Patent Publication Number: US-2023135250-A1

Title: Semiconductor edge processing apparatus and methods

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a technical field of processing surfaces of semiconductor wafers or workpieces that are similar to the semiconductor wafers, and in particular, to apparatus and methods for processing edges of semiconductors. 
     BACKGROUND 
     During the semiconductor fabrication, semiconductor wafers are subjected to a series of processes to meet the demanding requirements of the semiconductor industries. In the advanced semiconductor manufacture, it is desirable to have the wafer edges that are uniform, smooth, damage-free, and polished. There are challenges to obtain an uniform and precisely etched wafer edge with the demanding requirements. 
       FIG.  1 A  illustrates a top view of a schematic diagram of a semiconductor wafer  100 . Semiconductor wafer  100  comprises a substrate  101  and a thin layer  102  deposited on the top of the substrate  101 .  FIG.  1 B  illustrates a cross-section view of semiconductor wafer  100  along a direction of A-A. The measurement points  1 - 8  are measuring positions related to the semiconductor wafer in the processing operations. The etched width refers to the difference between the radius of the substrate layer  101  and the thin layer  102 , as illustrated in  FIG.  1 B . The etched width shall be substantially the same at each of the measurement points  1 - 8 . The smaller the difference between the maximum and minimum etching widths, the higher the uniformity. For example, when the edged width is designed for 0.7 mm, a difference between a maximum etched width and a minimum etched width shall not be more than 0.1 mm, otherwise resulting in an un-even and/or a non-uniform etching width. The difference between the maximum etched width and the minimum etched width, if exceeding 0.1 mm, will directly affect the quality of subsequent processing operations and eventually may cause poor performance of integrated circuit chips, affecting chip manufacturing yield rates. 
     The wet processes of semiconductor wafer has the advantages of simple process mechanism, flexible application and low cost. There are several conventional wet process methods to etch the edge of semiconductor wafer. For example, a method of polishing the edge area of the semiconductor wafer has been adopted to wafer edge etching. It rotates the semiconductor wafer and utilizes physical friction and chemical gas or liquid erosion to remove a thin layer of materials from the substrate layer. The polishing method, however, is mainly used in the manufacturing process of semiconductor wafer with less accuracy requirement because it is prone to damage the retained thin layer as well as the substrate layer. The damaged edges may cause the thin layer edge peeling during thermal process of the wafer and eventually cause the wafer discarded. There is a method of sucking the semiconductor wafer with a vacuum disc. It uses a vacuum disc to suck the semiconductor wafer where most of the thin layer is designed to be retained within the disc, only the to-be-removed part of the thin layer exposing outside the vacuum disc, and then immerses the vacuum disc with the semiconductor wafer entirely in a chemical etching solution to etch away the exposed thin layer. The vacuum disc method, however, may results an unsmooth removal of the thin layer and uneven etched widths. Another commonly used method is the filming protection method, which uses pure chemical resistant materials such as PTFE, PE and other plastic films to attach to the top of the thin layer that needs to be retained, leaving the to-be-removed area uncovered, and then exposes the whole wafer to a chemically corrosive gas environment or soaks in a chemical etching solution to etch away the exposed area. The filming protection method often results uneven etching widths because the center of the pre-cut film may not be aligned with the center of the wafer substrate accurately. The filming protection method involved several processing steps and a variety of devices, including the devices for film attaching, wet etching, rinsing, and film removal. There is another new method which uses a special nozzle to precisely spray the chemical fluids on the edge of a rotating wafer to etch away the to-be-removed thin layer to achieve uniform, smooth and damage-free etching. The method can achieve higher etching effect, but it has extremely high requirements on the design of the equipment and processing accuracy of the components in harsh process condition, resulting in high costs of process and equipment. 
     Thus, it would be desirable to develop apparatus of processing the semiconductor wafer edges that take into account and overcome at least some of the issues discussed above, as well as other possible issues. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure is intended to provide an apparatus, system and method of processing semiconductor, so as to resolve the issues currently existing and to realize the accurate process of semiconductor wafer edges. 
     Exemplary implementations of the present disclosure are directed to an apparatus with a first channel to provide a first space to flow one or more chemical fluids for etching an edge area of a wafer and a protrusion part to align a center of the wafer with a center of the apparatus by resisting against the outer edge of wafer. 
     Exemplary implementations of the present disclosure are also directed to a system comprising the apparatus for processing the edge area of a wafer and a material storage apparatus. 
     Exemplary implementations of the present disclosure are further directed to a method comprising forming the first channel to flow one or more chemical fluids and using the protrusion part to contact an outer edge of a wafer so as to align the center of the wafer with a center of a supporting area. 
     The exemplary implementations of the present disclosure can be used in processing of wafers, including the semiconductor wafer, to etch the wafer edge surface evenly and precisely. 
     Exemplary implementations of this disclosure can provide multiple advantages over existing solutions. It can improve the accuracy and uniformity of etching edge surface of the wafer by using a protrusion part and can achieve a smooth surface of the substrate layer of wafer by selecting right chemical etching fluids, controlling the fluid flow rate and the time of contacting wafer edge, that facilitate the subsequent process operations of the wafer. It can save time and cost of the processing operations. It can process the wafer edge surface with more accuracy, including the accurate selection of an edge surface area to be treated and etched. 
     The present disclosure thus includes, without limitation, the following exemplary implementations. 
     Some exemplary implementations provide an apparatus, comprising a lower chamber having a first supporting area configured to support a wafer, and an upper chamber having a second supporting area. The upper chamber is engaged with the lower chamber to place the wafer between the first supporting area and the second supporting area. A first channel formed at a peripheral area of the first supporting area or the second supporting area. The first channel is configured to provide a first space to flow one or more chemical fluids for etching an edge area of the wafer. The upper chamber comprises a protrusion part being configured to resist against an edge of the wafer and to align a center axis of the wafer with a center axis of the second supporting area. 
     In some exemplary implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of the apparatus, the protrusion part is adjacent to the second supporting area and extends toward the lower chamber, the center axis of the wafer being perpendicular to an upper surface of the wafer, the center axis of the second supporting area being perpendicular to a lower surface of the upper chamber, and the upper surface of the wafer being parallel to the lower surface of the second supporting area. 
     In some exemplary implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of the apparatus, the protrusion part includes a closed loop arranged around the wafer, and the protrusion part is configured to uniformly resist against the edge area of the wafer so that the center axis of the wafer overlaps with the center axis of the second supporting area. 
     In some exemplary implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of the apparatus, the protrusion part includes a plurality of juts being circularly and evenly arranged around the outer edge of wafer to uniformly resist against the outer edge area of the wafer. 
     In some exemplary implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of the apparatus, the protrusion part includes an inner surface inclining at an angle to the center axis of the second supporting area, the inner surface being configured to resist against the outer edge area of the wafer. 
