Single substrate cleaning apparatus and method for cleaning backside of substrate

Provided are a single substrate cleaning apparatus, and a method for cleaning the backside of a substrate, where a substrate reversing device for cleaning the backside of a substrate is installed inside a processing chamber.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This U.S. non-provisional patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0102485, filed on Oct. 11, 2007, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIVE CONCEPT

The present inventive concept disclosed herein relates to a substrate processing apparatus and method, and more particularly, to an apparatus for cleaning the backside of a substrate using single substrate cleaning and a method for cleaning the backside of a substrate.

In semiconductor device manufacturing, the front surface of a substrate (semiconductor substrate, LCD, etc.) is first cleaned, after which the substrate is subjected to intricate processing. Thus, before various manufacturing processes, or between processes, a cleaning process that removes impurities residing on the surface of the substrate is required. For example, in a photolithography process, before a photoresist is applied, brush cleaning in a spin scrubber is performed on the front surface of the substrate.

A well-known cleaning method involves using a robot (conveyor robot) to clamp a substrate and introduce the substrate into a cleaning apparatus for cleaning and remove the substrate from the cleaning apparatus once cleaning is completed. Also, it is common practice today to not only clean the front surface (also referred to as a device forming surface or an upper surface), but also the backside, so that a substrate reversing device must be used to reverse the substrate to clean the surface opposite to the front surface (or the backside) of the substrate, after which the substrate is cleaned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIVE CONCEPT

The present inventive concept provides a single substrate cleaning apparatus and a method for cleaning the backside of a substrate that are capable of reducing costs through simplification of the substrate backside cleaning apparatus and processing steps, and minimizing contamination of a substrate from particles that can be generated during substrate conveyance.

Objects of the present inventive concept are not limited hereto, and other objects that are not specifically mentioned herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the description that follows.

Embodiments of the present inventive concept provide apparatuses for single substrate cleaning, including: a processing chamber in which a substrate cleaning process is performed; a substrate supporting member installed inside the processing chamber, on which a substrate for processing is placed; and a substrate reversing device installed to one side of the substrate supporting member inside the processing chamber, wherein the substrate reversing device includes a holding unit for holding the substrate, a reversing unit for reversing the holding unit, and an elevating unit for vertically moving the reversing unit.

In some embodiments, the holding unit may include: gripping members disposed above the substrate supporting member and moving in mutually opposite directions along a rotational axis about which the substrate is reversed to chuck/unchuck the substrate; and a driving member for driving the gripping members.

In other embodiments, the gripping members may include: a first gripping member for chucking an edge of the substrate toward the reversing unit; and a second gripping member for chucking an edge of the substrate opposite the reversing unit.

In still other embodiments, the driving member may include: a base; a first rod installed on an upper surface of the base to be capable of moving along the rotational axis, and connected to the first gripping member; a second rod installed on an undersurface of the base to be capable of moving along the rotational axis, and connected to the second gripping member; a cylinder linearly reciprocating one of the first and second rods; and a power transmitting member for transmitting a driving force of the cylinder such that the other of the first and second rods is moved in a direction opposite to the one of the first and second rods.

In even other embodiments, the cylinder may be installed on the upper surface of the base to linearly reciprocate the first rod.

In yet other embodiments, the power transmitting member may include: a first and second pulley installed through the upper surface and the undersurface of the base; a belt wound around the first and second pulleys; and a first and second connecting member connecting the first and second rods to the belt, respectively.

In further embodiments, the first gripping member may include: at least one first gripper; and a first bracket with the first gripper installed thereon, and connected to the first rod.

In still further embodiments, the second gripping member may include: at least two second grippers; and a second bracket with the second grippers installed thereon, and connected to the second rod.

In even further embodiments, the holding unit may further include a supporting member on which the substrate to be chucked/unchucked with the first and second gripping members is placed.

In yet further embodiments, the supporting member may include: an annular supporting ring; and a plurality of supporting pins installed on the supporting ring to support the substrate.

In other embodiments, the second bracket may be disposed below the substrate supported by the supporting pins of the supporting member.

In still other embodiments, the second bracket may be disposed at the same height as the supporting ring of the supporting member.

In other embodiments of the present inventive concept, methods for cleaning a backside of a substrate, include: loading a substrate introduced into a chamber onto a substrate supporting member through reversing the substrate using a substrate reversing device installed inside the chamber; and removing the substrate from the chamber after a backside of the substrate has been cleaned, through unloading the substrate from the substrate supporting member and reversing the substrate.

In other embodiments, the substrate reversing device may chuck/unchuck the substrate through moving gripping members in opposite directions along a rotational axis about which the substrate is reversed.

In still other embodiments, the gripping members may be moved in the opposite directions by one driving member to chuck/unchuck the substrate.

In even other embodiments, the gripping members may move vertically above the substrate supporting member.

In yet other embodiments, the substrate reversing device may move up the substrate, reversing the substrate to load the substrate on the substrate supporting member, and move up the substrate, reversing the substrate to unload the substrate that has been cleaned from the substrate supporting member and elevates.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of an apparatus for single substrate cleaning and a method for cleaning the backside of a substrate according to the present inventive concept will be described below in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the assigning of reference numerals to elements in the respective figures, when like elements are illustrated in different figures, like reference numerals are assigned to the like elements throughout wherever possible. Also, in the description of the present inventive concept, detailed descriptions of related and shared structures or functions will not be provided when it is believed that such descriptions will obscure the main focus of the present inventive concept.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1is a view illustrating the configuration of a single substrate cleaning apparatus according to the present inventive concept.

Referring toFIG. 1, a single substrate cleaning apparatus according to the present inventive concept is for cleaning the backside of a substrate, and includes a loading/unloading portion1, a carrier transferring portion2, a carrier table3, a substrate transferring portion4, and a cleaning processing portion5.

The loading/unloading portion1has an in/out port1-1on which a carrier (C) accommodating substrates is placed. The carrier transferring portion2is disposed to be adjacent to the loading/unloading portion1, and the substrate transferring portion4is disposed at the central portion on the other side of the carrier transferring portion2. The substrate transferring portion4has a passage4-1formed perpendicularly to the carrier transferring portion2, for a transfer robot4-3. A transfer guide4-2is installed in a longitudinal direction inside the passage4-1, and the transfer robot4-3is guided by the transfer guide4-2to move along the length of the passage4-1. The carrier table3and the cleaning processing portion5are disposed on both sides of the passage4-1. The cleaning processing portion5has a plurality of processing chambers5a,5b,5c, and5duniformly arranged on both sides of the passage4-1of the substrate transferring portion4. The substrate transferring portion4, the carrier table3, and the cleaning processing portion5may be configured in duplex structure of upper layer and lower layer stacks, and the carrier transferring portion2may have a duplex structure corresponding to the duplex structure of the carrier tables3. Also, the carrier transferring portion2, the carrier tables3, the substrate transferring portion4, and the cleaning processing portion5may be respectively provided with a fan filter unit (not shown) for supplying clean air at top portions thereof.

A airtight container such as a front open unified pod may be used as the carrier (C) for accommodating substrates. The carrier (C) is placed on the in/out port1-1of the loading/unloading portion1by means of a transferring member (not shown) such as an overhead transfer, an overhead conveyor, or an automatic guided vehicle. The carrier (C) placed on the in/out port1-1of the loading/unloading portion1is transferred by the carrier transferring portion2to the carrier table3. A transfer robot4-3of the substrate transferring portion4transfers substrates to be cleaned from the carrier (C) placed on the carrier table3to the processing chambers5a,5b,5c, and5dof the substrate cleaning processing portion5, and cleaning processing is performed on the substrates in the processing chambers5a,5b,5c, and5d. The substrates that have undergone cleaning processing in the cleaning processing portion5are transferred to the carrier (C) placed on the carrier table3by the transfer robot4-3, and the carrier (C) accommodating the substrates that have undergone cleaning processing is placed on the in/out port1-1of the loading/unloading portion1by the transferring portion2.

