Patent Publication Number: US-2022228262-A1

Title: Vapor deposition device and carrier used in same

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a vapor deposition device used in manufacturing epitaxial wafers, for example, and to a carrier used in the device. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In order to keep damage to a reverse face of a silicon wafer to a minimum in vapor deposition devices used in manufacturing epitaxial wafers, for example, transporting the silicon wafer through steps from a load-lock chamber to a reaction chamber in a state where the silicon wafer is mounted on a ring-shaped carrier has been proposed (Patent Literature 1). 
     In this type of vapor deposition device, whereas a before-treatment wafer is mounted on a ring-shaped carrier standing by in the load-lock chamber and is transferred to a reaction chamber, an after-treatment wafer is transported from the reaction chamber to the load-lock chamber still mounted on a ring-shaped carrier. 
     RELATED ART 
     Patent Literature 
     
         
         Patent Literature 1: U.S. Patent Application No. 2017/0110352 
       
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Problems to be Solved by the Invention 
     In the reaction chamber, a ring-shaped carrier on which a wafer is mounted is placed on a susceptor, and a process such as epitaxial growth is performed in this state. However, in the above-mentioned prior art, since the space partitioned by the wafer, the ring-shaped carrier and the susceptor in the reaction chamber is nealy sealed, the wafer may slip and shift its position when the ring-shaped carrier on which the wafer is mounted is placed on the susceptor. 
     Further, during the reaction process, when the reaction gas flows into the closed space through a slight gap in the contact portion between the wafer and the ring-shaped carrier, a reaction film is deposited on the outer periphery of the back surface of the wafer. Since this affects the flatness of the wafer, the flow of the reaction gas to the back surface of the wafer needs to be as uniform as possible. 
     The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a vapor deposition device and a carrier used in the same, capable of preventing the wafer from slipping when the carrier on which the wafer is mounted on the susceptor and making the flow of the reaction gas to the back surface of the wafer uniform. 
     Means for Solving the Problems 
     The present invention is a vapor deposition device which is provided with a ring-shaped carrier that supports an outer edge of a wafer, and which uses a plurality of the carriers to transport a plurality of before-treatment wafers at least to a reaction chamber in which a CVD film is formed on the wafer, and in which a susceptor that supports the carrier is provided in the reaction chamber, 
     wherein the carrier is formed in ring shape having a bottom surface mounted on an upper surface of the susceptor, an upper surface that contacts and supports an outer edge of a back surface of the wafer, an outer peripheral side wall surface and an inner peripheral side wall surface, and 
     a gas vent hole is provided in the susceptor, or the susceptor and the carrier, to penetrate between a space partitioned by the wafer, the carrier and the susceptor and a back surface of the susceptor. 
     More preferably, in the present invention, the vapor deposition device uses a plurality of the carriers to: 
     transport the plurality of before-treatment wafers, through a factory interface, a load-lock chamber and a wafer transfer chamber, to the reaction chamber in that order; and 
     transport a plurality of after-treatment wafers from the reaction chamber, through the wafer transfer chamber and the load-lock chamber to the factory interface in that order, 
     wherein the load-lock chamber communicates with the factory interface via a first door and also communicates with the wafer transfer chamber via a second door, the wafer transfer chamber communicates, via a gate valve, with the reaction chamber, 
     the wafer transfer chamber is provided with a first robot that deposits the before-treatment wafer transported into the load-lock chamber into the reaction chamber in a state where the before-treatment wafer is mounted on the carrier and also withdraws the after-treatment wafer for which treatment in the reaction chamber has ended from the reaction chamber in a state where the after-treatment wafer is mounted on the carrier and transports the wafer to the load-lock chamber, 
     the factory interface is provided with a second robot that extracts the before-treatment wafer from a wafer storage container and mounts the wafer on the carrier standing by in the load-lock chamber, and also stores in the wafer storage container the after-treatment wafer mounted on the carrier that has been transported to the load-lock chamber, and 
     the load-lock chamber is provided with a holder that supports the carrier. 
     More preferably, in the present invention, the gas vent hole is provided in the susceptor only, or the gas vent hole is provided to penetrate through the susceptor and the carrier. 
     More preferably, in the present invention, a diameter of the gas vent hole of the susceptor is different from a diameter of the gas vent hole of the carrier. In the case, the diameter of the gas vent hole of the susceptor may be larger or smaller than the diameter of the gas vent hole of the carrier. 
     The present invention is a carrier in a vapor deposition device, which is a ring-shaped carrier that supports an outer edge of a wafer, and which the vapor deposition device uses to transport a plurality of before-treatment wafers at least to a reaction chamber in that order, 
     wherein the carrier is formed in ring shape having a bottom surface mounted on an upper surface of a susceptor in the reaction chamber, an upper surface that contacts and supports an outer edge of a back surface of the wafer, an outer peripheral side wall surface and an inner peripheral side wall surface, and 
     a gas vent hole is provided to penetrate between a space partitioned by the wafer, the carrier and the susceptor and a back surface of the susceptor. 
