Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080230097 | Methods for Processing Wafer Surfaces Using Thin, High Velocity Fluid Layer - Among the many embodiment, in one embodiment, a method for processing a substrate is disclosed which includes generating a fluid layer on a surface of the substrate, the fluid layer defining a fluid meniscus. The generating includes moving a head in proximity to the surface, applying a fluid from the head to the surface while the head is in proximity to the surface of the substrate to define the fluid layer, and removing the fluid from the surface through the proximity head by a vacuum. The fluid travels along the fluid layer between the head and the substrate at a velocity that increases as the head is in closer proximity to the surface. | 09-25-2008 |
20080245390 | Method for cleaning semiconductor wafer surfaces by applying periodic shear stress to the cleaning solution - Systems and methods for cleaning particulate contaminants adhered to wafer surfaces are provided. A cleaning media including dispersed coupling elements suspended within the cleaning media is applied over a wafer surface. External energy is applied to the cleaning media to generate periodic shear stresses within the media. The periodic shear stresses impart momentum and/or drag forces on the coupling elements causing the coupling elements to interact with the particulate contaminants to remove the particulate contaminants from the wafer surfaces. | 10-09-2008 |
20080260940 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INTEGRATED SURFACE TREATMENT AND DEPOSITION FOR COPPER INTERCONNECT - A method and system for depositing films on a substrate for copper interconnect in an integrated system is provided. The method includes moving the substrate into a processing chamber having a plurality of proximity heads. Selected ones of the proximity heads is configured to perform at least one of surface treatments and atomic layer depositions (ALDs). The processing chamber is part of the integrated system. Within the processing chamber, barrier layer deposition is performed over a surface of the substrate using one of the plurality of proximity heads functioning to perform barrier layer ALD. In addition, the method includes moving the substrate from the processing chamber, through a transfer module of the integrated system and into a processing module for performing copper seed layer deposition. The processing module for performing copper seed layer deposition is part of the integrated system. Within the processing module for performing copper seed layer deposition, copper seed layer deposition is performed over the surface of the substrate. The integrated system enables controlled-ambient transitions within the integrated system to limit exposure of the substrate to uncontrolled ambient conditions outside of the integrated system. | 10-23-2008 |
20080260963 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRE AND POST TREATMENT OF ATOMIC LAYER DEPOSITION - The embodiments fill the needs of systems and processes that perform substrate surface treatment to provide homogenous, clean, and sometimes activated surface in order to provide good adhesion between layers to improve metal migration and void propagation. In an exemplary embodiment, a proximity head for treating a substrate surface is provided. The proximity head is configured to dispense a treatment gas to treat an active process region of a substrate surface under the proximity head. The proximity head covers the action process region of the substrate surface and the proximity head includes at least one vacuum channel to pull excess treatment gas from a reaction volume between the proximity head and the substrate. The proximity head has an excitation chamber to excite the treatment gas before the treatment gas being dispensed on the active process region portion of the substrate surface. | 10-23-2008 |
20080260967 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INTEGRATED SURFACE TREATMENT AND FILM DEPOSITION - The embodiments fill the needs of systems and processes that perform substrate surface treatment to provide homogenous, clean, and sometimes activated surface in order to provide good adhesion between layers to improve metal migration and void propagation. In one exemplary embodiment, a chamber for performing surface treatment and film deposition is provided. The chamber includes a first proximity head for substrate surface treatment configured to dispense a first treatment gas to treat a portion of a surface of a substrate under the first proximity head for substrate surface treatment. The chamber also includes a first proximity head for atomic layer deposition (ALD) configured to sequentially dispensing a first reactant gas and a first purging gas to deposit a first ALD film under the second proximity head for ALD. | 10-23-2008 |
