Patent Abstract:
An apparatus for a semiconductor device includes: a chamber having upper and lower portions, a volume of the lower portion being greater than a volume of the upper portion; a susceptor in the chamber, the susceptor having a substrate on a top surface thereof; an injector injecting process gases into the chamber; a coil unit over the chamber; a radio frequency power supply connected to the coil unit; and an exhaust through the chamber.

Full Description:
[0001]     The present invention claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 2003-55530 filed on Aug. 11, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to an apparatus for a semiconductor device, and more particularly, to an apparatus having an edge frame for a liquid crystal display device and a method of using the same.  
         [0004]     2. Discussion of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Liquid crystal display (LCD) devices are non-emissive devices that display images using a liquid crystal layer interposed between an array substrate and a color filter substrate. The array substrate and the color filter substrate may be fabricated by repetition of depositing a thin film on a transparent substrate such as a glass and patterning the deposited thin film. Recently, a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) method, where source gases are excited to a plasma state by an energy of high voltage and are deposited onto a substrate through a chemical reaction, has been widely used as a deposition technology of a thin film. An apparatus for an LCD device using a PECVD method will be illustrated hereinafter.  
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an apparatus for a liquid crystal display device according to the related art. In  FIG. 1 , an inner space of a chamber  100  is isolated from an outer space by a chamber body  30 . A susceptor  40  that a substrate  10  is loaded on is disposed in the chamber  100  and a heater (not shown) may be formed in the susceptor  40  to heat the substrate  10  when source gases are injected onto the substrate  10 . Specifically, when the source gases are activated by a PECVD method, the susceptor  40  may function as a lower electrode. A susceptor supporter  46  extends from a central bottom portion of the susceptor  40  and a driving assembly  44  is combined with a lower circumference of the susceptor supporter  46 . Since the driving assembly  44  is connected to a driving means  50  such as a motor, the susceptor  40  may move up and down according to steps of a fabrication process.  
         [0007]     In addition, the chamber  100  includes an exhaust  38  connected to a vacuum pump (not shown). The chamber  100  may be evacuated to a high vacuum state by exhausting the inner space of the chamber  100  through the exhaust  38  during a fabrication process.  
         [0008]     After the substrate  10  is loaded on the susceptor  40 , the susceptor  40  moves up to a reaction region of the inner space of the chamber  100  and an edge frame  20  contacts a boundary portion of the substrate  10 .  
         [0009]      FIG. 2A  is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an edge frame of an apparatus for a liquid crystal display device according to the related art and  FIG. 2B  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an edge frame of an apparatus for a liquid crystal display device according to the related art. In  FIGS. 2A and 2B , a susceptor  40  in a chamber  100  (of  FIG. 1 ) of an apparatus includes a plurality of lift pin holes  48  and a plurality of lift pins  32  is disposed to correspond to the plurality of lift pin holes  48 . Each lift pin  32  moves up and down through the corresponding lift pin hole  48  to support a substrate  10  during a loading and unloading steps. An edge frame  20  covers a substrate boundary portion  12  and an exposed susceptor boundary portion  42 . Specifically, a substrate-covering portion  22  of the edge frame  20  contacts the substrate boundary portion  12  to prevent a leakage of source gases through a gap between the edge frame  20  and the substrate  10 . Accordingly, the substrate-covering portion  22  is formed to be thinner than the other portion of the edge frame  20 .  
         [0010]     After the substrate  10  is loaded on the susceptor  40 , the edge frame  20  contacts the substrate  10  and the susceptor  40  to cover the substrate boundary portion  12  and the susceptor boundary  42  by moving up the susceptor  40 . At the same time, the edge frame  20  is detached from a frame supporter  34  formed on an inner wall of a chamber body  30 .  