FIG. 2is a perspective view illustrating the internal configuration of a processing chamber inFIG. 1.

Referring toFIG. 2, a substrate supporting member20, substrate cleaning members30,40, and50, and a substrate (or wafer) reversing device10are provided inside a processing chamber. The substrate supporting member20supports wafers (W) during cleaning processing of the wafers, and may rotate while the processing is performed. The substrate reversing device10and the substrate cleaning members30,40, and50for cleaning substrates are disposed on the circumference of the substrate supporting member20.

The substrate cleaning members30,40, and50include a first process fluid supplying member30supplying liquid chemicals to substrates, a second process fluid supplying member40supplying a rinsing fluid or a drying gas to substrates, and an ultrasonic cleaning member50.

The first process fluid supplying member30supplies liquid chemicals to substrates by linearly reciprocating in a scanning method. The liquid chemicals used in cleaning processing of substrates may be at least one among hydrofluoric acid (HF), sulfuric acid (H3SO4), nitric acid (HNO3), phosphoric acid (H3PO4), and an SC-1 solution (mixture of ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and water (H2O)). The first process fluid supplying member30has at least one liquid chemical supply nozzle32. And a liquid chemical supply nozzle32, selected according to the type of liquid chemicals to be used in substrate processing supplies liquid chemical onto a substrate. The liquid chemical supply nozzle32is selected through the operation of a moving rod34and a pick-up member36. The moving rod34installed vertically may be linearly reciprocated along a scanning direction by a driving portion (not shown), or may be moved upward and downward. Through vertical movement of the moving rod34, the pick-up member36, connected to the top end of the moving rod34and disposed horizontally, is moved vertically, and the pick-up member36picks up a selected liquid chemical supply nozzle32. With a liquid chemical supply nozzle32picked up by the pick-up member36, the moving rod34moves along a scanning direction, and the liquid chemical supply nozzle32supplies liquid chemical onto the substrate. Here, the substrate placed on the substrate supporting member20is rotated by rotation of the substrate supporting member20.

The second process fluid supplying member40moves in a boom swing manner and supplies a rinsing fluid or drying gas onto a substrate. Deionized water (DIW) may be used as a rinsing fluid, and isopropyl alcohol (IPA) gas may be used as the drying gas. The second process fluid supplying member40has a nozzle42disposed vertically and supplying rinsing fluid or drying gas toward the substrate supporting member20. The nozzle42is connected to one end of a nozzle support44, and the nozzle support44is disposed horizontally to maintain perpendicularity to the nozzle42. A moving rod46is coupled to the other end of the nozzle support44and disposed vertically to maintain perpendicularity to the nozzle support44, and moves the nozzle42during processing or before and after processing. Also, the moving rod46is connected to a driving portion (not shown). The driving portion (not shown) may be a motor for rotating the nozzle42, or may selectively be an assembly for linearly moving the nozzle42up and down.

The ultrasonic cleaning member50has an ultrasonic oscillator52that applies ultrasonic vibrations to liquid chemicals supplied on a substrate (W). The ultrasonic oscillator52is connected to one end of a support54that is horizontally disposed. A moving rod56is coupled to the other end of the support54to maintain a perpendicular disposition with respect to the support54, in order to move the ultrasonic oscillator52during processing or before and after processing. The moving rod56is also connected to a driving portion (not shown). The driving portion (not shown) may be a motor for rotating the ultrasonic oscillator52, or may selectively be an assembly for linearly moving the ultrasonic oscillator52up and down. The liquid chemical supplied onto a substrate removes or thins impurities from a substrate, and here, the ultrasonic cleaning member50is used, and ultrasonic vibrations are applied to the liquid chemical. The liquid chemical to which ultrasonic vibrations are applied trigger a chemical reaction in impurities on the substrate (W) to increase removal efficiency of the impurities on the substrate (W).

