Centrifugal Force And/or Rotated Work Body Patents (Class 134/33)
  • Patent number: 9176387
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes dispensing a liquid on a wafer. The method includes raising the wafer. The method includes lowering the wafer after the raising. The wafer is spun as it is lowered, thereby removing at least a portion of the liquid from the wafer. The present disclosure also provides an apparatus for fabricating a semiconductor device. The apparatus includes a wafer chuck that is operable to hold a semiconductor wafer and secure the wafer thereto. The wafer has a front surface and a back surface. The apparatus includes a dispenser that is operable to dispense a liquid to the front surface of the wafer. The apparatus includes a mechanical structure that is operable to: spin the wafer chuck in a horizontal direction; and move the wafer chuck downwards in a vertical direction while the wafer chuck is being rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei-Chieh Huang, Hung Chang Hsieh
  • Patent number: 9023155
    Abstract: An engine wash system for delivering wash liquid to an engine with a lift fan and a main engine, the lift fan including a plurality of inlet guide vanes and a nose cone, and the main engine connected to the lift fan by a shaft, the engine wash system includes a lift fan manifold to deliver wash liquid to the lift fan; and a main engine manifold to deliver wash liquid to the main engine, wherein the lift fan manifold and the main engine manifold can deliver the wash liquid simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: EcoServices, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt Dorshimer, Robert M. Rice, Sebastian Nordlund, Wayne Zadrick
  • Publication number: 20150090302
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a substrate holder, and a discharge head for peripheral area from which a fluid is discharge toward a surface peripheral area of the substrate held on the substrate holder. The discharge head for peripheral area includes multiple nozzles, and a support part that supports the nozzles integrally. The nozzles include a processing liquid nozzle from which a processing liquid is discharged toward the surface peripheral area, and a gas nozzle from which gas is discharged toward the surface peripheral area. The gas nozzle is placed upstream of a rotative direction of the substrate relative to the processing liquid nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Tomonori FUJIWARA, Nobuyuki SHIBAYAMA, Yukifumi YOSHIDA
  • Publication number: 20150090293
    Abstract: A method of washing a bulk container is provided. The method includes receiving the bulk container on a support surface and rotating the support surface and at least one washer arm relative to one another. The method further includes spraying a fluid from at least one nozzle disposed on the at least one washer arm. Rotating the support surface and the at least one washer arm relative to one another exposes a plurality of portions of an outer surface of the bulk container to the spray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventor: Lonny Shawn Lewis
  • Publication number: 20150090694
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus and method includes, a plate that has a size equal to or larger than a principal face of the substrate, and has a horizontal and flat liquid holding face opposing the principal face of the substrate from below. A processing liquid supply unit supplies a processing liquid to the liquid holding face. A control unit controls the processing liquid supply unit and a movement unit to supply the processing liquid to the liquid holding face to form a processing liquid film, a contact step of bringing the principal face of the substrate and the liquid holding face close to each other to bring the principal face of the substrate into contact with the processing liquid film, and a liquid contact maintenance step of maintaining the processing liquid in contact with the principal face of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Koji Hashimoto, Masahiro Miyagi, Mitsukazu Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20150090303
    Abstract: A system includes a plurality of nozzles, a pump configured to pump a fluid through the nozzles, and a manifold configured to arrange the plurality of nozzles to substantially match a shape of a workpiece. Each nozzle of the plurality of nozzles is configured to impinge upon a section of the workpiece with the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Jonathan Matthew Lomas, Michelle Fullerton Simpson
  • Publication number: 20150079701
    Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus includes a chuck for contacting a peripheral portion of a workpiece. The apparatus includes a nozzle to eject a process fluid (liquid or gas) toward a first surface while the workpiece is in contact with the chuck. The apparatus also includes a plate having an opening configured such that a support fluid (liquid or gas) can be ejected toward a second surface of the workpiece while the workpiece is in contact with the chuck. In an example, the support fluid can be used to counteract a displacement of the interior portion in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the workpiece due to, for example, gravity and/or hydrostatic pressure of the process fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Daisuke YAMASHITA
  • Patent number: 8980013
