current sensor.

In an embodiment, the light treating member further comprises an illuminance sensor for measuring an amount of light through the circuit unit.

In an embodiment, the LED module comprises a plurality of diodes.

In an embodiment, the LED module is a UV LED.

The inventive concept provides a method for treating a substrate using a substrate treating apparatus.

In an embodiment, the method for treating a substrate comprises: sensing an electrical current flowing in each LED module unit using the current sensor; and generating an alarm when a value calculated by dividing the constant electrical current value by the number of the LED modules included in the LED module unit is differ from a value measured by the current sensor.

In an embodiment, the generating the alarm comprises generating a notice of an abnormality in the LED module unit including the current sensor measuring a current value different from the value calculated by dividing the constant electrical current value by the number of the LED modules included in the LED module unit.

According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, an entire process may not be affected even if a problem occurs on a part of the LED modules.

According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, an occurrence of a problem is rapidly confirmed through a monitoring of a current sensor, enabling action before the problem affects a process.

The effects of the inventive concept are not limited to the above-described effects. Effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains from this specification and the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The inventive concept may be variously modified and may have various forms, and specific embodiments thereof will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail. However, the embodiments according to the concept of the inventive concept are not intended to limit the specific disclosed forms, and it should be understood that the present inventive concept includes all transforms, equivalents, and replacements included in the spirit and technical scope of the inventive concept. In a description of the inventive concept, a detailed description of related known technologies may be omitted when it may make the essence of the inventive concept unclear.

In the specification, the singular forms include plural forms unless particularly mentioned. Also, the shapes or sizes of elements in a figure may be exaggerated for a clearer illustration.

Although not defined, all the terms (including technical or scientific terms) used herein may have the same meanings that are generally accepted by the common technologies in the field to which the inventive concept pertains. The terms defined by the general dictionaries may be construed to have the same meanings as those meant in the related technologies and the disclosure of the application, and will neither become conceptual nor be construed to be excessively formal even though not clearly defined herein. The terms used herein are provided to describe the embodiments but not to limit the inventive concept. In the specification, the singular forms include plural forms unless particularly mentioned. The expressions ‘include’ and its various conjugated forms, such as ‘including’, which are used in the specification do not exclude existence or addition of one or more compositions, substances, elements, steps, operations, and devices.

The terms “unit”, “part”, and the like may be used to indicate a unit of processing at least one function or operation. For example, such terms may mean software, or a hardware element such as FPGA or ASIC. However, such terms are not limited to software or hardware. The “unit”, “part”, and the like may be configured to be included within an addressable storage medium or to operate one or more processors.

Thus, “unit”, “part”, and the like may include constituent elements such as software elements, Object-Oriented software elements, class elements, and task elements, processes, functions, attributes, procedures, sub-routines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, micro code circuit, data, database, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. Elements and functions provided within the “unit”, “part”, and the like may be divided into elements and “unit”, “part” and the like, or may be jointed with other additional number of elements.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the inventive concept will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiment of the inventive concept may be modified into various forms, and the scope of the inventive concept should not be construed as being limited to the following embodiments. The present embodiment is provided to more fully explain the inventive concept to those with average knowledge in the art. Therefore, the shape of the elements in the drawings is exaggerated to emphasize a clearer explanation.

FIG.1is a plan view of a substrate treating facility according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

Referring toFIG.1, the substrate treatment facility1comprises an index module10and a processing module20. The index module10has a load port120and an transfer frame140. The load port120, the transfer frame140, and the processing module20are sequentially arranged in a direction. Hereinafter, a direction in which the load port120, the transfer frame140, the processing module20are arranged will be referred to as a first direction12, a direction that is perpendicular to the first direction12when viewed from above will be referred to as a second direction, and a direction that is perpendicular to both the first direction12and the second direction14will be referred to as a third direction16.

At the load port120a carrier18storing a substrate W is placed. The load port120is provided in a plurality and they are arranged in a row in the second direction14. A number of load ports120may increase or decrease depending on a process efficiency or a footprint condition, etc of the processing module20. At the carrier a plurality of slots (not shown) are formed for storing the substrates horizontally to the ground. For the carrier18, a closing-type container such as the Front Open Unified Pod (FOUP) can be used.

