Patent Publication Number: US-2023148026-A1

Title: Substrate treating method and substrate treating apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     A claim for priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 is made to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0150989 filed on Nov. 5, 2021, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Embodiments of the inventive concept described herein relate to a substrate treating method and a substrate treating apparatus. 
     In a fabrication of a semiconductor device, a desired pattern is formed on a substrate such as a wafer through various processes such as a photography, an etching, an ashing, an ion implantation, and a thin film deposition. Such processes for fabricating the semiconductor device may include an etching process for removing a film formed on the substrate. In the etching process, a plasma and/or an etchant is/are supplied to the film (e.g., a film including an Si, an SiO 2 , an Si 3 N 4 , or a Poly Si) formed on the substrate such as a wafer to etch the film. 
     As the semiconductor device is becoming highly integrated, a high level of process precision is required. In order to precisely perform the above-described etching process, it is important to generate the plasma or the etchant according to a preset process recipe. In addition, in order to ensure a uniformity in substrate treating, it is necessary to stabilize a temperature of the substrate to a process temperature. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the inventive concept provide a substrate treating method and a substrate treating apparatus for efficiently treating a substrate. 
     Embodiments of the inventive concept provide a substrate treating method and a substrate treating apparatus for effectively removing a film formed on a substrate. 
     Embodiments of the inventive concept provide a substrate treating method and a substrate treating apparatus for etching a film formed on a substrate without a particle contamination according to process by-products. 
     The technical objectives of the inventive concept are not limited to the above-mentioned ones, and the other unmentioned technical objects will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description. 
     The inventive concept provides a substrate treating method. The substrate treating method includes a temperature stabilizing step for stabilizing a temperature of the substrate to a process temperature in a treating space for treating a substrate; a pressure stabilizing step for stabilizing a pressure of a plasma space for generating a plasma and a pressure of the treating space to a process, the plasma space fluid communicating with the treating space; and a treating step for generating the plasma at the plasma space and treating the substrate using the plasma. 
     In an embodiment, the temperature stabilizing step comprises heating the substrate at the treating space by a chuck supporting the substrate, and increasing the pressure of the treating space to the process pressure by supplying a gas to the treating space. 
     In an embodiment, an ion of the plasma generated at the plasma space is collected by an ion blocker positioned between the plasma space and the treating space during a process of the plasm being introduced from the plasma space to the treating space. 
     In an embodiment, the pressure stabilizing step comprises: supplying an inert gas to the plasma space; and supplying a first gas which is different from the inert gas to a mixing space provided between the plasma space and the treating space. 
     In an embodiment, the substrate treating method further comprises an igniting step performed between the pressure stabilizing step and the treating step, for forming a plasma atmosphere at the plasma space. 
     In an embodiment, the igniting step comprises supplying an inert gas to the plasma space, and the treating step comprises: supplying a second gas which is different from the inert gas to the plasma space; and supplying a first gas which is different from the inert gas to a mixing space provided between the plasma space and the treating space. 
     In an embodiment, the first gas is a gas including a hydrogen, and the second gas is a gas including a fluorine. 
     In an embodiment, the substrate treating method further comprises a first exhaust step for exhausting the treating space, after the treating step. 
     In an embodiment, the substrate treating method further comprises a purge step for supplying a purge gas to the treating space after the first exhaust step; and a second exhaust step for exhausting the treating space after the purge step. 
     In an embodiment, a pressure of the treating space at the purge step is larger than a pressure of the treating space at the treating step. 
     The inventive concept provides a substrate treating method using a plasma. The substrate treating method using a plasma includes an introduction step for introducing to a substate to a treating space of a substrate treating apparatus, the substrate treating apparatus comprising a treating space and a plasma space for generating the plasma, the treating space and the plasma space in fluid communication with one another; a temperature stabilizing step for stabilizing a temperature of the substrate introduced to the treating space to a preset process temperature; a pressure stabilizing step for stabilizing a pressure of the plasma space and a pressure of the treating space to a process pressure; and a treating step for treating the substrate using the plasma. 
     In an embodiment, the temperature stabilizing step comprises heating the substrate at the treating space by a chuck supporting the substrate, and increasing the pressure of the treating space to the process pressure by supplying an inert gas to the treating space. 
     In an embodiment, an ion generated at the plasma space is collected by an ion blocker positioned between a mixing space and the plasma space during the ion is flowing from the plasma space to the mixing space, the mixing space provided at the substrate treating apparatus and placed between the treating space and the plasma space. 
     In an embodiment, the substrate treating method further comprises between the pressure stabilizing step and the treating step, an igniting step for forming a plasma atmosphere at the plasma space, and wherein the pressure stabilizing step and the igniting step comprises: supplying a first gas to the mixing space; and supplying an inert gas to the plasma space. 
