Patent ID: 12252791

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In order to shorten a processing time in manufacturing of a semiconductor device, it may be desirable to end a film formation process for an embedded layer at an earlier time as soon as embedding of a trench is completed. In order to flatten the surface of a substrate and shorten the processing time, it may be necessary to detect the end of the embedding with better precision.

During the growth of an epitaxial film for embedding the trench, a surface temperature of the epitaxial film may be detected by a pyrometer and the end of embedding may be detected based on no variation in an output level of the pyrometer.

However, the above method may not quantitatively detect the time at which the output level of the pyrometer has not been changed.

As a method of detecting that the output level of the pyrometer has not been changed, for example, it may be determined that the output level of the pyrometer has not been changed, based on a condition that the variation amount of the output level smaller than or equal to a threshold value has been elapsed for a predetermined time. In such a method, even though the output level does not actually change, the film formation process is still continued until a predetermined time has been elapsed. Therefore, the processing time may take longer.

As described above, it may be required to detect the end of embedding the trench quantitatively to flatten the surface of the substrate after embedding, and to further shorten the processing time.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus manufactures a semiconductor device. The apparatus includes a film formation device, a first detector and a second detector. The film formation device forms an embedded layer for embedding a trench disposed at a substrate in the semiconductor device. The first detector detects a state of a first region of the substrate where the trench is disposed. The second detector detects a state of a second region of the substrate, the second region disposed outside of the first region. The film formation device ends film formation of the embedded layer, based on a condition that difference between a first detection result corresponding to the state of the first region and a second detection result corresponding to the state of the second region is smaller than or equal to a threshold value.

When the embedding of the trench is completed, the state such as color or temperature of the first region becomes nearly equal to the state of the second region. The trench is formed at the first region, and the second region is located outside of the first region. It is possible to quantitatively detect the end of the embedding by comparing the state of the first region with the state of the second region. In other words, in a case where the difference between the detection result of the first detector and the detection result of the second detector is compared with the threshold value, it is possible to set a time point at which the difference is smaller than or equal to the threshold value, as an end time of the embedding. Subsequently, by ending the film formation at this time point, it is possible to flatten the surface of the substrate after embedding, and to shorten the processing time.

In the following, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments described hereinafter, the same or equivalent parts will be designated with the same reference numerals.

First Embodiment

The following describes a first embodiment. A manufacturing apparatus1according to a first embodiment illustrated inFIG.1is an apparatus for manufacturing a semiconductor device. In the manufacturing apparatus for etching, an embedded film for embedding a trench is formed at a wafer-shaped semiconductor substrate where the trench is formed. The manufacturing apparatus1includes a load-lock chamber2, a transport chamber3, a susceptor chamber4, a reactor5and a controller6.

The load-lock chamber2is a chamber for transporting a wafer100into the manufacturing apparatus100from outside of the manufacturing apparatus1. The load-lock chamber2is formed with a communication passage communicating with the outside of the manufacturing apparatus1. As illustrated inFIG.2, the wafer100has a first region102and a second region103. The first region102is a portion of the wafer100where a trench101is formed. The second region103is a flat portion of the wafer100outside of the first region102where the trench101is not formed. The wafer100is transported into the load-lock chamber2through the above communication passage after multiple trenches101are formed by the manufacturing device (not shown).

The load-lock chamber2communicates with the transport chamber3. The wafer100transported from outside of the manufacturing apparatus1to the load-lock chamber2is transported to the transport chamber3after performing a predetermined treatment at the load-lock chamber2.

As illustrated inFIG.1, the communication passage between the load-lock chamber2and the outside of the manufacturing apparatus1is provided with a gate valve11. The communication passage between the load-lock chamber2and the transport chamber3is provided with a gate valve12. When the wafer100is transported into the load-lock chamber2, the gate valve11and the gate valve12are closed and evacuated by a pump (not shown), a gas is supplied by a gas line (not shown), and the pressure in the load-chamber2is adjusted to have a pressure identical to the pressure in the transport chamber3. Subsequently, the gate valve12is opened, and the wafer100is transported into the transport chamber3.