     More preferably, in the present invention, the vapor deposition device uses a plurality of the carriers to: 
     transport the plurality of before-treatment wafers, through a factory interface, a load-lock chamber and a wafer transfer chamber, to the reaction chamber in that order; and 
     transport a plurality of after-treatment wafers from the reaction chamber, through the wafer transfer chamber and the load-lock chamber to the factory interface in that order. 
     Effect of the Invention 
     According to the present invention, when the carrier on which the wafer is mounted is placed on the susceptor, the gas in the space partitioned by the wafer, the ring-shaped carrier and the susceptor can be exhausted from the gas vent hole to the back surface of the susceptor. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the wafer from slipping. Further, during the reaction process, when the reaction gas flows into the space partitioned by the wafer, the ring-shaped carrier and the susceptor from a slight gap in the contact portion between the wafer and the ring-shaped carrier, it may be exhausted to the back surface of the susceptor. Therefore, the flow of the reaction gas to the back surface of the wafer can be made uniform. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a vapor deposition device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2A  is a plan view illustrating a carrier according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional view of the carrier, including a wafer and a reaction furnace susceptor. 
         FIG. 3A  is a plan view illustrating a holder provided to a load-lock chamber. 
         FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of the holder including the wafer and the carrier. 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view and cross-sectional views illustrating a transfer protocol for the wafer and the carrier in the load-lock chamber. 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view and cross-sectional views illustrating a transfer protocol for the wafer and the carrier within a reaction chamber. 
         FIG. 6A  is a plan view illustrating an example of a first blade attached to the tip of a hand of a first robot. 
         FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional view of the first blade including a carrier and a wafer. 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram (no. 1) illustrating a handling protocol for the wafer and the carrier in the vapor deposition device of the embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram (no. 2) illustrating the handling protocol for the wafer and the carrier in the vapor deposition device of the embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram (no. 3) illustrating the handling protocol for the wafer and the carrier in the vapor deposition device of the embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram (no. 4) illustrating the handling protocol for the wafer and the carrier in the vapor deposition device of the embodiment. 
         FIG. 11A  is a plan view illustrating an example of a wafer, a carrier and a susceptor in the reaction chamber of the vapor deposition device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11B  is a cross-sectional view along XI-XI line of  FIG. 11A . 
         FIG. 12A  is a plan view illustrating an another example of a wafer, a carrier and a susceptor in the reaction chamber of the vapor deposition device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12B  is a cross-sectional view along XII-XII line of  FIG. 12A . 
         FIG. 13A  is a plan view illustrating an another example of a wafer, a carrier and a susceptor in the reaction chamber of the vapor deposition device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13B  is a cross-sectional view along XIII-XIII line of  FIG. 13A . 
     
    
    
     MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Hereafter, an embodiment of the present invention is described based on the drawings.  FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a vapor deposition device  1  according to the embodiment of the present invention. A main body of the vapor deposition device  1  shown in the center of the diagram is illustrated in a plan view. The vapor deposition device  1  of the present embodiment is what is known as a CVD device and is provided with a pair of reaction furnaces  11 ,  11 ; a wafer transfer chamber  12  in which is installed a first robot  121  that handles a wafer WF, such as a single crystal silicon wafer; a pair of load-lock chambers  13 ; a factory interface  14  in which is installed a second robot  141  that handles the wafer WF; and a load robot in which is installed a wafer storage container  15  (cassette case) in which a plurality of the wafers WF are stored. 
     The factory interface  14  is a zone configured to have the same air atmosphere as a clean room in which the wafer storage container  15  is mounted. The factory interface  14  is provided with the second robot  141 , which extracts a before-treatment wafer WF that is stored in the wafer storage container  15  and deposits the wafer WF in the load-lock chamber  13 , and also stores an after-treatment wafer WF transported to the load-lock chamber  13  in the wafer storage container  15 . The second robot  141  is controlled by a second robot controller  142 , and a second blade  143  mounted on a distal end of a robot hand displaces along a predetermined trajectory that has been taught in advance. 
     A first door  131  capable of opening and closing with an airtight seal is provided between the load-lock chamber  13  and the factory interface  14 , while a second door  132  similarly capable of opening and closing with an airtight seal is provided between the load-lock chamber  13  and the wafer transfer chamber  12 . In addition, the load-lock chamber  13  serves as a space where atmospheric gas exchange takes place between the wafer transfer chamber  12 , which is configured to have an inert gas atmosphere, and the factory interface  14 , which is configured to have an air atmosphere. Therefore, an exhaust device that evacuates an interior of the load lock chamber  13  to vacuum and a supply device that supplies inert gas to the load-lock chamber  13  are provided. 
     For example, when a before-treatment wafer WF is transported from the wafer storage container  15  to the wafer transfer chamber  12 , in a state where the first door  131  on the factory interface  14  side is closed, the second door  132  on the wafer transfer chamber  12  side is closed, and the load-lock chamber  13  has an inert gas atmosphere, the wafer WF is extracted from the wafer storage container  15  using the second robot  141 , the first door  131  on the factory interface  14  side is opened, and the wafer WF is transported to the load-lock chamber  13 . Next, after the first door  131  on the factory interface  14  side is closed and the load-lock chamber  13  is restored to an inert gas atmosphere, the second door  132  on the wafer transfer chamber  12  side is opened and the wafer WF is transported to the wafer transfer chamber  12  using the first robot  121 . 