         [0011]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are schematic cross-sectional views showing an operation of an edge frame of an apparatus for a liquid crystal display device according to the related art. In  FIG. 3A , a substrate  10  is loaded on a susceptor  40 . An edge frame  20  is supported by a frame supporter  34  such that an outer bottom surface  24  of the edge frame  20  contacts a top surface of the frame supporter  34 . The edge frame  20  covers the substrate boundary portion  12  and the susceptor boundary portion  42  and is spaced apart from the substrate  10  and the susceptor  40 . After loading the substrate  10  on the susceptor  40 , the susceptor  40  moves up to a reaction region of a chamber  100  (of  FIG. 1 ).  
         [0012]     In  FIG. 3B , as the susceptor  40  and the substrate  10  loaded on the susceptor  40  move up by the operation of a driving means  50  (of  FIG. 1 ) connected to the driving assembly  46  (of  FIG. 1 ), the edge frame  20  approaches the substrate  10  and the susceptor  40 . Accordingly, the substrate-covering portion  22  contacts the substrate boundary portion  12  and a central portion of the edge frame  20  contacts the susceptor boundary portion  42 . In addition, as the susceptor  40  further moves up, the outer bottom portion  24  of the edge frame  20  is detached from the top surface of the frame supporter  34 . Then, the edge frame  20  moves up with the susceptor  40 . Since the substrate-covering portion  22  contacts the substrate boundary portion  12 , a leakage of source gases or plasma is prevented during a deposition process or an etch process.  
         [0013]     However, since the edge frame  20  is formed of ceramic as a single body, the weight of the edge frame  20  is heavy and the pressure of the edge frame  20  to the substrate boundary portion  12  is high. The heavy weight and the high pressure may cause several problems in the fabrication process.  
         [0014]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are schematic cross-sectional views showing problems caused by an edge frame of an apparatus for an LCD device according to the related art. As shown in  FIG. 4A , a substrate boundary portion  12  of a substrate  10  may be broken due to the heavy weight and a high pressure of an edge frame  20 . Accordingly, process yield is reduced.  
         [0015]     In  FIG. 4B , the edge frame  20  may have a thermal damage at a central portion thereof and may be warped due to a heat from a heater in a susceptor  40  or a heat from a fabrication process. Accordingly, a substrate-covering portion  22  does not contact the substrate boundary portion  12  and the central portion of the edge frame  20  is spaced apart from the susceptor  40  so that a gap between the edge frame  20  and the substrate  10  can be generated. As a result, source gases or plasma may be leaked through the gap between the edge frame  20  and the substrate  10  and may be deposited on the substrate boundary portion  12  and the susceptor boundary portion  42  (of  FIGS. 3A and 3B ). The leakage of the source gases or plasma may deteriorate uniformity of the fabrication process and may require more frequent chamber cleaning. In addition, the source gases or plasma may be consumed uneconomically.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]     Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an apparatus for a semiconductor device that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.  
         [0017]     An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus having an edge frame that prevents break of a substrate.  
         [0018]     Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus having an edge frame that prevents leakage of source gases.  
         [0019]     Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.  
         [0020]     To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, an apparatus for a semiconductor device includes: a chamber; a susceptor in the chamber, wherein a substrate loaded on the susceptor has a substrate boundary portion and the susceptor has a susceptor boundary portion exposed outside the substrate boundary portion; an edge frame over the susceptor and the substrate, the edge frame comprising; a first sub-frame covering the substrate boundary portion and the susceptor boundary portion; and a second sub-frame surrounding the first sub-frame; and a frame supporter on a side wall of the chamber, the frame supporter supporting the second sub-frame.  
         [0021]     In another aspect, an operation method of an apparatus for a semiconductor device includes; providing an edge frame in a chamber of the apparatus, the edge frame including a first sub-frame and a second sub-frame, the first sub-frame being supported by the second frame and the second sub-frame being supported by a frame supporter on a side wall of the chamber; loading a substrate on a susceptor in the chamber; moving up the susceptor having the substrate thereon, thereby the first and second sub-frames being supported by the susceptor; and moving up the susceptor having the substrate and the first and second sub-frames thereon, thereby the second sub-frame being detached from the frame supporter.  
