Abstract:
A processing apparatus includes a gas supply passage for supplying a corrosive gas having a halogen, a part of the passage being made of a metal; a stabilization reaction unit which has an energy generator for supplying light energy or heat energy to the corrosive gas that has passed through the metallic part of the gas supply passage and/or has an obstacle configured to apply a collision energy to the corrosive gas that has passed through the metallic part of the gas supply passage, the collision energy being generated from a collision between the obstacle and said corrosive gas. A reaction for stabilizing a compound containing the metal and the halogen contained in the corrosive gas takes place by means of at least one of the light energy, heat energy, and collision energy; and a trapping unit which traps the compound stabilized in the stabilization reaction unit.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a processing apparatus for processing an object to be processed. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A semiconductor device manufacturing process includes a process for forming a film by, e.g., CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition), by supplying a gas to a semiconductor wafer (hereinafter, referred to as a “wafer”) or a process for etching the film on a surface of the wafer by a gas supplied to the wafer. A film forming apparatus or an etching apparatus for performing the above-described process includes a processing chamber for accommodating a wafer, a storage unit for storing a processing gas used for film formation or etching, and a storage unit for storing a cleaning gas for dry cleaning an interior of the processing chamber. The storage units for storing such gases and the processing chamber are connected through a gas supply device including gas supply lines, valves disposed in the gas supply lines, or the like. 
         [0003]    In order to ensure a high corrosion resistance, the gas supply device is made of, e.g., stainless steel. Further, a filter for removing solid or liquid particles contained in gases may be disposed in the gas supply lines. 
         [0004]    For the film forming apparatus or the etching apparatus, highly reactive halogen-containing gases referred to as an F (fluorine)-based gas, a Cl (chlorine)-based gas and a Br (bromine)-based gas respectively containing F, Cl and Br may be used. For example, the F-based gas may be used as a cleaning gas in the film forming apparatus. The Cl-based gas and the Br-based gas may be used as etching gases in the etching apparatus. 
         [0005]    The halogen-containing gases react with stainless steel forming the gas supply device for supplying such gases, thereby generating a ternary compound containing halogen, metal and oxygen and a binary compound containing halogen and metal. These compounds cause metal contamination of the gas. A ternary compound and a binary compound, each having a high vapor pressure, flow in a gaseous state through the gas supply lines, and thus are supplied into the processing chamber without being trapped by the filter. The ternary compound and the binary compound are decomposed by exposure to an atmosphere in the processing chamber, so that metals contained in these compounds may be solidified and adhered to the wafer and the processing chamber. If so, the wafer is not normally processed, and the production yield may be decreased. 
         [0006]    The gas supplied to the processing chamber is introduced into the gas exhaust line for exhausting the processing chamber. When the interior of the gas exhaust line becomes a low vacuum region where a gas pressure is high and the collisions between gas molecules are more dominant than the collisions between gas molecules and the pipe wall of the gas exhaust line, the flow velocity of the gas in the gas exhaust line is highest at the central axis of the gas exhaust line, and is decreased as it goes close to the pipe wall of the gas exhaust line from the central axis thereof, and becomes zero at the pipe wall. The gas may be diffused toward the upstream side, i.e., toward the processing chamber, along the pipe wall at which the flow velocity is zero. When the gas is diffused toward the processing chamber as described above, the ternary compound and the binary compound in the gaseous state are converted into compounds containing solid metals and then are adhered to the wafer or the processing chamber, which may lead to a decrease in the production yield. Further, a sub-device such as a vacuum gauge or the like may be attached to the processing chamber via an auxiliary passage. In a line forming the auxiliary passage as well as in the gas exhaust line, the gas may be diffused toward the processing chamber from the pipe wall at which the flow velocity is zero. Moreover, the gas may be diffused toward the processing chamber from the sub-device side due to changes in the pressure in the processing chamber. Even when the gas is diffused from the auxiliary passage, the ternary compound and the binary compound in the gaseous state may be converted into compounds containing solid metals and then adhered to the wafer or the processing chamber. 
         [0007]    In order to prevent the decrease in the production yield caused by the above-described phenomenon, the following processes are carried out: the halogen-containing gas is supplied into the processing chamber; a dummy wafer (wafer that is not a product wafer) is transferred into the processing chamber and subjected to etching or film formation; the dummy wafer to which the metal is adhered is unloaded from the processing chamber; and a normal wafer is transferred into the processing chamber and subjected to etching or film formation. Or, the following processes may be carried out: a predetermined gas is supplied into the processing chamber; a film that covers the metal adhered to the wall surface of the processing chamber to prevent scattering of the metal is formed; and the wafer is transferred into the processing chamber and subjected to treatment. However, even when the dummy wafer is used or when the scattering prevention film is formed in the processing chamber, the processes which do not contribute to the fabrication of semiconductors are performed. Therefore, the throughput is decreased, and the processing cost is increased. 