The processing module20includes a buffer unit220, a transfer chamber240, and a process chamber260. The transfer chamber240may be provided such that its lengthwise direction is parallel to the first direction12. The process chambers260are placed at each side of the transfer chamber240. At one side and at another side of the transfer chamber240, the process chambers260are provided symmetrically based on the transfer chamber240. A plurality of process chambers260are provided at a side of the transfer chamber240. A part of the process chambers260are provided along a direction of a length of the transfer chamber240. Also, a part of the process chambers260are provided stacked one above another. In other words, the process chambers260may be provided in an array of A×B at a side of the transfer chamber240. Here A is a number of process chambers260arranged in a row in the first direction12, B is a number of process chambers260arranged in a row in the third direction16. When four or six process chambers260are provided at a side of the transfer chamber240, the process chambers260may be arranged in an array of 2×2 or 3×2. A number of process chambers may increase or decrease. Unlike the aforementioned, the process chambers260may be provided only at a side of the transfer chamber240. Also, the transfer chamber260may be provided at a side or both sides of the transfer chamber240as one floor.

The buffer unit200can be placed between the transfer frame140and the transfer chamber240. The buffer unit220provides a space for the substrate W to temporarily stay before the substrate W is transferred between the transfer chamber240and the transfer frame140. At an inside of the buffer unit220a slot (not shown) is provided for placing the substrate W on. The slots (not shown) may be provided in a plurality and spaced apart in the third direction16. A side of the buffer unit220facing the transfer frame140and a side of the buffer unit220facing the transfer chamber240is provided open.

The transfer frame140transfers the substrate W between the carrier18located at the load port120and the buffer unit220. The transfer frame140is provided with an index rail142and an index robot144. The index rail142is provided such that its lengthwise direction is parallel to the second direction14. The index robot144is installed at the index rail142and is linearly moved in the second direction14along the index rail142. The index robot144has a base144a,a body144b,and an index arm144c.The base144ais installed to be movable along the index rail142. The body144bis coupled to the base144a.The body144bis provided to be movable along the third direction16on the base144a.In addition, the body144bis provided to be rotatable on the base144a.The index arm144cis coupled to the body144band is provided to be forwardly and backwardly movable with respect to the body144b.A plurality of index arms144care provided to be individually driven. The index arms144care disposed to be stacked one above another while being spaced apart from each other in the third direction16. Some of the index arms144cmay be used to transfer the substrate W from the processing module20to the carrier18, and the other index arms144cmay be used to transfer the substrate W from the carrier18to the processing module20. This may prevent particles generated from the substrate W before processing from being attached to the substrate W after processing in a process of bringing in and taking out the substrate W by the index robot144.

The transfer chamber240transfers the substrate W between the buffer unit220and the process chamber260and between the process chambers260. The transfer chamber240is provided with a guide rail242and a main robot244. The guide rail242is provided such that its lengthwise direction is parallel to the first direction12. The main robot244is installed on the guide rail242and is linearly moved along the first direction12on the guide rail242. The main robot244has a base244a,a body244b,and a main arm244c.The base244ais installed to be movable along the guide rail242. The body244bis coupled to the base244a.The body244bis provided to be movable along the third direction16on the base244a.In addition, the body244bis provided to be rotatable on the base244a.The main arm244cis coupled to the body244b,which is provided to be forwardly and backwardly movable with respect to the body244b.A plurality of main arms244care provided to be individually driven. The main arms244care disposed to be stacked while being spaced apart from each other in the third direction16.

The process chamber260performs a processing on the substrate W. The processes treated in the process chamber260are all the same, but may be two or more different processes.

FIG.2is a view illustrating a substrate treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

Referring toFIG.2, the process chamber260includes a support member1000, a treating liquid nozzle1300, a light treating member1400, and a controller1500.

The support member1000supports a substrate S during the process. The support member1000is provided such that a top surface thereof has a set area. For example, the support member1000may have an area larger than that of the substrate S and may support the substrate S with a pin1100provided on the top surface thereof so that the substrate S is supported while a bottom surface of the substrate S is spaced apart from the top surface of the support member1000. In addition, the support member1000may be provided to fix the substrate S by vacuum-suctioning the substrate S with a top surface larger or smaller than the substrate S. The support member1000may be rotatably provided by the power provided by the driver1110to rotate the substrate S during the process.

The treating liquid nozzle1300discharges the treating liquid for treating the substrate S to the substrate S located on the support member1000. The treating liquid may be a phosphoric acid. In addition, the treating liquid may be a chemical such as a sulfuric acid (H2SO4), a nitric acid (HNO3), an ammonia (NH3), etc.

The light treating member1400may perform a light treatment on the substrate S during processing. For example, the light treating member1400may be provided in a form located on the support member1000.