         [0022]     In another aspect, an operation method of an apparatus for a semiconductor device includes; providing an edge frame in a chamber of the apparatus, the edge frame including a first sub-frame and a second sub-frame, the first sub-frame being supported by the second frame and the second sub-frame being supported by a frame supporter on a side wall of the chamber; loading a substrate on a susceptor in the chamber; moving up the susceptor having the substrate thereon, thereby the first sub-frame being supported by the susceptor; and moving up the susceptor having the substrate and the first sub-frame thereon, wherein the second sub-frame remaining on the frame supporter.  
         [0023]     In another aspect, an edge frame for an apparatus having a chamber, a susceptor in the chamber and a substrate on the susceptor includes: a first sub-frame covering a boundary portion of the substrate and a boundary portion of the susceptor; and a second sub-frame surrounding the first sub-frame.  
         [0024]     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]     The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:  
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an apparatus for a liquid crystal display device according to the related art;  
         [0027]      FIG. 2A  is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an edge frame of an apparatus for a liquid crystal display device according to the related art;  
         [0028]      FIG. 2B  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an edge frame of an apparatus for a liquid crystal display device according to the related art;  
         [0029]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are schematic cross-sectional views showing an operation of an edge frame of an apparatus for a liquid crystal display device according to the related art;  
         [0030]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are schematic cross-sectional views showing problems caused by an edge frame of an apparatus for an LCD device according to the related art;  
         [0031]      FIG. 5  is a schematic cross-sectional view of an apparatus having an edge frame according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 6A  is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an edge frame of an apparatus for a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0033]      FIG. 6B  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an edge frame of an apparatus for a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0034]      FIG. 7  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an edge frame of an apparatus for a liquid crystal display device according to another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0035]      FIGS. 8A  to  8 C are schematic cross-sectional views showing an operation of an edge frame of an apparatus for a liquid crystal display device according to another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0036]      FIG. 9A  is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an edge frame of an apparatus for a liquid crystal display device according to another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0037]      FIG. 9B  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an edge frame of an apparatus for a liquid crystal display device according to another embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0038]      FIGS. 10A  to  10 C are schematic cross-sectional views showing an operation of an edge frame of an apparatus for a liquid crystal display device according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0039]     Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.  
         [0040]      FIG. 5  is a schematic cross-sectional view of an apparatus having an edge frame according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0041]     In  FIG. 5 , a chamber  300  of an apparatus for a liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes a lead  120  and a chamber body  130 . A gas-injecting unit  124  is formed through the lead  120  and connected to a gas-supplying unit (not shown). A shower head  122  is disposed in the lead  120  and source gases from the gas-injecting unit  124  are sprayed onto a substrate  110  through the shower head  122 . In a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) type apparatus, for example, the shower head  122  may be connected to a radio frequency (RF) power supply and may function as an upper electrode that activates the source gases for a plasma state during a fabrication process. A susceptor  140  is disposed in the chamber body  130  and the substrate  110  is loaded on the susceptor  140 . Even though not shown in  FIG. 5 , a heater may be formed in the susceptor  140  to heat the substrate  110  during a fabrication process. In a PECVD type apparatus, for example, the susceptor  140  may be grounded and may function as a lower electrode.  
         [0042]     In addition, a susceptor supporter  146  extends from a central bottom portion of the susceptor  140  and a driving assembly  144  is combined with a lower circumference of the susceptor supporter  146 . Since the driving assembly  144  is connected to a driving means  150  such as a motor outside the chamber  300 , the susceptor  140  may move up and down according to steps of a fabrication process. Moreover, an exhaust  138  connected to a vacuum pump (not shown) is formed through the chamber body  130 . The chamber  300  may be evacuated to a high vacuum state by exhausting an inner space of the chamber  300  through the exhaust  138  during a fabrication process.  
         [0043]     Specifically, an edge frame  200  covering a substrate boundary portion of the substrate  110  is disposed adjacent to an inner surface of the chamber body  130 . The edge frame  200  includes a first sub-frame  210  and a second sub-frame  220  contacting and surrounding the first sub-frame  210 .  
