US20130133696A1 - Substrate processing apparatus - Google Patents

Substrate processing apparatus Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20130133696A1
US20130133696A1 US13/750,745 US201313750745A US2013133696A1 US 20130133696 A1 US20130133696 A1 US 20130133696A1 US 201313750745 A US201313750745 A US 201313750745A US 2013133696 A1 US2013133696 A1 US 2013133696A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
gas
stage
reaction chamber
reaction tube
cleaning gas
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US13/750,745
Inventor
Kazuyuki Okuda
Toru Kagaya
Masanori Sakai
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc
Original Assignee
Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc filed Critical Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc
Priority to US13/750,745 priority Critical patent/US20130133696A1/en
Assigned to HITACHI KOKUSAI ELECTRIC INC. reassignment HITACHI KOKUSAI ELECTRIC INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: KAGAYA, TORU, OKUDA, KAZUYUKI, SAKAI, MASANORI
Publication of US20130133696A1 publication Critical patent/US20130133696A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01LSEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L21/00Processes or apparatus adapted for the manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or solid state devices or of parts thereof
    • H01L21/02Manufacture or treatment of semiconductor devices or of parts thereof
    • H01L21/04Manufacture or treatment of semiconductor devices or of parts thereof the devices having at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier, e.g. PN junction, depletion layer or carrier concentration layer
    • H01L21/18Manufacture or treatment of semiconductor devices or of parts thereof the devices having at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier, e.g. PN junction, depletion layer or carrier concentration layer the devices having semiconductor bodies comprising elements of Group IV of the Periodic System or AIIIBV compounds with or without impurities, e.g. doping materials
    • H01L21/30Treatment of semiconductor bodies using processes or apparatus not provided for in groups H01L21/20 - H01L21/26
    • H01L21/302Treatment of semiconductor bodies using processes or apparatus not provided for in groups H01L21/20 - H01L21/26 to change their surface-physical characteristics or shape, e.g. etching, polishing, cutting
    • H01L21/306Chemical or electrical treatment, e.g. electrolytic etching
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08CLEANING
    • B08BCLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B5/00Cleaning by methods involving the use of air flow or gas flow
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C23COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
    • C23CCOATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
    • C23C16/00Chemical coating by decomposition of gaseous compounds, without leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating, i.e. chemical vapour deposition [CVD] processes
    • C23C16/44Chemical coating by decomposition of gaseous compounds, without leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating, i.e. chemical vapour deposition [CVD] processes characterised by the method of coating
    • C23C16/4401Means for minimising impurities, e.g. dust, moisture or residual gas, in the reaction chamber
    • C23C16/4405Cleaning of reactor or parts inside the reactor by using reactive gases
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C23COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
    • C23CCOATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
    • C23C16/00Chemical coating by decomposition of gaseous compounds, without leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating, i.e. chemical vapour deposition [CVD] processes
    • C23C16/44Chemical coating by decomposition of gaseous compounds, without leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating, i.e. chemical vapour deposition [CVD] processes characterised by the method of coating
    • C23C16/4412Details relating to the exhausts, e.g. pumps, filters, scrubbers, particle traps
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01LSEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L21/00Processes or apparatus adapted for the manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or solid state devices or of parts thereof
    • H01L21/02Manufacture or treatment of semiconductor devices or of parts thereof
    • H01L21/02041Cleaning
    • H01L21/02057Cleaning during device manufacture
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01LSEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L21/00Processes or apparatus adapted for the manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or solid state devices or of parts thereof
    • H01L21/67Apparatus specially adapted for handling semiconductor or electric solid state devices during manufacture or treatment thereof; Apparatus specially adapted for handling wafers during manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or electric solid state devices or components ; Apparatus not specifically provided for elsewhere
    • H01L21/67005Apparatus not specifically provided for elsewhere
    • H01L21/67242Apparatus for monitoring, sorting or marking
    • H01L21/67253Process monitoring, e.g. flow or thickness monitoring

