Patent Publication Number: US-2023135026-A1

Title: Substrate processing apparatus

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0147977, filed Nov. 1, 2021, the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present disclosure relates to a substrate processing apparatus capable of replacing consumables and, more particularly, to a technique for supporting replacement of consumables such as a shower head and a focus ring while maintaining a chamber processing environment of the substrate processing apparatus. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     As plasma processing apparatuses, those using a capacitively coupled plasma (CCP) source, an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) source, a plasma wave helicon, and a microwave plasma source have been proposed. Among them, an ICP processing apparatus capable of easily generating a high-density plasma is widely used. 
     A plasma processing apparatus is used in various fields, and in particular, it is used in various processes such as deposition and etching in the manufacture of semiconductors that require high density and high integration. 
     When the deposition process by using the plasma processing apparatus is performed, a reaction product is not only deposited on a substrate but also coats a shower head of a process chamber, thereby contaminating the shower head. In addition, when the etching process is performed by using the plasma processing apparatus, by-products generated as a result of substrate etching are deposited on the surface of the shower head, thus contaminating the shower head. 
     Thus, it is necessary to periodically replace or clean the contaminated shower head. However, for the replacement or cleaning of the shower head, the substrate treatment process itself has to be stopped, and it takes a lot of time to recreate the chamber processing environment. 
     Moreover, a focus ring, which is utilized for achieving a more uniform plasma distribution, requires periodic replacement due to damage or wear. 
     In order to replace the focus ring, it is necessary to stop the substrate treatment process and open the process chamber to replace the focus ring, so as in the case of the shower head, it takes a lot of time to recreate the chamber processing environment. 
     Therefore, it is requisite to propose a technique for replacing consumables while maintaining the internal processing environment of the process chamber. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present disclosure has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the related art, and the present disclosure is intended to provide a substrate processing apparatus capable of replacing consumables and, more particularly, a technique for replacing consumables such as a shower head or a focus ring. 
     When replacing or cleaning a contaminated shower head and when replacing a focus ring, a substrate treatment process of the substrate processing apparatus needs to be stopped, and it takes a lot of time to recreate the chamber processing environment. An objective of the present disclosure is to solve these problems. 
     The objective of the present disclosure is not limited to the above, and other objectives and advantages of the present disclosure not mentioned may be understood by the following description. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a substrate processing apparatus includes a process chamber provided with a processing space for performing a substrate processing process, a lifting member disposed in the process chamber and supporting a part that constitutes the substrate processing apparatus, wherein the part is located in the processing space and the lifting member is configured to lift or lower the part, a door means provided at a wall surface of the process chamber to selectively provide a passage between the processing space and an exterior to the process chamber according to opening of the door means, and a transport means configured to remove the part from the processing space through the passage of the door means. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a substrate processing apparatus includes a process chamber provided with a processing space for performing a substrate processing process, a focus ring mounted on an outside of a substrate support unit of the process chamber, a shower head disposed in an upper part of the processing space, a detachment means configured to disassemble the shower head from the process chamber, a lifting member positioned under the focus ring and connected to the focus ring or the shower head, a door means provided at a wall surface of the process chamber to selectively provide a passage leading to the processing space according to opening and closing, a buffer chamber connected to the passage of the door means to maintain a processing environment of the process chamber when the passage is opened, and provided with a storage for consumables, and a transport means located in the buffer chamber and configured to be able to enter and exit the processing space through the passage of the door means to transport the focus ring or the shower head. 
     According to the present disclosure, it is possible to replace consumables such as a shower head and a focus ring while maintaining a chamber processing environment of a substrate processing apparatus. 
     In particular, when a used shower head or a used focus ring is replaced with a new shower head or a new focus ring, the environment of the process chamber is maintained, so there is no need to recreate the processing environment thereafter, thereby increasing process progress efficiency. 
     In addition, by configuring the shower head with a plurality of plates, the weight of the replacement shower head can be reduced while sequentially removing a used plate and performing the process with a remaining plate. 
