Patent Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a method and apparatus for ex-situ cleaning of a chamber component. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a method and apparatus for endpoint detection during ex-situ cleaning of a chamber component used in a semiconductor processing chamber. In one embodiment, a system for cleaning parts disposed in a liner with a cleaning fluid is provided. The system comprises a portable cart, a liquid particle counter (LPC) carried by the portable cart, the LPC configured for detachable coupling to a fluid outlet port formed through the liner, the LPC operable to sample rinsate solution exiting the line, and a pump carried by the portable cart and configured for fluid coupling to the liner in a detachable manner, the pump operable to recirculate rinsate solution through the liner.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a method and apparatus for ex-situ cleaning of a chamber component. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a method and apparatus for endpoint detection during ex-situ cleaning of a chamber component used in a semiconductor processing chamber. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    In semiconductor substrate processing, the trend towards increasingly smaller feature sizes and line-widths has placed a premium on the ability to mask, etch, and deposit material on a semiconductor substrate with greater precision. As semiconductor features shrink, device structures become more fragile. Meanwhile, the killer defect size, defined as the particle size which renders the device non-functional, becomes smaller and more difficult to remove from the surface. Consequently, reducing device damage is one of the major issues facing the cleaning processes. As a result, this trend towards increasingly smaller feature sizes has placed a premium on the cleanliness of semiconductor manufacturing processes including the chamber component parts used in such processes. 
         [0005]    Currently, cleaning processes which rely on particle counting to determine the end point of a cleaning process require off-line lab analysis during the component part cleaning process. This requires the operator to cease the cleaning process and manually pull a sample of the cleaning solution used in the cleaning process. This sample is then sent to a lab for analysis. This labor intensive process not only contributes to a significant increase in the length of the cleaning process but also increases tool downtime for the tool from which the part has been removed. This increase in tool downtime leads to a corresponding increase in the cost of ownership (CoO). 
         [0006]    Therefore, there is a need for an improved apparatus and process for cleaning chamber component parts that provide improved removal of particle contaminants from chamber parts while significantly reducing downtime for chamber maintenance and cleaning. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a method and apparatus for ex-situ cleaning of a chamber component. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a method and apparatus for endpoint detection during ex-situ cleaning of a chamber component used in a semiconductor processing chamber. In one embodiment, a system for cleaning parts disposed in a liner with a cleaning fluid is provided. The system comprises a portable cart, a liquid particle counter (LPC) carried by the portable cart, the LPC configured for detachable coupling to a fluid outlet port formed through the liner, the LPC operable to sample rinsate solution exiting the line, and a pump carried by the portable cart and configured for fluid coupling to the liner in a detachable manner, the pump operable to recirculate rinsate solution through the liner. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, a system for cleaning parts disposed in a liner with a cleaning fluid is provided. The system comprises a portable cart, a liner for holding component parts to be cleaned during a cleaning process, and a liquid particle counter (LPC) carried by the portable cart, the LPC configured for detachable coupling to a fluid outlet port formed through the liner, the LPC operable to sample cleaning fluid exiting the liner. 
         [0009]    In yet another embodiment, a method for cleaning parts disposed in a liner with a cleaning fluid is provided. The method comprises providing a liner for holding component parts to be cleaned during a cleaning process and a transducer positioned below the liner, providing a portable cart with a liquid particle counter (LPC) carried by the portable cart, the LPC configured for detachable coupling to a fluid outlet port formed through the liner, the LPC operable to sample cleaning fluid exiting the liner, positioning a component part in the liner, flowing a rinsate solution from a rinsate supply into the liner, cycling the transducer on and off to agitate the rinsate solution and remove contaminant particles from the component part, and monitoring a count of contaminant particles in the rinsate solution using the LPC, and ending the cleaning process when the count of contaminant particles drops below a previously determined level. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    So that the manner in which the above-recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a schematic side view of one embodiment of a cleaning system comprising a surface particle endpoint detection system according to embodiments described herein; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a fluid flow circuit schematic diagram of one embodiment of a surface particle endpoint detection system according to embodiments described herein; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a schematic side view of one embodiment of a cleaning system comprising a surface particle endpoint detection system according to embodiments described herein; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view of one embodiment of a wet bench set-up according to embodiments described herein; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a schematic side view of one embodiment of a detachable cleaning cart comprising a surface particle endpoint detection system according to embodiments described herein. 