    Abstract: A substrate cleaning method that includes: a step in which, while a substrate holder is being continuously rotated, a to-be-discharged position of the cleaning liquid on the substrate is changed to an eccentric position deviated from the central part of the substrate, and a gas is discharged from a gas nozzle to the central part of the substrate so as to form a dried area of the cleaning liquid under a condition in which a shortest distance between an edge of a cleaning liquid flow output from the cleaning-liquid nozzle and an edge of a gas flow output from the gas nozzle is set between 9 mm and 15 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kousuke Yoshihara, Yuichi Yoshida, Taro Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20150068560
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating the surface of a microelectronic workpiece via impingement of the surface with at least one fluid and a method for operating the apparatus are described. In particular, the apparatus includes a treatment chamber defining an interior space to treat the microelectronic workpiece with at least one fluid within the treatment chamber, and a movable chuck that supports the workpiece within the treatment chamber. The apparatus further includes a workpiece translational drive system configured to translate the movable chuck between a workpiece load position and at least one processing position at which the workpiece is treated with the at least one fluid using at least one nozzle connected to at least one fluid supply, and a workpiece rotational drive system configured to rotate the microelectronic workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: TEL FSI, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark GOLUCH, David C. ZIMMERMAN, Robert E. LARSON, Edward Deneen HANZLIK, Gregory Paul THOMES, Christina Ann RATHMAN
  • Patent number: 8974632
    Abstract: A method and device for processing wafer-shaped articles comprises a closed process chamber. A rotary chuck is located within the process chamber, and is adapted to hold a wafer shaped article thereon. An interior fluid distribution ring is positioned above the rotary chuck, and comprises an annular surface inclined downwardly from a radially inner edge to a radially outer edge thereof. At least one fluid distribution nozzle extends into the closed process chamber and is positioned so as to discharge fluid onto the annular surface of the fluid distribution ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Lam Research AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Tschinderle, Andreas Gleissner, Michael Brugger
  • Publication number: 20150059808
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for processing a substrate including a spin head on which a substrate is placed, a container provided to surround the spin head, an upper nozzle member supplying a processing solution downwards, a bottom cleaning member located to be a certain distance from the bottom of the spin head, wherein the bottom cleaning member sprays a cleaning solution to the bottom of the spin head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Jintack YU, Jae-Myoung LEE
  • Patent number: 8955530
    Abstract: A wafer chuck is cleaned using a cleaning cap to remove processing residue and particulate matter. The cleaning cap is configured to overlie and align with the wafer chuck and includes a base and a first roller connected to the base and having wound therearound a cleaning cloth. The cleaning cap further includes a second roller connected to the base and having attached thereto a free end of the cleaning cloth. During use, the cleaning cloth winds upon the second roller from the first roller when the second roller rotates about its axis. The cleaning cap can be positioned relative the wafer chuck by way of a manipulator to ensure the cleaning cloth contacts the wafer chuck with sufficient force. The cleaning cloth rubs the wafer chuck with both translational motion and rotational motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufaturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jui-Chun Peng, Heng-Jen Lee
  • Publication number: 20150040946
    Abstract: A device for removing impurities from shredded plastic has a first and second cleaning disk with first and second cleaning surfaces, the cleaning surfaces are opposite each other and delimit a cleaning gap. A drive device rotates the cleaning disks, and shredded plastic is fed between the cleaning disks. The cleaning surfaces have a plurality of cleaning ribs extending between an inner and outer edge of the cleaning surfaces, wherein at least one flank of the cleaning ribs is angled or curved relative to the axial direction of the respective cleaning disk, and a plurality of cleaning bars running transversally to the direction of extension of the cleaning ribs are arranged between at least some cleaning ribs neighboring each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Hofmann, Alexander Gercke, Carsten Wermter
  • Patent number: 8944081
    Abstract: Disclosed are a liquid processing apparatus and a liquid processing method that can prevent a substrate in a processing chamber from being contaminated due to contamination attached to a cup. The liquid processing apparatus includes: a processing chamber in which a substrate holding unit holding a substrate and a cup placed around the substrate holding unit are installed; a nozzle for supplying a processing liquid to the substrate held by the substrate holding unit; and a cup cleaning unit cleaning the cup by supplying a cleaning liquid to the upper part of the cup. A concave portion is formed in the upper part of the cup and the cup cleaning units supply the cleaning liquid to the concave portion in the upper part of the cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Jiro Higashijima