     The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from this specification and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objectives, features, and other advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a view illustrating an embodiment of a substrate processing apparatus capable of replacing consumables according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a view illustrating an example of lifting and lowering a focus ring by a lifting member in the substrate processing apparatus capable of replacing consumables according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    is a view illustrating a configuration in which a shower head is dismounted by a detachment means in the substrate processing apparatus capable of replacing consumables according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  4    is a view illustrating an example of dismounting, and lifting and lowering the shower head in the substrate processing apparatus capable of replacing consumables according to the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  5 ,  6 A, and  6 B  are views illustrating another example of the shower head and detachment means in the substrate processing apparatus capable of replacing consumables according to the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  7 A to  8 B  are views illustrating yet another example of the shower head and detachment means in the substrate processing apparatus capable of replacing consumables according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  9    is a view illustrating another embodiment of a substrate processing apparatus capable of replacing consumables according to the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  10 A to  10 C  are views illustrating a process of dismounting and discharging a used focus ring in the substrate processing apparatus capable of replacing consumables according to the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  11 A to  11 C  are views illustrating a process of bringing in and mounting a new focus ring in the substrate processing apparatus capable of replacing consumables according to the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  12 A to  12 C  are views illustrating a process of dismounting and discharging a used shower head in the substrate processing apparatus capable of replacing consumables according to the present disclosure; and 
         FIGS.  13 A to  13 C  are views illustrating a process of bringing in and mounting a new shower head in the substrate processing apparatus capable of replacing consumables according to the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited by the embodiments. 
     In order to explain the present disclosure, the operational advantages of the present disclosure, and the objectives achieved by the practice of the present disclosure, embodiments of the present disclosure are exemplified below and will be described with reference to them. 
     First, the terms used in this application are only used to describe specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure, and the singular expression may include a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In addition, it should be understood that in the present disclosure, terms such as “comprise” or “have” are intended to designate that a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification exists, and do not preclude the possibility of addition or existence of one or more other features or numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof. 
     In describing the present disclosure, when it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present disclosure, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
     The present disclosure proposes a technique for supporting replacement of consumables disposed in a process chamber while maintaining a chamber processing environment of the substrate processing apparatus. 
     In the following embodiments of the present disclosure, consumables are described as being limited to a shower head and a focus ring, but are not limited thereto, and may include various components, such as rings and liners, which are disposed in the inner space of the process chamber and are contaminated or worn according to process treatment and require periodic replacement. 
       FIG.  1    is a view illustrating an embodiment of a substrate processing apparatus capable of replacing consumables (i.e., parts constituting the substrate processing apparatus) according to the present disclosure. 
     The substrate processing apparatus  100  may include a process chamber  110 , a substrate support unit  120 , plasma generation units  130   a  and  130   b , a shower head  140 , a first gas supply unit  160   a , a second gas supply unit  160   b , and a liner or wall-liner  170 . 
     The substrate processing apparatus  100  may be an apparatus for processing a substrate W using a dry etching process. The substrate processing apparatus  100  may process the substrate W using, for example, a plasma process. 
     The process chamber  110  may provide a processing space in which the plasma process is performed. The process chamber  110  may have an exhaust hole  111  at a lower portion thereof. 
     The exhaust hole  111  may be connected to the exhaust line  113  on which the pump  112  is mounted. The exhaust hole  111  may discharge a reaction by-product generated during the plasma process and a gas remaining in the process chamber  110  to the outside of the process chamber  110  through an exhaust line  113 . In this case, the internal space of the process chamber  110  may be decompressed to a predetermined pressure. 
     A door means  210  may be provided on a sidewall of the process chamber  110 . The door means  210  may serve as a passage for transporting consumables into the inner processing space of the process chamber  110 . 
     The door means  210  may include a door  211  and a door actuator  213 . The door  211  may be opened and closed according to the operation of the door actuator  213  while forming a part of the outer wall of the process chamber  110 , and through this, may selectively provide a passage connected to the processing space of the process chamber  110 . The door actuator  213  may lift and lower the door  211  by including a hydraulic cylinder, a motor, and the like. 
