US20220360822A1 - Substrate processing system, method of processing substrate, recording medium, and method of manufacturing semiconductor device - Google Patents
Substrate processing system, method of processing substrate, recording medium, and method of manufacturing semiconductor deviceDownload PDFInfo
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- US20220360822A1 US20220360822A1US17/870,502US202217870502AUS2022360822A1US 20220360822 A1US20220360822 A1US 20220360822A1US 202217870502 AUS202217870502 AUS 202217870502AUS 2022360822 A1US2022360822 A1US 2022360822A1
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- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
- G05B19/00—Programme-control systems
- G05B19/02—Programme-control systems electric
- G05B19/18—Numerical control [NC], i.e. automatically operating machines, in particular machine tools, e.g. in a manufacturing environment, so as to execute positioning, movement or co-ordinated operations by means of programme data in numerical form
- G05B19/406—Numerical control [NC], i.e. automatically operating machines, in particular machine tools, e.g. in a manufacturing environment, so as to execute positioning, movement or co-ordinated operations by means of programme data in numerical form characterised by monitoring or safety
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L21/00—Processes or apparatus adapted for the manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or solid state devices or of parts thereof
- H01L21/67—Apparatus specially adapted for handling semiconductor or electric solid state devices during manufacture or treatment thereof; Apparatus specially adapted for handling wafers during manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or electric solid state devices or components ; Apparatus not specifically provided for elsewhere
- H01L21/67005—Apparatus not specifically provided for elsewhere
- H01L21/67011—Apparatus for manufacture or treatment
- H01L21/67155—Apparatus for manufacturing or treating in a plurality of work-stations
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N19/00—Methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals
- H04N19/80—Details of filtering operations specially adapted for video compression, e.g. for pixel interpolation
- H04N19/82—Details of filtering operations specially adapted for video compression, e.g. for pixel interpolation involving filtering within a prediction loop
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L21/00—Processes or apparatus adapted for the manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or solid state devices or of parts thereof
- H01L21/67—Apparatus specially adapted for handling semiconductor or electric solid state devices during manufacture or treatment thereof; Apparatus specially adapted for handling wafers during manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or electric solid state devices or components ; Apparatus not specifically provided for elsewhere
- H01L21/67005—Apparatus not specifically provided for elsewhere
- H01L21/67011—Apparatus for manufacture or treatment
- H01L21/67155—Apparatus for manufacturing or treating in a plurality of work-stations
- H01L21/67161—Apparatus for manufacturing or treating in a plurality of work-stations characterized by the layout of the process chambers
- H01L21/67167—Apparatus for manufacturing or treating in a plurality of work-stations characterized by the layout of the process chambers surrounding a central transfer chamber
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L21/00—Processes or apparatus adapted for the manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or solid state devices or of parts thereof
- H01L21/67—Apparatus specially adapted for handling semiconductor or electric solid state devices during manufacture or treatment thereof; Apparatus specially adapted for handling wafers during manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or electric solid state devices or components ; Apparatus not specifically provided for elsewhere
- H01L21/67005—Apparatus not specifically provided for elsewhere
- H01L21/67242—Apparatus for monitoring, sorting or marking
- H01L21/67276—Production flow monitoring, e.g. for increasing throughput
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
- G05B19/00—Programme-control systems
- G05B19/02—Programme-control systems electric
- G05B19/04—Programme control other than numerical control, i.e. in sequence controllers or logic controllers
- G05B19/042—Programme control other than numerical control, i.e. in sequence controllers or logic controllers using digital processors
- G05B19/0423—Input/output
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
- G05B19/00—Programme-control systems
- G05B19/02—Programme-control systems electric
- G05B19/418—Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control [DNC], flexible manufacturing systems [FMS], integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] or computer integrated manufacturing [CIM]
- G05B19/4185—Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control [DNC], flexible manufacturing systems [FMS], integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] or computer integrated manufacturing [CIM] characterised by the network communication
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
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- G05B23/02—Electric testing or monitoring
- H—ELECTRICITY
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- H04N19/102—Methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals using adaptive coding characterised by the element, parameter or selection affected or controlled by the adaptive coding
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- H04N19/10—Methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals using adaptive coding
- H04N19/134—Methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals using adaptive coding characterised by the element, parameter or criterion affecting or controlling the adaptive coding
- H04N19/157—Assigned coding mode, i.e. the coding mode being predefined or preselected to be further used for selection of another element or parameter
- H04N19/159—Prediction type, e.g. intra-frame, inter-frame or bidirectional frame prediction
- H—ELECTRICITY
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- H04N19/00—Methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals
- H04N19/10—Methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals using adaptive coding
- H04N19/169—Methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals using adaptive coding characterised by the coding unit, i.e. the structural portion or semantic portion of the video signal being the object or the subject of the adaptive coding
- H04N19/182—Methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals using adaptive coding characterised by the coding unit, i.e. the structural portion or semantic portion of the video signal being the object or the subject of the adaptive coding the unit being a pixel
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- G—PHYSICS
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- G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
- G05B19/00—Programme-control systems
- G05B19/02—Programme-control systems electric
- G05B19/418—Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control [DNC], flexible manufacturing systems [FMS], integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] or computer integrated manufacturing [CIM]
- G05B19/41865—Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control [DNC], flexible manufacturing systems [FMS], integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] or computer integrated manufacturing [CIM] characterised by job scheduling, process planning, material flow
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
- G05B2219/00—Program-control systems
- G05B2219/30—Nc systems
- G05B2219/45—Nc applications
- G05B2219/45031—Manufacturing semiconductor wafers
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N19/00—Methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals
- H04N19/10—Methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals using adaptive coding
- H04N19/169—Methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals using adaptive coding characterised by the coding unit, i.e. the structural portion or semantic portion of the video signal being the object or the subject of the adaptive coding
- H04N19/17—Methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals using adaptive coding characterised by the coding unit, i.e. the structural portion or semantic portion of the video signal being the object or the subject of the adaptive coding the unit being an image region, e.g. an object
- H04N19/176—Methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals using adaptive coding characterised by the coding unit, i.e. the structural portion or semantic portion of the video signal being the object or the subject of the adaptive coding the unit being an image region, e.g. an object the region being a block, e.g. a macroblock
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P90/00—Enabling technologies with a potential contribution to greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions mitigation
- Y02P90/02—Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]
Definitions
- the present disclosurerelates to a substrate processing system, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, and a recording medium.
- a substrate processing apparatus used in a process of manufacturing a semiconductor devicefor example, there is an apparatus including a module with a reactor.
- apparatus operation information or the likeis displayed on an input/output device including a display or the like so that an apparatus manager can confirm the information.
- Some embodiments of the present disclosureprovide a technique for managing a substrate processing apparatus with high efficiency.
- a techniquethat includes a plurality of substrate processing apparatuses each configured to process a substrate; a first controller installed in each substrate processing apparatus among the plurality of substrate processing apparatuses and configured to control the substrate processing apparatus; a relay configured to receive a plurality of types of data from the first controller; and a second controller configured to receive the data from the relay, wherein the relay is configured to change a transmission interval of the data to the second controller according to one of each type of the data and each first controller, or according to both of each type of the data and each first controller.
- FIG. 1is a schematic configuration diagram of a network in a substrate processing system according to one or more embodiments.
- FIG. 2is a schematic configuration diagram of a substrate processing system according to one or more embodiments.
- FIG. 3is a schematic configuration diagram of a substrate processing apparatus according to one or more embodiments.
- FIG. 4is a view for explaining a gas supplier according to one or more embodiments.
- FIG. 5is a schematic configuration diagram of a controller according to one or more embodiments.
- FIG. 6shows an example of an importance level setting table for each data type according to one or more embodiments.
- FIG. 7shows an example of an interrupt enable/disable setting table for each data type according to one or more embodiments.
- FIG. 8shows an example of a transmission interval setting table of for each data type, importance level, and load level according to one or more embodiments.
- FIG. 9shows an example of a transmission destination setting table for each data type according to one or more embodiments.
- FIG. 10shows an example of a transmission destination setting table for each data type according to one or more embodiments.
- FIG. 11shows an example of a flow chart of substrate processing according to one or more embodiments.
- FIG. 12shows an example of a flow chart of a transmission interval-changing process based on load data according to one or more embodiments.
- a substrate processing system of the present disclosureis configured as described below.
- FIG. 1is a view showing an example of the schematic configuration of a network in the substrate processing system according to the present embodiments.
- FIG. 2is an example of the configuration of the substrate processing system.
- FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view showing the schematic configuration of a substrate processing apparatus according to the present embodiments.
- FIG. 4is a schematic configuration diagram of a gas supply system of the substrate processing apparatus according to the present embodiments.
- FIG. 5is a schematic configuration diagram showing a connection relationship between a first controller 260 and each part installed in the substrate processing apparatus.
- the substrate processing system 1000includes a plurality of substrate processing apparatuses 100 (for example, 100 a , 100 b , 100 c , and 100 d ).
- Each substrate processing apparatus 100includes a first controller 260 ( 260 a , 260 b , 260 c , and 260 d ), a third controller 280 ( 280 a , 280 b , 280 c , and 280 d ), and a data transmitter/receiver 285 ( 285 a 285 b , 285 c , and 285 d ).
- the first controller 260is configured to be able to perform the operation of each part of the substrate processing apparatus 100 via the third controller 280 .
- the first controller 260is configured to be able to communicate with a relay 275 , a second controller (operator) 274 , a first controller 260 of another substrate processing apparatus 100 , or the like, via the data transmitter/receiver 285 and an in-system network 268 connected to the data transmitter/receiver 285 .
- the third controller 280is configured to be able to control the operation of each part installed in the substrate processing apparatus 100 .
- the first controller 260 , the third controller 280 , and the data transmitter/receiver 285are configured to be able to communicate with each other.
- the substrate processing system 1000includes at least the substrate processing apparatus 100 (for example, 100 a , 100 b , 100 c , and 100 d ). Further, as shown in FIG. 2 , the substrate processing system 1000 may include an IO stage 1001 , an atmosphere transfer chamber 1003 , a load lock (L/L) chamber 1004 , a vacuum transfer chamber 1006 , etc., each of which will be described below.
- a right directioncorresponds to the X 1 direction
- a left directioncorresponds to the X 2 direction
- a front directioncorresponds to the Y 1 direction
- a rear directioncorresponds to the Y 2 direction.
- the IO stage (load port) 1001is provided in front of the substrate processing system 1000 .
- a plurality of pods 1002is mounted on the IO stage 1001 .
- Each pod 1002is used as a carrier for transferring substrates 200 .
- the pod 1002is configured to store a plurality of unprocessed substrates 200 and processed substrates 200 in a horizontal posture in the pod 1002 .
- the pod 1002is transferred to the IO stage 1001 by a transfer robot (not shown) that transfers the pod.
- the IO stage 1001is adjacent to the atmosphere transfer chamber 1003 .
- the load lock chamber 1004which will be described later, is connected to the atmosphere transfer chamber 1003 at a side different from the IO stage 1001 .
- An atmosphere transfer robot 1005 serving as a first transfer robot that transfers the substrate 200is provided in the atmosphere transfer chamber 1003 .
- the load lock chamber 1004is adjacent to the atmosphere transfer chamber 1003 . Since the internal pressure of the L/L chamber 1004 varies according to the pressure of the atmosphere transfer chamber 1003 and the pressure of the vacuum transfer chamber 1006 , a structure of the L/L chamber 1004 is configured to withstand a negative pressure.
