Advanced multi-pressure workpiece processing
Workpiece processing uses a transfer chamber in cooperation with a process chamber. The workpiece is to be heated to a treatment temperature, at a preheating pressure, and subsequently exposed to a plasma at a treatment pressure, which is less than the preheating pressure. The process chamber pressure does not exceed the preheating pressure, yet very rapid pressure increases can be induced in the process chamber in transitioning from the treatment pressure to the preheating pressure. The transfer chamber pressure can be maintained at the treatment pressure, the preheating pressure or raised to a selected pressure to backfill the process chamber to the preheating pressure. A backfill arrangement can selectively induce rapid pressure increases in the process chamber. A bypass arrangement provides selective pressure communication between the transfer and process chambers and can be used for backfilling the process chamber from the transfer chamber.
The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/534,495, filed Jan. 6, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is related generally to the field of processing one or more workpieces and, more particularly, to a system and method which carries out an overall procedure on workpieces by using more than one pressure.
Manufacturing workpieces such as, for example, semiconductor wafers is often best performed using different pressures at different points in an overall process. One example of such a multi-pressure process is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,932 (hereinafter the '932 patent). In particular, at column 2 of the '932 patent, a seven step prior art process, known as atmosphere-to-vacuum-to-atmosphere (AVA) processing, is described. In this process, a wafer is heated to a desired process temperature in the process chamber, the process chamber is then pumped down to a desired process pressure, the wafer is subjected to a plasma, the chamber is vented back to atmospheric pressure and the wafer is exchanged with another wafer. Such a process is useful, for example, in removing photoresist from the wafer.
The '932 patent takes advantage of the well-known principle that heat transfer efficiency is increased with increased gas pressure. In attempting to enhance wafer throughput over that which is available in a prior art AVA system, the '932 patent utilizes an intermediate pressure at which the wafer is heated in a processing chamber, after reducing the processing chamber pressure from a load/unload pressure. The load/unload pressure is not required to be atmospheric, but is nonetheless higher than the intermediate pressure. In this regard, it is considered, in view of the teachings and recognitions of the present invention, that the '932 patent imposes constraints and problems which serve to limit further enhancement of system throughput.
It is noted that other prior art has recognized performing heating at an intermediate pressure in conjunction with using a transfer chamber. Specifically, the treatment object was transferred between the transfer chamber and a process chamber at either the intermediate pressure or the process pressure. It is recognized herein that required pressure changes in the process chamber of these prior art systems impose significant limitations on system throughput, as will be further discussed at an appropriate point below.
The present invention is considered to remove the foregoing constraints and problems while providing still further advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREIn a system for processing at least one workpiece, an apparatus and method are described. The system includes at least a transfer chamber and a processing chamber such that a transfer chamber pressure, in the transfer chamber, and a processing chamber pressure, in the processing chamber, can each vary and the workpiece can be moved between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber. The system further includes a process gas regulation arrangement for providing process gas to the processing chamber at least during a plasma treatment process at a given flow rate and which is capable of providing the process gas at a maximum flow rate.
In one aspect of the present invention, the transfer chamber pressure and the processing chamber pressure are equalized to a treatment pressure at which the workpiece is to be subjected to a plasma treatment process. The workpiece is transferred from the transfer chamber to the processing chamber at the treatment pressure. The workpiece is preheated to a treatment temperature, in cooperation with raising the processing chamber pressure to a preheating pressure at a pressure rise rate resulting at least in part from using an additional process chamber gas input flow at an input flow rate which causes an overall input rate to the processing chamber to be greater than the maximum flow rate, without raising the transfer chamber pressure. The processing chamber pressure is reduced to the treatment pressure. The workpiece is exposed to the plasma treatment process at least approximately at the treatment pressure and at the treatment temperature.
In another aspect of the present invention, the transfer chamber pressure and the processing chamber pressure are equalized to a preheating pressure at which the workpiece is to be heated to a treatment temperature. In cooperation with equalizing the transfer chamber pressure and the processing chamber pressure, the workpiece is transferred from the transfer chamber to the processing chamber. The workpiece is preheated to a treatment temperature at the preheating pressure in the processing chamber. The processing chamber pressure is reduced to the treatment pressure while the transfer chamber remains at least approximately at the preheating pressure. The workpiece is exposed to the plasma treatment process at least approximately at the treatment pressure and at the treatment temperature. The processing chamber pressure is then raised to the preheating pressure at a pressure rise rate resulting at least in part from using an additional process chamber gas input flow at an input flow rate which causes an overall input rate to the processing chamber to be greater than the maximum flow rate, without raising the transfer chamber pressure, for transfer of the workpiece to the transfer chamber at the preheating pressure.
In one implementation, a backfill reservoir arrangement is configured for selective pressure communication with the processing chamber for use in selectively backfilling the processing chamber pressure from the treatment pressure to the preheating pressure.
In still another aspect of the present invention, in pressure isolation from the process chamber, the transfer chamber pressure is changed to a selected pressure value that is greater than a preheating pressure at which the workpiece is to be heated at least approximately to a treatment temperature. With the processing chamber initially at least approximately at a treatment pressure, which is lower than the preheating pressure, pressure is equalized between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber such that the selected pressure backfills the process chamber at least approximately to the preheating pressure. In cooperation with equalizing pressure to the preheating pressure, the workpiece is moved from the transfer chamber to the processing chamber. The workpiece is preheated at least approximately to a treatment temperature at the preheating pressure in the processing chamber. The processing chamber pressure is reduced to the treatment pressure in pressure isolation from the transfer chamber pressure. The workpiece is exposed to the plasma treatment process at least approximately at the treatment pressure and at the treatment temperature.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, at least the processing chamber pressure is manipulated and the workpiece is cooperatively moved between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber such that the workpiece is exposed to a preheating pressure in the processing chamber for use in enhancing heating of the workpiece to a treatment temperature and so that the workpiece is subjected to a treatment process in the processing chamber, at least approximately at a treatment pressure, that is lower than the preheating pressure, after having at least approximately reached the treatment temperature, in a way which produces a maximum processing chamber pressure of no more than approximately the preheating pressure, using a value of the preheating pressure that is less than atmospheric pressure, but greater than the treatment pressure and using a rate of pressure increase resulting at least in part from using an additional process chamber gas input flow at an input flow rate which causes an overall input rate to the processing chamber to be greater than the maximum flow rate, without raising the transfer chamber pressure.
In a continuing aspect of the present invention, for processing a plurality of workpieces, at least the processing chamber pressure is manipulated and a first one of the workpieces is moved between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber such that the first workpiece is exposed to a preheating pressure in the processing chamber for use in heating the first workpiece to a treatment temperature and so that the first workpiece is subjected to a treatment process in the processing chamber, at least approximately at a treatment pressure, that is lower than the preheating pressure, after having at least approximately reached the treatment temperature, in a way which produces a maximum processing chamber pressure of no more than approximately the preheating pressure, using a value of the preheating pressure that is less than atmospheric pressure, but greater than the treatment pressure. Workpieces are treated by continuing to manipulate the transfer chamber pressure, the processing chamber pressure and cooperatively moving each one of the subsequent ones of the workpieces between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber and using a rate of pressure increase resulting at least in part from using an additional process chamber gas input flow at an input flow rate which causes an overall input rate to the processing chamber to be greater than the maximum flow rate, without raising the transfer chamber pressure. In one feature, multiple workpieces can be transferred and processed simultaneously.