     The substrate support unit  120  may be installed in an inner lower region of the process chamber  110 . An electrostatic chuck for supporting the substrate W using electrostatic force may be applied to the substrate support unit  120 , but other means for mounting and supporting the substrate in various ways may be applied. For example, the substrate support unit  120  may support the substrate W in various ways such as mechanical clamping, vacuum, and the like. 
     A focus ring  150  may be disposed outside the substrate support unit  120 . The focus ring  150  may be provided in a ring shape and configured to support an edge region of the substrate W. The focus ring  150  may be made of a silicone material, and may focus plasma to the substrate W. The focus ring  150  may be coupled to a base  121  of the substrate support unit  120  using a clamp, an O-ring, or the like. 
     In addition, an insulation ring (not shown) surrounding the focus ring  150 , an edge ring (not shown) in close contact with the rim of the focus ring  150  may be disposed outside the focus ring  150 . 
     The first gas supply unit  160   a  may supply a gas for removing foreign substances remaining on the upper portion of the focus ring  150  or the substrate support unit  120 . 
     The first gas supply unit  160   a  may supply nitrogen gas (N2 gas) as a gas for removing foreign substances, but is not limited thereto. For example, the first gas supply unit  160   a  may supply other gases or cleaning agents. 
     A heating member  124  and a cooling member  125  of the substrate support unit  120  may be provided to allow the substrate W to maintain a process temperature while a treatment process is being performed inside the process chamber  110 . To this end, the heating member  124  may include a heating wire, and the cooling member  125  may include a cooling line through which a refrigerant flows. 
     The heating member  124  and the cooling member  125  may be installed inside the substrate support unit  120  to allow the substrate W to maintain a process temperature. 
     The plasma generation units  130   a  and  130   b  may generate plasma from the gas remaining in a discharge space. The discharge space may be a space positioned above the substrate support unit  120  among the processing spaces of the process chamber  11 . 
     The plasma generation units  130   a  and  130   b  may generate plasma in the discharge space inside the process chamber  110  using a capacitively coupled plasma (CCP) source. In this case, the plasma generation unit may use the shower head  140  as an upper electrode, and when the substrate support unit  120  provides an electrostatic chuck, the electrostatic chuck may be used as a lower electrode. 
     As another example, it is also possible for the plasma generation units  130   a  and  130   b  to generate plasma in the discharge space inside the process chamber  110  using an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) source. In this case, the plasma generation units  130   a  and  130   b  use an antenna (not shown) installed on the upper portion of the process chamber  110  as an upper electrode, and use the electrostatic chuck of the substrate support unit  120  as a lower electrode. 
     The plasma generation units  130   a  and  130   b  may include an upper electrode, a lower electrode, an upper power supply, and a lower power supply. 
     When the plasma generation units  130   a  and  130   b  use the CCP source, the shower head  140  may function as an upper electrode, and the electrostatic chuck of the substrate support unit  120  may function as a lower electrode, and the shower head  140  functioning as an upper electrode and the electrostatic chuck functioning as a lower electrode may be installed to face up and down inside the process chamber  110 . The shower head  140  may include a plurality of gas feeding holes to inject gas into the process chamber  110 . 
     The shower head  140  may be made of a silicone material or a metal material. 
     In addition, a detachment means for mounting/dismounting the shower head  140  on/from the process chamber  110  may be provided. As an example, the detachment means may mount and dismount the shower head  140  in a clamp-fastening manner. 
     The upper plasma generation unit  130   b  may be provided to control characteristics of plasma. For example, the upper plasma generation unit  130   b  may be provided to modulate ion bombardment energy. A plurality of power sources of the upper plasma generation unit  130   b  may be provided. In this case, a first matching network (not shown) electrically connected to the plurality of power sources of the upper plasma generation unit  130   b  may be further included. 
     The first matching network may match and apply different magnitudes of frequency power input from each upper power source to the shower head  140 . 