     Conversely, when an after-treatment wafer WF is transported from the wafer transfer chamber  12  to the wafer storage container  15 , in a state where the first door  131  on the factory interface  14  side is closed, the second door  132  on the wafer transfer chamber  12  side is closed, and the load-lock chamber  13  has an inert gas atmosphere, the second door  132  on the wafer transfer chamber  12  side is opened and the wafer WF in the wafer transfer chamber  12  is transported to the load-lock chamber  13  using the first robot  121 . Next, after the second door  132  on the wafer transfer chamber  12  side is closed and the load-lock chamber  13  is restored to an inert gas atmosphere, the first door  131  on the factory interface  14  side is opened and the wafer WF is transported to the wafer storage container  15  using the second robot  141 . 
     The wafer transfer chamber  12  is configured by a sealed chamber, connected on one side to the load-lock chamber  13  via the second door  132  that is capable of opening and closing and has an airtight seal, and connected on the other side via a gate valve  114  that is capable of opening and closing and has an airtight seal. The first robot  121 , which transports the before-treatment wafer WF from the load-lock chamber  13  to the reaction chamber  111  and transports the after-treatment wafer WF from the reaction chamber  111  to the load-lock chamber  13 , is installed on the wafer transfer chamber  12 . The first robot  121  is controlled by a first robot controller  122 , and a first blade  123  mounted on a distal end of a robot hand displaces along an operation trajectory that has been taught in advance. 
     An integrated controller  16  that integrates control of the entire vapor deposition device  1 , the first robot controller  122 , and the second robot controller  142  send and receive control signals amongst each other. In addition, when an operation command signal from the integrated controller  16  is sent to the first robot controller  122 , the first robot controller  122  controls the operation of the first robot  121 , and an operation result of the first robot  121  is sent from the first robot controller  122  to the integrated controller  16 . Accordingly, the integrated controller  16  recognizes an operation status of the first robot  121 . Similarly, when an operation command signal from the integrated controller  16  is sent to the second robot controller  142 , the second robot controller  142  controls the operation of the second robot  141 , and an operation result of the second robot  141  is sent from the second robot controller  142  to the integrated controller  16 . Accordingly, the integrated controller  16  recognizes an operation status of the second robot  141 . 
     Inert gas is supplied to the wafer transfer chamber  12  from an inert gas supply device not shown in the drawings, and gas in the wafer transfer chamber  12  is cleaned with a scrubber (scrubbing dust collector, precipitator) that is connected to an exhaust port, after which the gas is released outside the system. Although a detailed depiction is omitted, this type of scrubber can use a conventionally known pressurized water scrubber, for example. 
     The reaction furnace  11  is a device for growing an epitaxial film on a surface of the wafer WF using a CVD method, and includes a reaction chamber  111 ; a susceptor  112  on which the wafer WF is placed and rotated is provided inside the reaction chamber  111 , and a gas supply device  113  is also provided that supplies hydrogen gas and raw material gas for growing a CVD film (when the CVD film is a silicon epitaxial film, the raw material gas may be silicon tetrachloride SiCl 4  or trichlorosilane SiHCl 3 , for example) to the reaction chamber  111 . In addition, although omitted from the drawings, a heat lamp for raising the temperature of the wafer WF to a predetermined temperature is provided around the circumference of the reaction chamber  111 . Moreover, a gate valve  114  is provided between the reaction chamber  111  and the wafer transfer chamber  12 , and airtightness with the wafer transfer chamber  12  of the reaction chamber  111  is ensured by closing the gate valve  114 . Various controls, such as driving the susceptor  112  of the reaction furnace  11 , supply and stoppage of gas by the gas supply device  113 , turning the heat lamp on and off, and opening and closing the gate valve  114 , are controlled by a command signal from the integrated controller  16 . The vapor deposition device  1  shown in  FIG. 1  depicts an example provided with a pair of reaction furnaces  11 ,  11 , but the vapor deposition device  1  may have one reaction furnace  11  or three or more reaction furnaces. 
     A scrubber (scrubbing mist eliminator) having a similar configuration to that of the wafer transfer chamber  12  is provided to the reaction furnace  11 . In other words, hydrogen gas or raw material gas or dopant gas supplied from the gas supply device  113  is cleaned by the scrubber connected to an exhaust port provided to the reaction chamber  111  and is then released outside the system. A conventionally known pressurized water scrubber, for example, can be used for this scrubber, as well. 
     In the vapor deposition device  1  according to the present embodiment, the wafer WF is transported between the load-lock chamber  13  and the reaction chamber  111  using a ring-shaped carrier C that supports the entire outer circumferential edge of the wafer WF.  FIG. 2A  is a plan view of the carrier C,  FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional view of the carrier C including the wafer WF and the susceptor  112  of the reaction furnace  11 , and  FIG. 5  is a plan view and cross-sectional views illustrating a transfer protocol for the wafer WF and the carrier C within the reaction chamber  111 . 
     The carrier C according to the present embodiment is configured by a material such as SiC, for example; is formed in an endless ring shape; and includes a bottom surface C 11  that rests on a top surface of the susceptor  112  shown in  FIG. 2B , a top surface C 12  that touches and supports the entire outer circumferential edge of a reverse face of the wafer WF, an outer circumferential wall surface C 13 , and an inner circumferential wall surface C 14 . In addition, when the wafer WF supported by the carrier C is transported into the reaction chamber  111 , in a state where the carrier C rests on the first blade  123  of the first robot  121  as illustrated in the plan view of  FIG. 5A , the wafer WF is transported to a top portion of the susceptor  112  as illustrated in  FIG. 5B , the carrier C is temporarily lifted by three or more carrier lifting pins  115  provided to the susceptor  112  so as to be capable of displacing vertically as illustrated in  FIG. 5C , and the first blade  123  is retracted as illustrated in  FIG. 5D , after which the susceptor  112  is raised as illustrated in  FIG. 5E , thereby placing the carrier C on the top surface of the susceptor  112 . 
     Conversely, when treatment in the reaction chamber  111  has ended for the wafer WF and the wafer WF is withdrawn in a state mounted on the carrier C, the susceptor  112  is lowered from the state illustrated in  FIG. 5E  and supports the carrier C with only the carrier lifting pins  115  as illustrated in  FIG. 5D , the first blade  123  is advanced between the carrier C and the susceptor  112  as illustrated in  FIG. 5C , and then the three carrier lifting pins  115  are lowered to rest the carrier C on the first blade  123  as illustrated in  FIG. 5B , and the hand of the first robot  121  is operated. In this way, the wafer WF for which treatment has ended can be withdrawn in a state mounted on the carrier C. 
     Also, in the vapor deposition device  1  according to the present embodiment, the carrier C is transported between processes running from the load-lock chamber  13  to the reaction chamber  111 , and therefore in the load-lock chamber  13 , the before-treatment wafer WF is placed on the carrier C and the after-treatment wafer WF is removed from the carrier C. Therefore, a holder  17  that supports the carrier C at two vertical levels is provided to the load-lock chamber  13 .  FIG. 3A  is a plan view illustrating the holder  17  that is provided to the load-lock chamber  13 , and  FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of the holder  17  including the carrier C. The holder  17  according to the present embodiment includes a fixed holder base  171 ; a first holder  172  and second holder  173  that support two carriers C at two vertical levels, and that are provided to the holder base  171  so as to be capable of lifting and lowering vertically; and three wafer lifting pins  174  that are provided to the holder base  171  so as to be capable of lifting and lowering vertically. 
     The first holder  172  and the second holder  173  (in the plan view of  FIG. 3A , the second holder  173  is obscured by the first holder  172  and therefore only the first holder  172  is depicted) have projections for supporting the carrier C at four points, and one carrier C is placed on the first holder  172  and another carrier C is placed on the second holder  173 . The carrier C that rests on the second holder  173  is inserted into a gap between the first holder  172  and the second holder  173 . 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view and cross-sectional views of a transfer protocol for the wafer WF and carrier C in the load-lock chamber  13  and depicts a protocol in which a before-treatment wafer WF rests on the carrier C in a state where the carrier C is supported by the first holder  172 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4B . In other words, the second robot  141  that is provided to the factory interface  14  loads one wafer WF that is stored in the wafer storage container  15  onto the second blade  143  and transports the wafer WF via the first door  131  of the load-lock chamber  13  to a top portion of the holder  17 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4B . Next, as illustrated in  FIG. 4C , the three wafer lifting pins  174  are raised relative to the holder base  171  and temporarily hold up the wafer WF, and the second blade  143  is retracted as illustrated in  FIG. 4D . The three wafer lifting pins  174  are provided in positions that do not interfere with the second blade  143 , as illustrated in the plan view of  FIG. 4A . Next, as illustrated in  FIGS. 4D and 4E , the three wafer lifting pins  174  are lowered and the first holder  172  and the second holder  173  are raised, whereby the wafer WF is placed on the carrier C. 
     Conversely, when the after-treatment wafer WF transported to the load-lock chamber  13  in a state resting on the carrier C is transported to the wafer storage container  15 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4D , the three wafer lifting pins  174  are raised and the first holder  172  and the second holder  173  are lowered from the state illustrated in  FIG. 4E , the wafer WF is supported by only the wafer lifting pins  174 , and the second blade  143  is advanced between the carrier C and the wafer WF as illustrated in  FIG. 4C , after which the three wafer lifting pins  174  are lowered to load the wafer WF on the second blade  143  as illustrated in  FIG. 4B , and the hand of the second robot  141  is operated. In this way, the wafer WF for which treatment has ended can be taken out of the carrier C and into the wafer storage container  15 . In the state illustrated in  FIG. 4E , the wafer WF for which treatment has ended is transported to the first holder  172  in a state resting on the carrier C, but the wafer WF can be taken out of the carrier C and into the wafer storage container  15  with a similar protocol when the wafer WF is transported to the second holder  173 , as well. 
