Patent Abstract:
A method for cleaning a substrate is provided. The method includes receiving the substrate using a carrier that forms a circular opening, the substrate being positioned in the circular opening of the carrier. The holding of the substrate enables exposure of both a first side and a second side of the substrate at a same time. Then, moving the substrate along a direction, and while moving the substrate: (i) applying a chemistry onto the first side of the substrate, where the first side of the substrate having material to be removed; (ii) forming a fluid meniscus against the second side of the substrate at a location that is opposite a location onto which the chemistry is applied; and (iii) applying megasonic energy to the fluid meniscus while the fluid meniscus is applied against the second side. The megasonic energy increases mass transport of the chemistry to enhance removal of the material to be removed from the first side.

Full Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional application based on U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/240,974 filed on Sep. 30, 2005 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/261,839, filed on Sep. 30, 2002, and entitled “M ETHOD AND  A PPARATUS FOR  D RYING  S EMICONDUCTOR  W AFER  S URFACES  U SING A  P LURALITY OF  I NLETS AND  O UTLETS  H ELD IN  C LOSE  P ROXIMITY TO THE  W AFER  S URFACES ,” from which priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 is claimed. The disclosure of each of the above noted applications is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to substrate preparation and/or cleaning and, more particularly, to systems, apparatus, and methods for improving preparation and/or cleaning of semiconductor substrate front surfaces. 
       Description of the Related Art 
       [0003]    The fabrication of semiconductor devices involves numerous processing operations. These operations include, for example, dopant implants, gate oxide generation, inter-metal oxide depositions, metallization depositions, photolithography patterning, etching operations, chemical mechanical polishing (CMP), etc. Patterning and etching operations can be used to define features of a semiconductor device in the semiconductor wafer. In the patterning operation, a layer of photoresist material is deposited onto an intermediate layer formed over the semiconductor wafer. Thereafter, the photoresist layer is patterned by photolithography. At this point, the semiconductor wafer is exposed to light filtered by a reticle patterned with the desired integrated circuit layer features. As a result of being exposed, the light impinges upon the surface of the photoresist material, changes the chemical composition of the photoresist material, and creates a number of polymerized photoresist sections. The polymerized photoresist sections are then removed using a solvent, leaving a number of photoresist lines. At this point, the semiconductor wafer is etched. The portions of the underlying layer not protected by the photoresist material are removed, thus forming the desired semiconductor device features in the semiconductor wafer. Prior to proceeding to the next operation, however, the photoresist lines may need to be removed, and semiconductor wafer surfaces may need to be cleaned. 
         [0004]    Chemicals can be used in a wet processing operation to remove the photoresist lines. In one approach, the photoresist lines are exposed to chemicals capable of reducing the adhesion at the interface of the photoresist lines and the underlying layer. Removing the photoresist lines using the latter approach requires that batches of semiconductor wafers be placed in tanks filled with such chemicals. Reducing the adhesion at the interface of the photoresist lines and the underlying layer, however, requires the soaking of the semiconductor wafers in the chemicals for an extended period and until the photoresist material is completely soaked. The soaking of batches of semiconductor wafers in tanks filled with chemicals is disfavored, as chemicals can be costly, and the wet operation can be very time consuming. 
         [0005]    One way to expedite the removal of the photoresist material is to couple megasonic with the operation of chemical photoresist stripping. Achieving the latter, however, can be very costly as the megasonic equipment and the chemicals implemented for photoresist stripping have to be chemically compatible. Furthermore, applying megasonic to the semiconductor wafer frontside (i.e., the active side or top surface) can undesirably damage the semiconductor devices, thus resulting in defective semiconductor wafers. 
         [0006]    After removing of the photoresist lines, but before performing the next process, the semiconductor wafers should be cleaned so that the generated residues and particulate contaminants adhered to the semiconductor wafer surfaces can be removed. Such particulate contaminants can consist of tiny bits of distinctly defined material having an affinity to adhere to the surfaces of the substrate. Examples of particulate contaminants can include organic and inorganic residues, such as silicon dust, silica, slurry residue, polymeric residue, metal flakes, atmospheric dust, plastic particles, and silicate particles, among others. Failure to remove the particulate contaminants from the semiconductor wafer frontside can have detrimental effects on the performance of the semiconductor devices formed thereon, ultimately resulting in defective semiconductor wafers. 
         [0007]    In the same manner, failure to adequately and properly clean and process semiconductor wafer backside (i.e., non-active side) can be detrimental. For instance, unfortunately, residues and contaminant particulates on semiconductor wafer backsides can migrate from the semiconductor wafer backside to the semiconductor wafer frontside. For example, the migration may occur during a wet processing step and/or as the substrate is being moved or otherwise handled between the processing or metrology tools. Additionally, any residual fluid on the semiconductor wafer backside can migrate to the substrate frontside, thus re-contaminating the otherwise cleaned semiconductor wafer frontside. Furthermore, the residual fluid maybe introduced to the otherwise cleaned and dried substrates in the output cassette. Furthermore, the backside contaminants can undesirably migrate from the tools or steps of one process to tools and steps of the following processes, thus contaminating the subsequent processes. Consequently, the migration of residual fluid can compromise the quality of the substrate preparation operations, and as such, is disfavored. 
         [0008]    In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a system, apparatus, and method capable of improving the semiconductor wafer preparation and cleaning operations without substantially damaging the semiconductor devices formed on the semiconductor wafer frontsides. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    Broadly speaking, the present invention fills these needs by providing a method, apparatus, and system for improving a semiconductor substrate preparation and/or cleaning operations without substantially damaging semiconductor devices formed on the substrate frontsides. In one example, the present invention improves substrate preparation and/or cleaning operations by enhancing a mass transport of a preparation chemical to a reaction interface defined between the material to be removed and the substrate frontside. According to one aspect, the mass transport of the preparation chemistry to the reaction interface is achieved by applying megasonic energy to a backside of the substrate and the transmission of the megasonic energy to the reaction interface through a megasonic coupling fluid meniscus and the substrate. In accordance with one aspect, the megasonic coupling fluid meniscus having a lower temperature can be implemented to isolate a higher temperature condition on the substrate frontside (i.e., the process side) from a megasonic coupling proximity head defined on the substrate backside. 
         [0010]    It should be appreciated that the present invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as a process, an apparatus, a system, a device, or a method. Several inventive embodiments of the present invention are described below. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, method for cleaning a substrate is provided. The method includes receiving the substrate using a carrier that forms a circular opening, the substrate being positioned in the circular opening of the carrier. The holding of the substrate enables exposure of both a first side and a second side of the substrate at a same time. Then, moving the substrate along a direction, and while moving the substrate: (i) applying a chemistry onto the first side of the substrate, where the first side of the substrate having material to be removed; (ii) forming a fluid meniscus against the second side of the substrate at a location that is opposite a location onto which the chemistry is applied; and (iii) applying megasonic energy to the fluid meniscus while the fluid meniscus is applied against the second side. The megasonic energy increases mass transport of the chemistry to enhance removal of the material to be removed from the first side. 