     In an embodiment, the treating step comprises: supplying a first gas to the mixing space; and supplying a second gas which is different from the first gas to the plasma space. 
     In an embodiment, the first gas is a gas including an NH 3 , and the second gas is a gas including an NH 3 . 
     In an embodiment, the substrate treating method further comprises a first exhaust step for exhausting the treating space, after the treating step; a purge step for supplying a purge gas to the treating space after the first exhaust step; and a second exhaust step for exhausting the treating space after the purge step, wherein a pressure of the treating space at the purge step is larger than a pressure of the treating space at the treating step. 
     The inventive concept provides a substrate treating apparatus. The substrate treating apparatus includes a housing defining a treating space; a chuck supporting and heating a substate at the treating space; an electrode configured to generate a plasma at a plasma space in fluid communication with the treating space; a power module configured to apply a power to the electrode; an ion blocker positioned between the plasma space and the treating space, and collecting an ion from the plasma generated at the plasma space; a shower head positioned between the ion blocker and the treating space, the shower head and the ion blocker defining a mixing space provided between the treating space and the plasma space; a gas supply unit configured to supply a gas to the plasma space or the mixing space; an exhaust unit configured to exhaust an atmosphere of the treating space; and a controller, wherein the controller controls the chuck such that the chuck heats the substrate to a process temperature, controls the gas supply unit and the exhaust unit such that a pressure of the treating space is stabilized to a preset process pressure, and controls the power module to generate the plasma at the plasma space after the pressure of the treating space is stabilized to the process pressure and after a temperature of the substrate placed on the chuck is stabilized to the process temperature. 
     In an embodiment, the controller controls the gas supply unit to supply the gas to the treating space and increase a pressure of the treating while a temperature of the substrate is stabilizing to the process temperature. 
     In an embodiment, the controller (a) controls the power module and the gas supply unit so the gas supply unit supplies an inert gas to the plasma space and for the electrode to form an electric field at the plasma space after a temperature of the substrate and a pressure of the treating space is stabilized, and (b) controls the power module and the gas supply unit so the plasma is generated by supplying a gas including a fluorine to the plasma space after the electric field is formed and a preset time is passed. 
     According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, a substrate may be effectively treated. 
     According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, a film formed on a substrate may be effectively removed. 
     According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, a film formed on a substrate may be etched without a particle contamination according to process by-products. 
     The effects of the inventive concept are not limited to the above-mentioned ones, and the other unmentioned effects will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The above and other objects and features will become apparent from the following description with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various figures unless otherwise specified, and wherein: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a substrate treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. 
         FIG.  2    is a flowchart illustrating a substrate treating method according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. 
         FIG.  3    is a graph showing changes in a temperature of a substrate according to each step, changes in a pressure of a treating space according to each step, whether an inert gas is supplied according to each step, whether a first gas is supplied according to each step, and whether a second gas is supplied according to each step, during the substrate treating method of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  4    illustrates the substrate treating apparatus performing a temperature stabilizing step of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  5    illustrates the substrate treating apparatus performing a pressure stabilizing step of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  6    illustrates the substrate treating apparatus performing an igniting step of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  7    illustrates the substrate treating apparatus performing a treating step of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  8    illustrates the substrate treating apparatus performing a first exhaust step of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  9    illustrates the substrate treating apparatus performing a purge step of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  10    illustrates the substrate treating apparatus performing a second exhaust step of  FIG.  2   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The inventive concept may be variously modified and may have various forms, and specific embodiments thereof will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail. However, the embodiments according to the concept of the inventive concept are not intended to limit the specific disclosed forms, and it should be understood that the present inventive concept includes all transforms, equivalents, and replacements included in the spirit and technical scope of the inventive concept. In a description of the inventive concept, a detailed description of related known technologies may be omitted when it may make the essence of the inventive concept unclear. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the inventive concept. 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 in this specification, 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. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Also, the term “example” is intended to refer to an example or illustration. 
     It will be understood that, although the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the inventive concept. 
     It should be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” “coupled to,” or “covering” another element or layer, it may be directly on, connected to, coupled to, or covering the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Other terms such as “between”, “adjacent”, “near” or the like should be interpreted in the same way. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as those generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the inventive concept belongs. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as consistent with the context of the relevant technology and not as ideal or excessively formal unless clearly defined in this application. 
     Hereinafter, an embodiment of the inventive concept will be described with reference to  FIG.  1    to  FIG.  10   . 
       FIG.  1    schematically illustrates a substrate treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. Referring to  FIG.  1   , the substrate treating apparatus  10  according to an embodiment of the inventive concept may treat a substrate W. The substrate treating apparatus  10  may treat the substrate W using a plasma. The substrate treating apparatus  10  may remove a thin film formed on the substrate W using the plasma. For example, the substrate treating apparatus  10  may supply an etchant to the substrate W to remove the thin film formed on the substrate W. For example, the substrate treating apparatus  10  may remove the thin film including a silicon Si formed on the substrate W. For example, the substrate treating apparatus  10  may etch a substrate W having an Si, an SiO 2 , an Si 3 N 4 , and a Poly Si film without a particle contamination. The substrate W may be a wafer. 