- Each of the plurality of substrate processing apparatuses 100includes the vacuum transfer chamber (transfer module: TM) 1006 as a transfer chamber that becomes a transfer space in which the substrate 200 is transferred under a negative pressure.
- a housing 1007 forming the TM 1006is formed in a pentagonal shape in a plan view, and the L/L chamber 1004 and the substrate processing apparatuses 100 for processing the substrate 200 are respectively connected to the sides of the pentagon.
- a vacuum transfer robot 1008 serving as a second transfer robot that transfers (transports) the substrate 200 under a negative pressureis provided at substantially the central portion of the TM 1006 .
- the vacuum transfer chamber 1006has a pentagonal shape here, it may have a polygonal shape such as a quadrangle or a hexagon.
- the vacuum transfer robot 1008 provided in the TM 1006includes two arms 1009 and 1010 that can operate independently.
- the vacuum transfer robot 1008is controlled by the above-mentioned controller 260 .
- a gate valve (GV) 149is installed in each substrate processing apparatus 100 , as shown in FIG. 2 .
- a gate valve 149 ais installed between a substrate processing apparatus 100 a and the TM 1006
- a GV 149 bis installed between a substrate processing apparatus 100 b and the TM 1006
- a GV 149 cis installed between a substrate processing apparatus 100 c and the TM 1006
- a GV 149 dis installed between a substrate processing apparatus 100 d and the TM 1006 .
- the substrate 200can be taken in and out through a substrate loading/unloading port 1480 installed in each substrate processing apparatus 100 .
- the substrate processing apparatus 100is, for example, configured to form an insulating film on the substrate 200 , and is configured as a single-wafer type substrate processing apparatus as shown in FIG. 3 .
- the substrate processing apparatus 100 a ( 100 )will be described.
- the other substrate processing apparatuses 100 b , 100 c , and 100 dmay include the same configuration, and explanation thereof may be omitted.
- Each part installed in the substrate processing apparatus 100is configured as one of process performing parts that process the substrate 200 .
- the substrate processing apparatus 100includes a process container 202 .
- the process container 202is configured as, for example, a flat closed container having a circular horizontal cross section.
- the process container 202includes, for example, a metal material such as aluminum (Al) or stainless steel (SUS), or quartz.
- a transport chamber 203 and a process chamber 201 for processing a substrate 200 such as a silicon wafer as a substrateare formed in the process container 202 .
- the process container 202includes an upper container 202 a and a lower container 202 b .
- a partition 204is installed between the upper container 202 a and the lower container 202 b .
- a space surrounded by the upper container 202 a and above the partition 204is referred to as a process chamber 201 .
- a space surrounded by the lower container 202 b and near the gate valve 149is referred to as the transport chamber 203 .
- the substrate loading/unloading port 1480 adjacent to the gate valve 149is installed at the side surface of the lower container 202 b , and the substrate 200 is moved between a transfer chamber (not shown) and the transport chamber 203 via the substrate loading/unloading port 1480 .
- a plurality of lift pins 207are installed at the bottom portion of the lower container 202 b . Further, the lower container 202 b is grounded.
- a substrate support 210 that supports the substrate 200is installed in the process chamber 201 .
- the substrate support 210mainly includes a mounting surface 211 on which the substrate 200 is mounted, a substrate mounting table 212 including the mounting surface 211 on its surface, and a heater 213 serving as a heating part.
- Through-holes 214 through which the lift pins 207 penetrateare installed at the substrate mounting table 212 at positions corresponding to the lift pins 207 , respectively.
- the substrate mounting table 212may include a bias electrode 256 for applying a bias to the substrate 200 or the process chamber 201 .
- a temperature controller 400is connected to the heater 213 , and the temperature of the heater 213 is controlled by the temperature controller 400 .
- the temperature information of the heater 213can be transmitted from the temperature controller 400 to the third controller 280 .
- the bias electrode 256is connected to a bias controller 257 by which the bias can be adjusted. Further, the bias controller 257 is configured to be able to exchange bias data with the third controller 280 .
- the substrate mounting table 212is supported by a shaft 217 .
- the shaft 217penetrates the bottom of the process container 202 and is connected to an elevator 218 outside the process container 202 .
- a periphery of the lower end portion of the shaft 217is covered with a bellows 219 , whereby an interior of the process chamber 201 is kept hermetically sealed.
- the elevator 218may be configured to be able to exchange height data (position data) of the substrate mounting table 212 with the third controller 280 .
- the substrate mounting table 212can be set to at least two or more positions, for example, a first process position and a second process position. The first process position and the second process position are each configured to be adjustable.
- the substrate mounting table 212is moved to a wafer transfer position at the time of transfer of the substrate 200 , and is moved to the first process position (wafer process position) indicated by a solid line in FIG. 3 at the time of first process of the substrate 200 . Further, the substrate mounting table 212 is moved to the second process position indicated by a broken line in FIG. 3 at the time of second process.
- the wafer transfer positionis a position at which the upper ends of the lift pins 207 protrude from the upper surface of the substrate mounting surface 211 .
- the lift pins 207when the substrate mounting table 212 is lowered to the wafer transfer position, the upper ends of the lift pins 207 protrude from the upper surface of the substrate mounting surface 211 , so that the lift pins 207 support the substrate 200 from below. Further, when the substrate mounting table 212 is raised to the wafer process position, the lift pins 207 are buried from the upper surface of the substrate mounting surface 211 , so that the substrate mounting surface 211 supports the substrate 200 from below. Since the lift pins 207 are in direct contact with the substrate 200 , the lift pins 207 may include a material such as quartz or alumina.
- a first exhaust port 221 serving as a first exhauster for exhausting the atmosphere of the process chamber 201is installed at the side surface of the process chamber 201 (the upper container 202 a ).
- An exhaust pipe 224 ais connected to the first exhaust port 221 , and a vacuum pump 223 and a pressure regulator 227 such as an APC for controlling the interior of the process chamber 201 to a predetermined pressure are sequentially connected in series to the exhaust pipe 224 a .
- a first exhaust system(exhaust line) mainly includes the first exhaust port 221 , the exhaust pipe 224 a , and the pressure regulator 227 .
- the vacuum pump 223may be included in the first exhaust system.
- a second exhaust port 1481 for exhausting the atmosphere of the transport chamber 203is installed at the side surface of the transport chamber 203 .
- An exhaust pipe 148is installed at the second exhaust port 1481 .
- a pressure regulator 228is installed at the exhaust pipe 148 so that the internal pressure of the transport chamber 203 can be exhausted to a predetermined pressure. Further, the internal atmosphere of the process chamber 201 can be exhausted through the transport chamber 203 .
- the pressure regulator 227is configured to be able to exchange pressure data or valve opening degree data with the third controller 280 .
- the vacuum pump 223is configured to be able to transmit ON/OFF data of the pump, load data, or the like to the third controller 280 .
- a lid 231is installed at the upper surface (ceiling wall) of a shower head 234 installed at an upper portion of the process chamber 201 .
- the lid 231includes a gas introduction port 241 for supplying various gases into the process chamber 201 .
- the configuration of each gas supplier connected to the gas introduction port 241 which is a gas supplierwill be described later.
- the shower head 234 serving as a gas disperserincludes a buffer chamber 232 and a dispersion plate 244 a .
- the dispersion plate 244 amay be configured as a first electrode 244 b serving as a first activator.
- the dispersion plate 244 aincludes a plurality of holes 234 a for supplying gas to the substrate 200 in a distributed manner.
- the shower head 234is installed between the gas introduction port 241 and the process chamber 201 . Gas introduced from the gas introduction port 241 is supplied to the buffer chamber 232 (also referred to as a disperser) of the shower head 234 , and is supplied to the process chamber 201 via the holes 234 a.
- the first electrode 244 bWhen the dispersion plate 244 a is configured as the first electrode 244 b , the first electrode 244 b includes a conductive metal and is configured as a portion of the activator (exciter) for exciting gas in the process chamber 201 .
- An electromagnetic wave(high-frequency power or a microwave) can be supplied to the first electrode 244 b .
- the lid 231When the lid 231 includes a conductive member, an insulating block 233 is installed between the lid 231 and the first electrode 244 b to insulate the lid 231 from the first electrode 244 b.
- a configuration in a case where the first electrode 244 b serving as the activator is installedwill be described.
- a matcher 251 and a high-frequency power supply 252are connected to the first electrode 244 b serving as the activator so as to be able to supply an electromagnetic wave (high-frequency power or a microwave). This enables gas supplied into the process chamber 201 to be activated.
- the first electrode 244 bis configured to be able to generate capacitively-coupled plasma.
- the first electrode 244 bis formed in a conductive plate shape and is configured to be supported by the upper container 202 a .
- the activatorincludes at least the first electrode 244 b , the matcher 251 , and the high-frequency power supply 252 .
- An impedance meter 254may be installed between the first electrode 244 b and the high-frequency power supply 252 .
- the matcher 251 and the high-frequency power supply 252can be feedback-controlled based on the measured impedance.
- the high-frequency power supply 252is configured to be able to exchange power data with the third controller 280
- the matcher 251is configured to be able to exchange matching data (traveling wave data and reflected wave data) with the third controller 280
- the impedance meter 254is configured to be able to exchange impedance data with the third controller 280 .
- a common gas supply pipe 242is connected to the gas introduction port 241 .
- the common gas supply pipe 242is in fluid communication with the interior of the pipe, and gas supplied from the common gas supply pipe 242 is supplied into the shower head 234 via the gas introduction port 241 .
- a gas supplier shown in FIG. 4is connected to the common gas supply pipe 242 .
- a first gas supply pipe 113 a , a second gas supply pipe 123 a , and a third gas supply pipe 133 aare connected to the gas supplier.
- a first element-containing gas(first process gas) is mainly supplied from a first gas supplier including the first gas supply pipe 113 a .
- a second element-containing gas(second process gas) is mainly supplied from a second gas supplier including the second gas supply pipe 123 a .
- a third element-containing gasis mainly supplied from a third gas supplier including the third gas supply pipe 133 a.
- the first gas supply pipe 113 aincludes a first gas supply source 113 , a mass flow controller (MFC) 115 which is a flow rate controller (flow rate control part), and a valve 116 which is an opening/closing valve in this order from an upstream direction.
- MFCmass flow controller
- the first element-containing gasis supplied from the first gas supply pipe 113 a to the shower head 234 via the MFC 115 , the valve 116 , and the common gas supply pipe 242 .
- the first element-containing gasis one of process gases.
- the first element-containing gasis gas containing silicon (Si), for example, such as hexachlorodisilane (Si 2 Cl 6 , abbreviation: HCDS) gas or the like.
- the first gas suppliermainly includes the first gas supply pipe 113 a , the MFC 115 , and the valve 116 .
- first gas supply source 113and a remote plasma unit (RPU) 180 a that activates the first gas may be included in the first gas supplier.
- RPUremote plasma unit
- the second gas supply pipe 123 aincludes a second gas supply source 123 , a MFC 125 , and a valve 126 in this order from an upstream direction.
- the second element-containing gasis supplied from the second gas supply pipe 123 a into the shower head 234 via the MFC 125 , the valve 126 , and the common gas supply pipe 242 .
- the second element-containing gasis one of process gases.
- the second element-containing gasis gas containing nitrogen (N), for example, such as ammonia (NH 3 ) gas, nitrogen (N 2 ) gas, or the like.