         [0008]    Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-222807 discloses a technique for preventing metal contamination of a wafer by coating a metal member that contacts a gas with chromium oxide. However, the halogen-containing gas reacts with chromium oxide, so that the above-described problems cannot be solved. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    In view of the above, the present invention provides a processing apparatus capable of preventing metal contamination of a processing chamber for processing an object to be processed and the object to be processed. 
         [0010]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a processing apparatus provided with a processing chamber for processing an object to be processed, the processing apparatus includes: a gas supply passage for supplying a corrosive gas including a halogen to the processing chamber, at least a part of the passage being made of a metal; a stabilization reaction unit which has an energy generator for supplying light energy or heat energy to the corrosive gas that has passed through the metallic part of the gas supply passage and/or has an obstacle configured to apply a collision energy to the corrosive gas that has passed through the metallic part of the gas supply passage, the collision energy being generated from a collision between the obstacle and said corrosive gas, and in which a reaction for stabilizing a compound containing the metal and the halogen contained in the corrosive gas takes place by means of at least one of the light energy, heat energy, and collision energy; and a trapping unit which traps the compound stabilized in the stabilization reaction unit. 
         [0011]    Preferably, a portion of the gas supply passage to which at least one of the light energy, the heat energy and the collision energy may apply or a wall surface forming a downstream passage of the portion may have high corrosive resistance to the corrosive gas compared to a wall surface forming an upstream passage of the portion. In this case, a wall surface forming the passage of the portion or the wall surface forming the downstream passage of the portion may be made of any one of silicon, silica, diamond like carbon, alumina and fluorine resin. 
         [0012]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a processing apparatus including a processing chamber for processing an object to be processed by a corrosive gas containing halogen supplied thereinto, the processing apparatus includes a gas exhaust passage connected to the processing chamber, at least a part of the passage being made of a metal; a stabilization reaction unit which has an energy generator for supplying light energy or heat energy to the gas to be diffused from the metallic part of the gas exhaust passage toward the processing chamber and/or has an obstacle configured to apply a collision energy to the corrosive gas that is to be diffused from the metallic part of the gas exhaust passage toward the processing chamber, the collision energy being generated from a collision between the obstacle and said corrosive gas, and in which a reaction for stabilizing a compound containing the metal and the halogen contained in the gas in the gas exhaust passage takes place by means of at least one of the light energy, heat energy, and collision energy; and a trapping unit which traps the compound stabilized in the stabilization reaction unit. 
         [0013]    In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a processing apparatus, including a processing chamber for processing an object to be processed by a corrosive gas containing halogen supplied thereinto, the processing apparatus includes an auxiliary passage connected to the processing chamber to allow a sub-device to be attached thereto, at least a part of the passage being made of a metal; a stabilization reaction unit which has an energy generator for supplying light energy or heat energy to the gas diffused from the metallic part of the auxiliary passage toward the processing chamber and/or has an obstacle configured to apply a collision energy to the corrosive gas that is to be diffused from the metallic part of the gas auxiliary passage toward the processing chamber, the collision energy being generated from a collision between the obstacle and said corrosive gas, and in which a reaction for stabilizing a compound containing the metal and the halogen contained in the gas in the auxiliary passage takes place by means of at least one of the light energy, heat energy, and collision energy; and a trapping unit which traps the compound stabilized in the stabilization reaction unit. 
         [0014]    The obstacle of the stabilization reaction unit may include a filler made of a nonmetal filled in the passage. 
         [0015]    In this case, the filler may be used as the trapping unit. Further, the filler may be a group of ball-shaped bodies made of ceramic. In this case, the processing may further include at least one of a heating unit for heating the filler and a light irradiation device for irradiating light to the filler. Further, the filler may include a catalyst impregnated thereon. 
         [0016]    In accordance with the present invention, the metal contamination of the processing chamber and the object to be processed can be prevented by the stabilization reaction unit and the trapping unit. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a longitudinal side view of a film forming apparatus as an example of a processing apparatus in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are configuration diagrams of an energy supply unit provided at the film forming apparatus. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 3A to 3D  are flowcharts showing a Cr removal process in the film forming apparatus. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a graph showing a vapor pressure of a compound containing Cr. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view showing another example of the energy supply unit. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 6A and 6C  are cross sectional views showing still another example of the energy supply unit. Further,  FIG. 6B  illustrates the mesh-shaped member seen from the opening direction of the inner line. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a longitudinal side view showing another example of the film forming apparatus. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8A  is a cross sectional view showing still another example of the energy supply unit.  FIG. 8B  is a perspective view showing control plates employed in the energy supply unit. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram of an apparatus used in a test for examining the effect of the energy supply unit. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]    A film forming apparatus  1  for forming a poly silicon (polycrystalline silicon) film on a wafer W by CVD will be described as an example of a processing apparatus with reference to  FIG. 1  showing a longitudinal side view thereof. The film forming apparatus  1  includes a processing chamber  11  in which a mounting table  12  for horizontally mounting thereon the wafer W is provided. A heater  13  serving as a temperature control unit for the wafer W is provided in the mounting table  12 . The mounting table  12  is provided with three elevation pins  14   a  (only two are shown for convenience) which can be raised and lowered by an elevation mechanism  14 . The wafer W is transferred between the mounting table  12  and a transfer unit (not shown) via the elevation pins  14   a.    
         [0027]    A gas exhaust line  15  has one end connected to a gas exhaust port  15   a  provided at a bottom portion of the processing chamber  11  and the other end connected to a gas exhaust unit  16  including, e.g., a vacuum pump. The gas exhaust unit  16  includes a pressure control unit (not shown), and a gas exhaust amount is controlled in accordance with a control signal outputted from a control unit  100 . Further, a transfer port  17  that is openable and closeable by a gate valve G is formed on a sidewall of the processing chamber  11 . 
         [0028]    A gas shower head  21  is provided at a ceiling portion of the processing chamber  11  so as to face the mounting table  12 . The gas shower head  21  includes a partitioned gas chamber  22 , and a gas supplied into the gas chamber  22  is supplied into the processing chamber  11  through a plurality of gas supply openings  23  disposed through the bottom side of the gas shower head  21 . 
         [0029]    A gas supply line  24  has one end connected to the gas chamber  22  and the other end connected to a gas supply source  26  for storing a SiH 4  (monosilane) gas serving as a source material of a poly silicon film via a flow rate control kit  25  having a valve or a mass flow controller. The flow rate control kit  25  controls a start and stop of supply of gas from each of the gas supply source  26  and a gas supply source to be described later to the wafer W in accordance with a control signal outputted from the control unit  100 . 
         [0030]    A gas supply line  31  has one end connected to the gas supply line  24  and the other end connected to a gas supply source  33  for storing a Cl 2  (chlorine) gas serving as a cleaning gas via a filter  32 , an energy supply unit  4 , and the flow rate control kit  25  in that order. The gas passage formed by the gas supply lines  24  and  31  and the flow rate control kit  25  is made of stainless steel. The filter  32  removes solid or liquid particles contained in the Cl 2  gas flowing through the gas supply line  31 . The energy supply unit  4  will be described later. 
         [0031]    The film forming apparatus  1  includes the control unit  100  for controlling operations of the heater  13 , the gas exhaust unit  16 , the flow rate control kit ( 25 ) and the like. The control unit  100  includes a computer having a CPU (not shown) and a program, wherein the program includes a group of steps (commands) for controlling operations for forming a film on the wafer W by the film forming apparatus  1 , e.g., control of a temperature of the wafer W by the heater  13  or a pressure in the chamber  11 , control of the amount of gases to be supplied into the processing chamber  11  and the like. This program is stored in a storage medium, e.g., a hard disk, a compact disc, a magnet optical disc, a memory card or the like, and is installed in the computer. 
         [0032]    Hereinafter, the energy supply unit  4 , i.e., the stabilization reaction unit, will be described with reference to  FIGS. 2A and 2B .  FIG. 2A  shows a longitudinal cross section of the energy supply unit  4 , and  FIG. 2B  shows the energy supply unit  4  seen from the opening direction thereof. The energy supply unit  4  includes an inner line  41  and an outer line  42  surrounding the inner line  41 . The inner line  41  is connected to the gas supply line  31 . The gas supplied to the energy supply unit  4  from the upstream side of the gas supply line  31  passes through the inner line  41  and then flows toward the downstream side of the gas supply line  31 . The inner line  41  is made of, e.g., stainless steel, and an inner surface of the inner line  41  is coated with a silicon film  43 . 
         [0033]    A heater  44  surrounding the inner line  41  is provided at a space between the inner line  41  and the outer line  42 , so that a gas passing through the inner line  41  can be heated to any temperature in accordance with a control signal outputted from the control unit  100 . The inner line  41  is filled with a plurality of balls  45 , each being a porous body. The balls  45  that are filling materials serve as obstacles which collide with the gas passing through the inner line  41 . The collision energy generated from the collision applies to the gas, so that the compound including metal and halogen which is contained in the gas is stabilized. Further, the balls  45  serve as a trapping unit for trapping the stabilized compound. The balls  45  are made of alumina (aluminum oxide) as a ceramic material having a surface coated with silicon. In this example, each ball  45  has a diameter L 1  of, e.g., about 3 mm. The inner line  41  has an inner diameter L 2  of, e.g., about 4.35 mm and a length L 3  of, e.g., about 300 mm. 
