SUBSTRATE TREATMENT APPARATUS USING SUPERCRITICAL FLUID

Provided is a substrate treatment apparatus using a supercritical fluid, the apparatus capable of depositing a conformal film in a trench with a high aspect ratio and capable of performing void-free complete gap-filling. The substrate treatment apparatus includes: an upper vessel including a first body and a supply port formed in the first body and supplying a process fluid; a baffle plate installed in the upper vessel and supplying the process fluid supplied through the supply port to a treatment space by diffusing the process fluid; a lower vessel including a second body and an exhaust port formed in the second body and exhausting the process fluid from the treatment space; and a support plate installed in the lower vessel to face the baffle plate and supporting a substrate, wherein while a supercritical process is performed in the treatment space, the support plate is heated so that the temperature of the support plate is higher than that of the first body.

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0167368, filed on Dec. 5, 2022, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a substrate treatment apparatus using a supercritical fluid.

2. Description of the Related Art

As semiconductor devices become increasingly highly integrated, individual circuit patterns are becoming more miniaturized to implement more semiconductor devices in the same area. That is, as the degree of integration of semiconductor devices increases, design rules for components of the semiconductor devices are being reduced.

In highly-scaled semiconductor devices, a trench filling process is becoming increasingly difficult. When a trench is filled with a metal through atomic layer deposition (ALD) or chemical vapor deposition (CVD), the trench with a high aspect ratio may not be sufficiently filled, and a seam or void or a pinch-off defect may occur inside the trench.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present disclosure provide a substrate treatment apparatus using a supercritical fluid, the apparatus capable of depositing a conformal film in a trench with a high aspect ratio and capable of performing void-free complete gap-filling.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a substrate treatment apparatus including: an upper vessel including a first body and a supply port formed in the first body and supplying a process fluid; a baffle plate installed in the upper vessel and supplying the process fluid supplied through the supply port to a treatment space by diffusing the process fluid; a lower vessel including a second body and an exhaust port formed in the second body and exhausting the process fluid from the treatment space; and a support plate installed in the lower vessel to face the baffle plate and supporting a substrate, wherein while a supercritical process is performed in the treatment space, the support plate is heated so that the temperature of the support plate is higher than that of the first body.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a substrate treatment apparatus comprising: vessels providing a treatment space for treating a substrate and comprising an upper vessel and a lower vessel detachably coupled so that the upper vessel and the lower vessel can be switched between a closed position for closing the treatment space and an open position for opening the treatment space; a support installed on a lower surface of the upper vessel and configured to support the substrate in the open position of the vessels; a hot plate installed in the lower vessel and heating a lower surface of the substrate in the closed position of the vessels; and a liner installed on at least a portion of an inner wall of the treatment space and made of a heat insulating material.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a substrate treatment apparatus comprising: an upper vessel which comprises a first body comprising a center region and a peripheral region, a supply port formed in the center region and supplying a process fluid, and a first accommodating space connected to the supply port in the center region and recessed inward from the peripheral region; a baffle plate installed in the first accommodating space and supplying the process fluid supplied through the supply port to a treatment space by diffusing the process fluid; a lower vessel comprising a second body, an exhaust port formed in the second body and exhausting the process fluid from the treatment space, and a recessed second accommodating space; a hot plate installed in the second accommodating space to face the baffle plate; a first heat insulating liner installed on a lower surface of the baffle plate; a second heat insulating liner installed on a lower surface of the peripheral region of the first body; and a third heat insulating liner installed on sidewalls of the second accommodating space which surround side surfaces of the hot plate, wherein while a supercritical process is performed in the treatment space, the hot plate is heated so that the temperature of the hot plate is higher than those of the first body and the second body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Spatially relative terms, such as “below,” “beneath,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one element or component to another element(s) or component(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” or “beneath” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components and/or sections, these elements, components and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component or section from another element, component or section. Thus, a first element, component or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component or section without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the following description with reference to the attached drawings, like or corresponding elements will be indicated by like reference numerals, and a redundant description thereof will be omitted.

FIGS.1and2illustrate a substrate treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.1illustrates a state in which a treatment space is open (i.e., an open position), andFIG.2illustrates a state in which the treatment space is closed (i.e., a closed position). The substrate treatment apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied to a process (e.g., a deposition process) using a supercritical fluid.