- the second gas suppliermainly includes the second gas supply pipe 123 a , the MFC 125 , and the valve 126 .
- one or both of the second gas supply source 123 and a remote plasma unit (RPU) 180 b that activates the second gasmay be included in the second gas supplier.
- RPUremote plasma unit
- the third gas supply pipe 133 aincludes a third gas supply source 133 , an MFC 135 , and a valve 136 in order from an upstream direction.
- Inert gasis supplied from the third gas supply pipe 133 a to the shower head 234 via the MFC 135 , the valve 136 , and the common gas supply pipe 242 .
- the inert gasis gas that does not easily react with the first gas.
- the inert gasis, for example, nitrogen (N 2 ) gas, argon (Ar) gas, helium (He) gas, or the like.
- the third gas suppliermainly includes the third gas supply pipe 133 a , the MFC 135 , and the valve 136 .
- the MFCs and the valves that form the first gas supplier, the second gas supplier, and the third gas supplier, respectively,are configured to be able to exchange the following data with the third controller 280 .
- MFCflow rate data
- Valveopening degree data.
- a vaporizer and an RPUmay be included in the first gas supplier or the second gas supplier.
- the vaporizer and the RPUare also configured to be able to exchange the following data with the third controller 280 .
- Vaporizervaporization amount data
- RPUelectric power data.
- the substrate processing apparatus 100includes the first controller 260 and the third controller 280 as the controller for controlling the operations of each part of the substrate processing apparatus 100 .
- FIG. 5shows a schematic configuration diagram of the controller.
- the first controller 260is configured as a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 261 , a RAM (Random Access Memory) 262 , a memory 263 , and an I/O port 264 .
- the RAM 262 , the memory 263 , and the I/O port 264are configured to be able to exchange data with the CPU 261 via an internal bus 265 .
- a transmitter/receiver 285 , an external storage device 267 , an input/output device 269 , or the likeare connected to the internal bus 265 . At least one selected from the group of the transmitter/receiver 285 , the external storage device 267 , and the input/output device 269 may be included in the first controller 260 .
- the memory 263includes, for example, a flash memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or the like. Device data are recorded in the memory 263 in a readable manner.
- HDDHard Disk Drive
- the device dataincludes at least one selected from the group of the following data types.
- a control program for controlling the operation of the substrate processing apparatusa process recipe in which a procedure or conditions of substrate processing to be described later are described, schedule data, process data, load data (operation data), regular inspection data, device connection data, internal connection data, wafer 200 data, alarm data, importance level table data for each data type, interrupt enable/disable table data for each data type, transmission interval table data, transmission destination setting table data, processing data or calculation data, which are generated in the process of setting a process recipe used for processing the substrate 200 , or the like.
- the process recipeis combined to obtain a predetermined result by causing the first controller 260 to execute the respective procedures in the substrate-processing process to be described later, and function as a program.
- the process recipe, the control program, the above-mentioned data, or the likeare collectively referred to simply as a program.
- the term “program”may include the process recipe, the control program, or both the process recipe and the control program.
- the load datarefers to at least one selected from the group of the load state of at least one selected from the group of the CPU 261 , the RAM 262 , and the memory 263 installed at the first controller 260 , the number of errors, the operating time, the temperature, each network band data, or the like.
- the load datamay include the same type of data of the second controller 274 , the relay 275 , the third controller 280 , or the like, as well as the first controller 260 .
- the network band dataincludes at least one selected from the group of data indicating a band occupancy rate of the in-system network 268 , transmission speed data of the data transmitter/receiver 285 , transmission speed data of the second controller 274 , reception speed data of the second controller 274 , transmission speed data of the relay 275 , reception speed data of the relay 275 , or the like.
- the process datais flow rate data of gas supplied into the process chamber 201 , internal pressure data of the process chamber 201 , temperature data of the substrate support 210 (the heater 213 ), valve opening degree data of the pressure regulator 227 , or the like.
- the wafer 200 datais data associated with the wafer 200 transferred to the substrate processing apparatus 100 .
- the schedule datais data indicating a processing schedule of the substrate 200 .
- the importance level table data for each data typeis a table shown in FIG. 6 , and is table data in which the importance level for each data type is set.
- the importance levelis represented by 1, 2, 3, . . . , N (N is a natural number), and is set such that a value having a smaller natural number gives a higher importance level.
- data types that may affect the operation of the apparatus or substrate processingsuch as alarm data, process data, or the like, are set to have a higher importance level.
- Data types that may not be always checked, such as device operation data, regular inspection data, or the like,are set to have a lower importance level.
- this importance levelis configured to be able to be set and changed as appropriate by a user of the substrate processing apparatus or a user of the substrate processing system.
- the interrupt enable/disable table data for each data typeis a table shown in FIG. 7 , and is table data in which the interrupt enable/disable is set for each data type.
- the interrupt enable/disable (“Yes”/“No”)is set for each data type.
- each datais transmitted at a predetermined transmission interval.
- the interrupt enable (“Yes”)is set for device operation data.
- the transmission of the device operation datais temporarily stopped and the alarm data is preferentially transmitted. That is, an interruption process of the transmission of the alarm data is performed during the transmission of the device operation data.
- the interrupt disable (“No”)such temporary stop of the transmission is not performed.
- the interrupt enable/disableis set for each data type, but the interrupt enable/disable may be set for each data importance level.
- the transmission interval table datais illustrated, as an example, in a table shown in FIG. 8 , and is a table in which a transmission interval is set for each load level and for each data type (data importance level).
- the transmission intervalis set for at least one selected from the group of data type (data importance level) and load level.
- FIG. 8shows a table set for both the data type and the load level.
- the transmission intervalis set to 1, 2, 3, . . . , X (X is a natural number).
- a narrower transmission intervalis set for a smaller X, and a wider transmission interval is set for a larger X.
- the narrower transmission intervalmeans that the transmission is closer to real-time communication.
- the transmission intervalis set to “1” regardless of the load level for the alarm data (importance level 1 ). In this way, data having high importance level can be transmitted at the same interval regardless of the load level.
- the transmission intervalis set to be changed according to the load level for the regular inspection data (importance level 4 ).
- the transmission intervalmay be set by the user of the substrate processing apparatus 100 or the user of the substrate processing system 1000 . When the user can set the transmission interval, the operator 274 or the input/output device 269 is configured to be able to display the table.
- the load levelis set based on the above-mentioned load data.
- the load levelcan be set as follows. Load level 1 is set when the load data is 0 to 25%. Load level 2 is set when the load data is 26 to 50%. Load level 3 is set when the load data is 51 to 75%. Load level 4 is set when the load data is 76 to 100%. In this way, the load level can be set according to the percentage of the load data.
- the transmission destination setting table datais illustrated, as an example, in a table shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , and is a table in which the transmission destination is set for each data type.
- the transmission destination setting table in FIG. 9is a table in which the transmission destination for each data type transmitted by the first controller 260 is set.
- the transmission destination setting table shown in FIG. 10is a table in which the transmission destination for each data type transmitted by the relay 275 is set.
- Various types of data included in the first controller 260 or the third controller 280are transmitted to the operator 274 or the relay 275 .
- Various types of data included in the relay 275are transmitted to the operator 274 , a host device 500 , an analysis server 501 , or the like.
- the loadmay be dispersed by making the transmission destination different.
- the transmission path(transmission destination) is determined by the transmission destination setting table. For example, in FIG. 9 , data of higher importance level such as the alarm data or the process data may be set to be transmitted to both the transmission destination 1 (the operator 274 ) and the transmission destination 2 (the relay 275 ). Data of lower importance level such as the device operation data or the regular inspection data may be set be transmitted to the transmission destination 2 (the relay 275 ) without being transmitted to the transmission destination 1 (the operator 274 ) where the load is concentrated.
- the transmission destinationmay be set according to the importance level of the data or the use of the data at the transmission destination.
- Each data or each tableare recorded in the memory of each controller.
- the operator 274 or the input/output device 269may be notified of a screen showing the same contents.
- the notificationmeans displaying the contents on the screen or transmitting the contents to the screen.
- each tableis configured to be able to rewrite data of each table on the screen.
- Each controllercontrols the transmitter/receiver included in each controller based on the setting of each table data. Further, each table may be acquired by receiving the table from the host device (HOST) 500 or the analysis server 501 .
- HOSThost device
- the CPU 261 as an arithmetic deviceis configured to read and execute the control program from the memory 263 and read the process recipe from the memory 263 in response to input of an operation command from the input/output device 269 or the like. Further, the CPU 261 is configured to be compare/calculate a set value input from the transmitter/receiver 285 and the control data or the process recipe stored in the memory 263 to calculate the calculation data. Further, the CPU 261 is configured to be able to execute a process of determining corresponding process data (process recipe) from the calculation data. The calculation data is exchanged with the third controller 280 to be described later via at least one selected from the group of the internal bus 265 , the I/O port 264 , and the transmitter/receiver 285 . Each part is controlled by the transmitter/receiver in the CPU 261 transmitting/receiving control information according to the contents of the process recipe.
- the RAM 262is configured as a memory area (work area) in which programs read by the CPU 261 , data such as calculation data, process data, or the like are temporarily stored.
- the I/O port 264is connected to the third controller 280 to be described later.
- the input/output device 269includes a display part configured as a display or a touch panel.
- the transmitter/receiver 285is configured to be able to communicate with the operator 274 via the in-system network 268 , and the relay 275 is installed between the operator 274 and the transmitter/receiver 285 .
- the second controller (operator) 274is configured as an operator that operates the substrate processing system 1000 .
- the second controller 274is configured to be able to control each of the substrate processing apparatuses 100 included in the substrate processing system 1000 .
- the second controller 274is configured to be able to communicate with the host device (HOST) 500 , the analysis server 501 , and one or both of the first controller 260 and the third controller 280 via the network 503 . Further, the second controller 274 may be configured to be able to be connected to a maintenance PC 502 .
- the third controller 280is connected to each part (process performing part) of the substrate processing apparatus and is configured to be able to collect information (data) of each part.
- the third controller 280is connected to the gate valve 149 , the elevator 218 , the temperature controller 400 , the pressure regulators 227 and 228 , the vacuum pump 223 , the matcher 251 , the high-frequency power supply 252 , the MFCs 115 , 125 , and 135 , the valves 116 , 126 , and 136 , the bias controller 257 , or the like.
- the third controller 280may also be connected to the impedance meter 254 , the RPU 180 , or the like.
- the third controller 280may be connected to one or both of the transmitter/receiver 285 and the network 268 . Further, the third controller 280 may be connected to the JO stage 1001 , the atmosphere transfer robot 1005 , the L/L chamber 1004 , the TM 1006 , the vacuum transfer robot 1008 , or the like.
- the third controller 280is configured to control the opening/closing operation of the gate valve 149 , the moving up/down operation of the elevator 218 , the operation of supplying power to the temperature controller 400 , the temperature regulating operation of the substrate mounting table 212 by the temperature controller 400 , the pressure regulating operation of the pressure regulators 227 and 228 , the on/off control of the vacuum pump 223 , the gas flow rate control operation of the MFCs 115 , 125 , and 135 , the gas activating operation of the RPUs 180 a and 180 b , the gas on/off control by the valves 116 , 126 , and 136 , the power matching operation of matcher 251 , the power control of the high-frequency power supply 252 , the control operation of the bias controller 257 , the matching operation of the matcher 251 based on measurement data measured by the impedance meter 254 , the power control operation of the high-frequency power supply 252 , or the like, according to the process recipe data calculated by
- the first controller 260 , the relay 275 , the third controller 280 , and the operator 274are not limited to being configured as a dedicated computer but may be configured as a general-purpose computer.
- the controller 260 according to the present embodimentscan be configured by preparing the external storage device 267 (for example, a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk such as a flexible disk or a hard disk, an optical disk such as a CD or a DVD, a magneto-optical disk such as an MO, or a semiconductor memory such as a USB memory or a memory card) storing the above-mentioned program (data) and installing a program in the general-purpose computer using the external storage device 267 .
- the external storage device 267for example, a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk such as a flexible disk or a hard disk, an optical disk such as a CD or a DVD, a magneto-optical disk such as an MO, or a semiconductor memory such as a USB memory or a memory card
- the means for supplying (recording) the program to the computeris not limited to the case of supplying the program via the external storage device 267 .
- a communication meanssuch as the transmitter/receiver 285 or the network 268 (Internet or a dedicated line) may be used to supply the program (data) without using the external storage device 267 .
- the memory 263 and the external storage device 267are configured as a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium. Hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as a recording medium.
- the term “recording medium”may include the memory 263 , the external storage device 267 , or both of the memory 263 and the external storage device 267 .
- the relay of various data transmitted and received between the substrate processing apparatus 100 and the second controller (operator) 274is configured to be executable.
- the relay 275is configured to be able to receive device data from the first controller 260 or other connected devices at predetermined intervals. Further, the relay 275 is configured to be able to transmit data to the second controller 274 or other connected devices at predetermined intervals. Further, the relay 275 performs control of the transmission interval of various data and storage (recording) of various data sent from the substrate processing apparatus 100 to the second controller (operator) 274 according to the determination of the load level and the contents set in various table data. That is, the relay 275 is configured to make the reception interval of the data to be received different from the transmission interval of the data to be transmitted.
- the transmission intervalmay be set as a transmission speed (used band).
- the band of the in-system network 268is always used, and therefore, the transmission interval may be set.
- the relay 275includes a memory and is configured to be able to store (record) the received data.
- connectionused in the present disclosure includes not only the meaning that parts are connected by a physical cable, but also the meaning that signals (electronic data) of parts can be directly or indirectly transmitted/received.
- FIG. 11is a process flow of the above-described substrate processing apparatus 100 .
- the insulating filmfor example, a silicon nitride (SiN) film as a nitride film is formed.
- the process of this manufacturing process and the operation of each partare controlled by at least one selected from the group of the first controller 260 and the third controller 280 .
- the substrate-processing processwill be described below.
- data setting S 101First, data setting S 101 will be described.
- the data setting S 101an interval at which data are transmitted is set in each controller.
- the second controller 274transmits each table data to at least one selected from the group of the relay 275 , the first controller 260 , and the third controller 280 .
- the relay 275 , the first controller 260 , and the third controller 280change the transmission settings of the transmitter/receiver based on the received table data.
- substrate loading/heating(S 102 ) will be described.
- the wafer 200is loaded from the TM 1006 into the container 202 using the vacuum transfer robot 1008 .
- the vacuum transfer robot 1008is evacuated to the outside of the container 202 , and the gate valve 149 is closed to seal the interior of the container 202 .
- the wafer 200is mounted on the substrate mounting surface 211 installed at the substrate mounting table 212 , and by further raising the substrate mounting table 212 , the wafer 200 is raised to the above-mentioned process position (substrate process position) in the process chamber 201 .
- the valve of the pressure regulator 228is closed. Thereby, the exhaust of the transport chamber 203 from the exhaust pipe 148 is completed.
- the APC 227is opened to allow the process chamber 201 in fluid communication with the vacuum pump 223 .
- the APC 227controls the exhaust flow rate of the process chamber 201 by the vacuum pump 223 by adjusting the conductance of the exhaust pipe 224 a , so that the process space of the process chamber 201 is maintained at a predetermined pressure (for example, high vacuum of 10 ⁇ 5 to 10 ⁇ 1 Pa).
- the interior of the process chamber 201is controlled to have a predetermined pressure
- the surface of the wafer 200is controlled to have a predetermined temperature.
- the temperatureis, for example, room temperature or higher and 500 degrees C. or lower, or room temperature or higher and 400 degrees C. or lower in some embodiments.
- the pressuremay be, for example, 50 to 5000 Pa.
- film forming (S 104 )will be described. After the wafer 200 is positioned at the process position in the process chamber 201 , the film forming (S 104 ) is performed in the substrate processing apparatus 100 .
- the film forming (S 104 )is forming a thin film on the wafer 200 by supplying a first process gas (first element-containing gas) and a second process gas (second element-containing gas), which are different from each other, to the process chamber 201 according to the process recipe.
- the first process gas and the second process gasmay be simultaneously present in the process chamber 201 to perform a CVD (chemical vapor deposition) process, or a cyclic (alternate supply) process of repeatedly supplying the first process gas and the second process gas alternately may be performed.
- a CVDchemical vapor deposition
- a cyclicalternate supply
- the RPU 180 bmay be activated.
- substrate processsuch as heat process, modifying process, or the like which supplies either the first process gas or the second process gas may be performed.
- substrate unloading(S 106 ) will be described.
- the substrate unloading (S 106 )is performed in the substrate processing apparatus 100 .
- the processed wafer 200is unloaded to the outside of the container 202 in a transfer procedure reverse to the transfer procedure of the above-described substrate loading/heating (S 102 ).
- the wafer 200may be unloaded without being cooled.
- determining (S 108 )will be described.
- whether one cycle including the above-described series of operations (S 102 to S 106 ) has been performed a predetermined number of times or notis determined in the substrate processing apparatus 100 . That is, it is determined whether a predetermined number of wafers 200 have been processed or not.
- the one cycle from the substrate loading/heating (S 102 ) to the substrate unloading (S 106 )is repeated.
- the substrate-processing processis ended.
- the following process including transmission interval changing, shown in FIG. 12is performed either before or after this substrate-processing process.
- the following processmay be performed during the substrate processing or may be performed in parallel with the substrate-processing process for a predetermined period.
- a process of sharing the latest load data stored in each controller (the first controller 260 , the second controller 274 , and the third controller 280 ) and the relay 275 between the controllers and the relayis performed. Specifically, the load data stored in each controller is transmitted to the relay 275 . The relay 275 performs receiving the load data stored in each controller.
- load level setting S 202is performed.
- the setting of the load levelis calculated by a CPU included in the relay 275 .
- the load level of each controller or the system network 268is determined based on the received load data.
- the load level of the second controller 274is set to a corresponding level in a range of 1 to X.
- each controller and the system network 268It is determined whether the load level of each controller and the system network 268 is a prescribed value or not for at least one selected from the group of each controller and the system network 268 .
- a Y (“YES”) determinationis made.
- an N (“NO”) determinationis made.
- Y determinationtransmission interval resetting S 206 can be performed.
- N determinationtransmission interval changing S 204 can be performed. For example, when the prescribed value of the load level of the second controller 274 is set to “1,” it is determined whether the load level set in the load level setting S 202 is “1” or not.
- the transmission interval changing S 204which is performed after the N determination is made in the load level determining S 203 , will be described.
- the transmission interval data corresponding to the load level set in the load level setting S 202is read and the transmission interval for each data type transmitted from the relay 275 to the second controller 274 is set.
- the transmission interval data for each data type corresponding to the load level set in the load level setting S 202is read, and each controller sets the transmission interval for each data type. For example, when the load level is set to “2” in the load level setting S 202 , the transmission interval for each data type corresponding to the load level 2 is read.
- “1”is read as the transmission interval of the alarm data.
- “1”is read as the transmission interval of the process data.
- “2”is read as the transmission interval of the device operation data.
- “2”is read as the transmission interval of the regular inspection data.
- the transmission interval for each data type transmitted from the relay 275 to the second controller 274is set. Specifically, the transmission interval of the alarm data is set to “1,” the transmission interval of the process data is set to “1,” the transmission interval of the device operation data is set to “2,” and the transmission interval of the regular inspection data is set to “2.”
- the data received by the relay 275is recorded (data storage) in the memory of the relay 275 .
- the transmission interval data corresponding to the load level 1is read from the transmission interval table shown in FIG. 8 and the transmission interval for each data type is set.
- stored data transmitting S 207may be performed.
- the stored data transmitting S 207at least the data of which the transmission interval is set to “2” or more, and the data recorded (data storage) in the memory of the relay 275 is transmitted to the second controller 274 .
- the relay 275receives the various data transmitted from the first controller 260 (the third controller 280 ) at the same transmission interval, and the relay 275 transmits the various data to the second controller 274 at the set transmission interval.
- the relay 275may cause one or both of the first controller 260 and the third controller 280 to change the data transmission destination based on the transmission destination setting table shown in FIG. 9 .
- the first controller 260may be set to transmit the alarm data and the process data to the transmission destination 1 (the operator 274 ) without passing through the transmission destination 2 (the relay 275 ). By transmitting the data without passing through the relay 275 , it is possible to suppress data delay.
- the present disclosureis not limited thereto.
- various settingsmay be different for different substrate processing apparatuses 100 ( 100 a , 100 b , 100 c and 100 d ).
- the same processmay not be executed in the substrate processing apparatuses 100 .
- the data communication efficiencycan be improved by making the settings for the substrate processing apparatuses 100 different.
- one or both of the setting of the transmission destination and the setting of the transmission interval of various datamay be different for each substrate processing apparatus 100 .
- a process including the above-described transmission interval changing, and the transmission destination changingmay be performed at a timing when the data amount increases (the load increases).
- the transmission destinationis set based on one transmission destination setting table shown in FIG. 9 .
- the present disclosureis not limited thereto.
- a plurality of transmission destination setting tablesmay be provided and selected according to the load level.
- the load level setting and the load level determinationare performed by the relay 275 .
- these operationsmay be performed by the second controller 274 , the host device 500 , the analysis server 501 , or the like.
- the stored datamay be read from the memory of the relay 275 using the maintenance PC 502 during maintenance of the substrate processing apparatus 100 or the substrate processing system 1000 . Further, the stored data may be transmitted from the relay 275 to the host device 500 , the analysis server 501 , or the like.
- the present disclosurecan also be applied to other than the semiconductor device-manufacturing process.
- the present disclosuremay be applied to substrate processes such as a liquid crystal device-manufacturing process, a solar cell-manufacturing process, a light emitting device-manufacturing process, a glass substrate-processing process, a ceramic substrate-processing process, a conductive substrate-processing process, or the like.
- the present disclosurecan also be applied to film formation using another gas.
- the present disclosuremay be applied to an oxygen-containing film, a nitrogen-containing film, a carbon-containing film, a boron-containing film, a metal-containing film, a film containing a plurality of these elements, or the like.
- examples of these filmsinclude an AlO film, a ZrO film, a HfO film, a HfAlO film, a ZrAlO film, a SiC film, a SiCN film, a SiBN film, a TiN film, a TiC film, a TiAlC film, or the like.
- an apparatus configuration for processing one substrate in one process chamberhas been shown.
- the present disclosureis not limited thereto, but may be applied to an apparatus in which a plurality of substrates are arranged horizontally or vertically.
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Abstract
Description
- This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/918,626, filed Jul. 1, 2020 which is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-125202, filed on Jul. 4, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- The present disclosure relates to a substrate processing system, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, and a recording medium.
- As a substrate processing apparatus used in a process of manufacturing a semiconductor device, for example, there is an apparatus including a module with a reactor. In such a substrate processing apparatus, apparatus operation information or the like is displayed on an input/output device including a display or the like so that an apparatus manager can confirm the information.
- Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a technique for managing a substrate processing apparatus with high efficiency.
- According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a technique that includes a plurality of substrate processing apparatuses each configured to process a substrate; a first controller installed in each substrate processing apparatus among the plurality of substrate processing apparatuses and configured to control the substrate processing apparatus; a relay configured to receive a plurality of types of data from the first controller; and a second controller configured to receive the data from the relay, wherein the relay is configured to change a transmission interval of the data to the second controller according to one of each type of the data and each first controller, or according to both of each type of the data and each first controller.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a network in a substrate processing system according to one or more embodiments.FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a substrate processing system according to one or more embodiments.FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a substrate processing apparatus according to one or more embodiments.FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a gas supplier according to one or more embodiments.FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a controller according to one or more embodiments.FIG. 6 shows an example of an importance level setting table for each data type according to one or more embodiments.FIG. 7 shows an example of an interrupt enable/disable setting table for each data type according to one or more embodiments.FIG. 8 shows an example of a transmission interval setting table of for each data type, importance level, and load level according to one or more embodiments.FIG. 9 shows an example of a transmission destination setting table for each data type according to one or more embodiments.FIG. 10 shows an example of a transmission destination setting table for each data type according to one or more embodiments.FIG. 11 shows an example of a flow chart of substrate processing according to one or more embodiments.FIG. 12 shows an example of a flow chart of a transmission interval-changing process based on load data according to one or more embodiments.- Hereinafter, one or more embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.
- One or more embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.
- First, problems to be solved by the present disclosure will be described. When operating a plurality of substrate processing apparatuses, at least the following problems may occur.
- (a) When operating a plurality of substrate processing apparatuses with one operator, a large load may be applied to the operator. Due to this load, processing of the operator may be delayed, processing may be temporarily stopped, or the like. Such a problem occurs when the amount of data to be handled becomes larger than the transmission rate/reception rate of data of a signal line connecting each part, the storage device capacity, the memory capacity, the calculation speed of each part, or the like. The amount of data to be handled by the substrate processing apparatuses tends to increase, and there is a problem that cannot be solved by simply improving the performance of each part.
- To overcome such a problem, a substrate processing system of the present disclosure is configured as described below.
- A schematic configuration of a substrate processing system according to one or more embodiments will be described with reference to
FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 .FIG. 1 is a view showing an example of the schematic configuration of a network in the substrate processing system according to the present embodiments.FIG. 2 is an example of the configuration of the substrate processing system.FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the schematic configuration of a substrate processing apparatus according to the present embodiments.FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a gas supply system of the substrate processing apparatus according to the present embodiments.FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a connection relationship between afirst controller 260 and each part installed in the substrate processing apparatus. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , thesubstrate processing system 1000 includes a plurality of substrate processing apparatuses100 (for example,100a,100b,100c, and100d). Eachsubstrate processing apparatus 100 includes a first controller260 (260a,260b,260c, and260d), a third controller280 (280a,280b,280c, and280d), and a data transmitter/receiver285 (285a285b,285c, and285d). Thefirst controller 260 is configured to be able to perform the operation of each part of thesubstrate processing apparatus 100 via thethird controller 280. In addition, thefirst controller 260 is configured to be able to communicate with arelay 275, a second controller (operator)274, afirst controller 260 of anothersubstrate processing apparatus 100, or the like, via the data transmitter/receiver 285 and an in-system network 268 connected to the data transmitter/receiver 285. Thethird controller 280 is configured to be able to control the operation of each part installed in thesubstrate processing apparatus 100. Thefirst controller 260, thethird controller 280, and the data transmitter/receiver 285 are configured to be able to communicate with each other. - Next, the schematic configuration of the
substrate processing system 1000 will be described with reference toFIG. 2 . - The
substrate processing system 1000 includes at least the substrate processing apparatus100 (for example,100a,100b,100c, and100d). Further, as shown inFIG. 2 , thesubstrate processing system 1000 may include anIO stage 1001, anatmosphere transfer chamber 1003, a load lock (L/L)chamber 1004, avacuum transfer chamber 1006, etc., each of which will be described below. In the description ofFIG. 2 , a right direction corresponds to the X1 direction, a left direction corresponds to the X2 direction, a front direction corresponds to the Y1 direction, and a rear direction corresponds to the Y2 direction. - The IO stage (load port)1001 is provided in front of the
substrate processing system 1000. A plurality ofpods 1002 is mounted on theIO stage 1001. Eachpod 1002 is used as a carrier for transferringsubstrates 200. Thepod 1002 is configured to store a plurality ofunprocessed substrates 200 and processedsubstrates 200 in a horizontal posture in thepod 1002. - The
pod 1002 is transferred to theIO stage 1001 by a transfer robot (not shown) that transfers the pod. - The IO
stage 1001 is adjacent to theatmosphere transfer chamber 1003. Theload lock chamber 1004, which will be described later, is connected to theatmosphere transfer chamber 1003 at a side different from theIO stage 1001. - An
atmosphere transfer robot 1005 serving as a first transfer robot that transfers thesubstrate 200 is provided in theatmosphere transfer chamber 1003. - The
load lock chamber 1004 is adjacent to theatmosphere transfer chamber 1003. Since the internal pressure of the L/L chamber 1004 varies according to the pressure of theatmosphere transfer chamber 1003 and the pressure of thevacuum transfer chamber 1006, a structure of the L/L chamber 1004 is configured to withstand a negative pressure. - Each of the plurality of
substrate processing apparatuses 100 includes the vacuum transfer chamber (transfer module: TM)1006 as a transfer chamber that becomes a transfer space in which thesubstrate 200 is transferred under a negative pressure. Ahousing 1007 forming theTM 1006 is formed in a pentagonal shape in a plan view, and the L/L chamber 1004 and thesubstrate processing apparatuses 100 for processing thesubstrate 200 are respectively connected to the sides of the pentagon. Avacuum transfer robot 1008 serving as a second transfer robot that transfers (transports) thesubstrate 200 under a negative pressure is provided at substantially the central portion of theTM 1006. Although thevacuum transfer chamber 1006 has a pentagonal shape here, it may have a polygonal shape such as a quadrangle or a hexagon. - The
vacuum transfer robot 1008 provided in theTM 1006 includes twoarms vacuum transfer robot 1008 is controlled by the above-mentionedcontroller 260. - A gate valve (GV)149 is installed in each
substrate processing apparatus 100, as shown inFIG. 2 . Specifically, agate valve 149ais installed between asubstrate processing apparatus 100aand theTM 1006, and aGV 149bis installed between asubstrate processing apparatus 100band theTM 1006. AGV 149cis installed between asubstrate processing apparatus 100cand theTM 1006, and aGV 149dis installed between asubstrate processing apparatus 100dand theTM 1006. - By opening/closing the
TM 1006 by eachGV 149, thesubstrate 200 can be taken in and out through a substrate loading/unloading port 1480 installed in eachsubstrate processing apparatus 100. - Next, the schematic configuration of the
substrate processing apparatus 100 will be described with reference toFIG. 3 . - The
substrate processing apparatus 100 is, for example, configured to form an insulating film on thesubstrate 200, and is configured as a single-wafer type substrate processing apparatus as shown inFIG. 3 . Here, thesubstrate processing apparatus 100a(100) will be described. The othersubstrate processing apparatuses substrate processing apparatus 100 is configured as one of process performing parts that process thesubstrate 200. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , thesubstrate processing apparatus 100 includes aprocess container 202. Theprocess container 202 is configured as, for example, a flat closed container having a circular horizontal cross section. Theprocess container 202 includes, for example, a metal material such as aluminum (Al) or stainless steel (SUS), or quartz. Atransport chamber 203 and aprocess chamber 201 for processing asubstrate 200 such as a silicon wafer as a substrate are formed in theprocess container 202. Theprocess container 202 includes an upper container202aand alower container 202b. Apartition 204 is installed between the upper container202aand thelower container 202b. A space surrounded by the upper container202aand above thepartition 204 is referred to as aprocess chamber 201. In addition, a space surrounded by thelower container 202band near thegate valve 149 is referred to as thetransport chamber 203. - The substrate loading/
unloading port 1480 adjacent to thegate valve 149 is installed at the side surface of thelower container 202b, and thesubstrate 200 is moved between a transfer chamber (not shown) and thetransport chamber 203 via the substrate loading/unloading port 1480. A plurality of lift pins207 are installed at the bottom portion of thelower container 202b. Further, thelower container 202bis grounded. - A
substrate support 210 that supports thesubstrate 200 is installed in theprocess chamber 201. Thesubstrate support 210 mainly includes a mountingsurface 211 on which thesubstrate 200 is mounted, a substrate mounting table212 including the mountingsurface 211 on its surface, and aheater 213 serving as a heating part. Through-holes 214 through which the lift pins207 penetrate are installed at the substrate mounting table212 at positions corresponding to the lift pins207, respectively. Further, the substrate mounting table212 may include abias electrode 256 for applying a bias to thesubstrate 200 or theprocess chamber 201. Here, atemperature controller 400 is connected to theheater 213, and the temperature of theheater 213 is controlled by thetemperature controller 400. The temperature information of theheater 213 can be transmitted from thetemperature controller 400 to thethird controller 280. Thebias electrode 256 is connected to abias controller 257 by which the bias can be adjusted. Further, thebias controller 257 is configured to be able to exchange bias data with thethird controller 280. - The substrate mounting table212 is supported by a
shaft 217. Theshaft 217 penetrates the bottom of theprocess container 202 and is connected to anelevator 218 outside theprocess container 202. By operating theelevator 218 to move theshaft 217 and the substrate mounting table212 up/down, it is possible to move thesubstrate 200 mounted on thesubstrate mounting surface 211 up/down. A periphery of the lower end portion of theshaft 217 is covered with abellows 219, whereby an interior of theprocess chamber 201 is kept hermetically sealed. Theelevator 218 may be configured to be able to exchange height data (position data) of the substrate mounting table212 with thethird controller 280. The substrate mounting table212 can be set to at least two or more positions, for example, a first process position and a second process position. The first process position and the second process position are each configured to be adjustable. - The substrate mounting table212 is moved to a wafer transfer position at the time of transfer of the
