Tokyo Electron Limited

Toshimasa Tanaka

Toshiharu Hirata

Katsuhito Hirose

Toshio Miyazawa

A processing apparatus includes a processing chamber, gas supply paths provided in a corresponding relationship with the kinds of process gases supplied into the processing chamber, and valves respectively arranged in the gas supply paths. The apparatus further includes a measuring unit for measuring a physical parameter associated with each of the process gases passing through the gas supply paths, a register unit which stores the physical parameter, and a control unit configured to determine a process status based on the physical parameter stored in the register unit. The register unit is provided in a lower-hierarchy control device connected to the control unit of a higher hierarchy to transmit and receive signals to and from the control unit. The lower-hierarchy control device is configured to control input and output signals between the control unit and end devices under the control of the control unit.

Processing apparatus and process status checking method

A processing apparatus includes a processing chamber configured to accommodate a target object to be processed, gas supply paths provided in a corresponding relationship with the kinds of process gases supplied into the processing chamber, and valves respectively arranged in the gas supply paths to open and close the gas supply paths. The processing apparatus further includes valve drive units configured to independently drive the valves, sensor units configured to independently monitor opening and closing operations of the valves, and a control unit configured to determine operation statuses of the valves based on valve opening and closing drive signals transmitted to the valve drive units and/or valve opening and closing detection signals transmitted from the sensor units.

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Yamanashi, Japan

Toshimasa Tanaka