         [0012]    According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for enhancing the mass transport of a chemistry in a material to be removed is provided. The method includes applying the chemistry on the material to be removed and forming a back meniscus on a second side of the substrate. The material to be removed is defined on a first side of a substrate. Megasonic energy is applied to the back meniscus. The megasonic energy is transmitted to an interface defined between the material to be removed and the first side of the substrate through the back meniscus such that the mass transport of the chemistry through the material to be removed is enhanced. 
         [0013]    According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a substrate preparation system is provided. The system includes a proximity head and a megasonic proximity head. The megasonic proximity head includes a resonator and a crystal. The resonator has a first side and a second side and the first side of the resonator faces the substrate backside. The crystal is defined on the second side of the resonator. The vibration of the crystal is configured to generate megasonic energy. The proximity head is configured to be applied to a substrate frontside and is capable of generating a preparation meniscus on the substrate frontside. The preparation meniscus includes a preparation chemistry that is configured to remove a material to be removed defined on the substrate frontside. The megasonic proximity head is configured to be applied to a substrate backside and is capable of generating megasonic energy. The megasonic energy is configured to enhance a mass transport of the preparation chemistry through the material to be removed. 
         [0014]    In accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for isolating a temperature of a process side of a substrate is provided. The apparatus includes a megasonic proximity head that is configured to be applied to a non-process side of the substrate. The megasonic proximity head is capable of generating a coupling meniscus on the non-process side of the substrate. Lowering a temperature of the coupling meniscus is configured to decouple the temperature of the process side of the substrate from the non-process side of the substrate. 
         [0015]    The advantages of the present invention are numerous. Most notably, the present invention can substantially reduce undesirable damage to the semiconductor devices formed over the substrate frontside by transmission of the megasonic energy to the interface through the substrate backside and the substrate. Furthermore, megasonic energy is not being applied directly to the semiconductor devices defined on the substrate frontside, thus substantially reducing the possibility of dislodging or damaging the semiconductor features formed therein. Yet further, enhancing the mass transport of the preparation chemistry through the material to be removed requires a lower level of megasonic energy. 
         [0016]    Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    The present invention will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and like reference numerals designate like structural elements. 
           [0018]      FIG. 1A  is a simplified, partial, side view of an exemplary proximity preparation system implementing an exemplary megasonic coupling proximity head, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 1B  is a simplified, partial, magnified, cross sectional view of the proximity preparation system depicted in  FIG. 1A , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 1C  is a simplified magnification of a region A shown in  FIG. 1B , in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 1D  is a simplified top view of an exemplary megasonic coupling proximity head, in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  depicts an exemplary semiconductor wafer preparation system implementing an exemplary megasonic coupling proximity head in conjunction with a two-bar-type proximity head apparatus, in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3A  is a simplified cross sectional view of an exemplary megasonic coupling proximity head, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3B  is a top view of an exemplary megasonic coupling proximity head shown in  FIG. 3A , in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3C  is a bottom view of an exemplary megasonic coupling proximity head shown in  FIG. 3A , in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 4A  shows a top view of a portion of a proximity head in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 4B  illustrates an inlets/outlets pattern of a proximity head in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4C  illustrates another inlets/outlets pattern of a proximity head in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 4D  illustrates a further inlets/outlets pattern of a proximity head in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 4E  illustrates a further inlets/outlets pattern of a proximity head in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]    An invention capable of improving substrate preparation and/or cleaning operations without substantially damaging semiconductor devices formed on substrate frontsides is provided. In one example, the present invention improves substrate preparation and/or cleaning operations by enhancing a mass transport of preparation chemistry to a reaction interface on the substrate frontside. According to one aspect, the enhancing of the mass transport of the preparation chemistry to the reaction interface is achieved by imparting megasonic energy to the interface through a megasonic coupling fluid meniscus coupled to a backside of the substrate. In one example, the megasonic energy imparted to the reaction interface further assists in breaking a bond or a force between the material to be removed and/or the residues or particulate contaminants, and the substrate frontside at the reaction interface, thus resulting in the removed of the residues, particulate contaminants, and/or the material to be removed. 
         [0032]    In one aspect, the megasonic energy imparted by a megasonic coupling proximity head is implemented to enhance the mass transport of the preparation chemistry implemented to prepare the substrate frontside. In one example, the megasonic energy facilitates the moving of the molecules of the preparation chemistry to the interface (herein also referred to as the reaction site) (e.g., the interface between the photoresist layer and the substrate frontside, or the interface between the residue and/or the particulate contaminants and the substrate frontside) and removing of the reaction by-products generated as a result of the chemical reaction between the preparation chemistry and the material being removed from the reaction site. In one instance, implementing the megasonic coupling proximity head of the present invention enhances the mass transport of the chemicals to the reaction side and moving of the reaction by-products from the interface. 
         [0033]    According to one embodiment, the megasonic coupling proximity head of present invention faces the substrate backside and substantially opposite a proximity head configured to prepare the semiconductor wafer frontside using a meniscus. The megasonic energy imparted by the megasonic coupling proximity head of the present invention is transmitted to the megasonic coupling fluid meniscus generated by the megasonic coupling proximity head. Thereafter, the megasonic energy is imparted to the substrate backside and the interface. According to one embodiment, meniscus is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/261,839, filed on Sep. 30, 2002, and entitled “M ETHOD AND  A PPARATUS FOR  D RYING  S EMICONDUCTOR  W AFER  S URFACES USING A  P LURALITY OF  I NLETS AND  O UTLETS  H ELD IN  C LOSE  P ROXIMITY TO THE  W AFER  S URFACES ,” AND is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
         [0034]    In one embodiment of the present invention, a cooling fluid (e.g., nitrogen) can be introduced to an inner area of the transducer and the backside of the crystal so as to lower the temperature of the transducer. In another example, a higher temperature of the meniscus being applied to the substrate frontside can be isolated from the transducer using the megasonic coupling fluid meniscus having a lower temperature. In one example, a cooled megasonic fluid can be introduced into the megasonic coupling proximity head. In this manner, the megasonic coupling fluid meniscus having a lower temperature can be implemented to isolate the temperature condition on the substrate frontside (i.e., the process side) from the transducer defined on the substrate backside. 
