公开(公告)号：US08146530B2

公开(公告)日：2012-04-03

申请号：US12254778

申请日：2008-10-20

Applicant: Tetsuya Ishikawa ,  Rick J. Roberts ,  Helen R. Armer ,  Leon Volfovski ,  Jay D. Pinson ,  Michael Rice ,  David H. Quach ,  Mohsen S. Salek ,  Robert Lowrance ,  John A. Backer ,  William Tyler Weaver ,  Charles Carlson ,  Chongyang Wang ,  Jeffrey Hudgens ,  Harald Herchen ,  Brian Lu

Inventor： Tetsuya Ishikawa ,  Rick J. Roberts ,  Helen R. Armer ,  Leon Volfovski ,  Jay D. Pinson ,  Michael Rice ,  David H. Quach ,  Mohsen S. Salek ,  Robert Lowrance ,  John A. Backer ,  William Tyler Weaver ,  Charles Carlson ,  Chongyang Wang ,  Jeffrey Hudgens ,  Harald Herchen ,  Brian Lu

IPC: B05C13/02 ,  C23C14/00 ,  H01L21/67

CPC classification number: H01L21/67225 ,  G03B27/32 ,  G03D13/006 ,  G03F7/40 ,  G05B19/41825 ,  G05B2219/40476 ,  G05B2219/45031 ,  G05B2219/49137 ,  H01L21/67109 ,  H01L21/6715 ,  H01L21/67161 ,  H01L21/67173 ,  H01L21/67178 ,  H01L21/67184 ,  H01L21/6719 ,  H01L21/67196 ,  H01L21/67742 ,  H01L21/67745 ,  H01L21/67748 ,  H01L21/67754 ,  H01L21/6831 ,  H01L21/6838 ,  H01L21/68707 ,  H01L22/26 ,  Y02P90/087 ,  Y10S414/135 ,  Y10S414/136 ,  Y10T29/53187 ,  Y10T29/5323

Abstract: Embodiments generally provide an apparatus and method for processing substrates using a multi-chamber processing system (e.g., a cluster tool) that has an increased system throughput, increased system reliability, substrates processed in the cluster tool have a more repeatable wafer history, and also the cluster tool has a smaller system footprint. Embodiments also provide for a method and apparatus that are used to improve the coater chamber, the developer chamber, the post exposure bake chamber, the chill chamber, and the bake chamber process results. Embodiments also provide for a method and apparatus that are used to increase the reliability of the substrate transfer process to reduce system down time.

Abstract translation: 实施例通常提供使用具有增加的系统吞吐量，增加的系统可靠性的多腔室处理系统（例如，集群工具）来处理衬底的装置和方法，在集群工具中处理的衬底具有更可重复的晶片历史，并且还 集群工具具有更小的系统占用空间。 实施例还提供了用于改进涂布室，显影室，曝光后烘烤室，冷却室和烘焙室处理结果的方法和装置。 实施例还提供了用于增加衬底转移过程以减少系统停机时间的可靠性的方法和装置。

公开(公告)号：US07925377B2

公开(公告)日：2011-04-12

申请号：US11458667

申请日：2006-07-19

Applicant: Tetsuya Ishikawa ,  Rick J. Roberts ,  Helen R. Armer ,  Leon Volfovski ,  Jay D. Pinson ,  Michael Rice ,  David H. Quach ,  Mohsen S. Salek ,  Robert Lowrance ,  William Tyler Weaver ,  Charles Carlson ,  Chongyang Wang ,  Jeffrey Hudgens ,  Harald Herchen ,  Brian Lue ,  John A. Backer

Inventor： Tetsuya Ishikawa ,  Rick J. Roberts ,  Helen R. Armer ,  Leon Volfovski ,  Jay D. Pinson ,  Michael Rice ,  David H. Quach ,  Mohsen S. Salek ,  Robert Lowrance ,  William Tyler Weaver ,  Charles Carlson ,  Chongyang Wang ,  Jeffrey Hudgens ,  Harald Herchen ,  Brian Lue ,  John A. Backer

