Substrate treating apparatus

An apparatus for treating a substrate is provided having a treating module, a buffer module, and an index module arranged in sequentially along a first direction. The index module includes a load port where a substrate receiving container places an index module configured to transfer the substrate between the load port and the buffer module. The buffer module includes a first and second buffer unit arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The treating module includes a first treating unit, a second treating unit, a first transfer chamber, and a second transfer chamber, wherein the first transfer chamber includes a first transfer robot configured to transfer the substrate between the first buffer unit and the first treating unit, and wherein the second transfer chamber includes a second transfer robot configured to transfer the substrate between the second buffer unit and the second treating unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

A claim for priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 is made to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0151105 filed on Oct. 29, 2015 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention disclosed herein relates to an apparatus for treating a substrate.

Variety processes such as picture, etching, ashing, film deposition, and cleaning process, etc. are performed in a manufacturing process of semiconductor device and flat display panel. In the film deposition process, a Spin-on-Harddisk (SOH) process depositing a chemical on a rotating substrate is performed.

FIG. 1is an example of substrate treating apparatus performing a conventional SOH process. One transfer robot350is provided within a transfer chamber300. And the transfer robot350moves along a direction X1where the chambers400are arranged to transfer a substrate to each chamber400. Therefore, a process time lengthens because of a broad range movement of the transfer robot350. Also, a vortex was generated between both ends of the X1direction of the substrate treating apparatus because of the movement of the transfer robot350along X1direction. This vortex causes a process defect. Also, there was a problem miniaturizing the substrate treating apparatus because of a layout and arrangement of each component.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a substrate treating apparatus which may shorten a process time.

Also, the present invention provides a substrate treating apparatus which may decrease moving distance and moving time of a transfer robot.

Also, the present invention provides a substrate treating apparatus which may minimize a vortex generating from inner side.

Also, the present invention provides a substrate treating apparatus which may miniaturize equipment.

The objects of the inventive concept are not limited hereinafter, and other objects thereof will be understandable by those skilled in the art from the following descriptions.

The present invention provides a substrate treating apparatus.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the substrate treating apparatus comprises an index module, a buffer module, and a treating module placed sequentially along a first direction. The index module comprises a load port where a substrate receiving container places and an index module configured to transfer the substrate between the load port and the buffer module. The buffer module comprises a first buffer unit and a second buffer unit arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, when viewed from a top side. The treating module comprises a first treating unit, a second treating unit, a first transfer chamber, and a second transfer chamber, wherein the first transfer chamber is provided with a first transfer robot configured to transfer the substrate between the first buffer unit and the first treating unit, and wherein the second transfer chamber is provided with a second transfer robot configured to transfer the substrate between the second buffer unit and the second treating unit. The first transfer chamber and the second transfer chamber are arranged along the second direction.

According to an embodiment, the first buffer unit comprises a first buffer chamber where a substrate temporarily stays and a first cooling chamber configured to cool the substrate, and is stacked with the first buffer chamber.

According to an embodiment, the first cooling chamber comprises one or a plurality of carry in cooling chambers and one or a plurality of carry out cooling chambers, wherein the carry in cooling chamber is provided when carrying in to the first transfer chamber from the container, and wherein the carry out cooling chamber is provided when carrying out the substrate of the first transfer chamber to the container.

According to an embodiment, the first treating unit comprises a first heat treatment chamber configured to treat the substrate with heat and a first solution treatment chamber configured to treat the substrate with solution.

According to an embodiment, the first heat treatment chamber comprises a housing, a cooling unit, a heating unit, and a transfer unit, wherein the housing provides a treatment space in inside, wherein the cooling unit is configured to cool the substrate inside of the housing, wherein the heating unit is configured to heat the substrate inside of the housing, and wherein the transfer unit is configured to transfer the substrate in between the cooling unit and the heating unit.

According to an embodiment, the first transfer chamber, the cooling unit, and the heating unit are placed sequentially along the second direction.

According to an embodiment, the first heat treatment chambers is provided as a plurality of heat treatment chambers stacked to each other, and the first solution treatment chambers is provided as a plurality of solution treatment chamber stacked to each other.

According to an embodiment, the second treating unit comprises a second heat treatment chamber configured to treat the substrate with heat, and a second solution treatment chamber configured to treat the substrate with solution, wherein the load port, the index robot, the first transfer chamber and the first solution treatment chamber are placed sequentially along the first direction, and wherein the first heat treatment chamber, the first transfer chamber, the second transfer chamber, and the second heat treatment chamber are placed sequentially along the second direction.

According to an embodiment, the first solution treatment chamber comprises a chamber forming a film on a rotating substrate by providing a solution.

According to an embodiment, the first heat treatment chamber, the first solution treatment chamber, and the first buffer unit are placed different sides of the first transfer chamber from each other.

According to an embodiment, the first transfer robot comprises a base fixedly installed on the ground, a vertical shaft provided to rotate and move vertically, and a hand installed on the vertical shaft and provided to move front and back.

According to an embodiment, the first transfer chamber and the second transfer chamber are placed adjacently.

According to an embodiment, the first treating unit comprises a first heat treatment chamber treating a substrate with heat and a solution treatment chamber treating a substrate with solution, wherein the first heat treatment chambers is provided as a plurality of heat treatment chamber stacked to each other, wherein the first solution treatment chambers is provided as a plurality of solution treatment chamber stacked to each other and comprises a chamber forming a film on a rotating substrate by providing a solution. The load port, the index robot, the first transfer chamber and the first solution treatment chamber are placed sequentially along the first direction. The first heat treatment chamber, the first transfer chamber, the second transfer chamber, and the second heat treatment chamber are placed sequentially along the second direction, wherein the first transfer chamber and the second transfer chamber are placed adjacently to each other.

According to an embodiment, the first treating unit and the first transfer chamber are provided to be symmetry based on a parallel line to the second direction.

According to an embodiment, the substrate treating apparatus comprises an index module, buffer module and a treating module which are placed sequentially along the first direction. The index module comprises a load port where a substrate receiving container places and an index module configured to transfer the substrate between the load port and the buffer module. The buffer module comprises a first buffer unit and a second buffer unit which are arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, when viewed from a top side. The treating module comprises a first and second heat treatment chambers, a first and second solution treatment chambers, a first transfer chamber, and a second transfer chamber, wherein the first and second heat treatment chambers treat the substrate with heat, wherein the first and second solution treatment chambers treats the substrate with solution, wherein the first transfer chamber is provided with a first transfer robot transferring the substrate among the first heat treatment chamber, the first solution treatment chamber, and the first buffer unit, and wherein the second transfer chamber is provided with a second transfer robot transferring the substrate among the second heat treatment chamber, the second solution treatment chamber, and the second buffer unit. The first transfer chamber and the second transfer chamber are arranged along the second direction, and placed adjacently.

According to an embodiment, the load port, the index robot, the first transfer chamber and the first solution treatment chamber are placed sequentially along the first direction. The first heat treatment chamber, the first transfer chamber, the second transfer chamber, and the second heat treatment chamber are placed sequentially along the second direction.

According to an embodiment, the first heat treatment chamber, the first solution treatment chamber, and the first buffer unit are placed different sides of the first transfer chamber from each other.

According to an embodiment, the first transfer chamber and the second transfer chamber are placed adjacently to each other.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, processing hours may be shortened.

Also, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a moving distance and time of the transfer robot may be decreased.

Also, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the substrate treating apparatus may be miniaturized.

Also, according to an embodiment of the present invention, an unnecessary vortex generating from inside of the substrate treating apparatus may be minimized.

The objects of the inventive concept are not limited to the above mentioned effects. Other objects thereof will be understandable by those skilled in the art from the following descriptions and the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various example embodiments will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some example embodiments are shown. The present invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art. Therefore, features of the drawings are exaggerated to emphasize definite explanation.

In an exemplary embodiment, a semiconductor wafer is explained as an example of the substrate. However, the substrate may be variety kinds of substrate like flat display panel, photo mask, and etc. other than wafer.

FIG. 2is a plan view of the substrate treating apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present application.FIG. 3is across sectional view of the substrate treating apparatus cut along an A-A′ line of theFIG. 2, andFIG. 4is a cross sectional view of the substrate treating apparatus cut along a B-B′ line of theFIG. 2.

Referring toFIGS. 2 to 4, a substrate treating apparatus10comprises an index module100and a process treating module200.

The index module100and the process treating module200are placed in a row along a first direction. When viewed from a top side, a direction perpendicular to the first direction is referred as a second direction, and a direction perpendicular to the both first and second directions is referred as a third direction.

The index module100is installed in front part of the process treating module200. The index module100is placed along the first direction X1at the one side of the process treating module200. The index module100is an index device transferring the wafer W in between the process treating module200and a cassette C storing a plurality of wafer W. The index module100comprises load ports110and a transfer unit120. The load ports110are placed in a row along the second direction X2, and the transfer unit120is placed in between the load ports110and the process treating module200. The cassette C receiving substrates is placed on load ports by transfer means (not described) such as Overhead Transfer, Overhead Conveyor, or Automatic Guided Vehicle. The cassette C may be used as a sealing containers like front open unified pod (FOUP).

