Patent ID: 12237180

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The inventive concept may be variously modified and may have various thrills, and specific embodiments thereof will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail. However, the embodiments according to the concept of the inventive concept are not intended to limit the specific disclosed forms, and it should be understood that the present inventive concept includes all transforms, equivalents, and replacements included in the spirit and technical scope of the inventive concept. In a description of the inventive concept, a detailed description of related known technologies may be omitted when it may make the essence of the inventive concept unclear.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not attended to be limiting of the inventive concept. As used, herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and an combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Also, the term “exemplary” is intended to refer to an example or illustration.

Singular expressions include plural expressions unless they explicitly have a different meaning in the context. In addition, the shape and size of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clearer explanation.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, 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 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 the inventive concept.

It will be understood that when an element or component is referred to as being “on”, “connected to”, “coupled to”, or “adjacent to” another element or component, it can be directly on, connected, coupled, car adjacent to the other element or component, or intervening elements or components may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to”, “directly coupled to”, or “immediately adjacent to” another element or component, there are no intervening elements or components present. Other expression explaining, the relationship between elements such us when an element is referred to as being “between” another two elements, it can be directly between another two elements or indirectly between another two elements.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as those generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the inventive concept belongs. Terms stitch as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as consistent with the context of the relevant technology and not as ideal or excessively formal unless clearly defined in this application.

In addition, components for transferring a substrate W which will be described below, such as a transfer unit or transfer robots in the following, may be referred to as a transfer module.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the inventive concept will be described with reference toFIG.1toFIG.16.

FIG.1illustrates a substrate treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the inventive concept viewed from above,FIG.2illustrates a second treating part ofFIG.1viewed from one direction, andFIG.3illustrates the second treating part ofFIG.1viewed from another direction.

Referring toFIG.1,FIG.2, andFIG.3, a substrate treating apparatus10according to an embodiment of the inventive concept may include a first treating part100, a second treating part200, and a controller600. The first treating unit100and the second treating part200may be arranged along a first direction X when viewed from above. Hereinafter, a direction perpendicular to the first direction X is referred to as a second direction Y, and a direction perpendicular to the first direction X and the second direction Y is referred to as a third direction Z.

The first treating part100may collectively liquid-treat a plurality of substrates W in a batch-type method. For example, the first treating part100may collectively clean-treat a plurality of substrates W in a batch-type method. The first treating part100may include a first load port unit110, a first index chamber120, a first transfer chamber130, a batch-type liquid treating chamber140, and a second transfer chamber150.

The first load port unit110may include at least one load port. A container F in which at least one substrate W is stored may be placed in the load ports of the first load port unit110. A plurality of substrates W may be stored in the container F. For example, 25 substrates may be stored in the container F. The container F may be referred to as a cassette, a POD, a FOUP (Front Opening Unified Pods), or the like. The container F may be loaded into the first load port unit110by a container transfer device. The substrates W stored in the container F placed on the first load port unit110may be untreated substrates W or substrates W requiring liquid treatment (wafer to be liquid-treated). In addition, only the container F in which the untreated substrate W stored may be placed in the first load port unit110. That is, the first load port unit110may serve to load the substrate W requiring treating.

The first load port unit110may be coupled to the first index chamber120. The first index chamber120and the first load port unit110may be arranged in the second direction Y. The first index chamber120may include a first transfer robot122and a posture changing unit124. The first transfer robot122may take out an untreated or treatment requiring substrate (wafer to be treated) W from the container seated on the first load port unit110. The first transfer robot122may take the substrate W out of the container F and bring the substrate W into the storage container C provided in the first index chamber120. The first transfer robot122may have a batch-hand capable of simultaneously gripping and transferring a plurality of substrates (e.g., 25 wafers).

The storage container C may be a substantially container shape. The storage container C may have a storage space therein. A plurality of the substrates W may be stored in the storage space of the storage container C. For example, 50 substrates W may be stored in the storage space of the storage container C. The storage container C may have a container with one open side. A support member for supporting/retaining the substrate W may be provided in the storage space of the storage container C.

When the substrate W taken out from the container F is completely brought into the storage container C, the storage container C may be returned to the posture changing unit124disposed in the first index chamber120. The posture change unit124may rotate the storage container C. For example, the posture changing unit124may rotate the storage container C such that the open side of the storage container C faces upward. When the storage container C rotates such that open side of the storage container C face upward, the posture of the substrate W stored in the storage container (C) may be changed from a horizontal posture to a vertical posture. The horizontal posture may mean a state in which a top surface of the substrate W (e.g., the surface in which a pattern is formed) is parallel to the X-Y plane, and the vertical posture may mean a state in which the top surface of the substrate W is parallel to the X-Z plane or the Y-Z plane.

A first transfer chamber130may be connected to the first index chamber120. The first transfer chamber130may include a first transfer unit132. The first transfer unit132may include a transfer hand capable of transferring an object. In addition, the transfer hand of the first transfer unit132may be provided to be movable along the first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z. In addition, the transfer hand of the first transfer unit132may be provided to be rotatable about the third direction Z as a rotation axis. The first transfer unit132may take out at least one substrate W from the first index chamber110and insert the same into a batch-type liquid treating chamber140to be described later. For example, the first transfer unit132may take a plurality of substrates W out of the first index chamber120at once and put them into a batch-type liquid treating chamber140to be described later. For example, the hand of the first transfer unit132may take out the storage container C rotated by the posture changing unit124from the first index chamber120and bring the taken-out storage container C into, the batch-type liquid treating chamber140.

