Abstract: A substrate processing method includes a liquid processing process that supplies a processing liquid onto a substrate to process the substrate; a heating process that heats the substrate on which a liquid film of the processing liquid is formed; a supplying process that supplies a volatile processing liquid to the substrate on which the liquid film of the processing liquid is formed; a stopping process that stops the supply of the volatile processing liquid to the substrate; and a drying process that dries the substrate by removing the volatile processing liquid, in which the heating process starts before the supplying process that supplies the volatile processing liquid and the substrate is heated so that the surface temperature of the substrate is higher than a dew point before the surface of the substrate is exposed from the volatile processing liquid.

Abstract: A method for creating an extremely thin semiconductor-on-insulator (ETSOI) layer having a uniform thickness includes: measuring a thickness of a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) layer at a plurality of locations; determining a removal thickness at each of the plurality of locations; and implanting ions at the plurality of locations. The implanting is dynamically based on the removal thickness at each of the plurality of locations. The method further includes oxidizing the SOI layer to form an oxide layer, and removing the oxide layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer processing and analysis apparatus (20) includes a processing micro chamber (22) for closely receiving a semiconductor wafer (27) therein. The chamber may be opened for loading and removing the semiconductor wafers and then closed for processing of the wafer wherein chemical reagents and other fluids are introduced into the chamber. Small clearances are provided between the upper surface, the lower surfaces, and the perimeter edge of the wafer and the corresponding portions of the processing chamber. A high-speed collection system is provided for collecting and removing the spent reagents and fluids from the chamber for either on-line or off-line analysis or for waste treatment.

Abstract: An apparatus for etching a glass substrate includes a vessel configured to contain an etchant; a first plate in the vessel and configured to receive a horizontally placed glass substrate thereon; and a circulating unit in the vessel facing the first plate and configured to create a flow of the etchant on a side of the first plate.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for treating a silicon substrate for effectively removing a silicon oxide film formed on a surface of a silicon film and improving surface uniformity of the silicon film. The method comprises providing a substrate including a silicon film; providing a first fluid, which is capable of etching a silicon oxide film, to a surface of the substrate in a first time band; providing a second fluid containing water to the surface of the substrate in a second time band, which is different from the first time band; and providing a third fluid, which is capable of etching the silicon oxide film, has different ingredients as compared to the first fluid, and has high etching ratio with respect to the silicon oxide film, to a surface of the substrate in a third time band, which is different from the first time band and the second time band.

Abstract: Phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, and water are supplied to a flow path for a processing liquid from a first tank to a substrate held by a substrate holding unit. As a result, a mixed liquid containing the phosphoric acid, the sulfuric acid, and the water is generated. A liquid containing the sulfuric acid and a liquid containing the water are mixed together in the flow path, and the temperature of the mixed liquid containing the phosphoric acid, the sulfuric acid, and the water rises. A mixed liquid containing a phosphoric acid aqueous solution whose temperature is close to its boiling point is supplied to the substrate held by the substrate holding unit.

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.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for processing a substrate including a first process and a second process. The first process comprises supporting the substrate formed with a titanium-containing film on its front surface and rear surface by a support unit which is rotatably installed; rotating the substrate along with the support unit; and supplying a first processing liquid containing hydrofluoric acid to the rear surface of the substrate thereby processing the rear surface of the substrate with the first processing liquid. The second process comprises supplying a second processing liquid containing ammonia hydrogen peroxide mixture to the rear surface of the substrate after the first process is completed, thereby processing the rear surface of the substrate with the second processing liquid.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus of processing a substrate includes a treatment chamber, a holder, a feed device, and a temperature control device. The holder is provided in the treatment chamber and is configured to rotatably hold the substrate. The feed device includes a nozzle configured to eject an etching solution to a surface of the substrate held by the holder. The temperature control device includes first and second devices, and a controller. The first device is configured to heat and/or cool an atmosphere inside the treatment chamber. The second device is configured to heat and/or cool the etching solution. The controller is configured to control operation of the first and second devices such that a temperature of the atmosphere is higher than that of the etching solution in the nozzle and that difference between the temperature of the atmosphere and that of the etching solution is maintained constant.