         [0035]      FIG. 1A  is a simplified, partial, side view of an exemplary proximity preparation system  100  implementing an exemplary megasonic coupling proximity head  111 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The system  100  includes a proximity head  110 , the megasonic coupling proximity head  111 , and an RF power supply component  128 . In the illustrated embodiment, the proximity head  110  and the megasonic coupling proximity head  111  are bar-shaped and are defined on opposite sides of a semiconductor wafer  102 . The proximity head  110  faces a semiconductor wafer frontside  102   a  while the megasonic coupling proximity head  111  faces a semiconductor wafer backside  102   b.  While the proximity head  110  and the megasonic coupling proximity head  111  extend the entire diameter of the semiconductor wafer  102 , the proximity head  110  and the megasonic coupling proximity head  111  partially cover the semiconductor wafer frontside and backside  102   a  and  102   b,  respectively. The proximity head  110  is configured to prepare the semiconductor wafer frontside  102   a  using a meniscus  116 . As used herein, meniscus  116  is the portion of fluids (e.g., preparation chemistry, pre-rinse fluid, IPA vapor, DI water, etc.) defined in a region between the proximity head  110  and the semiconductor wafer frontside  102   a.    
         [0036]    In one example, the megasonic coupling proximity head  111  is configured to assist the proximity head  110  in preparing the semiconductor frontside  102   a.  According to one aspect, the semiconductor wafer  102  is configured to be moved in a direction  120  while the megasonic coupling proximity head  111  and the proximity head  110  remain stationary. In the illustrated embodiment, the proximity head  110  is configured to strip a photoresist layer  104  from over the semiconductor wafer  102 . In another example, the proximity head  110  can be configured to remove any desired layer of material and/or residues and particulate contaminants from over the semiconductor wafer frontside  102   a.    
         [0037]    As can be seen, a portion  104 ′ of the photoresist layer  104  has already been removed from over the semiconductor wafer frontside  102   a,  as depicted by the dotted lines. The portion  104 ′ corresponds to a processed section D of the semiconductor wafer frontside  102   a.  As described in more detail below, the processing of the section D by the proximity head  110  has been assisted by the megasonic coupling proximity head  111  being applied to the semiconductor wafer backside  102   b.    
         [0038]    In one example, the meniscus  116  includes a preparation chemistry configured to strip the photoresist layer  104  from over the semiconductor wafer frontside  102   a.  According to one embodiment, the megasonic energy imparted by the megasonic coupling proximity head  111  onto the semiconductor backside  102   b  is configured to enhance the mass transport of the preparation chemistry through the photoresist layer  104  and to an interface  103  (i.e., the interaction site) defined between the photoresist layer  104  and the semiconductor wafer frontside  102   a.  Mass transport refers to the diffusion of chemicals being used to remove the residues, particulate contaminants, and/or a layer of material through the material to be removed and down to an interface defined between the material to be removed and an underlying layer. The mass transport of the preparation chemistry further includes the removing of the by-products generated as a result of the chemical reaction between the materials to be removed and/or the particulate contaminants from the interface. However, as is described in more detail below, the chemical reaction between the preparation chemistry and the photoresist layer  104  can be a mass transport limited reaction. That is, the preparation chemistry can diffuse through the photoresist layer  104  (i.e., the material to be removed) and can react with the photoresist material (i.e., the material to be removed), generating by-products. The generated by-products, however, cover the photoresist layer (i.e., the material to be removed). As such, unless the generated by-products covering the photoresist layer are removed from the interface, the covered portions of the material to be removed cannot enter into chemical reaction with the preparation chemistry. Consequently, undesirably, the rate of chemical reaction is reduced. Accordingly, the megasonic coupling proximity head of the present invention is implemented to enhance the mass transport in a mass transport limited reaction. 
         [0039]    The illustrated megasonic coupling proximity head  111  includes a housing  106  and a transducer  113 . A top surface  106   a  of the housing  106  includes a weir  114  and faces the semiconductor wafer backside  102   b.  A megasonic fluid (not shown in  FIG. 1A ) is introduced into the housing  106  and ultimately into a well  120 , thus forming the megasonic coupling fluid meniscus  112 . In one example, as the megasonic coupling fluid meniscus  112  is formed and as the semiconductor wafer backside  102   b  gets closer to the megasonic coupling fluid meniscus  112 , the megasonic coupling fluid  112  acts as a seal, coupling the semiconductor wafer backside  102   b  to the megasonic coupling proximity head  111 . Additional information with respect to the megasonic coupling fluid  112  is provided below with respect to  FIGS. 1B-4 . 
         [0040]    The transducer  113  includes a resonator  109  and a crystal  108  defined on an inner surface of the resonator  109 . In one exemplary embodiment, the vibrations of the crystal  108  and thus the transducer  113  create sonic energy in the megasonic coupling fluid meniscus  112 . The sonic agitation generated by the transducer  113  is thus imparted to the semiconductor wafer backside  102   b  through the megasonic coupling fluid meniscus  112 , and ultimately to the interface  103 . The coupled megasonic coupling fluid meniscus enhances the mass transport of the preparation chemistry through the photoresist layer  104  to the interface as well as assisting in the breaking of the bond between the photoresist layer and the semiconductor wafer frontside  102   a  at the interface  103 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 1B  is a simplified, partial, magnified cross sectional view of the proximity preparation system  100  depicted in  FIG. 1A , in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. According to one example, the housing  106  is constructed from a chemically inert material (e.g., PET, plastics, polyurethane, etc.). The exemplary housing  106  of the megasonic coupling proximity head  111  includes channels  124 , which extend from a bottom surface  106   b  of the housing  106  to a top surface  106   a  of the housing  106 . 
         [0042]    The megasonic fluid is introduced into the housing  106  through inlets  122  of the channels  124 , and ultimately into the well  120  formed between an outer surface of the resonator  109 , sidewalls  106 d of the housing  106 , and the top surface  106   a  of the housing  106 , thus forming the megasonic coupling fluid meniscus  112 . As can be seen, the megasonic fluid meniscus  112  is further confined by the semiconductor wafer backside  102   b.  As such, the megasonic coupling fluid meniscus  112  seals the megasonic coupling proximity head  112  to the semiconductor wafer backside  102   b.  One of ordinary skill in the art must appreciate that although in the illustrated embodiment the resonator  109  extends between the inner sidewalls  106 d of the housing  106 , in another embodiment, the resonator  109  can also extend along the inner sidewalls  106   d  of the megasonic coupling proximity head  111  so that megasonic energy can be imparted to the megasonic fluid while the megasonic fluid is in the channels  124  and before being diverted into the well  120 . Furthermore, although in the illustrated embodiment the megasonic coupling proximity head  111  includes a weir  114 , in another embodiment, a weir may not be included so long as the tolerance required to control suction of the megasonic coupling fluid meniscus can be achieved. 
         [0043]    However, as shown by arrows  119 , the megasonic coupling fluid meniscus  112  can over flow over the top surface  106   a  of the housing  106  and into a weir  114 . Thereafter, the overflowed megasonic coupling fluid meniscus  112  can be expelled from the housing  106  and the weir  114  through outlets  126  of channels  127  extending from the weir  114  to the bottom surface  106   b  of the housing  106 . In one example, the megasonic fluid is deionized water. Of course, in another embodiment, the megasonic fluid can be any suitable fluid so long as the function of imparting the megasonic energy to the interface  103  can be achieved (chemistry, etc.). 