20080261412 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ATOMIC LAYER DEPOSITION - The embodiments provide apparatus and methods of depositing conformal thin film on interconnect structures by providing processes and systems using an atomic layer deposition (ALD). More specifically, each of the ALD systems includes a proximity head that has a small reaction volume right above an active process region of the substrate surface. The proximity head small amount of reactants and purging gas to be distributed and pumped away from the small reaction volume between the proximity head and the substrate in relatively short periods, which increases the through-put. In an exemplary embodiment, a proximity head for dispensing reactants and purging gas to deposit a thin film by atomic layer deposition (ALD) is provided. The proximity head is configured to sequentially dispensing a reactant gas and a purging gas to deposit a thin ALD film under the proximity head. The proximity head covers an active process region of a substrate surface. The proximity head also includes at least one vacuum channel to pull excess reactant gas, purging gas, or deposition byproducts from a reaction volume between a surface of the proximity head facing the substrate and the substrate. The proximity includes a plurality of sides, each side being configured to dispense either a reactant gas or a purging gas on the substrate surface underneath the proximity head. Each side has at least one vacuum channel. | 10-23-2008 |
20080267721 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSPORTING A SUBSTRATE USING NON-NEWTONIAN FLUID - A method for transporting a substrate is provided. In this method, a non-Newtonian fluid is provided and the substrate is suspended in the non-Newtonian fluid. The non-Newtonian fluid is capable of supporting the substrate. Thereafter, a supply force is applied on the non-Newtonian fluid to cause the non-Newtonian fluid to flow, whereby the flow is capable of moving the substrate along a direction of the flow. Apparatuses and systems for transporting the substrate using the non-Newtonian fluid also are described. | 10-30-2008 |
20080271749 | Substrate cleaning technique employing multi-phase solution - A method and system for cleaning opposed surfaces of a semiconductor wafer having particulate matter thereon. The method includes generating relative movement between a fluid and the substrate. The relative movement is in a direction that is transverse to a normal to one of the opposed surfaces and creates two spaced-apart flows. Each of the flows is adjacent to one of the opposed surfaces that is different from the opposed surface that is adjacent to the remaining flow of the plurality of flows. The fluid has coupling elements entrained therein, and the relative movement is established to impart sufficient drag upon a subset of the coupling elements to create movement of the coupling elements of the subset within the fluid. In this manner, a quantity of the drag is imparted upon the particulate matter to cause the particulate matter to move with respect to the substrate. | 11-06-2008 |
20080280456 | Thermal methods for cleaning post-CMP wafers - Methods for cleaning semiconductor wafers following chemical mechanical polishing are provided. An exemplary method exposes a wafer to a thermal treatment in an oxidizing environment followed by a thermal treatment in a reducing environment. The thermal treatment in the oxidizing environment both removes residues and oxidizes exposed copper surfaces to form a cupric oxide layer. The thermal treatment in the reducing environment then reduces the cupric oxide to elemental copper. This leaves the exposed copper clean and in condition for further processing, such as electroless plating. | 11-13-2008 |
20090078282 | Method and Apparatus for Cleaning Semiconductor Wafers Using Compressed and/or Pressurized Foams, Bubbles, and/or Liquids - An apparatus and method are disclosed in which a semiconductor substrate having a surface containing contaminants is cleaned or otherwise subjected to chemical treatment using a foam. The semiconductor wafer is supported either on a stiff support (or a layer of foam) and foam is provided on the opposite surface of the semiconductor wafer while the semiconductor wafer is supported. The foam contacting the semiconductor wafer is pressurized using a form to produce a jammed foam. Relative movement between the form and the semiconductor wafer. such as oscillation parallel and/or perpendicular to the top surface of the semiconductor wafer. is then induced while the jammed foam is in contact with the semiconductor wafer to remove the undesired contaminants and/or otherwise chemically treat the surface of the semiconductor wafer using the foam. | 03-26-2009 |