Abstract: A method of controlling surface non-uniformity of a wafer in a polishing operation includes (a) providing a model for a wafer polishing that defines a plurality of regions on a wafer and identifies a wafer material removal rate in a polishing step of a polishing process for each of the regions, wherein the polishing process comprises a plurality of polishing steps, (b) polishing a wafer using a first polishing recipe based upon an incoming wafer thickness profile, (c) determining a wafer thickness profile for the post-polished wafer of step (b), and (d) calculating an updated polishing recipe based upon the wafer thickness profile of step (c) and the model of step (a) to maintain a target wafer thickness profile. The model can information about the tool state to improve the model quality. The method can be used to provide feedback to a plurality of platen stations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an etching method for etching a film to form a concave portion therein with the use of a photoresist mask provided with an opening. In this method, there is determined, in advance, a first correlation between a parameter value and an opening dimension of the concave portion, as a process parameter for the etching process, when the etching process is conducted with the use of the mask provided with the opening of a reference opening dimension. In addition, there is determined, in advance, a second correlation between a variation in opening dimension of the mask and a variation in opening dimension of the concave portion. When conducting the etching process, an actual opening dimension of the mask is measured.

Abstract: Methods and devices for etching a device precursor are provided. For example, a method includes: providing a substrate, determining a temperature associated with the substrate, and etching a metal oxide layer of the substrate, wherein the etching is controlled based on the determined temperature.

Abstract: Of process steps of polymer removal in a substrate processing apparatus (3), in a step of discharging and spreading a removal solution to coat a rotating substrate (W), data indicative of the number of revolutions of a substrate, the temperature and flow rate of a removal solution, and removal solution discharge time is collected and a combination thereof is synthetically assessed to detect a processing abnormality. In a pure water discharge step, data indicative of the number of revolutions of a substrate, the flow rate of pure water and pure water discharge time is collected and a combination thereof synthetically assessed to detect a processing abnormality. Thus, a processing abnormality in polymer removal is detected based on a combination of important control elements in important steps largely exerting influence on the results of processing, thereby allowing detection of a processing abnormality with a higher degree of accuracy.

Abstract: A method for forming identical isotropic etch patterns in an etch system is disclosed. The method comprises providing a wafer paddle, a wafer, a plurality of identical etch systems, utilizing identical etch recipes within each of the plurality of etch systems, providing a fixed temperature stability time FTST for each system so that the heat transfer from the paddle to the wafer is constant, wherein the FTST is the same on each of the plurality of etch systems; and utilizing the plurality of identical etch systems to produce identical etches on each of the wafers based upon the FTST, wherein a five-second preheat step in the etch process is not utilized.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an etching method is disclosed. The method can include producing an oxidizing substance by electrolyzing a sulfuric acid solution, and producing an etching solution having a prescribed oxidizing species concentration by controlling a produced amount of the produced oxidizing substance. The method can include supplying the produced etching solution to a surface of a workpiece.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, including: partially removing a first layer formed on a wafer supported by a support member by supplying a first liquid at a temperature of 60 degrees C. or higher over the wafer (step S1); cooling the wafer after the partially removing the first layer (step S2); and removing the remaining portions of the first layer by supplying the first liquid at a temperature of 60 degrees C. or higher over the wafer after the cooling the wafer, the remaining portions of the first layer being remained after the partially removing the first layer (step S3).

Abstract: Apparatus and systems provide a mechanism to examine physical properties and/or diagnose problems at a selected location of an integrated circuit. Such apparatus and systems can include a source of an energetic beam directed at the selected location. The apparatus and systems may be used to provide examination and/or diagnostic methods that may be used in areas smaller than one micron in diameter and that may be used to remove IC layers, either selectively or non-selectively, until a desired depth is obtained.

Abstract: The wet-processing apparatus includes a wet-step bath in which a wet-step is carried out, and a vibration-type film separator for separating impurities out of a solution used in the wet-step. The wet-processing apparatus further includes a re-supply path through which the solution out of which the impurities were removed by means of the vibration-type film separator is re-supplied to the wet-step bath. Thus, it is possible to reuse a solution and a material of which a pattern is composed. Since the vibration-type film separator is used, it is possible to reduce a frequency of exchanging filters equipped in the vibration-type film separator, and ensure a high rate at which a material of which a pattern is composed is recovered, regardless of a specific gravity of the material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for removing a sacrificial layer from an MEMS structure or from any other semiconductor substrate that includes a sacrificial layer. The above etching method and system use densified carbon dioxide, fluorine compounds, and co-solvents as the processing fluid and are capable of removing the sacrificial layer in a short period of time without incurring damage on the structural layer or incurring stiction between structures. In addition, the above etching method and system do not create etching residue and thus do not require a separate cleaning process.