       FIG. 6A  is a plan view illustrating an example of a first blade  123  attached to the tip of a hand of a first robot  121 ,  FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional view of the first blade  123  including a carrier C. The first blade  123  of the present embodiment has a first recess  124  having a diameter corresponding to the outer circumferential wall surface C 13  of the carrier C on one surface of a strip-shaped main body. The diameter of the first recess  124  is formed to be slightly larger than the diameter of the outer circumferential wall surface C 13  of the carrier C. Then, when the first robot  121  mounts the wafer WF or transports an empty carrier C, the first robot  121  mounts the carrier C on the first recess  124 . 
     Next, a susceptor  112  of the present embodiment will be described.  FIG. 11A  is a plan view illustrating an example of the wafer WF, the carrier C and the susceptor  112  in the reaction chamber  111  of the vapor deposition device  1  according to the embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 11B  is a cross sectional view along the XI-XI line of  FIG. 11A . The susceptor  112  is provided in the reaction chamber  111  of the reactor  11  described above. When the carrier C on which the wafer WF is mounted is placed on the upper surface of the susceptor  112 , the space partitioned bt the wafer WF, the carrier C and the susceptor  112  becomes a so-called wafer pocket WP, and the wafer WF contacts the inner peripheral upper surface C 122  of the carrier C only at its outer edge. In the cross-sectional view shown in  FIG. 2B , the upper surface C 12  of the carrier C is shown in a schematic view. However, the upper surface C 12  of the carrier C of the present embodiment has the outer peripheral upper surface C 121  and the in er peripheral upper surface C 122  as shown in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 11B . The outer peripheral upper surface C 121  and the inner peripheral upper surface C 122  are formed parallel to the lower surface C 11 . By mounting the wafer WF on the inner peripheral upper surface C 122 , the outer edge of the wafer WF comes into contact with the carrier C. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , a groove  1121  is formed over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral portion of the susceptor  112  in the state that the carrier C is placed, that is, the outer peripheral portion along the inner peripheral side wall surface C 14  of the carrier C. Further, through holes  1122  penetrating from the bottom of the groove  1121  to the back surface of the susceptor  112  are formed at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction of the groove  1121 . These grooves  1121  and through holes  1122  form the gas vent holes of the present invention. As shown in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 11B , the groove  1121  is preferably a groove having an inclined surface in which the side wall of the groove expands upward in the radial direction of the susceptor  112 . Further, the through holes  1122  are provided as eight elliptical holes in the example shown in  FIG. 11A , but the number and shape thereof are not particularly limited. Further, in the examples shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , one row of grooves  1121  and a plurality of through holes  1122  are provided along the inside of the inner peripheral side wall surface C 14  of the carrier C, but a plurality of through holes  1122  may be formed in the two or more rows of grooves  1121 . 
     As the gas vent hole including the groove  1121  and the through hole  1122  is formed in the susceptor  112  in this way, when the carrier C on which the wafer WF before processing is mounted is placed on the susceptor  112  in the reaction chamber  111 , the gas in the space (wafer pocket WP) partitioned by the wafer WF, the ring-shaped carrier C and the susceptor  112  can be exhausted to the back surface of the susceptor  112  through a gas vent hole including the groove  1121  and the through hole  1122 . Therefore, it is possible to prevent the wafer WF from slipping, such that the wafer WF floats and the position fluctuates at the moment when the carrier C is placed on the susceptor  112 . 
     Further, during the reaction process in the reaction chamber  111 , from a slight gap in the contact portion between the wafer WF and the ring-shaped carrier C, reaction gas flows into the space (wafer pocket WP) partitioned by the wafer WF, the ring-shaped carrier C and the susceptor  112 . This reaction gas can be uniformly exhausted to the back surface of the susceptor  112  from the gas vent hole including the groove  1121  and the through hole  1122 . Therefore, since the flow of the reaction gas to the back surface of the wafer WF can be made uniform, the film thickness of the reaction film deposited on the outer periphery of the back surface of the wafer WF becomes uniform, and the deterioration of the flatness of the wafer can be suppressed. can. 
     The gas vent hole formed in the susceptor  112  is not limited to the one including the groove  1121  and the through hole  1122  described above, and may be a gas vent hole composed of only the through hole  1122 .  FIG. 12A  is a plan view showing another example of the wafer WF, carrier C and susceptor  112  in the reaction chamber  111  of the vapor deposition device  1  according to the embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 12B  is a cross-sectional view along XII-XII line of  FIG. 12A . As shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B , in the susceptor  112  according to the present embodiment, a plurality of through holes  1122  penetrating from the front surface to the back surface of the susceptor  112  are formed at predetermined intervals in the susceptor  112  in the state that the carrier C is mounted, in the circumferential direction inside the inner peripheral side wall surface C 14  of the carrier C. These through holes  1122  form the gas vent holes of the present invention. The through holes  1122  are provided as 16 circular holes in the example shown in  FIG. 12A , but the number and shape thereof are not particularly limited. Further, in the examples shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B , a plurality of through holes  1122  arranged in a row along the inside of the inner peripheral side wall surface C 14  of the carrier C are provided, but a plurality of through holes  1122  may be formed in two or more rows. 