     The lower plasma generation unit  130   a  may apply power to the electrostatic chuck of the substrate support unit  120 . The power of the lower plasma generation unit  130   a  may serve as a plasma source for generating plasma, or may serve to control characteristics of plasma together with the power of the upper plasma generation unit  130   b.    
     A plurality of power sources of the lower plasma generation unit  130   a  may be provided, and a second matching network (not shown) electrically connected to the plurality of power sources of the lower plasma generation unit  130   a  may be further included. 
     The second matching network may match and apply different magnitudes of frequency power input from each lower power source to the electrostatic chuck of the substrate support unit  120 . 
     The second gas supply unit  160   b  may supply a process gas to the internal processing space of the process chamber  110  through the shower head  140 . The second gas supply unit  160   b  may include a second gas supply source and a second gas supply line. 
     The second gas supply unit  160   b  may supply an etching gas as a process gas used to process the substrate W. The second gas supply unit  160   b  may supply a gas including a fluorine element as the etching gas. For example, a gas such as SF6 or CF4 may be supplied as the etching gas. 
     The second gas supply unit  160   b  may provide the process gas to the shower head  140  so that the etching gas may be introduced into the inner space of the process chamber  110  through the gas feeding holes of the shower head  140 . 
     Meanwhile, when the shower head  140  is divided into a center zone, a middle zone, an edge zone, etc., the second gas supply unit  160   b  may further include a gas distributor (not shown) and a gas distribution line (not shown) to supply a process gas to each region of the shower head  140 . 
     The second gas supply unit  160   b  may further include a second gas supply source (not shown) for supplying a deposition gas. 
     The second gas supply source may supply gas to the shower head  140  to protect the side surface of the substrate W pattern to enable anisotropic etching. The second gas supply source may supply a gas such as C4F8 or C2F4 as the deposition gas. 
     The liner  170  may protect the inner surface of the process chamber  110  from an arc discharge generated while the process gas is excited, impurities generated during a substrate processing process, and the like. The liner  170  may be provided in the inside of the process chamber  110  in a cylindrical shape with an upper part and a lower part open. 
     A lifting member  230  may lift lower consumables while supporting the consumables in the processing space. The lifting member  230  may include a lifting shaft  231  and a lifting actuator  233 . 
     By the operation of the lifting actuator  233 , the lifting shaft  231  may be lifted and lowered to mount consumables at the corresponding position or to position consumables dismounted from the corresponding position at the height of the passage of the door means  210 . 
     For example, for a replacement of the focus ring  150 , the lifting member  230  may lift a used focus ring to support unloading of the used focus ring through the passage of the door means  210 , or lower a new focus ring introduced through the passage of the door means  210  to be mounted on the outside of the substrate support unit  120 . 
     Moreover, for a replacement of the shower head  140 , the lifting member  230  may lower a used shower head to support unloading of the used shower head through the passage of the door means  210 , or lift a new shower head introduced through the passage of the door means  210  to be mounted in the process chamber  110 . 
     In the substrate processing apparatus  100  as described above, there are consumables that are contaminated or worn as a result of performing a substrate processing process. For example, as the deposition and etching processes are performed, the shower head may be contaminated, and the focus ring may be contaminated and worn. Thus, these consumables require periodic replacement or cleaning. 
     The substrate processing apparatus  100  according to the present disclosure is configured such that, by the lifting member  230 , consumables such as the focus ring  150  or the shower head  140  may be lifted or lowered for mounting and dismounting, and by the role of the door means  210 , a used focus ring or shower head may be taken out and a new focus ring or shower head may be brought in through the passage that is opened or closed. In this case, consumables such as a focus ring or a shower head may be transported by a transport means. 
     A configuration in which consumables are dismounted or mounted and transported in the substrate processing apparatus  100  according to the present disclosure will be described in more detail through embodiments. 
       FIG.  2    is a view illustrating an example of lifting and lowering a focus ring by a lifting member in the substrate processing apparatus capable of replacing consumables according to the present disclosure. 
     The lifting member  230  may lift and lower consumables while supporting the consumables in the processing space of the process chamber. 
