Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Comp. Ltd.

Yu-Yen Hsu

Shao-Yen Ku

Tsai-Pao Su

Chun-Li Chou

Wen-Chang Tsai

Chia-Wen Li

Sheng-Chi Shih

Hobin Chen

Chi-Yun Tseng

The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for performing a dry plasma procedure, while mitigating internal contamination of a semiconductor substrate. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a semiconductor processing tool having a dry process stage with one or more dry process elements that perform a dry plasma procedure on a semiconductor substrate received from an input port. A wafer transport system transports the semiconductor substrates from the dry process stage to a wet cleaning stage located downstream of the dry process stage. The wet cleaning stage has one or more wet cleaning elements that perform a wet cleaning procedure to remove contaminants from a surface of the semiconductor substrates before the semiconductor substrate is provided to an output port, thereby improving wafer manufacturing quality.

Integrated platform for improved wafer manufacturing quality

A system and method for etching a substrate is provided. An embodiment comprises utilizing an inert carrier gas in order to introduce a liquid etchant to a substrate. The inert carrier gas may prevent undesirable chemical reactions from taking place during the etching process, thereby helping to reduce the number of defects that occur to the substrate and other structures during the etching process.

Semiconductor device and method of manufacture

A wet chemical processing method and apparatus for use in semiconductor manufacturing and in other applications, is provided. The method and apparatus provide for energizing a processing liquid such as a cleaning or etching liquid using ultrasonic, megasonic or other energy waves or by combining the liquid with a pressurized gas to form a pressurized spray, or using both. The energized, pressurized fluid is directed to a substrate surface using a fluid delivery system and overcomes any surface tensions associated with liquids, solids, or air and enables the processing liquid to completely fill any holes such as contact holes, via holes or trenches, formed on the semiconductor substrate.

Method and system for energized and pressurized liquids for cleaning/etching applications in semiconductor manufacturing

The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for performing a dry plasma procedure, while mitigating internal contamination of a semiconductor substrate. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a semiconductor processing tool having a dry process stage with one or more dry process elements that perform a dry plasma procedure on a semiconductor substrate received from an input port. A wafer transport system transports the semiconductor substrates from the dry process stage to a wet cleaning stage located downstream of the dry process stage. The wet cleaning stage has one or more wet cleaning elements that perform a wet cleaning procedure to remove contaminants from a surface of the semiconductor substrates before the semiconductor substrate is provided to an output port. The wet cleaning procedure prior removes internal contaminants of the dry process procedure from the semiconductor substrate and thereby improves wafer manufacturing quality.

Some embodiments relate to methods and apparatus for providing a homogeneous wafer temperature profile in a wafer cleaning tool without introducing unwanted particles onto the wafer. In some embodiments, a disclosed wafer cleaning tool has a processing chamber configured to house a semiconductor wafer. A dispensing arm provides a high temperature cleaning solution to the semiconductor wafer. A heating cup is located within the processing chamber at a position that is around the perimeter of the semiconductor wafer. The heating cup generates heat that increases the temperature of outer edges of the semiconductor wafer by a greater amount than a temperature of a center of the semiconductor wafer, thereby homogenizing an internal temperature profile of the semiconductor wafer.

Growing community of inventors

Zhudong, Taiwan

Yu-Yen Hsu