     In some exemplary implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of the apparatus, the protrusion part includes a corner facing towards the center axis of the second supporting area, the corner being configured to resist against the outer edge area of the wafer. 
     In some exemplary implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of the apparatus, a first groove is formed at a peripheral area of the lower chamber and configured to provide a first groove space to flow one or more chemical fluids, and wherein a passage is formed between the upper chamber and the lower chamber, the passage connecting the first space with the first groove space for facilitating the one or more chemical fluids flow from the first space to the first groove space via the passage. 
     In some exemplary implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of the apparatus, wherein a second groove is formed at a peripheral area of the upper chamber and positioned above the first groove. 
     In some exemplary implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of the apparatus, an elastic component is placed between the first groove and the second groove, the elastic component being configured to block the one or more chemical fluids from flowing from the first space to the first groove space. 
     In some exemplary implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of the apparatus, the elastic component is O-ring. 
     In some exemplary implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of the apparatus, the first channel is formed at the peripheral area of the second supporting area, and wherein the upper chamber comprises a first through hole configured to facilitate the one or more chemical fluids to flow between the first space and an outside of the apparatus. 
     In some exemplary implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of the apparatus, a second channel is formed at the peripheral area of the first supporting area and configured to provide a second space to flow the one or more chemical fluids for etching the edge area of the wafer. 
     In some exemplary implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of the apparatus, the lower chamber comprises a second through hole configured to facilitate the one or more chemical fluids to flow between the second space and the outside of the apparatus. 
     In some exemplary implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of the apparatus, the first channel is formed at or by the peripheral area of the first supporting area, and a first through hole is configured to facilitate the one or more chemical fluids to flow between the first space and an outside of the apparatus. 
     Some exemplary implementations provide a system comprising a processing apparatus and a material storage apparatus connected to the processing apparatus. The apparatus comprises a lower chamber having a first supporting area configured to support a wafer, an upper chamber having a second supporting area, and a first channel formed at or by a peripheral area of the first supporting area or the second supporting area. The upper chamber is engaged with the lower chamber to place the wafer between the first supporting area and the second supporting area. The first channel is configured to provide a first space to flow one or more chemical fluids for etching an edge area of the wafer. The upper chamber comprises a protrusion part being configured to resist against an edge of the wafer and to align a center axis of the wafer with a center axis of the second supporting area. The material storage apparatus is configured to store the one or more chemical fluids and provide or collect the one or more chemical fluids from the processing apparatus. 
     Some exemplary implementations provide a method comprising: placing a wafer on a first supporting area of a lower chamber of an apparatus, engaging an upper chamber of the apparatus with the lower chamber, using a protrusion part to resist against an edge of the wafer and to align a center axis of the wafer with a center axis of the second supporting area, placing the wafer between the first supporting area and a second supporting area, forming a first channel at a peripheral area of the first supporting area or the second supporting area which provides a first space, and injecting one or more chemical fluids into the first space for etching an edge area of the wafer. 
     These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description together with the accompanying figures, which are briefly described below. The present disclosure includes any combination of one or more features or elements set forth in this disclosure, regardless of whether such features or elements are expressly combined or otherwise recited in a specific example implementation described herein. This disclosure is intended to be read holistically such that any separable features or elements of the disclosure, in any of its aspects and exemplary implementations, should be viewed as combinable unless the context of the disclosure clearly dictates otherwise. 
     It will therefore be appreciated that this Summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing some exemplary implementations so as to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above described exemplary implementations are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the disclosure in any way. Other example implementations, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of some described exemplary implementations. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Having thus described exemplary implementations of the disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
         FIG.  1 A  illustrates a top view of a schematic diagram of a semiconductor wafer. 
         FIG.  1 B  illustrates a cross-section view of the semiconductor wafer along a direction A-A of  FIG.  1 A . 
         FIG.  2 A  illustrates a cross-section view of an exemplary apparatus  200 , according to exemplary implementations of the present disclosure 
         FIG.  2 B  illustrates a detailed view of a circle A shown in  FIG.  2 A , according to exemplary implementations of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2 C  illustrates a detailed view of a circle B shown in  FIG.  2 B , according to exemplary implementations of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2 D  illustrates a detailed view of a circle C shown in  FIG.  2 C , according to exemplary implementations of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2 E  illustrates a bottom view of an upper chamber  220  of exemplary apparatus  200  shown in  FIG.  2 A , according to exemplary implementations of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2 F  illustrates a top view of a lower chamber  210  of exemplary apparatus  200  shown in  FIG.  2 A , according to exemplary implementations of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3 A  illustrates a cross-section view of an exemplary apparatus  300 , according to exemplary implementations of the present disclosure 
         FIG.  3 B  illustrates a detailed view of a circle D shown in  FIG.  3 A . 
         FIG.  3 C  illustrates a detailed view of a circle D shown in  FIG.  3 A  with a jut  342 . 
         FIG.  3 D  illustrates a bottom view of an upper chamber  320  of exemplary apparatus  300  shown in  FIG.  3 A , according to exemplary implementations of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3 E  illustrates a top view of a lower chamber  310  of exemplary apparatus  300  shown in  FIG.  3 A , according to exemplary implementations of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4 A  illustrates a cross-section view of an exemplary apparatus  400 , according to exemplary implementations of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4 B  illustrates a detailed view of a circle E shown in  FIG.  4 A , according to exemplary implementations of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4 C  illustrates a detailed view of a circle F shown in  FIG.  4 B , according to exemplary implementations of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4 D  illustrates a bottom view of an upper chamber  420  of exemplary apparatus  400  shown in  FIG.  4 A , according to exemplary implementations of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4 E  illustrates a top view of a lower chamber  410  of exemplary apparatus  400  shown in  FIG.  4 A , according to exemplary implementations of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    illustrates an exemplary system  500  comprising a processing apparatus and a material storage apparatus, according to exemplary implementations of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    illustrates an exemplary method using an apparatus to process an edge area of a semiconductor wafer  100 , according to exemplary implementations of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Some implementations of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, in which some, but not all implementations of the disclosure are shown. Indeed, various implementations of the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the implementations set forth herein; rather, these exemplary implementations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. For example, unless otherwise indicated, reference to something as being a first, second or the like should not be construed to imply a particular order. Also, something may be described as being above something else (unless otherwise indicated) may instead be below, and vice versa; and similarly, something described as being to the left of something else may instead be to the right, and vice versa. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
       FIGS.  1 A through  1 B  illustrate a schematic diagram of a semiconductor wafer  100 .  FIG.  1 A  illustrates a top view of the schematic diagram of a semiconductor wafer  100 .  FIG.  1 B  illustrates a cross-section view of semiconductor wafer  100  along the direction A-A of  FIG.  1 A . As shown in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B , semiconductor wafer  100  includes a substrate layer  101  and a thin layer  102  deposited on the first side surface of substrate layer  101 , and substrate layer  101  can be partially covered by thin layer  102 . In another implementation, substrate layer  101  can be fully covered by thin layer  102 . In another implementation, both sides of surface of substrate layer  101  can be respectively covered by a thin layer  102 . 