     The gas vent holes shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B  and  FIGS. 12A and 12B  are all formed only in the susceptor  112 , but may be formed so as to be common to both the carrier C and the susceptor  112 .  FIG. 13A  is a plan view showing still another example of the wafer WF, carrier C and susceptor  112  in the reaction chamber  111  of the vapor deposition device  1  according to the embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 13B  is a cross-sectional view along XIII-XIII line of  FIG. 13A . As shown in  FIGS. 13A and 13B , in the susceptor  112  and the carrier C of the present embodiment, a plurality of through holes C 15  are formed at predetermined intervals on the inner peripheral side of the carrier C, and the carrier C is placed on the susceptor  112 . A plurality of through holes  1122  penetrating from the front surface to the back surface of the susceptor  112  are formed at predetermined intervals at positions of the susceptor  112  communicating with the through holes C 15 . The through hole C 15  of the carrier C and the through hole  1122  of the susceptor  112  form the degassing hole of the present invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 13B , the through hole C 15  of the carrier C and the through hole  1122  of the susceptor  112  communicate with each other, but it is preferable that the hole diameter of either one is larger than the hole diameter of the other. By doing so, even if the position where the carrier C is placed on the susceptor  112  is displaced, the through hole C 15  of the carrier C and the through hole  1122  of the susceptor  112  can communicate with each other. Further, the through holes C 15  of the carrier C and the through holes  1122  of the susceptor  112  are provided as 16 circular holes in the example shown in  FIG. 13A , but the number and shape thereof are not particularly limited. Further, in the examples shown in  FIGS. 13A and 13B , a plurality of through holes C 15 ,  1122  arranged in one row are provided on the inner peripheral side of the carrier C, but a plurality of through holes C 15 ,  1122  arranged in two or more rows may be provided. 
     Next a protocol is described for handling the carrier C and the wafer WF prior to creating the epitaxial film (hereafter referred to simply as “before-treatment”) and after creating the epitaxial film (hereafter referred to simply as “after-treatment”) in the vapor deposition device  1  according to the present embodiment.  FIGS. 7 to 10  are schematic views illustrating a handling protocol for a wafer and a carrier in the vapor deposition device of the present embodiment and correspond to the wafer storage container  15  on one side of the device, the load-lock chamber  13 , and the reaction furnace  11  in  FIG. 1 ; a plurality of wafers W 1 , W 2 , W 3 , . . . (for example, a total of 25 wafers) are stored in the wafer storage container  15  and treatment is initiated in that order. 
     Step S 0  in  FIG. 7  shows a standby state from which treatment using the vapor deposition device  1  is to begin, and has the plurality of wafers W 1 , W 2 , W 3 , . . . (for example, a total of 25 wafers) stored in the wafer storage container  15 , has an empty carrier C 1  supported by the first holder  172  of the load-lock chamber  13 , has an empty carrier C 2  supported by the second holder  173 , and has an inert gas atmosphere in the load-lock chamber  13 . 
     In the next step (step S 1 ), the second robot  141  loads the wafer W 1  that is stored in the wafer storage container  15  onto the second blade  143  and transfers the wafer W 1  through the first door  131  of the load-lock chamber  13  to the carrier C 1  that is supported by the first holder  172 . The protocol for this transfer was described with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
     In the next step (step S 2 ), the first door  131  of the load-lock chamber  13  is closed and, in a state where the second door  132  is also closed, the interior of the load-lock chamber  13  undergoes gas exchange to the inert gas atmosphere again. Then, the second door  132  is opened, the carrier C 1  is loaded onto the first blade  123  of the first robot  121 , the gate valve  114  of the reaction furnace  11  is opened, and the carrier C 1  on which the wafer W 1  is mounted is transferred through the gate valve  114  to the susceptor  112 . The protocol for this transfer was described with reference to  FIG. 4 . In steps S 2  to S 4 , the CVD film creation process is performed on the wafer W 1  in the reaction furnace  11 . 
     In other words, the carrier C 1  on which the before-treatment wafer W 1  is mounted is transferred to the susceptor  112  of the reaction chamber  111  and the gate valve  114  is closed, and after waiting a predetermined amount of time, the gas supply device  113  supplies hydrogen gas to the reaction chamber  111 , giving the reaction chamber  111  a hydrogen gas atmosphere. Next, the wafer W 1  in the reaction chamber  111  is heated to a predetermined temperature by the heat lamp and pretreatment such as etching or heat treatment is performed as necessary, after which the gas supply device  113  supplies raw material gas and dopant gas while controlling the flow volume and/or supply time. This creates a CVD film on the surface of the wafer W 1 . Once the CVD film is formed, the gas supply device  113  once again supplies the reaction chamber  111  with hydrogen gas and the reaction chamber undergoes gas exchange to a hydrogen gas atmosphere, after which the protocol stands by for a predetermined amount of time. 
