JP2003303818A - Semiconductor manufacturing apparatus - Google Patents

Semiconductor manufacturing apparatus

Info

Publication number
JP2003303818A
JP2003303818A JP2003059774A JP2003059774A JP2003303818A JP 2003303818 A JP2003303818 A JP 2003303818A JP 2003059774 A JP2003059774 A JP 2003059774A JP 2003059774 A JP2003059774 A JP 2003059774A JP 2003303818 A JP2003303818 A JP 2003303818A
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
wafer
vacuum
chamber
vacuum chamber
semiconductor
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
JP2003059774A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
Hiromi Kumagai
浩洋 熊谷
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Tokyo Electron Ltd
Original Assignee
Tokyo Electron Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tokyo Electron Ltd filed Critical Tokyo Electron Ltd
Priority to JP2003059774A priority Critical patent/JP2003303818A/en
Publication of JP2003303818A publication Critical patent/JP2003303818A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus which can reduce the manufacturing cost of the apparatus and the installation space thereof and also can reduce product cost through the reduction of facility cost. <P>SOLUTION: Only a preliminary vacuum chamber 3 is provided adjacent to the side of a vacuum treatment chamber 2. Within the preliminary vacuum chamber 3, only one transfer arm 5 to transfer a semiconductor wafer 4 and a wafer supporting mechanism 6 which can be moved in the vertical direction to send and receive the semiconductor wafer 4 to and from the transfer arm 5 through vertical movement are provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】 【0001】 【発明の属する技術分野】本発明は、半導体製造装置に
関する。 【0002】 【従来の技術】一般に、半導体デバイスの製造工程にお
いては、真空処理室内に半導体ウエハ等の被処理物を設
け、減圧雰囲気下で処理を行う工程が多い。 【0003】このように減圧雰囲気下で処理を施す半導
体製造装置では、半導体ウエハ等の被処理物を真空処理
室内に搬入・搬出する度に、真空処理室内を常圧に戻す
と、再び真空処理室内を減圧して処理を開始するまでに
多くの時間を要し、スループットの悪化を招く。このた
め、真空処理室に隣接して、内部の容積の少ない予備真
空室いわゆるロードロック室を設けたものが多い。 【0004】すなわち、図6に示すように、減圧雰囲気
下で処理を行う従来の半導体製造装置(例えばエッチン
グ装置等)では、真空処理室2に隣接して2つのロード
ロック室3a、3bを設け、一方のロードロック室3a
を介して半導体ウエハ等の被処理物4を真空処理室2内
に搬送アーム5aにより搬入し、他方のロードロック室
3bを介して処理の終了した半導体ウエハ等の被処理物
4を搬送アーム5bにより搬出するようにする。このよ
うにして、真空処理室2内を常圧に戻すことなく半導体
ウエハ等の被処理物4を、真空処理室2内に搬入・搬出
するようにして、スループットの向上を図っている。 【0005】なお、エッチング装置の場合、真空処理室
2内に、上部電極50と下部電極51が配置されてい
る。上部電極50には、多数のガス供給口52が設けら
れており、ここから下部電極51上に載置した半導体ウ