The batch-type liquid treating chamber140may be disposed in parallel with the first transfer chamber130when viewed from above.

The batch-type liquid treating chamber140may liquid-treat a plurality of substrates W at once. The batch-type liquid treating chamber140may clean a plurality of substrates W at once using the treating liquid. The batch-type liquid treating chamber140may liquid-treat a plurality of substrates W at once using the treating liquid. The treating liquid used in the batch-type liquid treating chamber140may be a chemical and/or rinsing liquid. For example, the chemical may be a chemical with a strong acid or strong alkali properties. In addition, the rinsing liquid may be pure water. For example, the chemical may be selected from APM (Ammonia-Hydrogen Peroxide Mixture), HPM (Hydrochloricacid-Hydrogen Peroxide Mixture), FPM (Hydrofluoricacid-Hydrogen Peroxide Mixture), DHF (Diluted Hydrofluoric Acid), a chemical removing SiN, a chemical including phosphoric acid, or a chemical including sulfuric acid. The rinsing liquid may be appropriately selected from pure water or ozone water, etc.

In addition, the batch-type liquid treating chamber140may include a first batch-type liquid treating chamber141, a second batch-type liquid treating chamber142, and a third batch-type liquid treating chamber143. The first batch-type liquid treating chamber141and the second batch-type liquid treating chamber142may treat the substrate W using a chemical. The third batch-type liquid treating chamber143may rinse-treat the substrate W using a rinsing liquid. In addition, after treating the substrate W in the first batch-type liquid treating chamber141and/or the second batch-type liquid treating chamber142, the above-described first transfer unit132may return the storage container C containing substrates which have been chemical-treated to the third batch-type liquid treating chamber143to treat the substrate W stored in the storage container C with a rinsing liquid. Details of the batch-type liquid treating chamber140will be described later.

When viewed from above, the second transfer chamber150may be arranged in parallel with the first transfer chamber130and the batch-type liquid treating chamber140. For example, the second transfer chambers150may be arranged in parallel with the first transfer chamber130in the second direction Y. In addition, the second transfer chamber150may be arranged in parallel with the batch-type liquid treating chamber140in the first direction X. In addition, the second transfer chamber150may be disposed between the third batch-type liquid treating chamber143and the second treating part200. For example the second transfer chamber150may be disposed between the third batch-type liquid treating chamber143and a first buffer unit210of the second treating part200to be described later.

The second transfer chamber150may transfer the substrate W. The second transfer chamber150may take out the substrate W from the batch-type liquid treating chamber140and return the substrate W to the first buffer unit210to be described later. The second transfer chamber150may include a second transfer unit152having a transfer hand. The transfer hand of the second transfer unit152may be provided to be movable along the first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z. In addition, the transfer hand of the second transfer unit152may be provided to be rotatable about the third direction Z as an axis. In addition, the transfer hand of the second transfer unit152may take out the substrate W from the third batch-type liquid treating chamber143included in the batch-type liquid treating chamber140and transfer the substrate W to the first buffer unit210. In addition, the transfer band of the second transfer unit152may take out the substrate W in a horizontal posture from the third batch-type liquid treating chamber143and transfer the same to the first buffer unit210.

The second treating part200may treat the substrate W which has been treated by the first treating part100. The second treating part200may treat the substrate W which has been treated by the first treating part100, and may perform a single-type liquid treatment or a single-type drying treatment on the substrate W. The second treating part200may include the first buffer unit210, a third transfer chamber220, a single-type liquid treating chamber230, a drying chamber240, a second buffer unit250, a second index chamber260, and a second load port unit270. Both the single-type liquid treating chamber230and the drying chamber240may be referred to as a single-type treating chamber.

When viewed from above, the first buffer unit210may be arranged in parallel with the second transfer chamber150in the first direction X. For example, the first buffer unit210may be disposed on one side of the second transfer chamber150. The first buffer unit210may have a storage space for temporarily storing substrates W which have been liquid-treated in the cast treating part100. The first buffer unit210may store substrates W in a horizontal posture whose position has been changed from a vertical position in a third batch-type liquid treating chamber143. In addition, a liquid supply line supplying a wetting liquid to the storage space may be connected to the first buffer unit210so as to prevent the substrate W brought into the storage space from drying (to maintain wettability of the substrate W). In addition, the substrates W stored in the first buffer unit210may be stored in respective storage spaces independently partitioned within the first buffer unit210. In addition, the first buffer unit210may be disposed to be stacked with at least some of the single-type treating chambers. For example, the drying chamber240or the single-type liquid treating chamber230to be described later may be disposed under the first buffer unit210. For example, the single-type liquid treating chamber230to be described later ay be disposed under the first buffer unit210. One or a plurality of single-type liquid treating chambers230may be disposed under the first buffer unit210.