         [0034]    The diameter L 1  of the balls  45  is preferably about 50 to 87% of the inner diameter L 2  of the inner line  41  in order to allow effective collision between the gas and the balls  45 . It is preferable that the balls  45  are partially in contact with the silicon film  43  and are arranged such that they are not completely overlapped with each other in a gas flow direction (such that the central positions of the balls are misaligned). 
         [0035]    The following is description of an operation of the film forming apparatus  1 . Initially, the gate valve G opens, and the wafer W is transferred into the processing chamber by a transfer mechanism (not shown). The wafer W is mounted on the mounting table  12  via the elevation pins  14   a , and the transfer mechanism is retreated from the processing chamber  11 . Next, the gate valve G is closed, and the wafer W is heated to a predetermined temperature by the heater  13 . The processing chamber  11  is exhausted to a predetermined pressure level and, then, a SiH 4  gas is supplied at a predetermined flow rate to the wafer W. The SiH 4  gas is decomposed by heat on the surface of the wafer W, and silicon is deposited on the surface of the wafer W. As a consequence, a poly silicon film is formed. 
         [0036]    After a predetermined period of time elapses from the start of the supply of the SiH 4  gas, the supply of the SiH 4  gas is stopped, and the wafer W is unloaded from the film forming apparatus  1  by a transfer mechanism (not shown) in a reverse operation of the loading operation of the wafer into the film forming apparatus. 
         [0037]    Hereinafter, changes in the line will be described with the schematic diagram of  FIGS. 3A to 3D . After the wafer W is unloaded, temperature of the heater  44  of the energy supply unit  4  is raised to, e.g., about 150° C., and Cl 2  gas is supplied from the gas supply source  33  toward the downstream side of the gas supply line  31 . At this time, the Cl 2  gas is set to be maintained at a room temperature that is a temperature of a clean room where the film forming apparatus  1  is installed. As can be seen from  FIG. 3A , the Cl 2  gas reacts with Cr (chromium) and O (oxygen) contained in stainless steel forming the gas flow rate control kit  25  and the gas supply line  31  while passing through the passage formed by the flow rate control kit  25  and the gas supply line  31 , thereby generating CrO 2 Cl 2 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 4  shows a vapor pressure curve of CrO 2 Cl 2 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the vapor pressure of CrO 2 Cl 2  is relatively high. The pressure in the gas supply line  31  is, e.g., in the range from about 0 kPa to about 300 kPa, and CrO 2 Cl 2  is in a gaseous state under this pressure and at the temperature of the clean room. The generated CrO 2 Cl 2  flows in a gaseous state toward the downstream side of the gas supply line  31  together with Cl 2  gas, and then is introduced into the energy supply unit  4 . 
         [0039]    The CrO 2 Cl 2  gas introduced into the energy supply unit  4  flows through the downstream side of the line  41  while colliding with the balls  45 , as shown in  FIG. 3B . The collision energy generated from such collision and the heat energy generated by the heater  44  are applied to the CrO 2 Cl 2  gas, so that CrO 2 Cl 2  is reduced to CrCl 2  that is more stable, as shown in  FIG. 3C . As clearly can be seen from the vapor pressure curve of CrCl 2  in  FIG. 4 , the vapor pressure of CrCl 2  is lower than that of CrO 2 Cl 2 . Under the conditions of the temperature of the clean room and the pressure in the line, CrCl 2  obtained by reduction becomes solid particles in the passage of the inner line  41 . Since the balls  45  are porous bodies as described above, the CrCl 2  particles are trapped in the balls  45  to thereby prevent the flow of the CrCl 2  particles toward the downstream side. 
         [0040]    The Cl 2  gas containing the CrCl 2  particles which have passed through the group of balls  45  is introduced from the energy supply unit  4  into the filter  32  disposed at the downstream side. As shown in  FIG. 3D , the particles are trapped by the filter  32  and removed from the Cl 2  gas. The Cl 2  gas is supplied into the processing chamber  11  and reacts with Si adhered to the wall surface of the processing chamber  11  or the mounting table  12 . As a consequence, Si is removed. After a predetermined period of time elapses from the start of supply of the Cl 2  gas, the supply of the Cl 2  gas is stopped, and the temperature of the heater  44  is lowered. 
         [0041]    In the above description, Cr and O contained in the material forming the gas supply line  31  react with Cl 2  gas, thereby generating CrO 2 Cl 2 . The generated CrO 2 Cl 2  that is a ternary compound is reduced into CrCl 2 , and CrCl 2  is removed. However, even when the reaction with Cl 2  leads to generation of an unstable metal compound having a high vapor pressure other than CrO 2 Cl 2 , it can be converted into a stable metal compound having a low vapor pressure and removed as in the case of CrCl 2 . Although it is difficult to verify specific compound compositions and a conversion process thereof, there is such unstable metal compound having a high vapor pressure, e.g., one of binary compound containing halogen and metal. The circulation of a halogen-based gas in the line may lead to generation of this binary compound. By applying energy to this binary compound by the energy supply unit  4 , this binary compound can be converted into a stable binary compound having a low vapor pressure and then removed as in the case of CrCl 2 . At this time, the ratio of halogen and metal is different from the ratio thereof before the application of the energy. In addition, by applying energy on a ternary compound containing halogen, metal and oxygen as in the case of CrO 2 Cl 2 , the ternary compound can be converted into a solid binary compound containing metal and oxygen and having a lower vapor pressure and then removed as in the case of CrCl 2 . As can be seen from the test to be described later, Fe as well as Cr is found to be removed by the energy supply unit  4 . 