     The substrate treating apparatus  10  may include a housing  100 , a chuck  200 , a shower head  300 , a heating member  400 , an ion blocker  500 , an insulating member DR, an electrode unit  600 , gas supply units  700  and  800 , an exhaust unit  900 , and a controller  1000 . 
     The housing  100  and the shower head  300  may be combined with each other to define a treating space A 1  (an exemplary first space) in which the substrate W is treated. The ion blocker  500 , the insulating member DR, and the top electrode  601  may be combined with each other to define a plasma space A 2  (an exemplary second space) in which the plasma P is generated. In addition, the shower head  300 , the heating member  400 , and the ion blocker  500  may be combined with each other to define a mixing space A 3  (an exemplary third space) in which a plasma devoid of ions, i.e., a neutral gas (radical) and a first process gas G1 supplied by a first gas supply unit  700  are mixed with each other. The third space A 3  is provided between the first space A 1  and the second space A 2  and is fluidly communicated with the first space A 1  and the second space A 2  respectively. Components involved in defining the treating space A 1 , the plasma space A 2 , and the mixing space A 3  may be collectively referred to as a chamber. In addition, the treating space A 1  and the mixing space A 3  may fluidly communicate with each other. In addition, the mixing space A 3  and the plasma space A 2  may fluidly communicate with each other. In addition, the plasma space A 2  and the treating space A 1  may fluidly communicate with each other through the mixing space A 3 . 
     The housing  100  may define the treating space A 1 . For example, the housing  100  in combination with the shower head  300  may define the treating space A 1 . The housing  100  may have a container shape with an open top. An inner wall of the housing  100  may be coated with a material capable of preventing the neutral gas (radical), the plasma (P), or an etchant (E) to be described later from etching the inner wall thereof. For example, the inner wall of the housing  100  may be coated with a dielectric film such as a ceramic. In addition, the housing  100  may be grounded. In addition, a door (not illustrated) may be installed in the housing  100  so that the substrate W may be brought into the treating space A 1  or taken out of the treating space A 1 . The door may be selectively open and closed. In addition, a temperature control member (not shown) for adjusting a temperature of the housing  100  may be provided in the inner wall of the housing  100 . The temperature of the housing  100  may be adjusted to about 0° C. to 200° C. by the temperature control member (not shown). 
     The chuck  200  may support the substrate W in the treating space A 1 . The chuck  200  may heat the substrate W. In addition, the chuck  200  may be an electrostatic chuck (ESC) capable of chucking the substrate W using an electrostatic force. The chuck  200  may include a support plate  210 , an electrostatic electrode  220 , and a heater  230 . 
     The support plate  210  may support the substrate W. The support plate  210  may have a support surface supporting the substrate W. The support plate  210  may be provided as a dielectric. For example, the support plate  210  may be made of a ceramic material. The electrostatic electrode  220  may be provided in the support plate  210 . The electrostatic electrode  220  may be provided at a position overlapping the substrate W when viewed from above. For example, a substantial portion of the electrostatic electrode  220  may overlap with the substrate W. When a power is applied to the electrostatic electrode  220 , the electrostatic electrode  220  may form an electric field by an electrostatic force capable of chucking the substrate W. The resulting attractive force by the electric field may chuck the substrate W in a direction toward the support plate  210 . 
     In addition, the substrate treating apparatus  10 , for example, the chuck  200 , may include first power modules  222  and  224  that apply the power to the electrostatic electrodes  220 . The first power modules  222  and  224  may include an electrostatic electrode power source  222  and an electrostatic electrode switch  224 . The power may be applied to the electrostatic electrode  220  according to an on/off of the electrostatic electrode switch  224 . When the power is applied to the electrostatic electrode  220 , the substrate W may be chucked to the chuck  200  by the electrostatic force. 
     The heater  230  may heat the substrate W. The heater  230  may heat the substrate W by increasing a temperature of the support plate  210 . In addition, when the power is applied to the heater  230 , the heater  230  may generate a heat. The heater  230  may be a heating element such as a tungsten. However, the type of the heater  230  is not limited thereto, and may be variously modified to a known heater. For example, the heater  230  may control the temperature of the support plate  210  to 0° C. to 110° C. 
     In addition, the substrate treating apparatus  10 , for example, the chuck  200 , may include second power modules  232  and  234 , which apply the power to the heater  230 . The second power modules  232  and  234  may include a heater power source  232  and a heater power switch  234 . The power may be applied to the heater  230  according to an on/off of the heater power switch  234 . 