When viewed from above, the third transfer chamber220may be disposed between the drying chambers240to be described later. In addition, the third transfer chamber220may be disposed between first buffer unit210and the single-type liquid treating chamber230to be described inter when viewed from above. The third transfer chamber220may include a third transfer unit222. The third transfer unit222may include a transfer hand that takes out the substrate W from the first buffer unit210and transfers the substrate W to the drying chamber240or the single-type liquid treating chamber230. The hand of the third transfer unit220may be a single-type hand that transfers one substrate at a time. The transfer hand of the third transfer unit222may be provided to be movable along the first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z. In addition, the transfer hand of the third transfer unit222may be provided rotatable about the third direction Z as a rotation axis.

The single-type liquid treating chamber230may be disposed on one side and on another side of the third transfer chamber220when viewed from above. Some of the single-type liquid treating chambers230may be disposed to be stacked with the first buffer unit210as described above. Some of the single-type liquid treating chambers230may be disposed below the first buffer unit210.

The single-type liquid treating chamber230rotates the horizontal posture-substrate W, and supplies the treating liquid to the rotating substrate W in the horizontal posture to treat the substrate W. The substrate W may be processed one at a time at the single-type liquid treating chamber230. The treating liquid supplied from the single-type liquid treating chamber230may be an organic solvent. For example, the treating liquid supplied from the single-type liquid treating chamber230may be isopropyl alcohol (IPA). The single-type liquid treating chamber230may supply an organic solvent to the rotating substrate W, and rotate the substrate W to thy-treat the substrate W. Alternatively, the single-type liquid treating chamber230supplies an organic solvent to the rotating substrate W, and the substrate W is returned to the drying chamber240to be described later while wetted with the organic solvent, so that the substrate W may be dried in the drying chamber240. The single-type liquid treating chamber230will be described later in detail.

The drying chamber240may process the substrate W using a supercritical fluid. The drying chamber240may be a supercritical chamber for drying one substrate W in a single-type manner. The drying chamber240may be a supercritical chamber for drying the substrate W using a supercritical fluid. The drying chamber240will be described later in detail.

The second buffer unit250may be disposed between the third transfer chamber230and the second index chamber260to be described later. The second buffer unit250may be disposed between the single-type treating chamber and the second load port unit270.

Similar to the first buffer unit210, the first buffer unit250may provide a space in which the substrate W is temporarily stored, or stayed. For example, the second buffer unit250may temporarily store the substrate W which has been treated in the single-type liquid treating chamber230and/or the drying chamber240.

The second index chamber260may be arranged in a line with the second buffer unit250and the third transfer chamber220. The second index chamber260may be arranged in a line with the second buffer unit250and the third transfer chamber220in the second direction Y. The third transfer unit222of the third transfer chamber220may carry out the substrate W in the horizontal posture which has been treated by the single type liquid treating chamber230or the drying chamber240and may transfer the carried-out substrate W to the second buffer unit250. The second transfer robot262of the second index chamber260may take out the substrate W from the second buffer unit250.

The hand of the second transfer robot262may be a single-type hand that transfers one substrate at a time. The transfer hand of the second transfer robot262may be provided to be movable along the first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z. In addition, the transfer hand of the second transfer robot262may be provided rotatable about the third direction Z as a rotation axis.

The second load port unit270may include at least one load port. A container F for storing a plurality of substrates W may be disposed in a load port of the second load port unit270. For example, the container F placed on the second load port unit270may store substrates W that have been treated in the first treating part100and the second treating part200. In the container F placed on the second load port unit270, only the substrate W that has been treated in the first treating part100and the second treating part200may be stored. That is, the second load port unit270may perform a function of unloading the treated substrate W from the substrate treating apparatus.

The above-described second transfer robot262may bring the treated substrate W into the container F placed in the load port of the second load port unit270. The container F may be returned to the outside of the substrate treating apparatus10by the above-described article transfer apparatus (e.g., OHT, Overhead Transport Apparatus).

The controller600may control the substrate treating apparatus10. For example, the controller600may control components of the substrate treating apparatus10. For example, the controller600may control the substrate treating apparatus10so that the substrate treating apparatus10may perform a process of treating the substrate W. For example, the controller600may control the batch-type liquid treating chamber140, the second transfer unit152, the first buffer unit210, the third transfer unit222, and the second transfer robot262. In addition, the controller600may control a liquid supply source315, a liquid discharge line316, a posture changing member330, a lifting/lowering member340, and a heating member320to be described later.

In addition, the controller600may comprise a process controller consisting of a microprocessor (computer) that executes control of substrate treating apparatus10, a user interface such as a keyboard via which an operator inputs commands to manage the substrate treating apparatus10and a display showing the operating situation of the substrate treating apparatus10, and a memory unit storing a treating recipe, i.e., a control program to execute treating processes of the substrate treating apparatus10by controlling the process controller or a program to execute components of the substrate treating apparatus10according to data and treating condition. In addition, the user interface and the memory unit may be connected to the process controller. The treating recipe may be stored in a storage medium of the storage unit, and the storage medium may be a hard disk, a portable disk such as a CD-ROM, a DVD, or a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory.

FIG.4illustrates schematically the batch-type liquid treating chamber and the first transfer chamber ofFIG.1viewed from the side.

Referring toFIG.4, the batch-type liquid treating chamber140may include a first batch-type liquid treating chamber141, a second batch-type liquid treating chamber142, and a third batch-type liquid treating chamber143, as described above. The first batch-type liquid treating chamber141, the second batch-type liquid treating chamber142, and the third batch-type liquid treating chamber143may be arranged side by side along the first direction X.

