Abstract: The present disclosure provides a substrate processing apparatus and a protective layer forming method that can protect surfaces of metal regions after a polishing process from oxidation and adhesion of cutting chips and particles caused in a process after polishing. The substrate processing apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a polishing device for polishing a semiconductor substrate, a protective layer forming device for forming a protective layer on a surface of the substrate using a silane coupling agent or a resin protective film agent, and a control device. The control device controls the polishing device and the protective layer forming device such that the protective layer forming device forms the protective layer on the substrate after the polishing device finishes polishing the substrate.

Abstract: A paddle capable of reducing an influence of blocking the electric field and capable of improving its mechanical strength is disclosed. The paddle, which is configured to agitate a processing liquid in a processing tank by moving in the processing tank, includes a plurality of agitating beams that form a honeycomb structure. The honeycomb structure has a plurality of hexagonal through-holes formed by the plurality of agitating beams.

Abstract: A paddle for agitating a plating solution by reciprocating parallel to a surface of a substrate is disclosed. The paddle includes a plurality of vertically-extending agitation rods. Each agitation rod includes: a planar portion perpendicular to a reciprocating direction of the paddle; two slope surfaces extending from side ends of the planar portion in directions closer to each other, the two slope surfaces being symmetric with respect to a center line of the agitation rod, the center line being perpendicular to the planar portion; and a tip portion connected with the two slope surfaces.

Abstract: A leak check method includes: performing a first inspection of measuring a pressure in an internal space formed by a seal of the substrate holder, while evacuating the internal space, and detecting that the pressure reaches a first pressure threshold value within a predetermined first inspection time; performing a second inspection of closing the internal space that has been evacuated, measuring the pressure in the closed internal space, and detecting that the pressure in the closed internal space does not exceed a second pressure threshold value within a predetermined second inspection time; and performing a third inspection of measuring a pressure difference between the pressure in the closed internal space and a vacuum pressure in a master container, and detecting that an amount of increase in the pressure difference within a predetermined third inspection time is kept equal to or below a pressure difference threshold value.

Abstract: An object is to allow for simple measurement of a bump height. There is provided a device for measuring a bump height comprising: a light sensor provided with a light source and a light-receiving element and configured to irradiate a substrate including a seed layer, a resist layer formed on the seed layer and a bump formed in an opening of the resist layer, with light emitted from the light source and to detect reflected light that is reflected from the seed layer via the resist layer and reflected light that is reflected from the bump, by the light-receiving element; and a control device configured to calculate a height of the bump relative to the seed layer, based on the reflected light from the seed layer and the reflected light from the bump and to subtract an error caused by a refractive index of the resist layer from the height of the bump calculated based on the reflected lights, so as to correct the height of the bump.

Abstract: There is provided the substrate holder for holding a substrate comprising a first holding member, a second holding member, a sealing member, a pin, a ring, and a moving mechanism. The sealing member forms a sealed space inside the substrate holder. The pin is fixed to one of the first holding member and the second holding member. The ring is disposed on another of the first holding member and the second holding member. The ring engages with the pin. The moving mechanism circumferentially moves the ring. The pin and the ring are engaged with one another to fix the first holding member and the second holding member to one another. The pin and the ring are disposed inside the sealed space.

Abstract: A leak check method includes: performing a first inspection of measuring a pressure in an internal space formed by a seal of the substrate holder, while evacuating the internal space, and detecting that the pressure reaches a first pressure threshold value within a predetermined first inspection time; performing a second inspection of closing the internal space that has been evacuated, measuring the pressure in the closed internal space, and detecting that the pressure in the closed internal space does not exceed a second pressure threshold value within a predetermined second inspection time; and performing a third inspection of measuring a pressure difference between the pressure in the closed internal space and a vacuum pressure in a master container, and detecting that an amount of increase in the pressure difference within a predetermined third inspection time is kept equal to or below a pressure difference threshold value.

Abstract: A plating method for plating a substrate having resist opening portions is provided. The plating method includes a resist residue removing step of removing resist residues in the resist opening portions of the substrate by spraying first process liquid to a surface of the substrate on which the resist opening portions are formed, a liquid filling step of soaking the substrate passed through the removing step in second process liquid to fill the resist opening portions of the substrate with the second process liquid, and a plating step of plating the substrate passed through the liquid filling step.

Abstract: There is provided a powder supply apparatus that prevents powder from scattering as much as possible. There is provided the powder supply apparatus that supplies a powder containing a metal used for a plating to a plating solution. This powder supply apparatus includes a plating solution tank, a feed pipe, a gas supply line, and a spiral-air-flow-generating component. The plating solution tank is configured to house the plating solution. The feed pipe is configured to feed the powder into the plating solution tank. The gas supply line is configured to supply a gas. The spiral-air-flow-generating component is configured to receive the gas from the gas supply line to generate a spiral air flow heading toward the plating solution tank inside the feed pipe.

Abstract: A leak check method includes: performing a first inspection of measuring a pressure in an internal space formed by a seal of the substrate holder, while evacuating the internal space, and detecting that the pressure reaches a first pressure threshold value within a predetermined first inspection time; performing a second inspection of closing the internal space that has been evacuated, measuring the pressure in the closed internal space, and detecting that the pressure in the closed internal space does not exceed a second pressure threshold value within a predetermined second inspection time; and performing a third inspection of measuring a pressure difference between the pressure in the closed internal space and a vacuum pressure in a master container, and detecting that an amount of increase in the pressure difference within a predetermined third inspection time is kept equal to or below a pressure difference threshold value.