     The shower head  300  may be disposed on the top of the housing  100 . For example. the shower head  300  covers the top of the housing  100  to define upper limit of the treating space A 1 . The shower head  300  may be disposed between the ion blocker  500  to be described later and the treating space A 1 . The shower head  300  may be disposed between the mixing space A 3  and the treating space A 1 , e.g., the shower head  300  may define the boundary between the mixing space A 3  and the treating space A 1 . The shower head  300  may be grounded. In addition, a plurality of holes  302  may be formed at the shower head  300 . The holes  302  may be formed to extend from a top surface to a bottom surface of the shower head  300 . That is, the holes  302  may be formed through the shower head  300 . The hole  302  may indirectly fluidly communicate the treating space A 1  with the plasma space A 2  to be described later. In addition, the hole  302  may fluidly communicate the treating space A 1  with the mixing space A 3  to be described later. 
     In addition, a gas inlet  304  may be formed at the shower head  300 . The gas inlet  304  may be connected to a second gas line  706  to be described later. The gas inlet  304  may be configured to supply a first process gas G1 toward the mixing space A 3 . The gas inlet  304  may be configured to supply the first process gas G1 to an edge region of the mixing space A 3 . The gas inlet  304  may be configured such that a gas discharge direction faces the mixing space A 3  (also indirectly faces the plasma space A 2 ), but does not face the treating space A 1 . 
     The heating member  400  may be disposed above the shower head  300 . The heating member  400  may be a ring heater having a ring shape when viewed from above. The heating member  400  may generate a heat to increase a temperature of the mixing space A 3  so that the plasma P from which ions are removed and the first process gas G1 may be more effectively mixed. 
     The ion blocker  500  may separate the plasma space A 2  and the mixing space A 3  (further, indirectly separate the plasma space A 2  and the treating space A 1 ). The ion blocker  500  may be disposed between the top electrode  601  and the treating space A 1 . In addition, the ion blocker  500  may be disposed between the treating space A 1  and the plasma space A 2 . 
     The ion blocker  500  may be disposed on the top of the heating member  400 . The ion blocker  500  may be grounded. The ion blocker  500  may be grounded to remove (or collect) ions included in the plasma P which is generated in the plasma space A 2  and flows into the mixing space A 3  and further the treating space A 1 . The ion blocker  500  may be disposed on a flow path of the plasma P which is generated in the plasma space A 2  and flows toward the treating space A 1 . In short, since the plasma P generated in the plasma space A 2  passes through the ion blocker  500  to the mixing space A 3 , the plasma P arriving at the mixing space A 3  may substantially contain only neutral gas (radical) without ions. 
     In addition, the ion blocker  500  may be grounded and function as an electrode opposite to the top electrode  601  to be described later. A plurality of through holes  502  may be formed at the ion blocker  500 . The through holes  502  may be formed through the ion blocker  500 . The through holes  502  may fluidly communicate the plasma space A 2  with the mixing space A 3 . The through holes  502  may fluidly communicate the plasma space A 2  with the treating space A 1 . 
     In addition, a gas supply port  504  may be formed at the ion blocker  500 . The gas supply port  504  may be connected to a first gas line  704  to be described later. The gas supply port  504  may be configured to supply a process gas to the mixing space A 3 . The gas supply port  504  may be configured such that a gas discharge direction faces the mixing space A 3  (also indirectly faces the treating space A 1 ), but does not face the plasma space A 2 . 
     The electrode unit  600  may generate the plasma P in the plasma space A 2 . The electrode unit  600  may include a top electrode  601  and top power modules  602  and  604 . 
     The top electrode  601  may have a plate shape. The top electrode  601  may generate the plasma. The top power modules  603  and  604  may apply a power to the top electrode  601 . The top power modules  603  and  604  may include a top power source  603  which is an RF source and a top power switch  604 . The power may be applied to the top electrode  601  according to an on/off of the top power switch  604 . When the power is applied to the top electrode  601 , an electric field is formed between the ion blocker  500  functioning as an opposite electrode and the top electrode  601 , and thus a second process gas G 2  and/or an inert gas IG to be described later may be excited in the plasma space A 2 . Accordingly, the plasma P may be generated. In addition, a gas injection port  602  may be formed at the top electrode  601 . The second gas supply unit  800 , which will be described later, may supply the second process gas G 2  or the inert gas IG to the plasma space A 2  through the gas injection port  602 . In addition, the insulating member DR provided as an insulating material may be disposed between the top electrode  601  and the ion blocker  500 . The insulating member DR may have a ring shape when viewed from above. 
     The gas supply units  700  and  800  may supply a gas. The gas supply units  700  and  800  may include a first gas supply unit  700  and a second gas supply unit  800 . 