     When the focus ring  150  is dismounted or mounted in  FIG.  2   , the focus ring  150  may be lifted and lowered by the lifting member  230  disposed under the focus ring  150 . 
     The lifting member  230  may include the lifting shaft  231  and the lifting actuator  233 . 
     A plurality of lifting shafts  231  are disposed along the circumference of the focus ring  150  to support the focus ring  150 , and the lifting actuator  233  may lift and lower the focus ring  150  by moving the lifting shaft  231  in the vertical direction. 
     In addition, the lifting member  230  includes a lifting member controller  235 , and the lifting member controller  235  controls the lifting actuator  233  so that the focus ring  150  may be mounted on or dismounted from the periphery of the substrate support unit  120  of the process chamber  110  according to the movement of the lifting shafts  231 . 
     For example, the lifting member controller  235  lifts the lifting shafts  231  under the control of the lifting actuator  233  to separate a used focus ring supported by the lifting shafts  231  from the substrate support unit  120  and to position the used focus ring at the height of the passage of the door means  210 . 
     Similarly, the lifting member controller  235  lowers the lifting shafts  231  under the control of the lifting actuator  233  to mount a new focus ring supported by the lifting shafts  231  around the substrate support unit  120 . 
       FIG.  3    is a view illustrating a configuration in which a shower head is dismounted by a detachment means in the substrate processing apparatus capable of replacing consumables according to the present disclosure, and  FIG.  4    is a view illustrating an example of dismounting, and lifting and lowering the shower head in the substrate processing apparatus capable of replacing consumables according to the present disclosure. 
     The shower head  140  may be mounted in the upper part of the processing space of the process chamber  110 , and the detachment means  240  may be disposed in the upper side of the processing space of the process chamber  110 . 
     As an example, the detachment means  240  may include: a fastening member  241  provided with a screw thread to be fastened to the shower head; and a fastening actuator  243  connected to the end of the fastening member  241  to rotate the fastening member  241 . A plurality of fastening parts  143  may be provided in the shower head  140  along the outer circumferential direction of the gas feeding hole  142 . The fastening part  143  of the shower head  140  may be fastened to correspond to the fastening member  241 . In an embodiment, when the fastening member  241  has an outer surface with a screw thread, the fastening part  143  is a hole with a corresponding thread for the screw thread of the fastening member  241 . The fastening member  241  may screw into the hole of the fastening part  143  such that the shower head  140  is secured by the detachment means  240 . 
     In addition, the detachment means  240  includes a detachment means controller  245 , and the detachment means controller  245  controls the fastening actuator  243 , and as the fastening member  241  rotates by the fastening actuator  243 , the fastening member  241  may be fastened to or detached from the fastening part  143  of the shower head  140 . 
     Furthermore, a torque measurement device (TMD) ( 247 ) for measuring the coupling strength when the fastening members  241  are fastened to the shower head  140  may be provided, and the detachment means controller  245  may control the fastening actuator  243  on the basis of the measured coupling strength to fasten the shower head  140  on the fastening members  241 . In an embodiment, the torque measurement device may include a torque sensor such as a Cabot torque sensor, a contactless torque sensor, and an automotive torque sensor. 
     The lifting shaft  231  of the lifting member  230  may ascend to the lower surface of the shower head  140  mounted on the upper processing space of the process chamber  110 , and the plurality of lifting shafts  231  may be disposed along the outer circumference of the shower head  140  to support the shower head  140  when the shower head  140  is mounted or dismounted. 
     For example, when the detachment means  240  separates the shower head  140 , the dismounted shower head  140  may be supported by the lifting shafts  231 . Additionally, in a state in which the shower head  140  is supported by the lifting shafts  231 , the detachment means  240  may mount the shower head  140 . 
     In addition, the lifting member controller  235  of the lifting member  230  controls the lifting actuator  233  to lift and lower the lifting shafts  231  to move the shower head  140  between the mounting position and the passage position of the door means  210 . 
       FIGS.  5 ,  6 A, and  6 B  are views illustrating another example of the shower head and detachment means in the substrate processing apparatus capable of replacing consumables according to the present disclosure. 