         [0042]    As described above, in the film forming apparatus  1 , the energy supply unit  4 , i.e., the stabilization reaction unit, including the heater  44  for supplying heat energy to a gaseous state metal compound generated by reaction with Cl 2  and the balls  45  for applying collision energy to the metal compound by collision therewith, is provided in the gas supply line  31  where Cl 2  gas as a cleaning gas for cleaning the processing chamber  11  flows. The metal compound to which the energy is applied is stabilized and trapped in a solid state by the group of balls  45 . This inhibits the supply of the metal compound to the processing chamber  11 , and the metal contamination of the interior of the processing chamber  11  and the wafer W can be prevented. Further, it is not required to perform processes which do not contribute to the fabrication of semiconductor devices, such as a process for processing a dummy wafer loaded into the processing chamber  11  after supplying Cl 2  gas into the processing chamber  11 , or a process for forming a film for preventing scattering of metal in the processing chamber before processing the wafer W. Hence, the throughput can be improved. 
         [0043]    Further, a filter  32  for trapping and removing a solid metal compound from Cl 2  gas is provided at the downstream side of the energy supply unit  4 . Therefore, the metal contamination of the interior of the processing chamber  11  and the wafer W can be reliably prevented. 
         [0044]    In the above example, the inner surface of the inner line  41  is covered with the silicon film  43 . However, an inner surface of a portion of the gas supply line  31  which is disposed at a downstream side of the energy supply unit  4  can also be covered with a silicon film. By allowing the energy supply unit  4  and the inner surface of the downstream line thereof to have high corrosion resistance to Cl 2  gas compared to the inner surface of the upstream line of the energy supply unit  4 , it is possible to prevent corrosion of the components and metal contamination of the interior of the processing chamber  11  and the wafer W. The inner surface of the line may be made of, instead of silicon, e.g., silica, diamond like carbon, alumina, fluorine resin or the like. 
         [0045]    Next, an example of the energy supply unit for supplying light energy instead of heat energy will be described. An energy supply unit  50  shown in  FIG. 5  includes an inner line  51  instead of the inner line  41 , and the inner line  51  is made of silicon so that it can transmit UV rays. In the energy supply unit  50 , the outer line  42  is provided with a UV lamp  52 , instead of the heater  44 . When the Cl 2  gas is supplied to the processing chamber  11 , UV rays are irradiated from the UV lamp  52  to the Cl 2  gas passing through the inner line  51 . Due to the energy from the UV rays, the above described unstable compound having a high vapor pressure which is contained in the Cl 2  gas is converted into a stable compound having a low vapor pressure. 
         [0046]      FIG. 6A  shows another example of the energy supply unit. The energy supply unit  53  carries a mesh-shaped member  54  made of, e.g., Pt (platinum) or Ni (nickel) between the balls  45 .  FIG. 6B  illustrates the mesh-shaped member  54  seen from the opening direction of the inner line  41 . The mesh-shaped member  54  serves as a catalyst that contacts a gas flowing in the line  41  and decreases activation energy required for converting a compound having a high vapor pressure which is contained in the gas into a compound having a low vapor pressure. Due to the heat energy from the heater  44  and the collision energy generated from the collision with the balls  45 , the compound having reduced activation energy is converted into a stable compound. By using the energy supply unit  53 , the above described conversion of the compound can be accomplished with a lower energy compared to that required in the case of using the energy supply unit  4 . Hence, the metal contamination of the processing chamber  11  and the wafer W can be more reliably prevented. 
         [0047]    In case of using a catalyst, a ball-shaped catalyst may fill the inner line  41  instead of a mesh-shaped catalyst.  FIG. 6C  shows an example of providing balls  55  made of Pt. In  FIG. 6C , the balls  55  are shaded by dots so that they can be distinguished from the balls  45 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 7  shows another embodiment of the film forming apparatus. Hereinafter, differences between the film forming apparatus  1  and the film forming apparatus  6  shown in  FIG. 7  will be described. In the film forming apparatus  6 , the gas exhaust line  15  is connected to the gas exhaust port  15   a  via an energy supply unit  60  having the same configuration as that of the energy supply unit  4 , i.e., the stabilization reaction unit. Further, an opening  61  is formed on a sidewall of the processing chamber  11 , and is connected to one end of the line  63  forming an auxiliary passage via the energy supply unit  62  having the same configuration as that of the energy supply unit  4 , i.e., the stabilization reaction unit. The other end of the line  63  is connected to a pressure sensor  64  as a sub-device for measuring a vacuum level in the processing chamber  11 . The gas exhaust line  15  and the line  63  are made of stainless steel as in the case of the line  31 . 
         [0049]    As described in the background of the invention, the gas may be diffused toward the upstream side, i.e., toward the processing chamber, along the pipe wall of the exhaust line  15  depending on the pressure of the gas exhaust line  15 . When the gas is diffused in the above manner, the supply of the metal forming the gas exhaust line  15  into the processing chamber  11  can be prevented by installing an energy supply unit  60 . In the line  63  as well as in the gas exhaust line  15 , the gas may be diffused toward the processing chamber  11  along the pipe wall thereof, or may be diffused from the pressure sensor  64  side toward the processing chamber  11  due to changes in the pressure in the processing chamber  11  during the processing of the wafer W. However, if the gas is diffused in the above manner, the supply of the metal forming the line  63  into the processing chamber  11  can be prevented by installing an energy supply unit  62 . In this film forming apparatus  6 , the filter  32  may be provided at the processing chamber  11  side when seen from the energy supply units  62  and  60 . Besides, the energy supply units  50  and  53  may be provided instead of the energy supply units  60  and  62 . 