20090114249 | System and method for contained chemical surface treatment - An apparatus, system and method for preparing a surface of a substrate using a proximity head includes applying a non-Newtonian fluid between the surface of the substrate and a head surface of the proximity head. The non-Newtonian fluid defines a containment wall along one or more sides between the head surface and the surface of the substrate. The one or more sides provided with the non-Newtonian fluid define a treatment region on the substrate between the head surface and the surface of the substrate. A Newtonian fluid is applied to the surface of the substrate through the proximity head, such that the applied Newtonian fluid is substantially contained in the treatment region defined by the containment wall. The contained Newtonian fluid aids in the removal of one or more contaminants from the surface of the substrate. In one example, the non-Newtonian fluid can also be used to create ambient controlled isolated regions, which can assist in controlled processing of surfaces within the regions. In an alternate example, a second non-Newtonian fluid is applied to the treatment region instead of the Newtonian fluid. The second non-Newtonian fluid acts on one or more contaminants on the surface of the substrate substantially removing them from the surface of the substrate. | 05-07-2009 |
20090145464 | Proximity head with angled vacuum conduit system, apparatus and method - A proximity head including a head surface. The head surface including a first flat region and a plurality of first conduits. Each one of the plurality of first conduits being defined by corresponding one of a plurality of first discrete holes. The plurality of first discrete holes residing in the head surface and extending through the first flat region. The head surface also including a second flat region and a plurality of second conduits. The plurality of second conduits being defined by a corresponding plurality of second discrete holes that reside in the head surface and extend through the second flat region. The head surface also including a third flat region disposed between and adjacent to the first flat region and the second flat region and a plurality of third conduits. The plurality of third conduits being defined by a corresponding plurality of third discrete holes that reside in the head surface and extend through the third flat region. The third conduits being formed at a first angle relative to the third flat region. The first angle being between 30 and 60 degrees. A system and method for processing a substrate with a proximity head is also described. | 06-11-2009 |
20090308410 | METHOD AND MATERIAL FOR CLEANING A SUBSTRATE - Methods for cleaning using a tri-state body are disclosed. A substrate having a particle deposited thereon is provided. A tri-state body that has a solid portion, liquid portion, and a gas portion is generated. A force is applied over the tri-state body to promulgate an interaction between the solid portion and the particle. The tri-state body is removed along with the particle from the surface of the substrate. The interaction between the solid portion and the particle causing the particle to be removed along with the tri-state body. | 12-17-2009 |
20090308413 | APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR CLEANING A SUBSTRATE - An apparatus for cleaning a substrate is disclosed. The apparatus having a first head unit and a second head unit. The first head unit is positioned proximate to the surface of the substrate and has a first row of channels defined within configured to supply a foam to the surface of the substrate. The second head unit is positioned substantially adjacent to the first head unit and proximate to the surface of the substrate. A second and a third row of channels are defined within the second head unit. The second row of channels is configured to supply a fluid to the surface of the substrate. The third row of channels is configured to apply a vacuum to the surface of the substrate. | 12-17-2009 |
20090310643 | Methods and Apparatus for Thin Metal Film Thickness Measurement - A method for measuring a metal film thickness is provided. The method initiates with heating a region of interest of a metal film with a defined amount of heat energy. Then, a temperature of the metal film is measured. Next, a thickness of the metal film is calculated based upon the temperature and the defined amount of heat energy. A chemical mechanical planarization system capable of detecting a thin metal film through the detection of heat transfer dynamics is also provided. | 12-17-2009 |
20090320749 | APPARATUS FOR INTEGRATED SURFACE TREATMENT AND DEPOSITION FOR COPPER INTERCONNECT - An integrated system for depositing films on a substrate for copper interconnect is provided. The system includes a processing chamber with a plurality of proximity heads, and a vacuum transfer module coupled to the processing chamber. Selected ones of the proximity heads are used for surface treatments and atomic layer depositions (ALDs). The system further includes a processing module for copper seed layer deposition, which is integrated with a rinse/dryer to enable dry-in/dry-out process capability and is filled with an inert gas to limit the exposure of the substrate to oxygen. Additionally, the system includes a controlled-ambient transfer module coupled to the processing module for copper seed layer deposition. Further, the system includes a loadlock coupled to the vacuum transfer module and to the controlled-ambient transfer module. The integrated system enables controlled-ambient transitions within the system to limit exposure of the substrate to uncontrolled ambient conditions outside of the system. | 12-31-2009 |