     The first gas supply unit  700  may supply the first process gas G1 to the mixing space A 3 . The first gas supply unit  700  may supply the first process gas to the mixing space A 3  when the plasma P from which ions are removed by the ion blocker  500 , that is, the neutral gas (radical), is introduced into the mixing space A 3 . The first gas supply unit  700  may supply the first process gas G1 including a nitrogen and a hydrogen. The first gas supply unit  700  may include a first gas supply source  701 , a main gas line  703 , a first gas line  704 , and a second gas line  706 . The first gas supply source  701  may store and/or supply the first process gas G1. An end of the main gas line  703  may be connected to the first gas supply source  701 , and another end of the main gas line  703  may branch to the first gas line  704  and the second gas line  706 . The first gas line  704  may be connected to the gas supply port  504  of the ion blocker  500  described above. In addition, the second gas line  706  may be connected to the gas inlet  304  of the shower head 300described above. 
     The first process gas G1 supplied by the first gas supply unit  700  may be at least one selected from a group consisting of an He, an Ar, a Xe, an NH 3 , an H 2 , an N 2 , an O, an NF 3 , and an F 2 . For example, the first process gas G1 may be a gas including an NH 3 . 
     The second gas supply unit  800  may supply the second process gas G 2  to the plasma space A 2 . In addition, the second gas supply unit  800  may supply the inert gas IG to the plasma space A 2 . The second gas supply unit  800  may inject the second process gas G 2  or the inert gas IG into the plasma space A 2  to supply the second process gas G 2  or the inert gas IG to the mixing space A 3  and the treating space A 1 . The second gas supply unit  800  may include a 2-1 gas supply source  801 , a first gas channel  803 , a 2-2 gas supply source  805 , and a second gas channel  807 . 
     The 2-1 gas supply source  801  may store and/or supply the second process gas G 2 . The first gas channel  803  may be connected to the 2-1 gas supply source  801  to supply the second process gas G 2  supplied from the 2-1 gas supply source  801  to the plasma space A 2 . The 2-1 gas supply source  801  may supply the second process gas G 2  including a fluorine or a hydrogen to the plasma space A 2 . For example, the second process gas G 2  may be a gas including at least one of an NF 3  , an H 2  or combinations thereof. For example, the second process gas G 2  may be a gas including an NF 3 . 
     The 2-2 gas supply source  805  may store and/or supply the inert gas IG. The second gas channel  807  may be connected to the 2-2 gas supply source  805  to supply the inert gas IG supplied from the 2-2 gas supply source  805  to the plasma space A 2 . The 2-2 gas supply source  805  may be a gas including at least one of an He, an Ar, an Xe, an N 2  or combinations thereof in the plasma space A 2 . For example, the inert gas IG may be a gas containing an He. 
     The exhaust unit  900  may discharge a gas suppled to the treating space A 1 , process by-products, and the like. The exhaust unit  900  may adjust a pressure of the treating space A 1 . The exhaust unit  900  may indirectly adjust a pressure of the mixing space A 3  and the plasma space A 2  by adjusting the pressure of the treating space A 1 . The exhaust unit  900  may exhaust an atmosphere of the treating space A 2  to adjust the pressure of the treating space A 1 , and exhaust a gas supplied to the treating space A 1 , by-products generated during a treating of the substrate W, and the like to an outside of the substrate treating apparatus  10 . The exhaust unit  900  may include a decompression member  902  and decompression line  904 . The decompression member  902  may be a pump. However, the inventive concept is not limited thereto, and may be variously modified into a known device that provides a decompression. 
     The controller  1000  may control the substrate treating apparatus  10 , specifically, components of the substrate treating apparatus  10 . For example, the controller  1000  may control the gas supply units  700  and  800 , the first power modules  222  and  224 , the second power modules  232  and  234 , the decompression member  902 , and the top power modules  602  and  604 . 
     The controller may comprise a process controller consisting of a microprocessor (computer) that executes a control of the substrate treating apparatus, a user interface such as a keyboard via which an operator inputs commands to manage the substrate treating apparatus, and a display showing the operation situation of the substrate treating apparatus, and a memory unit storing a treating recipe, i.e., a control program to execute treating processes of the substrate treating apparatus by controlling the process controller or a program to execute components of the substrate treating apparatus according to data and treating conditions. In addition, the user interface and the memory unit may be connected to the process controller. The treating recipe may be stored in a storage medium of the storage unit, and the storage medium may be a hard disk, a portable disk, such as a CD-ROM or a DVD, or a semiconductor memory, such as a flash memory. 
     Hereinafter, a substrate treating method according to an embodiment of the inventive concept will be described. The substrate treating method described below may be performed by the substrate treating apparatus  10  described above. In addition, in order to perform the substrate treating method described below, the controller  1000  may control components of the substrate treating apparatus  10 . 