Referring toFIGS.1and2, the substrate treatment apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a reactor100, a driving unit190, a temperature control unit200, a process fluid supply unit300, and an exhaust unit400. A controller (not illustrated) controls the operations of the reactor100, the driving unit190, the temperature control unit200, the process fluid supply unit300, and the exhaust unit400. A program (software) for controlling these operations may be included in the controller (not illustrated).

The reactor100is a space for performing a process for a supercritical fluid.

A supercritical fluid is a substance at a temperature and pressure above its critical point and has the diffusivity of a gas and the solubility of a liquid. The supercritical fluid may be, but is not limited to, carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), ethylene (C2H4), propylene (C3H6), methanol (CH3OH), ethanol (C2H5OH), or acetone (C3H6O). Carbon dioxide will be described below as an example of the supercritical fluid.

The reactor100includes an upper vessel110, a support119, a baffle plate120, a lower vessel130, and a support plate (or hot plate)150.

The vessels110and130provide a treatment space180for treating a substrate W. The vessels110and130include the upper vessel110and the lower vessel130and are detachably coupled. Specifically, the upper vessel110and the lower vessel130can be switched between an open position (seeFIG.1) for opening the treatment space180and a closed position (seeFIG.2) for closing the treatment space180by the driving unit190. The driving unit190determines relative positions by moving at least one of the upper vessel110and the lower vessel130.

The upper vessel110includes a first body111, a supply port118, and a first accommodating space112.

The first body111serves as the body of the upper vessel110and has the supply port118and the first accommodating space112formed therein. The first body111is made of a heat transferable material, for example, may be stainless steel (SUS).

The first body111includes a center region CR and a peripheral region PR surrounding the center region CR. The supply port118and the first accommodating space112are formed in the center region CR. The peripheral region PR may protrude toward the treatment space180from the center region CR. The support119may be installed in the peripheral area PR.

The supply port118may be installed to pass through the first body111. The supply port118receives a process fluid from the process fluid supply unit300and delivers the received process fluid to the first accommodating space112. As will be described later, the process fluid is a fluid for performing a supercritical process in the treatment space180. The process fluid may be, for example, a first process fluid including a metal precursor and a supercritical fluid (i.e., the metal precursor dissolved by the supercritical fluid) or may be a second process fluid including a reducing fluid and a supercritical fluid (i.e., the reducing fluid dissolved by the supercritical fluid). However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Through the supply port118, the first process fluid and the second process fluid may be alternately and repeatedly supplied a plurality of times, or the first process fluid and the second process fluid may be simultaneously supplied.

For example, the metal precursor of the first process fluid may be in the form of ML (where M is a metal, and L is a ligand), and the metal M may include Ru, Mo, Cu, TiN, TaN, Al, Ti, Ta, Ni, Nb, Rh, Pd, Ir, Ag, Au, Zn, or V, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The ligand L may consist of only C and/or H. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the ligand L may also consist of only one of Cx, Hy, and CxHy(where x and y are natural numbers).

The reducing fluid of the second process fluid may include, but is not limited to, oxygen (O2), hydrogen (H2), or ammonia (NH3).

The first accommodating space112may be formed on a lower surface (or bottom surface)110B of the first body111. As illustrated, the first accommodating space112may be recessed inward from the lower surface110B of the first body111(or recessed inward from the peripheral region PR). A depth H of the first accommodating space112may be, for example, 10 mm or more.

Side surfaces of the first accommodating space112may be inclined. That is, side and upper surfaces of the first accommodating space112may form an angle θ smaller than 90 degrees. The angle θ may be, for example, 10 to 70 degrees.

The baffle plate120is installed in the first accommodating space112. The baffle plate120supplies a process fluid received through the supply port118to the treatment space180by diffusing the process fluid.

The baffle plate120includes a base124and perforated plates122. The perforated plates122may be fixed by the base124and may be, for example, stacked in two or more layers. Perforated positions of a perforated plate122may be different from perforated positions of a perforated plate122installed directly on the above perforated plate122. That is, when viewed in a vertical direction, the perforated positions of the lower perforated plate122are not aligned in a line with the perforated positions of the upper perforated plate122installed directly on the lower perforated plate122. Since the perforated positions are not aligned in a line, a process fluid is sufficiently mixed through the first accommodating space112and the baffle plate120and then supplied to the substrate W.

The support119is installed on the lower surface110B of the upper vessel110(i.e., a lower surface of the peripheral region PR). The support119is configured to support the substrate W when the vessels110and130are in the open position (when the upper vessel110and the lower vessel130are spaced apart from each other).