     A shower head  140   a  may have a structure in which a fixed plate  141   a  and a replacement plate  144   a  are stacked. 
     The fixed plate  141   a  and the replacement plate  144   a  are provided with gas feeding holes  142   a  and  145   a  and fastening parts  143   a  and  146   a  which correspond to each other and communicate with each other, respectively. The shower head  140   a  may be provided in a structure in which the fixed plate  141   a  and the replacement plate  144   a  are sequentially fastened and stacked on fastening members  241   a  of a detachment means  240   a.    
     The fixed plate  141   a  and the replacement plate  144   a  may be sequentially fastened on the fastening members  241   a  according to the operation of the fastening actuator  243 , and according to the operation of the fastening actuator  243 , only the replacement plate  144   a  may be separated from or fastened on the fastening members  241   a.    
     Furthermore, a torque measurement device for measuring the coupling strength when the fastening members  241   a  are fastened to the shower head  140   a  may be provided, and the detachment means controller may control the fastening actuator  243   a  on the basis of the measured coupling strength to fasten the shower head  140   a  on the fastening members  241   a.    
     Since the replacement plate  144   a  is directly exposed on the processing space of the process chamber  110 , the replacement plate  144   a  may be relatively more contaminated than the fixed plate  141   a  as the process progresses. Thus, only the replacement plate  144   a  may be periodically replaced depending on the degree of contamination. 
     In an embodiment, in the shower head  140   a , it is possible that the replacement plate  144   a  is used first and removed when it is contaminated, and then the fixed plate  141   a  is used, and when the fixed plate  141   a  also needs to be replaced due to contamination, a new fixed plate  141   a  and a new replacement plate  144   a  may be mounted while removing the used fixed plate  141   a.    
     In addition, the fixed plate  141   a  and the replacement plate  144   a  may be replaced as the above-described lifting member lifts and lowers while supporting the fixed plate  141   a  and the replacement plate  144   a.    
     Moreover, in the shower head  140   a , the fixed plate  141   a  and the replacement plate  144   a  may be mounted and separated by a clamp-fastening method, and a detachment means may be provided corresponding thereto. 
       FIGS.  7 A to  8 B  are views illustrating yet another example of the shower head and detachment means in the substrate processing apparatus capable of replacing consumables according to the present disclosure. 
     In  FIGS.  7 A to  8 B , a shower head  140   b  has a structure in which the fixed plate  141   a  and the replacement plate  144   a  are stacked, and fastening protrusions  146   b  are engaged with fastening grooves  143   b  to be fastened. 
     The fastening grooves  143   b  are provided on the outer periphery of the fixed plate  141   a , and the fastening protrusions  146   b  are provided on the outer periphery of the replacement plate  144   a , so that the replacement plate  144   a  may be coupled to the fixed plate  141   a.    
     The detachment means includes a rotation ring  147   a , and the rotation ring  147   a  may be provided with detachment grooves  148   a  in which the fastening protrusions  146   b  of the replacement plate  144   a  are engaged. 
     As the rotation ring  147   a  rotates in a state in which the fastening protrusions  146   b  of the replacement plate  144   a  are engaged with the detachment grooves  148   a  of the rotation ring  147   a , the replacement plate  144   a  may be coupled to or separated from the fixed plate  141   a.    
     In addition, the fixed plate  141   b  and the replacement plate  144   b  may be replaced as the above-described lifting member lifts and lowers while supporting the fixed plate  141   b  and the replacement plate  144   b.    
     As described above, consumables such as a focus ring or a shower head may be configured in various ways, and may be variously modified in order to facilitate replacement. 
       FIG.  9    is a view illustrating another embodiment of a substrate processing apparatus capable of replacing consumables according to the present disclosure. 
     In describing the embodiment of  FIG.  9   , descriptions of parts overlapping with the embodiment of  FIG.  1    described above will be omitted. 
     A buffer chamber  250  may be provided outside the transport passage of consumables provided through the door  211  of the door means  210 . The buffer chamber  250  may be installed to be in contact with the outer wall of the process chamber  110  to seal the inner space of the process chamber  110 . 
