Patent ID: 12225634

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present inventive concept will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals may refer to like elements throughout the accompanying drawings.

It will be understood that when a component, such as a film, a region, a layer, or an element is referred to as being “on”, “connected to”, “coupled to”, or “adjacent to” another component, it can be directly on, connected, coupled, or adjacent to the other component, or intervening components may be present. It will also be understood that when a component is referred to as being “between” two components, it can be the only component between the two components, or one or more intervening components may also be present. It will also be understood that when a component is referred to as “covering” another component, it can be the only component covering the other component, or one or more intervening components may also be covering the other component. Other words use to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first”, “second”, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the apparatus in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the apparatus in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Embodiments of the inventive concept are described herein with reference to cross-sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of embodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments of the inventive concept should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing, as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art.

FIG.1illustrates a substrate processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.FIG.2shows a substrate support assembly and a substrate heating apparatus ofFIG.1.

Referring toFIG.1, a substrate processing apparatus10may include a processing area20, a maintenance/repair area30, a partition wall40, a discharge port50, and an air supply unit60. In the processing area20, processing such as heating, etching, etc. of a substrate W may be performed. In the maintenance/repair area30, gas, etc. produced in the processing area20may be discharged through the discharge port50. The partition wall40may separate the processing area20and the maintenance/repair area30from each other. The air supply unit60may supply ambient air to the processing area20after filtering the ambient air.

The substrate processing apparatus10may include a processing vessel100, a substrate support assembly200, a solution supply assembly300, and a lifting assembly400, which may each be disposed at least partially in the processing area20. The processing vessel100may be opened at a top portion thereof, and may include an inner recovery box110and an outer recovery box120. The inner recovery box110may at least partially surround the substrate support assembly200, and the outer recovery box120may at least partially surround the inner recovery box110. An inner space112of the inner recovery box110and a space122disposed between the inner recovery box110and the outer recovery box120may each function as introduction ports through which a chemical solution is introduced into the inner recovery box110and the outer recovery box120, respectively. Recovery lines114and124may be connected to bottoms of the inner recovery box110and the outer recovery box120, respectively. A chemical solution introduced into each of the recovery lines114and124may be reused.

The substrate support assembly200may be disposed within the processing vessel100, and may support a substrate W. The substrate support assembly200may include a support shaft210, a driver212, and a substrate heating apparatus. Further referring toFIG.2, the substrate heating apparatus may include a chuck stage220, a plurality of heating lamps L, a window230, and a mirror240.

The support shaft210may be connected to the driver212, and may include a rotating shaft214therein. The support shaft210may extend vertically, and may be disposed below the chuck stage220in the processing area20. The driver212may be disposed in the maintenance/repair area30, and may rotate the support shaft210through a rotating shall214in a horizontal direction.

As described above, the substrate heating apparatus may include the chuck stage220, the plurality of heating lamps L, the window230, and the mirror240. The chuck stage220may be disposed on the support shaft210, and may be coupled to the support shaft210such that the chuck stage220is rotated in a horizontal direction by the rotating shaft214. The chuck stage220may have a disc shape at least partially surrounding the rotating shaft214.

The plurality of heating lamps L may be disposed on the chuck stage220. For example, the plurality of heating lamps L may be disposed between the window230and the mirror240. The plurality of heating lamps L may extend in a circumferential direction, and may each have, for example, a ring or donut shape. The plurality of heating lamps L may be concentrically disposed. For example, the plurality of heating lamps L may extend in a circumferential direction with reference to a central axis of the substrate W or the chuck stage220. In an embodiment, the plurality of heating lamps L may emit light onto the substrate W through the window230and onto the mirror240, which may then reflect the emitted light through the window230onto the substrate W, thereby heating the substrate W and, as such, may increase an etching rate in a substrate etching process.

The window230may be disposed on the chuck stage220, and may transmit light emitted from the plurality of heating lamps L therethrough such that the emitted light reaches the substrate W. In an embodiment, the window230may include a material such as quartz. The mirror240may be disposed between the chuck stage220and the plurality of heating lamps L. The mirror240may reflect light emitted from the plurality of heating lamps L onto the substrate W through the window230, which may increase the efficiency of the substrate heating apparatus, more uniformly heat the substrate W, and prevent the chuck stage220from being heated by the emitted light. The mirror240may be supported by the rotating shaft214.

The substrate support assembly200may further include a support pin P1and a chuck pin P2, which are configured to support the substrate W. The support pin P1may be disposed on the window230, and may protrude vertically from the window230, thereby supporting a lower surface of the substrate W. The chuck pin P2may extend through the window230such that the chuck pin P2protrudes upwards from the window230. The chuck pin P2may be disposed at an edge portion of the window230such that the chuck pin P2supports the lower surface of the substrate W and a side surface of the substrate W.