         [0044]      FIG. 6A  is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an edge frame of an apparatus for a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention and  FIG. 6B  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an edge frame of an apparatus for a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0045]     In  FIGS. 6A and 6B , a susceptor  140  in a chamber  300  (of  FIG. 5 ) of an apparatus includes a plurality of lift pin holes  145  and a plurality of lift pins  132  is disposed to correspond to the plurality of lift pin holes  145 . Each lift pin  132  moves up and down through the corresponding lift pin hole  145  to support a substrate  110  during a loading and unloading steps. As shown in  FIGS. 6A , the plurality of lift pins  132  may be disposed to correspond to a substrate boundary portion  112 . As a substrate is enlarged, the plurality of lift pins  132  may be disposed to correspond to a central portion of the substrate  110  in another embodiment. A diameter of a top portion of the lift pin  132  may be greater than a diameter of the lift pin hole  145  to prevent removal of the lift pin  132  from the lift pin hole  145 . Accordingly, the top portion of the lift pin  132  may have a cone shape. Furthermore, a top portion of the lift pin hole  145  may have a shape corresponding to the top portion of the lift pin  132 .  
         [0046]     An edge frame  200  covering the substrate boundary portion  112  and a susceptor boundary portion  142  is disposed adjacent to an inner wall of a chamber body  130 . The edge frame  200  includes a first sub-frame  210  and a second sub-frame  220  contacting and surrounding the first sub-frame  210 . For example, a width of the first sub-frame  210  may be smaller than a width of the second sub-frame  220 . The first sub-frame  210  covers the substrate boundary portion  112  and the susceptor boundary portion  142 . Specifically, a substrate-covering portion  212  of the first sub-frame  210  may be formed to be thinner than the other portion of the edge frame  200 . When the susceptor  140  moves up, the substrate-covering portion  212  contacts the substrate boundary portion  112 , and the other portion of the first sub-frame  210  and the second sub-frame  220  contact the susceptor boundary portion  142 . Accordingly, a leakage of source gases through a gap between the edge frame  200  and the substrate  110  is prevented.  
         [0047]     In addition, a first contact portion  214  of the first sub-frame  210  and a second contact portion  224  of the second sub-frame  220  contacting each other may be inclined toward a center of the chamber  300  (of  FIG. 5 ). That is, the first contact portion  214  and the second contact portion  224  may be inwardly inclined. A diameter of a top end of the first and second contact portions  214  and  224  is greater than a diameter of a bottom end of the first and second contact portions  214  and  224 . Accordingly, the first sub-frame  210  can move up higher than the second sub-frame  220  and stop when the first sub-frame  210  has the same height as the second sub-frame  220 . As a result, the first sub-frame  210  may be supported by the second sub-frame  220 . For example, inclined surfaces of the first and second contact portions  214  and  224  may have an angle within a range of about 20° to about 70° with respect to a top surface of the substrate  110 .  
         [0048]     The second sub-frame  220  may be supported by a frame supporter  134  such that an outer bottom portion  222  contacts a top surface of the frame supporter  134 . The outer bottom portion  222  may extend from the second sub-frame  220  downwardly. Even though the susceptor  140  and the edge frame  200  have a rectangular shape in plan view, the susceptor  140  and the edge frame  200  may have various shapes such as a circle in another embodiment.  
         [0049]     A cross-sectional shape and a position of the contact portions between the first and second sub-frames  210  and  220  may vary as an embodiment.  
         [0050]      FIG. 7  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an edge frame of an apparatus for a liquid crystal display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0051]     In  FIG. 7 , an edge frame  200  includes a first sub-frame  210  and a second sub-frame  220  contacting and surrounding the first sub-frame  210 . A substrate-covering portion  212  of the first sub-frame  210  is thinner than the other portion of the first sub-frame  210  to contact and press a substrate boundary portion  112  (of  FIG. 6B ) of a substrate  110  (of  FIG. 6B ). Moreover, an outer bottom portion  222  of the second sub-frame  220  extends from the second sub-frame  220  and contacts a susceptor supporter  134  (of  FIG. 6B ).  
