Apparatus for and method of monitoring warpage of substrate, substrate treatment apparatus, and substrate-type sensor

Disclosed is an apparatus for precisely monitoring warpage deformation of a substrate. The apparatus includes a sensing unit and a processor. The sensing unit is removably mounted on the substrate and detects information on the warpage deformation of the substrate during a treatment process performed on the substrate. The processor generates warpage state information on the basis of the warpage information detected by the sensing unit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0137479, filed on Oct. 31, 2019, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and apparatus for monitoring warpage deformation that occurs during a treatment process performed on a substrate, and a substrate treatment apparatus. In addition, embodiments of the present invention relate to a substrate-type sensor used to detect warpage deformation of a substrate during the treatment of the substrate.

2. Description of the Related Art

In order to manufacture a semiconductor device, various treatment processes such as cleaning, deposition, photolithography, and etching are performed. Each of the processes is performed inside a treatment space of a chamber, and the substrate (i.e., wafer) treated in the treatment space is subjected to an environment (processing conditions) suitable for the purposes of the process. For example, the treatment space may be in conditions of high temperature and vacuum pressure, and the substrate may be rotated at high speed.

The substrate may be deformed due to the processing conditions during the treatment of the substrate. For example, the substrate may be concavely or convexly warped. The warping deformation (i.e., warpage deformation) may result in the substrate being defective, and such warping defamation more easily occurs when the substrate has a relatively larger size.

However, it is difficult to detect warping deformation of a substrate during a treatment process of the substrate because the treatment process is usually performed in a sealed treatment space that cannot be accessed from the outside. The warping deformation of the substrate can be confirmed after the completion of the treatment process. However, since there is a case where the substrate is warped during the treatment process and is then restored to the original shape after the completion of the treatment process, it is difficult to determine the degree of warping and the time at which the warping defamation of the substrate occurred. Therefore, even though the warping deformation negatively affects the treatment process, it is difficult to accurately determine the cause of the negative effect. A machine vision camera can be used to monitor the warping deformation of a substrate during a treatment process. However, since a treatment space is very small, there is a problem in that the treatment space has no room for the vision camera.

DOCUMENT OF RELATED ART

Patent Document

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of embodiments of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for and method of monitoring warping deformation of a substrate, a substrate treatment apparatus, and a substrate-type sensor all of which can improve monitoring efficiency for warping deformation of a substrate.

Problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to ones described above, and other problems that are not mentioned above but can be solved by the present invention will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a substrate warpage monitoring apparatus includes a sensing unit that is removably mounted on a substrate and which detects a warpage information of the substrate during a treatment process performed on the substrate, and a processor that is operatively coupled to the sensing unit and generates warpage state information of the substrate on the basis of warpage information detected by the sensing unit.

The sensing unit includes a plurality of sensing modules disposed at positions spaced apart from each other on the substrate and configured to detect the warpage information generated at each of the positions at which the sensing modules are disposed.

The sensing modules are spaced apart from each other at regular intervals in a radial direction from a center portion of the substrate.

The plurality of sensing modules include at least one central sensing module disposed in a central region of the substrate, a plurality of peripheral sensing modules disposed in an edge region of the substrate, and a plurality of intermediate sensing modules disposed in an intermediate region between the central region and the edge region.

Each of the plurality of sensing modules includes an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor. Alternatively, each of the plurality of sensing modules includes a composite sensor including both the acceleration sensor and the gyro sensor.

The substrate warpage monitoring apparatus further includes a printed circuit board (PCB) that is removably provided on the substrate and on which the processor is mounted. The PCB may be a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) that flexibly bends when the substrate is warped.

The substrate warpage monitoring apparatus further includes a memory unit that stores the warpage state information generated by the processor. The memory unit is mounted on the PCB.

The substrate warpage monitoring apparatus further includes a communication unit composed of a transmission module that transmits the warpage state information generated by the processor and a reception module that receives the warpage state information transmitted from the transmission module. The transmission module is mounted on the PCB.

The transmission module and the reception module transmit and receive the warpage state information through a wireless communication technique.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method of monitoring warpage deformation of a substrate includes removably mounting a sensing unit on a substrate to detect warpage information of the substrate, introducing the substrate provided with the sensing unit into a treatment space of a treatment chamber and performing a treatment process on the substrate in the treatment space, detecting warpage information of the substrate by the sensing unit during the treatment process performed on the substrate in the treatment space, and generating warpage state information of the substrate on the basis of the detected warpage information. The method further includes detecting at least one parameter selected from among pressure, temperature, and humidity of the treatment space during the treatment process performed on the substrate.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a substrate warpage monitoring apparatus includes a chamber having a treatment space, a substrate support unit disposed in the treatment space and configured to support a substrate, a first sensing unit that is provided on the substrate supported by the substrate support unit and which detects a warpage information of the substrate during a treatment process performed on the substrate, and a processor that generates warpage state information of the substrate on the basis of the warpage information detected by the first sensing unit.

The substrate warpage monitoring apparatus further includes a second sensing unit provided on the substrate and configured to detect at least one parameter selected from among pressure, temperature, and humidity of the treatment space during the treatment process performed on the substrate.

The substrate support unit includes a spin head that supports and rotates the substrate in the treatment space.

The substrate warpage monitoring apparatus further includes a fluid supply unit that supplies a treatment fluid onto the substrate supported by the substrate support unit, thereby performing the treatment process on the substrate by supplying the treatment fluid onto the substrate and rotating the substrate.

The substrate mounted with the first sensing unit and the second sensing unit corresponds to a test substrate.

The test substrate, the first sensing unit, the second sensing unit, and the processor constitute a substrate-type sensor.

The substrate-type sensor includes a flexible printed circuit board that is provided on the substrate and on which the processor is mounted, a memory unit mounted on the flexible printed circuit board and configured to store the warpage state information generated by the processor and the information detected by the second sensing unit, and a transmission module mounted on the flexible printed circuit board and configured to transmit the warpage state information stored in the memory unit.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a substrate-type sensor includes a test substrate, a sensing unit including a plurality of sensing modules disposed at respective positions spaced apart from each other on the test substrate and configured to detect warpage information of the test substrate at the respective positions on the test substrate, and a processor provided on the test substrate and configured to generate warpage state information of the test substrate on the basis of the warpage information detected by the plurality of sensing modules. Each of the plurality of sensing modules includes an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor.

The substrate-type sensor further includes a memory unit provided on the test substrate and configured to store the warpage state information generated by the processor, and a transmission module provided on the test substrate and configured to transmit the warpage state information stored in the memory unit.

Technical solutions to the problems occurring in the related art will be clarified with reference to the following description of embodiments and the accompanying drawings. In addition, various solutions other than the solutions mentioned above may be further suggested in the following description.

With the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to accurately monitor the warping deformation of a substrate during a treatment process performed on the substrate by using a simple configuration. For example, the warping deformation of a substrate can be monitored with a configuration in which a sensing unit and a processor are removably provided on an actual substrate. In the configuration, the sensing unit detects warping information of the substrate, and the processor generates warping state information of the substrate on the basis of the detected warping information. Alternatively, the warping deformation of a substrate can be monitored with a configuration in which a sensing unit and a processor are provided on a test substrate that has the same or similar shape factor to an actual substrate. In the configuration, the sensing unit detects warping information of the substrate, and the processor generates warping state information of the substrate on the basis of the detected warping information.

In addition, on the basis of the results of the monitoring of the warping deformation of a substrate, the treatment process conditions for the substrate can be managed such that the warping deformation of the substrate can be minimized.

The effect of the present invention is not limited thereto, and other effects that are not mentioned can be clearly understood, by those skilled in the art, from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinbelow, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings such that the subject matter of the present invention can be easily practiced by those ordinarily skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. The present invention can be embodied in various forms and should not be construed as being limited to the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein.

In describing exemplary embodiments of the present invention, well-known functions or constructions will not be described in detail when they may obscure the gist of the present invention, and components that perform the same functions or operations will be denoted by like reference numerals throughout the drawings and will not be redundantly described in detail.

Since at least some of the terms used herein are defined in consideration of the functions in the present invention, they can be expressed with different terms depending on the intentions of users, operators, and the like. Therefore, the definition of each term should be interpreted on the basis of the contents throughout the present specification. It will be further understood that when a component “comprises”, “includes”, or “has” another component, it means that the component may further include another component, not excluding a further component unless stated otherwise. It is to be understood in the following description that when one component is referred to as being “connected to”, “combined with”, or “coupled to” another component, it may include not only direct connection, but indirect connection with another component therebetween.