In a further aspect of the present invention, a bypass arrangement is described for selectively providing pressure communication between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber for use in producing pressure equalization therebetween, separate from the use of an isolation valve through which the workpiece is passed between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber. In one feature, a control arrangement causes the transfer chamber pressure to rise to a selected value, with the processing chamber at a treatment pressure, that is lower than the selected value and which is also lower than a preheating pressure at which the workpiece is to be heated to a treatment temperature. Thereafter, the processing chamber is backfilled by opening at least the bypass arrangement between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber in a way which causes the processing chamber pressure and the treatment chamber pressure to equalize at least approximately to the preheating pressure for subsequent use in heating the workpiece. In another feature, the bypass arrangement serves to selectively provide pressure communication between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber for use in pressure equalization therebetween without a need to use the isolation valve.
In another implementation, in a system for treating at least one workpiece in accordance with a multi-step overall process which preheats the workpiece in a processing chamber to a treatment temperature at a preheating pressure and, thereafter, exposes the workpiece to a plasma at a treatment pressure in the processing chamber and at least approximately at the treatment temperature, the treatment pressure being less than the preheating pressure such that the processing chamber pressure must be raised from the treatment pressure at least to the preheating pressure at one or more points during the multi-step overall process. The system further includes a process gas regulation arrangement for providing process gas to the processing chamber at least during exposing the workpiece to the plasma at a given flow rate and which is capable of providing the process gas at a maximum flow rate, an arrangement is provided for use in raising the processing chamber pressure from the treatment pressure at least to the preheating pressure at the one or more points during the multi-step overall process by providing an additional process chamber gas input flow at an input flow rate which causes an overall input rate to the processing chamber to be greater than the maximum flow rate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe present invention may be understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings briefly described below.
The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the described embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein. It is noted that the drawings are not to scale and are diagrammatic in nature.
With continuing reference to
Plasma chamber 34 may be used to implement plasmas in an exemplary process window such as, for example:
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- Process Pressure: 0.2 to 20 Torr (approximately 1 Torr has been found as useful)
- Plasma RF Power (per workpiece): 500 to 5,000 W (approximately 3,000 W has been found as useful)
Process Gas(es): some combination or all of the following gases:
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- O2 Flow: 1,000-20,000 (5,000-10,000 sccm has been found as useful)
- Ar, He, N2 Flow: Separate or combined 50-5000 sccm (500 sccm has been found as useful)
- H2, D2, HD Flow: Separate or combined 1,000-20,000 sccm (approximately 10,000 sccm has been found as useful)
- Forming Gas (4-10% H2— balance N2): 1,000-15,000 sccm (approximately 10,000 sccm has been found to be useful)
- Hydrocarbon Gas (low molecular wt.): Such as CH4, C2H4, C2H6, C3H8, C4H10, etc.)—Flow 1,000-10,000 sccm (CH4 with a flow of approximately 5,000 sccm has been found to be useful)
- Halocarbon Containing Gas: Such as CF4, C2F6, C3F8, C4F6, c-C4F8, CHF3, CH2F2, CH3F, C2HF5, C2H2F4, ClCF3, Cl2CF2, etc.—Flow less than approximately 300 sccm
- HF Flow: less than approximately 300 sccm
- N2O Flow: 50-5000 sccm
- NH3 Flow: 50-5000 sccm.
In the dry process removal of photoresist, it is known that the removal rate of the photoresist increases with increases in the temperature of the workpiece during plasma exposure. For example, heating the workpiece to a temperature in a range extending from approximately 150 C° to 350 C° is contemplated in order to reach higher workpiece throughput.
Continuing with the description of
Plasma chamber or module 34 includes a gas diffuser 50 which receives inputs from a process gas input 52 and a backfill arrangement 54. The latter provides an input to diffuser 50 at a backfill input 56. It is noted that inputs 52 can be connected to one another in a “T” configuration so as to share a single gas input in order to avoid a need for the dual input diffuser 50. The term “backfill” is used to describe bringing a lower pressure to a higher pressure, as a result of communication with an initially higher pressure. It is noted that the diffuser has been designed to evenly distribute the pressure in plasma source 34 and to minimize the possibility of plasma flowing back into gas diffuser 50, and the gas inlet lines 52 and 56. Process gases 58 generally comprise the gas mixtures that are used for plasma generation, although gases may also be introduced, via process gas input 52, for purposes of enhancing temperature ramping of workpiece 30. In this regard, the process gases are regulated by an MFC (Mass Flow Controller) 60 which is provided for the purpose of regulating the input of process gases with a high degree of precision during actual exposure of the workpiece to plasma so as to control the characteristics of the plasma. While the MFC provides such precise control, the flow rate is quite low. Further, devices such as this MFC are characterized by a maximum flow value that is typically quite low. Hence, it is recognized that a significant limitation is imposed with respect to inflow by relying solely on the MFC. Backfill input 56 leads to a backfill valve 66 which is, in turn, connected to a backfill ballast chamber 68. Details with respect to the volume and operation of backfill arrangement 54 will be provided below. For the moment, it is sufficient to note that backfill input 56, valve 66, backfill chamber 68 and all associated piping should be configured to facilitate a rapid pressure rise in processing chamber 32, for example, from a low, plasma treatment pressure to a higher workpiece preheating pressure either alone or in cooperation with process gas input 52. A backfill chamber line 70 leads from a backfill supply valve 72 to backfill chamber 68. An appropriate supply line 74 is connected to an input of backfill supply valve 72. Backfill gas 76 is indicated by an arrow. Pressure in backfill chamber 68 is monitored using a pressure sensor 78. In this way, a specified starting pressure in the backfill chamber can be achieved prior to the initiation of process chamber backfill in cooperation with the use of supply valve 72. Alternatively, to ensure a controlled pressure condition in the backfill chamber, a mass flow controller (not shown) can be used to meter gas into the backfill chamber over known time periods. It is considered that one having ordinary skill in the art can readily implement this backfill arrangement in view of this overall disclosure. A gas diffuser 79 is positioned between plasma chamber 34 and processing chamber 32 for purposes of enhancing process uniformity, however, the gas diffuser is not a requirement.
Using backfill arrangement 54, either alone or in cooperation with process gas MFC 60, it is considered processing chamber rise rates of more than 15 Torr per second can be produced. Even rise rates of 150 Torr per second or more are considered as practical.
Attention is now directed to
Turning now to
Having described initial workpiece positioning, in step 103 of mode 100, the workpiece is lowered to its treatment position onto susceptor 38 by retracting lift pins 40, as is the case in
There are at least two ways in which the rapid pressure rise can be performed.
At step 104, once the workpiece temperature approaches the susceptor temperature (but typically is slightly less than the susceptor temperature), the pressure in the process chamber is reduced quickly to a treatment pressure that is required for the photoresist plasma etch step.
In step 106, in relation to the processing chamber reaching the desired treatment pressure for the plasma etch step and having introduced the plasma gas supply, an RF power supply and matching network (not shown) associated with plasma chamber 34 are turned on at t4 and the matching network starts to tune to a point at which a stable plasma will ignite and the plasma etch process begins.
In relation to termination of the plasma etch process at t5 in step 108, the gases used for plasma generation, passing through the process chamber, are discontinued. The pressure of the process chamber and the workpiece transfer chamber may be equalized, if needed, to the treatment pressure and isolation/gate valve 44, between the process chamber and the transfer chamber, is opened. The lift pins are extended and the workpiece is raised above the top surface of the susceptor.
In step 110, so long as both valve 44 is open and lift-pins 40 are extended, end-effector 20 may be extended into the process chamber and the workpiece transferred back to transfer chamber 12.
Step 112 then transfers another workpiece into the treatment chamber and the process repeats as described above.
The gaseous environment used for achieving a rapid workpiece heat-up rate consist of one or more of the following gases (the exact combination and ratio will depend on the required workpiece heat-up rate: Ar, He, H2, D2, HD, HF, O2, N2, NH3, N2O, a low molecular weight hydrocarbon gas (such as CH4, C2H4, C2H6, C3H8, C4H10, etc.), a halocarbon containing gas (such as CF4, C2F6, C3F8, C4F6, c-C4F8, CHF3, CH2F2, CH3F, C2HF5, C2H2F4, ClCF3, Cl2CF2, etc.). The specific gaseous environment can be optimized for rapid workpiece heat-up and/or cooling rate. This gas mixture may be referred to herein as “preheating gas.” One benefit of this processing scheme is to decrease the time required to process workpieces and thereby increase the number of workpieces per hour that can be processed. It should be appreciated that the use of the preheating gas is intended to shorten time intervals shown in the drawings with respect to heating of the workpiece and may be used to enhance cooling intervals, as will be described below.
Turning now to
Initially, step 206 moves a workpiece 30 from transfer chamber 12 to processing chamber 32 and positions the workpiece on susceptor 38. Since the processing chamber is already at the preheating pressure, the workpiece will experience an enhanced heating effect as it is brought into proximity to susceptor 38 and then lowered onto the susceptor. Thus, workpiece temperature rises from T0 at time t0 to T2 at time t2.
In step 208, in relation to the workpiece reaching the treatment temperature, T2, at time t2, pressure is reduced in processing chamber 32 from P1 to treatment pressure P0, which is achieved, in the present example, at t3. It is noted that the aforedescribed preheating gas mixture, if employed, may be used in both the transfer chamber and in the processing chamber, for convenience as well as for reasons yet to be described. Otherwise, these gases are appropriately introduced, via diffuser 50, into the processing chamber for purposes of accomplishing preheating of the workpiece so as to enhance the rate of temperature rise from t0 to t2, in a way which shortens this time interval.
Plasma exposure is initiated at t4, in step 210, after the introduction of plasma gases into the process chamber and plasma ignition, with processing chamber 32 at P0. Plasma exposure continues to time t5. Plasma gas introduction is then terminated.
Step 212 accomplishes raising process chamber pressure to P1, which may be performed using the preheating gas mixture, and lifting the workpiece from susceptor 38. A rapid pressure increase, as depicted, can be accomplished using backfill arrangement 54, as described above. It is noted that a pressure rise from P0 to P1 is induced from t5 to t6 in process chamber pressure plot 202a with a resultant drop in backfill chamber pressure plot 202b over this time period. Following this drop in backfill chamber pressure, with backfill valve 66 closed, Psel or a higher desired pressure can be restored in the backfill chamber as shown by plot 202b prior to t5. Again, the backfill chamber pressure can be raised to a significantly higher value than Psel such that the backfill chamber always remains higher than P1. In this case, the primary differences in backfill chamber pressure plot 202b reside in raising the high pressure above Psel as well as providing a steeper, more linear pressure rise from P0 to P1, as well as a steeper more linear drop in plot 202b from Psel to P1. Further, at t6, plots 202a and 202b will not merge asymptotically, but will more closely resemble linear sloped functions. Moreover, the backfill arrangement can be used to introduce the preheating gas mixture or can be customized to mix with other gases in the process chamber so as to produce a desired gas mixture.
The workpiece is then transferred by step 214 from processing chamber 32 to transfer chamber 12 at approximately the preheating pressure. It is noted that cooling of the workpiece will be enhanced as a result of its exposure to the preheating pressure, subsequent to plasma exposure and during its return trip to the transfer chamber. It is estimated that the workpiece may cool, in this manner, by as much as at least 30 additional degrees centigrade, prior to exiting transfer chamber 12. This cooling effect may be enhanced even further with the use of the preheating gas mixture in one or both of the transfer and process chambers. Thus, the “preheating” gas pressure and mixture are each seen to be advantageous in cooling the workpiece as well as in heating it. It should be appreciated that a great degree of flexibility is provided with respect to workpiece cooling. Through the selection of the preheating pressure, the rate of cooling of the workpiece can be customized such that the workpiece cools in a desired way as it travels through and exits the transfer chamber. Further, selection of cooling gas mixture provides an opportunity for even greater customization of the cooling parameters.
With both transfer chamber 12 and processing chamber 32 at the preheating pressure, another workpiece can be transferred (step 216) into the process chamber and the foregoing sequence repeated.
Referring to
Referring again to
PSelVtc=P1Vtot (1)
Where Psel is the selected pressure value to be determined and P1 is the preheating pressure, Vtc is the volume of the transfer chamber and Vtot is the combined volume of the transfer chamber and the process chamber. It is noted that any contribution from the initial pressure (i.e., the treatment pressure) in the processing chamber has been ignored for purposes of simplicity since, for example, at 1 Torr, it is much less than the selected pressure value. Of course, the selected pressure value may readily be determined and/or fine-tuned empirically by one having ordinary skill in the art.
As exemplary values, the transfer chamber can be maintained at a pressure from approximately 25 to 250 Torr with approximately 65 Torr as a potential selected pressure. The process chamber is maintained at the treatment pressure required for the desired plasma process in the range of 0.01 to 10 Torr with 1 Torr as a typical pressure. The difference in the respective pressures is such that, for example, to raise the pressure in the process chamber, during the rapid heating process, to approximately 60 Torr and if the ratio of the volume of the gaseous environments is such that the transfer chamber is approximately 10× that of the process chamber, one can set the pressure of the transfer chamber to approximately 65 Torr, so that when the isolation/gate valve between the transfer chamber and the process chamber is opened, the pressure in both chambers equalizes at a pressure of approximately 60 Torr. Of course, different ratios in the respective gaseous environments of both chambers and a different preheating pressure for the rapid workpiece heating cycle in the process chamber necessitate setting the transfer chamber at a different selected pressure. The higher selected pressure and the larger volume of the gaseous environment of the transfer chamber is used to “rapidly” raise the pressure in the process chamber to the desired preheating pressure for rapid heat-up of the workpiece. Of course, this discussion is equally applicable with respect to the use of backfill chamber 68 of
Referring to
Moving to step 306, once the valves are closed, treatment chamber 12 is returned to selected pressure Psel. It is again noted that a plot of transfer chamber pressure may resemble the appearance of backfill chamber plot 202b of
In time relation to the workpiece reaching the treatment temperature, plot 202a of
In time relation to processing chamber 32 reaching P0, photoresist strip can be initiated in step 310 with an introduction of plasma gases and striking the plasma, as described above. The strip interval runs until time t5 in
In step 312, in time relation to termination of the PR strip interval, accompanied by termination of plasma gas flow, processing chamber 32 is backfilled from transfer chamber 12 so as to produce a rapid increase in process chamber pressure plot 202a from the treatment pressure to the preheating pressure. This pressure rise starts at time t5 and the preheating pressure is achieved at t6. The pressure rise in process chamber pressure plot 202a is produced responsive to a drop in transfer chamber pressure plot 202b from Psel to P1 which occurs from t5 to t6, respectively. It should be appreciated that, in order to achieve this rate of pressure increase, system 80 must accommodate a relatively large, but short duration of gas flow during the backfill. Bypass arrangement 82, of
The treated workpiece is removed from process chamber 32, in step 314, and another workpiece is moved from the transfer chamber to the treatment position in process chamber 32.
Referring to
Attention is now directed to
Having described the present invention in detail above, it should be appreciated that, during processing of a series of workpieces, it is never required, in the processing chamber, to raise the process chamber pressure to more than the pressure used for preheating. It is considered that such a requirement would serve to reduce system throughput. Accordingly, the use of any higher pressure (higher than the preheating pressure) in the process chamber is completely avoided. Moreover, changing the process chamber pressure between the preheating and treatment pressures can always be accomplished very rapidly, irrespective of whether the pressure change is increasing or decreasing. In particular, the use of a backfilling approach from either a backfill reservoir arrangement and/or using backfill from the transfer chamber is highly advantageous in raising the process chamber pressure from the treatment pressure to the preheating pressure. Coupled with heating at the preheat pressure, an increase in system throughput on the order of 20-50% is contemplated, depending upon treatment time. Further, backfill from a backfill reservoir and from the transfer chamber may be used in any desired combination, either with serial or parallel use of the respective backfill sources.
While the aforementioned '932 patent describes an AVA system which is intended to minimize up-front costs, it is considered that the present application provides many advantages over the use of an AVA system. For example, system throughput is enhanced by eliminating the need to return to atmospheric pressure, or some higher load/unload pressure, subsequent to each workpiece being processed. The present application transfers workpieces to and from the process chamber at pressures that are at or below the workpiece preheating pressure, thereby eliminating a number of pressure changes that are mandated by the approach of the '932 patent. Further, the present application provides for cooling customization, described above, as the workpiece is returned to the transfer chamber.
It is submitted that the prior art is devoid of the recognition that is brought to light herein, whereby processing chamber pressure rises can always be performed in a very rapid manner when transitioning from the treatment pressure to the preheating pressure. Moreover, the present application provides an elegant and streamlined approach with respect to implementing pressure changes in an overall process scheme, including the use of backfilling in a way that is submitted to be missing from the prior art.
It is to be understood that at least the following language is considered to be enabled by the foregoing description.
1. In a system for treating at least one workpiece using a treatment process, said system having at least a transfer chamber and a processing chamber such that a transfer chamber pressure, in the transfer chamber, and a processing chamber pressure, in the processing chamber, can each vary and the workpiece can be moved between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber, said system further including a process gas regulation arrangement for providing process gas to said processing chamber at least during a plasma treatment process at a given flow rate and which is capable of providing said process gas at a maximum flow rate, a method comprising:
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- a) equalizing the transfer chamber pressure and the processing chamber pressure to a treatment pressure at which the workpiece is to be subjected to a plasma treatment process;
- b) transferring the workpiece from the transfer chamber to the processing chamber at the treatment pressure;
- c) preheating the workpiece to a treatment temperature, in cooperation with raising the processing chamber pressure to a preheating pressure at a pressure rise rate resulting at least in part from using an additional process chamber gas input flow at an input flow rate which causes an overall input rate to the processing chamber to be greater than said maximum flow rate, without raising the transfer chamber pressure;
- d) reducing the processing chamber pressure to the treatment pressure; and
- e) exposing the workpiece to said plasma treatment process at least approximately at said treatment pressure and at said treatment temperature.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said pressure rise rate is at least 15 Torr per second.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said workpiece supports a photoresist layer and wherein said preheating and exposing cooperate in removing the photoresist layer using said plasma treatment process.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein said plasma treatment process produces a plasma which is customized for removing said photoresist layer from the substrate at said treatment temperature.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein said workpiece is supported by a susceptor and including heating the susceptor for use in preheating the workpiece.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein heating includes heating the susceptor to an at least approximately fixed temperature.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein said treatment pressure is in a range from approximately 0.01 to 10 Torr.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein said treatment pressure is approximately 1 Torr.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein said preheating pressure is in a range from approximately 25 to 250 Torr.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein said preheating pressure is at least approximately 60 Torr.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein preheating includes introducing a preheating gas mixture into the processing chamber for enhancing a rate of temperature increase of the workpiece.
12. The method of claim 11 including using helium gas as at least a portion of the preheating gas mixture.
13. The method of claim 1 including configuring a backfill reservoir arrangement for selective pressure communication with said processing chamber for use in selectively producing a pressure increase in said processing chamber by causing said additional process chamber input flow, and preheating the workpiece in cooperation with raising the processing chamber pressure includes backfilling the processing chamber to said preheating pressure using the additional process chamber gas input flow from the backfill reservoir arrangement.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein backfilling includes using a gas diffuser for introducing the additional process chamber gas input flow into the processing chamber from said backfill reservoir arrangement.
15. The method of claim 14 including generating a plasma, as part of said plasma treatment process, using the process gas, and the gas diffuser is further used for introducing the process gas into the processing chamber.
16. The method of claim 13 wherein said backfill reservoir arrangement is configured to include a backfill reservoir and storing a backfill gas in the backfill reservoir at a pressure that is greater than a target pressure to which the processing chamber is to be backfilled.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the target pressure is selected as the preheating pressure for use during heating the workpiece and heating the workpiece to a treatment temperature for subsequent use during treating the workpiece.
18. The method of claim 13 including causing a backfill pressure in the backfill reservoir to rise to a selected value, with the processing chamber at a treatment pressure that is lower than the selected value and which treatment pressure is also lower than a preheating pressure at which the workpiece is to be heated to a treatment temperature and, thereafter, backfilling includes placing the backfill reservoir in pressure communication with the processing chamber in a way which causes the backfill pressure and the treatment chamber pressure to equalize at least approximately to the preheating pressure for subsequent use in enhancing a heating rate of the workpiece.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein said process gas regulation arrangement provides at least approximately no process gas during said backfilling.
20. The method of claim 13 wherein said pressure rise rate in the processing chamber is in a range of approximately 15 to 150 Torr per second.
21. The method of claim 13 wherein backfilling includes inducing said pressure rise rate in the processing chamber at approximately 30 Torr per second.
22. The method of claim 1 including simultaneously treating a pair of workpieces according to steps (a) through (e).
23. The method of claim 1 including processing a series of workpieces according to steps (a) through (e).
24. In a system for treating at least one workpiece, said system having at least a transfer chamber and a processing chamber such that a transfer chamber pressure, in the transfer chamber, and a processing chamber pressure, in the processing chamber, can each vary and the workpiece can be moved between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber, said system further including a process gas regulation arrangement for providing process gas to said processing chamber at least during a plasma treatment process at a given flow rate and which is capable of providing said process gas at a maximum flow rate, an apparatus comprising:
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- a first arrangement at least for controlling the processing chamber pressure to reduce the processing chamber pressure to a treatment pressure at which the workpiece is to be subjected to a plasma treatment process and for selectively raising the processing chamber pressure, in cooperation with said process gas regulation arrangement, to a preheating pressure, which is higher than the treatment pressure, at a pressure rise rate resulting at least in part from using an additional process chamber gas input flow at an input flow rate which causes an overall input rate to the processing chamber to be greater than said maximum flow rate, without raising the transfer chamber pressure; and
- a second arrangement in said processing chamber for preheating the workpiece to a treatment temperature in cooperation with raising the processing chamber pressure from said treatment pressure to said preheating pressure, using said first arrangement, and with said transfer chamber pressure remaining, at least approximately, at said treatment pressure such that the processing chamber pressure can then be reduced to the treatment pressure and the workpiece exposed to said plasma treatment process at least approximately at said treatment pressure and at said treatment temperature.
25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said pressure rise rate is at least 15 Torr per second.
26. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said treatment pressure is in a range from approximately 0.01 to 10 Torr.
27. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said treatment pressure is approximately 1 Torr.
28. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said preheating pressure is in range from approximately 25 to 250 Torr.
29. The apparatus of claim 24 configured for treating a pair of workpieces simultaneously.
30. The apparatus of claim 24 including processing a series of workpieces according to steps (a) through (e).
31. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said first arrangement includes a backfill reservoir arrangement for selective pressure communication with said processing chamber for use in selectively backfilling, as said additional process chamber gas input flow, the processing chamber pressure from the treatment pressure to the preheating pressure.
32. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the backfill arrangement includes a gas diffuser for introducing the additional process chamber gas input flow into the processing chamber.
33. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein said processing chamber includes a plasma generator for generating a plasma, as part of said plasma treatment process, using the process gas and the gas diffuser is configured for introducing the process gas into the processing chamber.
34. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein said backfill reservoir arrangement includes a backfill reservoir for storing a backfill gas at a backfill pressure that is greater than the preheating pressure to which the processing chamber is to be backfilled.
35. The apparatus of claim 34 including a control arrangement for causing the backfill pressure in the backfill reservoir to rise to a selected value, with the processing chamber at a treatment pressure that is lower than the selected value and which treatment pressure is also lower than a preheating pressure at which the workpiece is to be heated to a treatment temperature and, thereafter, to backfill the processing chamber by placing the backfill reservoir in pressure communication with the processing chamber in a way which causes the backfill pressure and the treatment chamber pressure to equalize at least approximately to the preheating pressure for subsequent use in enhancing a heating rate of the workpiece.
36. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said process gas regulation arrangement provides at least approximately no process gas during said backfilling.
37. In a system for treating at least one workpiece, said system having at least a transfer chamber and a processing chamber such that a transfer chamber pressure, in the transfer chamber, and a processing chamber pressure, in the processing chamber, can each be controlled and the workpiece can be moved between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber, said system further including a process gas regulation arrangement for providing process gas to said processing chamber at least during a plasma treatment process at a given flow rate and which is otherwise capable of providing said process gas at a maximum flow rate, a method comprising:
-
- manipulating at least the processing chamber pressure and cooperatively moving the workpiece between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber such that the workpiece is exposed to a preheating pressure in the processing chamber for use in heating the workpiece to a treatment temperature and so that the workpiece is subjected to a treatment process in the processing chamber, at least approximately at a treatment pressure that is lower than the preheating pressure, after having at least approximately reached the treatment temperature, in a way which produces a maximum processing chamber pressure of no more than approximately the preheating pressure using a value of the preheating pressure that is less than atmospheric pressure, and using a rate of pressure increase in the processing chamber from the treatment pressure to the preheating pressure resulting at least in part from using an additional process chamber gas input flow at an input flow rate which causes an overall input rate to the processing chamber to be greater than said maximum flow rate, without raising the transfer chamber pressure.
38. The method of claim 37 wherein said rate of pressure increase is at least 15 Torr per second.
39. The method of claim 37 wherein manipulating includes maintaining the transfer chamber pressure at least approximately at the treatment pressure.
40. The method of claim 37 wherein manipulating includes maintaining the transfer chamber pressure at least approximately at the preheating pressure.
41. In a system for treating at least one workpiece in accordance with a multi-step overall process which preheats said workpiece in a processing chamber to a treatment temperature at a preheating pressure and, thereafter, exposes said workpiece to a plasma at a treatment pressure in the processing chamber and at least approximately at said treatment temperature, said treatment pressure being less than said preheating pressure such that the processing chamber pressure must be raised from the treatment pressure at least to the preheating pressure at one or more points during the multi-step overall process, said system further including a process gas regulation arrangement for providing process gas to said processing chamber at least during exposing the workpiece to said plasma at a given flow rate and which is capable of providing said process gas at a maximum flow rate, a configuration forming part of said system, said configuration comprising:
-
- an arrangement for use in raising the processing chamber pressure from the treatment pressure at least to the preheating pressure at said one or more points during the multi-step overall process by providing an additional process chamber gas input flow at an input flow rate which causes an overall input rate to the processing chamber to be greater than said maximum flow rate.
42. In a system for treating at least one workpiece, said system having at least a transfer chamber and a processing chamber such that a transfer chamber pressure, in the transfer chamber, and a processing chamber pressure, in the processing chamber, can each vary and the workpiece can be moved between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber, and said workpiece is heated to a treatment temperature at a preheating pressure and exposed to a treatment process at a treatment pressure that is less than the preheating pressure, an apparatus comprising:
-
- a backfill reservoir arrangement for selective pressure communication with said processing chamber for use in selectively backfilling the processing chamber pressure from the treatment pressure at least to the preheating pressure.
43. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the backfill arrangement includes a gas diffuser for introducing a backfill gas into the processing chamber.
44. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein said processing chamber includes a plasma generator for generating a plasma, as part of said treatment process, using a plasma gas and the gas diffuser is configured for introducing the plasma gas into the processing chamber.
45. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein said backfill reservoir arrangement includes a backfill reservoir for storing a backfill gas at a backfill pressure that is greater than the preheating pressure to which the processing chamber is to be backfilled.
46. The apparatus of claim 45 including a control arrangement for causing the backfill pressure in the backfill reservoir to rise to a selected value, with the processing chamber at the treatment pressure that is lower than the selected value and, thereafter, to backfill the processing chamber by placing the backfill reservoir in pressure communication with the processing chamber in a way which causes the backfill pressure and the treatment chamber pressure to equalize at least approximately to the preheating pressure for subsequent use in enhancing a heating rate of the workpiece.
47. In a system for treating at least one workpiece, said system having at least a transfer chamber and a processing chamber such that a transfer chamber pressure, in the transfer chamber, and a processing chamber pressure, in the processing chamber, can each vary and the workpiece can be moved between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber, said system further including a process gas regulation arrangement for providing process gas to said processing chamber at least during a plasma treatment process at a given flow rate and which is capable of providing said process gas at a maximum flow rate, a method comprising:
-
- a) equalizing the transfer chamber pressure and the processing chamber pressure to a preheating pressure at which the workpiece is to be heated to a treatment temperature;
- b) in cooperation with equalizing the transfer chamber pressure and the processing chamber pressure, transferring the workpiece from the transfer chamber to the processing chamber;
- c) preheating the workpiece to a treatment temperature at the preheating pressure in the processing chamber;
- d) reducing the processing chamber pressure to the treatment pressure while the transfer chamber remains at least approximately at the preheating pressure;
- e) exposing the workpiece to a plasma treatment process at least approximately at said treatment pressure and at said treatment temperature;
- f) raising the processing chamber pressure at least to the preheating pressure at a pressure rise rate resulting at least in part from using an additional process chamber gas input flow at an input flow rate which causes an overall input rate to the processing chamber to be greater than said maximum flow rate; and
- g) in cooperation with raising the processing chamber pressure, moving the workpiece from the processing chamber to the transfer chamber.
48. The method of claim 47 wherein said pressure rise rate is at least 15 Torr per second.
49. The method of claim 47 including configuring a backfill reservoir arrangement for selective pressure communication with said processing chamber for use in selectively producing a pressure increase in said processing chamber, and raising the processing chamber pressure to the treatment pressure at said pressure rise rate includes backfilling the processing chamber to said preheating pressure using the backfill reservoir arrangement.
50. The method of claim 49 wherein said backfill reservoir arrangement is configured to include a backfill reservoir and including storing a backfill gas in the backfill reservoir at a pressure that is greater than a target pressure to which the processing chamber is to be backfilled.
51. The method of claim 50 wherein backfilling causes a backfill pressure in the backfill reservoir to rise to a selected value, with the processing chamber at the treatment pressure, which treatment pressure is lower than the selected value and which is also lower than the preheating pressure at which the workpiece is to be heated to the treatment temperature and, thereafter, placing the backfill reservoir in pressure communication with the processing chamber in a way which causes the backfill pressure and the treatment chamber pressure to equalize at least approximately to the preheating pressure for subsequent use in enhancing a heating rate of the workpiece.
52. The method of claim 49 wherein backfilling includes inducing a rate of pressure rise in a range from approximately 10 to 150 Torr per second in the processing chamber.
53. The method of claim 47 wherein said workpiece supports a photoresist layer and wherein said preheating and exposing steps are configured to cooperate in removing the photoresist layer using said plasma treatment process.
54. The method of claim 53 wherein said plasma treatment process produces a plasma which is customized for removing said photoresist layer from the substrate at said treatment temperature.
55. The method of claim 47 wherein said workpiece is supported by a susceptor and including heating the susceptor for use in preheating the workpiece.
56. The method of claim 55 wherein heating includes heating the susceptor to an at least approximately fixed temperature.
57. The method of claim 47 wherein said preheating pressure is in a range from approximately 25 to 250 Torr.
58. The method of claim 47 wherein said preheating pressure is at least approximately 60 Torr.
59. The method of claim 47 wherein preheating includes introducing a preheating gas mixture into the processing chamber for enhancing a rate of temperature increase of the workpiece.
60. The method of claim 59 including using helium gas as at least a portion of the preheating gas mixture.
61. The method of claim 47 including simultaneously treating a pair of workpieces according to steps (a) through (g).
62. The method of claim 47 including processing a series of workpieces according to steps (a) through (g).
63. In a system for treating at least one workpiece, said system having at least a transfer chamber and a processing chamber such that a transfer chamber pressure, in the transfer chamber, and a processing chamber pressure, in the processing chamber, can each vary and the workpiece can be moved between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber, a method comprising:
-
- a) in pressure isolation from the process chamber, changing the transfer chamber pressure to a selected pressure value that is greater than a preheating pressure at which the workpiece is to be heated at least approximately to a treatment temperature;
- b) with the processing chamber initially at least approximately at a treatment pressure, which is lower than the preheating pressure, equalizing pressure between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber such that the selected pressure backfills the process chamber at least approximately to the preheating pressure;
- c) in cooperation with equalizing pressure to the preheating pressure, moving the workpiece from the transfer chamber to the processing chamber;
- d) preheating the workpiece, at least approximately, to a treatment temperature at the preheating pressure in the processing chamber;
- e) reducing the processing chamber pressure to the treatment pressure, in pressure isolation from the transfer chamber pressure; and
- f) exposing the workpiece to a plasma treatment process at least approximately at said treatment pressure and at least approximately at said treatment temperature.
64. The method of claim 63 further comprising:
-
- g) after equalizing pressure between the transfer chamber and processing chamber and in pressure isolation from the processing chamber, raising the transfer chamber pressure from the preheating pressure to the selected pressure value;
- h) with the processing chamber at least approximately at the treatment pressure after exposing the workpiece to the plasma treatment process and with the transfer chamber at the selected pressure value, re-equalizing pressure between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber such that the selected pressure value causes the processing chamber to backfill at least approximately to the preheating pressure;
- i) transferring the workpiece from the treatment chamber to the transfer chamber in cooperation with re-equalizing the transfer chamber pressure and the treatment chamber pressure.
65. The method of claim 64 further comprising:
-
- j) after re-equalizing, repeating steps (c) through (i) for at least one additional workpiece.
66. The method of claim 63 wherein an isolation valve selectively provides pressure communication between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber and wherein said equalizing includes opening the isolation valve and said workpiece is movable through the isolation valve.
67. The method of claim 63 wherein a bypass arrangement selectively provides pressure communication between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber for use in said equalizing and an isolation valve between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber provides at least for movement of the workpiece therethrough between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber.
68. The method of claim 63 including choosing the selected pressure based, at least in part, on a processing chamber volume of the processing chamber and a transfer chamber volume of the transfer chamber.
69. In a system for treating at least one workpiece, said system having at least a transfer chamber and a processing chamber such that a transfer chamber pressure, in the transfer chamber, and a processing chamber pressure, in the processing chamber, can each vary and the workpiece can be moved between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber, an apparatus, comprising:
-
- a first arrangement for changing the transfer chamber pressure, in pressure isolation from the process chamber, to a selected pressure value that is greater than a preheating pressure at which the workpiece is to be heated at least approximately to a treatment temperature; and
- a second arrangement for equalizing pressure between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber with the processing chamber initially at least approximately at a treatment pressure, which is lower than the preheating pressure, such that the selected pressure backfills the process chamber at least approximately to the preheating pressure.
70. The apparatus of claim 69 including an isolation valve through which said workpiece is moved between the transfer chamber and the process chamber and which is configured to selectively provide pressure communication between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber for pressure equalization.
71. The apparatus of claim 69 wherein a bypass arrangement selectively provides pressure communication between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber for use in said equalizing and an isolation valve between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber provides at least for movement of the workpiece therethrough between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber.
72. In a system for treating at least one workpiece, said system having at least a transfer chamber and a processing chamber such that a transfer chamber pressure, in the transfer chamber, and a processing chamber pressure, in the processing chamber, can each be controlled and the workpiece can be moved between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber, a method comprising:
-
- manipulating at least the processing chamber pressure and cooperatively moving the workpiece between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber such that the workpiece is exposed to a preheating pressure in the processing chamber for use in heating the workpiece to a treatment temperature and so that the workpiece is subjected to a treatment process in the processing chamber, at least approximately at a treatment pressure that is lower than the preheating pressure, after having at least approximately reached the treatment temperature, in a way which produces a maximum processing chamber pressure of no more than approximately the preheating pressure using a value of the preheating pressure that is less than atmospheric pressure, but greater than the treatment pressure and manipulating includes raising the transfer chamber pressure to a selected value and, thereafter, causing pressure communication between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber which results in the transfer chamber pressure decreasing in a range from the selected value to the preheating pressure in a way which backfills the processing chamber so as to increase the processing chamber pressure from the treatment pressure to the preheating pressure.
73. The method of claim 72 including initiating movement of the workpiece between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber in timed relation to the transfer chamber pressure decrease in said range between the selected value and the preheating pressure.
74. The method of claim 72 wherein a bypass arrangement selectively provides pressure communication between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber for use in said equalizing and an isolation valve between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber provides at least for movement of the workpiece therethrough between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber.
75. In treating a plurality of workpieces using a system having at least a transfer chamber and a processing chamber such that a transfer chamber pressure, in the transfer chamber, and a processing chamber pressure, in the processing chamber, can each vary and each workpiece of the plurality of workpieces can be moved between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber, said system further including a process gas regulation arrangement for providing process gas to said processing chamber at least during a plasma treatment process at a given flow rate and which is otherwise capable of providing said process gas at a maximum flow rate, a method comprising:
-
- manipulating at least the processing chamber pressure and cooperatively moving a first one of the workpieces between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber such that the first workpiece is exposed to a preheating pressure in the processing chamber for use in heating the first workpiece to a treatment temperature and so that the first workpiece is subjected to a treatment process in the processing chamber, at least approximately at a treatment pressure, that is lower than the preheating pressure, after having at least approximately reached the treatment temperature, in a way which produces a maximum processing chamber pressure of no more than approximately the preheating pressure, using a value of the preheating pressure that is less than atmospheric pressure, and using a rate of pressure increase in the processing chamber from the treatment pressure to the preheating pressure resulting at least in part from using an additional process chamber gas input flow at an input flow rate which causes an overall input rate to the processing chamber to be greater than said maximum flow rate, without raising the transfer chamber pressure.
76. The method of claim 75 further comprising:
-
- treating subsequent ones of the plurality of workpieces by continuing to manipulate the transfer chamber pressure, the processing chamber pressure and cooperatively moving each one of the subsequent ones of the workpieces between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber such that the subsequent ones of the workpieces are exposed to the preheating pressure in the processing chamber for use in heating each of the subsequent ones of the workpieces to the treatment temperature and so that the subsequent ones of the workpieces are subjected to the treatment process in the processing chamber, at least approximately at the treatment pressure, after having at least approximately reached the treatment temperature in said way which produces the maximum processing chamber pressure of no more than approximately the preheating pressure, using a value of the preheating pressure that is less than atmospheric pressure.
77. The method of claim 75 wherein manipulating includes maintaining the transfer chamber pressure at least approximately at the treatment pressure while treating said plurality of workpieces.
78. The method of claim 75 wherein manipulating includes maintaining the transfer chamber pressure at least approximately at the preheating pressure while treating said plurality of workpieces.
79. The method of claim 75 including simultaneously subjecting a multiple number of said workpieces to the treatment process.
80. In treating a plurality of workpieces using a system having at least a transfer chamber and a processing chamber such that a transfer chamber pressure, in the transfer chamber, and a processing chamber pressure, in the processing chamber, can each vary and each workpiece of the plurality of workpieces can be moved between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber, a method comprising:
-
- manipulating the transfer chamber pressure and the processing chamber pressure and cooperatively moving each of the workpieces between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber such that the each workpiece is exposed to a preheating pressure in the processing chamber for use in heating each workpiece to a treatment temperature and so that each workpiece is subjected to a treatment process in the processing chamber, at least approximately at a treatment pressure, that is lower than the preheating pressure, after having at least approximately reached the treatment temperature, in a way which produces a maximum processing chamber pressure of no more than approximately the preheating pressure, using a value of the preheating pressure that is less than atmospheric pressure, and manipulating includes pressure cycling the transfer chamber between a selected pressure and the preheating pressure in timed relation to treating each workpiece, said pressure cycling at least in part resulting from establishing pressure communication between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber such that the selected pressure is used to backfill the processing chamber.
81. The method of claim 80 including initiating movement of the workpiece between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber in timed relation to the transfer chamber pressure decrease in said range from the selected value to the preheating pressure.
82. In a system for treating at least one workpiece, said system having at least a transfer chamber and a processing chamber such that a transfer chamber pressure, in the transfer chamber, and a processing chamber pressure, in the processing chamber, can each vary and the workpiece can be moved between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber through an isolation valve, a configuration, comprising:
-
- a bypass arrangement for selectively providing pressure communication between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber for use in pressure equalization therebetween without a need to use said isolation valve.
83. The configuration of claim 82 wherein said bypass arrangement includes a bypass valve for selectively controlling the pressure communication between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber.
84. The configuration of claim 83 wherein said bypass arrangement is configured to induce a pressure increase in said processing chamber at a rate of at least 15 Torr per second.
85. The configuration of claim 83 wherein said bypass arrangement is configured to induce a pressure increase in the processing chamber from said treatment pressure to said preheating pressure characterized by a rate of pressure increase of greater than 30 Torr per second.
86. The configuration of claim 82 including a control arrangement for causing the transfer chamber pressure to rise to a selected value, with the processing chamber at a treatment pressure, that is lower than the selected value and which is also lower than a preheating pressure at which the workpiece is to be heated to a treatment temperature and, thereafter, to backfill the processing chamber by opening at least the bypass arrangement between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber in a way which causes the processing chamber pressure and the treatment chamber pressure to equalize at least approximately to the preheating pressure for subsequent use in heating the workpiece.
87. In a system for treating at least one workpiece, said system having at least a transfer chamber and a processing chamber such that a transfer chamber pressure, in the transfer chamber, and a processing chamber pressure, in the processing chamber, can each vary and the workpiece can be moved between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber through an isolation valve, a configuration, comprising:
-
- said isolation valve configured for selectively providing pressure communication between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber for use in pressure equalization therebetween to induce a rate of pressure increase in the processing chamber of at least 15 Torr per second.
88. The configuration of claim 87 including a control arrangement for causing the transfer chamber pressure to rise to a selected value, with the processing chamber at a treatment pressure, that is lower than the selected value and which is also lower than a preheating pressure at which the workpiece is to be heated to a treatment temperature and, thereafter, to backfill the processing chamber by opening the isolation valve in a way which causes the processing chamber pressure and the treatment chamber pressure to equalize at least approximately to the preheating pressure for subsequent use in heating the workpiece.
89. In a system for treating at least one workpiece, said system having at least a transfer chamber and a processing chamber such that a transfer chamber pressure, in the transfer chamber, and a processing chamber pressure, in the processing chamber, can each vary and the workpiece can be moved between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber through an isolation valve, a configuration, comprising:
-
- a backfill arrangement in selective pressure communication with said processing chamber for use in inducing a pressure increase in said processing chamber.
90. The configuration of claim 89 wherein said processing chamber includes a gas diffuser that is configured for introducing a backfill gas from said backfill arrangement.
91. The configuration of claim 89 wherein said backfill arrangement includes a backfill reservoir for storing a backfill gas at a pressure that is greater than a target pressure to which the processing chamber is to be backfilled.
92. The configuration of claim 91 wherein the target pressure is a preheating pressure at which said workpiece is heated, at least approximately, to a treatment temperature for subsequent use in treating the workpiece.
93. The configuration of claim 91 wherein the backfill arrangement includes a backfill valve for controlling pressure communication between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber.
94. The configuration of claim 91 including a control arrangement for causing a backfill pressure in the backfill reservoir rise to a selected value, with the processing chamber at a treatment pressure, that is lower than the selected value and which is also lower than a preheating pressure at which the workpiece is to be heated to a treatment temperature and, thereafter, to backfill the processing chamber by placing the backfill reservoir in pressure communication with the processing chamber in a way which causes the backfill pressure and the treatment chamber pressure to equalize at least approximately to the preheating pressure for subsequent use in enhancing a heating rate of the workpiece.
95. The configuration of claim 89 wherein said backfill arrangement is configured for inducing a pressure rise in the processing chamber at a rate of at least 15 Torr per second.
96. The configuration of claim 90 wherein said system is configured for exposing said workpiece to a plasma at a treatment temperature and for heating the workpiece to a treatment temperature prior to exposing the workpiece to the plasma in the processing chamber and said plasma is generated using a plasma gas in a plasma chamber forming part of the processing chamber and wherein said processing chamber includes a gas diffuser that is configured for introducing a backfill gas from said backfill arrangement and which is further configured for introducing said plasma gas.