       
    
    
       [0016]    To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements disclosed in one embodiment may be beneficially utilized on other embodiments without specific recitation. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    Embodiments described herein generally relate to a method and apparatus for ex-situ cleaning of chamber component parts using a real-time surface particle endpoint detection system. Currently, cleaning processes use batch liquid particle counting (LPC) tests that require off-line lab analysis during the chamber component part cleaning process. This requires the system operator to manually pull a sample of the cleaning solution or rinsate solution and send the sample off-site for particle analysis. If the sample does not meet the required specifications for particle count, continued cleaning of the part is required along with the pulling of additional samples and corresponding tool downtime for particle count analysis. This results in high cost for repeated lab analysis followed by repeated cleaning sequences. 
         [0018]    Certain embodiments described herein provide a stand-alone LPC system for detecting liquid particles extracted on-line from the chamber component parts during the cleaning process. This real-time LPC system measures particles during the cleaning cycle until reaching a desired endpoint/baseline (end point detection). The real-time LPC system may signal the operator when the chamber component part meets the desired endpoint/baseline. The real-time LPC system reduces or eliminates the need for the labor intensive LPC lab testing and the costs associated with such testing. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a schematic side view of one embodiment of a cleaning system  100  for ex-situ cleaning of chamber component parts comprising a surface particle endpoint detection system  110  according to embodiments described herein. In one embodiment, the one or more chamber component parts are used in a semiconductor processing chamber. The chamber component parts may include any chamber component part that requires cleaning. Exemplary chamber component parts include, but are not limited to, showerheads, pedestals, rings, bell jars, disks, and chamber liners. The chamber component parts may comprise materials including, but not limited to, silicon carbide, aluminum, copper, stainless steel, silicon, polysilicon, quartz and ceramic materials. In one embodiment, the cleaning system  100  comprises a wet bench set-up  120  which comprises a cleaning vessel assembly  130  for holding the chamber component parts to be cleaned during the cleaning process and a portable cleaning cart  140  which comprises the surface particle endpoint detection system  110  detachably coupled with the wet bench set-up for supplying the selected cleaning chemistry to the cleaning vessel assembly  130  during the cleaning process. The portable cleaning cart  140  is movable and may be detachably coupled with the cleaning vessel assembly  130  prior to and during the cleaning process and may be removed from the cleaning vessel assembly  130  when cleaning is not taking place. Thus, advantageously, the portable cleaning cart  140  may be used to service different cleaning vessels at different locations. The portable cleaning cart  140  may be configured to deliver one or more cleaning fluids toward the chamber component part  220 . Cleaning fluids may include rinsate solution (e.g., deionized water (DIW)), one or more solvents, a cleaning solution such as standard clean  1  (SC 1 ), selective deposition removal reagent (SDR), surfactants, acids, bases, or any other chemical useful for removing contaminants and/or particulates from a component part. The surface particle endpoint detection system  110 , the wet-bench setup  120 , and the portable cleaning cart  140  are described in further detail with reference to  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 , and  FIG. 4 . 