         [0044]    The crystal  108  secured to the inner surface of the resonator  109  is in communication with the RF power supply component  128  that is configured to provide the crystal  108  electrical energy along the direction of arrows  130 . In one example, the crystal  108  is bonded to the inner surface of the resonator  109 . However, in another embodiment, the crystal  108  can be secured to the inner surface of the resonator  109  using any appropriate technique. 
         [0045]    According to one example, as electrical energy is applied to the crystal  108 , the crystal  108  starts imparting energy to the megasonic coupling fluid meniscus  112 . The energy imparted to the megasonic coupling fluid meniscus  112  is in turn passed through the semiconductor wafer backside  102   b  and the semiconductor wafer  102  to the interface  103 . At times, the megasonic energy can also be imparted to the semiconductor wafer frontside  102   a  and the meniscus  116 . In this manner, the mass transport of the preparation chemistry is enhanced even though the megasonic energy is not being directly imparted to the photoresist layer  104 . 
         [0046]    The megasonic coupling fluid meniscus  112  defined between the megasonic coupling proximity head  111  and the semiconductor wafer backside  102   b,  and is applied onto the semiconductor wafer backside in a stable and controllable manner. In one embodiment, the megasonic coupling fluid meniscus  112  may be confined by a constant application and removal of the megasonic fluid. According to one example, surface tension gradient technology (STG) such as IPA vapor can be implemented to define the megasonic coupling fluid meniscus  112 . For instance, IPA can be applied so as to maintain an encapsulated area of megasonic fluid above or below a surface, or between surfaces. The vacuum removes the IPA and the megasonic fluid along with any residues and/or particulate contaminants that may reside on the semiconductor wafer backside  102   b.    
         [0047]    It must be noted that although in the illustrated embodiment a single crystal  108  is shown to be bonded to the inner surface of the resonator  109 , in another embodiment, any appropriate number of crystals  108  can be implemented so long as the function of generating megasonic energy can be achieved. According to one aspect, the transducer  113  of the present invention can include an array of staggered crystals. Additional information with respect to implementing array of staggered crystals is provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/371,679, filed on Feb. 20, 2003, having inventors Tom, Anderson and John M. Boyd, and entitled “D ISTRIBUTION OF  E NERGY IN A  H IGH  F REQUENCY  R ESONATING  W AFER  P ROCESSING  S YSTEM .” The disclosure of this Application, which is assigned to Lam Research Corporation, the assignee of the subject application, is incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0048]    In one embodiment, the crystal  108  may provide a movement frequency between about 20 KHz and 500 KHz. In another implementation, the megasonic frequency can range between approximately about 0.5 MHz and about 2 MHz. In one example, the crystal  108  is a piezoelectric crystal. It must be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the piezoelectric crystals can be made of any appropriate piezoelectric material (e.g., piezoelectric ceramic, lead zirconium tintanate, piezoelectric quartz, gallium phosphate, etc.). In a like manner, the resonator  109  can be made of any appropriate material (e.g., ceramic, silicon carbide, stainless steel, aluminum, quartz, etc.). Additionally, one having ordinary skill in the art must appreciate that a thickness of the piezoelectric crystal  108  depends on the design of the crystal  108 , mechanical strength of the crystal material, and type of crystal material. In one example, the thickness of the piezoelectric crystals is configured to range between approximately about 1 mm and about 6 millimeter, and a more preferred range of approximately about 2 mm and 4 mm and most preferably between approximately about 1 mm to approximately about 2 millimeters. In another embodiment, wherein the crystals are ceramic type crystals, the thickness of the crystals is configured to range between approximately about 1 mm to about 4 mm. 
         [0049]    Preparation of the semiconductor wafer frontside  102  causing the proximity head  110  and the application of the megasonic energy to the semiconductor backside  102   b  can be advantages for several reasons. For instance, megasonic energy is not being applied directly to the semiconductor devices defined on the semiconductor wafer frontside, thus substantially reducing the possibility of dislodging or damaging the semiconductor features formed therein. Furthermore, enhancing the mass transport of the preparation chemistry through the material to be removed requires a lower level of megasonic energy. Thus, in one aspect, megasonic energy having a level lower than that of the damage threshold can be imparted to the backside of the semiconductor wafer so as to enhance chemical reaction at the reaction site defined on the semiconductor wafer frontside  102   a.  In one example, the level of megasonic energy being applied onto the semiconductor backside  102   b  can range between about 0.1 watt per square centimeter (W/cm 2 ) to about 10 W/cm 2 , and more specifically, between about 0.1 W/cm 2  and about 1 W/cm 2 . 
         [0050]    Of course, the level of megasonic energy being implemented can be higher if the megasonic coupling proximity head is being implemented to facilitate mass transport of the preparation chemistry on a substrate frontside having patterns that are not sensitive to the megasonic energy, or a substrate frontside that is not patterned. Accordingly, the megasonic coupling proximity head of the present invention can be implemented to clean the frontside of the semiconductor wafers depending on the topography on the semiconductor wafer or the process being implemented. 
         [0051]      FIG. 1C  is the simplified, partial, magnified, cross sectional view of a region A shown in  FIG. 1B , illustrating the mass transport of the preparation chemistry through the photoresist layer  104 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown, a section  104   a  of the photoresist layer  104  is being processed by the meniscus  116  while the section  104   b  has not yet been exposed to the meniscus  116 . Portions  104 ′ of the section  104   a  have been removed (as shown by the dotted lines and dotted arrows  134 ), whereas certain portions of the section  104   a  have remained intact. Nonetheless, by the time the front meniscus  116  has passed over the section  104   a  of the photoresist  104 , the photoresist material in the section  104   a  have been removed. 
         [0052]    As shown, the semiconductor wafer  102  attenuates portions of the megasonic energy imparted by the megasonic coupling proximity head  111  of the present invention. Specifically, the semiconductor wafer  102  has attenuated the megasonic energy illustrated by arrows  130  at the interface  103 , while the megasonic energy illustrated by arrows  130 ′ have passed through the interface  103  and have reached the photoresist layer  104 . This is beneficial because the level of megasonic energy imparted to the semiconductor wafer frontside  102   a  is below the damage threshold, thus preventing damaging of the semiconductor devices. 
         [0053]      FIG. 1D  is a simplified top view of an exemplary megasonic coupling proximity head, in accordance with on embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the top surface  106   a  of the megasonic coupling proximity head  111  has a rectangular shape. Of course, in another embodiment, the top surface of the megasonic coupling proximity head  111  can have any appropriate shape so long as the function of enhancing the mass transport of the meniscus through the material to be removed can be achieved. A plurality of vacuum holes  114 ′ are defined in the weir  114 . In one example, the vacuum holes  114  are used to evacuate the megasonic coupling fluid meniscus  112  from the well  120 . In another embodiment, the megasonic coupling fluid meniscus  112  can be removed while using STG to confine the meniscus  112  to a specific region. 