Although each of the aforedescribed physical embodiments have been illustrated with various components having particular respective orientations, it should be understood that the present invention may take on a variety of specific configurations with the various components being located in a wide variety of positions and mutual orientations. Furthermore, the methods described herein may be modified in an unlimited number of ways, for example, by reordering, modifying and recombining the various steps. For example, any action taken responsive to or in timed relation to a particular event may occur at any point within an interval centered on that particular event, which interval may be defined in terms of any of time, pressure or temperature. As another example, with the present disclosure in hand, it should be appreciated that two or more transfer chambers can be operated when connected to a common transfer chamber, consistent with the teachings herein. Accordingly, it should be apparent that the arrangements and associated methods disclosed herein may be provided in a variety of different configurations and modified in an unlimited number of different ways, and that the present invention may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the present examples and methods are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified at least within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. In a system for treating at least one workpiece using a treatment process, said system having at least a transfer chamber and a processing chamber such that a transfer chamber pressure, in the transfer chamber, and a processing chamber pressure, in the processing chamber, can each vary and the workpiece can be moved between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber, said system further including a process gas regulation arrangement for providing process gas to said processing chamber at least during a plasma treatment process at a given flow rate and which is capable of providing said process gas at a maximum flow rate, a method comprising:
- a) equalizing the transfer chamber pressure and the processing chamber pressure to a treatment pressure at which the workpiece is to be subjected to a plasma treatment process;
- b) transferring the workpiece from the transfer chamber to the processing chamber at the treatment pressure;
- c) preheating the workpiece to a treatment temperature, in cooperation with raising the processing chamber pressure to a preheating pressure at a pressure rise rate resulting at least in part from using an additional process chamber gas input flow at an input flow rate which causes an overall input rate to the processing chamber to be greater than said maximum flow rate, without raising the transfer chamber pressure;
- d) reducing the processing chamber pressure to the treatment pressure; and
- e) exposing the workpiece to said plasma treatment process at least approximately at said treatment pressure and at said treatment temperature.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said pressure rise rate is at least 15 Torr per second.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said workpiece supports a photoresist layer and wherein said preheating and exposing cooperate in removing the photoresist layer using said plasma treatment process.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein said plasma treatment process produces a plasma which is customized for removing said photoresist layer from the substrate at said treatment temperature.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein said workpiece is supported by a susceptor and including heating the susceptor for use in preheating the workpiece.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein heating includes heating the susceptor to an at least approximately fixed temperature.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein said treatment pressure is in a range from approximately 0.01 to 10 Torr.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein said treatment pressure is approximately 1 Torr.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein said preheating pressure is in a range from approximately 25 to 250 Torr.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein said preheating pressure is at least approximately 60 Torr.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein preheating includes introducing a preheating gas mixture into the processing chamber for enhancing a rate of temperature increase of the workpiece.
12. The method of claim 11 including using helium gas as at least a portion of the preheating gas mixture.
13. The method of claim 1 including configuring a backfill reservoir arrangement for selective pressure communication with said processing chamber for use in selectively producing a pressure increase in said processing chamber by causing said additional process chamber input flow, and preheating the workpiece in cooperation with raising the processing chamber pressure includes backfilling the processing chamber to said preheating pressure using the additional process chamber gas input flow from the backfill reservoir arrangement.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein backfilling includes using a gas diffuser for introducing the additional process chamber gas input flow into the processing chamber from said backfill reservoir arrangement.
15. The method of claim 14 including generating a plasma, as part of said plasma treatment process, using the process gas, and the gas diffuser is further used for introducing the process gas into the processing chamber.
16. The method of claim 13 wherein said backfill reservoir arrangement is configured to include a backfill reservoir and storing a backfill gas in the backfill reservoir at a pressure that is greater than a target pressure to which the processing chamber is to be backfilled.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the target pressure is selected as the preheating pressure for use during heating the workpiece and heating the workpiece to a treatment temperature for subsequent use during treating the workpiece.
18. The method of claim 13 including causing a backfill pressure in the backfill reservoir to rise to a selected value, with the processing chamber at a treatment pressure that is lower than the selected value and which treatment pressure is also lower than a preheating pressure at which the workpiece is to be heated to a treatment temperature and, thereafter, backfilling includes placing the backfill reservoir in pressure communication with the processing chamber in a way which causes the backfill pressure and the treatment chamber pressure to equalize at least approximately to the preheating pressure for subsequent use in enhancing a heating rate of the workpiece.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein said process gas regulation arrangement provides at least approximately no process gas during said backfilling.
20. The method of claim 13 wherein said pressure rise rate in the processing chamber is in a range of approximately 15 to 150 Torr per second.
21. The method of claim 13 wherein backfilling includes inducing said pressure rise rate in the processing chamber at approximately 30 Torr per second.
22. The method of claim 1 including simultaneously treating a pair of workpieces according to steps (a) through (e).
23. The method of claim 1 including processing a series of workpieces according to steps (a) through (e).
24. In a system for treating at least one workpiece, said system having at least a transfer chamber and a processing chamber such that a transfer chamber pressure, in the transfer chamber, and a processing chamber pressure, in the processing chamber, can each vary and the workpiece can be moved between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber, said system further including a process gas regulation arrangement for providing process gas to said processing chamber at least during a plasma treatment process at a given flow rate and which is capable of providing said process gas at a maximum flow rate, an apparatus comprising:
- a first arrangement at least for controlling the processing chamber pressure to reduce the processing chamber pressure to a treatment pressure at which the workpiece is to be subjected to a plasma treatment process and for selectively raising the processing chamber pressure, in cooperation with said process gas regulation arrangement, to a preheating pressure, which is higher than the treatment pressure, at a pressure rise rate resulting at least in part from using an additional process chamber gas input flow at an input flow rate which causes an overall input rate to the processing chamber to be greater than said maximum flow rate, without raising the transfer chamber pressure; and
- a second arrangement in said processing chamber for preheating the workpiece to a treatment temperature in cooperation with raising the processing chamber pressure from said treatment pressure to said preheating pressure, using said first arrangement, and with said transfer chamber pressure remaining, at least approximately, at said treatment pressure such that the processing chamber pressure can then be reduced to the treatment pressure and the workpiece exposed to said plasma treatment process at least approximately at said treatment pressure and at said treatment temperature.
25. In a system for treating at least one workpiece, said system having at least a transfer chamber and a processing chamber such that a transfer chamber pressure, in the transfer chamber, and a processing chamber pressure, in the processing chamber, can each be controlled and the workpiece can be moved between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber, said system further including a process gas regulation arrangement for providing process gas to said processing chamber at least during a plasma treatment process at a given flow rate and which is otherwise capable of providing said process gas at a maximum flow rate, a method comprising:
- manipulating at least the processing chamber pressure and cooperatively moving the workpiece between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber such that the workpiece is exposed to a preheating pressure in the processing chamber for use in heating the workpiece to a treatment temperature and so that the workpiece is subjected to a treatment process in the processing chamber, at least approximately at a treatment pressure that is lower than the preheating pressure, after having at least approximately reached the treatment temperature, in a way which produces a maximum processing chamber pressure of no more than approximately the preheating pressure using a value of the preheating pressure that is less than atmospheric pressure, and using a rate of pressure increase in the processing chamber from the treatment pressure to the preheating pressure resulting at least in part from using an additional process chamber gas input flow at an input flow rate which causes an overall input rate to the processing chamber to be greater than said maximum flow rate, without raising the transfer chamber pressure.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 5, 2005
Publication Date: Sep 22, 2005
Inventors: Daniel Devine (Los Gatos, CA), Rene George (San Jose, CA), Ryan Pakulski (Discovery Bay, CA), David Barker (Walnut Creek, CA)
Application Number: 11/030,362