The transfer unit120transfers the wafer W between the process treating module200and the C seated on the load port110. The transfer unit120has an index robot122and a transfer passageway124, wherein the transfer passageway is provided as a passage for the index robot122to move along the second direction X2.

During process, the index robot122is moved along the transfer passageway124and transfers the wafer W between the cassette C and the process treating module200. Herein transferring the wafer W between the index module100and the process treating module200happens through a gateway formed between the process treating module200and the index module100.

The process treating module200comprises a treating module400and a buffer module500.

The treating module400comprises a first treating unit410, a second treating unit420, a first transfer chamber430, and a second transfer chamber440. The first and second treating units410,420perform certain semiconductor manufacturing processes. For example, the first treating unit410and the second treating unit420may perform a coat process coating solution on the wafer W, or a bake process heating or cooling the substrate.

The first treating unit410is explained in below.

The first treating unit410comprises a first heat treatment chamber412, a first solution treatment chamber414, and a first solution providing chamber416. The first heat treatment chamber412treats the substrate with heat. For example, the first heat treatment chamber412performs processes such as prebake, soft bake, and/or a cooling process. The prebake process removes moisture or organic substances on the surface of the substrate W by heating the substrate W with a certain temperature before coating a solution on the substrate W. The soft bake process happens after coating a treatment solution on the substrate W, and the cooling process cools the substrate W after each heating processes.

The first heat treatment chamber412comprises a housing1100, a transfer unit1200, a heating unit1300, and a cooling unit1400.

The housing1100provides a treatment space in inside for a process like the bake process to happen. The housing1100may be provided as a rectangular form. The housing comprises a first side wall1111, a second side wall1112, a third side wall1113, and a fourth side wall1114.

The first side wall1111is provided in one side of the housing1100. A gateway1116where the substrate W enters is formed in the first side wall1111. The gateway1116provides a substrate W passageway.

The second side wall1112is formed in opposite side of the first side wall1111. The second side wall1112is provided parallel to the first side wall1111. The third side wall1113is provided in between the first side wall1111and the second side wall1112. The third side wall1113is provided perpendicular to each of the first side wall1111and the second side wall1112. The fourth side wall1114is provided in between the first side wall1111and the second side wall1112. The fourth side wall1114is provided perpendicular to each of the first side wall1111and the third side wall1113. The fourth side wall1114is provided parallel to the third side wall1113.

The transfer unit1200moves the substrate W between the heating unit1300and the cooling unit1400inside of the housing1100. The transfer unit1200comprises a transfer plate1210, a support arm1220, a support ring1230, and a driving member1270.

The substrate W is placed on the transfer plate1210. The transfer plate1210is provided as a circular form. The transfer plate1210may be provided with the same size to the substrate W. The transfer plate1210may be provided as a metal material that has good heat conductivity. A guide hole1250is formed in the transfer plate1210. The guide hole1250is a space to receive a lift pin1315. The guide hole1250is provided as to extend from outer side of the transfer plate1210to the inner side of the transfer plate1210. The guide hole1250prevents interference or crash with the lift pin1315when the transfer plate1210moves.

The support arm1220is fixedly connected to the transfer plate1210. The support arm1220is provided in between the transfer plate1210and the driving member.

The support ring1230is provided surrounding the transfer plate1210. The support ring1230supports edge of the transfer plate1210. The support ring1230plays a role supporting the substrate W to be placed in the right position after the substrate W is placed on the transfer plate1210.

The driving member1270may transfer or transport the transfer plate1210. The driving member1270is provided to move the transfer plate1210linearly and/or up and down (vertically).

The heating unit1300heats the substrate by supporting the substrate. The heating unit1300comprises a plate1311, a pin hole1312, a heater1313, the lift pin1315, a cover1317, and a driver1319.

The plate1311is provided as a cylinder form. The plate1311may be provided as a material having good heat conductivity. For example, the plate1311may be provided as a metal material. The pin hole1312for receiving the lift pin1315is formed on top of the plate1311.

The heater1313heats the substrate W. The heater1313is provided inner side of the plate1311. For example, the heater1313may be installed as a heating coil inside of the plate1311. Unlike this, the plate1311may be provided with heating patterns. The heater1313is provided inside of the plate1313and therefore the plate1313is heated priory before the substrate is heated.

The pin hole1312is provided as a passageway for the lift pin1315when the lift pin1315moves the substrate W up and down. The pin hole1312is provided on top of the plate1311and may be provided with a plurality of numbers.

The lift pin1315is moved up and down by an elevator device (not described). The lift pin1315may seat the substrate W on the plate1311. The lift pin1315may elevate the substrate W to a position that is certain spaced apart from the plate1311.

The cover1317places on top on of the plate1311. The cover1317is provided as a cylinder form. The cover1317provides a heating space in its inside. The cover1317is moved on top of the plate1311by the driver1319when the substrate W moves to the plate1311. When the substrate W is heated by the plate1311, the cover1317moves downward by the driver1319and forms a heating space for heating the substrate W.

The driver1319is fixedly connected with the cover1317by a supporting part1318. The driver1319elevates the cover1317up and down when the driver1319is transferred or transported to the plate1311. For example, the driver1319may be provided as a cylinder driver.

The cooling unit1400plays a role cooling the plate1311or the substrate W where a treatment is finished. The cooling unit1400places inner side of the housing1100. The cooling unit1400places more adjacently to the first side wall1111than to the second side wall1112. The cooling plate1400comprises a cooling plate1410.

The cooling plate1410cools the substrate. The cooling plate1410may be provided as a circular form. The cooling plate1410may be provided with a size corresponding to the substrate. Inside of the cooling plate1410, a cooling channel may be provided. In the cooling channel, a cooling water may be provided to cool the substrate W. The transfer plate1210is placed on the cooling plate1410when the substrate is maintained in the transfer plate1210, and the substrate may be cooled.

The first solution treatment chamber414coats solution on the substrate. The first solution treatment chamber414may form a film on the rotating substrate by providing a solution. A plurality of the first solution treatment chambers414may be stacked along the third direction X3.

The first solution providing chamber416may be stacked on the first solution treatment chamber414. The first solution providing chamber416and the first solution treatment chamber414may be stacked along the third direction X3. The first solution providing chamber416may be placed under the first solution treatment chamber414. The first solution providing chamber416is provided to the first solution treatment chamber414and stores a treatment solution treating the substrate with solution. The treatment solution is provided to the first solution treatment chamber414in a solution providing chamber.

The second treating unit420is provided corresponding to the first treating unit410based on the parallel line to the second direction X2. Also, the second treating unit420is provided the same with the first treating unit410. The second treating unit420performs the same function with the first treating unit410. The second treating unit420comprises a second heat treatment chamber422, a second solution treatment chamber424, and a second solution providing chamber426. The second heat treatment chamber422, the second solution treatment chamber424, and the second solution providing chamber426are provided corresponding to the first heat treatment chamber412, the first solution treatment chamber414, and the first solution providing chamber416, respectively.

The first transfer chamber430comprises a frame310and the first transfer robot350.

Inside of the frame310, a moving route320where the first transfer robot350moves is provided. The moving route320is provided along the third direction X3. During a process, the first transfer robot350moves along the moving route320, and transfers a wafer between the index module100and the treating module400.

The first transfer robot350comprises a base352, a vertical shaft354, and a hand356. The base352is fixedly installed on the ground. The vertical shaft354is provided to move up and down and rotatable from the base352. The vertical shaft354is provided to extend along the third direction which is perpendicular to the first direction X1and the second direction X2. The hand356is provided to move front and back with respect to the vertical shaft354. That is, the hand356is provided to move to the first direction X1and the second direction X2.

The second transfer chamber440is provided corresponding to the first transfer chamber430based on the parallel line to the second direction X2. Also, the second transfer chamber440is provided the same with the first transfer chamber430. The second transfer robot performs the same function with the first transfer robot350. The second transfer robot is provided corresponding to the first transfer robot350. The second transfer chamber440is provided adjacently to the first transfer chamber430. The second transfer chamber440and the first transfer chamber430are arranged along the first direction X1.

A buffer module500provides a space for a substrate transferred between the process treating module200and the index module100to stay temporarily. The buffer module500is placed between the process treating module200and the index module100.

The buffer module500comprises a first buffer unit510and a second buffer unit520. The first buffer unit510and the second buffer unit520are arranged along the first direction X1. When viewed from a top side, the second direction X2is a direction perpendicular to the second direction X2. The first buffer unit510and the first transfer chamber430are arranged along the first direction X1.

The first buffer unit510comprises a first buffer chamber512and a first cooling chamber514. The first buffer chamber512provides a space where the substrate temporarily stays. The first cooling chamber514is stacked with the first buffer chamber512. The first cooling chamber514and the first buffer chamber512are stacked along the third direction X3. The first cooling chamber514cools the substrate. The first cooling chamber514comprises a carry in cooling chamber516and a carry out cooling chamber518. The carry in cooling chamber516is provided with one or a plurality of numbers. A plurality of carry in cooling chambers516may be stacked along the third direction.

The carry in cooling chamber516cools a substrate carried in to the first transfer chamber430from a container like the cassette C. The carry out cooling chamber518is provided with one or a plurality of numbers. A plurality of the carry out cooling chambers518may be stacked along the third direction. The carry out cooling chamber518cools a substrate carried out from the first transfer chamber430as a container.

A second buffer unit520is provided the same with the first buffer unit510. The second buffer unit520is provided adjacently to the first buffer unit510. The first buffer unit510and the second buffer unit520are arranged along the first direction X1. The second buffer unit520and the second transfer chamber440are arranged along the second direction X2.

The first transfer chamber430, the cooling unit1400, and the heating unit1300may be arranged in this order along the second direction X2. Therefore, the substrate is loaded on the cooling unit1400through the gateway1116from the first transfer chamber430, and then transferred to the heating unit1300and the substrate may be treated with heat.

The first buffer unit510, the first heat treatment chamber412, and the first solution treatment chamber414are placed on the different sides of the first transfer chamber430. For example, the first transfer chamber430is provided in rectangular form, and the first buffer unit510, the first heat treatment chamber412, and the first solution treatment chamber414are each provided adjacently to other different sides among the four sides of the first transfer chamber430. Also, in the remaining side of the first transfer chamber430, the second transfer chamber440is provided adjacently.

For example, in one side adjacent to the second direction X2in the first transfer chamber430, the first heat treatment chamber412is provided. In other side adjacent to the second direction X2in the first transfer chamber430, the second transfer chamber440is provided adjacently. In one side adjacent to the first direction X1in the first transfer chamber430, the first buffer unit510is provided. In other side adjacent to the first direction X1in the first transfer chamber430, the first solution treatment chamber414is provided.

Hereinafter explains a method for treating a substrate using the above described substrate treating apparatus.

The first treating unit410and the first transfer chamber430are provided symmetrically with the second treating unit420and the second transfer chamber440based on a parallel line to the first direction X1. Therefore, processes through the first transfer chamber430and the first treating unit410are the same with the processes through the first transfer chamber430and the first treating unit410.

The load ports110, the index robot122, the first transfer chamber430, and the first solution treatment chamber414are placed in order along the second direction X2. The substrate is inserted in the first transfer chamber430through the index module100and the buffer module500in order. When viewed from a top side, the first transfer robot350moves to the third direction which is perpendicular to the first direction X1and the second direction X2. Specifically, the vertical shaft354moves vertically along the third direction. The first heat treatment chamber412and the first solution treatment chamber414are placed adjacently to different sides of the first transfer chamber430, and therefore the vertical shaft354of the first transfer robot350does not have to move to the first direction X1or to the second direction X2, as compared to the conventional apparatus. Therefore, a processing time may be shortened by shortening a moving time of the transfer robot of the present invention. Also, a process defect may be prevented by minimizing unnecessary vortex or flow by narrowing a moving section of the transfer robot.

When reaching the first solution treatment chamber414stacked with a plurality of numbers, or a height of the first heat treatment chamber412, the hand356moves horizontally to the vertical shaft354and inserts the substrate into the first solution treatment chamber414or the first heat treatment chamber412. Then the substrate treating process is performed.

Also, the load ports110, the index robot122, the second transfer chamber440, and the second solution treatment chamber424are placed in order along the second direction X2. The first heat treatment chamber412, the first transfer chamber430, the second transfer chamber440, and the second heat treatment chamber422are placed in order along the first direction X1. A treating process, where the substrate is inserted through the second transfer chamber440, processes the same with a process, when the substrate is inserted through the described first transfer chamber430. Therefore, as compared to the conventional apparatus, the transfer chamber is composed of a plurality of numbers so a time of transferring the substrate is shortened and thereby processing time may be shortened.

Foregoing embodiments are examples of the present invention. Further, the above contents merely illustrate and describe preferred embodiments and embodiments may include various combinations, changes, and environments. That is, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that substitutions, modifications and changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents. Further, it is not intended that the scope of this application be limited to these specific embodiments or to their specific features or benefits. Rather, it is intended that the scope of this application be limited solely to the claims which now follow and to their equivalents.