         [0054]    Reference is made to  FIG. 2  depicting an exemplary semiconductor wafer preparation system  200  implementing yet another exemplary megasonic coupling proximity head in conjunction with a two-bar-type proximity head apparatus preparation, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The system  200  includes a chamber  142 , a system controller  138 , and an actuating component  136 . According to one aspect, the system controller  138  controls the operations of a leading proximity head  110   a,  the megasonic coupling proximity head  111 , a trailing proximity head  110   b,  and a back proximity head  110   c.    
         [0055]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the megasonic coupling proximity head  111  is configured to assist the leading proximity head  110   a  in stripping the photoresist layer  104  from over the semiconductor wafer frontside  102   a.  Comparatively, the trailing proximity head  110   b  and the back proximity head  110   c  are configured to respectively rinse and dry the semiconductor wafer frontside  102   a  subsequent to the removal of the photoresist layer  104  and the backside  102   b  subsequent to the cleaning of the backside  102   b  by the megasonic coupling proximity head  111 . Of course, in another embodiment, the leading proximity head  110   a  can be implemented to dislodge and remove residues and particulate contaminant from over the semiconductor wafer frontside  102   a.    
         [0056]    As can be seen, the leading and trailing proximity heads  110   a  and  110   b  are defined consecutively and, are secured to an inner sidewall of the chamber  142  by a corresponding railing  118 . In the same manner, the back proximity head  110   c  and the megasonic coupling proximity head  111  are defined consecutively and are secured to the inner wall of the chamber by the railing  118 . The trailing proximity head  110   b  and the back proximity head  110   c  are defined opposite one another with the trailing proximity head  110   b  being defined proximate to the semiconductor wafer frontside  102   a  and the backside proximity head  110   c  being defined proximate to the semiconductor wafer backside  102   b.  In the same manner, the leading proximity head  110   a  and the megasonic coupling proximity head  111  are defined opposite one another with the leading proximity head  110   a  being proximate to the semiconductor wafer frontside  102   a  and the megasonic coupling proximity head  111  being proximate to the semiconductor wafer backside  102   b.  Preferably, the pair of trailing and backside proximity heads  110   b  and  110   c,  as well as the pair of leading proximity head  110   a  and the megasonic coupling proximity head  111  are applied onto the frontside  102   a  and backside  102   b  of the semiconductor wafer  102 , substantially simultaneously. 
         [0057]    One of ordinary in the art must recognize and appreciate that although in the illustrated embodiment one pair of proximity head and one pair of proximity head-megasonic coupling head have been implemented, in a different embodiment, any appropriate number of proximity heads can be implemented (e.g., one, two, three, etc.). Furthermore, although in the illustrated embodiment the leading and trailing proximity heads  110   a  and  110   b  are supported by the single railing  118 , and the back proximity head  110   c  and the megasonic coupling proximity head  111  are supported by the single railing  118 , in another embodiment, each of the leading and trailing proximity heads  110   a  and  110   b,  the back proximity head  110   c,  and the megasonic coupling proximity head  111  can be supported in any appropriate configuration (e.g., each connected to the sidewall by a respective railing, etc.). 
         [0058]    In the illustrated embodiment, the railings  118 , and thus the respective proximity heads and megasonic coupling proximity head are configured to be fixed. However, in a different embodiment, the pair of trailing and back proximity heads  110   b  and  110   c  and the pair of leading proximity head  110   a  and megasonic coupling proximity head  111  can be configured to move within the chamber  104  so long as the megasonic coupling proximity head  111  can assist in the mass transport of the preparation chemistry through the material being removed. Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the semiconductor wafer  102  does not rotate, as the entire frontside and backside  102   a  and  102   b  of the semiconductor wafer  102  are being traversed and processed by the leading and trailing proximity heads, back proximity head  110 , and the megasonic coupling proximity head  111 . 
         [0059]    With continued reference to  FIG. 2 , the carrier  144  is coupled to the actuating component  136  via an aim  115 . In one example, the carrier  144  is a rectangular flat surface made of a composite material (e.g., polycarbonate, coated carbon fiber, quartz, aluminum, stainless steel, etc.). A circular opening in the carrier  144  forms an inner rim configured to hold the semiconductor wafer  102  to be prepared. In one example, the semiconductor wafer  102  is supported by the plurality of support members  146  secured to the inner rim of the carrier  144 . In one preferred embodiment the support members are pins. 
         [0060]    One of ordinary skill in the art must appreciate that although in the illustrated embodiment the carrier  144  has a flat rectangular surface, in another embodiment, the carrier  144  may have any shape suitable for holding and processing the semiconductor wafer  102 . Additional information with respect to the carrier  144  and the supporting members  146  is provided in U.S. application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket Number LAM2P521), filed on even date herewith having inventors Katrina Mikhaylichenko, Kenneth Dodge, Mikhail Korolik, Michael Ravkin, John M. de Larios, and Fritz C. Redeker, and entitled “S UBSTRATE  P ROXIMITY  D RYING  U SING  I N -S ITU  L OCAL  H EATING OF  S UBSTRATE AND  S UBSTRATE  C ARRIER  P OINT OF  C ONTACT, AND  M ETHODS,  A PPARATUS, AND  S YSTEMS FOR  I MPLEMENTING THE  S AME .” The disclosure of this Application, which is assigned to Lam Research Corporation, the assignee of the subject application, is incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0061]    In operation, the substrate frontside and backside  102   a  and  102   b  are prepared as the carrier  144  and thus the semiconductor wafer  102  are transported horizontally in the movement direction  120  within the chamber  142 . The semiconductor substrate  102  is transported through the pair of proximity leading proximity head  110   a  and megasonic coupling proximity head  111  as well as the pair of trailing and back proximity heads  110   b  and  110   c.  The megasonic coupling fluid meniscus  112  of the megasonic coupling proximity head  111  assists the preparation of the frontside  102   a  by the meniscus  116   a.  Additionally, the frontside and backside  102   a  and  102   b  are prepared (e.g., rinsed and dried) by menisci  116   b  and  116   c,  respectively. In one example, the megasonic coupling fluid meniscus  112  is configured to prepare the backside  102   b  by dislodging and removing the residues and particulate contaminants thereon. 
         [0062]    The system controller  134  is implemented to manage and monitor the actuating component  136  and the RF power component during operation. In one example, the system controller  134  can be a computer system. According to one embodiment, the actuating component  114  provides the system controller  138  with feedbacks as to selected parameters. In one embodiment, the actuating component  136  can be a motor, however, in a different embodiment, the actuating component  136  can be any component capable of moving the carrier  144  within the chamber  142 . Furthermore, one of ordinary skill in the art must appreciate that different mechanics and engineering can be implemented to move the carrier  144  and thus the semiconductor wafer  102  during operation. 
         [0063]    In one aspect of the present invention, an in-situ integrated unit such a sensor  140  can be coupled to the railing  118 , between the leading proximity head  110  and trailing proximity head  110   b  so as to ensure the completion of the photoresist removal. In this manner, after the leading proximity head  110   a  has prepared the semiconductor wafer frontside  102   a  and removed the photoresist layer  104 , the sensor  140  can inspect each portion of the semiconductor wafer frontside  102   a.  Of course, the sensor  140  provides the control system  134  with feed back as to whether the removal of the photoresist layer  104  or the residue and particulate contaminants have been achieved properly. According to another example, the sensor  140  can be an integrated unit within the trailing proximity head  110   b.  In one aspect, the sensor  140  can use different techniques to ensure the sufficient removal of the photoresist layer  104  (e.g., broad band spectroscopy, interferometry, vision system, etc.). 
         [0064]    According to one example, a sufficient amount of energy should be applied to the transducer  113  to generate the megasonic energy. As a result, a significant amount of heat can be generated at the transducer  113 . Undesirably, the heat can degrade the bond between the resonator  109  and the crystal  108 , thus preventing the transducer  113  from operating properly. Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, a cooling fluid (e.g., nitrogen) can be introduced to an inner area of the transducer  113  and the backside of the crystal  108  through an inlet  141 . The cooling fluid can thereafter be expelled using an outlet  143 . 
         [0065]    Proceeding to  FIG. 3A , a simplified cross sectional view of yet another embodiment of the megasonic coupling proximity head of the present invention is illustrated, in accordance in one aspect of the present invention. According to one example, the preparation of the semiconductor wafer frontside  102   a  can be enhanced by using the meniscus  116  having a higher temperature. However, the higher temperature of the meniscus  116  can degrade the bonding between the resonator and the crystal in the transducer. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the temperature of the megasonic coupling fluid meniscus  112  can be controlled so as to decouple the meniscus  116  having a higher temperature from the transducer  113 . In one example, a cooled fluid can be introduced into the megasonic coupling proximity head so as to decouple the higher temperature of the meniscus  116  from the transducer  113 . Cooled megasonic fluid can be introduced into the apparatus  111  through the inlets  124  and be diverted into the well  120 , forming the megasonic coupling fluid meniscus  112 . Of course, due to the cool temperature of the megasonic fluid being introduced, the resulting megasonic coupling fluid meniscus  112  also has a lower temperature. In this manner, the megasonic coupling fluid meniscus  112  can be implemented to isolate the temperature condition on the semiconductor wafer frontside (i.e., the process side) from the transducer  113 . 
         [0066]    In the illustrated embodiment, the resonator  109  of the transducer  113  is defined at an angle with respect to the semiconductor wafer backside  102   b.  In one example, the angle between the resonator  109  and the backside  102   b  can be adjusted by adjusting an angle plate  148 . For instance, by adjusting the angle plate  148 , a distance between the resonator  109  and the backside  102   b  can be changed. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the angle of the resonator  109  is reduced as the semiconductor wafer  102  is inserted between the proximity head  110   a  and the megasonic coupling proximity head  111 ′, as illustrated by the dotted line. 
         [0067]      FIG. 3B  is a top view of an exemplary megasonic coupling proximity head  111 ′ shown in  FIG. 3A , in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, megasonic fluid is configured to be introduced into the apparatus  111 ′ through the inlets  124  so as to fill the well  120  and form the megasonic coupling fluid meniscus  112 . Overflowed megasonic coupling fluid meniscus is configured to be diverted to the weir  114  and be eliminated from the apparatus through the outlets  126 . In one example, the overflowed megasonic coupling fluid meniscus  112  is eliminated by vacuum. The bottom view of the megasonic fluid apparatus  111 ′ is shown in  FIG. 3C , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen, megasonic fluid is introduced through inlets  124  and overflowed megasonic coupling fluid meniscus is eliminated through the outlets  126 . 
         [0068]    One of ordinary skill in the art must appreciate that although in the illustrated embodiments megasonic fluid is introduced through two inlets  124 , in another embodiment, any appropriate number of inlets can be implemented to introduce the megasonic fluid into the apparatus  111 ′. Furthermore, although in the illustrated embodiments three outlets  126  are shown, in another embodiment, any suitable number of outlets can be implemented to dispose of the megasonic fluid from the apparatus  111 ′. 
         [0069]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, the megasonic coupling proximity head can be incorporated in a clustered substrate processing system. For instance, after a substrate frontside and/or backside has been pre-processed in an etching chamber, a chemical vapor deposition system, a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) system, etc., the megasonic coupling proximity head of the present invention can assist in preparation of the substrate frontside and back side. Thereafter, the semiconductor wafer backside and/or frontside can be post-processed in an etching chamber, a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) system, physical vapor deposition (PVD) system, electrochemical deposition (ECD) system, an atomic layer deposition (ALD) system, a lithographic processing system (including coater and stepper) module, etc. 
         [0070]    Yet further, in one exemplary implementation, the megasonic coupling proximity head of the present invention can be implemented in a clustered substrate cleaning apparatus that may be controlled in an automated way by a control station. For instance, the clustered preparation apparatus may include a sender station, a proximity head assisted by a megasonic coupling proximity head of the present invention, and a receiver station. Broadly stated, substrates initially placed in the sender station are delivered, one-at-a-time, so as to be prepared by the proximity head and the megasonic coupling proximity head of the present invention. After being prepared, substrates are then delivered to the receiver station for being stored temporarily. One of ordinary skill in the art must appreciate that in one embodiment, the clustered cleaning apparatus can be implemented to carry out a plurality of different substrate preparation operations (e.g., cleaning, etching, buffing, etc.). 
         [0071]    In an exemplary proximity system of the present invention, preparing the substrate surfaces using a meniscus of an exemplary proximity head is described in the following figures. One of ordinary skill in the art must appreciate that any suitable type of system with any suitable type of proximity head that can generate a fluid meniscus can be used with the embodiments of the present invention described herein. 
         [0072]      FIG. 4A  illustrates an exemplary proximity head  110 ′ performing a substrate processing operation, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The proximity head  110 ′, in one embodiment, stays in place while the carrier and thus the substrate pass through each pair of front and back menisci  130  in close proximity to the front and back menisci so as to conduct the substrate processing operation. 
         [0073]    It should be appreciated that depending on the type of fluid applied to the semiconductor wafer  102 , the fluid meniscus  116  generated by the proximity head  110 ′ on the substrate surface  102  may be any suitable substrate processing operation such as, for example, pre-rinsing, cleaning, drying, etc. In one embodiment, the proximity head  110 ′ includes source inlets  132  and  156  and a source outlet  154 . In such an embodiment, isopropyl alcohol vapor in nitrogen gas IPA/N 2    157  may be applied to the substrate surface through a source inlet  152 , vacuum  158  may be applied to the substrate surface through a source outlet  154 , and a processing fluid may be applied to the substrate surface through a source inlet  156 . 