         [0020]    In general, a system controller  150  may be used to control one or more controller components found in the cleaning system  100 . The system controller  150  is generally designed to facilitate the control and automation of the overall cleaning system  100  and typically includes a central processing unit (CPU) (not shown), memory (not shown), and support circuits (or I/O) (not shown). The CPU may be one of any form of computer processors that are used in industrial settings for controlling various system functions, substrate movement, chamber processes, and support hardware (e.g., sensors, robots, motors, lamps, etc.), and monitor the processes (e.g., substrate support temperature, power supply variables, chamber process time, processing temperature, I/O signals, transducer power, etc.). The memory is connected to the CPU, and may be one or more of a readily available memory, such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), floppy disk, hard disk, or any other form of digital storage, local or remote. Software instructions and data can be coded and stored within the memory for instructing the CPU. The support circuits are also connected to the CPU for supporting the processor in a conventional manner. The support circuits may include cache, power supplies, clock circuits, input/output circuitry, subsystems, and the like. A program (or computer instructions) readable by the system controller  150  determines which tasks are performable on a substrate. Preferably, the program is software readable by the system controller  150  that includes code to perform tasks relating to monitoring, execution and control of the movement, support, and/or positioning of a substrate along with the various process recipe tasks and various chamber process recipe steps being performed in the cleaning system  100 . In one embodiment, the system controller  150  also contains a plurality of programmable logic controllers (PLC&#39;s) that are used to locally control one or more modules in the cleaning system  100 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a fluid flow circuit schematic diagram of the surface particle endpoint detection system  110  according to embodiments described herein. The surface particle endpoint detection system  110  comprises a liner  210  for holding a chamber component part  220  during the rinsing process, a circulating fluid supply line  230  for supplying rinsate to rinse the chamber component part  220 , and one or more liquid particle counters (LPC)  240  fluidly coupled with the circulating fluid supply line  230  for monitoring the particle count in the circulating rinsate solution. A pump  250  may be positioned along the circulating fluid supply line  230  for pumping rinsate through the fluid supply line  230  and a filter  260  may be positioned along the rinsate fluid supply line  230  for removing particles from the rinsate solution. 
         [0022]    The liner  210  may be positioned in the cleaning vessel assembly  130  of the wet bench setup  120  (See  FIG. 3 ) during the cleaning process. The liner  210  may be positioned in the cleaning vessel assembly  130  during a portion of the cleaning process that involves the introduction of a rinsate solution, for example, deionized (DI) water into the cleaning vessel assembly. In certain embodiments where multiple cleaning and/or rinsate solutions are used during the cleaning process, a dedicated liner may be used for each separate solution. For example, in certain embodiments where the cleaning process comprises an etching step followed by a rinsing step, a dedicated etching liner may be used for the etching process and a dedicated rinsing liner may be used for the rinsing process. In certain embodiments where chamber component parts of different materials are cleaned, a dedicated liner may be used for each different material. In general, the liner may be made of plastic (e.g., polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl difluoride (PVDF)) or coated metal (e.g., SST, aluminum with an ETFE coating) that will not be attacked by the cleaning chemistry and will not produce a significant amount of particulates which could contribute to an increased particle count by the LPC  240  thus creating a false or inaccurate endpoint reading. 
         [0023]    The LPC  240  may be fluidly coupled with the liner  210  via the circulating fluid supply line  230 . The circulating fluid supply line may be coupled with the liner  210  via a liner inlet  232  and a liner outlet  234 . It should be understood that although a single liner inlet  232  and a single liner outlet  234  are shown; multiple liner inlets and liner outlets may be used depending upon the user&#39;s needs. The LPC  240  is used to detect and count particles in the rinsate fluid after the rinsate exits the liner  210  and the results are used to determine the endpoint of the cleaning process. In general, liquid particle counters use a high energy light source to illuminate particles as the particles pass through a detection chamber. As the particle passes through a beam generated by the light source (typically a laser) and if light scattering is used, the redirected light is detected by a photodetector. The endpoint may be determined by monitoring the light blocked by the particles of the rinsate fluid. The amplitude of the light scattered or light blocked is measured and the particle is counted and tabulated. The LPC  240  may be any LPC known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Exemplary LPC devices include, for example, the KL-28B Liquid-Borne Particle Counter available from RION Co., Ltd. of Japan and the LIQUILAZ® Particle Counter available from Particle Measuring Systems, Inc. of Boulder, Colo., USA. In certain embodiments, each LPC has its own pump. 
         [0024]    Although shown in  FIG. 2  as positioned prior to the pump  250  and filter  260 , it should be understood that the LPC  240  may be positioned after the pump  250 . However, it is believed to be preferable to position the LPC  240  prior to the pump  250  since turbulent flow created by the pump  250  may falsely increase the particle count readings by the LPC  240  leading to an inaccurate endpoint determination. 
         [0025]    In certain embodiments, it may be desirable to use multiple liquid particle counters to achieve a more precise reading of the number of particles in the rinsate fluid. For example, in certain embodiments, a first liquid particle counter  240  may be positioned upstream relative to the pump  250  and a second liquid particle counter  270  may be positioned downstream from the pump  250  but upstream from the filter  260 . 
