Temperature setting method of heat processing plate, temperature setting apparatus of heat processing plate, program, and computer-readable recording medium recording program thereon

An object of the present invention is to perform temperature setting of a heating plate so that a wafer is uniformly heated in an actual heat processing time. The temperature of a wafer is measured during a heat processing period from immediately after a temperature measuring wafer is mounted on the heating plate to the time when the actual heat processing time elapses. Whether the uniformity in temperature within the wafer is allowable or not is determined from the temperature of the wafer in the heat processing period, and if the determination result is negative, a correction value for a temperature setting parameter of the heating plate is calculated using a correction value calculation model from the measurement result, and the temperature setting parameter is changed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a temperature setting method of a heat processing plate, a temperature setting apparatus of a heat processing plate, a program, and a computer-readable recording medium recording the program thereon.

BACKGROUND ART

In a photolithography process in manufacturing, for example, a semiconductor device, for example, a plurality of kinds of heat processing such as heat processing of evaporating a solvent in a resist film applied on a wafer (pre-baking), heat processing of accelerating the chemical reaction in the resist film after exposure of a pattern post-exposure baking), and heat processing after developing treatment (post-baking) and so on are performed

The above heat processing is usually performed in a heat processing unit by mounting and heating the wafer on a heating plate. To manufacture semiconductor devices uniform within the wafer, it is necessary to heat the wafer at a temperature uniform within the wafer. To this end, a heating plate is used which is divided into a plurality of regions and temperature-settable for each of the regions.

Incidentally, the temperature setting of the heating plate performed before the heat processing is performed using a temperature measuring wafer which is mounted on the heating plate to measure the temperature (see Patent Document 1). Usually, the temperature measuring wafer is mounted on the heating plate and kept standing until the measurement temperature by the temperature measuring wafer becomes uniform within the wafer, and at a point in time when the temperature becomes uniform, the temperatures of the regions of the heating plate are set. Usually, it takes about 10 minutes to about 20 minutes until the temperature within the wafer becomes uniform after the temperature measuring wafer is mounted on the heating plate.

However, when the temperature setting of the heating plate was performed at the point in time when the in-plane temperature of the temperature measuring wafer became uniform after the temperature measuring wafer was mounted on the heating plate and kept standing for about 10 minutes to about 20 minutes as described above, actually it was verified that the temperature within a wafer to be processed did not become precisely uniform in an actual wafer processing period which is finished in about 60 seconds to about 90 seconds after the wafer is mounted on the heating plate. This can cause, for example, variations in patterns formed on the wafer by a photolithography process.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

The present invention has been developed in consideration of the above viewpoint and its object is to provide a temperature se ting method of setting a temperature of a heat processing plate such as a heating plate so that a substrate such as a wafer is heated uniform within the substrate in an actual heat processing time, a temperature setting apparatus of a heat processing plate, a program, and a computer-readable recording medium recording the program thereon.

Means for Solving the Problems

The present invention attaining the above object is a temperature setting method of a heat processing plate for mounting and heat-processing a substrate thereon, the heat processing plate being divided into a plurality of regions and temperature-settable for each of the regions, the method including: a first step of mounting on the heat processing plate a temperature measuring substrate having a same shape as a shape of the substrate and simulatively measuring a temperature of the substrate to be mounted on the heat processing plate in a heat processing time; and a second step of setting temperatures of the regions of the heat processing plate based on a result of the temperature measurement so that the temperature within the substrate is kept uniform during a heat processing period from the when the substrate is mounted on the heat processing plate to the time when a predetermined heat processing time elapses in an actual heat processing time.

According to the present invention, the temperature within the substrate becomes uniform in the actual heat processing period, and therefore the substrate is uniformly heated by the heat processing. As a result of this, for example, the line width of the circuit pattern is uniformly formed on the substrate.

The present invention according to another aspect is a temperature setting method of a heat processing plate for mounting and heat-processing a substrate thereon, the heat processing plate being divided into a plurality of regions and temperature-settable for each of the regions, the method including: a first step of measuring a temperature at a periphery of the substrate mounted on the heat processing plate and estimating a temperature of the substrate to be mounted on the heat processing plate in a heat processing time; and a second step of setting temperatures of the regions of the heat processing plate based on a result of the temperature estimation so that the temperature within the substrate is kept uniform during a heat processing period from the when the substrate is mounted on the heat processing plate to the time when a predetermined heat processing time elapses in an actual heat processing time.

According to the present invention, the temperature within the substrate becomes uniform in the actual heat processing period, and therefore the substrate is uniformly heated by the heat processing. As a result of this, for example, the line width of the circuit pattern is uniformly formed on the substrate.