Abstract: A bevel unit comprises CCDs and processing liquid nozzles, and the CCDs take an image of a circumferential edge surface of a substrate. An image processing part detects the distances between the circumferential edge surface of the substrate and the processing liquid nozzles by image processing the signals from the CCDs. A control unit compares thus detected distances between the circumferential edge surface of the substrate and the processing liquid nozzles with set distances from the circumferential edge surface of the substrate to the processing liquid nozzles which are set in a recipe so as to be a desired rim etching width, and calculates an amount of displacement between the detected distances and the set distances. In accordance with the amount of displacement, the control unit activates motors and accordingly positions the bevel unit.

Abstract: A method for creating an extremely thin semiconductor-on-insulator (ETSOI) layer having a uniform thickness includes: measuring a thickness of a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) layer at a plurality of locations; determining a removal thickness at each of the plurality of locations; and implanting ions at the plurality of locations. The implanting is dynamically based on the removal thickness at each of the plurality of locations. The method further includes oxidizing the SOI layer to form an oxide layer, and removing the oxide layer.

Abstract: Provided are a substrate liquid processing apparatus, a substrate liquid processing method, and a computer readable storage medium having a substrate liquid processing program stored therein that can prevent the occurrence of the electrostatic breakdown caused by the discharge of electric charges in a substrate. The substrate liquid processing apparatus processes a circuit-forming surface of the substrate with a chemical liquid. Furthermore, prior to processing the substrate with the chemical liquid, the substrate liquid processing apparatus performs an anti-static process for an surface opposite to the circuit-forming surface of the substrate by an anti-static liquid, thereby emitting the electric charges on the substrate.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for treating wafers using a supercritical fluid. The wafer treatment apparatus includes a plurality of chambers; a first supply supplying a first fluid in a supercritical state; a second supply supplying a mixture of the first fluid and a second fluid; a plurality of first and second valves; and a controller selecting a first chamber of the plurality of chambers for wafer treatment to control the open/closed state of each of the plurality of first valves so that the first fluid can be supplied only to the first chamber of the plurality of chambers and selecting a second chamber of the plurality of chambers to control the open/closed state of each of the plurality of second valves so that the mixture of the first fluid and a second fluid can be supplied only to the second chamber of the plurality of chambers.

Abstract: First, hydrofluoric acid is supplied to the circumferential edge of a substrate W while the substrate W provided with a polysilicon film is rotated, to remove a natural oxide film provided along the circumferential edge of the substrate W by etching so as to expose the polysilicon film. Next, hydrofluoric-nitric acid is supplied to the circumferential edge of the substrate W while the substrate W from which the polysilicon film is exposed is rotated, to remove the polysilicon film by etching. Such operation is performed by controlling a rotational driving unit 20, a hydrofluoric acid supplying unit 54, and a hydrofluoric-nitric acid supplying unit 52 by a control unit 50 of a substrate liquid-processing apparatus 1.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for isotropically etching a metal from a work piece, while recovering and reconstituting the chemical etchant are described. Various embodiments include apparatus and methods for etching where the recovered and reconstituted etchant is reused in a continuous loop recirculation scheme. Steady state conditions can be achieved where these processes are repeated over and over with occasional bleed and feed to replenish reagents and/or adjust parameters such as pH, ionic strength, salinity and the like.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing semiconductor devices are disclosed. A preferred embodiment comprises a processing system that includes providing a processing system including a first container and a second container fluidly coupled to the first container, the second container being adapted to receive and retain an overflow amount of a fluid from the first container, and disposing the fluid in the first container and a portion of the second container. The method includes providing at least one semiconductor device, disposing the at least one semiconductor device in the first container, and maintaining the fluid in the second container substantially to a first level while processing the at least one semiconductor device with the fluid.

Abstract: A plasma probe assembly for use in a plasma processing chamber is provided. A semiconductor probe element with a probe surface at a first end of the semiconductor probe element is provided. An electrical connector is electrically connected to the semiconductor probe element. An electrically insulating sleeve surrounds at least part of the probe element. An adjustment device is connected to the semiconductor probe so that the probe surface is coplanar with an interior chamber surface of the plasma processing chamber.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device includes dry-etching a semiconductor substrate or a structure formed on the semiconductor substrate; supplying a solution onto the semiconductor substrate; measuring a specific resistance or a conductivity of the supplied solution; and supplying a removal solution for removing the etching residual material onto the semiconductor substrate for a predetermined period of time based on the specific resistance or the conductivity of the solution, when an etching residual material adhering to the semiconductor substrate or the structure is removed.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, a device includes a first etched feature located in a critical dimension scanning electron microscope (CD-SEM) characterization location, the first etched feature having an upper section, a middle section, and a lower section wherein the middle section is severely shrunk relative to a corresponding middle section of a second etched feature having similar dimensions and composition that is not located in a CD-SEM characterization location. In another embodiment of the present invention, the middle section of the first etched feature has a shrinkage carryover exceeding a threshold. In still another embodiment of the present invention, the middle section of the first etched feature exhibits a line edge roughness.

Abstract: Incorporation of a sensor, such as an optical or laser based sensor, into a wafer edge processing unit, such as a WEE unit or mechanism. This sensor enables the WEE unit to be referenced to the wafer edge. Specifically, the sensor can be used to place a WEE unit in a fixed but accurate location at the beginning of the wafer edge expose process. Another approach is to have the WEE drive controller actively follow the edge of the wafer as it rotates during the WEE process, which has the advantage of compensating for any wafer centering errors as well as diameter and placement errors. In yet another approach, the edge sensor is used to sense and track the edge of a previous layer WEE pattern. The sensor can also facilitate the measuring of a distance from a wafer edge to a WEE edge feature.

Abstract: A wet processing system detects a globule of a process solution in a drippy or dripping state from the tip of any one of process solution pouring nozzles being moved to a pouring position for pouring the process solution onto a substrate by obtaining image data on the process solution pouring nozzle, and takes proper measures to prevent the process solution from dripping. A wet processing system 1 pours a process solution, such as a resist solution, through one of process solution pouring nozzles 10 onto a surface of a substrate, such as a wafer W, held substantially horizontally by a substrate holding device 41 surrounded by a cup 5 to process the surface by a wet process. A nozzle carrying mechanism 10a carries the process solution pouring nozzles 10 between a home position on a nozzle bath 14 and a pouring position above the substrate held by the substrate holding device 41. An optical image of the tips of the process solution pouring nozzles 10 is obtained by an image pickup means, such as a camera 17.

Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate processing method that dissolves and deforms a photoresist film having a first pattern formed on a substrate to reshape the resist film into a second pattern. During the reflow process, an atmosphere of a thinner vapor-containing gas is established in a processing chamber. A substrate is placed on a temperature adjusting plate. The target temperature of the temperature adjusting plate is set and controlled by a control unit, and the temperature of the temperature adjusting plate is controlled by a temperature regulator based on the target temperature set by the control unit. The control unit set and controls the target temperature so that it meets the following requirement: the atmospheric temperature?the target temperature?(the atmospheric temperature+2° C.). Due to the above, the reflowing of the resist can be performed stably, while achieving a satisfactory reflow rate although it is somewhat low.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region, forming a high-k dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate, forming a first metal layer and a first silicon layer by an in-situ deposition process, patterning the first silicon layer to remove a portion overlying the second region, patterning the first metal layer using the patterned first silicon layer as a mask, and removing the patterned first silicon layer including applying a solution. The solution includes a first component having an [F—] concentration greater than 0.01 M, a second component configured to adjust a pH of the solution from about 4.3 to about 6.7, and a third component configured to adjust a potential of the solution to be greater than ?1.4 volts.

Abstract: An exemplary apparatus for wet processing a substantially rectangular substrate includes a conveyor, a supporting mechanism, an adjusting mechanism, a processing module and a dosing system. The conveyor is configured for conveying the substrate to a wet process work station. The supporting mechanism is configured for supporting the substrate away from the conveyor. The adjusting mechanism is configured for adjusting the orientation of the substrate. The processing module is configured for obtaining an area of a surface of the substrate. The dosing system communicates with the processing unit, and is configured for dispensing a corresponding amount of wet processing liquid to the substrate to wet process the substrate according to the area of the surface of the substrate from the processing module.

Abstract: An etch apparatus, especially for silicon nitride etch includes a control unit coupled to at least one component of the group of components comprising heater current sensors, a pump transducer sensor and a flow sensor provided for a diluting liquid. A malfunction of the apparatus is avoided and the etching process can be controlled for better performance.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for removing fine-grain silicon material from coarse-grain ground silicon material are disclosed. In the method, ground silicon material is selected that exhibits a predominantly brown color in an aqueous suspension, indicating that a considerable fraction of the ground silicon material has a grain size of less than 0.25 ?m, and the ground silicon material is supplied to a reaction vessel. An aqueous or water-containing solution of a base is added to the ground silicon material, causing an etching process which chemically removes a fine fraction with a grain size of less than approximately 1 ?m. Acid or water is then added to terminate etching and cause rapid sedimentation of a suspension in form of a relatively coarse-grain solid, which can be removed for further processing. The solution formed above the relatively coarse-grain solid can also be withdrawn.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process control method in spin etching capable of realizing uniformity in etching amount in etching treatment for even wafers each having various conditions, and achieving uniformity of thickness values among etched wafers. In the present invention, weight of a wafer before etching is measured in units of 1/1000 g, followed by predetermined etching treatment in a spin etching section. Thereafter, weight of the wafer is again measured in units of 1/1000 g after rinsing and drying treatment of the wafer, and then an actual etching amount is calculated from a difference between weight before and after etching of the wafer, confirming an etching rate each time etching to thereby control an etching time.

Abstract: An apparatus for growing an epitaxial film and transferring it to an assembly substrate is disclosed. The film growth and transfer are made using an epitaxy lateral overgrowth technique. The formed epitaxial film on an assembly substrate can be further processed to form devices such as solar cell, light emitting diode, and other devices and assembled into higher integration of desired applications.

Abstract: A photoelectrochemical (PEC) etch is performed for chip shaping of a device comprised of a III-V semiconductor material, in order to extract light emitted into guided modes trapped in the III-V semiconductor material. The chip shaping involves varying an angle of incident light during the PEC etch to control an angle of the resulting sidewalls of the III-V semiconductor material. The sidewalls may be sloped as well as vertical, in order to scatter the guided modes out of the III-V semiconductor material rather than reflecting the guided modes back into the III-V semiconductor material. In addition to shaping the chip in order to extract light emitted into guided modes, the chip may be shaped to act as a lens, to focus its output light, or to direct its output light in a particular way.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for gas injection sequencing in order to increase the gas injection total pressure while satisfying an upper limit to the process gas flow rate, thereby achieving gas flow uniformity during a sequence cycle and employing practical orifice configurations. The gas injection system includes a gas injection electrode having a plurality of regions, through which process gas flows into the process chamber. The gas injection system further includes a plurality of gas injection plenums, each independently coupled to one of the aforesaid regions and a plurality of gas valves having an inlet end and an outlet end, where the outlet end is independently coupled to one of the aforesaid plurality of gas injection plenums. The gas injection system includes a controller coupled to the plurality of gas valves for sequencing the flow of process gas through the aforesaid plurality of regions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process control method in spin etching capable of realizing uniformity in etching amount in etching treatment for even wafers each having various conditions, and achieving uniformity of thickness values among etched wafers. In the present invention, weight of a wafer before etching is measured in units of 1/1000 g, followed by predetermined etching treatment in a spin etching section. Thereafter, weight of the wafer is again measured in units of 1/1000 g after rinsing and drying treatment of the wafer, and then an actual etching amount is calculated from a difference between weight before and after etching of the wafer, confirming an etching rate each time etching to thereby control an etching time.

Abstract: Systems for depositing material onto workpieces in reaction chambers and methods for removing byproducts from reaction chambers are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the system includes a gas phase reaction chamber, a first exhaust line coupled to the reaction chamber, first and second traps each in fluid communication with the first exhaust line, and a vacuum pump coupled to the first exhaust line to remove gases from the reaction chamber. The first and second traps are operable independently to individually and/or jointly collect byproducts from the reaction chamber. It is emphasized that this Abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a substrate is provided which includes a first process window configured to apply a first fluid meniscus between the first process window and a surface of the substrate. The apparatus further includes a second process window configured to generate a second fluid meniscus between the second process window and the surface of the substrate. The apparatus further includes a third process window configured to generate a third fluid meniscus between the third process window and the surface of the substrate. The apparatus is configured to apply the first fluid meniscus, the second fluid meniscus, and the third fluid meniscus to the surface of the substrate in order during an atomic layer deposition operation.