  • Patent number: 8940102
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of removing particles from over surfaces of semiconductor substrates. Liquid may be flowed across the surfaces and the particles. While the liquid is flowing, electrophoresis and/or electroosmosis may be utilized to enhance transport of the particles from the surfaces and into the liquid. In some embodiments, temperature, pH and/or ionic strength within the liquid may be altered to assist in the removal of the particles from over the surfaces of the substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Joseph Greeley, Dan Millward, Wayne Huang
  • Patent number: 8932408
    Abstract: A method for cleaning a surface of a plate-like article includes the steps of: treating the surface with free flow cleaning, wherein liquid is dispensed through a dispense nozzle onto the surface in a continuous liquid flow, and treating the surface with spray cleaning, wherein liquid is directed through a spray nozzle towards the surface in form of droplets. The surface is treated with a spray cleaning step before the free flow cleaning step and a spray cleaning step after the free flow cleaning step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Lam Research AG
    Inventor: Reinhard Sellmer
  • Patent number: 8932672
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus comprises an indexer block, an anti-reflection film processing block, a resist film processing block, a development processing block, a resist cover film processing block, a resist cover film removal block, a cleaning/drying processing block, and an interface block. An exposure device is arranged adjacent to the interface block in the substrate processing apparatus. The exposure device subjects a substrate to exposure processing by means of an immersion method. In the edge cleaning unit in the cleaning/drying processing block, a brush abuts against an end of the rotating substrate, so that the edge of the substrate before the exposure processing is cleaned. At this time, the position where the substrate is cleaned is corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: SCREEN Semiconductor Solutions Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Kaneyama, Masashi Kanaoka, Tadashi Miyagi, Kazuhito Shigemori, Shuichi Yasuda, Tetsuya Hamada
  • Patent number: 8932407
    Abstract: A substrate cleaning method is used for performing scrub cleaning of a surface of a substrate. The substrate cleaning method includes rotating a roll cleaning member and a substrate respectively in one direction while keeping the roll cleaning member in contact with the substrate in a cleaning area, and supplying a cleaning liquid to a surface of the substrate to scrub-clean the surface of the substrate in the presence of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning area. The cleaning liquid is supplied initially to an inverse-direction cleaning area of the cleaning area where the relative rotational velocity between the roll cleaning member and the substrate is relatively high, and thereafter to a forward-direction cleaning area of the cleaning area where the relative rotational velocity between the roll cleaning member and the substrate is relatively low while the substrate makes one revolution on a central axis thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoatsu Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 8920571
    Abstract: The present invention includes methods and materials for cleaning materials, particles, or chemicals from a substrate with a brush or pad. The method comprising: engaging a surface of a rotating wafer with an outer circumferential surface of a rotating cylindrical foam roller, the cylindrical foam roller having a plurality of circumferentially and outwardly extending spaced apart nodules extending from the outer surface, each nodule defining a height extending from the outer surface of the cylindrical foam roller to a substrate engagement surface of the nodule, the substrate engagement surface of one or more of the nodules having a rounded configuration; and positioning the cylindrical foam roller on the substrate such that the one or more nodules are positioned to have only the rounded substrate engagement surface contact the substrate such that no linear surface of the one or more nodules contacts the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventor: Briant Enoch Benson
  • Patent number: 8920577
    Abstract: A method of treating a substrate comprises, in one aspect, placing a substrate having material on a surface thereof in a treatment chamber; directing a stream of a liquid treatment composition to impinge the substrate surface; and directing a stream of water vapor to impinge the substrate surface and/or to impinge the liquid treatment composition. A preferred aspect of this invention is the removal of materials, and preferably photoresist, from a substrate, wherein the treatment composition is a liquid sulfuric acid composition comprising sulfuric acid and/or its desiccating species and precursors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Tel FSI, Inc.
    Inventors: David DeKraker, Jeffery W. Butterbaugh, Richard E. Williamson
  • Patent number: 8920572
    Abstract: A device for cleaning a fixed abrasive polishing pad includes a main body having a surface facing the polishing pad, an inlet coupled to an end of the main body and configured to supply a cleaning liquid, an inject orifice coupled to the inlet for injecting the cleaning liquid and being provided on the surface of the main body, an outlet coupled to the end of the main body, and a recycle orifice coupled to the outlet, and being provided on the surface of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation
    Inventor: Feng Chen
  • Patent number: 8916003
    Abstract: A wafer scrubber is disclosed, including a chamber, and a holder connecting to a spindle disposed in the chamber, wherein the holder supports a wafer, and the wafer spins to remove water on the wafer, and a meshed inner cup comprising a plurality of through holes disposed between the holder and a wall of the chamber, wherein the meshed inner cup receives water from a surface of the wafer and rotates around the spindle to release the water through the through holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jeng-Hsing Jang, Yi-Nan Chen, Hsien-Wen Liu
  • Patent number: 8911561
    Abstract: A method for removing liquid from a surface of a disc includes, rotating the disc article about an axis perpendicular to the disc's main surface, supplying liquid from a supply port, moved across the substrate towards the edge of the disc, onto the rotated disc, supplying a first gas flow through a first gas supply port onto the disc article to an area whose center has a distance to the center of rotational movement of not more than 20 mm, the area being covered with a liquid layer thereby opening the liquid layer at a discrete area, and supplying a second gas flow through a second gas supply port moved across the substrate towards the edge of the substrate onto the rotated disc wherein the distance of the second gas supply port to the center is lower than the distance of the liquid supply port to the center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Lam Research AG
    Inventors: Harald Kraus, Axel Wittershagen
  • Publication number: 20140360536
    Abstract: A throughput in processing a substrate can be improved and a running cost thereof can be reduced. A substrate processing apparatus 1 that processes a substrate 3 with a processing liquid and dries the substrate 3 includes a substrate rotating device 22 configured to rotate the substrate 3; a processing liquid discharging unit 13 configured to discharge the processing liquid toward the substrate 3; a substitution liquid discharging unit 14 configured to discharge a substitution liquid, which is substituted with the processing liquid on the substrate 3, toward the substrate 3 while relatively moving with respect to the substrate 3; and an inert gas discharging unit 15 configured to discharge an inert gas toward a peripheral portion of the substrate 3 in an inclined direction from above the substrate 3 while moving in a direction different from a direction in which the substitution liquid discharging unit 14 is moved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Yosuke Kawabuchi, Hisashi Kawano, Satoru Tanaka, Hiroyuki Suzuki, Kotaro Oishi, Kazuyoshi Shinohara, Yuki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8905051
    Abstract: Disclosed are a liquid processing apparatus and a liquid processing method that can prevent a substrate in a processing chamber from being contaminated due to contaminants attached to a nozzle supporting arm. The liquid processing apparatus includes a processing chamber in which a substrate holder holding a substrate and a cup disposed around the substrate holder are provided; a nozzle configured to supply a fluid to the substrate held by the substrate holder; and a nozzle supporting arm configured to support the nozzle. A gas ejection mechanism is installed at the nozzle supporting arm to eject a gas toward a front end surface of the nozzle supporting arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Jiro Higashijima
  • Patent number: 8906165
