Wet chemical treatment system and method for cleaning such system
First Claim
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1. A wet chemical treatment system for processing semiconductor wafers comprising:
- a first tank and a second tank for holding a processing liquid, respectively, said first tank being isolated from said second tank except that said first tank when full overflows into said second tank;
a first passage means for providing fluid communication to said first tank;
a second passage means for providing fluid communication to said second tank;
a recirculating means connected between said first passage means and said second passage means;
a first filling means in fluid communication with said first passage means for filing said first tank; and
a second filling means in fluid communication with said second passage means for filling said second tank such that said second tank may be filled with a processing liquid independently from said first tank while maintaining said second tank empty for releasing pressure and heat generated in said first and said second passage means.
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Abstract
A wet chemical treatment system for processing semiconductor wafers that does not have the problem of cracking or other damages occurring in the system during a cleaning process where a strong acid and water are mixed and pressure and heat are generated. The system includes an additional filing system such that only an outer tank for the processing liquid is filled after the system is cleaned so that pressure and heat generated by the reaction between acid and water can be released into an empty inner tank and thus avoiding damages caused by the heat and pressure. A method for cleaning such system is further disclosed.
35 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A wet chemical treatment system for processing semiconductor wafers comprising:
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a first tank and a second tank for holding a processing liquid, respectively, said first tank being isolated from said second tank except that said first tank when full overflows into said second tank; a first passage means for providing fluid communication to said first tank; a second passage means for providing fluid communication to said second tank; a recirculating means connected between said first passage means and said second passage means; a first filling means in fluid communication with said first passage means for filing said first tank; and a second filling means in fluid communication with said second passage means for filling said second tank such that said second tank may be filled with a processing liquid independently from said first tank while maintaining said second tank empty for releasing pressure and heat generated in said first and said second passage means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of cleaning a wet chemical treatment system for processing semiconductor devices comprising the steps of:
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providing a first tank and a second tank for holding a processing liquid respectively, said first tank being isolated from said second tank except that said first tank when fill overflows into said second tank; providing a first passage means for providing fluid communication to said first tank and a second passage means for providing fluid communication to said second tank; providing a first filling means in fluid communication with said first passage means and a second filling means in fluid communication with said second passage means; providing a plurality of valve means for opening and closing said first, said second passage means and said first, said second filling means; providing a draining means in fluid communication with said first and said second passage means; emptying said treatment system including said first and said second tank, said first and said second passage means, and said first and said second filling means by said draining means; filling said treatment system with a cleaning solvent and circulating said cleaning solvent through said treatment system; exhausting from said treatment system said cleaning solvent by said draining means; filling said first tank with said processing liquid through said first filling means while maintaining said second tank empty; and circulating said processing liquid through said first and said second passage means such that pressure and heat generated upon mixing of said processing liquid with any residual cleaning solvent in said first and said second passage means is released into said empty second tank. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A wet chemical etch tank for processing silicon wafers comprising:
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an inner tank and an outer tank for holding a processing liquid, respectively, said inner tank being isolated from said outer tank except that said outer tank when full overflows into said inner tank; a first passage means for providing fluid communication to said inner tank; a second passage means for providing fluid communication to said outer tank; a pump means, a filter means and a heater means connected in series between said first passage means and said second passage means; a first filling means in fluid communication with said first passage means for filing said inner tank; and a second filling means in fluid communication with said second passage means for filling said outer tank such that said outer tank can be filled independently with a processing liquid while said inner tank is kept empty for releasing pressure and heat generated in said first and said second passage means by a reaction between said processing liquid and a cleaning solvent. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification