Semiconductor wafer cleaning systems and methods

Details Semiconductor wafer cleaning systems and methods Semiconductor wafer cleaning systems and methods

2005-04-05

2005-04-05

Kornakov, M. (Department: 1746)

Cleaning and liquid contact with solids

Processes

With treating fluid motion

C134S002000, C134S031000, C134S032000, C134S034000, C134S037000, C034S498000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06875289

ABSTRACT:
An immersion processing system is provided for cleaning wafers with an increased efficiency of chemical use. Such a system advantageously uses less cleaning enhancement substance that may be provided as gas, vapor or liquid directly to a meniscus or wafer/liquid/gas bath interface so as to effectively modify surface tensions at the meniscus with minimized chemical usage. Such a delivery system design may be applied for single wafer processing or for processing multiple wafers together within a single liquid bath vessel. For single wafer processing, in particular, cleaning enhancement substance can be delivered along one or both major sides of the wafer, preferably at the meniscus that is formed as the wafer and liquid are relatively moved, while a processing vessel usable for such single wafer processing may itself be designed with a minimized size to accommodate a single wafer. By reducing the vessel volume, chemical usage for any processing chemicals that are to be provided within a liquid bath may also be advantageously reduced.

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