         [0050]    In each of the energy supply units, i.e., the stabilization reaction units, the supply of heat energy or light energy and the trapping the compound by the balls  45  are performed in the same place in the supply line of the halogen-contained gas. However, the energy supply and the compound trapping may be performed at different places.  FIG. 8A  shows an example thereof. The energy supply unit  65  shown in  FIG. 8A  includes a line  66  made of quartz, and the line  66  is disposed in the line  31 . The UV lamp  52  supplies light energy to the gas passing through the passage of the line  66 . A filter  67  made of a mesh-shaped glass fiber is provided in the line  31  disposed at the downstream side of the line  66  so as to trap the solid metal compound. 
         [0051]    The obstacle for generating collision energy that applies to the gas is not limited to the balls  45 . As shown in  FIG. 8B , control plates  68  and  69  may be used to generate collision energy by their collisions with the gas. Through holes  68   a  and  69   a  are respectively formed in the control plates  68  and  69  which are disposed adjacent to each other such that the through holes  68   a  and  69   a  are not overlapped with each other in the gas flow direction. 
         [0052]    In the above example, the film forming apparatus having the energy supply unit  4  is used as the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus. However, the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus may also be an etching apparatus, an epitaxial wafer manufacturing apparatus for epitaxially growing a single crystalline layer on a surface of a silicon wafer or the like by supplying a gas thereonto, an LED manufacturing apparatus or the like. The energy supply unit  4  may also be provided in these apparatuses. Further, the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus described in the above includes an FPD (flat panel display) manufacturing apparatus, a solar cell manufacturing apparatus, and an organic EL manufacturing apparatus. The energy supply unit may also be provided in these apparatuses. The aforementioned various energy supply units, i.e., the stabilization reaction units, can also be applied to various processing apparatuses for processing an object to be processed by supplying a gas into the processing chamber, other than the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus. 
       TEST EXAMPLE 
     Test Example 1 
       [0053]    A gas line system  7  shown in  FIG. 9  was connected to the processing chamber  11 . The line in which the filter  32  and the energy supply unit  4  were disposed was formed by connecting a flexible line and a hard line. Reference numerals  71  and  72  in the drawings indicate connection portions of the lines. As for a line  73  between the connection portions  71  and  72 , there was used a new flexible line having an inner surface made of stainless steel that caused metal contamination. As for a line  74  between the connection portions  72  and the energy supply unit, there was used a new flexible line having an inner surface made of stainless steel. As for a line  75  between the filter  32  and the valve V 2 , there was used a flexible line having an inner surface made of silica coat. Lengths of the lines  73 ,  74  and  75  were about 30 cm, 30 cm, and 50 cm, respectively. The valve V 1  and the connection portions  71 , and the energy supply unit  4  and the filter  32  were connected by hard lines  76  and  77 , respectively. The inner surface of the line  76  was made of stainless steel. The inner of the line  77  was made of silica coat. Each of the lines was set to have a diameter of about ¼ inch (6.35 mm). The inner surfaces of the lines  75  and  77  were made of silica coat in order to prevent corrosion at the downstream side of the energy supply unit  4  as described above. Here, silica was used although the above-described materials capable of inhibiting corrosion other than silica could be used. 
         [0054]    After the line system  7  and the processing chamber  11  were connected, each of the lines was cleaned by purified water, and the heater  44  of the energy supply unit  4  was set to about 200° C. Thereafter, an N 2  gas cylinder was connected to the upstream side of the valve V 1 , and the N 2  gas was supplied into the processing chamber  11  via the line system  7  to purge (remove) the clean water. Then, the dry process was carried out. 
         [0055]    Next, the test apparatus was formed by separating the cylinder from the valve V 1  and then connecting thereto a gas supply system including an HBr gas supply source and an N 2  gas supply source. The indoor where the test apparatus was installed was set to a room temperature (22° C.). Due to this gas supply system, N 2  gas and HBr gas were able to be supplied into the processing chamber  11  via the line system  7 . In this gas supply system, a mass flow controller for controlling a flow rate of HBr gas supplied into the processing chamber  11  was provided at the downstream side of the HBr gas supply source. Further, a plurality of N 2  gas supply sources could have been provided to supply N 2  gas into the processing chamber  11  at different flow rates. 
