Method for processing a semiconductor wafer
First Claim
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1. A method for processing a workpiece comprising the steps of:
- spinning the workpiece;
directing a process liquid to a first side of the workpiece;
with the process liquid moving radially outwardly via centrifugal force to contact toward the edge of the workpiece, moving over the edge of the workpiece, and contacting only an outer margin area on the second side of the workpiece; and
excluding the process liquid from a central area, within the outer margin area, of the second side of the workpiece.
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Abstract
An apparatus for processing a semiconductor wafer or similar article includes a reactor having a processing chamber formed by upper and lower rotors. The wafer is supported between the rotors. The rotors are rotated by a spin motor. A processing fluid is introduced onto the top or bottom surface of the wafer, or onto both surfaces, at a central location. The fluid flows outwardly uniformly and in all directions. A wafer support automatically lifts the wafer, so that it can be removed from the reactor by a robot, when the rotors separate from each other after processing.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for processing a workpiece comprising the steps of:
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spinning the workpiece;
directing a process liquid to a first side of the workpiece;
with the process liquid moving radially outwardly via centrifugal force to contact toward the edge of the workpiece, moving over the edge of the workpiece, and contacting only an outer margin area on the second side of the workpiece; and
excluding the process liquid from a central area, within the outer margin area, of the second side of the workpiece. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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8. A metallization process used to form a microelectronic component and/or interconnect structures on a semiconductor wafer, comprising the steps of:
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applying a barrier layer onto the wafer;
applying a thin film layer over at least a portion of the barrier layer;
electroplating of a metal layer over at least a portion of the thin film layer;
flowing an etchant, capable of etching the metal layer, and the thin film layer, onto the first side of the wafer, the edge of the wafer, and over only an outer margin of the second side of the wafer, while preventing the etchant from flowing over other areas of the second side of the wafer; and
thereby removing one or more of the layers from the outer margin of the second side while the layers remain at other areas of the second side of the wafer. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. A method for removing an oxide from a first side and from an outer margin of a second side of a workpiece through selective contact with an oxide etchant, comprising the steps of:
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spinning the workpiece;
directing the oxide etchant to a first side of the workpiece;
with the oxide etchant moving radially outwardly via centrifugal force to contact substantially the entire first side of the workpiece, moving over and around the edge of the workpiece, and contacting an outer margin on the second side of the workpiece, while excluding the oxide etchant from a central area of a second side of the workpiece. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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16. A method for removing metal from a workpiece, comprising the steps of:
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securing the workpiece onto a rotor;
spinning the workpiece on the rotor;
performing a step to remove metal from a first side, the edge, and from only an outer margin of the second side of the workpiece, by contacting the first side, the edge, and the outer margin of the second side of the workpiece, with a metal removing liquid;
rising the workpiece; and
drying the workpiece.
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17. A process for removing metal contamination from a semiconductor wafer having a first side, and edge and a second side, and with a barrier layer on the wafer and a thin film or seed layer over at least a portion of the barrier layer, and a metal layer over at least a portion of the thin film layer, comprising:
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spinning the wafer;
flowing a metal etchant onto the first side of the wafer, the edge of the wafer, and over an outer margin of the second side of the wafer, while preventing the etchant from flowing over other areas of the second side of the wafer;
thereby removing one or more of the layers from the outer margin of the second side while the layers remain at other areas of the second side of the wafer.
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Specification