Abstract: A method which can perform a soft pre-wetting treatment of a substrate, such as a wafer, with use of a pre-wetting liquid in a smaller amount. This method includes: holding a substrate between a first holding member and a second holding member, with the surface of the substrate being exposed through an opening of the second holding member, and pressing a sealing ridge of the substrate holder against a peripheral portion of the substrate; pressing a sealing block against the substrate holder; forming a vacuum in an external space; performing a seal inspection to check a sealed state provided by the sealing ridge based on a change in pressure in the external space; and performing a pre-wetting treatment by supplying a pre-wetting liquid to the external space while evacuating air from the external space to bring the pre-wetting liquid into contact with the exposed surface of the substrate.

Abstract: There is provided a powder supply apparatus that prevents powder from scattering as much as possible. There is provided the powder supply apparatus that supplies a powder containing a metal used for a plating to a plating solution. This powder supply apparatus includes a plating solution tank, a feed pipe, a gas supply line, and a spiral-air-flow-generating component. The plating solution tank is configured to house the plating solution. The feed pipe is configured to feed the powder into the plating solution tank. The gas supply line is configured to supply a gas. The spiral-air-flow-generating component is configured to receive the gas from the gas supply line to generate a spiral air flow heading toward the plating solution tank inside the feed pipe.

Abstract: A semiconductor manufacturing apparatus including: a first device; one or more sensors; a first calculation circuit that calculates one or more feature quantities of the first device from the detected physical quantities; and a failure prediction circuit that compares the one or more feature quantities with a plurality of pieces of model data of a temporal change in one or more feature quantities until the first device fails, decides a piece of model data with the minimum difference from the calculated one or more feature quantities among the plurality of pieces of model data, calculates predicted failure time from a difference between a failure point in time and a point in time at which a difference from the calculated one or more feature quantities is the minimum in the piece of model data.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, comprising: a first device; one or more sensors that detect physical quantities indicating a state of the first device; a first calculation circuit that calculates one or more feature quantities of the first device from the detected physical quantities; and a failure prediction circuit that monitors a temporal change in the one or more feature quantities calculated in the first calculation circuit, and stops receiving a new substrate when a duration for which a degree of deviation of the one or more feature quantities from those at a normal time is increasing exceeds a first time, and/or when a number of increases and decreases per unit time in the degree of deviation of the one or more feature quantities from those at the normal time exceeds a first number.

Abstract: A method capable of removing a liquid from a seal of a substrate holder so as to prevent contact between the liquid and an electrical contact of the substrate holder is provided. The method includes: immersing the substrate in a plating solution, with a seal and an electrical contact of the substrate holder in contact with the substrate; applying a voltage between the substrate and an anode in the presence of the plating solution to plate the substrate; pulling up the plated substrate from the plating solution; separating the seal from the plated substrate; and forming a flow of gas passing through a gap between the plated substrate and the seal, the flow of gas being directed from an inside to an outside of the substrate holder.

Abstract: An object is to allow for simple measurement of a bump height. There is provided. a device for measuring a bump height comprising: a light sensor provided with a light source and a light-receiving element and configured to irradiate a substrate including a seed layer, a resist layer formed on the seed layer and a bump formed in an opening of the resist layer, with light emitted from the light source and to detect reflected light that is reflected from the seed layer via the resist layer and reflected light that is reflected from the bump, by the light-receiving element; and a control device configured to calculate a height of the bump relative to the seed layer, based on the reflected light from the seed layer and the reflected light from the bump and to subtract an error caused by a refractive index of the resist layer from the height of the bump calculated based on the reflected lights, so as to correct the height of the bump.

Abstract: A paddle capable of reducing an influence of blocking the electric field and capable of improving its mechanical strength is disclosed. The paddle, which is configured to agitate a processing liquid in a processing tank by moving in the processing tank, includes a plurality of agitating beams that form a honeycomb structure. The honeycomb structure has a plurality of hexagonal through-holes formed by the plurality of agitating beams.

Abstract: A plating apparatus according to the present disclosure includes an anode holder configured to hold an anode; a substrate holder placed opposite the anode holder and configured to hold a substrate; and an anode mask installed on a front face of the anode holder and provided with a first opening adapted to allow passage of an electric current flowing between an anode and the substrate. The diameter of the first opening in the anode mask is configured to be adjustable. When a first substrate is plated, a diameter of the first opening is adjusted to a first diameter. When a second substrate is plated, the diameter of the first opening is adjusted to a second diameter smaller than the first diameter.

Abstract: A paddle for agitating a plating solution by reciprocating parallel to a surface of a substrate is disclosed. The paddle includes a plurality of vertically-extending agitation rods. Each agitation rod includes: a planar portion perpendicular to a reciprocating direction of the paddle; two slope surfaces extending from side ends of the planar portion in directions closer to each other, the two slope surfaces being symmetric with respect to a center line of the agitation rod, the center line being perpendicular to the planar portion; and a tip portion connected with the two slope surfaces.

Abstract: A substrate holder includes: a first holding member having a surface configured to come into contact with the substrate; and a second holding member, between which and the first holding member the substrate is put and held. The second holding member includes a removal portion that is disposed along an outer circumference of the substrate and configured to come into contact with the substrate and remove an insulating material on the substrate when the substrate is put between the first holding member and the second holding member, and an electric contact portion that is disposed along the outer circumference of the substrate and configured to come into contact with a region on the substrate in which the removal portion has removed the insulating material when the substrate is put and held between the first holding member and the second holding member.