     The inner space of the buffer chamber  250  may be created in the same environment as the internal processing environment of the process chamber  110 . When the inner space of the process chamber  110  and the inner space of the buffer chamber  250  communicate with each other according to the opening of the door  211  of the door means  210 , the processing environment created in the inner space of the process chamber  110  may be maintained since the inner space of the buffer chamber  250  is created under the same environmental conditions as the processing environment of the process chamber  110 . 
     A transport means  260  may be disposed in the buffer chamber  250 . The transport means  260  may include a transport robot that unloads used consumables from the inside of the process chamber  110  into the buffer chamber  250  and brings new consumables into the process chamber  110  from the inside of the buffer chamber  250 . 
     As an example, the transport robot may include a robot arm  264  and a robot arm actuator  263 . 
     Under the control of the robot arm actuator  263 , the robot arm  264  may have a structure in which the length is increased in multiple stages or may adopt a structure with a plurality of swivable joints, and thus, the robot arm  264  may enter the inner space of the process chamber  110  from the inner space of the buffer chamber  250  through the passage formed by the door means  210 . 
     When the lifting shafts  231  ascend or descend, while supporting used consumables, to the height of the passage formed by the door means  210 , the robot arm  264  may enter the inner space of the process chamber  110  and take over the used consumables supported by the lifting member  230 . When the robot arm  264  introduces new consumables into the passage formed by the door means  210 , the lifting shafts  231  may ascend or descend and take over the new consumables supplied by the robot arm  264 . 
     Furthermore, a storage  255  for storing consumables may be provided in the inner space of the buffer chamber  250 , and used consumables may be stored in the storage when transporting used consumables from the process chamber  110  to the buffer chamber  250  by the transport robot. The transport robot may also supply new consumables stored in the storage to the inner space of the process chamber  110 . 
     Due to the substrate processing apparatus capable of replacing consumables according to the present disclosure as described above, it may be possible to replace the consumables while maintaining the processing environment of the process chamber as it is. 
     A process of replacing consumables by using the substrate processing apparatus capable of replacing consumables according to the present disclosure will be described in more detail with examples. 
     The process of replacing consumables will be described by applying the embodiment according to the present disclosure of  FIG.  9    described above. 
       FIGS.  10 A to  10 C  are views illustrating a process of dismounting and discharging a used focus ring in the substrate processing apparatus capable of replacing consumables according to the present disclosure. 
     When the focus ring  150  is contaminated or worn and needs to be replaced, the lifting shafts  231  of the lifting member  230  positioned under the focus ring  150  ascend to dismount and lift the focus ring  150  mounted around the substrate support unit  120  as shown in  FIG.  10 A . The lifting shafts  231  may ascend so that the focus ring  150  is positioned at the height of the door  211  of the door means  210 . 
     In a state in which the used focus ring  150  is lifted to the height of the door  211 , a passage may be formed by opening the door  211  of the door means  210 . As shown in  FIG.  10 B , the robot arm  264  of the transport means  260  may enter the inside of the process chamber  110  through the passage, and take over the used focus ring  150  supported by the lifting shafts  231 . 
     In addition, as shown in  FIG.  10 C , the robot arm  264  may return to the inner space of the buffer chamber  250  while supporting the used focus ring  150 . The used focus ring  150  may be stored in the storage provided in the buffer chamber  250 . 
       FIGS.  11 A to  11 C  are views illustrating a process of bringing in and mounting a new focus ring in the substrate processing apparatus capable of replacing consumables according to the present disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIG.  11 A , the robot arm  264  of the transport means  260  in the buffer chamber  250  may support a new focus ring  150 . The new focus ring  150  may be withdrawn from the storage provided in the buffer chamber  250 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  11 B , a passage may be formed by opening the door  211  of the door means  210 , and the robot arm  264  of the transport means  260  may enter the process chamber  110  through the passage while supporting the new focus ring  150 . 
     In a state in which the robot arm  264  has transferred the new focus ring  150  into the process chamber  110 , the lifting shafts  231  of the lifting member  230  may ascend to the height of the passage and take over the new focus ring  150  supported by the robot arm  264  as shown in  FIG.  11 C . After transferring the new focus ring  150  to the lifting shafts  231  of the lifting member  230 , the robot arm  264  may return to the inside of the buffer chamber  250 . 
     Then, the lifting shafts  231  of the lifting member  230  descends, so that the new focus ring  150  may be mounted around the substrate support unit  120 . 
       FIGS.  12 A to  12 C  are views illustrating a process of dismounting and discharging a used shower head in the substrate processing apparatus capable of replacing consumables according to the present disclosure. 
     When the shower head  140  is contaminated and needs to be replaced, the lifting shafts  231  of the lifting member  230  may ascend to the lower surface of the shower head  140  to support the shower head  140  as shown in  FIG.  12 A . 
     The shower head  140  may have a structure in which the fixed plate  141  and the replacement plate  144  are stacked, and while the lower surface of the replacement plate  144  is supported by the lifting shafts  231  of the lifting member  230 , only the replacement plate  144  may be separated by the detachment means (not shown). 
     In a state in which the used replacement plate  144  is separated and supported by the lifting shafts  231  of the lifting member  230 , the lifting shafts  231  may descend to the height of the door  211  of the door means  210  as shown in  FIG.  12 B . 
     In a state in which the used replacement plate  144  is lowered to the door  211  height, a passage may be formed by opening the door  211  of the door means  210 . The robot arm  264  of the transport means  260  may enter the process chamber  110  through the passage and take over the used replacement plate  144  supported by the lifting shaft  231 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  12 C , the robot arm  264  may return to the inner space of the buffer chamber  250  while supporting the used replacement plate  144 . The used replacement plate  144  may be stored in the storage provided in the buffer chamber  250 . 
       FIGS.  13 A to  13 C  are views illustrating a process of bringing in and mounting a new shower head in the substrate processing apparatus capable of replacing consumables according to the present disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIG.  13 A , the robot arm  264  of the transport means  260  may support a new replacement plate  144  in the buffer chamber  250 . The new replacement plate  144  may be withdrawn from the storage provided in the buffer chamber  250 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  13 B , a passage may be formed by opening the door  211  of the door means  210 , and the robot arm  264  of the transport means  260  may enter the process chamber  110  through the passage while supporting the new replacement plate  144 . 
     In a state in which the robot arm  264  has transferred the new replacement plate  144  to the inside of the process chamber  110 , the lifting shafts  231  of the lifting member  230  may ascend to the height of the passage and take over the new replacement plate  144  supported by the robot arm  264 . After transferring the new replacement plate  144  to the lifting shafts  231  of the lifting member  230 , the robot arm  264  may return to the inside of the buffer chamber  250 . 
     Then, as shown in  FIG.  13 C , the lifting shafts  231  of the lifting member  230  ascends, bringing the new replacement plate  144  into contact with the fixed plate  141 , and in this state, the detachment means may mount the new replacement plate  144  on the lower surface of the fixed plate  141 . 
     When the installation of the new replacement plate  144  is completed, the lifting shafts  231  of the lifting member  230  may descend and return to its original position. 
     According to the present disclosure, it is possible to replace consumables such as a shower head and a focus ring while maintaining a chamber processing environment of a substrate processing apparatus. 
     In particular, when a used shower head or a used focus ring is replaced with a new shower head or a new focus ring, the environment of the process chamber is maintained, so there is no need to recreate the processing environment thereafter, thereby increasing process progress efficiency. 
     The above description is merely illustrative of the technical idea of the present disclosure, and various modifications and variations may be made by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from the essential characteristics of the present disclosure. Therefore, the embodiments described in the present disclosure are not intended to limit the technical spirit of the present disclosure, but to explain, and the technical spirit of the present disclosure is not limited by these embodiments. The protection scope of the present disclosure should be construed by the following claims, and all technical ideas within the scope equivalent thereto should be construed as being included in the scope of the present disclosure.