The first batch-type liquid treating chamber141and the second batch-type liquid treating chamber142may have the same or similar structure. For example, the first batch-type liquid treating chamber141and the second batch-type liquid treating chamber142may have the same or similar structure as each other except for a different type of treating liquid being used. For example, the first batch-type liquid treating chamber141may treat the substrate W using a first treating liquid L1. For example, the second batch-type liquid treating chamber142may treat the substrate W using a second treating liquid L2. The first treating liquid L1may be any one of the above-described chemicals. The second treating liquid L2may be another one of the above-described chemicals.

The first batch-type liquid treating chamber141may include a first treating bath141a, a first liquid supply line141b, a first liquid discharge line141c, a first heating member141d, and a first liquid supply source141e. The second batch-type liquid treating chamber142may include a second treating bath142a, a second liquid supply line142b, a second liquid discharge line142c, a second heating member142d, and a second liquid supply source142e. The first liquid supply line141b, the first liquid discharge line141c, the first heating member141d, and the first liquid supply source141emay perform substantially the same or similar functions as the second treating bath142a, the second liquid supply line142b, the second heating member142d, and the second liquid supply source142e, respectively. Hereinafter, the first batch-type liquid treating chamber141will be mainly described.

The first treating bath141amay have a containing space in which the first treating liquid L1is contained. The first treating bath141amay have a container shape with an pen top. The first treating bath141amay be provided with a heating member141dfor adjusting the temperature of the first treating liquid L1contained in the containing space. In addition, the first liquid supply line141bconnected to the first liquid supply source141emay supply the first treating liquid L1to the containing space of the first treating bath141a, and the first liquid discharge line141cmay discharge the first treating liquid L1supplied to the containing space to the outside. In addition, the storage container F has a container shape with one open side and may have a storage space therein. Also, the storage container F may be immersed in the first treating liquid L1supplied to the containing space of the first treating bath141awhile a plurality of substrates W are contained therein. Also, at least one penetration hole is formed at the storage container C, and the substrate W stored in the storage container C can be immersed in the first treating liquid L1. The substrates W treated with the first treating liquid L1may be transferred to the second batch-type liquid treating chamber142and the third batch-type liquid treating chamber143in this order by the first transfer unit132, so as to be treated with the second treating liquid L2and the third treating liquid L3. The third treating liquid L3may be the rinse liquid described above.

FIG.5is a perspective view illustrating a substrate treatment apparatus provided in the third batch-type liquid treating chamber ofFIG.4, andFIG.6is a cross-sectional view illustrating a substrate treatment apparatus provided in the third batch-type liquid treating chamber ofFIG.4. Referring toFIG.5andFIG.6, the substrate treatment apparatus300provided in the third batch-type liquid treating chamber143may include a treating bath310, a liquid supply line314, a liquid supply source315, a liquid discharge line316, a heating member320, a posture changing member330, and a lifting/lowering member340.

The treating, bath310may have a containing space312in which the third treating liquid L3is contained. The treating bath310may have a container shape (e.g., rectangular container shape) with an open top. The treating bath310may include a bottom portion and a side portion upwardly extending from the edge area of the bottom portion.

In addition, the liquid supply source315may supply the treating liquid to the containing space312. The liquid supply source315may supply the third treating liquid L3to the containing space312. The liquid supply source315may supply the rinse liquid to the containing space312. The liquid supply source315may be connected to the liquid supply line314. One end of the liquid supply line314may be connected to the containing space312, and the other end of the liquid supply line314may be connected to the liquid supply source315. The liquid supply source315may supply the rinse liquid to the liquid supply line314, and the liquid supply line314may supply the rinse liquid to the containing space312. In addition, the third treating liquid L3used in the containing space312may be discharged to the outside through the liquid discharge line316.

The heating member320may adjust the temperature of the third treating liquid L3supplied to the containing space312. For example, the heating member320may heat the third treating liquid L3supplied to the containing space312to a set temperature. The heating member320may be provided at the bottom portion and side portion of the treating bath310. For example, the heating member320may be buried within the bottom portion and side portion of the treating bath310. The heating member320may control the temperature of the third treating liquid L3supplied to the containing space312by generating a cooling heat or heating heat. The heating member320may be a heater. However, the inventive concept is not limited thereto, and the heating member320may be variously modified into a known device capable of adjusting a temperature of the third treating liquid L3supplied to the containing space312.

The posture changing member330may rotate the storage container C immersed in the third treating liquid L3. The posture changing member330may rotate the storage container C immersed in the third treating liquid L3to convert the posture of the substrates NV contained in the storage container C from a vertical posture to a horizontal posture. The posture changing member330may include a moving portion332and a rotating portion334.

The moving part332may be installed on the treating bath310. The moving part332may be configured to be movable along the first direction X. The moving part332may be installed on the side portion of the treating bath310. For example, the moving part332may have a reversed ‘U’ shape so that it may be installed over the side portion of the treating bath310. As described above, the moving part332is configured to be movable in the first direction X, and the storage container C mounted to the rotating part334to be described later may be moved in the first direction X, which is a horizontal direction.

