Microwave Substrate Heating for Selective Etching Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing substrate treating processes face challenges in achieving high etch selectivity, etch rate, and etch uniformity, particularly in highly integrated semiconductor devices, with potential substrate damage from heating and inadequate temperature control.
Innovation Solution
A substrate treating apparatus utilizing a chamber with a substrate support unit, a liquid supply unit, and a microwave applying member to apply microwaves, which includes a window member for laser beam transmission and a spin housing for rotation, enabling precise temperature control and selective heating based on film quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional heating methods are used during substrate treatment, then temperature control is achieved, but heating speed is slow and substrate damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional thermal heating methods with microwave heating technology. The microwave generating unit generates microwaves that penetrate the substrate and convert to thermal energy through dielectric heating, achieving rapid temperature increase (600°C/s or higher) while distributing heat more uniformly throughout the substrate, thereby reducing thermal damage compared to conventional surface heating methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the heating parameter from conventional thermal conduction to microwave radiation. By controlling microwave power, frequency, and exposure time, the system achieves precise temperature control during substrate treatment processes, enabling rapid heating without excessive temperature gradients that cause substrate damage.
2Speed
If microwave heating is applied to rapidly increase substrate temperature, then heating speed improves, but temperature uniformity and substrate damage control become challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a temperature sensing unit that continuously monitors substrate temperature during microwave heating. The control unit receives temperature signals from the sensing unit and adjusts microwave power output in real-time, creating a closed-loop feedback system that maintains precise temperature control even during rapid heating processes, preventing temperature runaway and ensuring uniform temperature distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic adjustment of microwave heating parameters during the substrate treatment process. The system can modulate microwave power, pulse duration, and frequency based on real-time temperature feedback and process requirements, enabling adaptive temperature control that maintains precision while achieving rapid heating rates.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus efficiently treats substrates with improved etching performance, rapid temperature increase (up to 600°C/s), and minimizes substrate damage by selectively heating according to film quality.
Implementation Method 1
a microwave applying member for emitting microwaves to the substrate
Implementation Method 2
a liquid supply unit including a chemical liquid discharge nozzle that discharges a chemical liquid to the substrate
Implementation Method 3
a substrate support unit provided in the processing space to support a substrate and rotate the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a substrate treating apparatus and a substrate treating method. The substrate treating apparatus includes: a chamber for providing a processing space; a substrate support unit provided in the processing space to support a substrate and rotate the substrate; a liquid supply unit including a chemical liquid discharge nozzle that discharges a chemical liquid to the substrate supported by the substrate support unit; and a microwave applying member for emitting microwaves to the substrate.