It is noted that throughout the drawings referenced to describe an embodiment of the present invention, the size of components, the thickness of lines, etc. may be exaggerated for clarity.

Although a substrate warpage monitoring apparatus, a substrate warpage monitoring method, and a substrate-type sensor according to the present invention can be applied to various semiconductor manufacturing apparatuses, embodiments of the present invention are directed to a case where a substrate warpage monitoring apparatus, a substrate warpage monitoring method, and a substrate-type sensor are applied to a substrate treatment apparatus that performs a fluid-involved treatment process such as cleaning on a substrate.

FIG.1is a view schematically illustrating the construction of a substrate treatment apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG.1, the substrate treatment apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a chamber (i.e., a treatment chamber)1, a treatment vessel2, a substrate support unit3, a lift drive unit4, a rotary drive unit5, and a fluid supply unit6.

The chamber1defines a treatment space in which a fluid-involved treatment process is performed on a substrate (wafer) W. The fluid-involved treatment process is performed at normal pressure or vacuum pressure. A vacuum pump (not illustrated) is connected to the chamber1to create a vacuum pressure environment in the treatment space of the chamber1.

The treatment vessel2is installed in the chamber1. The treatment vessel2has a cup-like shape. That is, the treatment vessel2has an opening in an upper surface thereof and an accommodation space configured to communicate with the opening formed in the upper surface. The substrate support unit3is disposed in the accommodation space of the treatment vessel2. A treatment fluid is supplied to the upper surface of the substrate W (hereinafter, reference numeral W will be omitted) supported on the substrate support unit3through the fluid supply unit6. The treatment vessel2collects the treatment fluid that is supplied to the substrate from the fluid supply unit6.

The treatment vessel2includes a first cup member (also referred to as first treatment vessel)21that defines the accommodation space, a second cup member (also referred to as second treatment vessel)22that surrounds the first cup member21with a predetermined gap therebetween, and a third cup member (also referred to as third treatment vessel)23that surrounds the second cup member22with a predetermined gap therebetween. That is, the second cup member22is disposed between the first cup member21which is the innermost cup member and the third cup member23which is the outermost cup member. That is, the treatment vessel2is composed of a plurality of cup members21,22, and23. The cup members21,22, and23may be used to collect different treatment fluids, respectively. The first cup member21has a first opening21athrough which a treatment fluid to be collected enters. An opening between the first cup member21and the second cup member22serves as a second opening22athrough which a treatment fluid to be collected enters. An opening between the second cup member22and the third cup member23serves as a third opening23athrough which a treatment fluid to be collected enters.

The first cup member21is composed of a first wall portion including a first lower wall211and a first upper wall212, and a first bottom portion213. The first wall portion defines the accommodation space. The first wall portion includes a first lower wall211having a cylinder shape with a uniform diameter and a uniform thickness and a first upper wall212having an overall truncated cone shape. That is, the first upper wall212is tapered to the top base from the bottom base. The first upper wall212is provided on top of the first lower wall211. The first lower wall211and the first upper wall212may be implemented as an integrated wall. The upper end (i.e., rim) of the first upper wall212is provided with a first protrusion which is ring-shaped. The first protrusion protrudes downward from the lower surface of the upper end portion of the first upper wall212. The first lower wall211is configured to stand on the first bottom portion213.

The second cup member22is composed of a second wall portion including a second lower wall221and a second upper wall222, and a second bottom portion223. The second wall portion is positioned a predetermined distance away from the first wall portion and is configured to surround the first wall portion. The second wall portion includes a second lower wall221having a cylinder shape with a uniform diameter and a uniform thickness and a second upper wall222having an overall truncated cone shape. That is, the second upper wall222is tapered to the top base from the bottom base. The second upper wall222is provided on top of the second lower wall221. The second lower wall221and the second upper wall222are implemented as an integrated wall. The upper end of the second upper wall222is higher than the upper end of the first upper wall212. However, the diameter of the upper end of the second upper wall222is the same or similar to the diameter of the upper end of the first upper wall212. Thus, a gap is naturally formed between the upper end of the first upper wall212and the upper end of the second upper wall222and is called the second opening22athat serves as an inlet for treatment fluid. The upper end (i.e., rim) of the second upper wall222is provided with a second protrusion which is ring-shaped. The second protrusion protrudes downward from the lower surface of the upper end portion of the second upper wall222. The second bottom portion223is positioned under the first bottom portion213, with a predetermined distance therebetween. The second lower wall221is configured to stand on the second bottom portion223.