IPC: G06F7/00

CPC classification number: H01L21/67225 ,  G03B27/32 ,  G03D13/006 ,  G03F7/40 ,  G05B19/41825 ,  G05B2219/40476 ,  G05B2219/45031 ,  G05B2219/49137 ,  H01L21/67109 ,  H01L21/6715 ,  H01L21/67161 ,  H01L21/67173 ,  H01L21/67178 ,  H01L21/67184 ,  H01L21/6719 ,  H01L21/67196 ,  H01L21/67742 ,  H01L21/67745 ,  H01L21/67748 ,  H01L21/67754 ,  H01L21/6831 ,  H01L21/6838 ,  H01L21/68707 ,  H01L22/26 ,  Y02P90/087 ,  Y10S414/135 ,  Y10S414/136 ,  Y10T29/53187 ,  Y10T29/5323

Abstract: Embodiments generally provide an apparatus and method for processing substrates using a multi-chamber processing system (e.g., a cluster tool) that has an increased system throughput, increased system reliability, substrates processed in the cluster tool have a more repeatable wafer history, and also the cluster tool has a smaller system footprint. In one embodiment of the cluster tool, grouping substrates together, and transferring and processing the substrates in groups of two or more, improves system throughput, and reduces the number of moves a robot has to make to transfer a batch of substrates between the processing chambers, thus reducing wear on the robot and increasing system reliability. Embodiments also provide for a method and apparatus that are used to increase the reliability of the substrate transfer process to reduce system down time.

Abstract translation: 实施例通常提供使用具有增加的系统吞吐量，增加的系统可靠性的多腔室处理系统（例如，集群工具）来处理衬底的装置和方法，在集群工具中处理的衬底具有更可重复的晶片历史，并且还 集群工具具有更小的系统占用空间。 在集群工具的一个实施例中，将基板分组在一起，并且以两个或更多个组的方式传送和处理基板，提高了系统吞吐量，并且减少了机器人必须在处理室之间传送一批基板的移动次数 从而减少机器人的磨损，提高系统的可靠性。 实施例还提供了用于增加衬底转移过程以减少系统停机时间的可靠性的方法和装置。

公开(公告)号：US07694647B2

公开(公告)日：2010-04-13

申请号：US11458664

申请日：2006-07-19

Applicant: Tetsuya Ishikawa ,  Rick J. Roberts ,  Helen R. Armer ,  Leon Volfovski ,  Jay D. Pinson ,  Michael Rice ,  David H. Quach ,  Mohsen S. Salek ,  Robert Lowrance ,  John A. Backer ,  William Tyler Weaver ,  Charles Carlson ,  Chongyang Wang ,  Jeffrey Hudgens ,  Harald Herchen ,  Brian Lue

Inventor： Tetsuya Ishikawa ,  Rick J. Roberts ,  Helen R. Armer ,  Leon Volfovski ,  Jay D. Pinson ,  Michael Rice ,  David H. Quach ,  Mohsen S. Salek ,  Robert Lowrance ,  John A. Backer ,  William Tyler Weaver ,  Charles Carlson ,  Chongyang Wang ,  Jeffrey Hudgens ,  Harald Herchen ,  Brian Lue

IPC: B05C13/02 ,  C23C14/00 ,  H01L21/677

CPC classification number: H01L21/67225 ,  G03B27/32 ,  G03D13/006 ,  G03F7/40 ,  G05B19/41825 ,  G05B2219/40476 ,  G05B2219/45031 ,  G05B2219/49137 ,  H01L21/67109 ,  H01L21/6715 ,  H01L21/67161 ,  H01L21/67173 ,  H01L21/67178 ,  H01L21/67184 ,  H01L21/6719 ,  H01L21/67196 ,  H01L21/67742 ,  H01L21/67745 ,  H01L21/67748 ,  H01L21/67754 ,  H01L21/6831 ,  H01L21/6838 ,  H01L21/68707 ,  H01L22/26 ,  Y02P90/087 ,  Y10S414/135 ,  Y10S414/136 ,  Y10T29/53187 ,  Y10T29/5323

Abstract: Embodiments generally provide an apparatus and method for processing substrates using a multi-chamber processing system (e.g., a cluster tool) that has an increased system throughput, increased system reliability, substrates processed in the cluster tool have a more repeatable wafer history, and also the cluster tool has a smaller system footprint. Embodiments also provide for a method and apparatus that are used to improve the coater chamber, the developer chamber, the post exposure bake chamber, the chill chamber, and the bake chamber process results. Embodiments also provide for a method and apparatus that are used to increase the reliability of the substrate transfer process to reduce system down time.

Abstract translation: 实施例通常提供使用具有增加的系统吞吐量，增加的系统可靠性的多腔室处理系统（例如，集群工具）来处理衬底的装置和方法，在集群工具中处理的衬底具有更可重复的晶片历史，并且还 集群工具具有更小的系统占用空间。 实施例还提供了用于改进涂布室，显影室，曝光后烘烤室，冷却室和烘焙室处理结果的方法和装置。 实施例还提供了用于增加衬底转移过程以减少系统停机时间的可靠性的方法和装置。

公开(公告)号：US06831284B2

公开(公告)日：2004-12-14

申请号：US10301508

申请日：2002-11-21

Applicant: Alexandros T. Demos ,  Hari K. Ponnekanti ,  Jun Zhao ,  Helen R. Armer ,  William R. Livesay ,  Scott C. Woods

Inventor： Alexandros T. Demos ,  Hari K. Ponnekanti ,  Jun Zhao ,  Helen R. Armer ,  William R. Livesay ,  Scott C. Woods

IPC: G21K502

CPC classification number: H01J37/06 ,  H01J37/317 ,  H01J2237/316

Abstract: An electron beam apparatus that includes a vacuum chamber, a large-area cathode disposed in the vacuum chamber, and a first power supply connected to the cathode. The first power supply is configured to apply a negative voltage to the cathode sufficient to cause the cathode to emit electrons toward a substrate disposed in the vacuum chamber. The electron beam apparatus further includes an anode positioned between the large-area cathode and the substrate. The anode is made from aluminum. The electron beam apparatus further includes a second power supply connected to the anode, wherein the second power supply is configured to apply a voltage to the anode that is positive relative to the voltage applied to the cathode.

公开(公告)号：US07819079B2

公开(公告)日：2010-10-26

申请号：US11530297

申请日：2006-09-08

Applicant: Eric A. Englhardt ,  Michael R. Rice ,  Jeffrey C. Hudgens ,  Steve Hongkham ,  Jay D. Pinson ,  Mohsen Salek ,  Charles Carlson ,  William T Weaver ,  Helen R. Armer

Inventor： Eric A. Englhardt ,  Michael R. Rice ,  Jeffrey C. Hudgens ,  Steve Hongkham ,  Jay D. Pinson ,  Mohsen Salek ,  Charles Carlson ,  William T Weaver ,  Helen R. Armer

IPC: B05C13/02 ,  H01L21/677 ,  C23C14/00

CPC classification number: G03F7/70991 ,  H01L21/67173 ,  H01L21/67178 ,  H01L21/67225 ,  H01L21/67742 ,  H01L21/67745

Abstract: The present invention generally provides an apparatus and method for processing substrates using a multi-chamber processing system (e.g., a cluster tool) that is easily configurable, has an increased system throughput, increased system reliability, improved device yield performance, a more repeatable wafer processing history (or wafer history), and a reduced footprint. In one embodiment, the cluster tool is adapted to perform a track lithography process in which a substrate is coated with a photosensitive material, is then transferred to a stepper/scanner, which exposes the photosensitive material to some form of radiation to form a pattern in the photosensitive material, and then certain portions of the photosensitive material are removed in a developing process completed in the cluster tool.

Abstract translation: 本发明总体上提供了一种用于使用容易配置的多室处理系统（例如，集群工具）处理衬底的装置和方法，具有增加的系统吞吐量，增加的系统可靠性，改进的器件产量性能，更可重复的晶片 处理历史（或晶圆历史），减少占地面积。 在一个实施例中，簇工具适于执行其中衬底被感光材料涂覆的轨道光刻工艺，然后转移到步进/扫描器，其将感光材料暴露于某种形式的辐射以形成图案 感光材料，然后在簇组工具中完成的显影过程中去除感光材料的某些部分。

公开(公告)号：US20090064929A1

公开(公告)日：2009-03-12

申请号：US12254784

申请日：2008-10-20

Applicant: Tetsuya Ishikawa ,  Rick J. Roberts ,  Helen R. Armer ,  Leon Volfovski ,  Jay D. Pinson ,  Michael Rice ,  David H. Quach ,  Mohsen S. Salek ,  Robert Lowrance ,  John A. Backer ,  William Tyler Weaver ,  Charles Carlson ,  Chongyang Wang ,  Jeffrey Hudgens ,  Harald Herchen ,  Brian Lu

Inventor： Tetsuya Ishikawa ,  Rick J. Roberts ,  Helen R. Armer ,  Leon Volfovski ,  Jay D. Pinson ,  Michael Rice ,  David H. Quach ,  Mohsen S. Salek ,  Robert Lowrance ,  John A. Backer ,  William Tyler Weaver ,  Charles Carlson ,  Chongyang Wang ,  Jeffrey Hudgens ,  Harald Herchen ,  Brian Lu

IPC: B05C13/02

CPC classification number: H01L21/67225 ,  G03B27/32 ,  G03D13/006 ,  G03F7/40 ,  G05B19/41825 ,  G05B2219/40476 ,  G05B2219/45031 ,  G05B2219/49137 ,  H01L21/67109 ,  H01L21/6715 ,  H01L21/67161 ,  H01L21/67173 ,  H01L21/67178 ,  H01L21/67184 ,  H01L21/6719 ,  H01L21/67196 ,  H01L21/67742 ,  H01L21/67745 ,  H01L21/67748 ,  H01L21/67754 ,  H01L21/6831 ,  H01L21/6838 ,  H01L21/68707 ,  H01L22/26 ,  Y02P90/087 ,  Y10S414/135 ,  Y10S414/136 ,  Y10T29/53187 ,  Y10T29/5323

Abstract: Embodiments generally provide an apparatus and method for processing substrates using a multi-chamber processing system (e.g., a cluster tool) that has an increased system throughput, increased system reliability, substrates processed in the cluster tool have a more repeatable wafer history, and also the cluster tool has a smaller system footprint. In one embodiment, the cluster tool is adapted to perform a track lithography process in which a substrate is coated with a photosensitive material, is then transferred to a stepper/scanner, which exposes the photosensitive material to some form of radiation to form a pattern in the photosensitive material, which is then removed in a developing process completed in the cluster tool. In track lithography type cluster tools, since the chamber processing times tend to be rather short, and the number of processing steps required to complete a typical track system process is large, a significant portion of the time it takes to process a substrate is taken up by the processes of transferring the substrates in a cluster tool between the various processing chambers. In one embodiment of the cluster tool, the cost of ownership is reduced by grouping substrates together and transferring and processing the substrates in groups of two or more to improve system throughput, and reduces the number of moves a robot has to make to transfer a batch of substrates between the processing chambers, thus reducing wear on the robot and increasing system reliability. In one aspect of the invention, the substrate processing sequence and cluster tool are designed so that the substrate transferring steps performed during the processing sequence are only made to chambers that will perform the next processing step in the processing sequence. Embodiments also provide for a method and apparatus that are used to improve the coater chamber, the developer chamber, the post exposure bake chamber, the chill chamber, and the bake chamber process results. Embodiments also provide for a method and apparatus that are used to increase the reliability of the substrate transfer process to reduce system down time.

公开(公告)号：US20090064928A1

公开(公告)日：2009-03-12

申请号：US12254750

申请日：2008-10-20

Applicant: Tetsuya Ishikawa ,  Rick J. Roberts ,  Helen R. Armer ,  Leon Volfovski ,  Jay D. Pinson ,  Michael Rice ,  David H. Quach ,  Mohsen S. Salek ,  Robert Lowrance ,  John A. Backer ,  William Tyler Weaver ,  Charles Carlson ,  Chongyang Wang ,  Jeffrey Hudgens ,  Harald Herchen ,  Brian Lue

Inventor： Tetsuya Ishikawa ,  Rick J. Roberts ,  Helen R. Armer ,  Leon Volfovski ,  Jay D. Pinson ,  Michael Rice ,  David H. Quach ,  Mohsen S. Salek ,  Robert Lowrance ,  John A. Backer ,  William Tyler Weaver ,  Charles Carlson ,  Chongyang Wang ,  Jeffrey Hudgens ,  Harald Herchen ,  Brian Lue

IPC: B05C13/02

CPC classification number: H01L21/67225 ,  G03B27/32 ,  G03D13/006 ,  G03F7/40 ,  G05B19/41825 ,  G05B2219/40476 ,  G05B2219/45031 ,  G05B2219/49137 ,  H01L21/67109 ,  H01L21/6715 ,  H01L21/67161 ,  H01L21/67173 ,  H01L21/67178 ,  H01L21/67184 ,  H01L21/6719 ,  H01L21/67196 ,  H01L21/67742 ,  H01L21/67745 ,  H01L21/67748 ,  H01L21/67754 ,  H01L21/6831 ,  H01L21/6838 ,  H01L21/68707 ,  H01L22/26 ,  Y02P90/087 ,  Y10S414/135 ,  Y10S414/136 ,  Y10T29/53187 ,  Y10T29/5323

Abstract: Embodiments generally provide an apparatus and method for processing substrates using a multi-chamber processing system (e.g., a cluster tool) that has an increased system throughput, increased system reliability, substrates processed in the cluster tool have a more repeatable wafer history, and also the cluster tool has a smaller system footprint. In one embodiment, the cluster tool is adapted to perform a track lithography process in which a substrate is coated with a photosensitive material, is then transferred to a stepper/scanner, which exposes the photosensitive material to some form of radiation to form a pattern in the photosensitive material, which is then removed in a developing process completed in the cluster tool. In track lithography type cluster tools, since the chamber processing times tend to be rather short, and the number of processing steps required to complete a typical track system process is large, a significant portion of the time it takes to process a substrate is taken up by the processes of transferring the substrates in a cluster tool between the various processing chambers. In one embodiment of the cluster tool, the cost of ownership, is reduced by grouping substrates together and transferring and processing the substrates in groups of two or more to improve system throughput, and reduces the number of moves a robot has to make to transfer a batch of substrates between the processing chambers, thus reducing wear on the robot and increasing system reliability. In one aspect of the invention, the substrate processing sequence and cluster tool are designed so that the substrate transferring steps performed during the processing sequence are only made to chambers that will perform the next processing step in the processing sequence. Embodiments also provide for a method and apparatus that are used to improve the coater chamber, the developer chamber, the post exposure bake chamber, the chill chamber, and the bake chamber process results. Embodiments also provide for a method and apparatus that are used to increase the reliability of the substrate transfer process to reduce system down time.

公开(公告)号：US07501354B2

公开(公告)日：2009-03-10

申请号：US11233988

申请日：2005-09-09

Applicant: Dustin W. Ho ,  Derek R. Witty ,  Helen R. Armer ,  Hichem M'Saad

Inventor： Dustin W. Ho ,  Derek R. Witty ,  Helen R. Armer ,  Hichem M'Saad

IPC: H01L21/469 ,  H01L21/31

CPC classification number: H01L21/76801 ,  C23C16/401 ,  C23C16/4405 ,  H01L21/02126 ,  H01L21/02203 ,  H01L21/02274 ,  H01L21/02304 ,  H01L21/02362 ,  H01L21/31633 ,  H01L21/76811 ,  H01L21/76813 ,  H01L21/7682 ,  H01L21/76828 ,  H01L2221/1047

Abstract: Nano-porous low dielectric constant films are deposited utilizing materials having reactive by-products readily removed from a processing chamber by plasma cleaning. In accordance with one embodiment, an oxidizable silicon containing compound is reacted with an oxidizable non-silicon component having thermally labile groups, in a reactive oxygen ambient and in the presence of a plasma. The deposited silicon oxide film is annealed to form dispersed microscopic voids or pores that remain in the nano-porous silicon. Oxidizable non-silicon components with thermally labile groups that leave by-products readily removed from the chamber, include but are not limited to, limonene, carene, cymene, fenchone, vinyl acetate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl vinyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, furan, 2,5 Norbornadiene, cyclopentene, cyclopentene oxide, methyl cyclopentene, 2-cyclopentene-1-one, and 1-butene.

Abstract translation: 使用具有通过等离子体清洗容易从处理室除去的反应性副产物的材料沉积纳米多孔低介电常数膜。 根据一个实施方案，可氧化的含硅化合物与具有热不稳定基团的可氧化非硅组分在活性氧环境中和在等离子体存在下反应。 将沉积的氧化硅膜退火以形成留在纳米多孔硅中的分散的微观空隙或孔隙。 包括但不限于：柠檬烯，护甲，伞花烃，氟酮，乙酸乙烯酯，甲基丙烯酸甲酯，乙基乙烯基醚，四氢呋喃，呋喃，2 ，5降冰片二烯，环戊烯，环戊烯氧化物，甲基环戊烯，2-环戊烯-1-酮和1-丁烯。

公开(公告)号：US07743728B2

公开(公告)日：2010-06-29

申请号：US12106824

申请日：2008-04-21

Applicant: Tetsuya Ishikawa ,  Rick J. Roberts ,  Helen R. Armer ,  Leon Volfovski ,  Jay D. Pinson ,  Michael Rice ,  David H. Quach ,  Mohsen S. Salek ,  Robert Lowrance ,  John A. Backer ,  William Tyler Weaver ,  Charles Carlson ,  Chongyang Wang ,  Jeffrey Hudgens ,  Harald Herchen ,  Brian Lue

Inventor： Tetsuya Ishikawa ,  Rick J. Roberts ,  Helen R. Armer ,  Leon Volfovski ,  Jay D. Pinson ,  Michael Rice ,  David H. Quach ,  Mohsen S. Salek ,  Robert Lowrance ,  John A. Backer ,  William Tyler Weaver ,  Charles Carlson ,  Chongyang Wang ,  Jeffrey Hudgens ,  Harald Herchen ,  Brian Lue

IPC: B05C13/02 ,  C23C14/00 ,  H01L21/677

CPC classification number: H01L21/67225 ,  G03B27/32 ,  G03D13/006 ,  G03F7/40 ,  G05B19/41825 ,  G05B2219/40476 ,  G05B2219/45031 ,  G05B2219/49137 ,  H01L21/67109 ,  H01L21/6715 ,  H01L21/67161 ,  H01L21/67173 ,  H01L21/67178 ,  H01L21/67184 ,  H01L21/6719 ,  H01L21/67196 ,  H01L21/67742 ,  H01L21/67745 ,  H01L21/67748 ,  H01L21/67754 ,  H01L21/6831 ,  H01L21/6838 ,  H01L21/68707 ,  H01L22/26 ,  Y02P90/087 ,  Y10S414/135 ,  Y10S414/136 ,  Y10T29/53187 ,  Y10T29/5323

Abstract: Embodiments generally provide an apparatus and method for processing substrates using a multi-chamber processing system (e.g., a cluster tool). In one embodiment, the cluster tool is adapted to perform a track lithography process in which a photosensitive material is applied to a substrate, patterned in a stepper/scanner, and then removed in a developing process completed in the cluster tool. In one embodiment of the cluster tool, substrates are grouped together in groups of two or more for transfer or processing to improve system throughput, reduce the number of moves a robot has to make to transfer a batch of substrates between the processing chambers, and thus increase system reliability. Embodiments also provide for a method and apparatus that are used to increase the reliability of the substrate transfer process to reduce system down time.

Abstract translation: 实施例通常提供使用多室处理系统（例如，集群工具）来处理衬底的装置和方法。 在一个实施例中，簇工具适于执行轨道光刻工艺，其中感光材料被施加到基板上，在步进/扫描器中图案化，然后在以集群工具完成的显影过程中去除。 在集群工具的一个实施例中，将基板分成两组或更多组以进行传送或处理，以提高系统吞吐量，减少机器人必须在处理室之间传送一批衬底的移动次数，从而减少 提高系统可靠性。 实施例还提供了用于增加衬底转移过程以减少系统停机时间的可靠性的方法和装置。

公开(公告)号：US20090067956A1

公开(公告)日：2009-03-12

申请号：US12254778

申请日：2008-10-20

Applicant: Tetsuya Ishikawa ,  Rick J. Roberts ,  Helen R. Armer ,  Leon Volfovski ,  Jay D. Pinson ,  Michael Rice ,  David H. Quach ,  Mohsen S. Salek ,  Robert Lowrance ,  John A. Backer ,  William Tyler Weaver ,  Charles Carlson ,  Chongyang Wang ,  Jeffrey Hudgens ,  Harald Herchen ,  Brian Lue

Inventor： Tetsuya Ishikawa ,  Rick J. Roberts ,  Helen R. Armer ,  Leon Volfovski ,  Jay D. Pinson ,  Michael Rice ,  David H. Quach ,  Mohsen S. Salek ,  Robert Lowrance ,  John A. Backer ,  William Tyler Weaver ,  Charles Carlson ,  Chongyang Wang ,  Jeffrey Hudgens ,  Harald Herchen ,  Brian Lue

IPC: H01L21/67

CPC classification number: H01L21/67225 ,  G03B27/32 ,  G03D13/006 ,  G03F7/40 ,  G05B19/41825 ,  G05B2219/40476 ,  G05B2219/45031 ,  G05B2219/49137 ,  H01L21/67109 ,  H01L21/6715 ,  H01L21/67161 ,  H01L21/67173 ,  H01L21/67178 ,  H01L21/67184 ,  H01L21/6719 ,  H01L21/67196 ,  H01L21/67742 ,  H01L21/67745 ,  H01L21/67748 ,  H01L21/67754 ,  H01L21/6831 ,  H01L21/6838 ,  H01L21/68707 ,  H01L22/26 ,  Y02P90/087 ,  Y10S414/135 ,  Y10S414/136 ,  Y10T29/53187 ,  Y10T29/5323

Abstract: Embodiments generally provide an apparatus and method for processing substrates using a multi-chamber processing system (e.g., a cluster tool) that has an increased system throughput, increased system reliability, substrates processed in the cluster tool have a more repeatable wafer history, and also the cluster tool has a smaller system footprint. In one embodiment, the cluster tool is adapted to perform a track lithography process in which a substrate is coated with a photosensitive material, is then transferred to a stepper/scanner, which exposes the photosensitive material to some form of radiation to form a pattern in the photosensitive material, which is then removed in a developing process completed in the cluster tool. In track lithography type cluster tools, since the chamber processing times tend to be rather short, and the number of processing steps required to complete a typical track system process is large, a significant portion of the time it takes to process a substrate is taken up by the processes of transferring the substrates in a cluster tool between the various processing chambers. In one embodiment of the cluster tool, the cost of ownership, is reduced by grouping substrates together and transferring and processing the substrates in groups of two or more to improve system throughput, and reduces the number of moves a robot has to make to transfer a batch of substrates between the processing chambers, thus reducing wear on the robot and increasing system reliability. In one aspect of the invention, the substrate processing sequence and cluster tool are designed so that the substrate transferring steps performed during the processing sequence are only made to chambers that will perform the next processing step in the processing sequence. Embodiments also provide for a method and apparatus that are used to improve the coater chamber, the developer chamber, the post exposure bake chamber, the chill chamber, and the bake chamber process results. Embodiments also provide for a method and apparatus that are used to increase the reliability of the substrate transfer process to reduce system down time.