     In some embodiments, in processing operations of the semiconductor wafer, thin layer  102  shall be removed from substrate layer  101 . For example, as shown in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B , a radius of thin layer  102  is smaller than a radius of substrate layer  101 , and an etched width refers to a difference between the two radii. Measurement points  1 - 8  are positions that measure related data of the semiconductor wafer, as illustrated in  FIG.  1 A . The etched width shall be substantially the same at each of the measurement points  1 - 8 . The smaller the difference between the maximum and minimum etch widths, the higher the uniformity will be. For example, when the edged width is designed for 0.7 mm, the difference between the maximum etched width and the minimum etched width shall not be more than 0.1 mm. In some embodiments, thin layers covering both sides of a surface of substrate layer  101  shall be partially or completely removed. The etched width for each side of the surface of substrate layer  101  can be the same or different. 
       FIGS.  2 A through  2 F  illustrate an exemplary apparatus  200 , according to exemplary implementations of the present disclosure.  FIG.  2 A  illustrates a cross-section view of exemplary apparatus  200 .  FIG.  2 B  illustrates a detailed view of a circle A shown in  FIG.  2 A .  FIG.  2 C  illustrates a simplified detailed view of a circle B shown in  FIG.  2 B  (omitting through holes).  FIG.  2 D  illustrates a detailed view of a circle C shown in  FIG.  2 C .  FIG.  2 E  illustrates a bottom view of an upper chamber  220  of exemplary apparatus  200  as shown in  FIG.  2 A .  FIG.  2 F  illustrates a top view of a lower chamber  210  of exemplary apparatus  200  as shown in  FIG.  2 A . 
     In one exemplary implementation, as shown in  FIGS.  1  through  2   , apparatus  200  comprises a lower chamber  210  having a first supporting area  212 . The first supporting area  212  may be configured to support a wafer  100 . For example, as shown in  FIG.  2 A , the first supporting area  212  may have an upper surface facing wafer  100 . Wafer  100  may be placed on the upper surface of the first supporting area  212 . In some implementations, apparatus  200  may comprise an upper chamber  220  having a second supporting area  222 . For example, as shown  FIG.  2 A , the second supporting area  222  may have a lower surface facing wafer  100 . Upper chamber  220  may be engaged with lower chamber  210  to place wafer  100  between the first supporting area  212  and the second supporting area  222 . For example, upper chamber  220  may move between two positions relative to lower chamber  210 . In the first position, wafer  100  can be loaded to and/or unloaded from the first supporting area  212 . In the second position, upper chamber  220  and lower chamber  210  are engaged with each other so that wafer  100  may be fixed by the upper surface of the first supporting area  212  and the lower surface of the second supporting area  222  and may be accommodated for processing, as shown in  FIG.  2 A . 
     In some implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of apparatus  200 , as shown in  FIGS.  2 A through  2 C , apparatus  200  may comprise a first channel  230  formed at or by a peripheral area of the first supporting area  212  or the second supporting area  222 . The first channel  230  may be configured to provide a first space  232  to flow one or more chemical fluids for etching an edge area of wafer  100 . For example, as shown in  FIGS.  2 A through  2 C , the first channel  230  may be formed at the peripheral area of the second supporting area  222  in upper chamber  220 . The first channel  230  may be further formed on a lower surface of upper chamber  220 , and an opening of the first channel  230  may face wafer  100 . In one implementation, the first channel  230  may be configured to provide a first space  232 , in which one or more chemical fluids may flow to etch the edge area of wafer  100 . For example, as shown in  FIGS.  2 A through  2 C , the first space  232  may be formed by an internal surface of the first channel  230  and wafer  100 . In one implementation, the first channel  230  may be annular and around the edge area of wafer  100 . The entire edge area of wafer  100  may be accommodated into the first space  232 . In another implementation, the first channel  230  may be arranged as an arc with a radian less than 360 degrees, and an edge area of wafer  100  may be selectively accommodated into the first space  232 . Then, the one or more chemical fluids may etch part of the edge area of the wafer in accordance with the arc of the first channel  230 . 
     In some implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of apparatus  200 , as shown in  FIGS.  2 A through  2 C , upper chamber  220  may comprise a protrusion part  240  configured to resist against an edge of wafer  100 . For example, the protrusion part may directly contact an edge of wafer  100 , and further resist against the edge of wafer  100 . In some implementations, as shown in  FIG.  2 A , a center axis X-X of wafer  100  may be perpendicular to an upper surface of wafer  100 . A center axis X′-X′ of the second supporting area  222  may be perpendicular to a lower surface of the second supporting area  222 . Protrusion part  240  may be configured to align the center axis X-X of wafer  100  with the center axis X′-X′ of the second supporting area  222 . For example, when upper chamber  220  is located in a first position, wafer  100  is loaded onto the first supporting area  212 . The center axis X-X of wafer  100  may not be aligned to the center axis X′-X′ of a second supporting area  222 . During the course that upper chamber  220  moves from a first position to a second position, protrusion part  240  may contact an edge of wafer  100 , and then may resist against an edge of wafer  100 , pushing wafer  100  to move on an upper surface of the first supporting area  212 . When upper chamber  220  is located in the second position, the wafer may be fixed on the upper surface of the first supporting area  212  and the center axis X-X of wafer  100  may be parallel to the center axis X′-X′ of the second supporting area  222 . In another implementation, the center axis X-X of wafer  100  may overlap the center axis X′-X′ of the second supporting area  222 . 
     In some implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of apparatus  200 , protrusion part  240  may be adjacent to the second supporting area  222  and extend toward lower chamber  210 . For example, as shown in FIGS.  2 A and  2 B, protrusion part  240  may be connected to the second supporting area  222 . Protrusion part  240  may extend toward lower chamber  210  where upper chamber  220  is located in a second position. In one implementation, protrusion part  240  may be formed next to the first channel  230 , as shown in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B . In some implementations, as shown in  FIG.  2 A , the center axis X-X of wafer  100  may be perpendicular to an upper surface of wafer  100  and the center axis X′-X′ of the second supporting area  222  may be perpendicular to a lower surface of upper chamber  220 . The upper surface of wafer  100  may be parallel to the lower surface of the second supporting area. In one implementation, when the upper chamber is located in the second position, the upper surface of wafer  100  may overlap the lower surface of the second supporting area  222  and the center axis X-X of wafer  100  may overlap the center axis X′-X′ of the second supporting area  222 . 
     In some implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of the apparatus  200 , protrusion part  240  may include a closed loop arranged around wafer  100 . For example, as shown in  FIG.  2 A , protrusion part  240  includes a closed loop. The closed loop may be annular and around the entire edge area of wafer  100 . Protrusion part  240  therefore may uniformly resist against the edge area of wafer  100  so that the center axis X-X of wafer  100  overlaps with the center axis X′-X′ of the second supporting area  222 . In some implementations, the closed loop may include an arc with a radian less than 360 degrees, and the edge area of wafer  100  may be selectively resisted by protrusion part  240  so that the center axis X-X of wafer  100  aligns and/or overlaps with the center axis X′-X′ of the second supporting area  222 . In some implementation, protrusion part  240  may include an open loop. 