The rotating part334may be installed at the moving part332. The rotating part334may be mounted on a mounting groove (not shown) formed at the storage container C. The rotating part334may be mounted on the storage container C to rotate the storage container C. For example, the rotating part334may have a rod shape, and the rotation axis thereof may be parallel to the second direction Y. In addition, the rotating part334may hold the storage container C while the storage container C is immersed in the containing space312.

The lifting/lowering member340may move the storage container C in an up/down direction. The lifting/lowering member340may move the storage container C which has been rotated by the posture changing member330in the up/down direction. The lifting/lowering member340may be provided attachable and detachable to and from the storage container C. The lifting/lowering member340may include a shaft342and a driver344. The shaft342may be moved in the up/down direction by a driving force generated by the driver344. The driver344may be a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, or a motor. However, the inventive concept is not limited thereto, and the driver344may be variously modified as a known device capable of moving the shaft342in the up/down direction.

In addition, the shall342may be provided at the bottom portion of the treating bath310and adjacent to the first buffer unit210. The shaft342may have a rod shape. The shaft342may serve as a guide shaft for guiding the position of the storage container C which has been rotated by the posture changing member330. For example, the shaft342may be inserted into the alignment groove CG formed on the bottom portion of the storage container C rotated by the posture changing member330to guide the position (e.g., level) of the storage container C. In addition, the lifting/lowering member340mentioned in the above-described example may also be referred to as a guide member or the like.

Hereinafter, a method of treating a substrate according to an embodiment of the inventive concept will be described with reference toFIG.7toFIG.13. In order to perform the substrate treating method described below, the controller600may control the substrate treating apparatus10.

Referring toFIG.7, the storage container C in which a plurality of substrates W, example, about 2 to 50 substrates W, are stored stray be immersed in the third treating liquid L3supplied to the containing space312. For example, the storage container C may be immersed in the third treating liquid L3, and the third treating liquid L3may flow into the storage space of the storage container C to treat the substrates W. In this case, the substrates W stored in the storage container C may maintain a vertical posture. In addition, while the substrates W are treated by the third treating liquid L3, the rotating part of the posture changing member330may grip the storage container C.

Referring toFIG.8, when the treating of the substrates W is completed by the third treating liquid L3, the rotating part334of the posture changing member330may rotate the storage container C. The rotating part334of the posture changing member330may rotate the storage container C about a rotation axis thereof parallel to the second direction Y, e.g., rotate the storage container C about 90 degrees. When the storage container C is rotated, the posture of the plurality of substrates W stored in the storage container C may be changed from a vertical posture to a horizontal posture. In this case, the rotating part334may rotate the storage container C while the storage container C is immersed the third treating liquid L3supplied to the contain a312. This is because when the storage container C is rotated while being exposed to the outside (e.g., exposed to the air), the substrates W stored in the storage container C can be dried.

Referring toFIG.9, the storage container C rotated by the rotating part334may be moved along the first direction X while being mounted on the rotating part334. For example, the age container C may be moved to above the lifting/lowering member340. In addition, the movement of the storage container C the horizontal direct may be performed in a state of being immersed in the third treating liquid L3supplied to the containing space312. This is because when the storage container C is moved while being exposed to the outside (e.g., exposed to the air), the substrates W stored in the storage container C can be dried.

Referring toFIG.10, the shaft342of the lifting/lowering member340may be moved upward and inserted into an alignment groove CG formed in the storage container C. When inserted into the alignment groove CG, the rotating part334may be moved along the second direction Y to be separated from the storage container C. Thereafter, the shaft342may move the storage container C upward to expose some of the substrates W contained in the storage container C to the outside (e.g., expose to the air). For example, the shaft342may move the storage container C upward to expose only a topmost substrate among the substrates W stored in the storage container C to the outside (e.g., expose the substrate W to the air). This is to prevent the remaining substrates W from being dried, that is, to maintain wettability, except for the topmost substrate among the substrates W taken out from the storage container C by the third transfer unit152.

Referring toFIG.11, the topmost substrate W among the substrates contained in the storage container C may be carried out from the storage container C by the third transfer unit153and returned to the first buffer unit210. In this case, as described above, the first buffer unit210may include a nozzle for supplying a chemical liquid or mist to maintain the wettability of the substrate W transferred to the storage space of the first buffer unit210. The chemical liquid or mist may include isopropyl alcohol (IPA), the chemical described above, and the treating liquid selected from the rinse liquid described above.

Referring toFIG.12, after the topmost substrate W disposed has been taken out to the storage container C as described above, the shaft342of the lifting/lowering member340may move the storage container C in an upward direction once again. Accordingly, another topmost substrate W among the substrates W contained in the storage container C may be exposed to the outside (e.g., exposed to the air). This is to prevent the remaining substrates W from being dried, that is, to maintain wettability, except for the another topmost substrate W taken out from the storage container C by the third transfer unit152.

Referring toFIG.13, the another topmost substrate W among the substrates W contained in the storage container C may be carried out from the storage container C by the third transfer unit153and returned to the first buffer unit210.

FIG.14is a view illustrating a substrate treating apparatus provided in the single-type liquid treating chamberFIG.1. The substrate treating apparatus400provided in the single-type liquid treating chamber230may include a housing410, a processing container420, a support unit440, a lifting/lowering unit460, and a liquid supply unit480.

The housing410has a processing space412therein. The housing410may have a cylindrical shape having a space therein. A processing container420, a support unit440, a lifting/lowering unit460, and a liquid supply unit480may be provided in the inner space412of the housing410. The housing410may have a rectangular shape when viewed from as front cross section. However, the inventive concept is not limited thereto, and the housing410may be transformed into various shapes capable of having a processing space412.

The processing container420has a cylindrical shape with an open top. The processing container420has an inner recollecting container422and an outer recollecting container426. Each of the recollecting containers422and426recovers different treating liquids among the treating liquids used in the process. The inner recollecting contain422is provided in an annular ring shape surrounding the substrate support unit440, and the outer recollecting container426is provided in an annular ring shape surrounding the inner recollecting container426. The inner space422aof the inner recollecting container422and the inner recollecting container422function as a first inlet422athrough which a treating liquid flows into the internal recollecting container422. The space426abetween the inner recollecting container422and the external recollecting container426functions as a second inlet426athrough which a treating liquid flows into the outer recollecting container426. According to an embodiment, each of the inlets422aand426amay be positioned at different heights. Recollecting lines422band426bare connected under the bottom surfaces of each of the recollecting containers422and426. The treating liquids introduced into each of the recollecting containers422and426can be provided and reused to an external treating liquid regeneration system (not illustrated) through the recollecting tines422band426b.

The support unit110supports the substrate W in the processing space412. The support unit440supports and rotates the substrate W during the process. The support unit440has a support plate442, a support pin444, a chuck pin446, and rotation driving members448and449.

The support plate442is provided in a substantially circular plate shape and has an upper surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface has a smaller diameter than the top surface. That is, the support plate442may have a wide top surface and a narrow lower surface shape. The top surface and the bottom surface are positioned such that their central axes coincide with each other. In addition, a heating means (not shown) may be provided on the support plate442. The heating means provided to the support plate442may heat the substrate W placed on the support plate442. The heating means can generate heat. The heat generated by the heating means may be a heating temperature or a cooling temperature. The heat generated by the heating means may be transferred to the substrate W placed on the support plate442. In addition, the heat transferred to the substrate W may heat the treating liquid supplied to the substrate W. The heating means may be a heater and/or a cooling coil. However, the inventive concept is not limited thereto, and the heating means may be variously modified into known devices.

A plurality of support pins444are provided. The support pins411are disposed at an edge of the upper surface of the support plate442, spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval, and upwardly protrude from the support plate442. The support pins444are disposed to have an annular ring shape as a whole by combination with each other. The support pins444support an edge of the bottom surface of the substrate W so that the substrate W is spaced apart from the upper surface of the support plate442by a predetermined distance.

A plurality of chuck pins446are provided. The chuck pins446are disposed farther from the center of the support plate442than the support pins444. The chuck pins446are provided to upwardly protrude from the upper surface of the support plate442. The chuck pins416support the side portion of the substrate W so that the substrate W is not laterally separated from a predetermined position when the support plate442is rotated. The chuck pins446are provided to be able to move linearly between the outer position and the inner position along the radial direction of the support plate442. The outer position is a position away from the center of the support plate442compared to the inner position. When the substrate W loads or unloads on the support plate442, the chuck pins446are located at an outer position, and when a process is performed on the substrate W, the chuck pins446are located at an inner position. The inner position is a position where the chuck pins446and the side portion of the substrate W are in contact with each other, and the outer position is a position where the chuck pins446and the substrate W are spaced apart from each other.

The rotation driving members448and449rotate the support plate442. The support plate442may be rotated around a magnetic central axis by the rotation driving members448and449. The rotation driving members448and449include a support shaft448and a driving part449. The support shaft448has a cylindrical shape facing a fourth direction16. The upper end of the support shaft448is fixedly coupled to the bottom surface of the support plate442. According to an embodiment, the support shaft448may be fixedly coupled to the center of the bottom surface of the support plate442. The driving unit449provides a driving force to rotate the support shaft448. The support shaft448is rotated by the driving part449, and the support plate442is rotatable together with the support shaft448.

The lifting/lowering unit460linearly moves the processing container420in the up/down direction. As the processing container420is moved up and down, the relative height of the processing container420with respect to the support plate442is changed. When the substrate W is loaded or unloaded on the support plate442, the processing container420is lowered by the lifting/lowering unit such that the support plate442protrudes upward from the processing container420. In addition, when the processing proceeds, the height of the processing container420is adjusted so that the treating liquid may flow into preset recollecting containers422and476according to the type of treating liquid supplied to the substrate W. The lifting/lowering unit460has a bracket462, a moving shaft464, and a driver466. The bracket462is fixedly installed on the outer wall of the processing container420, and a moving shaft464moving in the up/down direction by the driver466is fixedly coupled to the bracket462. Selectively, the lifting/lowering460may move the support plate442in an up/down direction.

The liquid supply unit480may supply a treating liquid to the substrate W. The treating liquid may be an organic solvent, or the rinse liquid or the chemical described above. The organic solvent may be isopropyl alcohol (IPA) liquid.

The liquid supply unit480may include a moving member481and a nozzle489. The moving member481moves the nozzle489to a process position and a standby position. The process position is a position at which the nozzle489faces the substrate W supported by the support unit440. According to an embodiment, the process position is a position at which the treating liquid is discharged from the upper surface of the substrate W. In addition, the process position includes a first supply position and a second supply position. The first supply position may be a position closer to the center of the substrate W than the second supply position, and the second supply position may be a position including an end of the substrate. Optionally, the second supply position may be an area adjacent to the end of the substrate. The standby position is defined as a position where the nozzle489deviates from the process position. According to an embodiment, the standby position may be a position at which the nozzle489stands by before or after the processing is completed on the substrate W.

The moving member481includes an arm482, a support shaft484, and a driver484. The support shaft484is located on one side of the processing container420. The support shaft484has a rod shape with its longitudinal direction facing the fourth direction. The support shaft484is provided to be rotatable by the driver484. The support shaft484is provided to be upwardly and downwardly movable. The arm482is coupled to the upper end of the support shaft484. The arm482extends vertically from the support shaft484. A nozzle489is coupled to the end of the arm482. As the support shaft434is rotated, the nozzle489may swing together with the arm482. The nozzle489may swing and be moved to a process position and a standby position. Optionally, the arm482may be provided to be able to move forwardly and backwardly in its longitudinal direction. When viewed from above, a path through which the nozzle489moves may coincide with a central axis of the substrate W at a process position.

FIG.15is a view illustrating a substrate treating apparatus provided in the drying chamber ofFIG.1. Referring toFIG.15, the drying chamber500may remove the treating liquid remaining on the substrate W by using the drying fluid G in a supercritical state. The drying chamber500may be a supercritical chamber for removing the treating liquid (e.g., a rinse liquid or an organic solvent) remaining on the substrate W using a supercritical fluid. For example, the drying chamber500may perform a drying treatment process of removing the organic solvent remaining on the substrate W using carbon dioxide (CO2) in a supercritical state.

The drying chamber500may include a body510, a heating member520, a fluid supply unit530, a fluid exhaust unit550, and a lifting/lowering member560. The body510may have an inner space518in which the substrate W is treated. The body510may provide an inner space518in which the substrate W is treated. The body510may provide an inner space518in which the substrate W is dried by the drying fluid G in a supercritical state.

The body510may include an upper body512and a lower body514. The upper body512and the lower body514may be combined with each other to form the inner space518. The substrate W may be supported in the inner space518. For example, the substrate W may be supported by a support member (not shown) the inner space518. The support member may be configured to support the lower surface of the edge region of the substrate W. Any one of the upper body512and the lower body514may be coupled to the lifting/lowering member560to be moved in the up/down direction. For example, the lower body514may be coupled to the lifting/lowering member560to be moved in the up/town direction by the lifting/lowering member560. Accordingly, the inner space518of the body510may be selectively sealed. In the above-described example, the lower body514is coupled to the lifting/lowering member560to move in the up/down direction, but the inventive concept is not limited to it. For example, the upper body512may be coupled to the lifting/lowering member560to move in the up/down direction.

The heating member520may heat the drying fluid G supplied to the inner space518. The heating member520may phase-change the drying fluid G supplied to the inner space518into a supercritical state by raising the temperature of the inner space518of the body510. In addition, the heating member520may raise the temperature of the liter space518of the body510to maintain the supercritical state of the drying fluid G supplied to the inner space518.

In addition, the heating member520may be buried in the body510. For example, the heating member520may be buried in any one of the upper body512and the lower body514. For example, the heating member520may be provided in the lower body514. However, the inventive concept is not limited thereto, and the heating member520may be provided at various positions capable of raising the temperature of the inner space518. In addition, the heating member520may be a heater. However, the inventive concept is not limited thereto, and the heating member520may be variously modified into a known device capable of raising the temperature of the inner space518.

The fluid supply unit530may supply the drying fluid G to the inner space518of the body510. The drying fluid G supplied by the fluid supply unit530may include a carbon dioxide (CO2). The fluid supply unit530may include a fluid supply source531, a first supply line533, a first supply valve535, a second supply line537, and a second supply valve539.

The fluid supply source531may store and/or supply the drying fluid G supplied to the inner space518of the body510. The fluid supply source531may supply the drying fluid G to the first supply line533and/or the second supply line537. For example, a first supply valve535may be installed on the first supply line533. In addition, a second supply valve539may be installed on the second supply line537. The first supply valve535and the second supply valve539may be on/off valves. According to an on/off state of the first supply valve535and the second supply valve539, the drying fluid G may selectively flow through the first supply line533or the second supply line537.

In the above-described example, the first supply line533and the second supply line537are connected to one fluid supply source531, but the inventive concept is not limited thereto. For example, a plurality of fluid supply sources531may be provided, the first supply line533may be connected to any one from a plurality of fluid supply sources531, and the second supply line537may be connected to another one of the fluid supply sources531.

In addition, the first supply line533may be an upper supply line that supplies drying gas from an upper portion of the inner space518of the body510. For example, the first supply line533may supply a drying gas to the inner space518of the body510in a direction from top to bottom. For example, the first supply line533may be connected to the upper body512. In addition, the second supply line537may be a lower supply line that supplies drying gas from a lower portion of the inner space518of the body510. For example, the second supply line537may supply drying gas to the inner space518of the body510in a downward-to-upward direction. For example, the second supply line537may be connected to the lower body514.

The fluid exhaust unit550may exhaust the drying fluid G from the inner space518of the body510.