The temperature at the periphery of the substrate may be a temperature of each of the regions of the heat processing plate, or may be a temperature of an atmosphere at the periphery of the substrate on the heat processing plate. Alternatively, the temperature at the periphery of the substrate may be a temperature of a member at the periphery of the substrate on the heat processing plate.

In the temperature setting method of a heat processing plate described above, the temperatures of the regions of the heat processing plate may be set so that any one or more of a temperature during an initial temperature fluctuation period, a temperature during a temperature steady period after the temperature fluctuation period, and an accumulated temperature during a predetermined period in the heat processing period, and an accumulated reaction temperature obtained by multiplying reaction factors of a film on the substrate by the substrate temperatures in the heat processing period and accumulating resulting temperatures, is/are kept uniform within the substrate. Note that the reaction factor is a factor indicating the degree of the reaction of the film at each temperature.

The present invention according to another aspect is a temperature setting method of a heat processing plate for mounting and heat-processing a substrate thereon, the heat processing plate being divided into a plurality of regions and temperature-settable for each of the regions, the method including: a first step of converting a processing result of the substrate into a temperature of the substrate to be mounted on the heat processing plate in a heat processing time; and a second step of setting temperatures of the regions of the heat processing plate based on a result of the temperature conversion so that the temperature within the substrate is kept uniform during a heat processing period from the when the substrate is mounted on the heat processing plate to the time when a predetermined heat processing time elapses in an actual heat processing time.

According to the present invention, the temperature within the substrate becomes uniform in the actual heat processing period, and therefore the substrate is uniformly heated by the heat processing.

The processing result of the substrate may be a line width of a pattern formed on the substrate by a photolithography technology including the heat processing.

In the temperature setting method of a heat processing plate, the temperatures of the regions of the heat processing plate may be set so that any one or more of a temperature during a temperature steady period and an accumulated temperature during a predetermined period in the heat processing period, and an accumulated reaction temperature obtained by multiplying reaction factors of a film on the substrate by the substrate temperatures in the heat processing period and accumulating resulting temperatures, is/are kept uniform within the substrate.

The temperature setting method of a heat processing plate described above may further include the steps of: acquiring temperature data on the temperature of the substrate obtained by the first step; determining whether the uniformity in temperature within the substrate is allowable or not based on the acquired temperature data; when the determination is negative, calculating a correction value for a temperature setting parameter of the heat processing plate using the temperature data and correction value calculation data set in advance; and changing the temperature setting parameter based on the correction value.

Further, the correction value calculation data may be modified when the uniformity in temperature within the substrate is not improved even though the temperature setting of each of the regions of the heat processing plate is adjusted based on the correction value.

The present invention according to another aspect is a temperature setting apparatus of a heat processing plate for mounting and heat-processing a substrate thereon, the heat processing plate being divided into a plurality of regions and temperature-settable for each of the regions, the apparatus including: a temperature measuring substrate having a same shape as a shape of the substrate, for being mounted on the heat processing plate and simulatively measuring a temperature of the substrate to be mounted on the heat processing plate in a heat processing time; and a control unit for setting temperatures of the regions of the heat processing plate based on a result of the temperature measurement by the temperature measuring substrate so that the temperature within the substrate is kept uniform during a heat processing period from the when the substrate is mounted on the heat processing plate to the time when a predetermined heat processing time elapses in an actual heat processing time.

According to the present invention, the temperature within the substrate becomes uniform in the actual heat processing period, and therefore the substrate is uniformly heated by the heat processing. As a result of this, for example, the line width of the circuit pattern is uniformly formed on the substrate

The present invention according to another aspect is a temperature setting apparatus of a heat processing plate for mounting and heat-processing a substrate thereon, the heat processing plate being divided into a plurality of regions and temperature-settable for each of the regions, the apparatus including: a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature at a periphery of the substrate mounted on the heat processing plate; and a control unit for estimating a temperature of the substrate to be mounted on the heat processing plate in a heat processing time from a result of the temperature measurement by the temperature sensor, and setting temperatures of the regions of the heat processing plate based on a result of the temperature estimation so that the temperature within the substrate is kept uniform during a heat processing period from the when the substrate is mounted on the heat processing plate to the time when a predetermined heat processing time elapses in an actual heat processing time.

The temperature sensor may be one measuring the temperature of each of the regions of the heat processing plate, or may be one measuring a temperature of an atmosphere at the periphery of the substrate on the heat processing plate. Alternatively, the temperature sensor may be one measuring a temperature of a member at the periphery of the substrate on the heat processing plate.