The solution supply assembly300may be at least partially disposed in the processing area20, and may include a nozzle310, a first support shaft320, a second support shaft330, a driver340, and a solution dispenser350. The nozzle310may provide a processing solution to an upper surface of the substrate W. The first support shaft320may extend horizontally from the second support shaft330, thereby supporting the nozzle310. The driver340may rotate and vertically move the second support shaft330. The solution dispenser350may be connected to the nozzle310, and may dispense the processing solution to the nozzle310.

The lifting assembly400may include a bracket410, a movable shaft420, and a driver430. The bracket410may be fixed to an outer wall of the processing vessel100, and may be connected to the movable shaft420. The movable shaft420may be vertically movable by the driver430. The lifting assembly400may vertically move the processing vessel100, thereby adjusting a distance between the nozzle310and the substrate W.

FIG.3is an enlarged view of an area of the substrate heating apparatus ofFIG.2.

Referring toFIG.3, the window230may include a window base232, a first central lens234, and a first edge lens236. The mirror240may include a mirror base242, a central reflector244, an edge reflector246, and a reflector248.

The window base232may include a horizontal portion232aand a support portion232b. The horizontal portion232amay extend horizontally, and may have, for example, a disc shape. The support portion232bmay be connected to an edge of the horizontal portion232a, and may extend vertically such that the support portion232bcontacts the chuck stage220. The support portion232bmay be formed to be integrated with the horizontal portion232a. The window230may be supported by the support portion232bsuch that the window230is supported by the chuck stage220.

The first central lens234may be disposed in a central portion of the window base232. The first central lens234may protrude from a surface of the window base232and, as such, may have a convex shape. Since the first central lens234may have a convex shape, light may be focused onto a portion of the substrate W facing the first central lens234.

The first edge lens236may be disposed in an edge portion of the window base232. The first edge lens236may protrude from a surface of the window base232, and may have a convex shape. The first edge lens236may focus light onto a portion of the substrate W facing the first edge lens236. Although the first central lens234and the first edge lens236are illustrated as being disposed in an upper surface of the window base232inFIG.3, the first central lens234and the first edge lens236are not limited thereto. In an embodiment, the first central lens234or the first edge lens236may be disposed in a lower surface of the window base232. In an embodiment, the first edge lens236may be disposed in plural. Alternatively, the first central lens234or the first edge lens236may be omitted. The first central lens234and the first edge lens236may be formed to be integrated with the window base232. In an embodiment, the first central lens234and the first edge lens236may have a height of 3 to 5 mm.

The mirror base242of the mirror240may extend horizontally, and may have, for example, a ring or donut shape. The central reflector244, an edge reflector246, and the reflector248may protrude from an upper surface of the mirror base242. The central reflector244may be disposed on a central portion of the mirror base242, and the edge reflector246may be disposed on an edge portion of the mirror base242. The reflector248may be disposed on the mirror base242between the central reflector244and the edge reflector246. In an embodiment, each of the central reflector244, the edge reflector246, and the reflector248may be disposed in plural. In an embodiment, each of the central reflector244, the edge reflector246and the reflector248may be disposed adjacent to a heating lamp L. In an embodiment, each of the central reflector244, the edge reflector246, and the reflector248may diagonally reflect light emitted from an adjacent heating lamp L.

In an embodiment, each of the central reflector244, the edge reflector246, and the reflector248may have a reflective surface facing an adjacent heating lamp L. Each reflective surface may reflect light emitted from the adjacent heating lamp L onto the substrate W. For example, the central reflector244may have a reflective surface facing the central portion of the substrate W and, as such, may reflect light emitted from an adjacent heating lamp L onto the central portion of the substrate W. The edge reflector246may have a reflective surface facing the edge portion of the substrate W and, as such, may reflect light emitted from an adjacent heating lamp L onto the edge portion of the substrate W. The reflector248may have a reflective surface facing a region between the central portion of the substrate W and the edge portion of the substrate W, and, as such, may reflect light emitted from adjacent heating lamps L onto the region. In an embodiment, each of the central reflector244, the edge reflector246, and the reflector248may have a triangular cross-section, without being limited thereto. The central reflector244, the edge reflector246, and the reflector248may be formed to be integrated with the mirror base242.

An upper surface of the mirror240may include a reflective material such as gold, and may include a protective layer for preventing discoloration of the upper surface caused by an etchant. A lower surface of the mirror240may include a radiation plate for radiating heat from the mirror240. The radiation plate may include a material such as aluminum.

The substrate support assembly200may further include an injection port216. The injection port216may supply a coolant between the chuck stage220and the lower surface of the mirror240. The coolant may be a cooling liquid such as water, or a cooling gas such as nitrogen or ambient air.

In an embodiment, heating lamps L may be omitted from a central region and an edge region of the chuck stage220. As a result, a relatively small quantity of light may be emitted from the plurality of heating lamps L onto the central and edge portions of the substrate W. In accordance with an embodiment of the inventive concept, however, the window230may include the first central lens234and the first edge lens236, and the mirror240may include the central reflector244, the edge reflector246, and the reflector248. Accordingly, the window230and the mirror240may enable light emitted from the heating lamps L to be reflected and focused onto the central and edge portions of the substrate W and, as such, the substrate W may be uniformly heated. Thus, an enhancement in etching uniformity may be achieved.

FIG.4is a plan view of a window according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

Referring toFIG.4, the window base232may have a circular shape. The first central lens234may be disposed at the central portion of the window base232, and may have a circular shape. In an embodiment, the first edge lens236may be disposed at an edge portion of the window base232, and may extend in a circumferential direction. For example, the first edge lens236may have a ring or donut shape.

Referring toFIGS.1to4, the substrate processing apparatus10may perform substrate processing using a substrate heating apparatus. For example, a substrate processing method (seeFIG.10) may include providing a substrate W to an interior of the substrate processing apparatus10, supplying a processing solution onto the substrate W, and heating the substrate W.

Providing the substrate W to the interior of the substrate processing apparatus10may include providing the substrate W onto the substrate support assembly200. For example, the substrate W may be disposed on the substrate heating apparatus including the chuck stage220and the window230. The chuck stage220and the window230may each support the substrate W. According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the substrate processing apparatus10may be a single type processing apparatus and, as such, the substrate W may be provided to the interior of the substrate processing apparatus10on a single-substrate basis, and a substrate processing process may be performed for one substrate W.

Supplying the processing solution onto the substrate W may be performed by the solution supply assembly300. The solution supply assembly300may supply the processing solution onto the substrate W through the nozzle310by receiving the processing solution from the solution dispenser350.

Heating the substrate W may include: emitting light via the plurality of heating lamps L through the window230onto the substrate W; emitting light via the plurality of heating lamps L onto the mirror240; reflecting light via the mirror240through the window230onto the substrate W, including reflecting light via the central reflector244through the window230onto the central portion of the substrate W, reflecting light via the edge reflector246through the window230onto the edge portion of the substrate W, and reflecting light via the reflector248through the window230onto a portion of the substrate W between the central portion and the edge portion of the substrate W; focusing light via the first central lens234onto the central portion of the substrate W; and focusing light via the first edge lens236onto the edge portion of the substrate W. As described above, the substrate heating apparatus may increase an etching rate for the substrate by heating the substrate W. In the substrate processing method, the substrate W may be horizontally rotated by the substrate support assembly200. For example, the chuck stage220may rotate horizontally, causing the substrate W, supported by the chuck stage220, to also rotate horizontally.

The substrate processing method may further include discharging and/or recovering the processing solution and discharging a processed gas. The processing solution may be discharged through the recovery lines114and124. For example, when the processing solution supplied from the solution supply assembly300is scattered in the inner space112and the space122, the scattered processing solution may be discharged and/or recovered. The recovered processing solution may be reused. The discharge port50may discharge processed gas produced in the substrate processing process to the outside of the substrate processing apparatus10.

FIGS.5A and5Bare plan views of a window according to embodiments of the inventive concepts.

Referring toFIG.5A, a window230may include first edge lenses236concentrically disposed along an edge portion of a window base232, spaced apart from one another by a regular interval. In an embodiment, the first edge lenses236may each have a circular shape.

Referring toFIG.5B, a window230may include first edge lenses236concentrically disposed in an edge portion of a window base232. In an embodiment, the first edge lenses236may extend in a circumferential direction. For example, each first edge lens236may have a divided ring or donut shape, or an arc shape, having a predetermined thickness.

FIGS.6A to6Gare cross-sectional views of a window according to embodiments of the inventive concept.

Referring toFIG.6A, a window230may include a first central lens234and a first edge lens236, which are disposed in an upper surface of a window base232. The first edge lens236may be formed such that a slope of an inner portion thereof is gentler than that of an outer portion thereof. For example, the first edge lens236may have a round cross-section, and a curvature of a portion of the first edge lens236near to a central portion of the window base232may be smaller than a curvature of a portion of the first edge lens236near an edge portion of the window base232.