As described above, the substrate treatment apparatus10according to an embodiment of the inventive concept may include both the batch-type liquid treating chamber140and the single-type liquid treating chamber230. Accordingly, it is possible to have all the advantages of the batch-type liquid treatment method and the single-type liquid treating chamber.

For example, in the batch-type liquid treating chamber140, a plurality of substrates W may be treated at once, and thus throughput of the treating of the substrate W is excellent, and processing uniformity between the substrates W is very high. In addition, when the pattern formed on the substrate W has a high aspect ratio, it is possible to supplement the batch-type liquid treating chamber140(e.g., the portion that has not yet been etched) by supplying a chemical, a rinse liquid, and the like from the single-type treating chamber230. In addition, the substrate W wetted by organic solvent supplied by the single-type liquid treating chamber230or the first buffer unit210may be transferred to the drying chamber240for drying the substrate W by supplying a supercritical fluid. The supercritical fluid has an excellent penetration property into a space between the patterns formed on the substrate W, and may dry the substrate W without rotating the substrate W, thereby minimizing the occurrence of the pattern leaning phenomenon described above. In addition, the substrate treatment apparatus10of the inventive concept may perform all of the single-type liquid treatment method, the batch-type liquid treatment method, and the method of drying the substrate W using a supercritical fluid, thereby improving defects due to particles, and shedding and flowability. In addition, since the number of substrates W treatable in the batch-type liquid treating chamber140is relatively large, a large number of liquid treating chambers are not required, so there is an advantage of reducing the footprint of the substrate treatment apparatus10. In addition, by further including the single-type liquid treating chamber230as described above, it is possible to solve the problem of abnormal growth of SiO2 in a pattern on the substrate W that may occur when the substrate W is treated using only the batch-type liquid treating chamber140.

In addition, as in the substrate treating apparatus10according to an embodiment of the inventive concept, it is essential to change the posture of the substrate W from a vertical posture to a horizontal posture when both the batch-type liquid treating chamber140and the single-type liquid treating chamber230are provided. Accordingly, the substrate treating apparatus10according to an embodiment of the inventive concept includes a posture changing member330to convert the posture of the substrate W from a vertical posture to a horizontal posture. In this case, the wettability of the substrate W may be maintained as much as possible (if not, the substrate W may be dried to generate a water mark), and the posture of the substrate W is changed while the substrate W is immersed in the treating liquid L. In addition, when the substrate W is taken out of the batch-type liquid treating chamber140and transferred to the first buffer unit210, the remaining substrates W except for the substrate W be transferred remain immersed in the treating liquid L, thereby minimizing drying of the substrate W and generating a water mark.

In the above-described example, when the substrate W is transferred between the batch-type, liquid treating chambers140, the storage container C is transferred by the first transfer unit132, but the inventive concept is not limited thereto. For example, the first transfer unit132may grip a plurality of substrates Win a vertical posture at Once rather than the storage container C to transport a plurality of substrates W between the batch-type liquid processing chambers140.

In the above-described example, one substrate W is taken out of the third batch-type liquid treating chamber143at a time and transferred to the first buffer unit210, but the inventive concept is not limited thereto. For example, the second transfer unit152may grip a plurality of substrates W at once and take the plurality of substrates W out of the storage container C at once. In addition, the second transfer unit152may transfer a plurality of substrates W to the first buffer unit210at once. In this ease, the first buffer unit210may supply a chemical liquid or mist to the storage space of the first buffer unit210as described above in order to maintain wettability of the introduced substrates W.

In the above-described example, it is described that the substrate treating apparatus10according to an embodiment of the Inventive concept includes all of the single-type liquid treating chamber230and the drying chamber240, but the inventive concept is not limited thereto. For example, the substrate treating apparatus10may include only one of a single-type liquid treating chamber230and a drying chamber240.

In the above-described example, the substrate W taken out from the batch-type liquid treating chamber140is transferred to the single-type liquid treating chamber230, and after the substrate W treatment is completed in the single-type liquid treating chamber230the substrate W transferred to the drying chamber240, but the inventive concept is not limited thereto. For example, if the particle level is good, the substrate W may be immediately transferred to the drying chamber240from the batch-type liquid treating chamber140.

In the above-described example, when the substrate W is transferred between the batch-type liquid treating chambers140of the first treating part100, the storage container C is transferred by the first transfer unit132, but the inventive concept is not limited thereto. For example, as illustrated inFIG.16, the first transfer unit132may have a batch-hand for transferring a plurality of substrates W (e.g., 25 wafers) at once, and the first transfer unit132may transfer only a plurality of substrates W instead of the storage container C between the batch-type liquid treating chambers140. In addition, when the first transfer unit132has a batch-hand, a storage container C may be disposed in each of the batch-type liquid treating chambers140, or a support member supporting a plurality of substrates W may be provided.

The effects of the inventive concept are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and the unmentioned effects can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the inventive concept pertains from the specification and the accompanying drawings.

Although the preferred embodiment of the inventive concept has been illustrated and described until now, the inventive concept is not limited to the above-described specific embodiment, and it is noted that an ordinary person in the art, to which the inventive concept pertains, may be variously carry out the inventive concept without departing from the essence of the inventive concept claimed in the claims and the modifications should not be construed separately from the technical spirit or prospect of the inventive concept.