20090320884 | CONTROLS OF AMBIENT ENVIRONMENT DURING WAFER DRYING USING PROXIMITY HEAD - A method for processing a substrate is provided which includes generating a fluid meniscus to process the substrate and applying the fluid meniscus to a surface of the substrate. The method further includes reducing evaporation of fluids from a surface in the substrate processing environment. | 12-31-2009 |
20100059088 | Method and Apparatus for Removing Contamination from Substrate - A cleaning material is disposed over a substrate. The cleaning material includes solid components dispersed within a liquid medium. A force is applied to the solid components within the liquid medium to bring the solid components within proximity to contaminants present on the substrate. The force applied to the solid components can be exerted by an immiscible component within the liquid medium. When the solid components are brought within sufficient proximity to the contaminants, an interaction is established between the solid components and the contaminants. Then, the solid components are moved away from the substrate such that the contaminants having interacted with the solid components are removed from the substrate. | 03-11-2010 |
20100071730 | METHODS FOR ATOMIC LAYER DEPOSITION (ALD) USING A PROXIMITY MENISCUS - Provided are methods for processing a substrate using a proximity system defined by one or more meniscus windows on one or more proximity heads. One method includes applying a first fluid meniscus to a surface of the substrate to apply a chemical precursor to the surface of the substrate. The first fluid meniscus is applied to first proximity meniscus window. Then, applying a second fluid meniscus to the surface of the substrate to leave an atomic layer of the chemical precursor on the surface of the substrate, through a second proximity meniscus window. A third fluid meniscus is applied to the surface of the substrate to apply a chemical reactant configured to react with the atomic layer of the chemical precursor to generate a layer of a material, through a third proximity meniscus window. The first, second and third proximity meniscus windows are arranged to apply the first fluid meniscus, the second fluid meniscus and the third fluid meniscus one after the other to a same location of the surface of the substrate during movement of the substrate through the proximity system. | 03-25-2010 |
20100136788 | THERMAL METHODS FOR CLEANING POST-CMP WAFERS - Methods for cleaning semiconductor wafers following chemical mechanical polishing are provided. An exemplary method exposes a wafer to a thermal treatment in an oxidizing environment followed by a thermal treatment in a reducing environment. The thermal treatment in the oxidizing environment both removes residues and oxidizes exposed copper surfaces to form a cupric oxide layer. The thermal treatment in the reducing environment then reduces the cupric oxide to elemental copper. This leaves the exposed copper clean and in condition for further processing, such as electroless plating. | 06-03-2010 |
20100139694 | Cleaning Compound and Method and System for Using the Cleaning Compound - A cleaning compound is provided. The cleaning compound includes about 0.1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent of a fatty acid dispersed in water. The cleaning compound includes an amount of a base sufficient to bring a pH of the fatty acid water solution to about a level where above about 50% of the dispersed fatty acid is ionized. A method for cleaning a substrate, a system for cleaning a substrate, and a cleaning solution prepared by a process are also provided. | 06-10-2010 |
20100206340 | Method for Removing Contamination from a Substrate and for Making a Cleaning Solution - A method is provided for removing contamination from a substrate. The method includes applying a cleaning solution having a dispersed phase, a continuous phase and particles dispersed within the continuous phase to a surface of the substrate. The method includes forcing one of the particles dispersed within the continuous phase proximate to one of the surface contaminants. The forcing is sufficient to overcome any repulsive forces between the particles and the surface contaminants so that the one of the particles and the one of the surface contaminants are engaged. The method also includes removing the engaged particle and surface contaminant from the surface of the substrate. A process to manufacture the cleaning material is also provided. | 08-19-2010 |
20100313443 | SUBSTRATE PROXIMITY DRYING USING IN-SITU LOCAL HEATING OF SUBSTRATE - A method is provided for removing a residual fluid remaining at a point of contact between a substrate support member and a back surface of a substrate being prepared by a proximity head. According to the method, the proximity head is applied onto the back surface of the substrate and the substrate support member being held by a carrier. The substrate support member is heated after the substrate support member passes the proximity head. The heating of the substrate support member is discontinued once the residual fluid has substantially evaporated. | 12-16-2010 |
20100313918 | Apparatus for Cleaning Contaminants from Substrate - A substrate holder is defined to support a substrate. A rotating mechanism is defined to rotate the substrate holder. An applicator is defined to extend over the substrate holder to dispense a cleaning material onto a surface of the substrate when present on the substrate holder. The applicator is defined to apply a downward force to the cleaning material on the surface of the substrate. In one embodiment the cleaning material is gelatinous. | 12-16-2010 |
20100317556 | Two-Phase Substrate Cleaning Material - A cleaning compound is disclosed for removing particulate contaminants from a semiconductor substrate surface. The cleaning compound includes a liquid and carboxylic acid solid components dispersed in a substantially uniform manner in the liquid. A concentration of the carboxylic acid solid components in the liquid exceeds a solubility limit of the carboxylic acid solid components in the liquid. In one embodiment, a concentration of the carboxylic acid solid components in the liquid is within a range extending from about 3 percent by weight to about 5 percent by weight. In one embodiment, the carboxylic acid solid components are defined by a carbon number of at least four. The carboxylic acid solid components are defined to interact with the particulate contaminants on the semiconductor substrate surface to remove the particulate contaminants from the semiconductor substrate surface. The cleaning compound is viscous and may be formed as a gel. | 12-16-2010 |
20110061687 | Apparatus for Contained Chemical Surface Treatment - Apparatuses for preparing a surface of a substrate using a proximity head includes a carrier to hold and move the substrate along an axis and a proximity head having a head surface with a plurality of outlet ports defined thereon. The proximity head is defined to be positioned proximate and over the carrier and the surface of the substrate. A length of the head surface of the proximity head is defined to be greater than a diameter of the substrate and at least partially overlapping over the carrier when the substrate is present. The proximity head includes a first set of outlet ports in a first region defining a first applicator that is configured to apply a non-Newtonian fluid between a surface of the carrier and the head surface of the proximity head. A second set of outlet ports in a second region of the proximity head defines a second applicator that is configured to apply a first chemistry to the surface of the substrate when present. The second region is adjacent to the first region. A third set of outlet ports in a third region of the proximity head defines a third applicator that is configured to apply the non-Newtonian fluid between the head surface of the proximity head and the surface of the substrate when present. The third region is defined adjacent to the second region. A fourth set of outlet ports is defined in the second region of the proximity head to substantially remove the first chemistry from the surface of the substrate when present. | 03-17-2011 |
20110065621 | MATERIAL FOR CLEANING A SUBSTRATE - Material for cleaning using a tri-state body are disclosed. A substrate having a particle deposited thereon is provided. A tri-state body that has a solid portion, liquid portion, and a gas portion is generated. A force is applied over the tri-state body to promulgate an interaction between the solid portion and the particle. The tri-state body is removed along with the particle from the surface of the substrate. The interaction between the solid portion and the particle causes the particle to be removed along with the tri-state body. | 03-17-2011 |
20110143553 | INTEGRATED TOOL SETS AND PROCESS TO KEEP SUBSTRATE SURFACE WET DURING PLATING AND CLEAN IN FABRICATION OF ADVANCED NANO-ELECTRONIC DEVICES - Methods and systems for handling a substrate through processes including an integrated electroless deposition process includes processing a surface of the substrate in an electroless deposition module to deposit a layer over conductive features of the substrate using a deposition fluid. The surface of the substrate is then rinsed in the electroless deposition module with a rinsing fluid. The rinsing is controlled to prevent de-wetting of the surface so that a transfer film defined from the rinsing fluid remains coated over the surface of the substrate. The substrate is removed from the electroless deposition module while maintaining the transfer film over the surface of the substrate. The transfer film over the surface of the substrate prevents drying of the surface of the substrate so that the removing is wet. The substrate, once removed from the electroless deposition module, is moved into a post-deposition module while maintaining the transfer film over the surface of the substrate. | 06-16-2011 |
20120017950 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLEANING A SUBSTRATE USING NON-NEWTONIAN FLUIDS - A method for cleaning a substrate is provided. In this method, a flow of non-Newtonian fluid is provided where at least a portion of the flow exhibits plug flow. To remove particles from a surface of the substrate, the surface of the substrate is placed in contact with the portion of the flow that exhibits plug flow such that the portion of the flow exhibiting plug flow moves over the surface of the substrate. Additional methods and apparatuses for cleaning a substrate also are described. | 01-26-2012 |
20120145202 | Cleaning Compound and Method and System for Using the Cleaning Compound - A cleaning compound is provided. The cleaning compound includes about 0.1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent of a fatty acid dispersed in water. The cleaning compound includes an amount of a base sufficient to bring a pH of the fatty acid water solution to about a level where above about 50% of the dispersed fatty acid is ionized. A method for cleaning a substrate, a system for cleaning a substrate, and a cleaning solution prepared by a process are also provided. | 06-14-2012 |
20120248219 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ATOMIC LAYER DEPOSITION - A proximity heads for dispensing reactants and purging gas to deposit a thin film by Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) includes a plurality of sides. Extending over a portion of the substrate region and being spaced apart from the portion of the substrate region when present, the proximity head is rotatable so as to place each side in a direction of the substrate region, and is disposed in a vacuum chamber coupled to a carrier gas source to sustain a pressure for the proximity head during operation. Each side of the proximity head includes a gas conduit through which the reactant gas and the purging gas are sequentially dispensed, and at least two separate vacuum conduits on each side of the gas conduit to pull excess reactant gas, purging gas, or deposition byproducts from a reaction volume between a surface of the proximity head facing the substrate and the substrate. | 10-04-2012 |
20130040460 | METHODS FOR ATOMIC LAYER DEPOSITION - A method of depositing a thin film by atomic layer deposition (ALD) on a substrate surface is disclosed. The disclosed method includes placing an ALD deposition proximity head above the substrate with at least one gas channel configured to dispense a gas to an active process region of the substrate surface. The ALD deposition proximity head extends over and is being spaced apart from the active process region of the substrate surface when present. After a pulse of a first reactant gas is dispensed on the active process region of the substrate surface underneath the proximity head, a pulse of a second reactant gas is dispensed on the active process region of the substrate surface underneath the proximity head to react with the first reactant gas to form a portion of the thin layer of ALD film on the surface of substrate underneath the proximity head. | 02-14-2013 |
20130061887 | METHOD FOR REMOVING MATERIAL FROM SEMICONDUCTOR WAFER AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING THE SAME - A pressure is maintained within a volume within which a semiconductor wafer resides at a pressure that is sufficient to maintain a liquid state of a precursor fluid to a non-Newtonian fluid. The precursor fluid is disposed proximate to a material to be removed from the semiconductor wafer while maintaining the precursor fluid in the liquid state. The pressure is reduced in the volume within which the semiconductor wafer resides such that the precursor fluid disposed on the wafer within the volume is transformed into the non-Newtonian fluid. An expansion of the precursor fluid and movement of the precursor fluid relative to the wafer during transformation into the non-Newtonian fluid causes the resulting non-Newtonian fluid to remove the material from the semiconductor wafer. | 03-14-2013 |
20130206182 | SUBSTRATE CLEANING TECHNIQUE EMPLOYING MULTI-PHASE SOLUTION - Apparatus, methods, and computer programs for cleaning opposed surfaces of a semiconductor wafer are presented. One apparatus includes first, second, and third valves, and one or more second drains. The first valves are coupled to a supply of rinsing solution and to first throughways that are coupled to an immersion tank above a region in the immersion tank, the region being defined by an area occupied by the substrate when the substrate is disposed vertically on a support within the immersion tank. The second valves are coupled to first drains and to second throughways that are coupled to the immersion tank below the region, and the third valves are coupled to a supply of cleaning solution and to third throughways that are coupled to the immersion tank below the region. Further, the second drains are coupled to fourth throughways that are coupled to the immersion tank above the region. | 08-15-2013 |