         [0074]    In another embodiment, the application of the IPA/N 2    157  and the processing fluid in addition to the application of the vacuum  158  to remove the processing fluid and the IPA/N 2    157  from the substrate surface  102   a  can generate the fluid meniscus  116 . The fluid meniscus  116  may be a fluid layer defined between the proximity head  110 ′ and the substrate surface that can be moved across a substrate surface  102  in a stable and controllable manner. In one embodiment, the fluid meniscus  116  may be defined by a constant application and removal of the processing fluid. The fluid layer defining the fluid meniscus  116  may be any suitable shape and/or size depending on the size, number, shape, and/or pattern of the source inlets  156 , source outlets  154 , and source inlets  152 . 
         [0075]    In addition, any suitable flow rates of the vacuum, IPA/N 2 , vacuum, and the processing fluid may be used depending on the type of fluid meniscus desired to be generated. In yet another embodiment, depending on the distance between the proximity head  110 ′ and the substrate surface, the IPA/N 2  may be omitted when generating and utilizing the fluid meniscus  116 . In such an embodiment, the proximity head  110 ′ may not include the source inlet  158  and therefore only the application of the processing fluid by the source inlet  156  and the removal of the processing fluid by the source outlet  154  generates the fluid meniscus  116 . 
         [0076]    In other embodiments of the proximity head  110 ′, the processing surface of the proximity head  110 ′ (the region of the proximity head where the source inlets and source outlets are located) may have any suitable topography depending on the configuration of the fluid meniscus  116  to be generated. In one embodiment, the processing surface of the proximity head may be either indented or may protrude from the surrounding surface. 
         [0077]      FIG. 4B  shows a top view of a portion of a proximity head  110 ′ in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciated that the configuration of the proximity head  110 ′ is exemplary in nature. Therefore, other configurations of proximity heads  110 ′ may be utilized to generate the fluid meniscus  116  as long as the processing fluid can be applied to a substrate surface and removed from the substrate surface to generate a stable fluid meniscus  116  on the substrate surface. In addition, as discussed above, other embodiments of the proximity head  110 ′ do not have to have the source inlet  156  when the proximity head  110 ′ is configured to generate the fluid meniscus without usage of N 2 /IPA. 
         [0078]    In the top view of one embodiment, from left to right are a set of the source inlet  152 , a set of the source outlet  154 , a set of the source inlet  156 , a set of the source outlet  154 , and a set of the source inlet  152 . Therefore, as N 2 /IPA and processing chemistry are inputted into the region between the proximity head  110 ′ and the substrate surface, the vacuum removes the N 2 /IPA and the processing chemistry along with any fluid film and/or contaminants that may reside on the semiconductor wafer  102 . The source inlets  152 , the source inlets  156 , and the source outlets  154  described herein may also be any suitable type of geometry such as for example, circular opening, triangle opening, square opening, etc. In one embodiment, the source inlets  152  and  156  and the source outlets  154  have circular openings. It should be appreciated that the proximity head  110 ′ may be any suitable size, shape, and/or configuration depending on the size and shape of the fluid meniscus  116  desired to generated. In one embodiment, the proximity head may extend less than a radius of the substrate. In another embodiment, the proximity head may extend more than the radius of the substrate. In another embodiment, the proximity head may extend greater than a diameter of the substrate. Therefore, the size of the fluid meniscus may be any suitable size depending on the size of a substrate surface area desired to be processed at any given time. In addition, it should be appreciated that the proximity head  110 ′ may be positioned in any suitable orientation depending on the substrate processing operation such as, for example, horizontally, vertically, or any other suitable position in between. The proximity head  110 ′ may also be incorporated into a substrate processing system where one or more types of substrate processing operations may be conducted. 
         [0079]      FIG. 4C  illustrates an inlets/outlets pattern of a proximity head  110 ′ in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the proximity head  110 ′ includes the source inlets  152  and  156  as well as source outlets  154 . In one embodiment, the source outlets  154  may surround the source inlets  156  and the source inlets  152  may surround the source outlets  154 . 
         [0080]      FIG. 4D  illustrates another inlets/outlets pattern of a proximity head  110 ′ in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the proximity head  110 ′ includes the source inlets  152  and  156  as well as source outlets  154 . In one embodiment, the source outlets  154  may surround the source inlets  156  and the source inlets  152  may at least partially surround the source outlets  154 . 
         [0081]      FIG. 4E  illustrates a further inlets/outlets pattern of a proximity head  110 ′ in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the proximity head  110 ′ includes the source inlets  152  and  156  as well as source outlets  154 . In one embodiment, the source outlets  154  may surround the source inlets  156 . In one embodiment, the proximity head  110 ′ does not include source inlets  152  because, in one embodiment, the proximity head  110 ′ is capable of generating a fluid meniscus without application of IPA/N 2 . It should be appreciated that the above described inlets/outlets patterns are exemplary in nature and that any suitable type of inlets/outlets patterns may be used as long as a stable and controllable fluid meniscus can be generated. In one embodiment, depending on how close the proximity head is to the surface being processed, IPA may not be utilized and only processing fluid inlets and vacuum outlets can be used to generate the fluid meniscus. Such an embodiment is described in further detail in reference to U.S. application Ser. No. 10/882,835 entitled “Method And Apparatus For Processing Wafer Surfaces Using Thin, High Velocity Fluid Layer” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
         [0082]    For additional information about the proximity vapor clean and dry system, reference can be made to an exemplary system described in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,488,040, issued on Dec. 3, 2002, having inventors John M. de Larios, Mike Ravkin, Glen Travis, Jim Keller, and Wilbur Krusell, and entitled “C APILLARY  P ROXIMITY  H EADS FOR  S INGLE  W AFER  C LEANING AND  D RYING .” This U.S. Patent Application, which is assigned to Lam Research Corporation, the assignee of the subject application, is incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0083]    For additional information with respect to the proximity head, reference can be made to an exemplary proximity head, as described in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,616,772, issued on Sep. 9, 2003, having inventors John M. de Larios, Mike Ravkin, Glen Travis, Jim Keller, and Wilbur Krusell, and entitled “M ETHODS FOR WAFER PROXIMITY CLEANING AND DRYING .” This U.S. Patent Application, which is assigned to Lam Research Corporation, the assignee of the subject application, is incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0084]    For additional information about top and bottom menisci, reference can be made to the exemplary meniscus, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/330,843, filed on Dec. 24, 2002, having inventor Carl Woods, and entitled “M ENISCUS,  V ACUUM,  IPA V APOR,  D RYING  M ANIFOLD .” This U.S. Patent Application, which is assigned to Lam Research Corporation, the assignee of the subject application, is incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0085]    For additional information about top and bottom menisci, vacuum, and IPA vapor, reference can be made to the exemplary system, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/330,897, filed on Dec. 24, 2002, having inventor Carl Woods, and entitled “S YSTEM FOR  S UBSTRATE  P ROCESSING WITH  M ENISCUS,  V ACUUM,  IPA V APOR,  D RYING  M ANIFOLD .” This U.S. Patent Application, which is assigned to Lam Research Corporation, the assignee of the subject application, is incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0086]    For additional information about proximity processors, reference can be made to the exemplary processor, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/404,270, filed on Mar. 31, 2003, having inventors James P. Garcia, Mike Ravkin, Carl Woods, Fred C. Redeker, and John M. de Larios, and entitled “V ERTICAL  P ROXIMITY  P ROCESSOR .” This U.S. Patent Application, which is assigned to Lam Research Corporation, the assignee of the subject application, is incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0087]    For additional information about front and back menisci, reference can be made to the exemplary dynamic meniscus, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/404,692, filed on Mar. 31, 2003, having inventors James P. Garcia, John M. de Larios, Michael Ravkin, and Fred C. Redeker, and entitled “M ETHODS AND  S YSTEMS FOR  P ROCESSING A  S UBSTRATE  U SING A  D YNAMIC  L IQUID  M ENISCUS .” This U.S. Patent Application, which is assigned to Lam Research Corporation, the assignee of the subject application, is incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0088]    For additional information about meniscus, reference can be made to the exemplary dynamic liquid meniscus, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/603,427, filed on Jun. 24, 2003, having inventors Carl A. Woods, James P. Garcia, and John M. de Larios, and entitled “M ETHODS AND  S YSTEMS FOR  P ROCESSING A BEVEL  E DGE  S UBSTRATE  U SING A  D YNAMIC  L IQUID  M ENISCUS .” This U.S. Patent Application, which is assigned to Lam Research Corporation, the assignee of the subject application, is incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0089]    For additional information about proximate cleaning and/or drying, reference can be made to the exemplary wafer process, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/606,022, filed on Jun. 24, 2003, having inventors John M. Boyd, John M. de Larios, Michael Ravkin, and Fred C. Redeker, and entitled “S YSTEM AND  M ETHOD FOR  I NTEGRATING  I N -S ITU  M ETROLOGY WITHIN A  W AFER  P ROCESS .” This U.S. Patent Application, which is assigned to Lam Research Corporation, the assignee of the subject application, is incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0090]    For additional information about depositing and planarizing thin films of semiconductor substrates, reference can be made to the exemplary apparatus and method, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/607,611, filed on Jun. 27, 2003, having inventors John Boyd, Yezdi N. Dordi, and John M. de Larios, and entitled “A PPARATUS AND  M ETHOD FOR  D EPOSITING AND  P LANARIZING  T HIN  F ILMS OF  S EMICONDUCTOR  W AFERS .” This U.S. Patent Application, which is assigned to Lam Research Corporation, the assignee of the subject application, is incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0091]    For additional information about cleaning a substrate using megasonic cleaning, reference can be made to the exemplary method and apparatus, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/611,140, filed on Jun. 30, 2003, having inventors John M. Boyd, Mike Ravkin, Fred C. Redeker, and John M. de Larios, and entitled “M ETHOD AND  A PPARATUS FOR  C LEANING A  S UBSTRATE  U SING  M EGASONIC  P OWER .” This U.S. Patent Application, which is assigned to Lam Research Corporation, the assignee of the subject application, is incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0092]    For additional information about proximity brush cleaning, reference can be made to the exemplary proximity brush, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/742,303, filed on Dec. 18, 2003, having inventors John M. Boyd, Michael L. Orbock, and Fred C. Redeker, and entitled “P ROXIMITY  B RUSH  U NIT  A PPARATUS AND  M ETHOD .” This U.S. Patent Application, which is assigned to Lam Research Corporation, the assignee of the subject application, is incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0093]    Various proximity heads and methods of using the proximity heads are described in co-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/834,548 filed on Apr. 28, 2004 and entitled “A PPARATUS AND  M ETHOD FOR  P ROVIDING A  C ONFINED  L IQUID FOR  I MMERSION  L ITHOGRAPHY ,” which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/606,022, filed on Jun. 24, 2003 and entitled “S YSTEM  A ND  M ETHOD  F OR  I NTEGRATING  I N -S ITU  M ETROLOGY  W ITHIN  A W AFER  P ROCESS .” Additional embodiments and uses of the proximity head are also disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/404,692, filed on Mar. 31, 2003, entitled “M ETHODS AND  S YSTEMS FOR  P ROCESSING A  S UBSTRATE  U SING A  D YNAMIC  L IQUID  M ENISCUS .” Additional information with respect to proximity cleaning can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/817,355 filed on Apr. 1, 2004 entitled “S UBSTRATE  P ROXIMITY  P ROCESSING  S TRUCTURES AND  M ETHODS FOR  U SING AND  M AKING THE  S AME ,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/817,620 filed on Apr. 1, 2004 entitled “S UBSTRATE  M ENISCUS  I NTERFACE AND  M ETHODS FOR  O PERATION ,” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/817,133 filed on Apr. 1, 2004 entitled “P ROXIMITY  M ENISCUS  M ANIFOLD .” The aforementioned patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
         [0094]    Additional embodiments and uses of the proximity head are also disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/330,897, filed on Dec. 24, 2002, entitled “System for Substrate Processing with Meniscus, Vacuum, IPA vapor, Drying Manifold” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/404,270, filed on Mar. 31, 2003, entitled “Vertical Proximity Processor,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/817,398 filed on Apr. 1, 2004 entitled “Controls of Ambient Environment During Wafer Drying Using Proximity Head,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,488,040, issued on Dec. 3, 2002, entitled “Capillary Proximity Heads For Single Wafer Cleaning And Drying,” and U.S. Pat. No. 6,616,772, issued on Sep. 9, 2003, entitled “Methods For Wafer Proximity Cleaning And Drying.” Still further, additional embodiments and uses of the proximity head are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/883,301 entitled “Concentric Proximity Processing Head,” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/882,835 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Processing Wafer Surfaces Using Thin, High Velocity Fluid Layer.” Further embodiments and uses of the proximity head are further described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/957,260 entitled “Apparatus And Method For Processing A Substrate,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/956,799 entitled “Apparatus And Method For Utilizing A Meniscus In Substrate Processing” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/957,384 entitled “Phobic Barrier Meniscus Separation And Containment.” The aforementioned patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
         [0095]    Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the embodiments of the present invention can be implemented to clean any substrate having varying sizes and shapes such as those employed in the manufacture of semiconductor devices, flat panel displays, hard drive discs, flat panel displays, and the like. Additionally, the present embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8