The lower vessel130includes a second body131, an exhaust port138, and a second accommodating space132.

The second body131serves as the body of the lower vessel130and has the exhaust port138and the second accommodating space132formed therein. The second body131is made of a heat transferable material, for example, may be stainless steel (SUS).

The exhaust port138may be installed to pass through the second body131. The exhaust port138exhausts a process fluid received from the treatment space180to the outside. The exhaust operation may be controlled by the operation of the exhaust unit400connected to the exhaust port138.

The second accommodating space132may be installed on an upper surface of the second body131. As illustrated, the second accommodating space132may be recessed inward from the upper surface of the second body131.

The support plate150is installed in the lower vessel130to face the baffle plate120. Specifically, the support plate150is installed in the second accommodating space132. When the vessels110and130change from the open position to the closed position (i.e., in a state where the upper vessel110and the lower vessel130are in contact with each other), the substrate W may be transferred from the support119to the support plate150and then may be supported by the support plate150. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, even when the vessels110and130are in the closed position, the substrate W may be supported by the support119. When the vessels110and130are in the closed position, the support plate150faces a lower surface of the substrate W.

A heat source152is installed inside the support plate150. The heat source152may be, for example, a heater or a pipe through which a high-temperature fluid flows. When the heat source152is a heater, the temperature control unit200controls the temperature by supplying power to the heater. When the heat source152is a pipe, the temperature control unit200controls the temperature by supplying a high-temperature fluid to the pipe.

While a supercritical process is performed in the treatment space180, the support plate150is heated by the heat source152. Accordingly, the temperature of the substrate W rises. The temperature of the support plate150is controlled to be higher than that of the first body111. Alternatively, the temperature of the support plate150may be controlled to be higher than that of the second body131. That is, the support plate150becomes a hot plate, and other portions (i.e., the first body111and the second body131) become cold walls.

While the supercritical process is performed in the treatment space180, the temperature of the support plate150is controlled to be higher than those of the vessels110and130. For example, while the supercritical process is performed in the treatment space180, the support plate150may be at 150 to 350° C., and the upper vessel110and/or the lower vessel130may be at35to below 150° C.

When the vessels110and130are in the closed position to perform a supercritical process, a process fluid is supplied to the treatment space180to enter a supercritical state. Here, the support plate150is heated to increase the temperature of the substrate W. As the temperature of the substrate W increases, the supercritical process is intensively performed on the substrate W.

Since the upper vessel110and the lower vessel130are made of a heat transferable material such as SUS, they are easy to heat, but difficult to insulate. When the upper vessel110and the lower vessel130are heated, the temperature of the treatment space180rises, thereby increasing the efficiency of the supercritical process in the treatment space180. However, devices outside and around the upper vessel110and the lower vessel130are inevitably affected by the high temperature.

Therefore, in the substrate treatment apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the support plate150is heated to 150° C. or higher, but the upper vessel110and the lower vessel130are maintained at a relatively lower temperature than the heated support plate150. Accordingly, this can increase process efficiency in the substrate W while minimizing the influence on nearby devices.

Furthermore, when the supercritical process is a supercritical deposition process, the process fluid includes a precursor (e.g., a metal precursor) of a deposition material. When the temperature of the substrate W is high, the metal precursor reacts with a reducing fluid so that a material (metal layer) can be efficiently deposited on the substrate W. On the other hand, when the temperatures of the vessels110and130are high, a metal layer may also be formed on inner walls of the vessels110and130that form the treatment space180. The metal layer formed on the inner walls of the vessels110and130may interfere with a process or may act as a source of fumes/particles. Therefore, in the substrate treatment apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, only the support plate150is heated to a high temperature, and the upper vessel110and the lower vessel130are maintained at a relatively low temperature.

FIG.3illustrates a substrate treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For ease of description, the following description will focus on differences from the elements and features described with reference toFIGS.1and2.

Referring toFIG.3, in the substrate treatment apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, liners181through183made of a heat insulating material (i.e., a non-conductive heat insulating material) are disposed on parts exposed to a treatment space180. The parts exposed to the treatment space180may be, for example, a baffle plate120, an upper vessel110, and a lower vessel130. The liners181through183cool and insulate a peripheral area of the treatment space180. The liners181through183may be, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or ceramic, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

A first liner181is installed on a first portion of the baffle plate120which is exposed to the treatment space180. For example, the first liner181may be installed on a lower surface of the baffle plate120.