    Abstract: In a substrate processing method according to the present invention, a substrate is first processed using a chemical liquid. Next, the substrate is rinsed by supplying a rinsing liquid thereto while the substrate is being rotated. Thereafter, the substrate is dried while the substrate is being rotated. The drying of the substrate includes reducing a rotating speed of the substrate to a first rotating speed lower than that of the substrate during the rinsing of the substrate, while supplying the rinsing liquid to a central portion of the substrate; moving, from the central portion of the substrate toward a peripheral edge portion thereof, a rinsing liquid supply position to which the rinsing liquid is supplied, after the rotating speed of the substrate has been reduced to the first rotating speed; and supplying a drying liquid to the substrate, after the rinsing liquid supply position has been moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Teruomi Minami, Naoyuki Okamura, Hirotaka Maruyama, Yosuke Kawabuchi
  • Publication number: 20140352738
    Abstract: A liquid dispenser for a wafer processing system includes a supply tube with an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end. Attached to the supply tube at the outlet end is a liquid reservoir. The liquid reservoir has a dispensing plate that has an outlet for dispensing liquid onto a wafer. There is also a dispensing valve for controlling the dispensing of the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: BEIJING SEVENSTAR ELECTRONICS CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Don C. Burkman, Cary M. Ley, Kevin T. O'Dougherty, Charlie A. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20140357089
    Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein pertain to novel methods and apparatus for removing material from a substrate. In certain embodiments, the method and apparatus are used to remove negative photoresist, though the disclosed techniques may be implemented to remove a variety of materials. In practicing the disclosed embodiments, a stripping solution may be introduced from an inlet to an internal manifold, sometimes referred to as a cross flow manifold. The solution flows laterally through a relatively narrow cavity between the substrate and the base plate. Fluid exits the narrow cavity at an outlet, which is positioned on the other side of the substrate, opposite the inlet and internal manifold. The substrate spins while in contact with the stripping solution to achieve a more uniform flow over the face of the substrate. In some embodiments, the base plate includes protuberances which operate to increase the flow rate (and thereby increase the local Re) near the face of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan L. BUCKALEW, Steven T. MAYER, David PORTER, Thomas A. PONNUSWAMY
  • Patent number: 8894775
    Abstract: After a substrate is cleaned, a liquid layer of a rinse liquid is formed so as to cover one surface of the substrate. Then, a liquid supply nozzle moves outward from above the center of the substrate. The liquid supply nozzle is stopped once at the time point where it moves by a predetermined distance from above the center of the substrate. In this time period, the liquid layer is divided within a thin layer region by a centrifugal force, so that a drying core is formed at the center of the liquid layer. Thereafter, the liquid supply nozzle moves outward again, so that a drying region where no rinse liquid exists expands on the substrate with the drying core as its starting point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Screen Semiconductor Solutions Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Miyagi, Masashi Kanaoka, Kazuhito Shigemori, Shuichi Yasuda, Masakazu Sanada
  • Patent number: 8888925
    Abstract: A nozzle for discharging droplets of a processing liquid for processing a substrate has a main body including a supply port, a drain port, a processing liquid flow passageway connecting the supply port and the drain port, and a plurality of discharge ports from which the processing liquid is discharged. The processing liquid flow passageway includes a plurality of branch flow channels, which branch out between the supply port and the drain port and collect together between the supply port and the drain port. The plurality of discharge ports form a plurality of columns respectively corresponding to the plurality of branch flow channels; and are aligned along and connected to the corresponding branch flow channels. A piezo element applies vibration to the processing liquid flowing through the plurality of branch flow channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanobu Sato, Hiroyuki Yashiki, Mai Yamakawa, Takayoshi Tanaka, Ayumi Higuchi, Rei Takeaki
  • Publication number: 20140332036
    Abstract: A device and method for treatment of a substrate treatment surface of a substrate with a fluid by immersion of the substrate treatment surface into the fluid, The device includes: receiving means for receiving the fluid with an immersion opening and immersion means for immersion of the substrate treatment surfaces through the immersion opening into the receiving means, Rotation means are provided for rotation of the receiving means for at least predominant discharge of the fluid from the receiving means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: EV GROUP E. THALLNER GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Glinsner, Ronald Holzleitner, Thomas Wieser, Florian Schmid
  • Patent number: 8882930
    Abstract: Provided is a method including the steps of: carrying out a storage process by causing a processing jig, which has a supply opening for supplying a first processing liquid, to be positioned such that a storage space section into which the supply opening is open is sandwiched by the processing jig and the process-target surface, and by storing the first processing liquid in the storage space section; and carrying out a rotation process by supplying the first processing liquid onto the process-target surface from the supply opening, while supplying a second processing liquid onto the outer peripheral part, in a state where the process-target object is being rotated, in the step for carrying out the rotation process, the processing jig being moved along a direction which is not a direction along which the process-target object is being rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Miyanari
  • Publication number: 20140322919
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer spinning chuck includes a rotatable base, a plurality of arms, upstanding from the base, a selectively releasable clamping mechanism, associated with the arms, and a spray nozzle, extending through the base. The clamping mechanism has a first portion configured to mechanically clamp an edge of a first semiconductor wafer and hold the first wafer in a substantially horizontal orientation upon all of the arms, with a backside of the first wafer facing down. The spray nozzle is oriented to direct a spray of fluid at the backside of the first wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: JST Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob Stafford, David Campion, Travis Deleve, Jason Boyd
  • Publication number: 20140311532
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus has a substrate rotating device 10, 20 for holding and rotating a substrate W, a cleaning device 41 configured to clean a substrate W which is rotated by the substrate rotating device 10, 20 at predetermined rotating speed, a movement device 42 configured to move the cleaning device 41 between a cleaning position P3 and a separate position P2, and a control unit 64. The control unit 64 controls the movement device 42 so that the cleaning device 41 located at the separate position P2 starts moving toward the cleaning position P3 before a rotating speed of the substrate W held by the substrate rotating device 10, 20 reaches the predetermined rotating speed and the cleaning device 41 reaches the cleaning position P3 after a rotating speed of the substrate W reaches the predetermined rotating speed. Therefore, it is possible to improve the throughput in the substrate cleaning step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshio YOKOYAMA, Junji KUNISAWA, Mitsuru MIYAZAKI, Teruaki HOMBO, Naoki TOYOMURA
  • Publication number: 20140311534
    Abstract: A sealing mask has a pair of principal surfaces opposed to each other and a plurality of through-holes opening in the pair of principal surfaces and is used for sealing predetermined cells out of a plurality of cells in a honeycomb structure. A cleaning device for the sealing mask is provided with: a rotator configured to support the sealing mask and rotate the sealing mask around a central axis L1 intersecting with the pair of principal surfaces; and a sprayer having a nozzle for spraying a cleaning liquid on one of the principal surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Masaharu Mori, Ying Gong
  • Patent number: 8865263
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for reduction in adhesion between wet paper web and roll surfaces in papermaking process are disclosed. The method is particularly useful for improvements in press section roll release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Solenis Technologies, L.P.
    Inventors: Davit E. Sharoyan, Tien-Feng Ling, Scott T. Schnelle
  • Publication number: 20140299163
    Abstract: A substrate processing method which can reduce electrostatic charge of a substrate surface is disclosed. The substrate processing method includes: performing a first processing step of supplying a liquid containing pure water onto a substrate while rotating the substrate; and then performing a second processing step of supplying the liquid onto the substrate, while rotating the substrate, under a condition in which a rate of increase in a surface potential of the substrate is lower than that in the first processing step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventor: Tomoatsu ISHIBASHI
  • Patent number: 8851092
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes a first substrate-holding portion configured to hold a first area of a back surface of the substrate so that the top surface is kept face up; a second substrate-holding portion configured to hold a second area of the back surface of the substrate, the second area being not overlapped with the first area, and rotate the substrate; a top-surface cleaning nozzle configured to supply a top surface cleaning fluid to a top surface of the substrate; a bevel cleaning nozzle configured to supply a bevel cleaning fluid to a bevel portion of the substrate; a cleaning fluid supplying portion configured to supply a back surface cleaning fluid to the back surface of the substrate held by the first or the second substrate-holding portion; and a cleaning member configured to clean the back surface of the substrate held by the first or the second-substrate holding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Taro Yamamoto, Naoto Yoshitaka, Shuichi Nishikido, Yoichi Tokunaga
  • Publication number: 20140290703
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a substrate supporting part for supporting a substrate in a horizontal state, an upper nozzle for discharging deionized water as a cleaning solution toward a center portion of an upper surface of the substrate, and a substrate rotating mechanism for rotating the substrate supporting part together with the substrate around a central axis directed in a vertical direction. In the substrate processing apparatus, the plurality of discharge ports are provided in the upper nozzle, and the flow rate of the deionized water to be supplied onto the center portion of the substrate from the upper nozzle can be ensured, with the flow rate of the deionized water from each discharge port reduced. It is thereby possible to perform appropriate cleaning of the upper surface of the substrate while suppressing electrification at the center portion of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: DAINIPPON SCREEN MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji KOBAYASHI, Kenji IZUMOTO, Akihisa IWASAKI, Takemitsu MIURA, Kazuhide SAITO
  • Patent number: 8845815
    Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid processing apparatus including first and second cups installed so as to surround a rotation holding unit of a substrate and guide a processing liquid scattered from the rotating substrate downwards. A first driving unit and a second driving unit elevate the first cup and the second cup between a position receiving the processing liquid and the lower position thereof. A controller controls that the first cup and the second cup are ascended at the same time by transferring the driving force of the first driving unit while the first cup or a first elevating member thereof is overlapped with the second cup or a second elevating member thereof from the lower side by setting the ascending speed of the first cup to be higher than the ascending speed of the second cup when the first and second cups are ascended at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Ogata, Terufumi Wakiyama
  • Publication number: 20140261572
    Abstract: The inventive substrate treatment apparatus includes a change controlling unit which changes at least one of a protection liquid application position relative to a liquid droplet nozzle and a protection liquid incident angle relative to the liquid droplet nozzle, the protection liquid application position being a position at which the protection liquid is applied on an upper surface of the substrate, the protection liquid incident angle being an angle at which the protection liquid is incident on the liquid application position; wherein the change controlling unit controls the liquid application position and the incident angle in a first condition when the spraying region is located on an upper surface center portion of the substrate, and controls the liquid application position and the incident angle in a second condition when the spraying region is located on an upper surface peripheral portion of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: DAINIPPON SCREEN MFG.CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kota SOTOKU, Takayoshi TANAKA, Masanobu SATO
  • Publication number: 20140261571
    Abstract: Provided is a substrate cleaning and drying method, including a cleaning step of cleaning a developed substrate by supplying a cleaning liquid to the substrate; a puddle-forming step of forming a puddle of the cleaning liquid on the substrate; a film-thinning step of thinning a film thickness of the cleaning liquid on the substrate; and a drying step of drying the substrate by spinning the substrate and generating outward airflow and inward airflow between the outward airflow and the substrate, the outward airflow covering a portion above the substrate and the inward airflow causing removal of the cleaning liquid on the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: SOKUDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomohiro GOTO, Masahito KASHIYAMA, Yasuo TAKAHASHI, Akihiko MORITA
  • Publication number: 20140273454