Referring toFIG.6B, a window230may include a first lens238disposed in an upper surface of a window base232. The first lens238may be disposed between a first central lens234and first edge lens236. The first lens238may provide for uniform heating of the substrate W. For example, the first lens238may have a concave cross-section, and may distribute, to central and edge portions of the substrate W, light from heating lamps L emitted towards a region between the central and edge portions of the substrate W. As described with reference toFIGS.4,5A, and5B, the first lens238may extend in a circumferential direction. Although the window230is illustrated as including the first central lens234, the first edge lens236, and the first lens238inFIG.6B, the window230is not limited thereto. The window230may include any combination of the first central lens234, the first edge lens236, and the first lens238.

Referring toFIG.6C, a window230may include a second central lens235and a second edge lens237, which are disposed in a lower surface of a window base232. The second central lens235and the second edge lens237may protrude from a lower surface of a window base232, and may have a convex shape. The second central lens235may focus light onto a portion of a substrate W facing the second central lens235, whereas the second edge lens237may focus light onto a portion of the substrate W facing the second edge lens237.

Referring toFIG.6D, a window230may include a second central lens235, a second edge lens237, and a second lens239, which are disposed in a lower surface of a window base232. The second lens239may be disposed between the second central lens235and the second edge lens237.

Referring toFIG.6E, a window230may include a first central lens234, a first edge lens236, and a first lens238, which are disposed in an upper surface of a window base232, and a second central lens235, a second edge lens237, and a second lens239, which are disposed in a lower surface of the window base232. The second central lens235, the second edge lens237, and the second lens239may vertically overlap with the first central lens234, the first edge lens236, and the first lens238, respectively, without being limited thereto. In an embodiment, sizes of the second central lens235, the second edge lens237, and the second lens239may be different from sizes of the first central lens234, the first edge lens236, and the first lens238, respectively.

Although the window230is illustrated as including the first central lens234, the first edge lens236, the first lens238, the second central lens235, the second edge lens237, and the second lens239inFIG.6E, the window230is not limited thereto. The window230may include any combination of the first central lens234, the first edge lens236, the first lens238, the second central lens235, the second edge lens237, and the second lens239.

For example, referring toFIG.6F, the window230may include the first central lens234, the first edge lens236, and the first lens238, which are disposed in the upper surface of the window base232, and the second lens239disposed in the lower surface of the window base232.

Referring toFIG.6G, the window230may include the first lens238disposed in the upper surface of the window base232, and the second central lens235and the second edge lens237, which are disposed in the lower surface of the window base232.

FIG.7is a cross-sectional view of a substrate support assembly and a substrate heating apparatus according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

Referring toFIG.7, the support shaft210may further include a nozzle218centrally disposed at an upper portion of the window230. The nozzle218may extend upwards beyond the upper portion of the window230connected to the nozzle218. The nozzle218may protrude upwards beyond an upper surface of the window230. The nozzle218may inject a chemical solution or gas onto a back surface of a substrate W.

The window230may have a ring or donut shape at a central portion thereof. The window230may include a first central lens234. The first central lens234might not face a central portion of the substrate W. For example, the first central lens234may face a portion of the substrate W adjacent to the central portion of the substrate W. and may at least partially surround a central portion of a window base232. The first central lens234may extend in a circumferential direction. Alternatively, a plurality of first central lenses234may be uniformly disposed apart from one another by a regular interval in a circumferential direction.

FIGS.8and9are enlarged views of a substrate heating apparatus according to embodiments of the inventive concepts.

Referring toFIG.8, a mirror240may include a central reflector244, an edge reflector246, and reflector248, which are disposed on an upper surface of a mirror base242. Each of the central reflector244, the edge reflector246, and the reflector248may have reflective surfaces facing heating lamps L disposed adjacent thereto. In an embodiment, the reflective surfaces may be round.

In an embodiment, in a window230, an inner corner232cjoining a horizontal portion232aand a support portion232bmay be round. For example, the inner corner232cmay include a curved surface having a radius of curvature of less than 0.5 mm. As the inner corner232cof the window230is round, it may be possible to prevent or reduce diffuse reflection of light emitted from the heating lamps L and reflected by the edge reflector246.

Referring toFIG.9, a window230may include a horizontal portion232aextending horizontally, and a support portion232bconnected to the horizontal portion232awhile being supported by a chuck stage220. In an embodiment, the support portion232bmay extend diagonally. For example, the horizontal portion232aand the support portion232bmay meet at an angle of less than 90°. A chuck pin P2, which supports an edge portion of a substrate W, may extend vertically such that the chuck pin P2is supported by the chuck stage220. As the support portion232bmay be diagonally formed, as shown inFIG.9, it may be possible to prevent or reduce diffuse reflection of light emitted from the heating lamps L and reflected by an edge reflector246.

In accordance with embodiments of the inventive concept, the lenses of the window and the reflectors of the mirror may achieve uniform heating of a substrate.

While embodiments of the inventive concept have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various transitions may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure and without changing essential features thereof.