FIG. 3is an exploded perspective view of a substrate reversing device inFIG. 2.

Referring toFIG. 3, a substrate reversing device includes a holding unit100, a reversing unit200, and an elevating unit300. The holding unit100holds a substrate. The reversing unit200reverses the holding unit100by 180° to reverse the substrate held by the holding unit100. The elevating unit300moves the reversing unit200upward and downward to load/unload the substrate held by the holding unit100to and from the substrate supporting member (reference number20inFIG. 2).

FIG. 4is an exploded perspective view of a holding unit inFIG. 3, andFIGS. 5 and 6are exploded perspective views of a driving member inFIG. 4.

Referring toFIGS. 4 through 6, a holding unit100includes a supporting member110, a first gripping member120, a second gripping member130, and a driving member140.

The supporting member110, as a portion on which a substrate to be reversed or a substrate that has been reversed is placed, is formed of a supporting ring114provided with a plurality of supporting pins112upon which the perimeter of a substrate is placed to prevent the substrate from moving. The supporting ring114is fixedly installed on a base102. The supporting ring114may have a radius that is equal to or less than the radius of a substrate. A detecting sensor116is installed on the supporting ring114, and the detecting sensor116detects the perimeter of a substrate placed on the supporting ring114to check whether the substrate is properly positioned on the supporting ring114.

The first gripping member120and the second gripping member130are portions for holding (gripping) a substrate placed on the supporting pins112of the supporting ring114when the holding unit100is being reversed. The first gripping member120is disposed toward the reversing unit200along the rotational axis in which a substrate is reversed, and the second gripping member130is disposed on the opposite side of the reversing unit200. Thus, in the present inventive concept, because the first and second gripping members120and130that chuck a substrate are respectively installed in positions about the rotational axis in which a substrate is reversed, when the holding unit100is rotated, spatial restrictions are not imposed by a required rotating radius. Accordingly, the substrate reversing device10according to the present inventive concept is suitable for use in cleaning equipment that requires a space with a low ceiling.

The first gripping member130has a first gripper122formed in a “⊃” shape to be able to grip a substrate at two points, and the first gripper122is connected to the first rod142through a “T”-shaped connecting block123coupled beneath the first gripper122.

The driving member140includes the first rod142, a second rod144, a cylinder148, and a power transmitting member150. The first rod142is installed on the upper surface of the base102. Specifically, the first rod142is installed on a first guide block143installed on an upper surface of the base102to move forward and rearward along the substrate rotation axis (S). A connecting block123connected to the first gripper122is installed on the first rod142. The first rod142includes a first portion142aconnected to a cylinder148to receive linear motive force, and a second portion142bconnected to a belt154of a driving force transmitting member150to receive linear motive force. The second portion142bis connected by the first connecting member141ato the belt154. The first rod142is connected to the cylinder148to be moved forward and rearward according to the operation of the cylinder148, and the first rod142is connected to the belt154of the power transmitting member150, so that the linear driving force of the cylinder148is transmitted to the power transmitting member150.

The second rod144is installed on the undersurface of the base102. Specifically, the second rod144is installed on a second guide block145installed on the undersurface of the base102, to be moved forward and rearward along the rotational axis of the substrate, as with the first rod142. The second rod144includes a first portion144aconnected to the belt154of the power transmitting member150through the second connecting member141b, and a second portion144bconnected to the second gripping member130. The first portion144areceives linear driving force from the power transmitting member150, and the second portion144bprovides linear driving force to the second gripping portion130.

The power transmitting member150is installed in a through portion104defined in the base102. The power transmitting member150transmits the linear driving force of the cylinder148in the opposite direction to the second rod144. The power transmitting member150includes a pair of pulleys152aand152b, and a belt154wound around the pulleys152aand152b. The first rod142is connected to a upper portion of the belt154positioned above the upper surface of the base102, and the second rod144is connected to a lower portion of the belt154positioned beneath the lower surface of the base102. Thus, the first rod142and the second rod144are moved in opposite directions by the belt154.