         [0026]    The filter  260  may be fluidly coupled with the circulating fluid supply line  230  downstream relative to the LPC  240 . The filter  260  removes particles from the rinsate fluid allowing for the recirculation of fresh rinsate fluid into the liner  210 . Exemplary filter sizes may include 0.01 micron to 10 micron filters. Exemplary filter sizes may also include 0.04 micron to 1 micron filters. Although a single filter  260  is shown in  FIG. 2 , it should be understood that the embodiments described herein contemplate the use of multiple filters of similar or varying sizes to filter particles from the rinsate solution. 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is a schematic side view of one embodiment of a cleaning system  300  comprising a surface particle endpoint detection system  310  according to embodiments described herein. The cleaning system  300  comprises the wet bench set-up  120  and the portable cleaning cart  140  comprising a surface particle endpoint detection system  310 . The surface particle endpoint detection system  310  is similar to the surface particle endpoint detection system  110  depicted in  FIG. 2  except that the liner  210  has a rinsate fluid sample outlet  320  fluidly coupled with a dedicated fluid sampling line  330  to which the LPC  240  is fluidly coupled. The dedicated fluid sampling line  330  may be fluidly coupled with the circulating fluid supply line  230 . A dedicated sampling pump  340  for pumping rinsate through the dedicated fluid sampling line  330  may be positioned along the dedicated fluid sampling line  330 . 
         [0028]    The portable cleaning cart  140  may further comprise a drain line  350  that fluidly couples the filter  260  with a drain  360  for removing waste material from the filter  260 . 
         [0029]    In operation, with reference to  FIG. 3 , the chamber component part  220  is placed in the liner  210  for the cleaning process. In certain embodiments where the cleaning fluid includes a rinsate solution, the rinsate solution may be supplied from a rinsate solution source (not shown) to the circulating fluid supply line  230  where the rinsate solution flows into the liner  210  via liner inlet  232 . In certain embodiments a transducer  416  may be used to agitate the rinsate solution flowing through the liner  210  and provide improved rinsing of the chamber component part  220 . The contaminated rinsate solution exits the liner  210  via liner outlet  234  where the contaminated rinsate may be pumped through filter  260  using the pump  250  to remove particles from the contaminated rinsate solution. The refreshed (e.g., filtered) rinsate solution may then be recirculated into the liner  210  for further rinsing of the chamber component part  220 . During the cleaning process, waste material from the filter  260  may be removed from the cleaning system  300  via drain line  350  and drain  360 . At any point during the cleaning process, samples of the rinsate solution may be removed from the liner  210  via sample outlet  320 . The sample of the rinsate solution will flow through the dedicated fluid sampling line  330  through the LPC  240  where a particle count is performed. If the results of the particle count are greater than a previously determined particle count, the endpoint has not been reached and the cleaning process will continue. If the results of the particle count are less than the previously determined particle count, the endpoint has been reached and the cleaning process ends. Sampling by the LPC  240  may be intermittent or continuous. 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view of one embodiment of a wet bench set-up  400  according to embodiments described herein. Portions of the side view are illustrated in perspective to assist in the ease of explanation. The wet bench set-up  400  is similar to the wet bench set-up  120 ; however, the wet bench set-up  400  is configured for delivering both a cleaning solution and a rinsing solution to clean the chamber component part  220 . The wet bench set-up  400  comprises a wet bench  402  and the cleaning vessel assembly  130 . The wet bench  402  provides support for the cleaning vessel assembly  130 . The wet bench  402  may also serve as an overflow basin to catch any cleaning chemicals which overflow the cleaning vessel assembly  130 . The wet bench  402  may also function as a fume hood when used in cleaning processes which generate gases and/or particulates. Although shown with the wet bench  402 , in certain embodiments, the cleaning vessel assembly  130  is used in a standalone fashion without the wet bench  402 . For example, the cleaning vessel assembly  130  may be used without a wet bench in well ventilated areas where there is less concern about the buildup of fumes. 