Abstract: A system for delivering a desired mass of gas, including a chamber, a first valve controlling flow into the chamber, a second valve controlling flow out of the chamber, a pressure transducer connected to the chamber, an input device for providing a desired mass to be delivered, and a controller connected to the valves, the pressure transducer and the input device. The controller is programmed to receive the desired mass from the input device, close the second valve and open the first valve, receive chamber pressure measurements from the pressure transducer, and close the inlet valve when pressure within the chamber reaches a predetermined level. The controller is then programmed to wait a predetermined waiting period to allow the gas inside the chamber to approach a state of equilibrium, then open the outlet valve at time=t0, and close the outlet valve at time=t* when the mass of gas discharged equals the desired mass.

Abstract: A system for delivering pulses of a desired mass of gas, including a chamber, a first valve controlling flow into the chamber, a second valve controlling flow out of the chamber. A controller is programmed to receive the desired mass for each pulse through an input interface, close the second valve and open the first valve, receive chamber pressure measurements from a pressure transducer, and close the first valve when pressure within the chamber rises to a predetermined upper level. The controller is also programmed to deliver pulses of gas using just the second valve, wherein, for each pulse, the second valve is opened until a calculated mass for the pulse equals the desired mass for the pulse. The first valve is not required to be opened and closed for each pulse and is, therefore, used less frequently and has an extended life.

Abstract: A method of producing an oscillator includes a first step, a second step and a third step. In the first step, an oscillator is formed in a substrate immersed in an etchant, by wet etching. In the second step, the wet etching is stopped. In the third step, the oscillation of the oscillator in the etchant is excited, and the oscillating condition of the excited oscillator relevant to a target frequency of the oscillator is detected. The third step is performed at least once prior to the second step.

Abstract: A system for delivering a desired mass of gas, including a chamber, a first valve controlling flow into the chamber, a second valve controlling flow out of the chamber, a pressure transducer connected to the chamber, an input device for providing a desired mass to be delivered, and a controller connected to the valves, the pressure transducer and the input device. The controller is programmed to receive the desired mass from the input device, close the second valve and open the first valve, receive chamber pressure measurements from the pressure transducer, and close the inlet valve when pressure within the chamber reaches a predetermined level. The controller is then programmed to wait a predetermined waiting period to allow the gas inside the chamber to approach a state of equilibrium, then open the outlet valve at time=t0, and close the outlet valve at time=t* when the mass of gas discharged equals the desired mass.

Abstract: An ion source is used to adjust film thickness uniformity. Voltage is adjusted based on the film thickness to remove material on thicker parts of the substrate while removing almost no material on the thinner part of the substrate. Special procedure is used to obtain virtually uniform film without reducing minimum thickness on a substrate. Source calibration is used to maintain precise etch rate control. Film thicknesses can be adjusted to less than 0.5 nanometers uniformity.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling substrate thickness. At least one etchant is dispensed from at least one dispenser to a plurality of different locations on a surface of a spinning substrate to perform etching. A thickness of the spinning substrate is monitored at the plurality of locations, so that the thickness of the substrate is monitored at each individual location while dispensing the etchant at that location. A respective amount of etching performed at each individual location is controlled, based on the respective monitored thickness at that location.

Abstract: A single-wafer etching apparatus according to the present invention supplies an etchant to an upper surface of a wafer while rotating the wafer, thereby etching the upper surface of the wafer. Further, wafer elevating means moves up and down the wafer, and a lower surface blow mechanism which blows off the etchant flowing down on an edge surface of the wafer toward a radially outer side of the wafer by injection of a gas is fixed and provided without rotating together with the wafer. Furthermore, gap adjusting means controls the wafer elevating means based on detection outputs from gap detecting means for detecting a gap between the wafer and the lower surface blow mechanism, thereby adjusting the gap. The apparatus according to the present invention uniformly etches the edge portion without collapsing a chamfered shape of the edge portion of the wafer, and prevents a glitter from being produced on the edge surface of the wafer.