     In some implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of apparatus  200 , protrusion part  240  includes an inner corner facing towards the center axis X′-X′ of the second supporting area  222 . For example, as shown in  FIG.  2 C , protrusion part  240  may comprise an inner surface  242  inclining at an angle α to a first reference direction Y-Y. The first reference direction Y-Y may be parallel to a lower surface of the second supporting area  222 . The angle α may be within a range of 20°-90°. The inner corner may be formed by inner surface  242  and an inner surface of the first channel  230  and may face towards the center axis X′-X′ of the second supporting area  222 , as shown in  FIGS.  2 B and  2 C . In one implementation, the inner corner may be configured to resist against an edge area of wafer  100 . For examples, as shown in  FIG.  2 B , during the course that upper chamber  220  moves from a first position to a second position, an inner corner of protrusion part  240  may contact an edge area of wafer  100 , and then may resist against an edge of wafer  100 , pushing wafer  100  to move. When upper chamber  220  is located in the second position, the wafer may be fixed and the center axis X-X of wafer  100  may be parallel to the center axis X′-X′ of the second supporting area  222 . In another implementation, the center axis X-X of wafer  100  may overlap the center axis X′-X′ of the second supporting area  222 . 
     In some implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of apparatus  200 , a first groove  250  may be formed at or by a peripheral area  214  of lower chamber  210  and configured to provide a first groove space  252  to flow one or more chemical fluids. For example, as shown in  FIGS.  2 A,  2 B and  2 F , the first groove  250  may be formed at peripheral area  214  of lower chamber  210 , and positioned close to the first supporting area  212  of lower chamber  210 . The first groove  250  may provide a first groove space  252  and the one or more chemical fluids can flow from the first space  232  of the first channel  230  to the first groove space  252 . 
     In some implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of apparatus  200 , a passage  260  may be formed between upper chamber  220  and lower chamber  210 . For example, as shown in  FIGS.  2 B and  2 F , lower chamber  210  may comprise a first upper surface  262  between the first supporting area  212  and the first groove  250 . Passage  260  may be formed between the first upper surface  262  of lower chamber  210  and inner surface  242  of protrusion part  240 . Passage  260  may connect the first space  232  with the first groove space  252  for facilitating the one or more chemical fluids to flow from the first space  232  to the first groove space  252  via passage  260 . In one embodiment, passage  260  may be blocked by protrusion part  240  from flowing the one or more chemical fluids from the first space  232  to the first groove space  252 . In another implementation, passage  260  may be blocked by the first supporting area  210  from flowing the one or more chemical fluids from the first space  232  to the first groove space  252 . 
     In some implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of apparatus  200 , a first channel  230  may be formed at a peripheral area of the second supporting area  222 , as shown in  FIGS.  2 A through  2 C . Upper chamber  220  may further comprise a first through hole  270  configured to facilitate the one or more chemical fluids to flow between a first space  232  and an outside of apparatus  200 . For example, the first through hole  270  may pass through upper chamber  220  from an outside of apparatus  200  to communicate with the first space  232 . In one implementation, the one or more chemical fluids may flow between the first space  232  and an outside of apparatus  200  via the first through hole  270 . In another implementation, upper chamber  220  may further comprise two or more first through holes (e.g., a secondary first through hole  272 , as shown in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 E ) which may be substantially the same as the first through hole  270 . In this implementation, at least one first through hole (e.g., the first through hole  270 ) may be configured to serve as an inlet and the rest first through hole(s) (e.g., the secondary first through hole  272 ) may be configured to serve as an outlet. The first space  232  may connect to an outside of apparatus  200  via the first through hole  270  and the secondary first through hole  272 . In this implementation, the one or more chemical fluids may flow into the first space  232  of the first channel  230  from the outside of apparatus  200  via the first through hole  270 , and flow out of the first space  232  to the outside of apparatus  200  via the secondary first through hole  272 . 
     In some implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of apparatus  200 , a second channel  280  may be formed at or by a peripheral area of the first supporting area  212  and configured to provide a second space  282  to flow one or more chemical fluids for etching an edge area of wafer  100 . For example, as shown in  FIGS.  2 A through  2 C , a second channel  280  may be formed at a peripheral area of the first supporting area  212  in lower chamber  210 . The second channel  280  may be further formed on an upper surface of lower chamber  210 , and an opening of the second channel  280  may face toward wafer  100 , as shown in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 F . In one implementation, the second channel  280  may be configured to provide a second space  282 , in which the one or more chemical fluids may flow to etch an edge area of wafer  100 . For example, as shown in  FIGS.  2 A through  2 C , a second space may be formed by an internal surface of the second channel  280  and wafer  100 . In one implementation, the second channel  280  may be annular and around an edge area of wafer  100 . The entire edge area of wafer  100  may be accommodated into the second space  282 . In another implementation, the second channel  280  may be arranged as an arc with a radian less than 360 degrees, and the edge area of wafer  100  may be selectively accommodated into the second space  282 . Then, the one or more chemical fluids may etch a part of the edge area of the wafer in accordance with the arc of the second channel  280 . In some implementations, the second channel  280  may be arranged in a shape identical to the first channel  230 . In some implementations, the second channel  280  may be arranged close to the first upper surface  262  between the first supporting area  212  and the first groove  250 . A passage  260  may be formed between the first upper surface  262  of lower chamber  210  and inner surface  242  of upper chamber  220 . Passage  260  may connect the second space  282  with the first groove space  252  for facilitating the one or more chemical fluids to flow from the second space  282  to the first groove space  252  via passage  260 . In one embodiment, passage  260  may be blocked by protrusion part  240  from flowing the one or more chemical fluids from the second space  282  to the first groove space  252 . In another implementation, passage  260  may be blocked by the first supporting area  210  from flowing the one or more chemical fluids from the second space  282  to the first groove space  252 . 