The third cup member23is composed of a third wall portion231+232and a third bottom portion233. The third wall portion231+232is positioned a predetermined distance away from the second wall portion and is configured to surround the second wall portion. The third wall portion231+232includes a third lower wall231having a cylinder shape with a uniform diameter and a uniform thickness and a third upper wall232having an overall truncated cone shape. That is, the third upper wall232is tapered to the top base from the bottom base. The third upper wall232is provided on top of the third lower wall231. The third lower wall231and the third upper wall232are implemented as an integrated wall. The upper end of the third upper wall232is higher than the upper end of the second upper wall222. However, the diameter of the upper end of the third upper wall232is the same or similar to the diameter of the upper end of the second upper wall222. Thus, a gap is naturally formed between the upper end of the second upper wall222and the upper end of the third upper wall232and is called the third opening23aserving as an inlet for treatment fluid. The upper end (i.e., rim) of the third upper wall232is provided with a third protrusion which is ring-shaped. The third protrusion protrudes downward from the lower surface of the upper end portion of the third upper wall232. The third bottom portion233is positioned under the second bottom portion223, with a predetermined distance therebetween. The third lower wall231is configured to stand on the third bottom portion233.

The bottom portions213,223, and233of the respective cup members21,22, and23are connected with fluid drain pipes24,25, and26, respectively. The treatment fluid collected in each of the cup members21,22, and23through a corresponding one of the openings21a,22a, and23ais drained through a corresponding one of the fluid drain pipes24,25, and26. The treatment fluids drained through the fluid drain pipes24,25, and26may undergo a regeneration process performed by a fluid regeneration apparatus (not illustrated) so that the treatment fluids can be recycled.

The substrate support unit3supports a substrate during a fluid-involved treatment process. The substrate support unit3includes a spinning head31, supporting pins32, and chuck pins33.

The spinning head31has a circular upper surface. The spinning head31is disposed in the accommodation space defined in the treatment vessel2. The spinning head31is rotated by the rotary drive unit5. The rotary drive unit5rotates the spinning head31at high speed.

The supporting pins32are configured to protrude from the upper surface of the spinning head31, thereby supporting a substrate placed thereon.

The chuck pins33are arranged a longer distance away from the center of the spinning head31than the supporting pins32. The chuck pins33support the edge of the substrate while the spinning head31is rotated by the rotary drive unit5, thereby preventing the substrate from being displaced in a horizontal direction.

The chuck pins33can be moved in a radial direction of the spinning head31by a pin drive module (not illustrated) such that the chuck pins33can be shuttled between a standby position and a support position. The standby position is a position farther from the center of the spinning head31than the support position. The chuck pins33stay in the standby position while a substrate is being loaded on or unloaded from the upper surface of the spinning head31. On the other hand, when the loading is finished, the chuck pins33are moved to the support position to support the substrate thereon. During the treatment of the loaded substrate, the chuck pins33stay in the support position. When staying in the support position, the chuck pins33are in contact with the circumference of the substrate.

The lift drive unit4vertically moves the treatment vessel2. The lift drive unit4can vertically move the cup members21,22, and23collectively or independently. When the treatment vessel2is moved up or down by the lift drive unit4, the relative height of each of the cup members21,22, and23with respect to the substrate support unit3is changed. The lift drive unit4includes a bracket41, a lifting shaft42, and a shaft lifting module43.

The bracket41may be mounted outside the treatment vessel2. Specifically, the bracket41is mounted on the outer surface of the third wall portion231+232constituting the third cup member23which is the outermost cup member. The lifting shaft42is engaged with the bracket41. The lifting shaft42is installed to vertically extend. The shaft lifting module43is configured to move the lifting shaft42upward and downward by using power supplied from a power source.

The lift drive unit4moves the treatment vessel2down to prevent interference between a substrate transport robot and the treatment vessel2when the substrate is loaded on or unloaded from the upper surface of the spinning head31by the substrate transport robot. In addition, the lift drive unit4can adjust the height of the treatment vessel2by moving the treatment vessel2up and down. In this case, the treatment vessel2is moved up or down such that a predetermined treatment fluid can be introduced into a targeted opening of the openings21a,22a, and23a, depending on the kind of treatment fluid supplied to the substrate from the fluid supply unit6.

Alternatively, the lift drive unit4may be configured to move the substrate support unit3up and down, instead of moving the treatment vessel2up and down.

The rotary drive unit5includes a drive shaft51coupled to the center of the bottom surface of the spinning head31, and a shaft rotating unit52configured to rotate the drive shaft51using power supplied from a power source. When the drive shaft51is rotated by the shaft rotating unit52, the spinning head31rotates in the same direction as the drive shaft51. At this time, the substrate supported on the chuck pins33is also rotated in the same direction.

When the substrate is rotated by the rotary drive unit5, the treatment fluid supplied onto the upper surface of the substrate scatters around the substrate, and the scattering treatment fluid enters a predetermined one of the openings21a,22a, and23a.

The fluid supply unit6is configured to supply a treatment fluid onto the upper surface of the substrate supported on the substrate support unit3. The fluid supply unit6includes a nozzle61, a nozzle arm62, an arm support prop63, and a support prop drive module64.

The arm support prop63is installed inside the treatment space of the chamber1but outside the treatment vessel2. The arm support prop63is configured to extend in a vertical direction. The nozzle arm62is coupled to an upper end portion of the arm support prop63and is configured to extend in a horizontal direction. The nozzle61is disposed at a leading end of the nozzle arm62such that a treatment fluid is ejected downward from the nozzle61. The support prop drive module64is configured to rotate, to elevate, or to rotate and elevate the arm support prop63. When the support prop drive module64operates, the nozzle61performs rotary motion, vertical linear motion, or both.

In the fluid supply unit6, the nozzle61is rotated around the arm support prop63by the support prop drive module64so that the nozzle61stays in a standby position or a supply position. That is, the nozzle61is shuttled between the standby position and the supply position by the support prop drive module64. The standby position is a position that is outside a region directly above the treatment vessel2, and the supply position is a position that is within a region directly above the treatment vessel2. The nozzle61stays in the standby position while a substrate is being loaded on or unloaded from the upper surface of the spinning head31. On the other hand, when the loading is finished, the nozzle61is moved to the supply position to supply a treatment fluid to the substrate.

The substrate treatment apparatus is preferably equipped with multiple fluid supply units6rather than one fluid supply unit6. When the multiple fluid supply units6are installed, the fluid supply units6may supply respectively different fluids to the substrate.

The treatment fluid may be a cleaning solution such as sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid or a rinsing solution such as deionized water (DIW). The treatment fluid is transported from a fluid storage unit to the nozzle61through a fluid supply pipe.

The substrate treatment apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention is equipped with a substrate warpage monitoring apparatus that monitors warping deformation of a substrate. The substrate warpage monitoring apparatus disposed in the treatment space of the chamber1of the substrate treatment apparatus detects warping deformation of a substrate during a fluid-involved treatment process in which a treatment fluid is supplied to the substrate by the fluid supply unit6.

FIGS.2and3illustrate a substrate warpage monitoring apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIGS.2and3, the substrate warpage monitoring apparatus7includes a first sensing unit71that detects warping information (i.e., warpage information) of a substrate in real time and a processor73that generates warping state information (i.e., warpage state information) of the substrate on the basis of the warping information detected by the first sensing unit71.

The first sensing unit71includes a plurality of sensing modules71A,71B, and71C. The sensing modules71A,71B, and71C are disposed at respective positions spaced apart from each other on the substrate. When warping deformation occurs at each position on the substrate, warping information at each position on the substrate is detected. Each of the sensing modules71A,71B, and71C includes an inclinometer (also called tilt sensor) that detects an inclination, tilt, or slope as the warping information of the substrate. The inclinometer detects the slope of the substrate when warping deformation such as concave or convex warping occurs.

All of the inclinometers of the respective sensing modules71A,71B, and71C may be implemented with acceleration sensors. Alternatively, the inclinometers may be implemented with gyro sensors. Alternatively, some of the sensing modules71A,71B, and71C may include an acceleration sensor as the inclinometer and the others may include a gyro sensor as the inclinometer. Depending on embodiments, each of the sensing modules71A,71B, and71C may include a composite sensor having an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor. When a substrate is warped so that the surface of the substrate has a slope, the acceleration sensor mounted in the warped region of the substrate is inclined. In this case, the acceleration sensor detects the slope using an acceleration value of the movement thereof. In the same case, the gyro sensor detects the slope using an angular velocity attributable to the movement thereof.

In terms of a relatively long time, the acceleration sensor produces correct values but the gyro sensor produces incorrect values the error of which increases with time. However, in terms of a short time, the gyro sensor provides a correct value which may be different from the value produced by the acceleration sensor. The composite sensor including both the acceleration sensor and the gyro sensor can compensate for the disadvantages of each of the acceleration sensor and the gyro sensor by using an appropriate algorithm such as a Kalman filter.

Each of the sensing modules71A,71B, and71C is connected to the processor73via a conductor. The warping information of the substrate detected by each of the sensing modules71A,71B, and71C is transmitted to the processor73. The processor73collects the values of the slopes detected at various positions by the sensing modules71A,71B, and71C and generates warping state information including a position at which warping deformation occurs and the degree of warping at the position.

The sensing modules71A,71B, and71C are evenly dispersed on the substrate and are arranged in this order at regular intervals in a radial direction from the center of the substrate. Referring toFIG.2, the plurality of sensing modules include one central sensing module71A disposed in a central region on the substrate, a plurality of peripheral sensing modules71B disposed in an edge region of the substrate, and a plurality of intermediate sensing modules71C disposed in an intermediate region between the central region and the edge region. The peripheral sensing modules71B are equiangularly spaced from each other. The intermediate sensing modules71C are equiangularly spaced from each other. For example, the number of the peripheral sensing modules71B is three and the number of the intermediate sensing modules71C is three. The central sensing module71A detects the slope of the central region of the substrate, the multiple peripheral sensing modules71B detect the slope of the edge region of the substrate, and the multiple intermediate sensing modules71C detect the slope of the intermediate region of the substrate. The processor73generates the warping state information of the substrate on the basis of the slopes of the central region, the edge region, and the intermediate region of the substrate.

Each of the sensing modules71A,71B, and71C is removably attached to the substrate. For example, each of the sensing modules71A,71B, and71C is temporarily attached to the substrate with a temporary fixing means having excellent heat resistance and chemical resistance. The temporary fixing means may be a double-sided silicon tape.

The substrate warpage monitoring apparatus7further includes a memory unit74that stores the warping state information generated by the processor73, a transmission module75A that transmits the warping state information generated by the processor73, and a reception module75B that receives the warping state information transmitted from the transmission module75A. The substrate warpage monitoring apparatus7further includes a printed circuit board77applied to the substrate.

The processor73is connected to the memory unit74and the transmission module75A. The warping state information generated by the processor73is transmitted to the memory unit74or to the transmission module75A. Alternatively, the warping state information stored in the memory unit74is transferred to the transmission module75A. The transmission module75A transmits the warping state information to the reception module75B. The transmission module75A and the reception module75B constitute a communication unit75that transmits and receives the warping state information of the substrate in a wireless manner. The warping state information received by the reception module75B is visually displayed as an image on a monitor device79. An operator can check the warping state of the substrate from the image displayed on the monitor device79.

In an environment in which wireless communication is seamless, the warping state information generated by the processor73may not be stored in the memory unit74but may be directly transmitted to the monitor device so that the operator can check the warping state of the substrate in real time. However, in an environment where seamless wireless communication is not available, the warping state information generated by the processor73may be stored in the memory unit74for later use after the end of the treatment process.

The printed circuit board77may be removably attached to the substrate. For example, the printed circuit board77is temporarily attached to the substrate with a temporary fixing means (for example, double-sided silicone tape) having excellent heat resistance and chemical resistance. The printed circuit board77is mounted with the processor73, the memory unit74, and the transmission module75A. The processor73, the memory unit74, and the transmission module75A are connected to each other on the printed circuit board77.

The printed circuit board77may be a flexible printed circuit board. When a flexible printed circuit board is used, it is possible to prevent the printed circuit board77from influencing the warping deformation of the substrate.

Reference numerals72and76which are shown inFIGS.2and3but are not described herein denote a second sensing unit and a battery unit, respectively.

The second sensing unit72includes at least one sensing module. The sensing module of the second sensing unit72is provided on the substrate to detect treatment process conditions such as pressure, temperature, humidity, and the like in the chamber1. To this end, the sensing module of the second sensing unit72includes a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, and a humidity sensor.

The sensing module of the second sensing unit72is connected to the processor73via a conductor. Information on treatment process conditions detected by the sensing module of the second sensing unit is transmitted to the processor73. The treatment process condition information received by the processor73is transmitted to the memory unit74or to the transmission module75A. The treatment process condition information stored in the memory unit74is transmitted to the transmission module75A and is then delivered to the reception module75B. The treatment process condition information received by the reception module75B is displayed as an image on the monitor device79. The operator can monitor the process conditions through the image displayed on the monitor device79. Since the operator can monitor the warping deformation of the substrate according to the treatment process conditions through the images representing the warping deformation of the substrate and the treatment process conditions for the substrate, the operator can adjust the process conditions for the substrate such that the warping deformation of the substrate is minimized while visually checking the process conditions and the warping state.

Each of the sensing modules of the second sensing unit72is removably attached to the substrate. For example, the sensing module of the second sensing unit72may be temporarily attached to the substrate by a temporary fixing means, such as a double-sided silicone tape, having excellent heat resistance and chemical resistance.

The battery unit76is mounted on the printed circuit board77and supplies electric energy to the first sensing unit71, the second sensing unit72, the processor73, and the transmission module75A.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, when a treatment process is initiated, the following is performed: a test substrate to which the first sensing unit71, the second sensing unit72, the processor73, the memory unit74, the transmission module75A, the battery unit76, and the printed circuit board77are attached is first introduced into the treatment chamber1; the warping deformation of the test substrate is monitored while a treatment process is performed on the test substrate; the process conditions are adjusted according to the results of the monitoring such that the warping deformation of the test substrate is minimized; and a treatment process performed on an actual substrate in the adjusted process conditions. The first sensing unit71temporarily attached to the substrate may be replaced with another first sensing unit71having a different arrangement.

Since each of the plurality of sensing modules71A,71B, and71C includes a tilt sensor, it is possible to check whether a substrate to be treated is horizontally supported and then to perform a treatment process on the substrate that is horizontally supported.

FIG.4illustrates a substrate warpage monitoring apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated inFIG.4, this substrate warpage monitoring apparatus7according to this embodiment basically the same as the former embodiment in terms of the construction and function. Only a different point of this apparatus is that the first sensing unit71, the second sensing unit72, the processor73, the memory unit74, the transmission module75A, and the battery unit76are mounted on a flexible printed circuit board78that is removably attached to a substrate. The flexible printed circuit board78has a sufficiently large size to be mounted with all of the first sensing unit71, the second sensing unit72, the processor73, the memory unit74, the transmission module75A, and the battery unit76. The first sensing unit71, the second sensing unit72, the processor73, the memory unit74, the transmission module75A, and the battery unit76are connected to each other on the flexible printed circuit board77. The substrate warpage monitoring apparatus according to the second embodiment has an advantage of easily apply and remove the first sensing unit71, the second sensing unit72, the processor73, the memory unit74, the transmission module75A, and the battery unit76to and from a substrate to be treated by simply mounting or dismounting the flexible printed circuit board78mounted with the first sensing unit71, the second sensing unit72, the processor73, the memory unit74, the transmission module75A, and the battery unit76to and from the substrate.

FIG.5is a configuration view illustrating a substrate-type (wafer-type) sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG.5, the substrate-type sensor8according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a configuration in which a first sensing unit81, a second sensing unit82, a processor83, a memory unit84, a transmission module85A, a battery unit86, and a printed circuit board87are applied to a substrate.

A test substrate TW is fabricated to have the same shape factor as an actual substrate. Since the first sensing unit81, the second sensing unit82, the processor83, the memory unit84, the transmission module85A, the battery unit86, and the printed circuit board87are the same as or similar to the counter parts included in the substrate warpage monitoring apparatus according to the first or second embodiment described above, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The first sensing unit81, the second sensing unit82, and the printed circuit board87may be permanently fixed to the test substrate TW by a permanent fixing means (such as epoxy resin) having excellent heat resistance and chemical resistance.

Reference numerals71A,71B, and71C inFIG.4represent sensing modules that constitute the first sensing unit81.

When the treatment process is initiated, the substrate-type sensor8is first introduced into the treatment chamber1, the warping deformation of the test substrate TW is monitored during the treatment process, the treatment process conditions are adjusted according to the results of the monitoring such that the warping deformation of a substrate to be treated is minimized.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited by the disclosed embodiments and the accompanying drawings, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and equivalents to the embodiments can be made without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. In addition, the technical ideas described in the respective embodiments of the present invention can be implemented independently of each other or can be implemented in combination.