substrate 200, and is moved to the first process position (wafer process position) indicated by a solid line inFIG. 3 at the time of first process of thesubstrate 200. Further, the substrate mounting table212 is moved to the second process position indicated by a broken line inFIG. 3 at the time of second process. The wafer transfer position is a position at which the upper ends of the lift pins207 protrude from the upper surface of thesubstrate mounting surface 211. - Specifically, when the substrate mounting table212 is lowered to the wafer transfer position, the upper ends of the lift pins207 protrude from the upper surface of the
substrate mounting surface 211, so that the lift pins207 support thesubstrate 200 from below. Further, when the substrate mounting table212 is raised to the wafer process position, the lift pins207 are buried from the upper surface of thesubstrate mounting surface 211, so that thesubstrate mounting surface 211 supports thesubstrate 200 from below. Since the lift pins207 are in direct contact with thesubstrate 200, the lift pins207 may include a material such as quartz or alumina. - A
first exhaust port 221 serving as a first exhauster for exhausting the atmosphere of theprocess chamber 201 is installed at the side surface of the process chamber201 (the upper container202a). Anexhaust pipe 224ais connected to thefirst exhaust port 221, and avacuum pump 223 and apressure regulator 227 such as an APC for controlling the interior of theprocess chamber 201 to a predetermined pressure are sequentially connected in series to theexhaust pipe 224a. A first exhaust system (exhaust line) mainly includes thefirst exhaust port 221, theexhaust pipe 224a, and thepressure regulator 227. Thevacuum pump 223 may be included in the first exhaust system. Asecond exhaust port 1481 for exhausting the atmosphere of thetransport chamber 203 is installed at the side surface of thetransport chamber 203. Anexhaust pipe 148 is installed at thesecond exhaust port 1481. Apressure regulator 228 is installed at theexhaust pipe 148 so that the internal pressure of thetransport chamber 203 can be exhausted to a predetermined pressure. Further, the internal atmosphere of theprocess chamber 201 can be exhausted through thetransport chamber 203. Further, thepressure regulator 227 is configured to be able to exchange pressure data or valve opening degree data with thethird controller 280. Further, thevacuum pump 223 is configured to be able to transmit ON/OFF data of the pump, load data, or the like to thethird controller 280. - A
lid 231 is installed at the upper surface (ceiling wall) of ashower head 234 installed at an upper portion of theprocess chamber 201. Thelid 231 includes agas introduction port 241 for supplying various gases into theprocess chamber 201. The configuration of each gas supplier connected to thegas introduction port 241 which is a gas supplier will be described later. - The
shower head 234 serving as a gas disperser includes abuffer chamber 232 and adispersion plate 244a. Thedispersion plate 244amay be configured as afirst electrode 244bserving as a first activator. Thedispersion plate 244aincludes a plurality ofholes 234afor supplying gas to thesubstrate 200 in a distributed manner. Theshower head 234 is installed between thegas introduction port 241 and theprocess chamber 201. Gas introduced from thegas introduction port 241 is supplied to the buffer chamber232 (also referred to as a disperser) of theshower head 234, and is supplied to theprocess chamber 201 via theholes 234a. - When the
dispersion plate 244ais configured as thefirst electrode 244b, thefirst electrode 244bincludes a conductive metal and is configured as a portion of the activator (exciter) for exciting gas in theprocess chamber 201. An electromagnetic wave (high-frequency power or a microwave) can be supplied to thefirst electrode 244b. When thelid 231 includes a conductive member, an insulatingblock 233 is installed between thelid 231 and thefirst electrode 244bto insulate thelid 231 from thefirst electrode 244b. - A configuration in a case where the
first electrode 244bserving as the activator is installed will be described. Amatcher 251 and a high-frequency power supply 252 are connected to thefirst electrode 244bserving as the activator so as to be able to supply an electromagnetic wave (high-frequency power or a microwave). This enables gas supplied into theprocess chamber 201 to be activated. In addition, thefirst electrode 244bis configured to be able to generate capacitively-coupled plasma. Specifically, thefirst electrode 244bis formed in a conductive plate shape and is configured to be supported by the upper container202a. The activator includes at least thefirst electrode 244b, thematcher 251, and the high-frequency power supply 252. Animpedance meter 254 may be installed between thefirst electrode 244band the high-frequency power supply 252. By including theimpedance meter 254, thematcher 251 and the high-frequency power supply 252 can be feedback-controlled based on the measured impedance. Further, the high-frequency power supply 252 is configured to be able to exchange power data with thethird controller 280, thematcher 251 is configured to be able to exchange matching data (traveling wave data and reflected wave data) with thethird controller 280, and theimpedance meter 254 is configured to be able to exchange impedance data with thethird controller 280. - A common
gas supply pipe 242 is connected to thegas introduction port 241. The commongas supply pipe 242 is in fluid communication with the interior of the pipe, and gas supplied from the commongas supply pipe 242 is supplied into theshower head 234 via thegas introduction port 241. - A gas supplier shown in
FIG. 4 is connected to the commongas supply pipe 242. A firstgas supply pipe 113a, a secondgas supply pipe 123a, and a thirdgas supply pipe 133aare connected to the gas supplier. - A first element-containing gas (first process gas) is mainly supplied from a first gas supplier including the first
gas supply pipe 113a. A second element-containing gas (second process gas) is mainly supplied from a second gas supplier including the secondgas supply pipe 123a. A third element-containing gas is mainly supplied from a third gas supplier including the thirdgas supply pipe 133a. - (First Gas supplier)
- The first
gas supply pipe 113aincludes a firstgas supply source 113, a mass flow controller (MFC)115 which is a flow rate controller (flow rate control part), and avalve 116 which is an opening/closing valve in this order from an upstream direction. - The first element-containing gas is supplied from the first
gas supply pipe 113ato theshower head 234 via theMFC 115, thevalve 116, and the commongas supply pipe 242. - The first element-containing gas is one of process gases. The first element-containing gas is gas containing silicon (Si), for example, such as hexachlorodisilane (Si2Cl6, abbreviation: HCDS) gas or the like.
- The first gas supplier mainly includes the first
gas supply pipe 113a, theMFC 115, and thevalve 116. - Further, one or both of the first
gas supply source 113 and a remote plasma unit (RPU)180athat activates the first gas may be included in the first gas supplier. - The second
gas supply pipe 123aincludes a secondgas supply source 123, aMFC 125, and avalve 126 in this order from an upstream direction. - The second element-containing gas is supplied from the second
gas supply pipe 123ainto theshower head 234 via theMFC 125, thevalve 126, and the commongas supply pipe 242. - The second element-containing gas is one of process gases. The second element-containing gas is gas containing nitrogen (N), for example, such as ammonia (NH3) gas, nitrogen (N2) gas, or the like.
- The second gas supplier mainly includes the second
gas supply pipe 123a, theMFC 125, and thevalve 126. - Further, one or both of the second
gas supply source 123 and a remote plasma unit (RPU)180bthat activates the second gas may be included in the second gas supplier. - The third
gas supply pipe 133aincludes a thirdgas supply source 133, anMFC 135, and avalve 136 in order from an upstream direction. - Inert gas is supplied from the third
gas supply pipe 133ato theshower head 234 via theMFC 135, thevalve 136, and the commongas supply pipe 242. - The inert gas is gas that does not easily react with the first gas. The inert gas is, for example, nitrogen (N2) gas, argon (Ar) gas, helium (He) gas, or the like.
- The third gas supplier mainly includes the third
gas supply pipe 133a, theMFC 135, and thevalve 136. - Here, the MFCs and the valves that form the first gas supplier, the second gas supplier, and the third gas supplier, respectively, are configured to be able to exchange the following data with the
third controller 280. MFC: flow rate data, and Valve: opening degree data. A vaporizer and an RPU may be included in the first gas supplier or the second gas supplier. The vaporizer and the RPU are also configured to be able to exchange the following data with thethird controller 280. Vaporizer: vaporization amount data, and RPU: electric power data. - Next, a controller will be described. As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 5 , thesubstrate processing apparatus 100 includes thefirst controller 260 and thethird controller 280 as the controller for controlling the operations of each part of thesubstrate processing apparatus 100. FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration diagram of the controller.- The
first controller 260 is configured as a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit)261, a RAM (Random Access Memory)262, amemory 263, and an I/O port 264. TheRAM 262, thememory 263, and the I/O port 264 are configured to be able to exchange data with theCPU 261 via aninternal bus 265. A transmitter/receiver 285, anexternal storage device 267, an input/output device 269, or the like are connected to theinternal bus 265. At least one selected from the group of the transmitter/receiver 285, theexternal storage device 267, and the input/output device 269 may be included in thefirst controller 260. - The
memory 263 includes, for example, a flash memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or the like. Device data are recorded in thememory 263 in a readable manner. - The device data includes at least one selected from the group of the following data types. For example, a control program for controlling the operation of the substrate processing apparatus, a process recipe in which a procedure or conditions of substrate processing to be described later are described, schedule data, process data, load data (operation data), regular inspection data, device connection data, internal connection data,
wafer 200 data, alarm data, importance level table data for each data type, interrupt enable/disable table data for each data type, transmission interval table data, transmission destination setting table data, processing data or calculation data, which are generated in the process of setting a process recipe used for processing thesubstrate 200, or the like. - The process recipe is combined to obtain a predetermined result by causing the
first controller 260 to execute the respective procedures in the substrate-processing process to be described later, and function as a program. Hereinafter, the process recipe, the control program, the above-mentioned data, or the like are collectively referred to simply as a program. In the present disclosure, the term “program” may include the process recipe, the control program, or both the process recipe and the control program. - Here, the load data refers to at least one selected from the group of the load state of at least one selected from the group of the
CPU 261, theRAM 262, and thememory 263 installed at thefirst controller 260, the number of errors, the operating time, the temperature, each network band data, or the like. The load data may include the same type of data of thesecond controller 274, therelay 275, thethird controller 280, or the like, as well as thefirst controller 260. - The network band data includes at least one selected from the group of data indicating a band occupancy rate of the in-
system network 268, transmission speed data of the data transmitter/receiver 285, transmission speed data of thesecond controller 274, reception speed data of thesecond controller 274, transmission speed data of therelay 275, reception speed data of therelay 275, or the like. - The process data is flow rate data of gas supplied into the
process chamber 201, internal pressure data of theprocess chamber 201, temperature data of the substrate support210 (the heater213), valve opening degree data of thepressure regulator 227, or the like. - The
wafer 200 data is data associated with thewafer 200 transferred to thesubstrate processing apparatus 100. - The schedule data is data indicating a processing schedule of the
substrate 200. - Next, each table data will be described based on
FIGS. 6 to 10 . - The importance level table data for each data type is a table shown in