FIG.3is a view illustrating a substrate treating apparatus according to another embodiment.

Referring toFIG.3, the process chamber260aincludes a support member1000a,a treating liquid nozzle1300a,and a light treating member1400a.

The light treating member1400amay be provided as a laser source that is spaced apart from the support member1000aby a predetermined distance and irradiates a laser to the substrate S located on the support member1000a.

According to an embodiment, the light treating member1400amay emit a laser light in the form of a line beam having a set length. The laser light may be emitted over a rotation center of the substrate S and an outer end of the substrate S. Accordingly, when the substrate S is rotated, the laser light may be irradiated over an entire top surface of the substrate S.

In addition, the light treating member1400amay be provided to irradiate the laser in a form in which a laser having a set area moves between the rotation center and the outer end of the substrate S.

FIG.4is a view illustrating a substrate treating apparatus according to another embodiment.

Referring toFIG.4, the process chamber260bincludes a support member1000b,a treating liquid nozzle1300b,and a light treating member1400b.

The light treating member1400bmay be provided in a form of a radiant heating of the substrate S located on the support member1000bby being spaced apart from the support member1000bby a set distance upward. For example, the light treating member1400bmay be provided in a form of heating the substrate S through a heat generated by a lamp, a resistance heat, or the like.

Hereinafter, features of the light treating member1400according to the inventive concept will be described in detail.

The light treating member1400according to the inventive concept may include a circuit unit having a plurality of identical LED modules1410.

FIG.5is a view illustrating a circuit unit according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

According to the inventive concept, the circuit unit may include a plurality of LED module units1430and each LED module unit1430comprises a plurality of identical LED modules1410(i.e., a plurality of sub-LED modules) connected in parallel with each other. According to an embodiment, the circuit unit may be provided with a plurality of LED module units1430connected in series with each other.

That is, referring toFIG.5, the circuit unit is provided with a configuration in which a plurality of LED module units1430are connected in series with each other, and each of the plurality of LED module units1430may include LED modules1410connected in parallel with each other. In this case, the number of LED modules1410included in each of a plurality of LED module units1430may be provided equally in the circuit unit. In addition, all electrical characteristics of the LED module1410may be the same. According to an embodiment ofFIG.5, four LED module units1430may be provided at a top part and four LED module units1430at a bottom part, and the number of LED modules1410included in each LED module unit1430may be provided as four.

According to an embodiment, the LED module unit1430may further include a current sensor1420connected to any one of a plurality of identical LED modules1410connected in parallel with each other.

Referring toFIG.5, a configuration including one current sensor1420per one LED module unit1430is disclosed. The current sensor1420may measure an electrical current flowing through the LED modules1410connected in parallel with each other. When all of the LED modules1410included in the circuit unit are normally operated, currents flowing in each LED module unit1430are the same as each other and the plurality of LED module units1430connected in series with each other are the same configuration as each other, currents flowing in all the LED modules units1430may be the same because the number of the LED modules1410included in each of the plurality of LED module units1430is the same as each other.

The light treating member1400may further include a monitoring unit (not shown) for monitoring whether the LED module1410included in the circuit unit is normal using a current value sensed by the current sensor1420.

The monitoring unit may monitor whether the LED module1410included in the circuit unit is normal by using a current value measured by the current sensor1420. When a failure does not occur, the LED module units1430may be controlled such that the same constant current may flow through the LED module units1430. According to an embodiment, if a current flowing through the plurality of LED module units1430is I, the current may be divided equally and flow into the LED modules1410. In this case, all resistors of the LED modules1410may be the same. The LED module unit1430includes four LED modules1410connected in parallel with each other, and the current flowing in each of the LED modules1410may be I/4 of the current flow flowing the LED module unit1430. In addition, a current value measured by the current sensor1420may also be I/4. However, when any one of the LED modules included in the LED module unit1430fails, the current I is divided equally and flows into three LED modules1410, and thus the current value measured by the current sensor1420may be I/3, which may differ from the current value measured by the current sensor1420in normal state (all the LED modules1410operates normally).

That is, according to the inventive concept, the monitoring unit may generate an alarm when a value calculated by dividing a current of a predetermined value, i.e., a constant current value by the number of LED modules1410included in the LED module unit1430is different from a current value measured by the current sensor1420. The monitoring unit may inform the LED module unit1430that there is an abnormality when a value calculated by dividing the constant current value by the number of the LED modules included in the LED module unit is different from a value measured at the current sensor.