         [0052]     A first contact portion  214  of the first sub-frame  210  contacts a second contact portion  224  of the second sub-frame  220 . The first contact portion  214  includes a first inclined surface  214   a , a first horizontal surface  214   b  and a first vertical surface  214   c , and the second contact portion includes a second inclined surface  224   a , a second horizontal surface  224   b  and a second vertical surface  224   c . The first and second inclined surfaces  214   a  and  224   a  are inclined to have an angle with respect to a horizontal direction. For example, the first and second inclined surfaces  214   a  and  224   a  may have an angle within a range of about 20° to about 70° with respect to a top surface of the substrate  110  (of  FIG. 6B ). The first and second horizontal surfaces  214   b  and  224   b  may be parallel to a horizontal line, and the first and second vertical surfaces  214   c  and  224   c  may be perpendicular to a horizontal line. Accordingly, the first horizontal surface  214   b  is substantially perpendicular to the first vertical surface  214   c , and the second horizontal surface  224   b  is substantially perpendicular to the second vertical surface  224   c . Moreover, as a whole, the first contact portion  214  is disposed over the second contact portion  224 . Since the first and second horizontal surfaces  214   b  and  224   b  are flat, the first sub-frame  210  is supported by the second sub-frame  220  more stably.  
         [0053]     As compared with an edge frame of  FIG. 6B , a lower portion of the first contact portion  214  of the first sub-frame  210  sinks toward a center of the chamber  300  (of  FIG. 5 ) and a lower portion of the second contact portion  224  of the second sub-frame  220  protrudes toward a center of the chamber  300  (of  FIG. 5 ). As a result, the first sub-frame  210  has a “T” shape in cross-sectional view such that two upper end portions are protruded outwardly.  
         [0054]      FIGS. 8A  to  8 C are schematic cross-sectional views showing an operation of an edge frame of an apparatus for a liquid crystal display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0055]     In  FIG. 8A , a substrate  110  is loaded into a chamber  300  (of  FIG. 5 ) and supported by a plurality of lift pins  132  through a plurality of lift pin holes  145  of a susceptor  140 . A frame supporter  134  is formed on an inner wall of a chamber body  130 . An edge frame  200  covers a substrate boundary portion  112  and a susceptor boundary portion  142 . The edge frame  200  includes a first sub-frame  210  and a second sub-frame  220  contacting and surrounding the first sub-frame  210 . Since a first contact portion  214  of the first sub-frame  210  is disposed over a second contact portion  224  of the second sub-frame  220 , the first sub-frame is supported by the second sub-frame  220 . The second sub-frame  220  is supported by a frame supporter  134  such that an outer bottom surface  222  of the second sub-frame  220  contacts a top surface of the frame supporter  134 . The first sub-frame  210  covers the substrate boundary portion  112  and the susceptor boundary portion  142  and the second frame covers the susceptor boundary portion  142 . Moreover, the first and second sub-frames  210  and  220  are spaced apart from the substrate  110  and the susceptor  140 .  
         [0056]     In  FIG. 8B , as the susceptor  140  moves up by a driving means  150  (of  FIG. 5 ), the plurality of lift pins  132  relatively move down through a plurality of lift pin holes  145 . After the substrate  110  contacts the susceptor  140 , the substrate  110  is supported by the susceptor  140  instead of the plurality of lift pins  132 . The susceptor  140  having the substrate  110  thereon further moves up even after the substrate  110  contacts the susceptor  140 . Accordingly, the substrate  110  and the susceptor  140  contact the edge frame  200  such that the first sub-frame covers the substrate boundary portion  112  and the susceptor boundary portion  142  and the second frame covers the susceptor boundary portion  142 . Specifically, the first sub-frame  210  effectively covers the substrate boundary portion  112  because of a substrate-covering portion thinner than the other portion of the first sub-frame  210 . After the edge frame  200  contacts the substrate  110  and the susceptor  140 , the edge frame  200  is supported by the susceptor  140  having the substrate  110  thereon instead of the frame supporter  134 .  