The control unit may set the temperatures of the regions of the heat processing plate so that any one or more of a temperature during an initial temperature fluctuation period, a temperature during a temperature steady period after the temperature fluctuation period, and an accumulated temperature during a predetermined period in the heat processing period, and an accumulated reaction temperature obtained by multiplying reaction factors of a film on the substrate by the substrate temperatures in the heat processing period and accumulating resulting temperatures, is/are kept uniform within the substrate.

The present invention according to another aspect is a temperature setting apparatus of a heat processing plate for mounting and heat-processing a substrate thereon, the heat processing plate being divided into a plurality of regions and temperature-settable for each of the regions, the apparatus including: a control unit for converting a processing result of the substrate into a temperature of the substrate to be mounted on the heat processing plate in a heat processing time, and setting temperatures of the regions of the heat processing plate based on a result of the temperature conversion so that the temperature within the substrate is kept uniform during a heat processing period from the when the substrate is mounted on the heat processing plate to the time when a predetermined heat processing time elapses in an actual heat processing time.

According to the present invention, the temperature within the substrate becomes uniform in the actual heat processing period, and therefore the substrate is uniformly heated by the heat processing.

The processing result of the substrate may be a line width of a pattern formed on the substrate by a photolithography technology including the heat processing.

The control unit may set the temperatures of the regions of the heat processing plate so that any one or more of a temperature during a temperature steady period and an accumulated temperature during a predetermined period in the heat processing period, and an accumulated reaction temperature obtained by multiplying reaction factors of a film on the substrate by the substrate temperatures in the heat processing period and accumulating resulting temperatures, is/are kept uniform within the substrate.

The control unit may have functions of: acquiring temperature data on the temperature of the substrate in the heat processing period; determining whether the uniformity in temperature within the substrate is allowable or not based on the acquired temperature data; when the determination is negative, calculating a correction value for a temperature setting parameter of the heat processing plate using the temperature data and correction value calculation data set in advance; and changing the temperature setting parameter based on the correction value.

The control unit may further have a function of modifying the correction value calculation data when the uniformity in temperature within the substrate is not improved even though the temperature setting of each of the regions of the heat processing plate is adjusted based on the correction value.

According to the present invention according to another aspect, the present invention is a program for causing a computer to realize a function of a control unit in a temperature setting apparatus of a heat processing plate, the heat processing apparatus being a temperature setting apparatus of a heat processing plate for mounting and heat-processing a substrate thereon, the heat processing plate being divided into a plurality of regions and temperature-settable for each of the regions. The heat processing apparatus further has a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature at a periphery of the substrate mounted on the heat processing plate; and a control unit for estimating a temperature of the substrate to be mounted on the heat processing plate in a heat processing time from a result of the temperature measurement by the temperature sensor, and setting temperatures of the regions of the heat processing plate based on a result of the temperature estimation so that the temperature within the substrate is kept uniform during a heat processing period from the when the substrate is mounted on the heat processing plate to the time when a predetermined heat processing time elapses in an actual heat processing time.

According to the present invention according to another aspect, the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to realize a function of a control unit in a temperature setting apparatus of a heat processing plate, the heat processing apparatus being a temperature setting apparatus of a heat processing plate for mounting and heat-processing a substrate thereon, the heat processing plate being divided into a plurality of regions and temperature-settable for each of the regions. The heat processing apparatus further has a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature at a periphery of the substrate mounted on the heat processing plate; and a control unit for estimating a temperature of the substrate to be mounted on the heat processing plate in a heat processing time from a result of the temperature measurement by the temperature sensor, and setting temperatures of the regions of the heat processing plate based on a result of the temperature estimation so that the temperature within the substrate is kept uniform during a heat processing period from the when the substrate is mounted on the heat processing plate to the time when a predetermined heat processing time elapses in an actual heat processing time.

Effect of the Invention

According to the present invention, the substrate can be precisely uniformly heat-processed in an actual heat processing time, so that the processing within the substrate is uniformly performed, resulting in improved yields.

EXPLANATION OF CODES

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described.FIG. 1is a plan view showing the outline of a configuration of a coating and developing treatment system1in this embodiment,FIG. 2is a front view of the coating and developing treatment system1, andFIG. 3is a rear view of the coating and developing treatment system1.

The coating and developing treatment system1has, as shown inFIG. 1, a configuration in which, for example, a cassette station2for transferring, for example, 25 wafers W per cassette as a unit from/to the outside into/from the coating and developing treatment system1and transferring the wafers W into/out of a cassette C; a processing station3including a plurality of various kinds of processing and treatment units, which are multi-tiered, for performing predetermined processing or treatment in a manner of single wafer processing in the photolithography process; and an interface section4for delivering the wafers W to/from a not-shown aligner provided adjacent to the processing station3, are integrally connected together.