         [0031]    The wet bench  402  may comprise a frame  404  which forms an overflow basin  406  for both holding the cleaning vessel assembly  130  and capturing any fluids which may overflow the cleaning vessel assembly  130  during processing. The overflow basin  406  may include a sink drain line  408  for removing captured fluids from the overflow basin  406 . 
         [0032]    The cleaning vessel assembly  130  comprises an outer cleaning basin  414  which circumscribes the liner  210  that holds the component part to be cleaned, a transducer  416  positioned within the outer cleaning basin  414 , and a support  418  positioned within the outer cleaning basin  414  for supporting the liner  210 . 
         [0033]    Although shown as cylindrical in  FIG. 4 , it should be understood that the outer cleaning basin  414  and/or the liner  210  may be any shape, for example, oval, polygonal, square or rectangular. In one embodiment, the outer cleaning basin  414  and/or the liner  210  may be fabricated from a material such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE)) polyvinyl difluoride (PVDF) or coated metal (e.g., aluminum with an ETFE coating) that will not be attacked by the cleaning chemistry and will not produce a significant amount of particulates. 
         [0034]    The transducer  416  is configured to provide either ultrasonic or megasonic energy to a cleaning region within the liner  210  where the chamber component part  220  is positioned. The transducer  416  may be implemented, for example, using piezoelectric actuators, or any other suitable mechanism that can generate vibrations at ultrasonic or megasonic frequencies of desired amplitude. The transducer  416  may be a single transducer, as shown in  FIG. 4 , or an array of transducers, oriented to direct ultrasonic energy into the cleaning region of the liner  210  where the component part is positioned. When the transducer  416  directs energy into the cleaning fluid in the liner  210 , acoustic streaming, i.e. streams of micro bubbles, within the cleaning fluid may be induced. The acoustic streaming aids the removal of contaminants from the component part  220  being processed and keeps the removed particles in motion within the cleaning fluid hence avoiding reattachment of the of the removed particles to the component part surface. The transducer  416  may be configured to direct ultrasonic or megasonic energy in a direction normal to an edge of the component part  220  or at an angle from normal. In one embodiment, the transducer  416  is dimensioned to be approximately equal in length to a mean or outer diameter of the component part  220  to be cleaned. The transducer  416  may be coupled to an RF power supply  422 . 
         [0035]    While only one transducer  416  is shown positioned below the liner  210 , multiple transducers may be used with certain embodiments. For example, additional transducers may be placed in a vertical orientation along the side of the liner  210  to direct ultrasonic or megasonic energy toward the component part  220  from the side. The transducer  416  may be positioned inside the liner  210  or outside of the liner  210  for indirect ultrasonication. The transducer  416  may be positioned outside of the outer cleaning basin  414 . In one embodiment, the transducer  416  may be positioned in the overflow basin  406  to direct ultrasonic or megasonic energy toward the component part  220 . Although the transducer  416  is shown as cylindrical, it should be understood that transducers of any shape may be used with the embodiments described herein. 
         [0036]    The wet bench set-up  400  also comprises one or more fluid delivery lines  582   a ,  584 ,  586   a , and  588   a  for delivering cleaning fluids to the wet bench set-up and returning used cleaning fluids to the portable cleaning cart  500  (see  FIG. 5 ) for recycling and reuse. The fluid delivery lines are configured to mate with corresponding fluid delivery lines  582   b ,  586   b , and  588   b  on the portable cleaning cart  500  using, for example, connect fittings and disconnect couplings shown as a “Quick Connect”  590 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 5  is a schematic side view of one embodiment of a portable cleaning cart  500  showing a fluid flow circuit schematic diagram comprising a surface particle endpoint detection system  510  according to embodiments described herein. The surface particle endpoint detection system  510  may be similar to the surface particle endpoint detection systems  110  and  310  disclosed in  FIGS. 1-3 . The portable cleaning cart  500  may be coupled with the system controller  150  for controlling the cleaning process and a cleaning fluid supply module  520  for supplying and recycling cleaning and rinsate solution. The system controller  150  may be separate from or mounted to the portable cleaning cart  500 . 