20130284217 | Substrate Cleaning System Using Stabilized Fluid Solutions - A substrate cleaning systems are provided. One system includes a proximity head system for applying a meniscus to a surface of a substrate during a cleaning operation. Also provided is a container for holding the solution, the solution being mixed from at least a continuous medium, a polymer material, and a solid material, the polymer material in the solution imparting a finite yield stress to the material, such that the solution is maintained in a stable elastic gel form. A pump coupled to the container is also provided for moving the solution from the container to the proximity head system, where the pump applies at least a minimum shear stress on the solution. The pump provides agitation that exceeds the finite yield stress causing the solution to flow. A conduit is provided between the container and the proximity head system. | 10-31-2013 |
20140059789 | Apparatus for Cleaning a Semiconductor Substrate - An apparatus for processing a substrate is provided. The apparatus includes a solid material having a support side and a contact side. The contact side has an outer surface, and the outer surface is configured to become softer relative to a remainder of the solid material when exposed to an activation solution. The apparatus includes a support structure configured to support the solid material from the support side of the solid material, such that the contact side of the solid material is oriented to face a surface of the substrate, when the substrate is present. Also provided is a gimbaled structure connected to the support structure. The gimbaled structure enabling the outer surface of the contact side to substantially align in a coplanar arrangement with the surface of the substrate, when the substrate is present. A force application structure is coupled to the gimbaled structure. The force application structure is configured for moving the solid material toward and away from the surface of the substrate, when the substrate is present, and further configured for applying a force that presses the outer surface of the solid material against the surface of the substrate, when the substrate is present. | 03-06-2014 |
20140158167 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLEANING A SUBSTRATE USING NON-NEWTONIAN FLUIDS - A method for cleaning a substrate is provided. In this method, a flow of non-Newtonian fluid is provided where at least a portion of the flow exhibits plug flow. To remove particles from a surface of the substrate, the surface of the substrate is placed in contact with the portion of the flow that exhibits plug flow such that the portion of the flow exhibiting plug flow moves over the surface of the substrate. Additional methods and apparatuses for cleaning a substrate also are described. | 06-12-2014 |
20140166617 | NON-LOCAL PLASMA OXIDE ETCH - A method of etching exposed titanium oxide on heterogeneous structures is described and includes a remote plasma etch formed from a fluorine-containing precursor. Plasma effluents from the remote plasma are flawed into a substrate processing region where the plasma effluents may combine with a nitrogen-containing precursor such as an amine (N:) containing precursor. Reactants thereby produced etch, the patterned heterogeneous structures with high titanium oxide selectivity while the substrate is at elevated temperature. Titanium oxide etch may alternatively involve supplying a fluorine-containing precursor and a source of nitrogen-and-hydrogen-containing precursor to the remote plasma. The methods may be used to remove titanium oxide while removing little or no low-K dielectric, polysilicon, silicon nitride or titanium nitride. | 06-19-2014 |
20140332037 | Controls of Ambient Environment During Wafer Drying Using Proximity Head - A method for processing a substrate is provided which includes generating a fluid meniscus to process the substrate and applying the fluid meniscus to a surface of the substrate. The method further includes reducing evaporation of fluids from a surface in the substrate processing environment. | 11-13-2014 |
20150040941 | Method and Apparatus for Cleaning A Semiconductor Substrate - A method for cleaning a substrate is provided. The method initiates with disposing a fluid layer having solid components therein to a surface of the substrate. A shear force directed substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate and toward an outer edge of the substrate is then created. The shear force may result from a normal or tangential component of a force applied to a solid body in contact with the fluid layer in one embodiment. The surface of the substrate is rinsed to remove the fluid layer. A cleaning system and apparatus are also provided. | 02-12-2015 |
20150040947 | Method and Systems for Cleaning A Substrate - An apparatus for cleaning a substrate is disclosed. The apparatus having a first head unit and a second head unit. The first head unit is positioned proximate to the surface of the substrate and has a first row of channels defined within configured to supply a foam to the surface of the substrate. The second head unit is positioned substantially adjacent to the first head unit and proximate to the surface of the substrate. A second and a third row of channels are defined within the second head unit. The second row of channels is configured to supply a fluid to the surface of the substrate. The third row of channels is configured to apply a vacuum to the surface of the substrate. | 02-12-2015 |