FIG. 6 , and is table data in which the importance level for each data type is set. InFIG. 6 , the importance level is represented by 1, 2, 3, . . . , N (N is a natural number), and is set such that a value having a smaller natural number gives a higher importance level. For example, data types that may affect the operation of the apparatus or substrate processing, such as alarm data, process data, or the like, are set to have a higher importance level. Data types that may not be always checked, such as device operation data, regular inspection data, or the like, are set to have a lower importance level. Further, this importance level is configured to be able to be set and changed as appropriate by a user of the substrate processing apparatus or a user of the substrate processing system. - The interrupt enable/disable table data for each data type is a table shown in
FIG. 7 , and is table data in which the interrupt enable/disable is set for each data type. In the interrupt enable/disable table data, the interrupt enable/disable (“Yes”/“No”) is set for each data type. Here, each data is transmitted at a predetermined transmission interval. For example, a case in which the interrupt enable (“Yes”) is set for device operation data will be described. In this case, when alarm data is generated during transmission of the device operation data at predetermined intervals, the transmission of the device operation data is temporarily stopped and the alarm data is preferentially transmitted. That is, an interruption process of the transmission of the alarm data is performed during the transmission of the device operation data. When the interrupt disable (“No”) is set, such temporary stop of the transmission is not performed. Here, the interrupt enable/disable is set for each data type, but the interrupt enable/disable may be set for each data importance level. - The transmission interval table data is illustrated, as an example, in a table shown in
FIG. 8 , and is a table in which a transmission interval is set for each load level and for each data type (data importance level). The transmission interval is set for at least one selected from the group of data type (data importance level) and load level.FIG. 8 shows a table set for both the data type and the load level. InFIG. 8 , the transmission interval is set to 1, 2, 3, . . . , X (X is a natural number). A narrower transmission interval is set for a smaller X, and a wider transmission interval is set for a larger X. Here, the narrower transmission interval means that the transmission is closer to real-time communication. For example, the transmission interval is set to “1” regardless of the load level for the alarm data (importance level1). In this way, data having high importance level can be transmitted at the same interval regardless of the load level. For example, the transmission interval is set to be changed according to the load level for the regular inspection data (importance level4). The transmission interval may be set by the user of thesubstrate processing apparatus 100 or the user of thesubstrate processing system 1000. When the user can set the transmission interval, theoperator 274 or the input/output device 269 is configured to be able to display the table. - Here, the load level is set based on the above-mentioned load data. When the load data includes the load state data of the
CPU 261, for example, the load level can be set as follows.Load level 1 is set when the load data is 0 to 25%.Load level 2 is set when the load data is 26 to 50%.Load level 3 is set when the load data is 51 to 75%.Load level 4 is set when the load data is 76 to 100%. In this way, the load level can be set according to the percentage of the load data. - The transmission destination setting table data is illustrated, as an example, in a table shown in
FIGS. 9 and 10 , and is a table in which the transmission destination is set for each data type. The transmission destination setting table inFIG. 9 is a table in which the transmission destination for each data type transmitted by thefirst controller 260 is set. The transmission destination setting table shown inFIG. 10 is a table in which the transmission destination for each data type transmitted by therelay 275 is set. Various types of data included in thefirst controller 260 or thethird controller 280 are transmitted to theoperator 274 or therelay 275. Various types of data included in therelay 275 are transmitted to theoperator 274, ahost device 500, ananalysis server 501, or the like. Here, there may be a plurality of transmission paths to be transmitted. Depending on the load of anetwork 503 on the transmission path or the load state of the transmitter/receiver of each controller, the load may be dispersed by making the transmission destination different. The transmission path (transmission destination) is determined by the transmission destination setting table. For example, inFIG. 9 , data of higher importance level such as the alarm data or the process data may be set to be transmitted to both the transmission destination1 (the operator274) and the transmission destination2 (the relay275). Data of lower importance level such as the device operation data or the regular inspection data may be set be transmitted to the transmission destination2 (the relay275) without being transmitted to the transmission destination1 (the operator274) where the load is concentrated. By setting in this way, it becomes possible to suppress the concentration of the load on theoperator 274. Further, as shown inFIG. 10 , with respect to the data transmitted from therelay 275, the transmission destination may be set according to the importance level of the data or the use of the data at the transmission destination. - Each data or each table are recorded in the memory of each controller. The
operator 274 or the input/output device 269 may be notified of a screen showing the same contents. Here, the notification means displaying the contents on the screen or transmitting the contents to the screen. In addition, when the contents are configured to be displayed on the screen, each table is configured to be able to rewrite data of each table on the screen. Each controller controls the transmitter/receiver included in each controller based on the setting of each table data. Further, each table may be acquired by receiving the table from the host device (HOST)500 or theanalysis server 501. - The
CPU 261 as an arithmetic device is configured to read and execute the control program from thememory 263 and read the process recipe from thememory 263 in response to input of an operation command from the input/output device 269 or the like. Further, theCPU 261 is configured to be compare/calculate a set value input from the transmitter/receiver 285 and the control data or the process recipe stored in thememory 263 to calculate the calculation data. Further, theCPU 261 is configured to be able to execute a process of determining corresponding process data (process recipe) from the calculation data. The calculation data is exchanged with thethird controller 280 to be described later via at least one selected from the group of theinternal bus 265, the I/O port 264, and the transmitter/receiver 285. Each part is controlled by the transmitter/receiver in theCPU 261 transmitting/receiving control information according to the contents of the process recipe. - The
RAM 262 is configured as a memory area (work area) in which programs read by theCPU 261, data such as calculation data, process data, or the like are temporarily stored. - The I/
O port 264 is connected to thethird controller 280 to be described later. - The input/
output device 269 includes a display part configured as a display or a touch panel. - The transmitter/
receiver 285 is configured to be able to communicate with theoperator 274 via the in-system network 268, and therelay 275 is installed between theoperator 274 and the transmitter/receiver 285. - The second controller (operator)274 is configured as an operator that operates the
substrate processing system 1000. Thesecond controller 274 is configured to be able to control each of thesubstrate processing apparatuses 100 included in thesubstrate processing system 1000. Thesecond controller 274 is configured to be able to communicate with the host device (HOST)500, theanalysis server 501, and one or both of thefirst controller 260 and thethird controller 280 via thenetwork 503. Further, thesecond controller 274 may be configured to be able to be connected to amaintenance PC 502. - The
third controller 280 is connected to each part (process performing part) of the substrate processing apparatus and is configured to be able to collect information (data) of each part. For example, thethird controller 280 is connected to thegate valve 149, theelevator 218, thetemperature controller 400, thepressure regulators vacuum pump 223, thematcher 251, the high-frequency power supply 252, theMFCs valves bias controller 257, or the like. Thethird controller 280 may also be connected to theimpedance meter 254, theRPU 180, or the like. Further, thethird controller 280 may be connected to one or both of the transmitter/receiver 285 and thenetwork 268. Further, thethird controller 280 may be connected to theJO stage 1001, theatmosphere transfer robot 1005, the L/L chamber 1004, theTM 1006, thevacuum transfer robot 1008, or the like. - The
third controller 280 is configured to control the opening/closing operation of thegate valve 149, the moving up/down operation of theelevator 218, the operation of supplying power to thetemperature controller 400, the temperature regulating operation of the substrate mounting table212 by thetemperature controller 400, the pressure regulating operation of thepressure regulators vacuum pump 223, the gas flow rate control operation of theMFCs RPUs valves matcher 251, the power control of the high-frequency power supply 252, the control operation of thebias controller 257, the matching operation of thematcher 251 based on measurement data measured by theimpedance meter 254, the power control operation of the high-frequency power supply 252, or the like, according to the process recipe data calculated by thefirst controller 260. - The
first controller 260, therelay 275, thethird controller 280, and theoperator 274 are not limited to being configured as a dedicated computer but may be configured as a general-purpose computer. For example, thecontroller 260 according to the present embodiments can be configured by preparing the external storage device267 (for example, a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk such as a flexible disk or a hard disk, an optical disk such as a CD or a DVD, a magneto-optical disk such as an MO, or a semiconductor memory such as a USB memory or a memory card) storing the above-mentioned program (data) and installing a program in the general-purpose computer using theexternal storage device 267. The means for supplying (recording) the program to the computer is not limited to the case of supplying the program via theexternal storage device 267. For example, a communication means such as the transmitter/receiver 285 or the network268 (Internet or a dedicated line) may be used to supply the program (data) without using theexternal storage device 267. Thememory 263 and theexternal storage device 267 are configured as a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium. Hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as a recording medium. When the term “recording medium” is used in the present disclosure, it may include thememory 263, theexternal storage device 267, or both of thememory 263 and theexternal storage device 267. - The relay of various data transmitted and received between the
substrate processing apparatus 100 and the second controller (operator)274 is configured to be executable. Therelay 275 is configured to be able to receive device data from thefirst controller 260 or other connected devices at predetermined intervals. Further, therelay 275 is configured to be able to transmit data to thesecond controller 274 or other connected devices at predetermined intervals. Further, therelay 275 performs control of the transmission interval of various data and storage (recording) of various data sent from thesubstrate processing apparatus 100 to the second controller (operator)274 according to the determination of the load level and the contents set in various table data. That is, therelay 275 is configured to make the reception interval of the data to be received different from the transmission interval of the data to be transmitted. Here, the transmission interval may be set as a transmission speed (used band). When the transmission speed is set, the band of the in-system network 268 is always used, and therefore, the transmission interval may be set. Therelay 275 includes a memory and is configured to be able to store (record) the received data. - The term “connection” used in the present disclosure includes not only the meaning that parts are connected by a physical cable, but also the meaning that signals (electronic data) of parts can be directly or indirectly transmitted/received.
- Next, as one of processes of manufacturing a semiconductor device, an example of a process of forming an insulating film on a substrate will be described with reference to
FIG. 11 which is a process flow of the above-describedsubstrate processing apparatus 100. Here, as the insulating film, for example, a silicon nitride (SiN) film as a nitride film is formed. In addition, in the following description, the process of this manufacturing process and the operation of each part are controlled by at least one selected from the group of thefirst controller 260 and thethird controller 280. - The substrate-processing process will be described below.