         [0056]    In a state where the pressure of the processing chamber  11  was maintained at about 50 kPa, N 2  gas was supplied from the N 2  gas supply source at a flow rate of about 2.5 slm for about 50 minutes to purge contents of the processing chamber  11 . Thereafter, in a state where the pressure of the processing chamber  11  was maintained at about 50 kPa, HBr gas was supplied from the HBr gas supply source into the processing chamber  11  at a flow rate of about 200 sccm for about 25 minutes. At this time, the power of the heater  44  of the energy supply unit  4  was turned off. Thereafter, the temperature of the heater  44  was set to about 100° C., and HBr gas was supplied into the processing chamber  11  at a flow rate of about 200 sccm for about five minutes. Then, the temperature of the heater  44  was set to about 150° C., and HBr gas was supplied into the processing chamber  11  at a flow rate of about 200 sccm for about five minute. Then, the temperature of the heater  44  was set to about 170° C., and HBr gas was supplied into the processing chamber  11  at a flow rate of about 200 sccm for about one hour. Next, HBr gas was supplied into the processing chamber  11  at a flow rate of about 200 sccm for about 25 minutes while turning off the power of the heater  44 . 
         [0057]    Next, the passage of the mass flow controller for supplying HBr gas was open for five minutes, and N 2  gas was supplied at a flow rate of about 500 cc for about 10 minutes into the passage of the mass flow controller to purge the passage thereof. Further, N 2  gas was supplied to the processing chamber  11  at a flow rate of about 2500 cc per minute for about 35 minutes. Then, N 2  gas was supplied into the processing chamber  11  at a flow rate of about 500 cc per minute overnight to purge the processing chamber  11 . 
         [0058]    Next, as described in the above embodiment, the wafer W (referred to as a “wafer W 1 ” for convenience) was loaded into the processing chamber  11 , and the processing chamber  11  was exhausted to vacuum (the vacuum evacuation performed after the loading of the wafer W is referred to as a “step A”). Then, N 2  gas was supplied from the N 2  gas supply source at a flow rate of about 500 cc per minute into the processing chamber  11 . At this time, the power of the heater  44  was turned off, so that the heater  44  was maintained at the room temperature of about 22° C. In a state where the pressure in the processing chamber  11  was maintained at about 50 kPa, the gas supplied into the processing chamber  11  was gradually changed from N 2  gas to HBr gas for about 5 minutes. Then, HBr gas was supplied into the processing chamber  11  at a flow rate of about 100 sccm for one hour. 
         [0059]    Thereafter, the supply of HBr gas was stopped. Then, N 2  gas was supplied at a flow rate of about 2500 cc per minute from the N 2  gas supply source while maintaining the pressure of the processing chamber  11  to about 50 kPa in order to purge the processing chamber  11 . After the interior of the processing chamber  11  was changed from a vacuum atmosphere to an atmospheric atmosphere (referred to as a “step B”), the wafer W 1  was unloaded from the processing chamber  11 , and the amount of Fe and Cr adhered to the wafer W 1  was measured by the ICP mass analysis. 
       Test Example 2 
       [0060]    After the wafer W 1  was unloaded from the processing chamber  11  in the test example 1, another wafer W (referred to as a “wafer W 2 ” for convenience) was loaded during the supply of N 2  gas and then was subjected to the steps A and B of the test example 1. However, the temperature of the heater  44  was set to about 150° C. during the supply of HBr gas. After an atmosphere of the processing chamber  11  is converted in the step B, the wafer W 2  was unloaded from the processing chamber  11 , and the amount of Fe and Cu adhered to the wafer W 2  was measured by the ICP mass analysis. 
       Test Example 3 
       [0061]    The test was performed in the same sequence as that of the test example 1 by using the apparatus having the gas supply system and the gas line system  7  as in the test example 1. However, the filter  32  was not provided in the gas line system  7 . 
         [0062]    Hereinafter, differences from the test example 1 will be mainly described. After the apparatus was assembled, the interior of the processing chamber  11  was maintained at about 50 kPa while setting the temperature of the heater  44  to about 370° C. N 2  gas was supplied at a flow rate of about 500 cc per minute for 45 minutes from the N 2  gas supply source in order to purge the processing chamber  11 . Then, the temperature of the heater  44  was set to about 300° C., and the interior of the processing chamber  11  was maintained at about 50 kPa. N 2  gas was supplied at a flow rate of about 500 cc per minute for 15 minutes from the N 2  gas supply source to purge the processing chamber  11 . Thereafter, the wafer W (referred to as a “wafer W 3 ” for convenience) was loaded into the processing chamber  11 , and the interior of the processing chamber  11  was exhausted to vacuum. Next, the steps A and B were performed as in the test example 1. However, after supplying N 2  gas into the processing chamber  11  at a flow rate of about 500 per minute, the temperature of the heater  44  was set to be kept at about 300° C. until starting to supply HBr gas into the processing chamber  11 . Then, the wafer W 3  was unloaded from the processing chamber  11 , and the amount of Fe and Cr adhered to the wafer W 3  was measured by the ICP mass analysis. The heater  44  was cooled by turning off the power of the heater  44 . 
       Test Example 4 
       [0063]    After the wafer W 3  was unloaded from the processing chamber  11  in the test example 3, another wafer W (referred to as a “wafer W 4 ” for convenience) was loaded during the supply of N 2  gas and then was subjected to the steps A and B of the test example 1. However, the temperature of the heater  44  was set to about 35° C. during the supply of HBr gas. After an atmosphere of the processing chamber  11  was changed in the step B, the wafer W 4  was unloaded from the processing chamber  11 , and the amount of Fe and Cu adhered to the wafer W 4  was measured by the ICP mass analysis. 
       Comparative Example 1 
       [0064]    The test was performed in the same sequence as that of the test example 1. However, in the comparative example 1, the energy supply unit  4  was not provided in the gas line system  7 . 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Heater 
                   
                 Fe detection 
               
               
                   
                   
                 temperature 
                 Cr detection 
                 value 
               
               
                   
                   
                 of energy 
                 value 
                 (×1e 10   
               
               
                   
                 Filter 
                 supply unit 
                 (×1e 10  atoms/cm 2 ) 
                 atoms/cm 2 ) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Test 
                 ◯ 
                  22° C. 
                 Below detection 
                 0.38 
               
               
                 example 1 
                   
                   
                 limit 
               
               
                 Test 
                 ◯ 
                 150° C. 
                 Below detection 
                 0.38 
               
               
                 example 2 
                   
                   
                 limit 
               
               
                 Test 
                 X 
                 300° C. 
                 0.074 
                 2.20 
               
               
                 example 3 
               
               
                 Test 
                 X 
                  35° C. 
                 0.22 
                 0.82 
               
               
                 example 4 
               
               
                 Comparative 
                 ◯ 
                 X 
                 12 
                 55 
               
               
                 example 1 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0065]    The table  1  shows results of the test examples and the comparative example. The Cu detection limit of the ICP mass spectrometer was about 0.074×1e 10  atoms/cm 2 . In the test example 1, the Cu detection value was below the detection limit, and the Fe detection value was about 0.38×1e 10  atoms/cm 2 . In the comparative example, the Cr detection measurement and the Fe detection measurement were about 12×1e 10  atoms/cm 2  and about 55×1e 10  atoms/cm 2 , respectively. The detection measurements of Cr and Fe in the test example 1 are lower than those in the comparative example 1, so that the effect of the present invention has been proved. Further, this result shows that even if the heat energy of the heater  44  is not applied, the compound can be stabilized by the collision energy of the gas colliding with the balls and removed before it is supplied to the processing chamber  11 . In other words, although the stabilization reaction units  6 ,  60 ,  62  and  65 , each including an energy generator for supplying heat energy and light energy from outside, serve as energy supply units in the above description, the stabilization reaction unit for stabilizing a compound containing halogen and metal may not include an energy generator as long as an obstacle for generating collision energy is provided. The detection amounts of Cr and Fe in the test example 2 were smaller than those in the comparative example 1, thereby proving the effect of the present invention. 
         [0066]    The detection amounts of Cr and Fe in the test example 3 were smaller than those in the comparative example 1. This shows that even if the filter  32  is not provided, the compound containing Cr and Fe can be trapped by the balls  45  of the energy supply unit  4 , and the supply of the metal to the processing chamber  11  can be inhibited. As in the case of the test example 3, the detection amounts of Cr and Fe in the test example 4 were smaller than those in the comparative example 1. This also shows that the compound can be removed even if the filter  32  is not provided.