     In some implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of apparatus  200 , lower chamber  210  may comprise a second through hole  290  configured to facilitate one or more chemical fluids to flow between a second space  282  and an outside of apparatus  200 . For example, as shown in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , the second through hole  290  may pass through lower chamber  210  from an outside of apparatus  200  to communicate with the second space  282  of the second channel  280 . In one implementation, the one or more chemical fluids may flow between the second space  282  and the outside of apparatus  200  via the second through hole  290 . In another implementation, the one or more chemical fluids may flow from the outside of apparatus  200  to the second space  282  of the second channel  280  via the second through hole  290 , and then flow from the second space  282  of the second channel  280  to the first groove space  252  of the first groove  250  via passage  260 . In some implementations, lower chamber  210  may further comprise one or more second through holes (e.g., a secondary second through hole  292 , as shown in  FIG.  2 A ) which may be substantially the same as the second through hole  290 . In this implementation, at least one second through hole (e.g., a second through hole  290 ) may be configured to serve as an inlet and the rest second through hole(s) (e.g., secondary second through hole(s)  292 ) may be configured to serve as an outlet. The second space  282  may connect to an outside of apparatus  200  via the second through hole  290  and the secondary second through hole  292 . In one implementation, the one or more materials may flow into the second space  282  of the second channel  280  from the outside of apparatus  200  via the second through hole  290 , and flow out of the second space  282  to the outside of apparatus  200  via the secondary second through hole  292 . In another implementation, the one or more materials may flow into the second space  282  of the second channel  280  from the outside of apparatus  200  via the second through hole  290  and the secondary second through hole  292 , and then flow from the second space  282  of the second channel  280  to the first groove space  252  of the first groove  250  via passage  260 . 
       FIGS.  3 A through  3 E  illustrate an exemplary apparatus  300 , according to exemplary implementations of the present disclosure.  FIG.  3 A  illustrates a cross-section view of exemplary apparatus  300 .  FIG.  3 B  is a detailed view of a circle D shown in  FIG.  3 A .  FIG.  3 C  is a detailed view of the cross section of exemplary apparatus  300  where a protrusion part is located.  FIG.  3 D  is a bottom view of an upper chamber  320  of exemplary apparatus  300  shown in  FIG.  3 A .  FIG.  3 E  is a top view of a lower chamber  310  of exemplary apparatus  300  shown in  FIG.  3 A . 
     In one exemplary implementation, as shown in  FIGS.  3 A through  3 E , apparatus  300  may comprise a lower chamber  310  having a first supporting area  312 . Lower chamber  310  and the first supporting area  312  may respectively be referred to a lower chamber  210  and a first supporting area  212  as described above with reference to  FIGS.  2 A through  2 F . Apparatus  300  may comprise an upper chamber  320  having a second supporting area  322 . Upper chamber  320  and the second supporting area  322  may respectively be referred to an upper chamber  220  and a second supporting area  222  as described above with reference to  FIGS.  2 A through  2 F . Upper chamber  320  may engaged with lower chamber  310  to place a wafer  100  between the first supporting area  312  and the second supporting area  322 , as described above. Apparatus  300  may comprise a first channel  330  formed at or by a peripheral area of the first supporting area  312  or the second supporting area  322 . The first channel  330  may be referred to a first channel  230  as described above with reference to  FIGS.  2 A through  2 F . For example, the first channel  330  may be formed at the peripheral area of the second supporting area  322  in upper chamber  320  and configured to provide a first space  332  to flow one or more chemical fluids for etching an edge area of wafer  100 . The first space  332  may be referred to a first space  232  as described above with reference to  FIGS.  2 A through  2 F . In some implementations, the first space  332  of the first channel  330  may also be formed by an internal surface of the first channel  330 , lower chamber  310 , and wafer  100 . An entire or a partial edge area of wafer  100  may be accommodated into the first space  332  of the first channel  330 , and the one or more chemical fluids can contact and etch the edge area of wafer  100 . 
     In some implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of apparatus  300 , as shown in  FIGS.  3 A through  3 D , upper chamber  320  may comprise a protrusion part  340  configured to resist against an edge of wafer  100  and to align a center axis X-X of wafer  100  with a center axis X′-X′ of a second supporting area  322 . Protrusion part  340  may be referred to a protrusion part  240  as described above with reference to  FIGS.  2 A through  2 E . In some implementations, protrusion part  340  may include a plurality of juts  342  being circularly and evenly arranged around wafer  100  to uniformly resist against an edge area of wafer  100 . Each of the plurality of juts  342  may extend from protrusion part  340  into a first space  332  of the first channel  330 . For example, as shown in  FIGS.  3 C and  3 D , protrusion part  340  comprises four juts (e.g., juts  342   a  through  342   d ). Each of the plurality of juts  342  may comprise an inner surface  344  inclining at an angle β to a reference direction Y-Y. A range of angle β may be within 20°-90°. The inner surface may face toward to an edge of wafer  100 . The reference direction Y-Y may be parallel to an upper surface of wafer  100 , or perpendicular to the center axis X′-X′ of the second supporting area  322 . For example, as shown in  FIG.  3 C , jut  342   a  comprises an inner surface  344   a,  inclining at angle β to the reference direction Y-Y. Inner surface  344   a  may be arranged to resist against an edge of wafer  100  and push wafer  100  to move for aligning the center axis X-X of wafer  100  with the center axis X′-X′ of the second supporting area  322 . Protrusion  340  may include a plurality of juts  342 . In some implementations, protrusion  340  may include six juts  342 . In some implementations, protrusion  340  may include eights juts  342 . In some implementations, protrusion  340  may include twelve juts  342 . 
     In some implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of apparatus  300 , as shown in  FIGS.  3 A through  3 C , a first groove  350  may be formed at a peripheral area  314  of lower chamber  310  and configured to provide a first groove space  352  to flow one or more chemical fluids. The first groove  350 , peripheral area  314  of lower chamber  310 , and the first groove space  352  of the first groove  350  may respectively be referred to a first groove  250 , a peripheral area  214  of a lower chamber  220 , and a first groove space  252  of a first groove  250 , respectively, as described above with reference to  FIGS.  2 A through  2 F . In some implementations, a passage  360  may be formed between upper chamber  320  and lower chamber  310 , connecting the first space  332  with the first groove space  352  for facilitating the one or more chemical fluids to flow from the first space  332  to the first groove space  352  via a passage  360 . Passage  360  may be referred to a passage  260  as described above with reference to  FIGS.  2 A through  2 F . In some implementations, passage  360  may be formed between protrusion part  340  and a first upper surface  362  of lower chamber  310 . The first upper surface  362  may be adjacent to the first supporting area  312  and positioned between the first supporting area  312  and the first groove  350 , as shown in  FIGS.  3 A through  3 C and  3 E . 
     In some implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of apparatus  300 , upper chamber  320  may further comprise a first through hole  370  configured to facilitate one or more chemical fluids to flow between the first space  332  and an outside of apparatus  300 , as shown in  FIGS.  3 A,  3 B, and  3 D . The first through hole  370  may be referred to a first through hole  270  as described above with reference to  FIGS.  2 A through  2 E . In some implementations, upper chamber  320  may further comprise one or more first through holes (e.g., a secondary first through hole  372 , as shown in  FIGS.  3 A and  3 D ), which may be substantially the same as the first through hole  370 . An arrangement of the one or more first through holes may be referred to an arrangement of the one or more first through holes as described above with reference to  FIGS.  2 A and  2 E . 