     While the reaction furnace  11  is treating the wafer W 1  in steps S 2  to S 4 , the second robot  141  extracts the next wafer (W 2 ) from the wafer storage container  15  and prepares for the next treatment. Prior to this, in step S 3  in the present embodiment, the second door  132  of the load-lock chamber  13  is closed, and in a state where the first door  131  is also closed, the interior of the load-lock chamber  13  undergoes gas exchange to an inert gas atmosphere. Then, the second door  132  is opened, the carrier C 2  supported by the second holder  173  is transferred to the first holder  172  by the first robot  121 , and the second door  132  is closed. Subsequently, in step S 4 , the second robot  141  loads the wafer W 2  that was stored in the wafer storage container  15  onto the second blade  143 , the first door  131  is opened, and the wafer W 2  is transferred to the carrier C 2  that is supported by the first holder  172  of the load-lock chamber  13 . 
     In this way, in the present embodiment, step S 3  is added and the before-treatment wafer WF that was stored in the wafer storage container  15  is mounted on the first holder  172 , which is the topmost-level holder of the holder  17  of the load-lock chamber  13 . This is for the following reasons. Specifically, as illustrated in step S 2 , when the empty carrier C 2  on which the next wafer W 2  is to be mounted is supported by the second holder  173 , once the wafer W 2  is mounted on the carrier C 2 , there is a possibility that the carrier C 1  on which the after-treatment wafer W 1  is mounted may be transferred to the first holder  172 . The carrier C of the vapor deposition device  1  according to the present embodiment is transported to the reaction chamber  111 , and therefore the carrier C is a factor in particle production, and when the carrier C 1  is held above the before-treatment wafer W 2 , dust may fall on the before-treatment wafer W 2 . Therefore, step S 3  is added and the empty carrier C 2  is transferred to the first holder  172  so that the before-treatment wafer WF is mounted on the topmost-level holder (first holder  172 ) of the holder  17  of the load-lock chamber  13 . 
     In step S 5 , the first door  131  of the load-lock chamber  13  is closed and, in a state where the second door  132  is also closed, the interior of the load-lock chamber  13  undergoes gas exchange to an inert gas atmosphere. Then, the gate valve  114  of the reaction furnace  11  is opened, the first blade  123  of the first robot  121  is inserted into the reaction chamber  111  and is loaded with the carrier C 1  on which the after-treatment wafer W 1  is mounted, the carrier C 1  is withdrawn from the reaction chamber  111 , and the gate valve  114  is closed, after which the second door  132  is opened and the carrier C 1  is transferred to the second holder  173  of the load-lock chamber  13 . Subsequently, the carrier C 2  supported by the first holder  172  is loaded onto the first blade  123  of the first robot  121  and, as illustrated in step S 6 , the gate valve  114  is opened and the carrier C 2  on which the before-treatment wafer W 2  is mounted is transferred through the wafer transfer chamber  12  to the susceptor  112  of the reaction furnace  11 . 
     In steps S 6  to S 9 , the CVD film creation process is performed on the wafer W 2  in the reaction furnace  11 . In other words, the carrier C 2  on which the before-treatment wafer W 2  is mounted is transferred to the susceptor  112  of the reaction chamber  111  and the gate valve  114  is closed, and after waiting a predetermined amount of time, the gas supply device  113  supplies hydrogen gas to the reaction chamber  111 , giving the reaction chamber  111  a hydrogen gas atmosphere. Next, the wafer W 2  in the reaction chamber  111  is heated to a predetermined temperature by the heat lamp and pretreatment such as etching or heat treatment is performed as necessary, after which the gas supply device  113  supplies raw material gas while controlling the flow volume and/or supply time. This creates a CVD film on the surface of the wafer W 2 . Once the CVD film is formed, the gas supply device  113  once again supplies the reaction chamber  111  with hydrogen gas and the reaction chamber  111  undergoes gas exchange to a hydrogen gas atmosphere, after which the protocol stands by for a predetermined amount of time. 
     In this way, while the reaction furnace  11  is treating the wafer W 2  in steps S 6  to S 9 , the second robot  141  stores the after-treatment wafer W 1  in the wafer storage container  15  and also extracts the next wafer (W 3 ) from the wafer storage container  15  and prepares for the next treatment. In other words, in step S 7 , the second door  132  of the load-lock chamber  13  is closed, and in a state where the first door  131  is also closed, the interior of the load-lock chamber  13  undergoes gas exchange to an inert gas atmosphere. Then, the first door  131  is opened, the second robot  141  loads the after-treatment wafer W 1  onto the second blade  143  from the carrier C 1  supported by the second holder  173  and, as illustrated in step S 8 , the after-treatment wafer W 1  is stored in the wafer storage container  15 . Subsequently, similarly to step S 3  described above, in step S 8 , the first door  131  of the load-lock chamber  13  is closed, and in a state where the second door  132  is also closed, the interior of the load-lock chamber  13  undergoes gas exchange to an inert gas atmosphere. Then, the second door is opended and the carrier C 1  supported by the second holder  173  is transferred to the first holder  172  by the first robot  121 . 