In the inventive concept, a constant current control method is used such that a constant current to flows in all of the LED module units1430, and the monitoring may be performed by comparing the values measured by the current sensor1420with the constant current value.

In the inventive concept, by including only one current sensor1420per one LED module unit1430, the integration problem may be solved. In addition, using one current sensor a failure in LED module unit can be detected efficiently.

According to an embodiment, the light treating member1400may further include an illumination sensor (not shown) capable of measuring an amount of a light through the circuit unit. Through this, in addition to circuit monitoring through the circuit unit and the monitoring unit, it is possible to double monitor and respond to whether an abnormality has occurred by measuring an actual amount of light.

According to an embodiment, when the LED module unit1430is configured with four parallel circuits as shown inFIG.5, the number of components may be reduced. However, this is only an example, and the number of LED modules1410that may be connected with each other in parallel is not limited thereto.

FIG.6is a view illustrating an LED module1410according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

Referring toFIG.6, the LED module1410according to the inventive concept may include a plurality of diodes1411(e.g., a plurality of light emitting diodes). In accordance with an embodiment, the LED module1410in accordance with this invention may be provided by connecting a plurality of diodes1411a,1411b,1411c,and1411dwith each other in parallel. Accordingly, even if one of a plurality of diodes fails, the current flowing through the corresponding LED module1410may be the same. According to an embodiment, the LED module1410may use a UV LED. Through this, it is possible to perform the same role as a UV lamp.

FIG.7is a view illustrating a method of monitoring whether a failure occurs using a circuit unit according to the inventive concept.

Referring toFIG.7, a case in which a current of 16 A flows through a plurality of LED module units1430is illustrated. In this case, since a plurality of LED module units1430are connected in series, a current of 16 A may flow. Since a plurality of LED module units1430have the same configuration as each other, and four LED modules1410are connected in parallel with each other, a current of 4 A may flow in each LED module1410. In this case, in a normal case, 4 A is measured by the current sensor1420in each LED module unit. If an error occurs in any one of a plurality of LED modules1410, 16 A is divided and flows in three LED modules1410, and thus 5.33 A flows in each LED module, and thus it can be determined that the LED module unit including the current sensor which measures 5.33 A is failed. That is, through this, the user may recognize that an error has occurred in the LED module unit1430and take a proper action. Even in this case, the current flowing through the entire circuit unit is the same, and thus may not affect the process. According to an embodiment, the monitoring unit may set an error range in a value measured by the current sensor1420using a constant current value flowing through the entire LED module unit1430and the number of parallel LED modules1410included in the LED module unit1430. When a slight difference occurs, the monitoring unit may view it as a simple error and may not generate an alarm. The monitoring unit may calculate in advance the sensed current value when a failure occurs using the constant current value and the number of parallel LED modules, and may set the error range by reflecting the calculated value.

That is, according to the inventive concept, a circuit may be configured such that a plurality of LED module units1430are connected with each other in parallel, and a current sensor1420may be mounted on the LED module unit1430to perform monitoring. Accordingly, even if an error occurs in any one of the plurality of LED modules1410, all other LEDs are turned on, and it may be detected whether the failure occurs by recognizing the measured value by the current sensor1420without affecting the process.

The effect of using such a parallel circuit may not cause process defects due to the same overall light amount since current is distributed and flows to the remaining LEDs other than the failed LED module. In this invention, the current value of the circuit is monitored to detect whether the device has failed, but according to another embodiment, the resistance value of the circuit may be monitored to detect whether the device has failed.

According to the inventive concept, a substrate treatment method for performing a light treatment on a substrate is disclosed.

The method may include sensing a current flowing in each LED module unit1430through the current sensor1420; and generating an alarm when a value calculated by dividing the constant electrical current value by the number of the LED modules included in the LED module unit is differ from a value measured by the current sensor.

In this case, in the step of generating the alarm, a notice may be further notified with the alarm that a failure occurs in the LED module unit including the current sensor measuring a current value different from the value calculated by dividing the constant electrical current value by the number of the LED modules included in the LED module unit.

The effects of the inventive concept are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and the unmentioned effects can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the inventive concept pertains from the specification and the accompanying drawings.

Although the preferred embodiment of the inventive concept has been illustrated and described until now, the inventive concept is not limited to the above-described specific embodiment, and it is noted that an ordinary person in the art, to which the inventive concept pertains, may be variously carry out the inventive concept without departing from the essence of the inventive concept claimed in the claims and the modifications should not be construed separately from the technical spirit or prospect of the inventive concept.