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a substrate processing apparatus, and more particularly, to a cleaning technique in a reaction chamber of a substrate processing apparatus which is a producing apparatus of a semiconductor device used when the semiconductor device is produced on a substrate such as an Si.
  • FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a conception of a reaction furnace.
  • a flow rate of etching gas 4 as cleaning gas is controlled to a constant value, and the etching gas 4 is continuously supplied from a gas introducing tube 2 into the reaction tube 1 from a plurality of holes 8 through a gas nozzle 7 .
  • a desired amount of gas is exhausted from the reaction tube 1 by adjusting an opening of a pressure-adjusting valve 5 connected to the gas exhausting tube 3 , thereby maintaining a pressure in the reaction tube 1 at a constant value.
  • a “flow” is generated toward the gas exhausting tube 3 from the gas introducing tube 2 because of a shape of the reaction tube 1 or a relation between a supplying position and an exhausting position of the gas, most of etching gas is consumed at an upstream portion of the “flow” and the etching gas is less prone to reach a downstream portion of the “flow”.
  • a degree of diffusion of gas is greater in a location in the reaction tube 1 (i.e., in the vicinity of the gas exhausting tube) where a pressure is low, but the degree of diffusion of gas is smaller in a location in the reaction tube (i.e., an upper end of the reaction tube 1 and the like) where the pressure is high. Therefore, etching gas is less prone to reach a high pressure location in the reaction tube 1 .
  • a strong flow portion 11 along the flow of gas is generated from substantially a center portion to a portion close to the gas exhausting tube 3 in the reaction tube 1 , and a weak flow portion 12 which opposes the flow of gas is generated in an upper portion in the reaction tube 1 . Therefore, a flow rate of gas and a partial pressure are not constant in the reaction tube 1 .
  • flow means intentional airflow generated from the exhausting operation, and a flow caused by diffusion of gas is excluded.
  • a substrate processing apparatus comprising:
  • a controller which controls an opening of the closing member to substantially stop exhaustion through the exhausting tube from a predetermined point of time before cleaning gas is supplied from the gas introducing tube into the reaction tube to a point of time when several seconds are elapsed after starting of supply of the cleaning gas into the reaction tube such that there exists a state in which exhaustion from the gas exhausting tube is stopped while the cleaning gas is supplied from the gas introducing tube into the reaction tube to fill the reaction tube with the cleaning gas under control of the controller.
  • a substrate processing apparatus comprising:
  • reaction tube a reaction tube; a gas introducing tube which is in communication with the reaction tube;
  • a controller which controls an opening of the closing member to substantially stop exhaustion through the exhausting tube from a predetermined point of time before cleaning gas is supplied from the gas introducing tube into the reaction tube to a predetermined point of time after the clean gas is started to be supplied into the reaction tube such that there exists a state in which exhaustion from the gas exhausting tube is stopped while the cleaning gas is supplied from the gas introducing tube into said reaction tube to repeat a first stage which fills the reaction tube with the cleaning gas under control of the controller and a second stage which thereafter exhausts gas from the reaction tube at least once.
  • a substrate processing apparatus comprising:
  • a cleaning gas supply member which supplies cleaning gas to the gas introducing tube
  • a controller which controls an opening of the closing member to substantially stop exhaustion through the exhausting tube from a predetermined point of time before cleaning gas is supplied from the gas introducing tube into the reaction tube to a point of time when several seconds are elapsed after starting of supply of the cleaning gas into said reaction tube such that there exists a state in which exhaustion from the gas exhausting tube is stopped while the cleaning gas is supplied by said cleaning gas supply member through the gas introducing tube into the reaction tube.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a substrate processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a reaction furnace used in a substrate processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 3 is a gas system chart showing a gas system of a substrate processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in cleaning steps of a substrate processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 5 is a time chart of cleaning steps of a substrate processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in cleaning steps of a substrate processing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a conventional reaction furnace.
  • a substrate processing apparatus comprises:
  • a controller which controls an opening of the closing member to substantially stop exhaustion through the exhausting tube from a predetermined point of time before cleaning gas is supplied from the gas introducing tube into the reaction tube to a point of time when several seconds are elapsed after starting of supply of the cleaning gas into the reaction tube such that there exists a state in which exhaustion from the gas exhausting tube is stopped while the cleaning gas is supplied from said gas introducing tube into the reaction tube to fill the reaction tube with the cleaning gas under control of the controller.
  • the expression “to substantially stop exhaustion” includes not only a case in which the exhaustion of gas is completely stopped but also a case in which exhaustion of slight exhaust amount is permissible only if cleaning gas is substantially uniformly diffused in the reaction tube. Therefore, the flow of cleaning gas in the reaction tube is substantially stopped, the reaction tube can be filled with cleaning gas by diffusing the cleaning gas, the partial pressure of etching gas in the reaction tube becomes uniform, a pressure of the etching gas rises and thus, the etching speed (cleaning speed) is also increased.
  • the exhaustion from the gas exhausting tube may substantially be stopped simultaneously with or before the start of supply of the cleaning gas, and the exhaustion from the gas exhausting tube may substantially be stopped before several seconds are elapsed after the cleaning gas is supplied.
  • time required for closing the exhausting tube and time required for easily diffusing cleaning gas into the reaction tube substantially entirely are taken into consideration. For example, if time required for closing the exhausting tube is two seconds and time required for easily diffusing cleaning gas into the reaction tube substantially entirely is five seconds, the total is seven seconds, and it is preferable that the exhaustion is stopped within the seven seconds.
  • a reason why a margin of five seconds is required is that since the exhaustion is stopped after a flow of gas is produced in the reaction tube, if a distance between a supply port of gas and an exhaust port is long and the path is complicated, it is possible to allow the cleaning gas to reach the reaction tube quickly.
  • a substrate processing apparatus comprises:
  • a controller which controls an opening of said closing member to substantially stop exhaustion through the exhausting tube from a predetermined point of time before cleaning gas is supplied from the gas introducing tube into the reaction tube to a predetermined point of time after the cleaning gas is started to be supplied into the reaction tube such that there exists a state in which exhaustion from the gas exhausting tube is stopped while the cleaning gas is supplied from the gas introducing tube into the reaction tube to repeat a first stage fills the reaction tube with the cleaning gas under control of the controller and a second stage which thereafter exhausts gas from the reaction tube at least once.
  • the second stage since a reaction material after the cleaning reaction hinders subsequent cleaning reaction, it is possible to enhance the cleaning efficiency by once exhausting gas.
  • the number of repetitions of the first and second stages depends on a film thickness and the like.
  • a substrate processing apparatus comprises:
  • a cleaning gas supply member which supplies cleaning gas to the gas introducing tube
  • a controller which controls an opening of the closing member to substantially stop exhaustion through the exhausting tube from a predetermined point of time before cleaning gas is supplied from the gas introducing tube into the reaction tube to a point of time when several seconds are elapsed after starting of supply of the cleaning gas into the reaction tube such that there exists a state in which exhaustion from the gas exhausting tube is stopped while the cleaning gas is supplied by the cleaning gas supply member through the gas introducing tube into the reaction tube.
  • a semiconductor device is produced through steps including a substrate processing step which uses one of the above-mentioned substrate processing apparatus according to first to third preferred aspect of the present invention, and which substantially stops exhaustion through the exhausting tube from a predetermined point of time before the cleaning gas is supplied from the gas introducing tube into the reaction tube to a point of time when several seconds are elapsed after starting of supply of the cleaning gas into the reaction tube such that there exists a state in which exhaustion from the gas exhausting tube is stopped while the cleaning gas is supplied from the gas introducing tube into the reaction tube to fill the reaction tube with the cleaning gas under control of the controller.
  • FIG. 1 shows a substrate processing apparatus 20 according to the embodiment of the invention.
  • the substrate processing apparatus 20 is of a vertical type and has a casing 22 in which essential members are disposed.
  • a pod stage 24 is connected to the casing 22 , and the pod 26 is transferred to the pod stage 24 .
  • 25 substrates are accommodated for example, and the pod 26 is closed with a lid (not shown) and in this state, the pod 26 is set on the pod stage 24 .
  • a pod transfer device 28 is disposed in the casing 22 at a position opposed to the pod stage 24 .
  • Pod shelves 30 , a pod opener 32 and a substrate-number detector 34 are disposed in the vicinity of the transfer device 28 .
  • the pod transfer device 28 transfers the pod 26 between the pod stage 24 , the pod shelves 30 and the pod opener 32 .
  • the pod opener 32 opens the lid of the pod 26 , and the substrate-number detector 34 detects the number of substrates in the opened pod 26 .
  • a substrate carrying device 36 , a notch aligner 38 and a substrate supporting body 40 (boat) are further disposed in the casing 22 .
  • the substrate carrying device 36 has an arm 42 capable of taking out five substrates for example, and the substrate carrying device 36 transfers the substrates between the pod 26 placed on the pod opener 32 , the notch aligner 38 and the substrate supporting body 40 by moving the arm 42 .
  • the notch aligner 38 detects a notch and orientation flat formed in the substrates and aligns the substrates.
  • FIG. 2 shows a reaction furnace 50 .
  • the reaction furnace 50 includes a reaction tube 52 .
  • the substrate supporting body is inserted in the reaction tube 52 .
  • a lower portion of the reaction tube 52 is opened so that the substrate supporting body can be inserted therethrough, and this opened portion is tightly closed by a seal cap 54 (shown in FIG. 1 also).
  • a heater 56 (shown in FIG. 3 ) is disposed around the reaction tube 52 .
  • a gas introducing tube 58 for supplying reaction gas and cleaning gas and a gas exhausting tube 60 for exhausting reaction gas and cleaning gas are connected to the reaction tube 52 .
  • Gas supplied from the gas introducing tube 58 is supplied into the reaction tube 52 from a large number of holes 64 of a gas nozzle 62 formed in the reaction tube 52 .
  • the gas exhausting tube 60 is provided with a closing member 66 comprising a pressure-adjusting valve for example, and the closing member 66 has a shut-off function.
  • the pod 26 holding a plurality of substrates therein is set on the pod stage 24 , the pod 26 is transferred from the pod stage 24 to the pod shelf 30 and is stocked on the pod shelf 30 .
  • the pod 26 stacked on the pod shelf 30 is transferred to the pod opener 32 by the pod transfer device 28 , the lid of the pod 26 is opened by the pod opener 32 , and the number of substrates accommodated in the pod 26 is detected by the substrate-number detector 34 .
  • the substrate carrying device 36 takes the substrates out from the pod 26 located at the position of the pod opener 32 , and moves the pod 26 to the notch aligner 38 .
  • the notch aligner 38 notches of the substrates are detected while rotating the substrates, and the plurality of substrates are aligned to the same position based on the detected information.
  • the substrate carrying device 36 takes the substrates out from the notch aligner 38 and moves them to the substrate supporting body 40 .
  • the substrate supporting body 40 in which the plurality of substrates are accommodated is loaded into the reaction furnace 50 whose temperature is set to a predetermined value, and the reaction tube 52 is tightly closed by the seal cap 54 .
  • reaction gas is supplied into the reaction tube 52 from the gas introducing tube 58 .
  • the substrates are processed in accordance with preset temperature rising and lowering program while monitoring a temperature in the reaction tube 52 .
  • the temperature is lowered to a predetermined value and then, the substrate supporting body 40 is unloaded from the reaction furnace 50 , and the substrate supporting body 40 is brought into a standby state at a predetermined position until all of the substrates supported by the substrate supporting body 40 are cooled.
  • the substrate carrying device 36 takes the substrates out from the substrate supporting body 40 , and transfers the substrates to an empty pod 26 which is set to the pod opener 32 .
  • the transfer device 28 transfers the pod 26 holding the substrates therein to the pod shelf 30 and further transfers the pod 26 to the pod stage 24 and the operation is completed.
  • FIG. 3 shows a gas system of the above-described substrate processing apparatus.
  • a first storage tank 68 storing N2 gas for purging is connected to the reaction tube 52 through a first manual valve 70 , a first open/close valve 72 , first flow-rate control valve 74 , the second open/close valve 76 and the gas introducing tube 58 .
  • a second storage tank 78 storing cleaning gas is connected to the reaction tube 52 through a second manual valve 80 , a third open/close valve 82 , a second flow-rate control valve 84 , a fourth open/close valve 86 and the gas introducing tube 58 .
  • a third storage tank 88 storing first reaction gas is connected to the reaction tube 52 through a third manual valve 90 , a fifth open/close valve 92 , a third flow-rate control valve 94 , a sixth open/close valve 96 and the gas introducing tube 58 .
  • a third storage tank 98 storing second reaction gas is connected to the reaction tube 52 through a fourth manual valve 100 , a seventh open/close valve 102 , a fourth flow-rate control valve 104 , an eighth open/close valve 106 and the gas introducing tube 58 .
  • the gas exhausting tube 60 having the closing member 66 is connected to a dry pump 108 .
  • the reaction tube 52 is evacuated by the operation of the dry pump 108 .
  • a controller (control section) 110 comprises a computer for example, and controls the opening and closing operations of the open/close valves 72 , 76 , 82 , 86 , 92 , 96 , 102 and 106 , the flow rates of the flow-rate control valves 74 , 84 , 94 and 104 , electric power to the heater 56 , opening of the closing member 66 , the actuation of the dry pump 108 , and the like.
  • reaction by-product is deposited in a reaction space, e.g., on an inner wall of the reaction tube 52 , the deposited by-product is peeled off with time, and this becomes particles, and there is a problem that the particles attached onto the substrate and deteriorate the yield.
  • etching gas e.g., NF 3 gas
  • NF 3 gas NF 3 gas
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the control operation in cleaning steps of the controller 110 .
  • FIG. 5 shows a time chart in the control operation example.
  • step S 10 the closing member 66 is closed in a state in which a pressure in the reaction tube 52 is set to a base pressure.
  • step S 12 the fourth open/close valve 86 is opened.
  • step S 14 a flow rate of the second flow-rate control valve 84 is set to a first set value. This first set value is 1.5 slm for example.
  • step S 16 the third open/close valve 82 is opened and the supply of etching gas is started (t 0 in FIG. 5 ). With this, a pressure in the reaction tube 52 gradually rises. This state is maintained for time t 1 , and the pressure in the reaction tube 52 when the time t 1 is elapsed reaches p 1 .
  • the time t 1 is 25 seconds for example, and the p 1 is 10 Torr for example. If the time t 1 is elapsed, in next step S 18 , the flow rate of the second flow-rate control valve 84 is set to a second set value. The second set value is 0.25 slm for example. With this, the pressure in the reaction tube 52 is increased from p 1 to p 2 or maintained at p 1 . In this embodiment, the p 2 is 10 Torr and is equal to the p 1 . This state is maintained for time t 2 . The time t 2 is 65 seconds for example.
  • the flow rate of the second flow-rate control valve 84 is reduced from the first set value (e.g., 1.5 slm) to the second set value (e.g., 0.25 slm), the following effects can be obtained.
  • the procedure up to here is a first stage.
  • the etching gas is allowed to flow into the reaction tube 52 from the large number of holes 64 through the gas nozzle 62 extending from the gas introducing tube 58 in the longitudinal direction of the reaction tube 52 .
  • the closing member 66 of the gas exhausting tube 60 is closed, the gas fills in the reaction tube 52 and is contained therein.
  • a reference number 114 shows a diffusing state of the etching gas 112 after it is supplied into the reaction tube 52 .
  • a reference number 116 shows a phantom region where the etching gas 112 is entirely diffused in the reaction tube 52 uniformly.
  • the partial pressure of the etching gas becomes uniform by the etching gas and the diffusion of the product gas by the etching gas.
  • removal of the reaction by-product deposited on the inner wall of the reaction tube 52 can be expressed by the following principle.
  • Si 3 N 4 which is the reaction by-product (solid state) and 4NF 3 which is the etching gas are reacted with each other and product gas of the Si 3 N 4 and 4NF 3 is produced, thereby removing the reaction by-product.
  • a temperature in the reaction tube 52 during this is maintained at 630° C.
  • the gas flow is not formed and the gas is contained as in the embodiment of the present invention, however, since the NF 3 , SiF 4 and N 2 are prone to be diffused, the partial pressures thereof become equal, and uniform etching gas can be supplied into the reaction tube 52 . With this, uniform cleaning can be carried out.
  • step S 20 If time t 2 is elapsed after the second flow-rate control valve 84 is set to the second set value in step S 18 as described above, the procedure is proceeded to step S 20 .
  • the third open/close valve 82 is closed in step S 20
  • the fourth open/close valve 86 is closed in step S 22
  • the closing member 66 is opened in step S 24 .
  • the etching gas in the reaction tube 52 is exhausted through the gas exhausting tube 60 , and a pressure in the reaction tube 52 is abruptly reduced to the base pressure.
  • the procedure up to here is a second stage.
  • the etching gas and the product gas are exhausted.
  • step S 26 it is judged whether the processes of the first and second stages are repeated predetermined times. If it is judged in step S 26 that the processes are repeated the predetermined times, the procedure is proceeded to a next process (substrate processing). On the other hand, if it is judged in step S 26 that the processes are not repeated the predetermined times, the procedure is returned to step S 10 , and the processes of the first and second stages are executed repeatedly.
  • step S 22 time t 3 is elapsed after the closing member 66 is opened, and the etching gas and the product gas in the reaction tube 52 are sufficiently exhausted, and the closing member 66 is closed in the next cycle. This time t 3 is four seconds for example.
  • uniform cleaning can be carried out by dividing the cleaning step in the reaction tube 52 into the first stage and the second stage and carrying out the stages, but if it is desired to further enhance the cleaning efficiency, more uniform etching with no remainder of etching can be carried out by repeating the first and second stages at least two times or more.
  • the uniform cleaning in the reaction tube can be carried out.
  • the etching gas may be supplied while exhausting the etching gas only if the exhausting amount is set to such a degree that the flow of etching gas supplied into the reaction tube does not become nonuniform and the uniform diffusion of gas is not affected.
  • etching gas may slightly be supplied instead of completely stopping the supply of the etching gas. If the first stage is not carried out again after the second stage, it is preferable that the supply of the etching gas is completely stopped and the gas is exhausted because the gas (etching gas) is not remained for the next processing.
  • this method can variously be modified.
  • FIG. 6 shows another embodiment. This other embodiment is different from the previous embodiment in the following point. That is, the closing member is closed and exhausting operation of gas is stopped before the start of supply of cleaning gas in the previous embodiment, but the closing member is closed and exhausting operation of gas is stopped after the start of supply of cleaning gas in this other embodiment.
  • steps S 12 , S 14 and S 16 are first executed, and cleaning gas is supplied to the reaction tube. Then, after predetermined time is elapsed, step S 10 is executed and the exhausting operation is stopped.
  • time required for closing the closing member and time required for easily diffuing cleaning gas into the reaction tube substantially entirely are taken into consideration. For example, if time required for closing the closing member is two seconds and time required for easily diffusing cleaning gas into the reaction tube substantially entirely are taken into consideration is five second, the total is seven seconds, and it is preferable that the exhausting operation is stopped within the seven seconds.
  • a reason why a margin of five seconds is required is that since the exhausting operation is stopped after a flow of gas is produced in the reaction tube, if a distance between a supply port (e.g., outlet of the fourth open/close valve 86 ) of gas and an exhaust port (inlet of the gas exhausting tube 60 ) is long and the path is complicated, it is possible to allow the cleaning gas to reach the reaction tube quickly.
  • a supply port e.g., outlet of the fourth open/close valve 86
  • the substrate processing apparatus is described as a batch type apparatus which processes a plurality of substrates, but the substrate processing apparatus is not limited to this, and a single substrate-feeding type apparatus may also be employed.

Abstract

A substrate processing apparatus cleaning method that includes: containing a cleaning gas in a reaction tube without generating a gas flow of the cleaning gas in the reaction tube by supplying the cleaning gas into the reaction tube and by completely stopping exhaustion of the cleaning gas from the reaction tube or by exhausting the cleaning gas at an exhausting rate which substantially does not affect uniform diffusion of the cleaning gas in the reaction tube from at a point of time of a period from a predetermined point of time before the cleaning gas is supplied into the reaction tube to a point of time when several seconds are elapsed after starting of supply of the cleaning gas into the reaction tube; and thereafter exhausting the cleaning gas from the reaction tube.

Description

    CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
  • This is a Divisional of co-pending application Ser. No. 13/489,018 filed Jun. 5, 2012, which is a Divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 8,211,802 filed Nov. 24, 2010, which is a Continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 12/404,932 filed on Mar. 16, 2009 which is a Divisional of co-pending application Ser. No. 11/271,900 filed on Nov. 14, 2005 which is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 10/400,577, filed on Mar. 28, 2003, and for which priority is claimed under 35 U.S.C. §120. application Ser. No. 11/271,900 and application Ser. No. 10/400,577 claim priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a)-(d) on Application No. 2002-092733 filed in Japan on Mar. 28, 2002 and Application No. 2002-366250 filed in Japan on Dec. 18, 2002. The entire contents of each of the above-identified applications are hereby incorporated by reference.
  • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • 1. Field of the Invention
  • The present invention relates to a substrate processing apparatus, and more particularly, to a cleaning technique in a reaction chamber of a substrate processing apparatus which is a producing apparatus of a semiconductor device used when the semiconductor device is produced on a substrate such as an Si.
  • 2. Description of the Related Art
  • In a substrate processing apparatus of this kind, it is known that cleaning gas is supplied and exhausted to and from the reaction chamber to clean the chamber (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2002-47571).
  • A conventional producing apparatus of a semiconductor device will be explained with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a conception of a reaction furnace.
  • In a self-cleaning operation aimed at removing reaction by-product adhering to an inner wall or the like of a reaction tube 1 by desired film-forming processing, a flow rate of etching gas 4 as cleaning gas is controlled to a constant value, and the etching gas 4 is continuously supplied from a gas introducing tube 2 into the reaction tube 1 from a plurality of holes 8 through a gas nozzle 7.
  • A desired amount of gas is exhausted from the reaction tube 1 by adjusting an opening of a pressure-adjusting valve 5 connected to the gas exhausting tube 3, thereby maintaining a pressure in the reaction tube 1 at a constant value.
  • In the conventional apparatus and method, however, there is a problem that nonuniform etching and etching remainder are generated.
  • It is conceived that this is caused because in the conventional technique, the etching gas is supplied while the etching gas is exhausted and thus, the following events occur:
  • (a) A “flow” is generated toward the gas exhausting tube 3 from the gas introducing tube 2 because of a shape of the reaction tube 1 or a relation between a supplying position and an exhausting position of the gas, most of etching gas is consumed at an upstream portion of the “flow” and the etching gas is less prone to reach a downstream portion of the “flow”.
  • (b) A degree of diffusion of gas is greater in a location in the reaction tube 1 (i.e., in the vicinity of the gas exhausting tube) where a pressure is low, but the degree of diffusion of gas is smaller in a location in the reaction tube (i.e., an upper end of the reaction tube 1 and the like) where the pressure is high. Therefore, etching gas is less prone to reach a high pressure location in the reaction tube 1.
  • That is, the “flow” toward the gas exhausting tube 3 from the gas introducing tube 2 is generated, and the etching gas is less prone to reach a portion which is not located along the “flow”.
  • More concretely, as shown with arrows in FIG. 7, a strong flow portion 11 along the flow of gas is generated from substantially a center portion to a portion close to the gas exhausting tube 3 in the reaction tube 1, and a weak flow portion 12 which opposes the flow of gas is generated in an upper portion in the reaction tube 1. Therefore, a flow rate of gas and a partial pressure are not constant in the reaction tube 1.
  • In this specification, the term “flow” means intentional airflow generated from the exhausting operation, and a flow caused by diffusion of gas is excluded.
  • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • It is a main object of the present invention to carry out uniform etching, and by extention to effect uniform cleaning in a reaction tube in a semiconductor device producing apparatus (substrate processing apparatus) for carrying out self-cleaning using etching gas such as NF3.
  • According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a substrate processing apparatus, comprising:
  • a reaction tube;
  • a gas introducing tube which is in communication with said reaction tube;
  • a gas exhausting tube having a closing member, and
  • a controller which controls an opening of the closing member to substantially stop exhaustion through the exhausting tube from a predetermined point of time before cleaning gas is supplied from the gas introducing tube into the reaction tube to a point of time when several seconds are elapsed after starting of supply of the cleaning gas into the reaction tube such that there exists a state in which exhaustion from the gas exhausting tube is stopped while the cleaning gas is supplied from the gas introducing tube into the reaction tube to fill the reaction tube with the cleaning gas under control of the controller.
  • According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a substrate processing apparatus, comprising:
  • a reaction tube; a gas introducing tube which is in communication with the reaction tube;
  • a gas exhausting tube having a closing member, and
  • a controller which controls an opening of the closing member to substantially stop exhaustion through the exhausting tube from a predetermined point of time before cleaning gas is supplied from the gas introducing tube into the reaction tube to a predetermined point of time after the clean gas is started to be supplied into the reaction tube such that there exists a state in which exhaustion from the gas exhausting tube is stopped while the cleaning gas is supplied from the gas introducing tube into said reaction tube to repeat a first stage which fills the reaction tube with the cleaning gas under control of the controller and a second stage which thereafter exhausts gas from the reaction tube at least once.
  • According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a substrate processing apparatus, comprising:
  • a reaction tube;
  • a gas introducing tube which is in communication with the reaction tube;
  • a cleaning gas supply member which supplies cleaning gas to the gas introducing tube, and
  • a controller which controls an opening of the closing member to substantially stop exhaustion through the exhausting tube from a predetermined point of time before cleaning gas is supplied from the gas introducing tube into the reaction tube to a point of time when several seconds are elapsed after starting of supply of the cleaning gas into said reaction tube such that there exists a state in which exhaustion from the gas exhausting tube is stopped while the cleaning gas is supplied by said cleaning gas supply member through the gas introducing tube into the reaction tube.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • The above and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a substrate processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a reaction furnace used in a substrate processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
  • FIG. 3 is a gas system chart showing a gas system of a substrate processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in cleaning steps of a substrate processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
  • FIG. 5 is a time chart of cleaning steps of a substrate processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
  • FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in cleaning steps of a substrate processing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention; and
  • FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a conventional reaction furnace.
  • DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
  • A substrate processing apparatus according to a first preferred aspect of the present invention comprises:
  • a reaction tube;
  • a gas introducing tube which is in communication with the reaction tube;
  • a gas exhausting tube having a closing member, and
  • a controller which controls an opening of the closing member to substantially stop exhaustion through the exhausting tube from a predetermined point of time before cleaning gas is supplied from the gas introducing tube into the reaction tube to a point of time when several seconds are elapsed after starting of supply of the cleaning gas into the reaction tube such that there exists a state in which exhaustion from the gas exhausting tube is stopped while the cleaning gas is supplied from said gas introducing tube into the reaction tube to fill the reaction tube with the cleaning gas under control of the controller.
  • Here, the expression “to substantially stop exhaustion” includes not only a case in which the exhaustion of gas is completely stopped but also a case in which exhaustion of slight exhaust amount is permissible only if cleaning gas is substantially uniformly diffused in the reaction tube. Therefore, the flow of cleaning gas in the reaction tube is substantially stopped, the reaction tube can be filled with cleaning gas by diffusing the cleaning gas, the partial pressure of etching gas in the reaction tube becomes uniform, a pressure of the etching gas rises and thus, the etching speed (cleaning speed) is also increased.
  • The exhaustion from the gas exhausting tube may substantially be stopped simultaneously with or before the start of supply of the cleaning gas, and the exhaustion from the gas exhausting tube may substantially be stopped before several seconds are elapsed after the cleaning gas is supplied. When the exhaustion is stopped after the start of supply of cleaning gas from the gas introducing tube, in the timing of stop of the exhaustion, time required for closing the exhausting tube and time required for easily diffusing cleaning gas into the reaction tube substantially entirely are taken into consideration. For example, if time required for closing the exhausting tube is two seconds and time required for easily diffusing cleaning gas into the reaction tube substantially entirely is five seconds, the total is seven seconds, and it is preferable that the exhaustion is stopped within the seven seconds. A reason why a margin of five seconds is required is that since the exhaustion is stopped after a flow of gas is produced in the reaction tube, if a distance between a supply port of gas and an exhaust port is long and the path is complicated, it is possible to allow the cleaning gas to reach the reaction tube quickly.
  • A substrate processing apparatus according to a second preferred aspect of the present invention comprises:
  • a reaction tube;
  • a gas introducing tube which is in communication with the reaction tube;
  • a gas exhausting tube having a closing member, and
  • a controller which controls an opening of said closing member to substantially stop exhaustion through the exhausting tube from a predetermined point of time before cleaning gas is supplied from the gas introducing tube into the reaction tube to a predetermined point of time after the cleaning gas is started to be supplied into the reaction tube such that there exists a state in which exhaustion from the gas exhausting tube is stopped while the cleaning gas is supplied from the gas introducing tube into the reaction tube to repeat a first stage fills the reaction tube with the cleaning gas under control of the controller and a second stage which thereafter exhausts gas from the reaction tube at least once.
  • In the second stage, since a reaction material after the cleaning reaction hinders subsequent cleaning reaction, it is possible to enhance the cleaning efficiency by once exhausting gas. The number of repetitions of the first and second stages depends on a film thickness and the like.
  • A substrate processing apparatus according to a third preferred aspect of the present invention comprises:
  • a reaction tube;
  • a gas introducing tube which is in communication with the reaction tube;
  • a cleaning gas supply member which supplies cleaning gas to the gas introducing tube, and
  • a controller which controls an opening of the closing member to substantially stop exhaustion through the exhausting tube from a predetermined point of time before cleaning gas is supplied from the gas introducing tube into the reaction tube to a point of time when several seconds are elapsed after starting of supply of the cleaning gas into the reaction tube such that there exists a state in which exhaustion from the gas exhausting tube is stopped while the cleaning gas is supplied by the cleaning gas supply member through the gas introducing tube into the reaction tube.
  • Preferrably, a semiconductor device is produced through steps including a substrate processing step which uses one of the above-mentioned substrate processing apparatus according to first to third preferred aspect of the present invention, and which substantially stops exhaustion through the exhausting tube from a predetermined point of time before the cleaning gas is supplied from the gas introducing tube into the reaction tube to a point of time when several seconds are elapsed after starting of supply of the cleaning gas into the reaction tube such that there exists a state in which exhaustion from the gas exhausting tube is stopped while the cleaning gas is supplied from the gas introducing tube into the reaction tube to fill the reaction tube with the cleaning gas under control of the controller.
  • Next, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.
  • FIG. 1 shows a substrate processing apparatus 20 according to the embodiment of the invention. The substrate processing apparatus 20 is of a vertical type and has a casing 22 in which essential members are disposed. A pod stage 24 is connected to the casing 22, and the pod 26 is transferred to the pod stage 24. In the pod 26, 25 substrates are accommodated for example, and the pod 26 is closed with a lid (not shown) and in this state, the pod 26 is set on the pod stage 24.
  • A pod transfer device 28 is disposed in the casing 22 at a position opposed to the pod stage 24. Pod shelves 30, a pod opener 32 and a substrate-number detector 34 are disposed in the vicinity of the transfer device 28. The pod transfer device 28 transfers the pod 26 between the pod stage 24, the pod shelves 30 and the pod opener 32. The pod opener 32 opens the lid of the pod 26, and the substrate-number detector 34 detects the number of substrates in the opened pod 26.
  • A substrate carrying device 36, a notch aligner 38 and a substrate supporting body 40 (boat) are further disposed in the casing 22. The substrate carrying device 36 has an arm 42 capable of taking out five substrates for example, and the substrate carrying device 36 transfers the substrates between the pod 26 placed on the pod opener 32, the notch aligner 38 and the substrate supporting body 40 by moving the arm 42. The notch aligner 38 detects a notch and orientation flat formed in the substrates and aligns the substrates.