The transport chamber3is a chamber for transporting the wafer100between the load-lock chamber2and the reactor5and between the susceptor chamber4and the reactor5. The transport chamber3communicates with the load-lock chamber2, and also communicates with the susceptor chamber4and the reactor5. The transport chamber3is adjusted to a predetermined pressure by the gas supplied by a pump or the gas line (not shown). A transporter31is provided inside the transport chamber3.

The transporter31transports the wafer100and a susceptor41described hereinafter. The transport of the wafer100and the susceptor41between the load-lock chamber2and the transport chamber3, between the transport chamber3and the susceptor chamber4, and between the transport chamber3and the reactor5is executed by the transporter31. The transporter31includes, for example, a robot arm provided with a hand portion for gripping an object, for example, the wafer100.

The communication passage between the transport chamber3and the susceptor chamber4is provided with a gate valve13. The gate valve13is opened when the wafer100or the like is transported between the transport chamber3and the susceptor chamber4. The communication passage between the transport chamber3and the reactor5is provided with a gate valve14. The gate valve14is opened when the wafer100or the like is transported between the transport chamber3and the reactor5. The wafer100is taken out from the load-lock chamber2to the transport chamber3by the transporter31, and then is transported to the susceptor chamber4.

The susceptor chamber4is a chamber for placing the wafer100on the susceptor41. The susceptor41holds the wafer100when a process such as a film formation process is executed on the wafer100. The susceptor41has a disk shape. A recess is formed at a top surface of the susceptor41, and the wafer100is placed at the recess. The susceptor41at which the wafer100is placed is taken out to the transport chamber3from the susceptor chamber4through the transporter31, and is subsequently transported to the reactor5.

The reactor5is a chamber for executing the film formation process on the wafer100. In the reactor5, as illustrated inFIG.3, an embedded layer104for embedding the trench101at the wafer100is formed. As illustrated inFIG.4, the reactor5is provided with a table51, a temperature adjuster52, a film formation device53, a quartz window54, a temperature detector55and a temperature detector56. The temperature detector55may also be referred to as a first temperature detector, and the temperature detector56may also be referred to as a second temperature detector.FIG.4illustrates the susceptor41is placed at the table51.

The table51is for mounting the susceptor41. As shown by an arrow A1, the table51rotates about an axis perpendicular to the mounting surface. The mounting surface may also be referred to as a placement surface. When the table51rotates, the susceptor41and the wafer100above the table51rotates around the axis perpendicular to the mounting surface of the table51. In the reactor5, the embedded layer104is formed in a state where the wafer100rotates as described above.

The temperature adjuster52adjusts the temperature of the susceptor41and the temperature of the wafer100. The temperature adjuster52includes, for example, a heater provided inside the table51. When the table51is heated by the temperature adjuster52, the respective temperatures of the susceptor41and the wafer100placed on the table51are adjusted. The temperature adjuster52adjusts the temperature of the susceptor41and the temperature of the wafer100so that the temperature of the second region103is constant.

Two openings are formed at the ceiling of the reactor5. The film formation device53is arranged at one of the two openings, and the other one of the two openings is closed by the quartz window54.

The film formation device53supplies a source gas of Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) to the inside of the reactor5, and is arranged to blow the source gas from the opening at the ceiling of the reactor5. When the source gas is supplied by the film formation device53, the trench101is embedded and the embedded layer104is formed through the chemical reaction between the surface of the wafer100and the source gas. The wafer100is heated by the temperature adjuster52.

The temperature detector55and the temperature detector56are arranged at the top part of the quartz window54. The temperature detector55and the temperature detector56respectively detect the temperature of the wafer10. Each of the temperature detector55and the temperature detector56includes, for example, a pyrometer. As shown by arrows A2, A3, the temperature detector55and the temperature detector56respectively detect the temperature of a portion of the wafer100below the temperature detector55and the temperature detector56.

In the present embodiment, the second region103is a region including a central portion of the wafer100, and the first region102is formed at the outer peripheral portion of the second region103of the central portion of the wafer100. The temperature detector55is arranged above the outer peripheral portion of the wafer100, and the temperature detector56is arranged above the central portion of the wafer100. As a result, the temperature of the first region102is detected by the temperature detector55, and the temperature of the second region103is detected by the temperature detector56.

As described above, the temperature detector55and the temperature detector56respectively detect the state of the first region102and the state of the second region103. The temperature detector55corresponds to a first detector, and the temperature detector56corresponds to a second detector.

The controller6controls, for example, the transporter31, the table51, the film formation device53, the gate valves11to14, and the pump (not shown) to execute the transport of the wafer100and the film formation process on the wafer100. The controller6operates the film formation device53based on the detection results of the temperature detector55and the temperature detector56, and executes the film formation process on the wafer100.

The controller6is connected to, for example, the transporter31, the table51, the temperature adjuster52and the film formation device53. When the controller6operates the transporter31to place the susceptor41on the table51is rotated by operating a driver (not shown). The wafer100is placed at the susceptor41. The controller6operates the temperature adjuster52to heat the susceptor41and the wafer100. In addition, the controller6operates the film formation device53to supply the source gas into the reactor5, and executes the film formation on the wafer100. The detection result of the temperature detector55and the detection result of the temperature detector56are transmitted to the controller6. When the difference in the temperatures respectively detected by the temperature detector55and the temperature detector56is larger than a predetermined threshold value, the controller6continues the film formation process. When the difference in the temperatures respectively detected by the temperature detector55and the temperature detector56is smaller than or equal to the threshold value, the controller6ends the film formation process.

The controller6includes a microcomputer having a CPU, ROM, RAM, non-volatile rewritable memory, etc. (not shown). The non-volatile rewritable memory is, for example, EEPROM or flash ROM. EEPROM is an abbreviation of Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory. The controller6operates, for example, the film formation device53according to the program stored in a built-in memory to execute the film formation process on the wafer10.

The following describes the operation of the manufacturing apparatus1. The manufacturing apparatus1executes S101to S104shown inFIG.5in order to form the embedded layer104for embedding the trench101at the wafer100.

In S101, the wafer100at which the trench101is formed by the manufacturing device for etching (not shown) is transported in to the load-lock chamber2. As the wafer100is transported, the controller6closes the gate valve11and the gate valve12, and operates the pump (not shown) to evacuate the load-lock chamber2, and supplies the gas to the load-lock chamber2from the gas line (not shown). As a result, the load-lock chamber2is adjusted to have the pressure identical to the pressure in the transport chamber3.

In S102, the controller6opens the gate valve12, and operates the transporter31to transport the wafer100to the transport chamber3. Subsequently, the controller6opens the gate valve13to transport the wafer100to the susceptor chamber4, and places the wafer100above the susceptor41.

In S103, the controller6operates the transporter31to transport the susceptor41on which the wafer100is placed to the transport chamber3in S102. The controller6opens the gate valve14to transport the susceptor41to the reactor5, and places the susceptor41above the table51. Subsequently, the controller6closes the gate valve14.

In S104, the controller6executes the film formation process on the wafer100. The controller6operates the driver (not shown) to rotate the table51, and operates the temperature adjuster52to heat the wafer100held by the susceptor41above the table51. The controller6operates the film formation device53to supply the source gas into the reactor5. As a result, the embedded layer104is formed at the wafer100.

During the formation of the embedded layer104, the temperature detector55detects the temperature of the first region102and the temperature detector56detects the temperature of the second region103, and the detection results are transmitted to the controller6. The controller6operates the temperature adjuster52so that the temperature of the second region103detected by the temperature detector56becomes constant at a preset value.

When the difference in the temperatures respectively detected by the temperature detector55and the temperature detector56is larger than a predetermined threshold value, the controller6continues the film formation process for the embedded layer104. When the difference in the temperatures respectively detected by the temperature detector55and the temperature detector56is smaller than or equal to the threshold value, the controller6ends the film formation process.

When the film formation process ends, the controller6operates the transporter31to transport the susceptor41to the susceptor chamber4from the reactor5. The controller6transports the wafer100removed from the susceptor41to the load-lock chamber2through the transporter31. The wafer100transported to the load-lock chamber2is transported out to a manufacturing device (not shown) for a subsequent process.

The following describes the advantageous effects attained in the present embodiment. During the execution of the film formation process, the temperature of the wafer100varies as illustrated inFIGS.6,7. The solid line inFIG.6indicates the temperature of the first region102, and the one-dot-chain line inFIG.6indicates the temperature of the second region103. The solid line inFIG.7indicates the temperature difference between the first region102and the second region103. The horizontal axis in each ofFIGS.6,7is the time from the start of the film formation. Each ofFIGS.8to10is an image of the cross section of the wafer100during the film formation process. In each ofFIGS.8to10, the lower black portion is the wafer100formed with the trench101, and the white portion is the embedded layer104.FIG.8is an image of the cross section of the wafer100at a time prior to time t1inFIG.1.FIG.9is an image of the cross section of the wafer100at a time subsequent to time t1and prior to time t2.FIG.10is an image of the cross section of the wafer100at a time subsequent to time t2.

During the film formation process, the temperature of the second region103is maintained constant. The temperature of the first region102varies with time as illustrated inFIG.6.

At the time immediately after the start of the film formation of the embedded layer104as shown inFIG.8, the temperature of the first region102is substantially constant at a temperature higher than the temperature of the second region103. As a result, the temperature difference between the first region102and the second region103is substantially constant at a value larger than a value indicated by the one-dotted-chain line inFIG.7.

When the film formation as shown inFIG.9progresses, the temperature of the first region102decreases with the elapse of time. As a result, the temperature difference between the first region102and the second region103decreases with the elapse of time as shown inFIG.7.

When the film formation further progresses and the trench101is completely embedded as shown inFIG.10, the temperature of the first region102is constant at a value substantially equal to the temperature of the second region103. As a result, the temperature difference between the first region102and the second region103is substantially constant at a value smaller than the value indicated by the one-dotted-chain line.

When the value indicated by the one-dotted-chain line is set as a threshold value to be compared with the temperature difference, it is possible to detect the time of the end of the embedding of the trench101with enhanced precision. By ending the film formation process at that time, it is possible to flatten the surface of the wafer100after the film formation and shorten the film formation time.

When the embedding of the trench101is ended, the temperature of the first region102formed with the trench101and the temperature of the second region103outside the first region102are nearly equal. As comparing the temperature of the first region102with the temperature of the second region103as in the present embodiment, it is possible to detect the end of embedding quantitatively. In the present embodiment, as the difference between the detection result of the temperature detector55and the detection result of the temperature detector56is compared with the threshold value, the film formation process for the embedded layer104is ended at a time when the difference is smaller than or equal to the threshold value as the end of the embedding. Therefore, it is possible to flatten the surface of the wafer100after embedding and shorten the film formation time.

According to the above embodiment, it is possible to attain the following advantageous effects.

The second region103for referring to the temperature is a region including the central portion of the wafer100. Therefore, it is possible to set a wide region over the entire outer peripheral portion of the wafer100as the first region102, and the effective area becomes larger.

Second Embodiment

The following describes a second embodiment. The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the first and second detectors, and the other parts are similar to the first embodiment. Therefore, the following only describes the parts different from the first embodiment.

As shown inFIG.11, in the present embodiment, the temperature detector55is not arranged at the reactor5; however, an image pickup device57is arranged at the reactor5. The image pickup device57may also be referred to as an image sensor. The image pickup device57captures an image of the wafer100during the film formation, and the image captured by the image pickup device57is transmitted to the controller6.

A one-dotted-chain line inFIG.11indicates an imaging range of the image pickup device57. The image pickup device57is disposed at a top part of the quartz window54to capture an image of the first region102and the second region103. As described above, the image pickup device57is disposed to detect the respective states of the first region102and the second region103. The image pickup device57corresponds to the first detector and the second detector. The image pickup device57includes a camera having, for example, an image sensor such as a charge coupled device (CCD).

The image pickup device57captures an image of the rotating wafer100during the film formation. Therefore, it may be desirable to shorten the frame rate of the image pickup device57to some extent to reduce the blurring of the image captured by the image pickup device57. For example, it may be desirable to shorten the frame rate of the image pickup device57than the rotation period of the wafer100.

The following describes the operation of the manufacturing apparatus1according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, S101to S103are executed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. In S104, the controller6operates the temperature adjuster52to maintain the temperature of the second region103detected by the temperature detector56at a constant value in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the controller6detects the end of embedding by adopting the gradation difference between the captured image of the first region102and the captured image of the second region103, in replacement of the temperature difference between the first region102and the second region103. The gradation difference refers to the difference between the gradation of the image of the first region102captured by the image pickup device57and the image of the second region103captured by the image pickup device57. The controller6compares the gradation difference with a predetermined threshold value. When the gradation difference is larger than the threshold value, the controller6continues the film formation process. When the gradation difference is smaller than or equal to the threshold value, the controller6ends the film formation process.

The following describes the advantageous effects attained in the present embodiment. During the execution of the film formation process, the gradation of the captured image of the wafer100varies as shown inFIGS.12,13. The horizontal axis in each ofFIGS.12,13is the time from the start of the film formation.

Each ofFIGS.14to17is a captured image of a top surface of the wafer100during the film formation process.FIG.14is an image captured at a time prior to time t3inFIG.12.FIG.15is an image captured at a time subsequent to time t3and prior to time t4inFIG.12.FIG.16is an image captured ata time subsequent to time t4and prior to time t5inFIG.12.FIG.17is an image captured at a time subsequent to time t5inFIG.12.

In each ofFIGS.14to17, the region R1and the region R2are a part of the first region102, and the region R3is a part of the second region103. The white portion in the regions R1and R2inFIG.14is a portion of the wafer100where the trench101is formed. InFIG.12, the solid line indicates an average of the gradation of the region R1, the one-dotted-chain line indicates an average of the gradation of the region R2, and the two-dotted-chain line indicates an average of the gradation of the region R3. InFIG.13, the solid line indicates the difference between the gradation of the region R1and the gradation of the region R3, and the one-dotted-chain line indicates the difference between the gradation of the region R2and the gradation of the region R3.

During the film formation process, the temperature of the second region103is maintained constant. As a result, the gradation of the captured image of the second region103is substantially constant. The gradation of the captured image of the first region102varies along with the time as shown inFIG.12.

At the stage immediately after the start of the film formation of the embedded layer104as shown inFIG.14, the gradation of the first region102is substantially constant at a temperature higher than the gradation of the second region103. As a result, the gradation difference between the first region102and the second region103is substantially constant at a value larger than a value indicated by the two-dotted-chain line inFIG.13.

When the film formation as shown inFIGS.15,16progresses, the gradation of the first region102decreases with the elapse of time. As a result, the gradation difference between the first region102and the second region103decreases with the elapse of time as shown inFIG.13.

When the film formation further progresses and the trench101is completely embedded as shown inFIG.17, the gradation of the first region102is constant at a value substantially equal to the gradation of the second region103. As a result, the gradation difference between the first region102and the second region103is substantially constant at a value smaller than a value indicated by the two-dotted-chain line inFIG.13.

When the value indicated by the two-dotted-chain line inFIG.13is set as a threshold value to be compared with the gradation difference, it is possible to detect the time of the end of the embedding of the trench101with enhanced precision. For example, it is possible to flatten the surface of the wafer100after the film formation and shorten the film formation time by ending the film formation process at a time when the difference between the gradation of each of the regions R1and R2and the gradation of the region R3is smaller than or equal to the threshold value.

In the present embodiment, it is possible to attain the advantageous effects as similar to the effects in the first embodiment with the configuration and operation identical to the ones in the first embodiment.

According to the above embodiment, it is possible to attain the following advantageous effects.

When the embedding of the trench101ends, the gradation of the captured image of the first region102and the gradation of the captured image of the second region103are closer to each other. As comparing the gradation of the first region102with the gradation of the second region103as in the present embodiment, it is possible to detect the end of embedding quantitatively. In the present embodiment, when the difference between two detection results obtained by the image pickup device57is smaller than or equal to the threshold value, in other words, when the difference between the gradation of the captured image of the first region102and the gradation of the captured image of the second region103is smaller than or equal to the threshold value, the film formation process for the embedded layer104is ended. Therefore, it is possible to grasp the in-plane distribution of the embedded layer104and flatten the surface of the wafer100after the film formation, and it is possible shorten the film formation time.

Third Embodiment

The following describes a third embodiment. The present embodiment further includes the configuration of detecting the tilt of the wafer100and other parts identical to the ones in the first embodiment. The following only describes the parts different from the first embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG.18, the susceptor chamber4in the present embodiment includes a tilt detector42. The tilt detector42detects the tilt of the wafer100with respect to the susceptor41, and corresponds to a third detector. The tilt detector42includes a light source43, a photodetector44and a shielding plate45.

The light source43generates laser beam. The light source43is disposed to irradiate the generated laser beam on the wafer100above the susceptor41. The light source43includes, for example, a semiconductor laser.

The photodetector44detects the laser beam, and is disposed so that the laser beam reflected by the wafer100is incident on the photodetector44. The photodetector44includes, for example, a photodiode.

A shielding plate45is arranged between the photodetector44and the wafer100. A slit46is formed at the shielding plate45. The slit46is formed as follows. When the tilt of the wafer100with respect to the susceptor41is within a predetermined range, the reflected beam is incident on the photodetector44through the slit46. When the tilt of the wafer100is not within the predetermined range, the reflected beam hits a position deviated from the slit46, and is shielded by the shielding plate45.

The light source43and the photodetector44are connected to the controller6. The controller6operates the light source43to irradiate the laser beam on the wafer100, and transports the susceptor41to the reactor5to start the film formation after confirming that the tilt of the wafer100with respect to the susceptor41is within the predetermined range based on the signal from the photodetector44.

The following describes the operation of the manufacturing apparatus1according to the present embodiment. As illustrated inFIG.20, in the present embodiment, the process is shifted from S102to S105. In S105, the controller6determines whether the tilt of the wafer100with respect to the susceptor41is within the predetermined range.

The controller6operates the light source43to irradiate the laser beam on the wafer100. When the photodetector44detects the reflected beam, the controller6determines that the tilt of the wafer100is within the predetermined range. When the photodetector44does not detect the reflected beam, the controller6determines that the tilt of the wafer100is out of the predetermined range.

When it is determined that the tilt of the wafer100is within the predetermined range, the process is shifted to S103and the transport of the susceptor41is performed as similar to the first embodiment. The film formation is subsequently performed in subsequent S104. When it is determined that the tilt of the wafer100is not within the predetermined range, the process is shifted to S106, and the controller6operates a notification device (not shown) to notify of a fault, and stops the operation of, for example, the transporter31. Subsequently, the process is ended without executing the film formation process.

In the present embodiment, it is possible to attain the advantageous effects as similar to the effects in the first embodiment with the configuration and operation identical to the ones in the first embodiment.

According to the above embodiment, it is possible to attain the following advantageous effects.

The film formation starts after confirming the tilt of the wafer100with respect to the susceptor41is within the predetermined range. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the film formation process from being executed while the wafer100is tilted, and it is possible to enhance the precision of detecting the end of embedding in the film formation process.

Fourth Embodiment

The following describes a fourth embodiment. The present embodiment further includes the configuration of detecting the tilt of the susceptor41and other parts identical to the ones in the third embodiment. The following only describes the part different from the third embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG.21, in the present embodiment, an opening is formed at the wall of the reactor5, and the opening is closed by a quartz window58. An image pickup device59is arranged outside of the reactor5.

The image pickup device59detects the tilt of the susceptor41with respect to the table51when the susceptor41is placed at the table51. The image pickup device59corresponds to a fourth detector. The result detected by the image pickup device59is transmitted to the controller6. The controller6executes the film formation process, in a case where the tilt of the susceptor41detected by the image pickup device59is within the predetermined range.

The image pickup device59is arranged to capture an image of the top surface of the wafer100and the top surface of the susceptor41from the side of the susceptor41through the quartz window58. In a case where the tilt of the susceptor41with respect to the table51is smaller, as illustrated inFIG.22, the width of the top surface of the susceptor41in the image captured by the image pickup device59becomes smaller. In a case where the tilt of the susceptor41with respect to the table51is larger, as illustrated inFIG.23, the width of the top surface of the susceptor41in the image captured by the image pickup device59becomes larger than the width inFIG.22. The controller6determines whether the tilt of the susceptor41is within the predetermined range based on the width of the top surface of the susceptor41.

The controller6binarizes the image transmitted from the image pickup device59with a predetermined gradation, and measures the width of the top surface of the susceptor41in a vertical direction, in other words, the distance between the end portion at the side farther from the image pickup device59and the end portion at the side near the image pickup device59. In a case where the width of the top surface of the susceptor41measured from the binarized image is smaller than or equal to a threshold value, the controller6determines that the tilt of the susceptor41is within the predetermined range and executes the film formation process.

The image pickup device59captures an image of the susceptor41rotated along with the table51. Therefore, it may be desirable to shorten the frame rate of the image pickup device59to some extent to reduce the blurring of the image captured by the image pickup device59. For example, the frame rate of the image pickup device59may be set to be a quarter or less of the rotation period of the susceptor41.

The image pickup device59captures an image of the susceptor41at a state where the temperature of the susceptor41is set at 800 degree Celsius or higher, for example, 1000 degree Celsius by the temperature adjuster52. As a result, the difference between the gradation of the susceptor41and the surrounding object in the captured image becomes larger so that it is easier to distinguish the susceptor41from the other object.

The following describes the operation of the manufacturing apparatus1according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the process is shifted from S103to S107as illustrated inFIG.24.

In S107, the controller6determines whether the tilt of the susceptor41with respect to the table51is within the predetermined range. In particular, the controller6operates the table51to rotate the susceptor41along with the table51. The controller6operates the temperature adjuster52to set the temperature of the susceptor41at 800 degree Celsius or higher, based on the detection result of the temperature of the wafer100transmitted from the temperature detector56.

The controller6operates the image pickup device59to capture an image of the susceptor41at a period of a quarter or less of the rotation period of the susceptor41, and acquires the captured image to binarize the image with the predetermined gradation. The controller6measures the width of the top surface of the susceptor41in the binarized image. In a case where the measured width is smaller than or equal to the predetermined threshold value, the controller6determines that the tilt of the susceptor41with respect to the table51is within the predetermined range. In a case where the measured width is larger than the threshold value, the controller6determines that the tilt of the susceptor41with respect to the table51is not within the predetermined range.

When the tilt of the susceptor41is determined to be within the predetermined range, the process is shifted to S104, and the film formation process is executed as similar to the first embodiment. When it is determined that the tilt of the susceptor41is not within the predetermined range, the process is shifted to S106, and the controller6operates a notification device (not shown) to notify of a fault, and stops the operation of, for example, the transporter31. Subsequently, the process is ended without executing the film formation process.

In the present embodiment, it is possible to attain the advantageous effects as similar to the effects in the first and third embodiments with the configuration and operation identical to the ones in the first and third embodiments.

According to the above embodiment, it is possible to attain the following advantageous effects.

The film formation starts after confirming the tilt of the susceptor41with respect to the table51is within the predetermined range. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the film formation process from being executed while the susceptor41is tilted, and it is possible to enhance the precision of detecting the end of embedding in the film formation process.

The image pickup device59captures an image of the susceptor41at a state where the susceptor41is set at 800 degree Celsius or higher. As a result, the difference between the gradation of the susceptor41and the surrounding object in the captured image becomes larger so that it is easier to distinguish the susceptor41from the other object.

The image pickup device59captures an image of the susceptor41at a period of a quarter or less of the rotation period of the susceptor41. As a result, blurring of the image captured by the image pickup device59is reduced.

Other Embodiments

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be appropriately modified within the scope described in the claims. The above-described embodiments are not independent of each other, and can be appropriately combined except when the combination is obviously impossible. In each of the above-described embodiments, individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are not necessarily essential unless it is specifically stated that the elements or the features are essential, or unless the elements or the features are obviously essential in principle. A quantity, a value, an amount, a range, or the like, if specified in the above-described example embodiments, is not necessarily limited to the specific value, amount, range, or the like unless it is specifically stated that the value, amount, range, or the like is necessarily the specific value, amount, range, or the like, or unless the value, amount, range, or the like is obviously necessary to be the specific value, amount, range, or the like in principle. Furthermore, a material, a shape, a positional relationship, or the like, if specified in the above-described example embodiments, is not necessarily limited to the specific shape, positional relationship, or the like unless it is specifically stated that the material, shape, positional relationship, or the like is necessarily the specific material, shape, positional relationship, or the like, or unless the shape, positional relationship, or the like is obviously necessary to be the specific shape, positional relationship, or the like in principle.

For example, the respective states of the first region102and the second region103are detected by temperature in the first embodiment, and the respective states of the first region102and the second region103are detected by the gradation of a captured image in the second embodiment. However, the respective states may also be detected by other methods. Even when the respective states of the first region102and the second region103are detected by other methods, it is possible to quantitatively detect the end of embedding by comparing the detection result of the first detector with the detection result of the second detector. By ending the film formation process when the difference of the detection results is smaller than or equal to the threshold value, it is possible to flatten the surface of the wafer100after embedding and shorten the film formation time.

In the first embodiment, the temperature difference between the first region102and the second region103is detected in a state where the temperature of the second region103is kept constant, and the temperature difference is compared with the threshold value. However, the temperature difference may also be detected in a state where the temperature of the second region103varies and compared with the threshold value.

In the third embodiment, the laser beam is used to detect the tilt of the wafer100. However, the tilt of the wafer100may be detected by other methods. In the fourth embodiment, the tilt of the susceptor41is detected based on the width of the top surface of the susceptor41in the image captured by the image pickup device59. However, the tilt of the susceptor41may also be detected based on other methods. The tilt may also be detected based on the area of the top surface instead of the width of the top surface.

In the second embodiment, the film formation may be started after confirming the tilt of the wafer100as in the third embodiment. In the second embodiment, the film formation may be started after confirming the tilt of the susceptor41sin the fourth embodiment.

The controller and the technique according to the present disclosure may be achieved by a dedicated computer provided by constituting a processor and a memory programmed to execute one or more functions embodied by a computer program. Alternatively, the controller and the method described in the present disclosure may be implemented by a special purpose computer configured as a processor with one or more special purpose hardware logic circuits. Alternatively, the controller and the method described in the present disclosure may be implemented by one or more special purpose computer, which is configured as a combination of a processor and a memory, which are programmed to perform one or more functions, and a processor which is configured with one or more hardware logic circuits. The computer program may be stored, as instructions to be executed by a computer, in a tangible non-transitory computer-readable medium.