The second gripping member130includes two second grippers132and a second bracket134. The second bracket134is shaped like a horseshoe, and the two grippers132are installed on the second bracket134opposite to the second rod144. The second bracket134is disposed below the substrate. That is, the second bracket134is disposed at the same height as the supporting ring114to the outside of the supporting ring114. If the second bracket134is disposed at the same height as the supporting ring114, when the transfer robot4-3of the substrate transferring portion (reference numeral4inFIG. 1) loads or unloads a substrate onto or off of the supporting pins112of the supporting ring114, interference with the transfer robot4-3may be avoided. Also, one side of the second bracket134is open. The two ends of the second bracket134that form the open portion are coupled to a connecting block135, respectively, and the connecting blocks135are connected through a plate136. The second portion144bof the second rod144is coupled on the plate136, to enable the second gripping member130to be moved forward and rearward along the rotational axis about which a substrate is reversed, according to linear movement of the second rod144along the rotational axis.

FIGS. 7A and 7Bare views illustrating the operation of a holding unit100. For the sake of convenience in describing the operation of the first and second gripping members120and130, the supporting member and the base are not illustrated inFIGS. 7A and 7B, and elements not illustrated will be described using their reference numerals fromFIGS. 4 through 6.

When the cylinder148moves in direction (a), the first rod142and the first gripping member120are moved in direction (a), and the second rod144and the second gripping member130are moved in the opposite direction (b). That is, when the cylinder148moves in direction (a), the first gripping member120and the second gripping member130move from the edge of a substrate to unchucking positions (inFIG. 7A). Conversely, when the cylinder moves in direction (b), the first rod142and the first gripping member120move in direction (b), and the second rod144and the second gripping member130move in direction (a) opposite to direction (b). That is, when the cylinder148moves in direction (b), the first gripping member120and the second gripping member130move to chucking positions (inFIG. 7B) to hold the substrate at its edge.

Thus, the holding unit100of the present inventive concept does not use a motor to chuck/unchuck a substrate, but has a power transmitting member150that uses one cylinder148to linearly move the first gripping member120and the second gripping member130in mutually opposite directions to chuck/unchuck a substrate.

Also, by not using a motor, the present inventive concept does not require complex controlling for a motor, but instead requires a simple I/O (on/off) control, so that product manufacturing cost may be reduced and operating malfunctions may be reduced as well.

Also, because in the present inventive concept, the first gripping member120and the second gripping member130are moving in mutually opposite directions along rotational axis of a substrate to chuck a substrate at either side edge thereof, the apparatus may be used in cleaning equipment requiring a holding unit100with a small rotating radius and a space with a low ceiling.

FIG. 8is an exploded perspective view of the reversing unit inFIG. 3, andFIG. 9is a rear view of a driving member inFIG. 8.

Referring toFIGS. 8 and 9, a reversing unit200for reversing a holding unit100includes a rotating shaft member220and a driving member230. The rotating shaft member220has the holding unit100coupled thereto, and the driving member230imparts rotating force to the rotating shaft member220to reverse the holding unit100.

The rotating shaft member220is rotatably supported on a supporting block210, and a pulley222wound around the perimeter of the rotating shaft member220is provided to the rotating shaft member220. The pulley222rotates together with the rotating shaft member220by means of the rotating force from the driving member230. Also, a bracket224is coupled to the free end of the rotating shaft member220, and a base102of the holding unit100is connected to the bracket224.