  • FIG. 2 shows a reaction furnace 50. The reaction furnace 50 includes a reaction tube 52. The substrate supporting body is inserted in the reaction tube 52. A lower portion of the reaction tube 52 is opened so that the substrate supporting body can be inserted therethrough, and this opened portion is tightly closed by a seal cap 54 (shown in FIG. 1 also). A heater 56 (shown in FIG. 3) is disposed around the reaction tube 52. A gas introducing tube 58 for supplying reaction gas and cleaning gas and a gas exhausting tube 60 for exhausting reaction gas and cleaning gas are connected to the reaction tube 52. Gas supplied from the gas introducing tube 58 is supplied into the reaction tube 52 from a large number of holes 64 of a gas nozzle 62 formed in the reaction tube 52. The gas exhausting tube 60 is provided with a closing member 66 comprising a pressure-adjusting valve for example, and the closing member 66 has a shut-off function.
  • Next, a substrate processing process by means of the substrate processing apparatus 20 having the above-described structure will be explained.
  • First, if the pod 26 holding a plurality of substrates therein is set on the pod stage 24, the pod 26 is transferred from the pod stage 24 to the pod shelf 30 and is stocked on the pod shelf 30. Next, the pod 26 stacked on the pod shelf 30 is transferred to the pod opener 32 by the pod transfer device 28, the lid of the pod 26 is opened by the pod opener 32, and the number of substrates accommodated in the pod 26 is detected by the substrate-number detector 34.
  • Next, the substrate carrying device 36 takes the substrates out from the pod 26 located at the position of the pod opener 32, and moves the pod 26 to the notch aligner 38. In the notch aligner 38, notches of the substrates are detected while rotating the substrates, and the plurality of substrates are aligned to the same position based on the detected information. Next, the substrate carrying device 36 takes the substrates out from the notch aligner 38 and moves them to the substrate supporting body 40.
  • If the one batch of substrates is moved to the substrate supporting body 40 in this manner, the substrate supporting body 40 in which the plurality of substrates are accommodated is loaded into the reaction furnace 50 whose temperature is set to a predetermined value, and the reaction tube 52 is tightly closed by the seal cap 54. Next, reaction gas is supplied into the reaction tube 52 from the gas introducing tube 58. Then, the substrates are processed in accordance with preset temperature rising and lowering program while monitoring a temperature in the reaction tube 52.
  • If the substrate processing is completed, the temperature is lowered to a predetermined value and then, the substrate supporting body 40 is unloaded from the reaction furnace 50, and the substrate supporting body 40 is brought into a standby state at a predetermined position until all of the substrates supported by the substrate supporting body 40 are cooled. Next, if the substrates of the standby substrate supporting body 40 are cooled to a predetermined temperature, the substrate carrying device 36 takes the substrates out from the substrate supporting body 40, and transfers the substrates to an empty pod 26 which is set to the pod opener 32. Next, the transfer device 28 transfers the pod 26 holding the substrates therein to the pod shelf 30 and further transfers the pod 26 to the pod stage 24 and the operation is completed.
  • FIG. 3 shows a gas system of the above-described substrate processing apparatus.
  • A first storage tank 68 storing N2 gas for purging is connected to the reaction tube 52 through a first manual valve 70, a first open/close valve 72, first flow-rate control valve 74, the second open/close valve 76 and the gas introducing tube 58. A second storage tank 78 storing cleaning gas is connected to the reaction tube 52 through a second manual valve 80, a third open/close valve 82, a second flow-rate control valve 84, a fourth open/close valve 86 and the gas introducing tube 58. A third storage tank 88 storing first reaction gas is connected to the reaction tube 52 through a third manual valve 90, a fifth open/close valve 92, a third flow-rate control valve 94, a sixth open/close valve 96 and the gas introducing tube 58. A third storage tank 98 storing second reaction gas is connected to the reaction tube 52 through a fourth manual valve 100, a seventh open/close valve 102, a fourth flow-rate control valve 104, an eighth open/close valve 106 and the gas introducing tube 58.
  • The gas exhausting tube 60 having the closing member 66 is connected to a dry pump 108. The reaction tube 52 is evacuated by the operation of the dry pump 108.
  • A controller (control section) 110 comprises a computer for example, and controls the opening and closing operations of the open/ close valves 72, 76, 82, 86, 92, 96, 102 and 106, the flow rates of the flow- rate control valves 74, 84, 94 and 104, electric power to the heater 56, opening of the closing member 66, the actuation of the dry pump 108, and the like.
  • Next, the cleaning operation will be explained.
  • If the processing of several batches of substrates is repeated several times in the above-described manner, reaction by-product is deposited in a reaction space, e.g., on an inner wall of the reaction tube 52, the deposited by-product is peeled off with time, and this becomes particles, and there is a problem that the particles attached onto the substrate and deteriorate the yield.
  • Therefore, it is necessary to clean the reaction space periodically. In this embodiment, etching gas (e.g., NF3 gas) is supplied as the cleaning gas, thereby carrying out self-cleaning in the reaction space. Although the cleaning operation is not shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning is carried out in a state in which the substrate supporting body is inserted into the reaction tube 52, and the by-product deposited on the substrate supporting body is also removed.
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the control operation in cleaning steps of the controller 110. FIG. 5 shows a time chart in the control operation example.
  • First, in step S10, the closing member 66 is closed in a state in which a pressure in the reaction tube 52 is set to a base pressure. In step S12, the fourth open/close valve 86 is opened. In step S14, a flow rate of the second flow-rate control valve 84 is set to a first set value. This first set value is 1.5 slm for example. In step S16, the third open/close valve 82 is opened and the supply of etching gas is started (t0 in FIG. 5). With this, a pressure in the reaction tube 52 gradually rises. This state is maintained for time t1, and the pressure in the reaction tube 52 when the time t1 is elapsed reaches p1. The time t1 is 25 seconds for example, and the p1 is 10 Torr for example. If the time t1 is elapsed, in next step S18, the flow rate of the second flow-rate control valve 84 is set to a second set value. The second set value is 0.25 slm for example. With this, the pressure in the reaction tube 52 is increased from p1 to p2 or maintained at p1. In this embodiment, the p2 is 10 Torr and is equal to the p1. This state is maintained for time t2. The time t2 is 65 seconds for example.
  • If the flow rate of the second flow-rate control valve 84 is reduced from the first set value (e.g., 1.5 slm) to the second set value (e.g., 0.25 slm), the following effects can be obtained.
  • (a) By supplying the etching gas with the first set value which is higher than the second set value, the pressure can be quickly increased to such a value that effective etching speed can be obtained.
  • (b) By supplying the etching gas with the second set value which is lower than the first set value, concentration of the etching gas in the vicinity of the holes 64 of the gas nozzle 62 can be reduced, and the uniformity of the etching gas in the reaction tube can be enhanced.
  • (c) By supplying the etching gas with the second set value which is lower than the first set value, it is possible to add etching gas to supplement the etching gas consumed by the etching, and to prevent a partial pressure of the etching gas caused by the etching from being lowered. In a state in which a pressure in the reaction tube becomes p2, this state may be maintained for time t4. The time t4 is 45 seconds for example.
  • The procedure up to here is a first stage. The etching gas is allowed to flow into the reaction tube 52 from the large number of holes 64 through the gas nozzle 62 extending from the gas introducing tube 58 in the longitudinal direction of the reaction tube 52. In this state, if the closing member 66 of the gas exhausting tube 60 is closed, the gas fills in the reaction tube 52 and is contained therein.
  • With this, a deviated flow of etching gas 112 toward the gas exhausting tube 60 is moderated, the etching gas is diffused in the reaction tube 52 entirely, and the partial pressure of the etching gas 112 in the reaction tube 52 becomes uniform.
  • In FIG. 2, a reference number 114 shows a diffusing state of the etching gas 112 after it is supplied into the reaction tube 52. A reference number 116 shows a phantom region where the etching gas 112 is entirely diffused in the reaction tube 52 uniformly.
  • Concerning the variation in partial pressure of the etching gas in upstream and downstream of the gas by consumption of the etching gas 112 and product gas by the etching, the partial pressure of the etching gas becomes uniform by the etching gas and the diffusion of the product gas by the etching gas.
  • That is, removal of the reaction by-product deposited on the inner wall of the reaction tube 52 can be expressed by the following principle. Si3N4 which is the reaction by-product (solid state) and 4NF3 which is the etching gas are reacted with each other and product gas of the Si3N4 and 4NF3 is produced, thereby removing the reaction by-product.
  • A temperature in the reaction tube 52 during this is maintained at 630° C.
  • When there exists a gas flow in the reaction tube as in the conventional technique, in an upstream portion of the gas flow, NF3 is consumed but the Si3N4 and 4NF3 exist excessively, and the partial pressures of the etching gas are different in the upstream portion and downstream portion of the gas flow.
  • If the gas flow is not formed and the gas is contained as in the embodiment of the present invention, however, since the NF3, SiF4 and N2 are prone to be diffused, the partial pressures thereof become equal, and uniform etching gas can be supplied into the reaction tube 52. With this, uniform cleaning can be carried out.
  • Since gas is not exhausted during the supply of etching gas in the first stage, although the pressure in the reaction tube 52 rises, the etching speed is also increased by this pressure rise.
  • If time t2 is elapsed after the second flow-rate control valve 84 is set to the second set value in step S18 as described above, the procedure is proceeded to step S20. The third open/close valve 82 is closed in step S20, the fourth open/close valve 86 is closed in step S22, and the closing member 66 is opened in step S24. With this, the etching gas in the reaction tube 52 is exhausted through the gas exhausting tube 60, and a pressure in the reaction tube 52 is abruptly reduced to the base pressure.
  • The procedure up to here is a second stage. The etching gas and the product gas are exhausted.
  • In step S26, it is judged whether the processes of the first and second stages are repeated predetermined times. If it is judged in step S26 that the processes are repeated the predetermined times, the procedure is proceeded to a next process (substrate processing). On the other hand, if it is judged in step S26 that the processes are not repeated the predetermined times, the procedure is returned to step S10, and the processes of the first and second stages are executed repeatedly. In step S22, time t3 is elapsed after the closing member 66 is opened, and the etching gas and the product gas in the reaction tube 52 are sufficiently exhausted, and the closing member 66 is closed in the next cycle. This time t3 is four seconds for example.
  • As described above, uniform cleaning can be carried out by dividing the cleaning step in the reaction tube 52 into the first stage and the second stage and carrying out the stages, but if it is desired to further enhance the cleaning efficiency, more uniform etching with no remainder of etching can be carried out by repeating the first and second stages at least two times or more.
  • According to the cleaning method provided by the embodiment of this invention, the uniform cleaning in the reaction tube can be carried out.
  • If a substrate processing apparatus in which the interior of the reaction tube is self-cleaned in the cleaning step is used, it is possible to produce a high quality semiconductor device.
  • The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made.
  • That is, it is unnecessary to completely stop the exhaust of gas in the first stage, and the etching gas may be supplied while exhausting the etching gas only if the exhausting amount is set to such a degree that the flow of etching gas supplied into the reaction tube does not become nonuniform and the uniform diffusion of gas is not affected.
  • If the first stage is again carried out when the second stage is carried out or after the second stage is carried out, etching gas may slightly be supplied instead of completely stopping the supply of the etching gas. If the first stage is not carried out again after the second stage, it is preferable that the supply of the etching gas is completely stopped and the gas is exhausted because the gas (etching gas) is not remained for the next processing.
  • As described, only if the cleaning gas is uniformly diffused in the reaction tube at the time of the first stage, this method can variously be modified.
  • FIG. 6 shows another embodiment. This other embodiment is different from the previous embodiment in the following point. That is, the closing member is closed and exhausting operation of gas is stopped before the start of supply of cleaning gas in the previous embodiment, but the closing member is closed and exhausting operation of gas is stopped after the start of supply of cleaning gas in this other embodiment.
  • That is, in this embodiment, steps S12, S14 and S16 are first executed, and cleaning gas is supplied to the reaction tube. Then, after predetermined time is elapsed, step S10 is executed and the exhausting operation is stopped. In this predetermined time, time required for closing the closing member and time required for easily diffuing cleaning gas into the reaction tube substantially entirely are taken into consideration. For example, if time required for closing the closing member is two seconds and time required for easily diffusing cleaning gas into the reaction tube substantially entirely are taken into consideration is five second, the total is seven seconds, and it is preferable that the exhausting operation is stopped within the seven seconds. A reason why a margin of five seconds is required is that since the exhausting operation is stopped after a flow of gas is produced in the reaction tube, if a distance between a supply port (e.g., outlet of the fourth open/close valve 86) of gas and an exhaust port (inlet of the gas exhausting tube 60) is long and the path is complicated, it is possible to allow the cleaning gas to reach the reaction tube quickly.
  • In the explanation of the above embodiments, the substrate processing apparatus is described as a batch type apparatus which processes a plurality of substrates, but the substrate processing apparatus is not limited to this, and a single substrate-feeding type apparatus may also be employed.
  • The entire disclosures of Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-92733 filed on Mar. 28, 2002 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-366250 filed on Dec. 18, 2002 including specifications, claims, drawings and abstracts are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
  • Although various exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. Therefore, the scope of the invention is intended to be limited solely by the scope of the claims that follow.

Claims (9)

What is claimed is:
1. A cleaning method, comprising:
performing a first stage and a second stage at least one cycle, the first stage being a stage wherein a cleaning gas is supplied until a pressure in a reaction chamber becomes 10 Torr or more, with exhaustion from the reaction chamber being completely stopped or the reaction chamber being exhausted at an exhausting rate that does not affect a uniform diffusion of the cleaning gas in the reaction chamber from a predetermined point of time before the cleaning gas is supplied into the reaction chamber to a point of time when several seconds are elapsed after starting of the supply of the cleaning gas into the reaction chamber, and the second stage being a stage wherein an inside of the reaction chamber is exhausted to reduce the pressure in the reaction chamber.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein
the first stage and the second stage are repeated at least two cycles.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein
in the second stage, the inside of the reaction chamber is exhausted to a base pressure.
4. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, comprising:
processing a substrate to form a film on the substrate: and
performing a first stage and a second stage at least one cycle, the first stage being a stage wherein a cleaning gas is supplied until a pressure in a reaction chamber becomes 10 Torr or more, with exhaustion from the reaction chamber being completely stopped or the reaction chamber being exhausted at an exhausting rate that does not affect a uniform diffusion of the cleaning gas in the reaction chamber from a predetermined point of time before the cleaning gas is supplied into the reaction chamber to a point of time when several seconds are elapsed after starting of the supply of the cleaning gas into the reaction chamber, and the second stage being a stage wherein an inside of the reaction chamber is exhausted to reduce the pressure in the reaction chamber.
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein
the first stage and the second stage are repeated at least two cycles.
6. The method according to claim 4, wherein
in the second stage, the inside of the reaction chamber is exhausted to a base pressure.
7. A substrate processing apparatus, comprising:
a gas introduce pipe that includes a flow-rate control valve and that supplies a cleaning gas into a reaction chamber;
a gas exhaust pipe that includes a closing member and that exhausts an inside of the reaction chamber; and
a controller that is configured to control at least the flow-rate control valve and the closing member such that a first stage and a second stage are performed at least one cycle, the first stage being a stage wherein the cleaning gas is supplied until a pressure in the reaction chamber becomes 1.0 Torr or more, with exhaustion from the reaction chamber being completely stopped or the reaction chamber being exhausted at an exhausting rate that does not affect a uniform diffusion of the cleaning gas in the reaction chamber from a predetermined point of time before the cleaning gas is supplied into the reaction chamber to a point of time when several seconds are elapsed after starting of the supply of the cleaning gas into the reaction chamber, and the second stage being a stage wherein the inside of the reaction chamber is exhausted to reduce the pressure in the reaction chamber.
8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein
the controller is configured to control at least the flow-rate control valve and the closing member such that the first stage and the second stage are repeated at least two cycles.
9. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein
the controller is configured to control at least the flow-rate control valve and the closing member such that in the second stage, the inside of the reaction tube is exhausted to a base pressure.
US13/750,745 2002-03-28 2013-01-25 Substrate processing apparatus Abandoned US20130133696A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13/750,745 US20130133696A1 (en) 2002-03-28 2013-01-25 Substrate processing apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (10)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2002092733 2002-03-28
JP2002-092733 2002-03-28
JP2002366250A JP3985899B2 (en) 2002-03-28 2002-12-18 Substrate processing equipment
JP2002-366250 2002-12-18
US10/400,577 US20030221779A1 (en) 2002-03-28 2003-03-28 Substrate processing apparatus
US11/271,900 US20060060142A1 (en) 2002-03-28 2005-11-14 Substrate processing apparatus
US12/404,932 US20090178694A1 (en) 2002-03-28 2009-03-16 Substrate processing apparatus
US12/954,369 US8211802B2 (en) 2002-03-28 2010-11-24 Substrate processing apparatus
US13/489,018 US8366868B2 (en) 2002-03-28 2012-06-05 Substrate processing apparatus
US13/750,745 US20130133696A1 (en) 2002-03-28 2013-01-25 Substrate processing apparatus

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US13/489,018 Division US8366868B2 (en) 2002-03-28 2012-06-05 Substrate processing apparatus

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20130133696A1 true US20130133696A1 (en) 2013-05-30

Family

ID=29585950

Family Applications (6)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/400,577 Abandoned US20030221779A1 (en) 2002-03-28 2003-03-28 Substrate processing apparatus
US11/271,900 Abandoned US20060060142A1 (en) 2002-03-28 2005-11-14 Substrate processing apparatus
US12/404,932 Abandoned US20090178694A1 (en) 2002-03-28 2009-03-16 Substrate processing apparatus
US12/954,369 Expired - Lifetime US8211802B2 (en) 2002-03-28 2010-11-24 Substrate processing apparatus
US13/489,018 Expired - Lifetime US8366868B2 (en) 2002-03-28 2012-06-05 Substrate processing apparatus
US13/750,745 Abandoned US20130133696A1 (en) 2002-03-28 2013-01-25 Substrate processing apparatus

Family Applications Before (5)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/400,577 Abandoned US20030221779A1 (en) 2002-03-28 2003-03-28 Substrate processing apparatus
US11/271,900 Abandoned US20060060142A1 (en) 2002-03-28 2005-11-14 Substrate processing apparatus
US12/404,932 Abandoned US20090178694A1 (en) 2002-03-28 2009-03-16 Substrate processing apparatus
US12/954,369 Expired - Lifetime US8211802B2 (en) 2002-03-28 2010-11-24 Substrate processing apparatus
US13/489,018 Expired - Lifetime US8366868B2 (en) 2002-03-28 2012-06-05 Substrate processing apparatus

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (6) US20030221779A1 (en)
JP (1) JP3985899B2 (en)
KR (1) KR100802212B1 (en)
TW (1) TW591690B (en)

Families Citing this family (35)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP3985899B2 (en) * 2002-03-28 2007-10-03 株式会社日立国際電気 Substrate processing equipment
JP4948490B2 (en) * 2002-03-28 2012-06-06 株式会社日立国際電気 Cleaning method and substrate processing apparatus
JP4526540B2 (en) * 2004-12-28 2010-08-18 株式会社日立国際電気 Substrate processing apparatus and substrate processing method
WO2006087893A1 (en) * 2005-02-17 2006-08-24 Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc. Substrate processing method and substrate processing apparatus
JP4943047B2 (en) * 2006-04-07 2012-05-30 東京エレクトロン株式会社 Processing apparatus and processing method
US8235001B2 (en) * 2007-04-02 2012-08-07 Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc. Substrate processing apparatus and method for manufacturing semiconductor device
US20090004877A1 (en) * 2007-06-28 2009-01-01 Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc. Substrate processing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method
JP5372353B2 (en) * 2007-09-25 2013-12-18 株式会社フジキン Gas supply equipment for semiconductor manufacturing equipment
JP4994197B2 (en) 2007-11-16 2012-08-08 株式会社日立国際電気 Semiconductor device manufacturing method and substrate processing apparatus
JP5237133B2 (en) * 2008-02-20 2013-07-17 株式会社日立国際電気 Substrate processing equipment
JP5457654B2 (en) * 2008-09-17 2014-04-02 株式会社日立国際電気 Semiconductor device manufacturing method and heat treatment furnace cleaning method
JP5520552B2 (en) * 2009-09-11 2014-06-11 株式会社日立国際電気 Semiconductor device manufacturing method and substrate processing apparatus
JP5085752B2 (en) 2010-03-24 2012-11-28 株式会社東芝 Semiconductor manufacturing apparatus cleaning method, semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, and management system
KR20140022717A (en) * 2010-08-25 2014-02-25 린데 악티엔게젤샤프트 Chemical vapor deposition chamber cleaning with molecular fluorine
US20130025786A1 (en) * 2011-07-28 2013-01-31 Vladislav Davidkovich Systems for and methods of controlling time-multiplexed deep reactive-ion etching processes
JP5356552B2 (en) * 2012-01-30 2013-12-04 株式会社日立国際電気 Cleaning method, semiconductor device manufacturing method, and substrate processing apparatus
WO2013141370A1 (en) 2012-03-22 2013-09-26 株式会社日立国際電気 Method for manufacturing semiconductor device, method for processing substrate, substrate processing device and recording medium
KR101965256B1 (en) * 2012-10-17 2019-04-04 삼성디스플레이 주식회사 Organic light emitting display device and the manufacturing method thereof
JP6017396B2 (en) * 2012-12-18 2016-11-02 東京エレクトロン株式会社 Thin film forming method and thin film forming apparatus
JP6107327B2 (en) * 2013-03-29 2017-04-05 東京エレクトロン株式会社 Film forming apparatus, gas supply apparatus, and film forming method
US9246133B2 (en) * 2013-04-12 2016-01-26 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Light-emitting module, light-emitting panel, and light-emitting device
USD748594S1 (en) * 2014-03-12 2016-02-02 Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc. Reaction tube
USD742339S1 (en) * 2014-03-12 2015-11-03 Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc. Reaction tube
CN103894380A (en) * 2014-03-24 2014-07-02 上海华力微电子有限公司 Vertical cleaning machine with cleaning gun
JP5968996B2 (en) * 2014-12-18 2016-08-10 株式会社日立国際電気 Substrate processing apparatus, semiconductor device manufacturing method, and program
US10100407B2 (en) * 2014-12-19 2018-10-16 Lam Research Corporation Hardware and process for film uniformity improvement
JP1535455S (en) * 2015-02-25 2015-10-19
JP1546512S (en) * 2015-09-04 2016-03-22
JP1548462S (en) * 2015-09-04 2016-04-25
JP6823385B2 (en) * 2016-05-30 2021-02-03 株式会社日立製作所 Deposit collection device and inspection system
JP1605460S (en) * 2017-08-09 2021-05-31
JP1605461S (en) * 2017-08-10 2021-05-31
JP1644260S (en) * 2019-03-20 2019-10-28
USD931823S1 (en) * 2020-01-29 2021-09-28 Kokusai Electric Corporation Reaction tube
CN113314439B (en) * 2021-04-27 2023-11-28 长江存储科技有限责任公司 Wet etching device and method

Citations (81)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3840312A (en) * 1973-04-11 1974-10-08 Control Process Inc Dynamic pressure control system
US4364413A (en) * 1981-01-07 1982-12-21 The Perkin-Elmer Corporation Molar gas-flow controller
US4783320A (en) * 1985-11-25 1988-11-08 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force Rapid synthesis of indium phosphide
US4783343A (en) * 1986-05-21 1988-11-08 Clarion Co., Ltd. Method for supplying metal organic gas and an apparatus for realizing same
US4849143A (en) * 1986-11-17 1989-07-18 Battenfeld Gmbh Method of injection molding of thermoplastic materials using the optimum injection flow rate pattern
US5091207A (en) * 1989-07-20 1992-02-25 Fujitsu Limited Process and apparatus for chemical vapor deposition
US5188258A (en) * 1990-04-07 1993-02-23 Iwashita Engineering, Ltd. Apparatus reponsive to pressure of a medium which effects fluid discharge for controlling the pressure of the medium and the time the medium acts on the fluid
US5220515A (en) * 1991-04-22 1993-06-15 Applied Materials, Inc. Flow verification for process gas in a wafer processing system apparatus and method
US5246500A (en) * 1991-09-05 1993-09-21 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Vapor phase epitaxial growth apparatus
US5314541A (en) * 1991-05-28 1994-05-24 Tokyo Electron Limited Reduced pressure processing system and reduced pressure processing method
US5368685A (en) * 1992-03-24 1994-11-29 Hitachi, Ltd. Dry etching apparatus and method
US5380396A (en) * 1991-05-30 1995-01-10 Hitachi, Ltd. Valve and semiconductor fabricating equipment using the same
US5460654A (en) * 1992-07-01 1995-10-24 Fujitsu Limited Apparatus for generating raw material gas used in apparatus for growing thin film
US5516366A (en) * 1993-10-13 1996-05-14 Kabushiki-Kaisha Motoyama Seisakusho Supply control system for semiconductor process gasses
US5565038A (en) * 1991-05-16 1996-10-15 Intel Corporation Interhalogen cleaning of process equipment
US5584963A (en) * 1993-05-18 1996-12-17 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and cleaning method for the apparatus
US5685912A (en) * 1995-06-20 1997-11-11 Sony Corporation Pressure control system for semiconductor manufacturing equipment
US5728222A (en) * 1994-09-30 1998-03-17 International Business Machines Corporation Apparatus for chemical vapor deposition of aluminum oxide
US5750436A (en) * 1993-07-03 1998-05-12 Tokyo Electron Kabushiki Kaisha Thermal processing method and apparatus therefor
US5777300A (en) * 1993-11-19 1998-07-07 Tokyo Electron Kabushiki Kaisha Processing furnace for oxidizing objects
US5873942A (en) * 1996-08-08 1999-02-23 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Apparatus and method for low pressure chemical vapor deposition using multiple chambers and vacuum pumps
US5902403A (en) * 1995-11-28 1999-05-11 Applied Materials, Inc. Method and apparatus for cleaning a chamber
US5902494A (en) * 1996-02-09 1999-05-11 Applied Materials, Inc. Method and apparatus for reducing particle generation by limiting DC bias spike
US5913978A (en) * 1995-04-20 1999-06-22 Tokyo Electron Ltd. Apparatus and method for regulating pressure in two chambers
US5935336A (en) * 1996-04-02 1999-08-10 Micron Technology, Inc. Apparatus to increase gas residence time in a reactor
US5966499A (en) * 1997-07-28 1999-10-12 Mks Instruments, Inc. System for delivering a substantially constant vapor flow to a chemical process reactor
US6012509A (en) * 1996-06-04 2000-01-11 Tokyo Electron Limited Mechanism and method for holding a substrate on a substrate stage of a substrate treatment apparatus
US6022483A (en) * 1998-03-10 2000-02-08 Intergrated Systems, Inc. System and method for controlling pressure
US6086678A (en) * 1999-03-04 2000-07-11 Memc Electronic Materials, Inc. Pressure equalization system for chemical vapor deposition reactors
US6111225A (en) * 1996-02-23 2000-08-29 Tokyo Electron Limited Wafer processing apparatus with a processing vessel, upper and lower separately sealed heating vessels, and means for maintaining the vessels at predetermined pressures
US6149984A (en) * 1995-10-15 2000-11-21 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory, Inc. Laser irradiation method
US6171104B1 (en) * 1998-08-10 2001-01-09 Tokyo Electron Limited Oxidation treatment method and apparatus
US6228170B1 (en) * 1997-12-16 2001-05-08 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd. Method and apparatus for regulating chamber pressure
US20010000866A1 (en) * 1999-03-11 2001-05-10 Ofer Sneh Apparatus and concept for minimizing parasitic chemical vapor deposition during atomic layer deposition
US6273954B2 (en) * 1998-09-03 2001-08-14 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha System for manufacturing a semiconductor device
US20010016364A1 (en) * 1998-04-14 2001-08-23 James F. Loan Film processing system
US6287980B1 (en) * 1999-04-22 2001-09-11 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Plasma processing method and plasma processing apparatus
US20010022215A1 (en) * 1996-02-16 2001-09-20 Donohoe Kevin G. Apparatus and method for improving uniformity in batch processing of semiconductor wafers
US6319324B1 (en) * 1997-05-05 2001-11-20 Applied Materials, Inc. Method and apparatus for elimination of TEOS/ozone silicon oxide surface sensitivity
US20020000195A1 (en) * 2000-04-10 2002-01-03 Won Bang Concentration profile on demand gas delivery system (individual divert delivery system)
US20020022379A1 (en) * 2000-07-19 2002-02-21 Hiroaki Ashizawa Single-substrate-heat-processing apparatus and method for semiconductor process
US6383300B1 (en) * 1998-11-27 2002-05-07 Tokyo Electron Ltd. Heat treatment apparatus and cleaning method of the same
US20020192369A1 (en) * 2000-10-24 2002-12-19 Masahiro Morimoto Vapor deposition method and apparatus
US6503330B1 (en) * 1999-12-22 2003-01-07 Genus, Inc. Apparatus and method to achieve continuous interface and ultrathin film during atomic layer deposition
US20030036272A1 (en) * 2000-06-13 2003-02-20 Applied Materials, Inc. Semiconductor device fabrication chamber cleaning method and apparatus with recirculation of cleaning gas
US6524650B1 (en) * 1997-03-21 2003-02-25 Kokusai Electric Co., Ltd. Substrate processing apparatus and method
US6540838B2 (en) * 2000-11-29 2003-04-01 Genus, Inc. Apparatus and concept for minimizing parasitic chemical vapor deposition during atomic layer deposition
US20030070617A1 (en) * 2001-10-11 2003-04-17 Yong-Il Kim Atomic layer deposition apparatus and process using remote plasma
US20030101931A1 (en) * 2000-10-31 2003-06-05 Nordson Corporation Control system for metering pump and method
US20030131792A1 (en) * 2002-01-17 2003-07-17 Jin-Jun Park Pressure control apparatus and method of establshing a desired level of pressure within at least one processing chamber
US6629009B1 (en) * 1999-03-15 2003-09-30 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Management system for semiconductor fabrication device
US20030215573A1 (en) * 2002-05-20 2003-11-20 Takahiro Nishibayashi Film forming apparatus and film forming method
US6782348B2 (en) * 2001-03-27 2004-08-24 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Apparatus for diagnosing failure in equipment using signals relating to the equipment
US6814572B2 (en) * 2001-03-30 2004-11-09 Tokyo Electron Limited Heat treating method and heat treating device
US20040244837A1 (en) * 2001-10-18 2004-12-09 Tokuhide Nawata Pulse shot flow regulator and pulse shot flow regulating method
US6881295B2 (en) * 2000-03-28 2005-04-19 Nec Electronics Corporation Air-tight vessel equipped with gas feeder uniformly supplying gaseous component around plural wafers
US20050081786A1 (en) * 2003-10-15 2005-04-21 Kubista David J. Systems for depositing material onto workpieces in reaction chambers and methods for removing byproducts from reaction chambers
US20050126483A1 (en) * 2003-09-30 2005-06-16 Marcel Tognetti Arrangement for depositing atomic layers on substrates
US20050145333A1 (en) * 2002-01-17 2005-07-07 Tokyo Electron Limited Processing device and processing method
US20050160983A1 (en) * 2002-01-17 2005-07-28 Sundew Technologies, Llc ALD apparatus and method
US20050199342A1 (en) * 2004-03-09 2005-09-15 Ali Shajii Semiconductor manufacturing gas flow divider system and method
US20050223979A1 (en) * 2004-04-12 2005-10-13 Ali Shajii Pulsed mass flow delivery system and method
US20050249876A1 (en) * 2004-05-06 2005-11-10 Semiconductor Leading Edge Technologies, Inc. Film forming apparatus and method
US20050282365A1 (en) * 2004-06-21 2005-12-22 Kazuhide Hasebe Film formation apparatus and method for semiconductor process
US20060115957A1 (en) * 2003-09-17 2006-06-01 Cem Basceri Microfeature workpiece processing apparatus and methods for controlling deposition of materials on microfeature workpieces
US20060130744A1 (en) * 2004-12-17 2006-06-22 Clark William R Pulsed mass flow delivery system and method
US20060165873A1 (en) * 2005-01-25 2006-07-27 Micron Technology, Inc. Plasma detection and associated systems and methods for controlling microfeature workpiece deposition processes
US20060205187A1 (en) * 2003-08-28 2006-09-14 Micron Technology, Inc. Methods and apparatus for processing microfeature workpieces, e.g., for depositing materials on microfeature workpieces
US7156923B2 (en) * 2001-02-07 2007-01-02 Tokyo Electron Limited Silicon nitride film forming method, silicon nitride film forming system and silicon nitride film forming system precleaning method
US7258892B2 (en) * 2003-12-10 2007-08-21 Micron Technology, Inc. Methods and systems for controlling temperature during microfeature workpiece processing, e.g., CVD deposition
US7344755B2 (en) * 2003-08-21 2008-03-18 Micron Technology, Inc. Methods and apparatus for processing microfeature workpieces; methods for conditioning ALD reaction chambers
US7387685B2 (en) * 2002-07-08 2008-06-17 Micron Technology, Inc. Apparatus and method for depositing materials onto microelectronic workpieces
US7412986B2 (en) * 2004-07-09 2008-08-19 Celerity, Inc. Method and system for flow measurement and validation of a mass flow controller
US20080264337A1 (en) * 2007-04-02 2008-10-30 Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc. Substrate processing apparatus and method for manufacturing semiconductor device
US7481887B2 (en) * 2002-05-24 2009-01-27 Micron Technology, Inc. Apparatus for controlling gas pulsing in processes for depositing materials onto micro-device workpieces
US20090130829A1 (en) * 2007-05-27 2009-05-21 Hitachi-Kokusai Electric Inc. Manufacturing method of semiconductor device and substrate processing apparatus
US20090178694A1 (en) * 2002-03-28 2009-07-16 Kazuyuki Okuda Substrate processing apparatus
US7674724B2 (en) * 2004-02-17 2010-03-09 Tokyo Electron Limited Oxidizing method and oxidizing unit for object to be processed
US20100192855A1 (en) * 2005-03-08 2010-08-05 Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc. Manufacturing method of a semiconductor device, and substrate processing apparatus
US7775508B2 (en) * 2006-10-31 2010-08-17 Applied Materials, Inc. Ampoule for liquid draw and vapor draw with a continuous level sensor
US7775236B2 (en) * 2007-02-26 2010-08-17 Applied Materials, Inc. Method and apparatus for controlling gas flow to a processing chamber

Family Cites Families (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS6117151A (en) * 1984-07-03 1986-01-25 Minolta Camera Co Ltd Plasma cvd device
JPS6370428A (en) 1986-09-11 1988-03-30 Anelva Corp Plasma treating apparatus
JP2773078B2 (en) 1988-03-11 1998-07-09 東京エレクトロン株式会社 Processing apparatus and cleaning method thereof
JPH0265233A (en) * 1988-08-31 1990-03-05 Nec Yamagata Ltd Device for removing moisture of semiconductor wafer
US5380370A (en) * 1993-04-30 1995-01-10 Tokyo Electron Limited Method of cleaning reaction tube
US5616208A (en) * 1993-09-17 1997-04-01 Tokyo Electron Limited Vacuum processing apparatus, vacuum processing method, and method for cleaning the vacuum processing apparatus
JPH07130704A (en) 1993-10-22 1995-05-19 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Apparatus and method of plasma treatment
JP3386651B2 (en) 1996-04-03 2003-03-17 株式会社東芝 Semiconductor device manufacturing method and semiconductor manufacturing apparatus
JPH10280151A (en) 1997-04-08 1998-10-20 Fujitsu Ltd Cleaning of cvd system
JP4426671B2 (en) 1998-11-27 2010-03-03 東京エレクトロン株式会社 Heat treatment apparatus and cleaning method thereof
JP2000328248A (en) 1999-05-12 2000-11-28 Nissin Electric Co Ltd Method for cleaning thin film forming apparatus and thin film forming apparatus
JP2001250818A (en) 1999-12-28 2001-09-14 Tokyo Electron Ltd Oxidization system and its cleaning method
JP4663059B2 (en) 2000-03-10 2011-03-30 東京エレクトロン株式会社 Processing device cleaning method
US6453913B2 (en) * 2000-04-27 2002-09-24 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Method of cleaning a film deposition apparatus, method of dry etching a film deposition apparatus, and an article production method including a process based on the cleaning or dry etching method
KR100444149B1 (en) * 2000-07-22 2004-08-09 주식회사 아이피에스 ALD thin film depositin equipment cleaning method
US20040118436A1 (en) * 2002-12-21 2004-06-24 Joyce James M. Method and apparatus for thermal gas purging
JP4994197B2 (en) * 2007-11-16 2012-08-08 株式会社日立国際電気 Semiconductor device manufacturing method and substrate processing apparatus

Patent Citations (99)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3840312A (en) * 1973-04-11 1974-10-08 Control Process Inc Dynamic pressure control system
US4364413A (en) * 1981-01-07 1982-12-21 The Perkin-Elmer Corporation Molar gas-flow controller
US4783320A (en) * 1985-11-25 1988-11-08 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force Rapid synthesis of indium phosphide
US4783343A (en) * 1986-05-21 1988-11-08 Clarion Co., Ltd. Method for supplying metal organic gas and an apparatus for realizing same
US4849143A (en) * 1986-11-17 1989-07-18 Battenfeld Gmbh Method of injection molding of thermoplastic materials using the optimum injection flow rate pattern
US5091207A (en) * 1989-07-20 1992-02-25 Fujitsu Limited Process and apparatus for chemical vapor deposition
US5188258A (en) * 1990-04-07 1993-02-23 Iwashita Engineering, Ltd. Apparatus reponsive to pressure of a medium which effects fluid discharge for controlling the pressure of the medium and the time the medium acts on the fluid
US5220515A (en) * 1991-04-22 1993-06-15 Applied Materials, Inc. Flow verification for process gas in a wafer processing system apparatus and method
US5565038A (en) * 1991-05-16 1996-10-15 Intel Corporation Interhalogen cleaning of process equipment
US5314541A (en) * 1991-05-28 1994-05-24 Tokyo Electron Limited Reduced pressure processing system and reduced pressure processing method
US5380396A (en) * 1991-05-30 1995-01-10 Hitachi, Ltd. Valve and semiconductor fabricating equipment using the same
US5246500A (en) * 1991-09-05 1993-09-21 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Vapor phase epitaxial growth apparatus
US5368685A (en) * 1992-03-24 1994-11-29 Hitachi, Ltd. Dry etching apparatus and method
US5460654A (en) * 1992-07-01 1995-10-24 Fujitsu Limited Apparatus for generating raw material gas used in apparatus for growing thin film
US5584963A (en) * 1993-05-18 1996-12-17 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and cleaning method for the apparatus
US5750436A (en) * 1993-07-03 1998-05-12 Tokyo Electron Kabushiki Kaisha Thermal processing method and apparatus therefor
US5516366A (en) * 1993-10-13 1996-05-14 Kabushiki-Kaisha Motoyama Seisakusho Supply control system for semiconductor process gasses
US5777300A (en) * 1993-11-19 1998-07-07 Tokyo Electron Kabushiki Kaisha Processing furnace for oxidizing objects
US5728222A (en) * 1994-09-30 1998-03-17 International Business Machines Corporation Apparatus for chemical vapor deposition of aluminum oxide
US5913978A (en) * 1995-04-20 1999-06-22 Tokyo Electron Ltd. Apparatus and method for regulating pressure in two chambers
US5685912A (en) * 1995-06-20 1997-11-11 Sony Corporation Pressure control system for semiconductor manufacturing equipment
US6149984A (en) * 1995-10-15 2000-11-21 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory, Inc. Laser irradiation method
US5902403A (en) * 1995-11-28 1999-05-11 Applied Materials, Inc. Method and apparatus for cleaning a chamber
US5902494A (en) * 1996-02-09 1999-05-11 Applied Materials, Inc. Method and apparatus for reducing particle generation by limiting DC bias spike
US6315859B1 (en) * 1996-02-16 2001-11-13 Micron Technology, Inc. Apparatus and method for improving uniformity in batch processing of semiconductor wafers
US20010022215A1 (en) * 1996-02-16 2001-09-20 Donohoe Kevin G. Apparatus and method for improving uniformity in batch processing of semiconductor wafers
US6111225A (en) * 1996-02-23 2000-08-29 Tokyo Electron Limited Wafer processing apparatus with a processing vessel, upper and lower separately sealed heating vessels, and means for maintaining the vessels at predetermined pressures
US5935336A (en) * 1996-04-02 1999-08-10 Micron Technology, Inc. Apparatus to increase gas residence time in a reactor
US6012509A (en) * 1996-06-04 2000-01-11 Tokyo Electron Limited Mechanism and method for holding a substrate on a substrate stage of a substrate treatment apparatus
US5873942A (en) * 1996-08-08 1999-02-23 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Apparatus and method for low pressure chemical vapor deposition using multiple chambers and vacuum pumps
US6524650B1 (en) * 1997-03-21 2003-02-25 Kokusai Electric Co., Ltd. Substrate processing apparatus and method
US6319324B1 (en) * 1997-05-05 2001-11-20 Applied Materials, Inc. Method and apparatus for elimination of TEOS/ozone silicon oxide surface sensitivity
US5966499A (en) * 1997-07-28 1999-10-12 Mks Instruments, Inc. System for delivering a substantially constant vapor flow to a chemical process reactor
US6228170B1 (en) * 1997-12-16 2001-05-08 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd. Method and apparatus for regulating chamber pressure
US6022483A (en) * 1998-03-10 2000-02-08 Intergrated Systems, Inc. System and method for controlling pressure
US20010016364A1 (en) * 1998-04-14 2001-08-23 James F. Loan Film processing system
US6171104B1 (en) * 1998-08-10 2001-01-09 Tokyo Electron Limited Oxidation treatment method and apparatus
US6273954B2 (en) * 1998-09-03 2001-08-14 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha System for manufacturing a semiconductor device
US20020073923A1 (en) * 1998-11-27 2002-06-20 Yukimasa Saito Heat treatment apparatus and cleaning method of the same
US6383300B1 (en) * 1998-11-27 2002-05-07 Tokyo Electron Ltd. Heat treatment apparatus and cleaning method of the same
US6807971B2 (en) * 1998-11-27 2004-10-26 Tokyo Electron Ltd. Heat treatment apparatus and cleaning method of the same
US6086678A (en) * 1999-03-04 2000-07-11 Memc Electronic Materials, Inc. Pressure equalization system for chemical vapor deposition reactors
US20010000866A1 (en) * 1999-03-11 2001-05-10 Ofer Sneh Apparatus and concept for minimizing parasitic chemical vapor deposition during atomic layer deposition
US20030183171A1 (en) * 1999-03-11 2003-10-02 Ofer Sneh Apparatus and concept for minimizing parasitic chemical vapor deposition during atomic layer deposition
US6305314B1 (en) * 1999-03-11 2001-10-23 Genvs, Inc. Apparatus and concept for minimizing parasitic chemical vapor deposition during atomic layer deposition
US6451119B2 (en) * 1999-03-11 2002-09-17 Genus, Inc. Apparatus and concept for minimizing parasitic chemical vapor deposition during atomic layer deposition
US6629009B1 (en) * 1999-03-15 2003-09-30 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Management system for semiconductor fabrication device
US6287980B1 (en) * 1999-04-22 2001-09-11 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Plasma processing method and plasma processing apparatus
US20030027431A1 (en) * 1999-12-22 2003-02-06 Ofer Sneh Apparatus and method to achieve continuous interface and ultrathin film during atomic layer deposition
US6503330B1 (en) * 1999-12-22 2003-01-07 Genus, Inc. Apparatus and method to achieve continuous interface and ultrathin film during atomic layer deposition
US6638859B2 (en) * 1999-12-22 2003-10-28 Genus, Inc. Apparatus and method to achieve continuous interface and ultrathin film during atomic layer deposition
US6881295B2 (en) * 2000-03-28 2005-04-19 Nec Electronics Corporation Air-tight vessel equipped with gas feeder uniformly supplying gaseous component around plural wafers
US20020000195A1 (en) * 2000-04-10 2002-01-03 Won Bang Concentration profile on demand gas delivery system (individual divert delivery system)
US20030036272A1 (en) * 2000-06-13 2003-02-20 Applied Materials, Inc. Semiconductor device fabrication chamber cleaning method and apparatus with recirculation of cleaning gas
US20020022379A1 (en) * 2000-07-19 2002-02-21 Hiroaki Ashizawa Single-substrate-heat-processing apparatus and method for semiconductor process
US20020192369A1 (en) * 2000-10-24 2002-12-19 Masahiro Morimoto Vapor deposition method and apparatus
US20030101931A1 (en) * 2000-10-31 2003-06-05 Nordson Corporation Control system for metering pump and method
US6540838B2 (en) * 2000-11-29 2003-04-01 Genus, Inc. Apparatus and concept for minimizing parasitic chemical vapor deposition during atomic layer deposition
US7156923B2 (en) * 2001-02-07 2007-01-02 Tokyo Electron Limited Silicon nitride film forming method, silicon nitride film forming system and silicon nitride film forming system precleaning method
US6782348B2 (en) * 2001-03-27 2004-08-24 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Apparatus for diagnosing failure in equipment using signals relating to the equipment
US6814572B2 (en) * 2001-03-30 2004-11-09 Tokyo Electron Limited Heat treating method and heat treating device
US20030070617A1 (en) * 2001-10-11 2003-04-17 Yong-Il Kim Atomic layer deposition apparatus and process using remote plasma
US6913031B2 (en) * 2001-10-18 2005-07-05 Ckd Corporation Pulse shot type flow controller and pulse shot type flow controlling method
US20040244837A1 (en) * 2001-10-18 2004-12-09 Tokuhide Nawata Pulse shot flow regulator and pulse shot flow regulating method
US20030131792A1 (en) * 2002-01-17 2003-07-17 Jin-Jun Park Pressure control apparatus and method of establshing a desired level of pressure within at least one processing chamber
US20050145333A1 (en) * 2002-01-17 2005-07-07 Tokyo Electron Limited Processing device and processing method
US20050160983A1 (en) * 2002-01-17 2005-07-28 Sundew Technologies, Llc ALD apparatus and method
US20090178694A1 (en) * 2002-03-28 2009-07-16 Kazuyuki Okuda Substrate processing apparatus
US20030215573A1 (en) * 2002-05-20 2003-11-20 Takahiro Nishibayashi Film forming apparatus and film forming method
US7481887B2 (en) * 2002-05-24 2009-01-27 Micron Technology, Inc. Apparatus for controlling gas pulsing in processes for depositing materials onto micro-device workpieces
US7387685B2 (en) * 2002-07-08 2008-06-17 Micron Technology, Inc. Apparatus and method for depositing materials onto microelectronic workpieces
US7344755B2 (en) * 2003-08-21 2008-03-18 Micron Technology, Inc. Methods and apparatus for processing microfeature workpieces; methods for conditioning ALD reaction chambers
US7422635B2 (en) * 2003-08-28 2008-09-09 Micron Technology, Inc. Methods and apparatus for processing microfeature workpieces, e.g., for depositing materials on microfeature workpieces
US20060205187A1 (en) * 2003-08-28 2006-09-14 Micron Technology, Inc. Methods and apparatus for processing microfeature workpieces, e.g., for depositing materials on microfeature workpieces
US20060213440A1 (en) * 2003-08-28 2006-09-28 Micron Technology, Inc. Methods and apparatus for processing microfeature workpieces, e.g., for depositing materials on microfeature workpieces
US7279398B2 (en) * 2003-09-17 2007-10-09 Micron Technology, Inc. Microfeature workpiece processing apparatus and methods for controlling deposition of materials on microfeature workpieces
US7056806B2 (en) * 2003-09-17 2006-06-06 Micron Technology, Inc. Microfeature workpiece processing apparatus and methods for controlling deposition of materials on microfeature workpieces
US20060115957A1 (en) * 2003-09-17 2006-06-01 Cem Basceri Microfeature workpiece processing apparatus and methods for controlling deposition of materials on microfeature workpieces
US20050126483A1 (en) * 2003-09-30 2005-06-16 Marcel Tognetti Arrangement for depositing atomic layers on substrates
US20050081786A1 (en) * 2003-10-15 2005-04-21 Kubista David J. Systems for depositing material onto workpieces in reaction chambers and methods for removing byproducts from reaction chambers
US7771537B2 (en) * 2003-12-10 2010-08-10 Micron Technology, Inc. Methods and systems for controlling temperature during microfeature workpiece processing, E.G. CVD deposition
US7258892B2 (en) * 2003-12-10 2007-08-21 Micron Technology, Inc. Methods and systems for controlling temperature during microfeature workpiece processing, e.g., CVD deposition
US7674724B2 (en) * 2004-02-17 2010-03-09 Tokyo Electron Limited Oxidizing method and oxidizing unit for object to be processed
US20050199342A1 (en) * 2004-03-09 2005-09-15 Ali Shajii Semiconductor manufacturing gas flow divider system and method
US20070039549A1 (en) * 2004-04-12 2007-02-22 Mks Instruments, Inc. Pulsed mass flow delivery system and method
US20050223979A1 (en) * 2004-04-12 2005-10-13 Ali Shajii Pulsed mass flow delivery system and method
US7628860B2 (en) * 2004-04-12 2009-12-08 Mks Instruments, Inc. Pulsed mass flow delivery system and method
US20050249876A1 (en) * 2004-05-06 2005-11-10 Semiconductor Leading Edge Technologies, Inc. Film forming apparatus and method
US20050282365A1 (en) * 2004-06-21 2005-12-22 Kazuhide Hasebe Film formation apparatus and method for semiconductor process
US7424895B2 (en) * 2004-07-09 2008-09-16 Celerity, Inc. Method and system for flow measurement and validation of a mass flow controller
US7412986B2 (en) * 2004-07-09 2008-08-19 Celerity, Inc. Method and system for flow measurement and validation of a mass flow controller
US7628861B2 (en) * 2004-12-17 2009-12-08 Mks Instruments, Inc. Pulsed mass flow delivery system and method
US20060130744A1 (en) * 2004-12-17 2006-06-22 Clark William R Pulsed mass flow delivery system and method
US20060165873A1 (en) * 2005-01-25 2006-07-27 Micron Technology, Inc. Plasma detection and associated systems and methods for controlling microfeature workpiece deposition processes
US20100192855A1 (en) * 2005-03-08 2010-08-05 Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc. Manufacturing method of a semiconductor device, and substrate processing apparatus
US7775508B2 (en) * 2006-10-31 2010-08-17 Applied Materials, Inc. Ampoule for liquid draw and vapor draw with a continuous level sensor
US7775236B2 (en) * 2007-02-26 2010-08-17 Applied Materials, Inc. Method and apparatus for controlling gas flow to a processing chamber
US20080264337A1 (en) * 2007-04-02 2008-10-30 Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc. Substrate processing apparatus and method for manufacturing semiconductor device
US20090130829A1 (en) * 2007-05-27 2009-05-21 Hitachi-Kokusai Electric Inc. Manufacturing method of semiconductor device and substrate processing apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2004006620A (en) 2004-01-08
US20060060142A1 (en) 2006-03-23
KR100802212B1 (en) 2008-02-11
TW200305918A (en) 2003-11-01
US8366868B2 (en) 2013-02-05
US20090178694A1 (en) 2009-07-16
US20030221779A1 (en) 2003-12-04
US20120240348A1 (en) 2012-09-27
JP3985899B2 (en) 2007-10-03
KR20030078699A (en) 2003-10-08
US8211802B2 (en) 2012-07-03
TW591690B (en) 2004-06-11
US20110130001A1 (en) 2011-06-02

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US8366868B2 (en) Substrate processing apparatus
US20060121211A1 (en) Chemical vapor deposition apparatus and chemical vapor deposition method using the same
US6777352B2 (en) Variable flow deposition apparatus and method in semiconductor substrate processing
KR101521466B1 (en) Gas supply apparatus, thermal treatment apparatus, gas supply method, and thermal treatment method
US7625609B2 (en) Formation of silicon nitride film
US8093072B2 (en) Substrate processing apparatus and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
JP4371425B2 (en) Semiconductor device manufacturing method and substrate processing apparatus
US20120015525A1 (en) Method of cleaning a thin film forming apparatus, thin film forming method, and thin film forming apparatus
US20050059261A1 (en) Microfeature workpiece processing apparatus and methods for controlling deposition of materials on microfeature workpieces
KR101129741B1 (en) Film formation apparatus for semiconductor process and method for using same
US20090176017A1 (en) Substrate processing apparatus
US8263181B2 (en) Ti-based film forming method and storage medium
JP3969859B2 (en) Substrate processing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method
JP2005064305A (en) Substrate processing device and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
KR20050076113A (en) Deposition apparatus and deposition method
JP5198542B2 (en) Semiconductor device manufacturing method, cleaning method, and substrate processing apparatus
JP4253612B2 (en) Substrate processing equipment
JP6552552B2 (en) Method for etching a film
CN116949427A (en) Film forming apparatus and film forming method
KR20030018377A (en) Purge method of vertice furnace device
JP2005197541A (en) Substrate processor
KR20050100867A (en) Vetical diffusion furnace device
KR20060077997A (en) Apparatus for processing a wafer

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: HITACHI KOKUSAI ELECTRIC INC., JAPAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:OKUDA, KAZUYUKI;KAGAYA, TORU;SAKAI, MASANORI;REEL/FRAME:030337/0144

Effective date: 20130111

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION