Vacuum Chamber Evacuation Method Preventing Moisture Solidification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vacuum processing apparatuses face prolonged evacuation times due to moisture attachment on chamber walls and components, which solidifies during depressurization, causing adiabatic expansion and leading to increased evacuation duration and moisture-related issues.

Innovation Solution

Maintaining the pressure in the vacuum processing chamber between atmospheric pressure and 6.7×10^2 Pa during evacuation, followed by periodic pressure elevation to prevent moisture solidification, and using heated gases or moisture decomposing gases to facilitate evaporation, along with cryopumping to reduce moisture partial pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the chamber is evacuated to remove moisture, then the evacuation time is reduced, but the moisture solidifies due to adiabatic expansion causing prolonged evacuation and moisture-related problems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveevacuation timeVSAvoidmoisture solidification
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by introducing a heating mechanism that pre-heats the chamber walls and components before evacuation begins. This prevents moisture from solidifying during the evacuation process by maintaining temperatures above the freezing point, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of moisture solidification while still achieving rapid evacuation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the temperature parameter of the chamber environment during evacuation. By controlling and maintaining the temperature above zero degrees Celsius through heating elements, the physical state of moisture is kept liquid rather than allowing it to transition to solid phase, thus preventing the formation of solidified moisture that would prolong evacuation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If dry inert gas is introduced to sweep moisture, then evaporation is facilitated, but adiabatic expansion during depressurization causes temperature drop and moisture solidification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveevaporation rateVSAvoidmoisture temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The heating mechanism is activated before and during the inert gas introduction phase, preemptively counteracting the temperature drop that will occur during subsequent depressurization. This ensures moisture remains in liquid state and continues to evaporate efficiently without solidifying when the adiabatic expansion occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic cycles of inert gas introduction followed by controlled depressurization, with heating continuously maintained throughout. This periodic action allows moisture to evaporate during the gas introduction phase while the heating system prevents temperature from dropping below freezing during the depressurization phase, maintaining high evaporation rates without moisture solidification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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

This method reduces evacuation time by preventing moisture solidification and enhancing evaporation, thereby minimizing moisture-related problems such as particle generation and component erosion.

Implementation Method 1

The pressure at the triple point on the moisture vapor pressure curve is 6.1×10^2 Pa (4.6 Torr). The triple point is a critical point where moisture that has not evaporated (moisture that has liquefied) solidifies as the temperature of the moisture decreases due to adiabatic expansion.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTriple point:

Implementation Method 2

Further depressurization of the chamber causes adiabatic expansion, so that the temperature of the moisture decreases and eventually becomes below zero degrees.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdiabatic expansion: Adiabatic Cooling

Implementation Method 3

the moisture attached to the wall and the component surfaces is evaporated and released (degassed)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS8516715B2Evacuation method and storage medium
Publication Date: 2013.08.27 TOKYO ELECTRON LTD
  • US8516715B2 patent drawing
  • US8516715B2 patent drawing
  • US8516715B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An evacuation method which can reduce evacuation time without causing moisture-related problems. In a vacuum processing apparatus including a vacuum processing chamber, during the evacuation for the vacuum processing chamber, the pressure in the vacuum processing chamber is maintained at a pressure lower than or equal to the atmospheric pressure but higher than or equal to 6.7×102 Pa (5 Torr).