The driving member230has a driving motor232and a power transmitting member234that transmits driving force from the driving motor232. The driving motor232and the power transmitting member234are disposed to be parallel, as illustrated inFIG. 8. The output end of the driving motor232and the input end of the power transmitting member234are respectively provided with a pulley233and235, and a belt236is wound around the pulleys233and235. Also, a pulley237is provided on the output end of the power transmitting member234, and the driving member230is inserted and installed in a hole212defined in the bottom of the supporting block210, such that the pulley237is connected by the belt240to the pulley222provided around the rotating shaft member220.

FIGS. 10 and 11are a perspective view and a frontal view of an elevating unit300inFIG. 3.

The elevating unit300includes a frame310, and a first and second guide member320and340installed on the frame310. The first and second guide member320and340are disposed symmetrically at either side along the lengthwise direction of the frame310. Guide rails322and342are installed on both left and right sides of the frame310along the lengthwise direction of the frame310, and sliders324and344are mounted to be capable of sliding on the guide rails322and342. Pulleys325aand325bare provided at the top and bottom of the guide rail322, and pulleys345aand345bare provided at the top and bottom of the guide rail342. The pulleys325aand325bare connected via a belt326, and the pulleys345aand345bare connected via a belt346. Also, the sliders324and344are connected to the belts326and346to link the driving of the belts326and346to the vertical movement of the sliders324and344. That is, with connecting members327and347contacting the outer surfaces of the belts326and346, and the sliders324and344contacting the inner surfaces of the belts326and346, the connecting members327and347are coupled to the sliders324and344to press against the belts326and346. In this configuration, the belts326and346are driven in the moving direction of the sliders324and344according to vertical movement of the sliders324and344.

A belt364is provided parallel and in proximity to the belt326of the first guide member320on the frame310, and the belt364is wound around the pulleys362aand362b. The bottom pulley362bof the pulleys362aand362bis driven by a driving motor368, and the rotating force of the driving motor368is transmitted to the pulley362bvia the assembly of the belt367and the pulleys365and366. Also, a connecting member369, to which the supporting block210of the reversing unit200is connected, is coupled to the belt364.

The supporting block210of the reversing unit200is connected to the connecting members327,347, and369connected to the belts326,346, and364, respectively. The rotating force of the driving motor368is transmitted to the belt364, and the supporting block210connected to the belt364is moved up and down. Here, because the left and right sides of the supporting block210are connected to the belts326and346of the first and second guide members320and340through the connecting members327and347, the supporting block210can retain balance when moving vertically. Also, because the sliders324and344are connected to the belts326and346, the vertical movement of the supporting block210is guided by the guide rails322and342. Through this operation, the elevating unit300moves the reversing unit200vertically. Further, as described above, because the base102of the holding unit100is connected to the bracket224of the reversing unit200, the holding unit100moves vertically in concert with the reversing unit200, as illustrated inFIGS. 12A and 12B. The reversing unit200may be moved vertically by the elevating unit300with the holding unit100reversed, or the reversing unit200may be moved vertically by the elevating unit300while the holding unit100is being reversed. These states may be achieved by operating the driving motor232of the reversing unit200and the driving motor368of the elevating unit300in sequence or through synchronous control.

As described above, because the substrate reversing device10for cleaning the backside of a substrate according to the present inventive concept is disposed inside a processing chamber, the following advantages can be realized.

First, when compared to a conventional substrate backside cleaning apparatus with a separate substrate reversing unit provided outside the processing chamber, because the present inventive concept does not require a separately installed space for a substrate reversing unit, equipment cost can be reduced, and maintenance costs may also be reduced.

Second, through simplification of processing steps, the present inventive concept may increase process efficiency.

Third, the present inventive concept may minimize contamination of substrates from particles generated during transferring of the substrates.

The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and it will be apparent to those with ordinary skill in the art that various revisions and modifications are included in the present inventive concept, insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present inventive concept. In accordance, the embodiments disclosed in the present inventive concept are intended to describe and not to restrict the technical scope of the present inventive concept, and therefore, the technical scope of the present inventive concept shall not be interpreted as being restricted in any way by the foregoing embodiments. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present inventive concept is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.