    Abstract: A method for reducing contaminants in a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes cleaning the semiconductor substrate. The cleaning includes rotating the semiconductor substrate and dispersing an aerosol at a predetermined temperature to a surface of the semiconductor substrate or a layer formed on the substrate to be cleaned. The aerosol includes a chemical having a predetermined pressure and a gas having a predetermined flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Chien-Hua Huang, Tsung-Min Huang, Chung-Ju Lee
  • Publication number: 20140261570
    Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate liquid processing method. The substrate liquid processing method includes: forming a liquid film of a processing liquid having a diameter smaller than that of the substrate on a surface of a substrate by providing the processing liquid to a central portion of the surface of the substrate from a first nozzle while rotating the substrate around a vertical axis in a horizontal posture; supplying, from a second nozzle, a processing liquid, which is the same as the processing liquid supplied from the first nozzle, to a peripheral edge of the liquid film of the processing liquid formed on the surface by the first nozzle; and moving a position of supplying the processing liquid from the second nozzle to the surface of the substrate toward a peripheral edge of the substrate and as a result, expanding the liquid film of the processing liquid toward the peripheral edge of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Takehiko Orii, Naoki Shindo
  • Publication number: 20140251387
    Abstract: A filter cleaning device includes a cleaning chamber operable to receive a gas filter to be cleaned, the cleaning chamber having an inlet through which a gas flow can be admitted and an outlet for gas flow leaving the cleaning chamber, the inlet and outlet being arranged such that the airflow is forced to pass through at least a part of the filter when inserted, the filter cleaning device further comprising a mechanical agitation arrangement operable, in one mode of operation, to generate a linear oscillation along an axis of the filter when inserted and, in another mode of operation, to rotate the filter about an axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: John Royce, John Cannon, Roger Turner
  • Patent number: 8828147
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for loosening a polymer layer from a surface of a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: EV Group GmbH
    Inventors: Matt Crowder, Ronald Holzleitner, Thomas Glinsner, Friedrich Paul Lindner, Erich Thallner
  • Patent number: 8815111
    Abstract: The substrate treatment method is for treating a substrate with a chemical liquid in a treatment chamber. The method includes a higher temperature chemical liquid supplying step, and a rinse liquid supplying step after the higher temperature chemical liquid supplying step. The rinse liquid supplying step includes: a peripheral edge portion treating step of supplying the rinse liquid selectively onto a center portion of the front surface of the substrate so that a chemical liquid treatment is inhibited on the center portion while being allowed to proceed on a peripheral edge portion of the front surface of the substrate; and an entire surface rinsing step of spreading the rinse liquid over the entire front surface of the substrate to replace the chemical liquid with the rinse liquid on the entire front surface of the substrate after the peripheral edge portion treating step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8815017
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: holding a semiconductor substrate with a surface inclined with respect to the vertical direction and the horizontal direction; and immersing the semiconductor substrate in a cleaning solution including an acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Shirou Ozaki, Masayuki Takeda, Norikazu Nakamura, Junichi Kon
  • Publication number: 20140230860
    Abstract: Disclosed are pre-wetting apparatus designs and methods for cleaning solid contaminants from substrates prior to through resist deposition of metal. In some embodiments, a pre-wetting apparatus includes a process chamber having a substrate holder, and at least one nozzle located directly above the wafer substrate and configured to deliver pre-wetting liquid (e.g., degassed deionized water) onto the substrate at a grazing angle of between about 5 and 45 degrees. In some embodiments the nozzle is a fan nozzle configured to deliver the liquid to the center of the substrate, such that the liquid first impacts the substrate in the vicinity of the center and then flows over the center of the substrate. In some embodiments the substrate is rotated unidirectionally or bidirectionally during pre-wetting with multiple accelerations and decelerations, which facilitate removal of contaminants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee Peng Chua, Bryan L. Buckalew, Thomas Anand Ponnuswamy, Brian Blackman, Chad Michael Hosack, Steven T. Mayer
  • Publication number: 20140224281
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning flip chip assemblies is provided. The apparatus comprises: a chuck assembly; a motor coupled to the chuck assembly by a spindle; at least one carrier for holding flip chips; at least one spray nozzle for directing DIW, a cleaning solution, a gas or a vapor. Apparatus of the invention further provides a method for cleaning flip chip assemblies. The method comprises: loading at least one flip chip to the flip chip carriers; rotating the chuck assembly at a rotation speed; flowing DIW for rinsing the flip chips; flowing a cleaning solution for removing the contaminants; applying ultrasonic/megasonic energy to the flip chips; blowing a gas or a vapor via the spray nozzles for drying the flip chips; bringing the flip chips out of the flip chip carriers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: ACM Research (Shanghai) Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoyan Zhang, Fuping Chen, Hui Wang