       FIG.  2    is a flowchart showing a substrate treating method according to an embodiment of the inventive concept, and  FIG.  3    is a graph showing changes in a temperature of a substrate according to each step, changes in a pressure of a treating space according to each step, whether an inert gas is supplied according to each step, whether a first gas is supplied according to each step, and whether a second gas is supplied according to each step, while the substrate treating method of  FIG.  2    is being performed. In  FIG.  3   , T refers to the temperature of the substrate W, P refers to the pressure of the treating space A 1 , IG may refer to the inert gas supplied to the treating space A 1  from the plasma space A 2 , G1 may refer to the first process gas supplied from the first gas supply unit  700 , and G 2  may refer to the second process gas supplied by the second gas supply unit  800 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  2    and  FIG.  3   , the substrate treating method according to an embodiment of the inventive concept may include an introducing step S 10 , a temperature stabilizing step S 20 , a pressure stabilizing step S 30 , an igniting step S 40 , a treating step S 50 , a first exhaust step S 60 , a purge step S 70 , a second exhaust step S 80 , and a taking out step S 90 . 
     During the temperature stabilizing step S 20 , the pressure stabilizing step S 30 , the igniting step S 40 , the treating step S 50 , and the purge step S 70 , the pressure of the treating space A 1  may be adjusted to about 1 to 10 Torr. 
     In addition, the temperature of the support plate  210  may be adjusted to 0 to 110° C. during the introducing step S 10 , the temperature stabilizing step S 20 , the pressure stabilizing step S 30 , the igniting step S 40 , the treating step S 50 , the first exhaust step S 60 , the purge step S 70 , the second exhaust step S 80 , and the taking out step S 90 . 
     In addition, temperatures of components of the housing  100  and other components of the substrate treating device  10  may be adjusted to 0-200° C. during the introducing step S 10 , the temperature stabilizing step S 20 , the pressure stabilizing step S 30 , the igniting step S 40 , the treating step S 50 , the first exhaust step S 60 , the purge step S 70 , the second exhaust step S 80 , and the taking out step S 90 . 
     The introducing step S 10  (~ t0) may be a step of introducing the substrate W into the treating space A 1 . In the introducing step S 10 , a door installed in the housing  100  and functioning as an inlet/outlet is opened, and a transfer robot (not shown) may introduce the substrate W into the treating space A 1  through the opened door. The transfer robot may load the substrate W on the support plate  210  of the chuck  200 . The introducing step S 10  may be completed before t0. 
     In the temperature stabilizing step S 20  (t0 to 11) the substrate W may be heated (see  FIG.  4   ). In the temperature stabilizing step S 20 , the temperature of the substrate W may be heated to a preset process temperature, and the temperature of the substrate W may be stabilized so that the temperature of the substrate W is constantly maintained at the process temperature. For example, in the temperature stabilizing step S 20 , the temperature of the substrate W may be changed from an initial temperature TE0 to the process temperature TE1. The process temperature TE1 may be higher than the initial temperature TE0. The process temperature TE1 may be 100° C. or greater. 
     In the temperature stabilizing step S 20 , the electrostatic electrode switch  224  is turned on so that the electrostatic electrode  220  may chuck the substrate W. In addition, the heater power switch  234  is turned on so that the heater  230  heats the support plate  210  and the heated support plate  210  heats the substrate W. In this case, the second gas supply unit  800  may supply the inert gas IG to the plasma space A 2 . The inert gas IG supplied by the second gas supply unit  800  may be introduced into the treating space A 1  through the plasma space A 2  and the mixing space A 3 . Accordingly, the pressure of the treating space A 1  may be increased from the initial pressure P 0  to a first pressure P 1 , which is greater than the initial pressure P 0 . In addition, the controller  1000  may control the second gas supply unit  800  and the exhaust unit  900  so that the pressure of the treating space A 1  is maintained as the first pressure P 1 . For example, the controller  1000  may control the second gas supply unit  800  and the exhaust unit  900  so that a supply flow rate of the inert gas IG per unit time supplied by the second gas supply unit  800  is the same as an exhaust flow rate of the inert gas IG per unit time exhausted by the exhaust unit  900 . 
     In the temperature stabilizing step S 20 , the heater  230  heats the substrate W to stabilize the temperature of the substrate W to the process temperature, and simultaneously the pressure of the treating space A 1  is boosted to the first pressure P 1 . This is because the pressure in the treating space A 1  affects a temperature change and a temperature stabilization. Accordingly, in the temperature stabilizing step S 20  of this invention, the second gas supply unit  800  and/or the exhaust unit  900  boosts and maintains the pressure of the treating space A 1  to the first pressure P 1 , which is the pressure for the treating step S 50 . Accordingly, the temperature of the substrate W may be stabilized to the process temperature under the same or similar environment as the treating step S 50 . In other words, although an etch rate with respect to a film on the substrate W may vary according to the temperature of the substrate W, this invention may improve a reliability of the etching rate by raising the pressure of the treating space A 1  to the first pressure P1(process pressure) in the temperature stabilizing step S 20 . 
     In the pressure stabilizing step S 30  (t1 to t2), the pressure of the plasma space A 2  and the treating space A 1  may be stabilized to the process pressure (see  FIG.  5   ). For example, the pressure of the treating space A 1  may be constantly maintained as the first pressure P 1 . In addition, the process pressure of the plasma space A 2  and the treating space A 1  may be the same. However, since the plasma space A 2  and the treating space A 1  are separated from each other by the shower head  300  and the ion blocker  500 , the process pressure of the plasma space A 2  and the process pressure of the treating space A 1  may be somewhat different. 
     In the pressure stabilizing step S 30 , the first gas supply unit  700  may supply the first process gas G1 to the mixing space A 3 . In addition, in the pressure stabilizing step S 30 , the second gas supply unit  800  may supply the inert gas IG to the plasma space A 2 . More kinds of gas may be supplied to the pressure stabilizing step S 30  than in the temperature stabilizing step S 20 . 
     In order to maintain the pressure of the treating space A 1  constantly in the pressure stabilizing step S 30  at the first pressure P 1 , a supply flow rate per unit time of the inert gas IG continuously supplied from the temperature stabilizing step S 20  may be reduced, or a gas exhaust rate per unit time of the exhaust unit  900  may be further increased to maintain the pressure of the treating space A 1  at the first pressure P 1 . The pressure of the treating space A 1 , the plasma space A 2 , and the mixing space A 3  during the pressure stabilizing step S 30  may be equal to or similar to the pressure of the treating space A 1 , the plasma space A 2 , and the mixing space A 3  during the treating step S 50 . In the pressure stabilizing step S 30 , the pressure of the treating space A 1 , the plasma space A 2 , and the mixing space A 3  are constantly maintained (i.e., stabilized) at the process pressure, thereby improving the reliability of the etching rate. 
     The igniting step S 40  (t2 to t3) may be performed between the pressure stabilizing step S 30  and the treating step S 50  (see  FIG.  6   ). In the igniting step S 40 , the first gas supply unit  700  may supply the first process gas G1 to the mixing space A 3 , and the second gas supply unit  800  may supply the inert gas IG to the plasma space A 2 . In the igniting step S 40 , the top electrode  601  may form an electric field in the plasma space A 2  to excite portions of the inert gas IG, thereby forming a plasma atmosphere in the plasma space A 2 . That is, in the igniting step S 40  of the inventive concept, the plasma atmosphere is formed in the plasma space A 2  without supplying the second process gas G 2  to the plasma space A 2 . The plasma atmosphere formed in the plasma space A 2  by the inert gas IG in the igniting step S  40  may assist excitation the second process gas G 2  in the subsequent treating step S 50  for etching the substrate W. 
     In the treating step S 50  (t3 to t4), the etching on the substrate W may be performed (see  FIG.  7   ). In the treating step S 50 , the second gas supply unit  800  may supply the second process gas G 2  to the plasma space A 2 . Selectively, the inert gas IG may be further supplied to the plasma space A 2  according to a type and amount of an etchant to be generated. In addition, in the treating step S 50 , the first gas supply unit  700  may supply the first process gas G1 to the mixing space A 3 . The first process gas G1 may be a gas containing a hydrogen such as NH 3 —, which is a reaction gas. In addition, the inert gas IG may be a gas including at least one selected from an He, an Ar, an Xe, an N 2 — or combinations thereof. In addition, the second process gas G 2  may be a gas including an H 2  capable of generating hydrogen radicals H* or a gas including an NF 3 — capable of generating fluorine radicals F*. Hereinafter, an example where the inert gas IG is a gas including an He, the first process gas G1 is a gas including NH 3 , and the second process gas G 2  is a gas including an NF 3 . In addition, it will be described as an example that the film formed on the substrate W to be removed is a film containing an SiCh. 
     In the treating step S 50  of the inventive concept, an etching process mechanism is as follows. 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     A solid by-product (NH 4 ) 2 SiF 6  may be decomposed and vaporized at 100° C. 
     In more detail, the second process gas G 2  including an NF 3  supplied to the plasma space A 2  may be excited to a plasma P state. The ions of the plasma P generated in the plasma space A 2  may be trapped in the ion blocker  500  disposed between the mixing space A 3  and the plasma space A 2  while being introduced into the mixing space A 3 . Accordingly, only fluorine radicals F* may be substantially introduced into the mixing space A 3 . 
     In this case, the fluorine radical F* introduced into the mixing space A 3  and the first process gas G1, which is a gas including an NH 3 — may react with each other to generate the etchant E, NH4F.HF, which are reactants. In addition, the etchant E may be applied to the substrate W. The etchant E can react with a film formed on the substrate W, for example, a film including an SiO2, to produce an (NH4) 2 SiF 6 , which is a solid by-product. In this case, since the temperature of the substrate W is heated to a temperature higher than 100° C., the solid by-product (NH 4 ) 2 SiF 6  may be removed from the substrate W. A vaporized (NH 4 ) 2 SiF 6  may be discharged from the substrate treating apparatus  10  by the exhaust unit  900 . 
     In the first exhaust step S 60  (t4 to t5), process by-products generated in the treating of the substrate W and gases supplied to the treating space A 1  may be exhausted to an outside of the substrate treating apparatus  10  (see  FIG.  8   ). In the first exhaust step S 60 , a supply of the first process gas G1, the second process gas G 2 , and the inert gas IG may be stopped, and the atmosphere of the treating space A 1  maintained at the first pressure P 1  may be exhausted. In this case, the pressure of the treating space A 1  may be controlled to a pressure of 100 m Torr or less. 
     In the purge step S 70  (t5 to t6), the pressure of the treating space A 1  may be increased. In the purge step S 70 , the purge gas may be supplied to the treating space A 1 , the mixing space A 3 , and the plasma space A 2  (see  FIG.  9   ). In the purge step S 70 , the pressure of the treating space A 1  may be increased to a second pressure P 2 , which is a pressure higher than the first pressure P 1 . The purge gas may include the first process gas G1 supplied from the first gas supply unit  700 , the second process gas G 2  supplied from the second gas supply unit  800 , and an inert gas IG, but is not limited thereto. For example, the purge gas may include only the inert gas. Specifically, in the purge step S 70 , the first gas supply unit  700  may further include an inert gas supply unit (not shown) supplying the inert gas to the mixing space A 3  through the main gas line  703 , and the second gas supply unit  800  may also supply the inert gas to the plasma space A 2 . 
     In the purge step S 70 , the pressure of the treating space A 2  may be increased to the second pressure P 2 , which is a relatively high pressure. For example, in the purge step S 70 , the pressure of the treating space A 1  may be greater than the pressure of the treating space A 1  in the treating step S 50 . In the purge step S 70 , the treating space A 1  may be pressurized to separate residual solid by-products and process by-products that may be attached to an inner wall of the housing  100  and the substrate W from the housing  100  and/or the substrate W. 
     In the second exhaust step S 80  (t6 to t7), the residual solid by-products and process by-products separated in the purge step S 70  may be exhausted to the outside of the substrate treating apparatus  10  (see  FIG.  10   ). In the second exhaust step S 80 , a supply of the first process gas G1, the second process gas G 2 , and the inert gas IG may be stopped, and the atmosphere of the treating space A 1  maintained at the second pressure P 2  may be exhausted. In this case, the pressure of the treating space A 1  may be controlled to a pressure of 100 m Torr or less. 
     The taking-out step S 90  (t7~) may be a step of taking out the substrate W from the treating space A 1 . In the taking-out step S 90 , the door formed in the housing  100  and functioning as an inlet/outlet is opened, and a transfer robot (not shown) may take the substrate W out of the treating space A 1  through the opened door. The transfer robot may unload the substrate W on the support plate  210  of the chuck  200 . The introducing step S 10  may be performed after t7. 
     In the above-described example, the top electrode  601  generates the plasma P in the plasma space A 2 , but this invention is not limited to it. For example, a bottom electrode (not shown) may be provided inside the chuck  200 , and a bottom power source for applying an RF power may be connected to the bottom electrode. That is, the plasma P may be generated in the treating space A 1 , the first process gas G1 may be supplied to the treating space A 1 , and the first process gas G1 reacts with the plasma P including a fluorine or hydrogen radicals to generate the etchant E. 
     In the above-described example, the second process gas G 2  is an NF 3 , but the inventive concept is not limited thereto. For example, the second process gas G 2  may be modified into various gases including fluorine. 
     In the above-described example, the second process gas G 2  is a gas including a fluorine, but the inventive concept is not limited thereto. For example, the second process gas G 2  may be a gas containing a hydrogen. For example, the second process gas G 2  may be a gas containing a H2. The second process gas G 2  may be modified into various gases capable of generating hydrogen radicals H*. 
     The effects of the inventive concept are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and the unmentioned effects can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the inventive concept pertains from the specification and the accompanying drawings. 
     Although the preferred embodiment of the inventive concept has been illustrated and described until now, the inventive concept is not limited to the above-described specific embodiment, and it is noted that an ordinary person in the art, to which the inventive concept pertains, may be variously carry out the inventive concept without departing from the essence of the inventive concept claimed in the claims and the modifications should not be construed separately from the technical spirit or prospect of the inventive concept.