         [0057]     In  FIG. 8C , the susceptor  140  having the substrate  110  and the edge frame  200  thereon further moves up to a reaction region of the chamber  300  (of  FIG. 5 ) even after the edge frame  200  contacts the substrate  110  and the susceptor  140 . Accordingly, the outer bottom surface  222  of the second sub-frame  220  is detached from the frame supporter  134 . In the reaction region, the source gases may be deposited onto the substrate  110 .  
         [0058]     The edge frame  200  is divided into the first sub-frame  210  and the second sub-frame  220  such that a width of the first sub-frame  210  is smaller than a width of the second sub-frame  220 . Accordingly, the first sub-frame  210  covering the substrate boundary portion  112  is lighter than the second sub-frame  220 . Since only the first sub-frame  210  having a lighter weight contacts and presses the substrate  110 , a break of the substrate  110  due to a weight of the edge frame  200  is prevented.  
         [0059]     In addition, since the first sub-frame  210  is closer to a center of the susceptor  140  than the second sub-frame  220 , a heat from a heater (not shown) in the susceptor  140  is transmitted to the first sub-frame  210  first. The heat transmitted to the first sub-frame  210  is not completely transmitted to the second sub-frame  220  and some of the heat disappears during the transmission. Since the first sub-frame  210  is formed to have a width smaller than that of the second sub-frame  220 , the first sub-frame  210  is not warped due to the heat. Accordingly, the first sub-frame  210  completely contacts the substrate boundary portion  112  and the second sub-frame  220  completely contacts the susceptor boundary portion  142 . As a result, a gap is not generated between the edge frame  200  and the substrate  110  and the source gases are not deposited on the susceptor boundary portion  142 .  
         [0060]     After finishing the fabrication process, the susceptor  140  having the substrate  110  and the edge frame  200  thereon moves down. When the second sub-frame  220  contacts the frame supporter  134 , the edge frame  200  is supported by the frame supporter  134  and separated from the susceptor  140 . After the edge frame  200  is separated, the susceptor  140  keeps moving down. The plurality of lift pins  132  relatively moves up after bottom ends of the lift pins  132  contacts a supporting means or a bottom of the chamber  300  (of  FIG. 5 ). Accordingly, the substrate  110  is supported by the plurality of lift pins  132  and then unloaded by a robot arm.  
         [0061]      FIG. 9A  is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an edge frame of an apparatus for a liquid crystal display device according to another embodiment of the present invention and  FIG. 9B  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an edge frame of an apparatus for a liquid crystal display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0062]     In  FIGS. 9A and 9B , a susceptor  140  in a chamber  300  (of  FIG. 5 ) of an apparatus includes a plurality of lift pin holes  145  and a plurality of lift pins  132  is disposed to correspond to the plurality of lift pin holes  145 . Each lift pin  132  moves up and down through the corresponding lift pin hole  145  to support a substrate  110  during a loading and unloading steps. As shown in  FIGS. 9A , the plurality of lift pins  132  may be disposed to correspond to a substrate boundary portion  112 . As a substrate is enlarged, the plurality of lift pins  132  may be disposed to correspond to a central portion of the substrate  110  in another embodiment. A diameter of a top portion of the lift pin  132  may be greater than a diameter of the lift pin hole  145  to prevent removal of the lift pin  132  from the lift pin hole  145 . Accordingly, the top portion of the lift pin  132  may have a cone shape. Furthermore, a top portion of the lift pin hole  145  may have a shape corresponding to the top portion of the lift pin  132 .  