     In some implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of apparatus  300 , as shown in  FIGS.  3 A,  3 B, and  3 E , lower chamber  310  may comprise a second through hole  380  configured to facilitate one or more chemical fluids to flow between a first space  332  and an outside of apparatus  300 , as shown in  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B . The second through hole  380  may pass through lower chamber  310  from an outside of apparatus  300  to communicate with a first space  332  of the first channel  330 . In some implementations, the one or more chemical fluids may flow from an outside of apparatus  300  to the first space  332  via a second through hole  380  and then flow from the first space  332  to a first groove space  352  of the first groove  350  via a passage  360 . In some implementations, the one or more chemical fluids may flow from an outside of apparatus  300  to the first space  332  of the first channel  330  via a first through hole  370 , and then flow from the first space  332  to the first groove space  352  via passage  360  and to the outside of apparatus  300  via the second through hole  380 . 
     In some implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of apparatus  300 , a second groove  390  may be formed at or by a peripheral area  324  of upper chamber  320  and positioned above the first groove  350 . For example, as shown in  FIGS.  3 A through  3 D , the second groove  390  may be formed at a peripheral area  324  of upper chamber  320 , and be close to a protrusion part  340 . The second groove  390  may provide a second groove space to flow chemical fluids. An opening of the second groove  390  may face to lower chamber  310 . The second groove  390  may be positioned above the first groove  350  such that the first groove space  352  of the first groove  350  may communicate with a second groove space of the second groove  390 . The second groove  390  may be arranged in the same way as the first groove  350 . For one example, the first groove  350  and the second groove  390  may be annual, as shown in  FIGS.  3 D and  3 E . For another example, the first groove  350  and the second groove  390  may respectively be arranged as an arc with a radian less than 360 degrees. 
     In some implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of apparatus  300 , an elastic component  392  may be placed between the first groove  350  and the second groove  390 , as shown in  FIGS.  3 A through  3 C . In some implementations, elastic component  392  may be placed in the first groove space  352  or in the second groove space. In some implementations, elastic component  392  may be placed in the first groove space  352  and the second groove space. In some implementations, elastic component  392  may be configured to block the one or more chemical fluids from flowing from the first space  332  to the first groove space  352 . For example, a width of elastic component  392  may be wider than a width of the first groove  350  and a width of the second groove  390 , as shown in  FIGS.  3 A through  3 C . An inner surface of the first groove  350  and/or an inner surface of the second groove  390  may resist against elastic component  392 . The one or more chemical fluids there may be blocked from flowing from the first space  332  to the first groove space  352 . 
     In some implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of apparatus  300 , elastic component  392  may be an O-ring. 
       FIGS.  4 A through  4 E  illustrate an exemplary apparatus  400 , according to exemplary implementations of the present disclosure.  FIG.  4 A  illustrates a cross-section view of exemplary apparatus  400 .  FIG.  4 B  illustrates a detailed view of a circle E shown in  FIG.  4 A .  FIG.  4 C  illustrates a detailed view of a circle F shown in  FIG.  4 B .  FIG.  4 D  illustrates a bottom view of an upper chamber  420  of exemplary apparatus  400  shown in  FIG.  4 A .  FIG.  4 E  illustrates a top view of a lower chamber  410  of exemplary apparatus  400  shown in  FIG.  4 A . 
     In one exemplary implementation, as shown in  FIGS.  4 A- 4 E , apparatus  400  may comprise a lower chamber  410  having a first supporting area  412 . Lower chamber  410  and the first supporting area  412  may respectively be referred to a lower chamber  210  and a first supporting area  212  as described above reference to  FIGS.  2 A through  2 F . Apparatus  400  may comprise an upper chamber  420  having a second supporting area  422 . Upper chamber  420  and the second supporting area  422  may respectively be referred to an upper chamber  220  and a second supporting area  222  as described above with reference to  FIGS.  2 A  through  2 F. Apparatus  400  may comprise a first channel  430  formed at or by a peripheral area of the first supporting area  412 . The first channel  430  may be referred to a first channel  230  as described above with reference to  FIGS.  2 A through  2 F . For example, as shown in  FIGS.  4 A through  4 C and  4 E , the first channel  430  may be formed at a peripheral area of the first supporting area  412  in lower chamber  420  and configured to provide a first space  432  to flow one or more chemical fluids for etching an edge area of wafer  100 . The first space  432  of the first channel  430  may also be formed by an internal surface of the first channel  430  and wafer  100 . An entire or a partial edge area of wafer  100  may be accommodated into the first space  432  of the first channel  430 , and the one or more chemical fluids can contact and etch an edge area of wafer  100 . 
     In some implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of apparatus  400 , as shown in  FIGS.  4 A through  4 D , upper chamber  420  may comprise a protrusion part  440  configured to resist against an edge of wafer  100  and to align a center axis X-X of wafer  100  with a center axis X′-X′ of the second supporting area  422 . Protrusion part  440  may be referred to a protrusion part  240  as described above with reference to  FIGS.  2 A through  2 E . In some implementations, protrusion part  440  may be positioned adjacent to a lower surface  424  of the second supporting area  422 , facing toward lower chamber  410 . In some implementations, protrusion part  440  may include a plurality of juts being circularly and evenly arranged around wafer  100  to uniformly resist against an edge area of wafer  100 . The juts may be referred to juts  342  as described above with reference to  FIGS.  3 A through  3 D . 
     In some implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of apparatus  400 , protrusion part  440  may include an inner surface  442  inclining at an angle to the center axis X′-X′ of the second supporting area  442 , and inner surface  442  may be configured to resist against an edge area of wafer  100 . For example, as shown in  FIG.  4 A through  4 D , the inner surface  442  may face toward wafer  100  and contact an edge of wafer  100 . The inner surface  442  may be inclined at angle γ to a reference axis Z-Z. A range of angle γ may be within 20°-90°. The reference axis Z-Z may be parallel to the center axis X′-X′ of the second supporting area  442 . In some implementations, inner surface  442  of protrusion part  440  may contact and resist against an edge of wafer  100 , and therefore may align the center axis X-X of wafer  100  with the center axis X′-X′ of the second supporting area  422 . In some implementation, inner surface  442  of protrusion part  440  may push wafer  100  to move and arrange the center axis X-X of wafer  100  to overlap the center axis X′-X′ of the second supporting area  422 . 
     In some implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of apparatus  400 , as shown in  FIGS.  4 A , through  4 C and  4 E, a first groove  450  may be formed at or by a peripheral area  414  of lower chamber  410  and configured to provide a first groove space  452  to flow one or more chemical fluids. The first groove  450 , peripheral area  414  of lower chamber  410 , and the first groove space  452  of the first groove  450  may respectively be referred to a first groove  250 , a peripheral area  214  of lower chamber  220 , and a first groove space  252  of the first groove  250  as described above with reference to  FIGS.  2 A- 2 F . In some implementations, a passage  460  may be formed between upper chamber  420  and lower chamber  410 , connecting the first space  432  with the first groove space  452  for facilitating the one or more chemical fluids flow from the first space  432  to the first groove space  452  via passage  460 . Passage  460  may be referred to a passage  260  as describe above with reference to  FIGS.  2 A- 2 D . In some implementations, passage  460  may be formed between wafer  100  and a first upper surface  462  of lower chamber  410 , as shown in  FIG.  4 C . The first upper surface  462  may be located between the first channel  430  and the first groove  450 , as shown in  FIGS.  4 C and  4 E . 
     In some implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of apparatus  400 , as shown in  FIGS.  4 A through  4 C and  4 E , lower chamber  420  may further comprise a first through hole  470  configured to facilitate the one or more chemical fluids to flow between the first space  432  and an outside of apparatus  400 . The first through hole  470  may be referred to a first through hole  270  as described above with reference to  FIGS.  2 A- 2 E . In some implementations, lower chamber  420  may further comprise one or more first through holes (e.g., a secondary first through hole  472 , as shown in  FIGS.  4 A and  4 E ) which may be substantially the same as the first through hole  470 . An arrangement of the one or more first through holes may be referred to an arrangement of the one or more first through holes as described above with reference to  FIGS.  2 A and  2 E . 
     In some implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of apparatus  400 , as shown in  FIGS.  4 A,  4 B, and  4 E , a second channel  480  may be formed at a peripheral area of the first supporting area  412  and configured to provide a second space  482  to flow the one or more chemical fluids for etching an edge area of wafer  100 . The second channel  480  may be referred to a second channel  280  as described above with reference to  FIGS.  2 B,  2 C, and  2 F . In some implementations, the first channel  430  and the second channel  480  may be connected by a passway  484  for facilitating the one or more chemical fluids flow between the first space  432  of the first channel  430  and the second space  482  of the second channel  480  via passway  484 . For example, as shown in  FIGS.  4 B and  4 C , passway  484  may be formed by wafer  100  and the first supporting area  412  of lower chamber  410 , connecting the first channel  430 , and the second channel  480 . The one or more chemical fluids may flow between the first space  432  and the second space  482  via a passway  484 . In some implementations, the one or more chemical fluids may flow from the second space  482  to the first groove space  452  by going through passway  484 , the first space  432 , and passage  460 . 
     In some implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of apparatus  400 , as shown in  FIGS.  4 A,  4 B and  4 E , lower chamber  410  may comprise a second through hole  490  configured to facilitate the one or more chemical fluids to flow between the second space  482  and an outside of apparatus  400 . The second through hole  490  may be referred to a second through hole  290  as described above with reference to  FIGS.  2 A- 2 C . In some implementations, lower chamber  410  may further comprise one or more second through holes (e.g., a secondary second through hole  492 , as shown in  FIGS.  4 A and  4 E ) which may be substantially the same as the second through hole  490 . An arrangement of the one or more second through holes may be referred to an arrangement of the one or more second through holes as described above with reference to  FIG.  2 A . 
       FIG.  5    illustrates an exemplary system  500  comprising a processing apparatus  510  and a material storage apparatus  520 , according to exemplary implementations of the present disclosure. Processing apparatus  510  may be referred to one of apparatus  200 , apparatus  300 , and apparatus  400  as described above with reference to  FIGS.  2 A- 2 F,  3 A- 3 E, and  4 A- 4 E . For example, processing apparatus  510  may comprise a lower chamber having a first supporting area configured to support a wafer; an upper chamber having a second supporting area, and the upper chamber being engaged with the lower chamber to place the wafer between the first supporting area and the second supporting area; and a first channel formed at a peripheral area of the first supporting area or the second supporting area, the first channel being configured to provide a first space to flow one or more chemical fluids for etching an edge area of the wafer. In some implementations, the upper chamber comprises a protrusion part being configured to resist against an edge of the wafer and to align a center axis of the wafer with a center axis of the second supporting area. Material storage apparatus  520  may be connected to processing apparatus  510 . Material storage apparatus  520  may be configured to store the one or more chemical fluids and transfer the one or more chemical fluids between processing apparatus  510  and material storage apparatus  520 . In some implementations, the one or more chemical fluids may be selected from H3PO4, HF, HCl, HNO3, H2O2, or any combination thereof. 
     In some implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of system  500 , the protrusion part may be adjacent to the second supporting area and extend toward the lower chamber. The center axis of the wafer may be perpendicular to an upper surface of the wafer, the center axis of the second supporting area being perpendicular to a lower surface of the upper chamber, and the upper surface of the wafer being parallel to the lower surface of the second supporting area. In some implementations, the protrusion part may include a closed loop arranged around the wafer, and the protrusion part is configured to uniformly resist against an edge area of the wafer so that the center axis of the protrusion part overlaps with the center axis of the second supporting area. 
     In some implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of system  500 , the protrusion part may be adjacent to the second supporting area and extend toward the lower chamber. The center axis of the wafer may be perpendicular to an upper surface of the wafer, the center axis of the second supporting area being perpendicular to a lower surface of the upper chamber, and the upper surface of the wafer being parallel to the lower surface of the second supporting area. In some implementations, the protrusion part may include a plurality of juts being circularly arranged around the wafer to uniformly resist against the edge area of the wafer. 
     In some implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of system  500 , a first groove may be formed at a peripheral area of the lower chamber and configured to provide a first groove space to flow one or more chemical fluids. In some implementations, a passage may be formed between the upper chamber and the lower chamber, connecting the first space with the first groove space for facilitating the one or more chemical fluids to flow from the first space to the first groove space via the passage. In some implementations, a second groove may be formed at a peripheral area of the upper chamber and positioned above the first groove. In some implementations, an elastic component may be placed between the first groove and the second groove for blocking the one or more chemical fluids from flowing from the first space to the first groove space. 
     In some implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of system  500 , system  500  may comprise a control apparatus  530 . Control apparatus  530  may communicate and control processing apparatus  510  and material storage apparatus  520 . For example, control apparatus  530  can control a move of the upper chamber between a first position of loading/unloading the wafer and a second position of engaging the upper chamber and the lower chamber to process the wafer, the speed of the flow of the one or more chemical fluids, and the direction of the flow of the one or more chemical fluids. Control apparatus  530  can detect the speed of the flow of the one or more chemical fluids, the direction of the flow of the one or more chemical fluids, the condition of the one or more chemical fluids, and the mal-function of processing apparatus  510 . In some implementations, control apparatus may comprise a PLC, a controller, a sensor, a storage device (e.g., memory, hard drive, SSD, etc.). 
       FIG.  6    illustrates an exemplary method  600  using an apparatus to process an edge area of a semiconductor wafer  100 , according to exemplary implementations of the present disclosure. The method may utilize the apparatus which may be referred to one of apparatus  200 , apparatus  300 , apparatus  400 , or apparatus  500 , as described above with reference to  FIGS.  2 A- 2 F,  3 A- 3 E,  4 A- 4 E, and  5   . 
     In an exemplary implementation, as shown in  FIG.  6   , at step  602 , an apparatus  200  (or apparatus  300 , apparatus  400 , or apparatus  500 ) receives and places a wafer on a first supporting area of a lower chamber of the apparatus. At step  604 , the apparatus engages its upper chamber with its lower chamber to place the wafer between the first supporting area and a second supporting area of the upper chamber. At step  606 , a first channel is formed at a peripheral area of the first supporting area or the second supporting area, where in the first channel provides a first space. At step  608 , the apparatus uses a protrusion part to resist against an edge of the wafer and to align a center axis of the wafer with a center axis of the second supporting area. At step  610 , the apparatus injects one or more chemical fluids into the first space for etching an edge area of the wafer. 
     In some implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of method  600 , at step  602 , a wafer may be conveyed and placed by a wafer conveying apparatus onto a first supporting area of a lower chamber of apparatus  200  (or apparatus  300 , apparatus  400 , or apparatus  500 ). The first supporting area may have an upper surface facing the wafer. The wafer may be placed on the upper surface of the first supporting area, and part of a lower surface of the wafer is covered by an upper surface of the first supporting area. In some implementations, the upper chamber of apparatus  200  (or apparatus  300 , apparatus  400 , or apparatus  500 ) may be in a first position, where the wafer can be loaded to and/or unloaded from the first supporting area. For example, the wafer can be conveyed from the wafer conveying apparatus to the upper surface of the first supporting area. 
     In some implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of method  600 , at step  604 , apparatus  200  (or apparatus  300 , apparatus  400 , or apparatus  500 ) may engage an upper chamber with its lower chamber to place a wafer between a first supporting area and a second supporting area of the upper chamber. The upper chamber is in a second position where the lower chamber may be engaged with the upper chamber and the wafer may be fixed between the lower chamber and the upper chamber for facilitating a process of an edge area of the wafer. The upper chamber may comprise a second supporting area, which may have a lower surface facing the wafer. The upper chamber may be engaged with the lower chamber to place the wafer between the first supporting area and the second supporting area. For example, the wafer may be fixed between the lower surface of the second supporting area and the upper surface of the first supporting area. 
     In some implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of method  600 , at step  606 , a first channel may be formed at a peripheral area of a first supporting area or a second supporting area. The first channel may be further formed on a lower surface of the upper chamber, and an opening of the first channel may face toward the wafer. In some implementations, the first channel provides a first space for facilitating a process of an edge area of a wafer. For example, one or more chemical fluids may flow in the first channel and etch an edge area of wafer. In some implementations, the first channel may be arranged as a closed loop. In some implementations, the first channel may be arranged as a circle. Apparatus  200  (or apparatus  300 , apparatus  400 , or apparatus  500 ) or the wafer conveying apparatus may place the wafer in a way that an entire or a partial edge area of the wafer is accommodated into the first space for processing. In some implementations, the first channel may be arranged as an arc with a radian less than 360 degrees. Apparatus  200  (or apparatus  300 , apparatus  400 , or apparatus  500 ) or the wafer conveying apparatus may place the wafer in a way that a partial edge area of the wafer is accommodated into the first space for processing. 
     In some implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of method  600 , at step  608 , a protrusion part is formed on an upper chamber or a lower chamber of apparatus  200  (or apparatus  300 , apparatus  400 , or apparatus  500 ). The apparatus may use the protrusion part to resist against an edge of a wafer. For example, the protrusion part may contact the edge of the wafer during a course that the upper chamber moves from a first position to a second position. Then the protrusion part may resist against the edge of the wafer and push the wafer to move on an upper surface of a first supporting area of the lower chamber. When the upper chamber is engaged with the lower chamber, the wafer may be fixed on the upper surface of the first supporting area, and a center axis X-X of the wafer may be aligned with a center axis X′-X′ of a second supporting area. A distance between the center axis X-X of the wafer and the center axis X′-X′ of the second supporting area may be within a range of 0 mm-0.1 mm. In some implementations, the protrusion part may be adjacent to the second supporting area and extend toward the lower chamber. In one implementation, the protrusion part may be formed next to the first channel. 
     In some implementations, the protrusion part includes an inner corner facing towards the center axis X′-X′ of the second supporting area. The inner corner may be formed by an inner surface of the protrusion part and an inner surface of the first channel and may face towards the center axis X′-X′ of the second supporting area. In one implementation, the inner corner may be configured to resist against an edge area of the wafer. For example, during the course that the upper chamber moves from a first position to a second position, the inner corner of the protrusion part may contact an edge of the wafer, and then may resist against the edge of the wafer, pushing the wafer to move. In some implementations, the inner surface of the protrusion part may contact an edge of the wafer, and then may resist against the edge of the wafer, pushing the wafer to move. 
     In some implementations or any combination of preceding exemplary implementations of method  600 , at step  610 , apparatus  200  (or apparatus  300 , apparatus  400 , or apparatus  500 ) may inject one or more chemical fluids into a first space for etching an edge area of a wafer. The one or more chemical fluids may flow around an edge of the wafer in a first space and etch the edge area of the wafer accommodated into the first space. In some implementations, the apparatus may comprise a through hole connecting the first space with an outside of the apparatus. The one or more chemical fluids may be injected into the first space via the through hole. In some implementations, the one or more chemical fluids may flow from the first space into the outside of the apparatus via the through hole. In some implementations, the apparatus may comprise two through holes, each of which may respectively connect the first space with the outside of the apparatus. The two through holes may be arranged with a distance away to each other. The one or more chemical fluids may be injected into the first space via one through hole and flow from the first space into the outside of the apparatus via the other through hole. 
     Certain implementations may be implemented as a computer program product that may include instructions stored on a non-transitory machine-readable medium. These instructions may be used to program a general-purpose or special-purpose processor to perform the described operations. A machine-readable medium includes any mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form (e.g., software, processing application) readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, a magnetic storage medium (e.g., floppy diskette), an optical storage medium (e.g., CD-ROM), a magneto-optical storage medium, a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), an erasable programmable memory (e.g., EPROM and EEPROM), a flash memory, or another type of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions. The machine-readable medium may be referred to as a non-transitory machine-readable medium. 
     The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Although the present disclosure has been described with references to specific illustrative examples, it will be recognized that the present disclosure is not limited to the examples described. The scope of the disclosure should be determined with reference to the following claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which the claims are entitled. 
     As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, and/or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Also, the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” etc., as used herein are meant as labels to distinguish among different elements and may not necessarily have an ordinal meaning according to their numerical designation. Therefore, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations only and is not intended to be limiting. 
     It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved. 
     Although the method operations were described in a specific order, it should be understood that other operations may be performed in between described operations. Described operations may be adjusted so that they occur at slightly different times or the described operations may be distributed in a system. The system allows the occurrence of the processing operations at various intervals associated with the processing. 
     Many modifications and other implementations of the disclosure set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the associated figures. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific implementations disclosed and that modifications and other implementations are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing description and the associated figures describe example implementations in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative implementations without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.