- First, data setting S101 will be described. In the data setting S101, an interval at which data are transmitted is set in each controller. When the
second controller 274 includes each table data, thesecond controller 274 transmits each table data to at least one selected from the group of therelay 275, thefirst controller 260, and thethird controller 280. Therelay 275, thefirst controller 260, and thethird controller 280 change the transmission settings of the transmitter/receiver based on the received table data. - Next, substrate loading/heating (S102) will be described. In the substrate loading/heating (S102), the
wafer 200 is loaded from theTM 1006 into thecontainer 202 using thevacuum transfer robot 1008. Then, after thewafer 200 is loaded into thecontainer 202, thevacuum transfer robot 1008 is evacuated to the outside of thecontainer 202, and thegate valve 149 is closed to seal the interior of thecontainer 202. After that, by raising the substrate mounting table212, thewafer 200 is mounted on thesubstrate mounting surface 211 installed at the substrate mounting table212, and by further raising the substrate mounting table212, thewafer 200 is raised to the above-mentioned process position (substrate process position) in theprocess chamber 201. - After the
wafer 200 is loaded into thetransport chamber 203, and when thewafer 200 is raised to the process position in theprocess chamber 201, the valve of thepressure regulator 228 is closed. Thereby, the exhaust of thetransport chamber 203 from theexhaust pipe 148 is completed. On the other hand, theAPC 227 is opened to allow theprocess chamber 201 in fluid communication with thevacuum pump 223. TheAPC 227 controls the exhaust flow rate of theprocess chamber 201 by thevacuum pump 223 by adjusting the conductance of theexhaust pipe 224a, so that the process space of theprocess chamber 201 is maintained at a predetermined pressure (for example, high vacuum of 10−5to 10−1Pa). - In this way, in the substrate loading/heating (S102), the interior of the
process chamber 201 is controlled to have a predetermined pressure, and the surface of thewafer 200 is controlled to have a predetermined temperature. The temperature is, for example, room temperature or higher and 500 degrees C. or lower, or room temperature or higher and 400 degrees C. or lower in some embodiments. The pressure may be, for example, 50 to 5000 Pa. - Subsequently, film forming (S104) will be described. After the
wafer 200 is positioned at the process position in theprocess chamber 201, the film forming (S104) is performed in thesubstrate processing apparatus 100. The film forming (S104) is forming a thin film on thewafer 200 by supplying a first process gas (first element-containing gas) and a second process gas (second element-containing gas), which are different from each other, to theprocess chamber 201 according to the process recipe. In the film forming (S104), the first process gas and the second process gas may be simultaneously present in theprocess chamber 201 to perform a CVD (chemical vapor deposition) process, or a cyclic (alternate supply) process of repeatedly supplying the first process gas and the second process gas alternately may be performed. Further, when processing the second process gas in a plasma state, theRPU 180bmay be activated. Further, substrate process such as heat process, modifying process, or the like which supplies either the first process gas or the second process gas may be performed. - Next, substrate unloading (S106) will be described. After the film forming (S104) is completed, the substrate unloading (S106) is performed in the
substrate processing apparatus 100. In the substrate unloading (S106), the processedwafer 200 is unloaded to the outside of thecontainer 202 in a transfer procedure reverse to the transfer procedure of the above-described substrate loading/heating (S102). Thewafer 200 may be unloaded without being cooled. - Next, determining (S108) will be described. When the substrate unloading (S106) is completed, whether one cycle including the above-described series of operations (S102 to S106) has been performed a predetermined number of times or not is determined in the
substrate processing apparatus 100. That is, it is determined whether a predetermined number ofwafers 200 have been processed or not. When the one cycle has not been performed a predetermined number of times, the one cycle from the substrate loading/heating (S102) to the substrate unloading (S106) is repeated. On the other hand, when the one cycle has been performed a predetermined number of times, the substrate-processing process is ended. - The following process including transmission interval changing, shown in
FIG. 12 , is performed either before or after this substrate-processing process. The following process may be performed during the substrate processing or may be performed in parallel with the substrate-processing process for a predetermined period. - A process of sharing the latest load data stored in each controller (the
first controller 260, thesecond controller 274, and the third controller280) and therelay 275 between the controllers and the relay is performed. Specifically, the load data stored in each controller is transmitted to therelay 275. Therelay 275 performs receiving the load data stored in each controller. - Next, load level setting S202 is performed. The setting of the load level is calculated by a CPU included in the
relay 275. Here, the load level of each controller or thesystem network 268 is determined based on the received load data. For example, the load level of thesecond controller 274 is set to a corresponding level in a range of 1 to X. - It is determined whether the load level of each controller and the
system network 268 is a prescribed value or not for at least one selected from the group of each controller and thesystem network 268. When the load level is a prescribed value, a Y (“YES”) determination is made. When it is not a prescribed value, an N (“NO”) determination is made. In the case of Y determination, transmission interval resetting S206 can be performed. In the case of N determination, transmission interval changing S204 can be performed. For example, when the prescribed value of the load level of thesecond controller 274 is set to “1,” it is determined whether the load level set in the load level setting S202 is “1” or not. - Next, the transmission interval changing S204, which is performed after the N determination is made in the load level determining S203, will be described. In this operation, the transmission interval data corresponding to the load level set in the load level setting S202 is read and the transmission interval for each data type transmitted from the
relay 275 to thesecond controller 274 is set. Specifically, based on the transmission interval table shown inFIG. 8 , the transmission interval data for each data type corresponding to the load level set in the load level setting S202 is read, and each controller sets the transmission interval for each data type. For example, when the load level is set to “2” in the load level setting S202, the transmission interval for each data type corresponding to theload level 2 is read. Specifically, “1” is read as the transmission interval of the alarm data. “1” is read as the transmission interval of the process data. “2” is read as the transmission interval of the device operation data. “2” is read as the transmission interval of the regular inspection data. Based on the read transmission interval data, the transmission interval for each data type transmitted from therelay 275 to thesecond controller 274 is set. Specifically, the transmission interval of the alarm data is set to “1,” the transmission interval of the process data is set to “1,” the transmission interval of the device operation data is set to “2,” and the transmission interval of the regular inspection data is set to “2.” - In the transmission interval changing S204, at least for the data type for which the transmission interval data is set to “2” or more, the data received by the
relay 275 is recorded (data storage) in the memory of therelay 275. - Next, the transmission interval resetting S206 which is performed after the load level is determined to be within the prescribed value (Y determination) in the load level determining S203 will be described.
- In the transmission interval resetting S206, the transmission interval data corresponding to the
load level 1 is read from the transmission interval table shown inFIG. 8 and the transmission interval for each data type is set. - Subsequently, stored data transmitting S207 may be performed. In the stored data transmitting S207, at least the data of which the transmission interval is set to “2” or more, and the data recorded (data storage) in the memory of the
relay 275 is transmitted to thesecond controller 274. - In this way, a process including the transmission interval changing is performed.
- In the above description, the
relay 275 receives the various data transmitted from the first controller260 (the third controller280) at the same transmission interval, and therelay 275 transmits the various data to thesecond controller 274 at the set transmission interval. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, therelay 275 may cause one or both of thefirst controller 260 and thethird controller 280 to change the data transmission destination based on the transmission destination setting table shown inFIG. 9 . For example, as shown in the table shown inFIG. 9 , thefirst controller 260 may be set to transmit the alarm data and the process data to the transmission destination1 (the operator274) without passing through the transmission destination2 (the relay275). By transmitting the data without passing through therelay 275, it is possible to suppress data delay. - Further, in the above description, some examples in which the same transmission interval and the same transmission destination are set in the plurality of
substrate processing apparatuses 100 included in thesubstrate processing system 1000 have been described. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, various settings may be different for different substrate processing apparatuses100 (100a,100b,100cand100d). In thesubstrate processing system 1000 including the plurality ofsubstrate processing apparatuses 100, the same process may not be executed in thesubstrate processing apparatuses 100. In this case, the data communication efficiency can be improved by making the settings for thesubstrate processing apparatuses 100 different. Further, even when the process timing of thesubstrate 200 differs for eachsubstrate processing apparatus 100, one or both of the setting of the transmission destination and the setting of the transmission interval of various data may be different for eachsubstrate processing apparatus 100. For example, since the amount of data increases during the processing of thesubstrate 200, a process including the above-described transmission interval changing, and the transmission destination changing may be performed at a timing when the data amount increases (the load increases). - In the above description, the transmission destination is set based on one transmission destination setting table shown in
FIG. 9 . However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, a plurality of transmission destination setting tables may be provided and selected according to the load level. - In the above description, the load level setting and the load level determination are performed by the
relay 275. However, these operations may be performed by thesecond controller 274, thehost device 500, theanalysis server 501, or the like. - The stored data may be read from the memory of the
relay 275 using themaintenance PC 502 during maintenance of thesubstrate processing apparatus 100 or thesubstrate processing system 1000. Further, the stored data may be transmitted from therelay 275 to thehost device 500, theanalysis server 501, or the like. - Although some embodiments of the present disclosure has been described in detail above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
- Although the semiconductor device-manufacturing process has been described above, the present disclosure can also be applied to other than the semiconductor device-manufacturing process. For example, the present disclosure may be applied to substrate processes such as a liquid crystal device-manufacturing process, a solar cell-manufacturing process, a light emitting device-manufacturing process, a glass substrate-processing process, a ceramic substrate-processing process, a conductive substrate-processing process, or the like.
- Further, in the above description, some examples of forming a silicon nitride film by using silicon-containing gas as precursor gas and nitrogen-containing gas as reaction gas have been shown. However, the present disclosure can also be applied to film formation using another gas. For example, the present disclosure may be applied to an oxygen-containing film, a nitrogen-containing film, a carbon-containing film, a boron-containing film, a metal-containing film, a film containing a plurality of these elements, or the like. Further, examples of these films include an AlO film, a ZrO film, a HfO film, a HfAlO film, a ZrAlO film, a SiC film, a SiCN film, a SiBN film, a TiN film, a TiC film, a TiAlC film, or the like.
- Moreover, in the above description, an apparatus configuration for processing one substrate in one process chamber has been shown. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, but may be applied to an apparatus in which a plurality of substrates are arranged horizontally or vertically.
- According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to manage a substrate processing apparatus with high efficiency.
- While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosures. Indeed, the embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosures. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosures.
Claims (18)
1. A substrate processing system comprising:
at least one substrate processing apparatus configured to process a substrate and comprising a first controller that is capable of controlling transmission of at least one type of data;
a second controller that is capable of controlling operation of the at least one substrate processing apparatus; and
a relay that is capable of receiving the data from at least one first controller and adjusting, when transmitting the data to the second controller, a reception interval from the first controller and a transmission interval to the second controller to be different from each other.
2. The substrate processing system ofclaim 1 , wherein the relay changes the transmission interval of the second controller according to one of a type of the data and the first controller, or according to both of the type of the data and the first controller.
3. The substrate processing system ofclaim 1 , wherein the relay is configured to:
receive the data at a predetermined interval; and
change the transmission interval for each type of the data based on one or both of a load level of the second controller and a network load level between the relay and the second controller, and transmit the data to the second controller.
4. The substrate processing system ofclaim 3 , wherein the one or both of the load level of the second controller and the network load level are determined by one or both of the relay and the second controller.
5. The substrate processing system ofclaim 1 , wherein the relay changes the transmission interval based on an importance level of data among the data.
6. The substrate processing system ofclaim 1 , wherein the relay is configured to transmit data to each of the second controller and another controller based on a type of the data.
7. The substrate processing system ofclaim 1 , wherein the relay is configured to record the data which is received.
8. The substrate processing system ofclaim 7 , wherein the relay is configured to transmit the data, which is recorded, after a load level of the second controller falls within a prescribed value
9. The substrate processing system ofclaim 1 , wherein the second controller includes table data in which a type of the data and a transmission destination of data transmitted by the first controller are recorded, and
wherein a setting of the transmission destination of the first controller is updated based on the table data.
10. The substrate processing system ofclaim 3 , wherein the second controller includes a plurality of table data in which a type of the data and a transmission destination of the data transmitted by the first controller are recorded, and configured to select the table data based on the load level.
11. The substrate processing system ofclaim 1 , wherein the second controller includes table data in which a type of the data and a transmission destination of the data transmitted by the first controller are recorded, and configure to be capable of changing the table data.
12. A method of processing a substrate, comprising:
processing a substrate in at least one substrate processing apparatus;
receiving at least one type of data at a relay from at least one first controller installed in the at least one substrate processing apparatus; and
when transmitting the data to a second controller, adjusting, by the relay, a reception interval from the at least one first controller and a transmission interval to the second controller to be different from each other.
13. The method ofclaim 12 , wherein the relay receives the data at a predetermined interval; and
wherein the method further comprises: changing a transmission interval for each type of the data based on one or both of a load level of the second controller and a network load level between the relay and the second controller, and transmitting the data to the second controller.
14. The method ofclaim 13 , further comprising: determining the one or both of the load level of the second controller and the network load level by one or both of the relay and the second controller.
15. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a program that causes, by a computer, a substrate processing apparatus to perform a process comprising:
processing a substrate in at least one substrate processing apparatus;
receiving at least one type of data at a relay from at least one first controller installed in the at least one substrate processing apparatus; and
when transmitting the data to a second controller, adjusting, by the relay, a reception interval from the at least one first controller and a transmission interval to the second controller to be different from each other.
16. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium ofclaim 15 , wherein the relay receives the data at a predetermined interval; and
wherein the process further comprises: changing a transmission interval for each type of the data based on one or both of a load level of the second controller and a network load level between the relay and the second controller, and transmitting the data to the second controller.
17. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium ofclaim 16 , wherein the process further comprises: determining the one or both of the load level of the second controller and the network load level by one or both of the relay and the second controller.
18. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising the method ofclaim 12 .
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| Publication number | Publication date |
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| JP6973956B2 (en) | 2021-12-01 |
| KR102425483B1 (en) | 2022-07-27 |
| KR20210004855A (en) | 2021-01-13 |
| US20210003990A1 (en) | 2021-01-07 |
| TWI756727B (en) | 2022-03-01 |
| CN112185849B (en) | 2024-07-26 |
| TW202114028A (en) | 2021-04-01 |
| CN112185849A (en) | 2021-01-05 |
| JP2021012910A (en) | 2021-02-04 |
| US11422528B2 (en) | 2022-08-23 |
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