         [0063]     An edge frame  300  covering the substrate boundary portion  112  and a susceptor boundary portion  142  is disposed adjacent to an inner wall of a chamber body  130 . The edge frame  300  includes a first sub-frame  310  and a second sub-frame  320  contacting and surrounding the first sub-frame  310 . Differently from the edge frame  200  of  FIGS. 6A and 6B , a width of the first sub-frame  310  may be equal to or larger than a width of the second sub-frame  320 . Accordingly, the first sub-frame  310  covers the substrate boundary portion  112  and the susceptor boundary portion  142 , and the second sub-frame  320  contacts the first sub-frame  310  outside the susceptor  140 . The second sub-frame  320  does not cover the susceptor boundary portion  142 .  
         [0064]     A substrate-covering portion  312  of the first sub-frame  310  may be formed to be thinner than the other portion of the edge frame  300 . When the susceptor  140  moves up, the substrate-covering portion  312  contacts the substrate boundary portion  112 , and the other portion of the first sub-frame  310  contacts the susceptor boundary portion  142 . Accordingly, a leakage of source gases through a gap between the edge frame  300  and the substrate  110  is prevented.  
         [0065]     In addition, a first contact portion  314  of the first sub-frame  310  and a second contact portion  324  of the second sub-frame  320  contacting each other may be inclined toward a center of the chamber  300  (of  FIG. 5 ). Accordingly, the first sub-frame  310  can move up higher than the second sub-frame  320  and stop when the first sub-frame  310  has the same height as the second sub-frame  320 . As a result, the first sub-frame  310  may be supported by the second sub-frame  320 . For example, inclined surfaces of the first and second contact portions  314  and  324  may have an angle within a range of about 20° to about 70° with respect to a top surface of the substrate  110 .  
         [0066]     The second sub-frame  320  may be supported by a frame supporter  134  such that an outer bottom portion  322  contacts a top surface of the frame supporter  134 . The outer bottom portion  322  may extend from the second sub-frame  320  downwardly. Since the second sub-frame  320  does not move with the susceptor  140 , the second sub-frame  320  may be fixed on the frame supporter  134 . Even though the susceptor  140  and the edge frame  300  have a rectangular shape in plan view, the susceptor  140  and the edge frame  300  may have various shapes such as a circle in another embodiment. Moreover, a cross-sectional shape of the contact portions between the first and second sub-frames  310  and  320  may vary as an embodiment.  
         [0067]      FIGS. 10A  to  10 C are schematic cross-sectional views showing an operation of an edge frame of an apparatus for a liquid crystal display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0068]     In  FIG. 10A , a substrate  110  is loaded into a chamber  300  (of  FIG. 5 ) and supported by a plurality of lift pins  132  through a plurality of lift pin holes  145  of a susceptor  140 . A frame supporter  134  is formed on an inner wall of a chamber body  130 . An edge frame  300  covers a substrate boundary portion  112  and a susceptor boundary portion  142 . The edge frame  300  includes a first sub-frame  310  and a second sub-frame  320  contacting and surrounding the first sub-frame  310 . Since a first contact portion  314  of the first sub-frame  310  is disposed over a second contact portion  324  of the second sub-frame  320 , the first sub-frame  310  can be supported by the second sub-frame  320 . The second sub-frame  320  is supported by a frame supporter  134  such that an outer bottom surface  322  of the second sub-frame  320  contacts a top surface of the frame supporter  134 . The first sub-frame  310  covers the substrate boundary portion  112  and the susceptor boundary portion  142 , while the second frame does not cover the susceptor boundary portion  142 . Moreover, the first and second sub-frames  310  and  320  are spaced apart from the substrate  110  and the susceptor  140 .  
         [0069]     In  FIG. 10B , as the susceptor  140  moves up by a driving means  150  (of  FIG. 5 ), the plurality of lift pins  132  relatively move down through a plurality of lift pin holes  145 . After the substrate  110  contacts the susceptor  140 , the substrate  110  is supported by the susceptor  140  instead of the plurality of lift pins  132 . The susceptor  140  having the substrate  110  thereon further moves up even after the substrate  110  contacts the susceptor  140 . Accordingly, the substrate  110  and the susceptor  140  contact the edge frame  300  such that the first sub-frame  310  covers the substrate boundary portion  112  and the susceptor boundary portion  142 . However, since the second sub-frame  320  does not cover the susceptor boundary portion  142 , the second sub-frame  320  does not contact the susceptor  140 . The first sub-frame  310  effectively covers the substrate boundary portion  112  because of a substrate-covering portion  312  thinner than the other portion of the first sub-frame  310 . In addition, the first contact portion  314  contacts the second contact portion  324  such that the first contact portion  314  is disposed over the second contact portion  324 . After the first sub-frame  310  contacts the substrate  110  and the susceptor  140 , the first sub-frame  310  is supported by the susceptor  140  having the substrate  110  thereon.  
         [0070]     In  FIG. 10C , the susceptor  140  having the substrate  110  and the first sub-frame  310  thereon further moves up to a reaction region of the chamber  300  (of  FIG. 5 ) even after the first sub-frame  310  contacts the substrate  110  and the susceptor  140 . However, the second sub-frame  320  is not supported by the susceptor  140 , the second sub-frame  320  does not move up and is not detached from the frame supporter  134 . Accordingly, the first sub-frame  310  is detached from the second sub-frame  320 . Since the second sub-frame  320  is not detached from the frame supporter  134 , the second sub-frame  320  may be fixed on the frame supporter  134 . In the reaction region, the source gases may be deposited onto the substrate  110 .  
         [0071]     In this embodiment, the edge frame  300  is divided into the first sub-frame  310  and the second sub-frame  320  such that a width of the first sub-frame  310  is equal to or larger than a width of the second sub-frame  320 . Accordingly, only the first sub-frame  310  moves up with the susceptor  140  to the reaction region and the second sub-frame remains on the frame supporter  134  in a region under the reaction region. As a result, only the first sub-frame  310  presses the substrate boundary portion  112  and the susceptor boundary portion  142  during a fabrication process. Specifically, the substrate boundary portion  112  is covered with the substrate-covering portion  312  thinner than the other portion of the first sub-frame  310 . Since the whole edge frame  300  does not press the substrate  110 , a break of the substrate  110  due to a weight of the edge frame  300  is prevented.  
         [0072]     In addition, since the first sub-frame  310  is disposed on the susceptor  140  and the second sub-frame  320  is separated from the first sub-frame  310 , a heat from a heater (not shown) in the susceptor  140  is transmitted only to the first sub-frame  310  and the heat transmitted to the first sub-frame  310  is not transmitted to the second sub-frame  320 . Accordingly, the edge frame  300  is not warped due to the heat and the first sub-frame  310  completely contacts the substrate boundary portion  112  and the susceptor boundary portion  142 . As a result, a gap is not generated between the edge frame  300  and the substrate  110 , and a deposition of the source gases on the susceptor boundary portion  142  is prevented.  
         [0073]     After finishing the fabrication process, the susceptor  140  having the substrate  110  and the first sub-frame  310  thereon moves down. When the first sub-frame  310  contacts the second sub-frame  320 , the edge frame  300  is supported by the frame supporter  134  and separated from the susceptor  140 . Even after the edge frame  300  is separated, the susceptor  140  keeps moving down. The plurality of lift pins  132  relatively moves up after bottom ends of the lift pins  132  contacts a supporting means or a bottom of the chamber  300  (of  FIG. 5 ). Accordingly, the substrate  110  is supported by the plurality of lift pins  132  and then unloaded by a robot arm.  
         [0074]     In an embodiment of the present invention, a weight of a portion substantially covering and pressing the substrate is reduced by using an edge frame divided into independent portions. Accordingly, a break of the substrate due to the edge frame is prevented and a production yield is improved. Furthermore, since a heat from the susceptor is transmitted to the portion substantially covering and pressing the substrate, a warpage of the whole edge frame due to a thermal stress is prevented. As a result, a leakage of source gases onto the susceptor is prevented and efficiency of an apparatus is improved due to extension of cleaning time period.  
         [0075]     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the apparatus having an edge frame without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Technology Classification (CPC): 2