A second liner182is installed on a second portion of the upper vessel110which is exposed to the treatment space180. Specifically, the upper vessel110may be divided into a center region CR (seeFIG.1) and a peripheral region PR (seeFIG.1), and the second liner182may be installed on a lower surface of the peripheral region PR.

A third liner183is installed on a third portion of the lower vessel130which is exposed to the treatment space180. A second accommodating space132of the lower vessel130surrounds side and bottom surfaces of a support plate150. The third liner183is installed on sidewalls of the second accommodating space132.

Since the liners181through183made of a heat insulating material are installed on the parts exposed to the treatment space180, even if the support plate150is heated to a high temperature, the heat does not affect the vessels110and130and peripheral devices of the vessels110and130.

FIG.4illustrates a substrate treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For ease of description, the following description will focus on differences from the elements and features described with reference toFIGS.1through3.

Referring toFIG.4, in the substrate treatment apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, liners181and182made of a heat insulating material are installed on parts exposed to a treatment space180. The liners181and182may be installed on a baffle plate120and an upper vessel110and may not be installed on a lower vessel130.

FIG.5illustrates a substrate treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For ease of description, the following description will focus on differences from the elements and features described with reference toFIGS.1through3.

Referring toFIG.5, in the substrate treatment apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, liners181,182and183amade of a heat insulating material are installed on parts exposed to a treatment space180. The liners181and182are installed on a baffle plate120and an upper vessel110. The liner183ais installed on sidewalls and a bottom surface of a second accommodating space132of a lower vessel130. Since the liner183ais also installed on at least a portion of the bottom surface, it is possible to prevent heat from escaping toward the bottom surface and possible to prevent a material (metal layer) from being deposited on the bottom surface.

FIG.6is a diagram for explaining a process fluid supply unit of a substrate treatment apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG.7is an embodiment ofFIG.6.

First, referring toFIG.6, the substrate treatment apparatus according to the embodiments of the present disclosure includes a reactor100, a first process fluid supply unit320, a second process fluid supply unit330, and an exhaust unit400. The first process fluid supply unit320and the second process fluid supply unit330correspond to the process fluid supply unit300ofFIG.1.

The first process fluid supply unit320supplies a first process fluid including a precursor and a first supercritical fluid into the reactor100. That is, the first process fluid may include the precursor dissolved by the first supercritical fluid. The precursor may be, but is not limited to, a metal precursor. The metal precursor may be in the form of ML (where M is a metal, and L is a ligand), and the metal M may include Ru, Mo, Cu, TiN, TaN, Al, Ti, Ta, Ni, Nb, Rh, Pd, Ir, Ag, Au, Zn, or V, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The ligand L may consist of only C and/or H. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the ligand L may also consist of only one of Cx, Hy, and CxHy(where x and y are natural numbers).

The first process fluid may or may not maintain a supercritical state while being supplied to the reactor100(i.e., in a supply pipe connected to the reactor100).

The first process fluid supply unit320may cause the internal pressure of the reactor100to rise above a critical pressure by supplying the first process fluid into the reactor100. That is, the first process fluid may be in a supercritical state inside the reactor100.

The second process fluid supply unit330supplies a second process fluid including a reducing fluid into the reactor100. Examples of the reducing fluid include, but are not limited to, oxygen (O2), hydrogen (H2), and ammonia (NH3). Optionally, the second process fluid may include a reducing fluid and a second supercritical fluid. That is, the second process fluid may include the reducing fluid dissolved by the second supercritical fluid.

The second process fluid may or may not maintain a supercritical state while being supplied to the reactor100(i.e., in a supply pipe connected to the reactor100).

The second process fluid supply unit330may cause the internal pressure of the reactor100to rise above the critical pressure by supplying the second process fluid into the reactor100. That is, the second process fluid may be in a supercritical state inside the reactor100.

The exhaust unit400exhausts the fluid inside the reactor100to the outside.

Here, referring toFIG.7, the first process fluid supply unit320and the second process fluid supply unit330receive a supercritical fluid (e.g., CO2) from a supercritical fluid supply unit350.

The supercritical fluid supply unit350includes a first cylinder352, a syringe pump353, a first reservoir351, a filter355, and valves354,356and357.

The first cylinder352stores liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO2). For example, the first cylinder352may be controlled to about 40 bars and about 10° C., but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The liquefied carbon dioxide is delivered to the first reservoir351through the syringe pump353. The first reservoir351stores the carbon dioxide. In the first reservoir351, the carbon dioxide may be in a supercritical state. For example, the first reservoir351may be controlled to about 180 bars and about 60° C., but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the first reservoir351may be controlled to a critical pressure of carbon dioxide (7.38 Mpa=73.8 bars) and a critical temperature (304.1K=30.95° C.) or higher.

The carbon dioxide in a supercritical state is supplied to the first process fluid supply unit320via the filter355and the valve356. The first process fluid supply unit320includes a precursor canister321, valves322,323,324,327and328, and a premix reactor325.

The carbon dioxide provided from the supercritical fluid supply unit350is supplied to the precursor canister321. In the precursor canister321, a precursor is extracted by the carbon dioxide and provided to the premix reactor325. The extracted precursor, together with the carbon dioxide, may be delivered to the premix reactor325through only the valve323or may be delivered to the premix reactor325through the valve322and the syringe valve324.

In addition, the carbon dioxide provided from the supercritical fluid supply unit350may be directly supplied to the premix reactor325through the valve328without passing through the precursor canister321.

In the premix reactor325, a first process fluid (i.e., CO2+precursor) in which the precursor and the carbon dioxide are mixed in a predetermined ratio is generated. The predetermined ratio may be achieved by using the carbon dioxide supplied without passing through the precursor canister321. In addition, the premix reactor325may be controlled to about 170 bars and about 60 to 120° C., but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Whether to supply the first process fluid (i.e., CO2+precursor) generated in the premix reactor325to the reactor100is determined according to whether the valve327is turned on or off.

Meanwhile, the carbon dioxide in a supercritical state is supplied to the second process fluid supply unit330via the filter355and the valve357. The second process fluid supply unit330includes a second cylinder331, a mixing unit334, a second reservoir336, a filter332, and valves333,335and337.

The second cylinder331stores a reducing fluid, for example, hydrogen (H2). The hydrogen is provided to the mixing unit334via the filter332and the valve333.

The carbon dioxide provided from the supercritical fluid supply unit350and the hydrogen provided from the second cylinder331are mixed in the mixing unit334to generate a second process fluid (i.e., CO2+H2).

In the second reservoir336, the second process fluid is stored. The second process fluid may be in a supercritical state in the second reservoir336. The second reservoir336may be controlled to about 180 bars and about 60° C., but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Whether to supply the second process fluid (CO2+H2) stored in the second reservoir336to the reactor100is determined according to whether the valve337is turned on or off.

The exhaust unit400exhausts the fluid inside the reactor100to the outside. When a third valve347is turned on, an exhaust operation is performed. When the third valve347is turned off, the exhaust operation is stopped.

FIG.8is a diagram for explaining the operation of a substrate treatment apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.8, the operation of the substrate treatment apparatus according to the embodiments of the present disclosure includes a plurality of cycles. The number of cycles may vary according to the thickness of a layer (e.g., a metal layer) to be deposited.

Each cycle repeats substantially the same operations.

Each cycle includes a first process fluid supply operation (S11, S13, . . . S18) and a second process fluid supply operation (S12, S14, . . . S19). A first cycle includes S11and S12, a second cycle includes S13and S14, and a last cycle includes S18and S19.

In the first cycle S11and S12, for example, in the first process fluid supply operation S11, a first process fluid including a precursor and a supercritical fluid is supplied to a reactor100so that the pressure of the reactor100repeatedly rises and falls a plurality of times within a first pressure range. The first pressure range is above a critical pressure. Then, the reactor100is vented to lower the pressure of the reactor100below the first pressure range.

In the second process fluid supply operation S12, a second process fluid including a reducing fluid is supplied to the reactor100so that the pressure of the reactor100repeatedly rises and falls a plurality of times within a second pressure range different from the first pressure range. A metal precursor and the reducing fluid react with each other. Then, the reactor100is vented to lower the pressure of the reactor100below the second pressure range.

FIG.9is a diagram for explaining a process of filling a trench with a metal using a substrate treatment method according to embodiments of the present disclosure. For example,FIG.9illustrates a process of forming a word line (metal layer) in a word line trench in a DRAM.

Referring toFIG.9, a substrate W having trenches115is placed in a reactor100(operation S341). Specifically, an element isolation layer105is formed in the substrate W, and a plurality of trenches115are formed. An insulating layer1111is conformally formed along inner walls of the trenches115. In addition, a hard mask HM is formed.

Then, in the reactor100, a metal precursor SCC in a supercritical state permeates into the trenches115(operation S342). Here, the permeating metal precursor SCC in the supercritical state corresponds to the first process fluid (i.e., CO2+precursor) described above.

The metal precursor in the supercritical state has high permeability, very low surface tension, and high diffusivity compared with a liquid. In addition, the metal precursor in the supercritical state has high density and high solubility compared with a gas. Due to these characteristics, deposition of the metal precursor in the supercritical state may be faster than atomic layer deposition (ALD). In addition, step coverage is better than that of chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and the risk of defects/contamination can be minimized.

As described above, the flow of the first process fluid may be made in the reactor100by increasing and decreasing the pressure of the reactor100within a first pressure range by adjusting the supply of the first process fluid. Accordingly, the first process fluid more easily permeates into the trenches115.

Next, a reducing fluid is provided into the reactor100(operation S343). Here, the provided reducing fluid corresponds to the second process fluid (CO2+H2) described above.

As described above, the flow of the second process fluid may be made in the reactor100by increasing and decreasing the pressure of the reactor100within a second pressure range by adjusting the supply of the second process fluid. Accordingly, the second process fluid more easily permeates into the trenches115.

Next, the metal precursor and the reducing fluid react with each other to form a thin metal364in the trenches115(operation S344).

Next, as described above, as the supply of the metal precursor and the supply of the reducing fluid are repeated a plurality of times, a thickness of the metal365increases (operation S345).

Next, the metal366completely fills the trenches115. The metal366may also be formed on upper surfaces of the trenches115(operation S346). The metal366formed here is referred to as a pre-metal layer.

Although not illustrated separately, a metal layer (i.e., a word line) filling a portion of each trench115is completed by removing a portion of the pre-metal layer366using atomic layer etching (ALE). A capping layer (a capping conductive layer and/or a capping insulating layer) may be additionally formed on the metal layer in each trench115.

FIG.10illustrates a system to which a substrate treatment apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure is applied.

Referring toFIG.10, the system includes a load port1100, an index module1200, and a process module1300.

The load port1100includes a mounting table on which a container containing a plurality of substrates are placed (see LP1 through LP4). The container may be, for example, a front opening unified pod (FOUP), but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The index module1200(IDR) is disposed between the load port1100and the process module1300. For example, the index module1200includes a rail installed in an index chamber and an index robot moving along the rail. The index robot includes an arm and a hand. The index robot picks up a substrate located in the load port1100and transfers the substrate to a buffer chamber1305(WCP).

The process module1300includes the buffer chamber1305, a transfer chamber MTR, a first process chamber1310(PU1), a second process chamber1320(PU2), a third process chamber1330(PU3), a fourth process chamber1340(PU4), a valve unit1350, and an electrical box1360(T-box).

The buffer chamber1305temporarily stores a substrate delivered by the index robot of the index module1200. In addition, the buffer chamber1305may temporarily store a substrate which has gone through a preset process in at least one of the process chambers1310,1320,1330and1340.

A guide rail and a transfer robot moving along the guide rail are installed in the transfer chamber MTR.

The first process chamber1310, the valve unit1350, and the second process chamber1320may be sequentially arranged on one side of the transfer chamber MTR. In addition, the electrical box1360, the fourth process chamber1340, and the third process chamber1330may be sequentially disposed on the other side of the transfer chamber MTR. That is, the transfer chamber MTR crosses between the first process chamber1310and the fourth process chamber1340and between the second process chamber1320and the third process chamber1330.

At least one of the first process chamber1310through the fourth process chamber1340may correspond to the reactor100of the substrate treatment apparatus according to the embodiments of the present disclosure described above.

The valve unit1350is a space in which pipes and valves are installed to supply a chemical liquid (e.g., at least one of a precursor, a reducing fluid, a developing fluid, a cleaning fluid, and a rinsing fluid) and/or a supercritical fluid (e.g., carbon dioxide) to at least one of the process chambers1310,1320,1330and1340.

The electrical box1360may be a space in which a plurality of electrical devices are installed. For example, an electrical device related to the fourth process chamber1340disposed adjacent to the electrical box1360may be installed in the electrical box1360, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.