In the cassette station2, a plurality of cassettes C can be mounted at predetermined positions on a cassette mounting table5in a line in a X-direction (a top-to-bottom direction inFIG. 1). In the cassette station2, a wafer transfer body7is provided which is movable in the X-direction on a transfer path6. The wafer transfer body7is also movable in a wafer-arrangement direction of the wafers W housed in the cassette C (a Z-direction; the vertical direction), and thus can selectively access the wafers W in each of the cassettes C arranged in the X-direction.

The wafer transfer body7has an alignment function of aligning the wafer W. The wafer transfer body7can access an extension unit32included in a third processing unit group G3on the processing station3side and transfer the wafer W to the extension unit32as described later.

In the processing station3, a main transfer unit13is provided at its central portion, and various kinds of processing and treatment units are multi-tiered to constitute processing unit groups around the main transfer unit13. In the coating and developing treatment system1, four processing unit groups G1, G2, G3and G4are arranged. The first and second processing unit groups G1and G2are placed on the front side in the coating and developing treatment system1, the third processing unit group G3is placed adjacent to the cassette station2, and the fourth processing unit group G4is placed adjacent to the interface section4. Further, a fifth processing unit group G5shown by a broken line can be separately placed on the rear side as an option. The main transfer unit13can transfer the wafer W to later-described various kinds of processing and treatment units arranged in these processing unit groups G1to G5.

In the first processing unit group G1, for example, as shown inFIG. 2, a resist coating unit17for applying a resist solution onto the wafer W, and a developing treatment unit18for performing developing treatment for the wafer W after exposure are two-tiered in order from the bottom. Similarly, in the second processing unit group G2, a resist coating unit19and a developing treatment unit20are two-tiered in order from the bottom.

In the third processing unit group G3, for example, as shown inFIG. 3, a cooling unit30for performing cooling processing for the wafer W, an adhesion unit31for enhancing the adhesion between the resist solution and the wafer W, the extension unit32for keeping the wafer W waiting therein, pre-baking units33and34each for drying the solvent in the resist solution, and post-baking units35and36each for performing heat-processing after the developing treatment and the like, are seven-tiered in order from the bottom.

In the fourth processing unit group G4, for example, a cooling unit40, an extension and cooling unit41for allowing the wafer W mounted thereon to dry naturally, an extension unit42, a cooling unit43, post-exposure baking units (hereinafter, referred to as “PEB units”)44and45each for heating the wafer W after exposure, and post-baking units46and47and the like are, for example, eight-tiered in order from the bottom.

As shown inFIG. 1, at the central portion of the interface section4, a wafer transfer body50is provided. The wafer transfer body50is configured to be movable in the X-direction and the Z-direction and also rotatable in a θ-direction (a rotation direction around the Z-axis), and thus can access the extension and cooling unit41and the extension unit42included in the fourth processing unit group G4, an edge exposure unit51, and the not-shown aligner and transfer the wafer W to them

Next, the configuration of the above-described PEB unit44will be described. As shown inFIG. 4, the PEB unit44has a lid body60that is located on the upper side and vertically movable, and a heating plate accommodating unit61that is located on the lower side and forms a processing chamber S together with the lid body60.

The lid body60has an almost conical shape increasing in height toward its central portion, and is provided with an exhaust portion60aat its tip portion. The atmosphere in the processing chamber S is uniformly exhausted through the exhaust portion60a.

At the center of the heating plate accommodating unit61, a heating plate63is provided as a heat processing plate for mounting and heating the wafer W thereon. The heating plate63has a substantially disk shape with a large thickness. On the front surface of the heating plate63, support pins64are provided at a plurality of locations for supporting the wafer W when the wafer W is mounted.

The heating plate63is divided into a plurality of, for example, five regions63a,63b,63c,63d, and63eas shown inFIG. 5. The heating plate63is divided, for example, into the circular region63awhich is located at the central portion and the regions63bto63ewhich are made by equally dividing the peripheral portion around the region63ainto four sectors, as seen in plan view.

A heater65generating heat by power feeding is individually embedded in each of the regions63ato63eof the heating plate63and can individually heat each of the regions63ato63e. In the regions63ato63e, temperature sensors66are provided, respectively. The measurement results of the temperature sensors66can be outputted to a heater controller67. The heater controller67can adjust the amount of power fed to the heater65based on the measurement result of the temperature sensor66so that the temperature of each of the regions63ato63eis brought to a predetermined set temperature. Note that a plurality of sensors may be provided in each of the regions63ato63e.

As shown inFIG. 4, raising and lowering pins70for supporting and raising and lowering the wafer W when the wafer W is transferred in/out are provided below the heating plate63. The raising and lowering pins70are configured to be vertically movable by a raising and lowering drive mechanism71Near the central portion of the heating plate63, through holes72vertically passing through the heating plate63are formed so that the raising and lowering pins70pass through the through holes72to project to above the heating plate63.

The heating plate accommodating unit61has an annular support member80for accommodating and supporting the outer peripheral portion of the heating plate63, and a support table81for supporting the support member80at its bottom. For the support member80, a heat insulator is used to prevent heat of the heating plate63from escaping to the outside. Further, the support table81is formed in an almost cylindrical shape with its upper face open.

The heating plate accommodating unit61has a support ring82in an almost cylindrical shape surrounding the support member80and the support table81. The upper surface of the support ring82is formed with a blow port82afor jetting, for example, an inert gas toward the inside of the processing chamber S, so that the jetting of the inert gas from the blow port82acan purge the processing chamber S. Further, a case83in a cylindrical shape is provided which is an outer periphery of the heating plate accommodating unit61.

In the heat processing in the PEB unit44configured as described above, the wafer W is first transferred to a position above the heating plate63with the lid body60raised to open the processing chamber S, and passed to the raising and lowering pins70which have been raised and waiting in advance. Subsequently, the lid body60is lowered and united with the heating plate accommodating unit61to close the processing chamber S, and the raising and lowering pins70are then lowered so that the wafer W is mounted onto the heating plate63which has been controlled to a predetermined temperature. At this moment, heating of the wafer W is started. After a lapse of a predetermined heat-processing time, for example, about 60 seconds to about 90 seconds, the wafer W is raised from the top of the heating plate63by the raising and lowering pins70, with which the heating of the wafer W ends. Thereafter, the lid body60is raised to open the processing chamber S, and the wafer W is then transferred out of the PEB unit44, with which the heat processing ends.

Next, a temperature setting apparatus90for performing temperature setting of the heating plate63in the PEB unit44configured as described above will be described.

As shown inFIG. 6, in an actual heat processing time, a heat processing period H from the time when the wafer W is mounted on the heating plate63to the time when a predetermined heat processing time elapses, has a temperature fluctuation period H1during which the wafer temperature increases toward a target temperature T0immediately after the wafer W is mounted on the heating plate63, and a temperature steady period H2during which the wafer temperature is stabilized at the target temperature T0after the temperature fluctuation period H1. In the heat processing period H, there also is a reaction period H3during which the wafer temperature exceeds, for example, a reaction temperature T1of a surface film of the wafer W to cause a chemical reaction in the surface film of the wafer W. The temperature setting apparatus90in the present embodiment can individually set the temperature of each of the regions63ato63eof the heating plate63. The temperature setting apparatus90can select and set any one or more of the temperature during the temperature fluctuation period H1, the temperature during the temperature steady period H2, the accumulated temperature during the reaction period H3, and an accumulated reaction temperature obtained by multiplying the temperatures in the heat processing period H by reaction factors of the resist film on the wafer surface and accumulating resulting temperatures, in each of the regions63ato63e. Note that the accumulated temperature during the reaction period H3can be indicated, for example, by the area of a hatching portion shown inFIG. 6, which represents the amount of energy to be supplied to the wafer W during the reaction of the wafer surface. The accumulated reaction temperature in the heat processing period H can be expressed by Expression (1) shown inFIG. 7. In Expression (1), T represents temperature, s represents time, and L represents the reaction factor.

The temperature setting apparatus90comprises, for example, a temperature measuring unit100and a control unit101as shown inFIG. 4. The control unit101can communicate with the temperature measuring unit100and the heater controller67.

The temperature measuring unit100is composed of a temperature measuring wafer110to be mounted on the heating plate63so that the wafer temperature is measured, a cable111, and a temperature measuring device112as shown inFIG. 8. The temperature measuring wafer110is made in the same shape and of the same material as those of the wafer to be processed. In the temperature measuring wafer110, a plurality of temperature sensors113are arranged evenly, for example, as shown inFIG. 9. This allows for measurement of the temperatures of the wafer regions110ato110ecorresponding to the regions63ato63eof the heating plate63. The temperature measuring wafer110and the measuring device112are connected to each other via the cable111, so that the temperatures detected by the temperature measuring wafer110can be outputted over the cable111to the measuring device112in which the temperatures of the wafer regions110ato110ecan be measured. The temperatures measured in the measuring device112can be outputted to the control unit101with or without wires. Note that the temperature measuring unit100may be one in which the temperatures detected by the temperature measuring wafer110are outputted to the measuring device112without wires.

The control unit101has a function of a general-purpose computer including, for example, a CPU and a memory. The function of the control unit101which will be described in the following is executed, for example, by a program installed from a computer-readable recording medium. The control unit101comprises, for example, as shown inFIG. 10, a computing part120, an input part121for a user to select and input any one or more of the temperature during the temperature fluctuation period H1, the temperature during the temperature steady period H2, the accumulated temperature during the reaction period H3, and the accumulated reaction temperature in the heat processing period H, which will be set contents; a data storage part122for storing temperature data inputted from the measuring unit112; a model storage part123for storing a correction value calculation model M as correction value calculation data to calculate a correction value for a temperature setting parameter for temperature adjustment of the heating plate63; and a program storage part124for storing various kinds of programs.

The program storage part124stores a temperature data acquisition program P1to acquire predetermined temperature data from the measuring unit112and store the data into the data storage part122; a determination program P2to determine whether the uniformity in temperature within the wafer is allowable or not based on the temperature data stored in the data storage part122; a correction value calculation program P3to calculate the correction value for the temperature setting parameter using the correction value calculation model M when the determination by the determination program P2is a negative determination; a temperature setting parameter change program P4to change the temperature setting parameter in the heater controller67based on the correction value; and a correction value calculation model modification program P5to modify the correction value calculation model M when the uniformity in the in-plane temperature of the wafer is not improved even though the temperature setting parameter is changed.

The correction value calculation model M is composed of, as shown inFIG. 11, a matrix showing correlations between the amounts of fluctuation in a temperature setting parameter a for adjusting the temperature during the temperature fluctuation period H1; in a temperature setting parameter b for adjusting the temperature during the temperature steady period H2; in a temperature setting parameter c for adjusting the accumulated temperature during the reaction period H3; and in a temperature setting parameter d for adjusting the accumulated reaction temperature in the heat processing period H, and the amount of fluctuation in wafer temperature. For example, the temperature setting parameter a for the temperature during the temperature fluctuation period H1affects the temperature fluctuation rate of the wafer W by changing the amount of power fed to the heating plate63, and the temperature setting parameter b for the temperature during the temperature steady period H2, the temperature setting parameter c for the accumulated temperature during the reaction period H3, and the temperature setting parameter d for the accumulated reaction temperature in the heat processing period H affect, for example, the target temperature T0. Note that the correlations between the amounts of fluctuation in the temperature setting parameters a to d and the amount of fluctuation in the wafer temperature may be correlations obtained for each of the regions of the heating plate63.

Next, a temperature setting process for the heating plate63in the PEB unit44using the temperature setting apparatus90configured as described above will be described.FIG. 12is a flowchart showing the temperature setting process.

First of all, the user selects an adjustment object to be adjusted uniform within the wafer, for example, from among the temperature during the temperature fluctuation period H1, the temperature during the temperature steady period H2, the accumulated temperature during the reaction period H3, and the accumulated reaction temperature in the heat processing period H, and inputs the selected temperature(s) into the input part121of the control unit101(Step S1inFIG. 12). Hereinafter, a case in which the temperature during the temperature fluctuation period H1and the temperature during the temperature steady period H2are selected will be described as an example. Upon selection by the user of the adjustment object, the temperature measuring wafer110is mounted on the heating plate63, and the temperature of the temperature measuring wafer110in the heat processing period H from immediately after the mounting to the time when the same time period as the heat processing time elapses is measured (Step S2inFIG. 12). Upon measurement of the temperature of the temperature measuring wafer110, the temperature data during the temperature fluctuation period H and during the temperature steady period H2are inputted into the control unit101and stored in the data storage part122, for example, for each of the wafer regions110ato110eby the temperature data acquisition program P1(Step S3inFIG. 12). Next, by the determination program P2, whether the uniformity among the wafer regions110ato110ein temperature during the temperature fluctuation period H1and the temperature steady period H2is allowable or not is determined (Step S4inFIG. 12). This determination is made by comparing the maximum temperature difference among the wafer regions to a threshold value which has been set in advance, so that if the maximum temperature difference exceeds the threshold value, the temperatures are determined to be nonuniform, and if the maximum temperature difference does not exceed the threshold value, the temperatures are determined to be uniform

If the temperatures of the wafer regions110ato110eare determined to be uniform, the temperature setting process is finished. If the temperatures are determined to be nonuniform, the correction values for the temperature setting parameters a and b for the temperatures during the temperature fluctuation period H1and the temperature steady period H2are calculated using the correction value calculation model M by the correction value calculation program P3(Step P5inFIG. 12). After the correction values are calculated, the correction values are outputted, for example, to the heater controller67, and the existing values of the temperature setting parameters a and b are changed by the temperature setting parameter change program P4(Step S6inFIG. 12). Thus, the temperature settings in the regions63ato63ein the heat processing period H for the wafer W are adjusted, so that the temperatures during the temperature fluctuation period H1and the temperature steady period H2which have varied within the wafer are made uniform, for example, as shown inFIG. 13.

After the temperature setting parameters are changed, temperature measurement by the temperature measuring wafer110is performed again, and whether the uniformity among the wafer regions110ato110ein temperature during the temperature fluctuation period H1and the temperature steady period H2is allowable or not is determined, so that whether or not the temperature is uniform within the wafer is verified. If the temperature is uniform within the wafer, the temperature setting process is finished. If the temperature is not uniform, the correction values for the temperature setting parameters are calculated again, and the temperature setting parameters are changed. This process is repeated a predetermined number of times or more, and if the temperature still does not become uniform within the wafer, the data contents of the correction value calculation model M is modified, for example, by the model modification program P5(Step S7inFIG. 12).

According to the above embodiment, the temperatures within the wafer in the actual heat processing period H are precisely made uniform, so that the heat-processing can be performed uniformly within the wafer. In addition, since the temperature during the temperature fluctuation period H1, the temperature during the temperature steady period H2, or the accumulated temperature during the reaction period H3in the heat processing period H, or the accumulated reaction temperature in the heat processing period H can be selected as the adjustment contents of the temperature setting, the setting of the temperature affecting the processing result can be adjusted as required. Note that although the settings of the temperature during the temperature fluctuation period H1and the temperature during the temperature steady period H2in the heat processing period H are adjusted in the above embodiment, the settings of all of the temperatures including the accumulated temperature during the reaction period H3and the accumulated reaction temperature in the heat processing period H may be adjusted, or any of them may be adjusted.

Although the temperatures within the wafer during the heat processing are measured using the temperature measuring wafer110in the above embodiment, temperatures at the periphery of the wafer W on the heating plate63may be measured in the PEB unit44, and the temperatures within the wafer in the heat processing time may be estimated from the peripheral temperatures. As the peripheral temperatures of the wafer W, the temperatures of the heating plate63may be measured. In this case, the program storage part124of the control unit101stores a temperature estimation program to estimate the temperatures of the wafer W mounted on the heating plate63from the temperatures of the heating plate63itself. The temperature estimation program can estimate the temperature of the wafer W based on the correlation data between the temperature of the heating plate63which has been obtained in advance and the temperature of the wafer W.

At the time of setting the temperature of the heating plate63, the temperatures of the regions63ato63emeasured by the temperature sensors66of the heating plate63are inputted from the heater controller67to the control unit101and stored into the data storage part122by the temperature data acquisition program P1. The temperatures of the regions within the wafer are then estimated by the temperature estimation program. Thereafter, as in the above embodiment, whether the uniformity in temperature within the wafer is allowable or not is determined, and if the determination is negative, a correction value for a predetermined temperature setting parameter is calculated, and the temperature setting parameter is changed. According to this example, the temperature setting of the heating plate63can be performed using the existing temperature sensors66in the PEB unit44without using the temperature measuring wafer110.

It should be noted that temperatures of an atmosphere at the periphery of the wafer W mounted on the heating plate63may be used as the peripheral temperatures of the wafer W. In this case, a plurality of temperature sensors130are arranged above the wafer W in the processing chamber S as shown inFIG. 14to measure the temperatures of the atmosphere at the periphery of the wafer W so that the temperatures of the wafer W may be estimated from the atmosphere temperatures. Besides, temperatures of a peripheral member of the wafer W mounted on the heating plate63may be used as the peripheral temperatures of the wafer W. In this case, a plurality of temperature sensors135may be arranged on the lid body60located above the wafer W on the heating plate63, for example, as shown inFIG. 15to measure the temperatures of the lid body60close to the wafer W, so that the temperatures of the wafer W may be estimated from the temperatures of the lid body60. Note that instead of the lid body60, for example, the support member80or the support table81of the heating plate accommodating unit61may be used as the peripheral member of the wafer W.

Although whether the uniformity in temperature within the wafer during the heat processing is allowable or not is determined from the temperatures measured by the temperature measuring wafer110in the above embodiment, the uniformity in temperature within the wafer is allowable or not may be determined based on the processing result of the wafer W. For example, the line width of the resist pattern formed on the wafer W by the photolithography process may be used as the processing result of the wafer W. In this case, a line width measuring unit140for measuring the line width on the wafer W is provided on the rear side of the cassette station2of the coating and developing treatment system1, for example, as shown inFIG. 16. Note that the line width measuring unit140may be provided outside the coating and developing treatment system1.

For example, as shown inFIG. 17, the program storage part124of the control unit101stores a line width data acquisition program Q1to acquire line width data of the divided regions within the wafer from the line width measuring unit140and store the data into the data storage part122; a conversion program Q2to convert the line width data in the data storage part122into the temperature of the wafer W during the heat processing; a determination program Q3to determine whether the uniformity in temperature within the wafer is allowable or not based on the converted temperature data; a correction value calculation program Q4to calculate the correction value for the temperature setting parameter for the heating processing63using the correction value calculation model M when the determination by the determination program Q3is a negative determination: a temperature setting parameter change program Q5to change the temperature setting parameter in the heater controller67based on the correction value; and a correction value calculation model modification program Q6to modify the correction value calculation model M when the uniformity in temperature within the wafer is not improved even though the temperature setting parameter is changed. Note that the conversion by the conversion program Q2is performed using the correlation data between the line width on the wafer W after completion of the photolithography process which has been obtained in advance and the wafer temperature in the heat processing time.

At the time of setting the temperatures of the heating plate63, the wafer W for which the photolithography process has been finished in the coating and developing treatment system1is transferred to the line width measuring unit140, and the line width of the pattern formed on the wafer W is measured. The measurement result is inputted into the control unit101by the line width data acquisition program Q1. Subsequently, the line width result is converted into the temperatures of the wafer W in the heat processing time by the conversion program Q2. Hereinafter, as in the above embodiment, whether the uniformity in temperature within the wafer is allowable or not is determined by the determination program Q3, and if the determination is a negative determination, a correction value for a temperature setting parameter of the heating plate63is calculated using the correction value calculation model M by the correction value calculation program Q4, and the predetermined temperature setting parameter is changed by the temperature setting parameter change program Q5. According to this example, the uniformity in temperature within the wafer in the heat processing time is evaluated based on the line width formed on the wafer W, so that the line width within the wafer can be finally made uniform.

Note that in the above example, the temperature during the temperature steady period H2and the accumulated temperature during the reaction period H3out of the temperatures of the wafer W in the heat processing time can be estimated from the measured line width. Accordingly, it may be adoptable to allow for selection of at least any of the temperature during the temperature steady period H2, the accumulated temperature during the reaction period H3, and the accumulated reaction temperature in the heat processing period H, determine whether the uniformity in the selected temperature within the wafer is allowable or not, and change the temperature setting parameter corresponding to the selected temperature if the temperature is nonuniform in the above example.

Although the line width of the pattern formed on the wafer W is used as the processing result of the wafer W in the above example, other processing results, for example, the film thickness of a film formed on the wafer W may be used

Incidentally, when the temperature measuring wafer110capable of transmission by wireless is used for the temperature measurement of the heating plate, the temperature measuring wafer110is transferred, like a normal wafer W to be processed, from the cassette station2and transferred to a predetermined heat processing unit in the processing station3via the wafer transfer body7and the main transfer unit13. In this event, since the install position and the install direction are different, for example, for each of the heat processing units in the processing station3, the mounting direction of the temperature measuring wafer110on the heating plate, that is, the correspondence between wafer regions110ato110cof the temperature measuring wafer110and the regions of the heating plate is different for each of the heat processing units. Hence, the relation between a notch position of the temperature measuring wafer110when transferred into the cassette station2and a notch position of the temperature measuring wafer110when mounted on the heating plate in each of the heat processing units is obtained in advance, and this notch position information is stored, for example, in the control unit101of the temperature measuring unit100. At the time of performing the temperature setting of the heating plate, for example, the correction value calculation model M calculates the correction value for the temperature setting parameter for each of the regions of the heating plate taking the notch position information into consideration. This makes it possible to appropriately perform correction of the temperature setting of each of the regions of the heating plate based on the temperature measurement even when using the temperature measuring wafer110capable of transmission by wireless. Note that although the notch position information has been obtained in advance in the above example, the notch position may be detected by a sensor when the temperature measuring wafer110is transferred into the cassette station2, and the notch position in the heat processing unit that is the transfer destination may be automatically calculated based on the detection information, so that the information may be stored as the notch position information.

While examples of a preferred embodiment of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to those examples but can take various forms. For example, the heating plate63described in the embodiment is divided into five regions, and the number of divided regions can be arbitrarily selected. Further, while the embodiment is for a case of setting the temperature of the heating plate63in the PEB unit44, the present invention is also applicable to other heat processing units such as a pre-baking unit and a post-baking unit including a heating plate and to a cooling processing unit including a cooling plate for mounting and cooling the wafer W thereon. Further, the present invention is also applicable to a heat processing unit for a substrate other than the wafer, such as an FPD (Flat Panel Display), a mask reticle for a photomask, and the like.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is useful in setting the temperature of a heat processing plate so that the substrate is uniformly heat-processed.