         [0038]    In one embodiment, the system controller  150  comprises controller components selected from at least one of the following: a PhotoMeghelic meter  512 , a leak alarm  514  for detecting leaks within the portable cleaning cart, a programmable logic controller  516  for controlling the overall cleaning system, and an in-line heat controller  518 . In one embodiment, the leak alarm  514  is electronically coupled with a plenum leak sensor  522  for detecting the presence of fluid in the bottom of the portable cart  500 . In one embodiment, the system controller  150  is coupled with the transducer  416  via a communication line  580  and controls the power supplied to the transducer  416 . 
         [0039]    In one embodiment, the cleaning fluid supply module  520  includes an inert gas module  524  for supplying an inert gas, such as nitrogen (N 2 ) which may be used as a purge gas during the cleaning process, a DI water supply module  526  for supplying deionized water during the cleaning process, and a cleaning fluid supply module  528  for supplying cleaning fluid and recycling used cleaning fluid. 
         [0040]    With regard to the inert gas module  524 , as discussed above, the use of nitrogen is exemplary and any suitable carrier gas/purge gas may be used with the present system. In one embodiment, the inert gas is supplied from a nitrogen gas source  530  to a main nitrogen gas supply line  532 . In one embodiment, the nitrogen gas source comprises a facility nitrogen supply. In one embodiment, the nitrogen source may be a portable source coupled with the portable cleaning cart  500 . In one embodiment, the nitrogen gas supply line  532  comprises a manual shutoff valve (not shown) and a filter (not shown) for filtering contaminants from the nitrogen gas. A two-way valve  534  which may be an air operated valve is also coupled with the nitrogen gas supply line  532 . When the two-way valve is open, nitrogen gas flows through the supply line  532  and into the outer cleaning basin  414 . Nitrogen may be used in several different applications within the cleaning system. The nitrogen gas supply line  532  may also contain additional valves, pressure regulators, pressure transducers, and pressure indicators which are not described in detail for the sake of brevity. In one embodiment, nitrogen gas may be supplied to the outer cleaning basin  414  via fluid supply line  584 . 
         [0041]    With regard to the DI water supply module  526 , the use of DI water is exemplary and any cleaning fluid suitable for cleaning may be used with the present cleaning system  100 . In one embodiment, the DI water is supplied from a DI water supply module  526  to a main DI water supply line  539 . In one embodiment, the DI water source comprises a facility DI supply. In one embodiment, the DI water source may be a portable source coupled with the portable cleaning cart  500 . In one embodiment, the DI water supply line  539  comprises a shutoff valve  540  and a heater  542  for heating the DI water to a desired temperature for assisting in the cleaning process. The heater  542  may be in electronic communication with the heat controller  518  for controlling the temperature. The DI water supply line  539  further comprises a two-way valve  544  which may be an air operated valve which is used for controlling the flow of DI water into the outer cleaning basin  414 . When the two-way valve  544  is open, DI water flows into the outer cleaning basin  414 . When the two-way valve  544  is closed and two-way valve  534  is open, nitrogen purge gas flows into the outer cleaning basin  414 . The DI water supply line  539  may also contain additional valves, pressure regulators, pressure transducers, and pressure indicators which are not described in detail for the sake of brevity. In one embodiment, DI water may flow into the outer cleaning basin  414  via supply line  586 . The surface particle endpoint detection system  510  may be fluidly coupled with the DI water supply line  539 . In certain embodiments, the surface particle endpoint detection system  510  is separate from the DI water supply line  586   a.    
         [0042]    The cleaning fluid supply module  528  comprises a cleaning fluid supply tank  546  for storing cleaning fluid, a filter system  548  for filtering used cleaning fluid, and a pump system  550  for pumping cleaning fluid into and out of the cleaning fluid supply module  528 . The cleaning fluid may include rinsate solution (e.g., deionized water (DIW)), one or more solvents, a cleaning solution such as standard clean  1  (SC 1 ), selective deposition removal reagent (SDR), surfactants, acids, bases, or any other chemical useful for removing contaminants and/or particulates from a component part. 
         [0043]    In one embodiment, the cleaning fluid supply tank  546  is coupled with a cleaning fluid supply  558  via a supply line  560 . In one embodiment, the cleaning fluid supply line  560  comprises a shut-off valve  562  for controlling the flow of cleaning fluid into the cleaning fluid supply tank  546 . The cleaning fluid supply line  560  may also contain additional valves, pressure regulators, pressure transducers, and pressure indicators which are not described in detail for the sake of brevity. In one embodiment, the cleaning fluid supply tank  546  is coupled with the outer cleaning basin  414  via supply line  588 . 
         [0044]    In one embodiment, the cleaning fluid supply tank  546  is coupled with a cleaning fluid supply drain  566  for removing cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid supply tank  546 . The flow of cleaning fluid through the cleaning fluid supply drain  566  is controlled by a shut-off valve  568 . 
         [0045]    The cleaning fluid supply tank  546  may also include a plurality of fluid level sensors for detecting the level of processing fluid within the cleaning fluid supply tank  546 . In one embodiment, the plurality of fluid sensors may include a first fluid sensor  552  which indicates when the fluid supply is low and that the pump system  550  should be turned off. When the level of cleaning fluid is low, the first fluid level sensor  552  may be used in a feedback loop to signal the cleaning fluid supply  558  to deliver more cleaning fluid to the cleaning fluid supply tank  546 . A second fluid level sensor  554  which indicates that the cleaning fluid supply tank  546  is full and the pump  550  should be turned on. A third fluid sensor  556  which indicates that the cleaning fluid supply tank  546  has been overfilled and that the pump  550  should be turned off. Although one fluid level sensor  434  is shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , any number of fluid level sensors  434  may be included on the outer cleaning basin  414 . 
         [0046]    Used cleaning fluid may be returned from the outer cleaning basin  414  to the filter system  548  where particulates and other contaminants may be removed from the used cleaning fluid to produce renewed (e.g., filtered) cleaning fluid. In one embodiment, used cleaning fluid may be returned from the overflow basin via fluid recycling line  582 . The recycling line  582  may also contain additional valves, pressure regulators, pressure transducers, and pressure indicators which are not described in detail for the sake of brevity. After filtration, the renewed cleaning fluid may be recirculated back to the cleaning fluid supply tank  546  via a three-way valve  570 . In one embodiment, the three-way valve  570  may also be used in conjunction with the pump system  550  to recirculate fluid through the cleaning system to flush the cleaning system  100 . In one embodiment, a two-way valve  572  which may be an air operated valve may be used to pull DI water through the input of the pump system  550 . In one embodiment, a two-way valve  574  may be used to pump out DI water to drain. 
         [0047]    In one embodiment, a component part  220  is placed on the support  418  positioned within a cleaning liner (not shown), similar to liner  210 . A cleaning cycle is commenced by flowing cleaning solution into the cleaning liner. While the cleaning solution is in the cleaning liner, the transducer  416  is cycled on/off to agitate the cleaning solution. The cleaning solution may be purged from the cleaning liner by flowing DI water into the tank. Nitrogen gas may also be used during the purge process. The cleaning/purge cycle may be repeated until the component part  220  has achieved a desired cleanliness. The cleaning liner may then be replaced by the rinsing liner  210  and the component part  220  is placed in the rinsing liner  210 . Rinsate solution (e.g., DI water) may be supplied from the DI water supply module  526  to the fluid supply line  586   a  where the rinsate solution flows into the rinsing liner  210 . The transducer  416  may be cycled on/off to agitate the rinsate solution and provide improved rinsing of the chamber component part  220 . The contaminated rinsate solution exits the liner  210  where it may be pumped through a filter where particles are removed from the contaminated rinsate solution. The refreshed rinsate solution may then be recirculated into the rinsing liner  210  for further rinsing of the chamber component part  220 . At any point during the cleaning process, samples of the rinsate fluid may be removed from the liner  210  and flown through a fluid sampling line through the LPC  240  where a particle count is performed. In certain embodiment, if the results of the particle count are greater than a previously determined particle count, the endpoint has not been reached and the rinsing process will continue. In certain embodiment, if the results of the particle count are greater than a previously determined particle count, the endpoint has not been reached and the chamber component part  220  is exposed to additional cleaning solution. If the results of the particle count are less than the previously determined particle count, the endpoint has been reached and the rinsing process ends. 
         [0048]    While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1