Abstract: A high-frequency current detector of a plasma processing apparatus detects a high-frequency current produced when high-frequency power in the range that does not cause generation of plasma in a chamber is supplied from a high-frequency power supply source to the chamber. The high-frequency current detector outputs the detected high-frequency current to a computer. The computer compares the high-frequency current received from the high-frequency current detector with a reference high-frequency current. When the received high-frequency current matches the reference high-frequency current, the computer determines that the process performance is normal. Otherwise, the computer determines that the process performance is abnormal. In this way, high-frequency characteristics specific to the apparatus are detected and the process performance are evaluated based on the detected high-frequency characteristics.

Abstract: A device for examining an end part according to the present invention includes a light projecting portion, a light receiving portion, a displacement sensor amplifier, and a data processing apparatus. The light projecting portion projects light on the end part of a semiconductor wafer. The light receiving portion receives specular reflected light reflected from the end part of the semiconductor wafer. The displacement sensor amplifier and the data processing apparatus calculate the displacement amount of the end part of the semiconductor wafer by a change in the distribution of the quantity of the specular reflected light received by the light receiving portion. Thus, the device for examining an end part can be reduced in size and simplified. Additionally, the device for examining an end part can be obtained, with which a change of the material of the end part of a measurement target is hardly detected as defects falsely.

Abstract: A defect inspecting device for a wafer is built in a positioning device for positioning a wafer 1, as a substrate to be processed, in a semiconductor manufacturing process. Light is irradiated on the wafer held on a vacuum holding base 2 while rotating the wafer at least one rotation from a position where the wafer is positioned and the scattered light is received. An operation unit 14 and a control unit 15 judge that if the intensity of the scattered light exceeds a predetermined threshold, a defect is detected on the wafer 1.

Abstract: A conveyor is provided that is capable of preventing degradation in quality of an article being conveyed. The conveyor includes a conveyor belt; and a rolling element rotatably provided at a surface of the conveyor belt. A plurality of rolling elements are provided along a conveying direction. The conveyor further includes a holder provided at the surface of the conveyor belt, for rotatably holding the corresponding rolling element. The rolling element has a ball shape.

Abstract: A high-frequency current detector of a plasma processing apparatus detects a high-frequency current produced when high-frequency power in the range that does not cause generation of plasma in a chamber is supplied from a high-frequency power supply source to the chamber. The high-frequency current detector outputs the detected high-frequency current to a computer. The computer compares the high-frequency current received from the high-frequency current detector with a reference high-frequency current. When the received high-frequency current matches the reference high-frequency current, the computer determines that the process performance is normal. Otherwise, the computer determines that the process performance is abnormal. In this way, high-frequency characteristics specific to the apparatus are detected and the process performance are evaluated based on the detected high-frequency characteristics.

Abstract: A defect inspecting device for a wafer is built in a positioning device for positioning a wafer 1, as a substrate to be processed, in a semiconductor manufacturing process. Light is irradiated on the wafer held on a vacuum holding base 2 while rotating the wafer at least one rotation from a position where the wafer is positioned and the scattered light is received. An operation unit 14 and a control unit 15 judge that if the intensity of the scattered light exceeds a predetermined threshold, a defect is detected on the wafer 1.

Abstract: A conveyor is provided that is capable of preventing degradation in quality of an article being conveyed. The conveyor includes a conveyor belt; and a rolling element rotatably provided at a surface of the conveyor belt. A plurality of rolling elements are provided along a conveying direction. The conveyor further includes a holder provided at the surface of the conveyor belt, for rotatably holding the corresponding rolling element. The rolling element has a ball shape.

Abstract: A strap-like layered resin film (4) having the same width as a semiconductor chip (2) is cut out from a layered resin film (4F) and pressurized while being heated to the temperature below the transition temperature of a resin ribbon (4b), to be bonded onto a predetermined region (1R) of a lead frame (1). Subsequently, removing a cover ribbon (4a) of non-stickiness from the film (4), the semiconductor chip (2) is bonded to the predetermined region (1R) with the resin ribbon (4b) of stickiness heated to about the transition temperature, and further pressurized. With this structure, in bonding the lead frame and the semiconductor chip with the resin film as a bonding material, it is possible to prevent emergence of a void caused by sucking air and extending-off of the bonding material.

Abstract: A plasma generating apparatus capable of improving the uniformity of a plasma processing and coping with a larger diameter of a substrate is obtained. Microwaves are distributed and emitted from a waveguide through the branching portions of a T branch to four rod antennas. The microwaves are introduced through four dielectric tubes into a vacuum vessel. In the vacuum vessel, a multi-cusp magnetic field and an electron cyclotron resonance region are caused by permanent magnets located around the vessel and, by an interaction between a vibrational electric field of the microwaves and a magnetic field, highly uniform plasma is generated in a region where a substrate or the like is subjected to a plasma processing.

Abstract: There is provided a plasma generating apparatus comprising: a waveguide for guiding a microwave; a vacuum vessel connected to the waveguide, having a means for supplying a gas for discharging electrons and a means for evacuating; and a dielectric member in a tube-like shape or a rod-like shape which is inserted in the vacuum vessel, wherein the dielectric member is provided with a means for emitting the microwave, whereby it is possible to apply the electric power of microwave effectively to plasma of high density exceeding so-called cut-off density and to homogenize the distribution of plasma in the vacuum vessel.

Abstract: Components such as an earth plate, a gas introduction ring, and the like placed in a reaction chamber in a plasma apparatus are made of aluminum containing magnesium in a concentration of 2.2 to 2.8% by weight and are not coated with alumite. In addition, a heater incorporated in a section of the reaction chamber heats the section during a plasma cleaning process. Further, an electrical discharge chamber is also incorporated in the plasma apparatus for providing a plasma to the reaction chamber for efficient plasma cleaning of the apparatus.

Abstract: A semi-full cut semiconductor wafer is put on an adhesive sheet attached to a ring frame. Then, the semiconductor wafer is pushed upward from the back surface of the adhesive sheet by a rotatable breaking member in the shape of a disk the edge portion of which is triangular in section. In this state, the ring frame is moved so that the breaking member may not deviate from dicing lines, whereby the semiconductor wafer is divided into a large number of chips.