     Subsequently, in step S 9 , the second door  132  of the load-lock chamber  13  is closed, and in a state where the first door  131  is also closed, the interior of the load-lock chamber  13  undergoes gas exchange to an inert gas atmosphere. Then, the second robot  141  loads the wafer W 3  that was stored in the wafer storage container  15  onto the second blade  143  and, as illustrated in step S 9 , the first door  131  is opened and the wafer W 3  is transferred to the carrier C 1  that is supported by the first holder  172  of the load-lock chamber  13 . 
     In step S 10 , similarly to step S 5  described above, the first door  131  of the load-lock chamber  13  is closed, and in a state where the second door  132  is also closed, the interior of the load-lock chamber  13  undergoes gas exchange to an inert gas atmosphere. Then, the gate valve  114  of the reaction furnace  11  is opened, the first blade  123  of the first robot  121  is inserted into the reaction chamber  111  and is loaded with the carrier C 2  on which the after-treatment wafer W 2  is mounted, and the gate valve  114  is closed, after which the second door  132  is opened and the carrier C 2  is transferred from the reaction chamber  111  to the second holder  173  of the load-lock chamber  13 . Subsequently, the carrier C 1  supported by the first holder  172  is loaded onto the first blade  123  of the first robot  121  and, as illustrated in step S 11 , the carrier C 1  on which the before-treatment wafer W 3  is mounted is transferred through the wafer transfer chamber  12  to the susceptor  112  of the reaction furnace  11 . 
     In step S 10 , similarly to step S 7  described above, the second door  132  of the load-lock chamber  13  is closed, and in a state where the first door  131  is also closed, the interior of the load-lock chamber  13  undergoes gas exchange to an inert gas atmosphere. Then, the first door  131  is opened, the second robot  141  loads the post-treatment wafer W 2  onto the second blade  143  from the carrier C 2  that is supported on the second holder  173  and, as illustrated in step S 11 , the post-treatment wafer W 2  is stored in the wafer storage container  15 . Thereafter, the above steps are repeated until treatment for all of the before-treatment wafers WF stored in the wafer storage container  15  ends. 
     As described above, in the vapor deposition device  1  according to the present embodiment, while treatment is ongoing in the reaction furnace  11 , the next before-treatment wafer WF is extracted from the wafer storage container  15  and prepared, the after-treatment wafer WF is stored in the wafer storage container  15 , and the like, and so the amount of time consumed simply in transport is drastically reduced. In such a case, when a number of standby carriers C in the load lock chamber  13  is set to two or more, as with the holder  17  in the present embodiment, a degree of freedom in shortening the amount of time consumed simply in transport can be substantially increased. Furthermore, when the space dedicated to the load-lock chamber  13  is considered, aligning the plurality of carriers C in multiple vertical levels reduces the space dedicated to the vapor deposition device  1  overall as compared to aligning the plurality of carriers C left-to-right. But, when the plurality of carriers C are aligned in multiple vertical levels, the carrier C may be held above a before-treatment wafer WF and dust may fall on the before-treatment wafer WF. However, in the vapor deposition device  1  according to the present embodiment, steps S 3  and S 8  are added and the empty carrier C 2  is transferred to the first holder  172  so that the before-treatment wafer WF is mounted on the topmost-level holder (first holder  172 ) of the holder  17  of the load-lock chamber  13 , and therefore the before-treatment wafer WF is mounted on the topmost-level carrier C. As a result, particles originating from the carrier C can be inhibited from adhering to the wafer WF and LPD quality can be improved. 
     DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
         
           
               1  . . . Vapor deposition device 
               11  . . . Reaction furnace 
               111  . . . Reaction chamber 
               112  . . . Susceptor 
               1121  . . . Groove (gas vent hole) 
               1122  . . . Through hole (gas vent hole) 
               113  . . . Gas supply device 
               114  . . . Gate valve 
               115  . . . Carrier lifting pin 
               12  . . . Wafer transfer chamber 
               121  . . . First robot 
               122  . . . First robot controller 
               123  . . . First blade 
               124  . . . First recess 
               13  . . . Load-lock chamber 
               131  . . . First door 
               132  . . . Second door 
               14  . . . Factory interface 
               141  . . . Second robot 
               142  . . . Second robot controller 
               143  . . . Second blade 
               15  . . . Wafer storage container 
               16  . . . Integrated controller 
               17  . . . Holder 
               171  . . . Holder base 
               172  . . . First holder 
               173  . . . Second holder 
               174  . . . Wafer lifting pin 
             C . . . Carrier 
             C 11  . . . Bottom surface 
             C 12  . . . Top surface 
             C 121  . . . Outer peripheral upper surface 
             C 122  . . . Inner peripheral upper surface 
             C 13  . . . Outer circumferential wall surface 
             C 14  . . . Inner circumferential wall surface 
             C 15  . . . Through hole 
             WF . . . Wafer 
             WF . . . Wafer pocket