エハ等の被処理物4に所定のエッチングガスを供給す
る。一方、下部電極51には、半導体ウエハ等の被処理
物4を冷却するための冷媒循環機構53と、電極間に所
定の高周波電圧を印加するための高周波電源54、マッ
チング回路55が設けられている。また。真空処理室2
およびロードロック室3a、3bには、それぞれ図示し
ない真空ポンプに接続された排気配管56が接続されて
おり、これらの内部を真空排気可能に構成されている。 【0006】ところで、半導体デバイスの製造工程にお
いては、塵埃が微細な回路パターンの形成に悪影響を及
ぼす。このため、半導体製造装置は天井から床に向けて
清浄化空気の流れ(ダウンフロー)が形成されたクリー
ンルーム内に配置される。 【0007】 【発明が解決しようとする課題】しかしながら、近年半
導体デバイスは、急速に高集積化および微細化される傾
向にある。このため半導体製造工程においては、工程数
の増加に伴って半導体製造装置数が増大し、これらの装
置を収容するクリーンルーム面積の増大により、設備コ
ストが増大し、製品コストの上昇を招くという問題が発
生している。 【0008】本発明は、かかる従来の事情に対処してな
されたもので、従来に較べて装置コストを低減すること
ができるとともに、設置スペースを削減することがで
き、設備コストの削減による製品コストの低減を図るこ
とのできる半導体製造装置を提供しようとするものであ
る。 【0009】 【課題を解決するための手段】すなわち、本発明の半導
体製造装置は、減圧雰囲気下で1つずつ被処理物に所定
の処理を施す真空処理室と、前記真空処理室に隣接して
設けられ、前記被処理物の搬入・搬出時に、常圧及び所
定の真空度とされる1つの予備真空室と、前記予備真空
室の内部に設けられ、当該予備真空室と前記真空処理室
との間で前記被処理物を搬送するための1つの搬送アー
ムと、前記予備真空室の内部に設けられ、前記被処理物
を支持するための支持機構であって、上下動することに
よって前記搬送アームとの間で前記被処理物の受け渡し
を行う支持機構とを具備したことを特徴とする。 【0010】 【発明の実施の形態】以下、本発明を半導体ウエハにエ
ッチング処理を施すエッチング装置に適用した実施例を
図面を参照して説明する。 【0011】図1に示すように、エッチング装置1に
は、減圧雰囲気下で半導体ウエハにエッチング処理を施
す真空処理室2が設けられている。この真空処理室2の
側方に隣接して、予備真空室3が1つのみ設けられてお
り、予備真空室3内には、半導体ウエハ4を搬送するた
めの搬送アーム5と、上下に棚状に2枚の半導体ウエハ
4を支持可能に構成されたウエハ支持機構6が設けられ
ている。このウエハ支持機構6は、図示しない駆動機構
により、上下動可能に構成されている。 【0012】また、予備真空室3には、ゲートバルブ7
aを備えた搬入・搬出用開口7が設けられており、この
搬入・搬出用開口7の外側には、カセット載置台8が設
けられている。このカセット載置台8は、複数枚(例え
ば25枚程度)の半導体ウエハ4を収容したウエハカセッ
ト9を1台あるいは数台(図示のものでは2台)載置で
きるよう構成されている。図示矢印の如く、このウエハ
カセット9は、ボールスクリュー12を駆動して上下動
させることができるとともに他のスクリュー12aによ
ってスライド台8aを介して左右動できるよう構成され
ている。 【0013】また、真空処理室2と予備真空室3との間
には、ゲートバルブ10aを備えた搬入・搬出用開口1
0が設けられている(図2参照)。なお、予備真空室3
には、排気管33と仕切り弁33aを介して真空ポンプ
35が接続され、予備真空室3の内部を所定の真空度に
排気可能に構成されている。また、予備真空室3内をパ
ージしてO2 フリー状態に保つN2 ガス源34が、仕切
り弁32aと供給管32を介して予備真空室3に接続さ
れている。真空処理室2にも同様に真空源とN 2 ガス源
が接続されている。 【0014】次に、上記構成の本実施例のエッチング装
置1の動作を説明する。 【0015】まず、カセット載置台8を上下動及び左右
動させてウエハカセット9を搬入・搬出用開口7に位置
させ、搬入・搬出用開口10を閉じた状態で、搬入・搬
出用開口7を開け、搬送アーム5をO点を中心に旋回さ
せて、カセット載置台8に設けたウエハカセット9か
ら、一枚ずつ半導体ウエハ4を取り出し、予備真空室3
内に搬入する。そして、搬送アーム5のアーム50を伸
ばして上下どちらか一方のウエハ支持機構6上に半導体
ウエハ4を位置させ、この状態でウエハ支持機構6を上
昇させることにより、半導体ウエハ4をウエハ支持機構
6に受け渡す。この際、アーム50の伸縮には2〜3秒
要する。また、この際、半導体ウエハ4が搬送アーム5
上で移動するとダストが生じるので、極力その移動を阻
止する。 【0016】次に、予備真空室3の搬入・搬出用開口7
を閉じて予備真空室3内の排気を真空ポンプ35により
実施し、予備真空室3内が所定の真空度に到達した後、
2ガスを導入してパージを行い、搬入・搬出用開口1
0を開ける。この際、予備真空室3の真空引きには通常
30〜40秒、また、N2 によるパージには30〜40秒要す
る。そして、搬送アーム5によって、真空処理室2内の
処理部に設けられた処理済みの半導体ウエハ4を取り出
し、上述したようにして予備真空室3内の空いている方
のウエハ支持機構6に受け渡す。 【0017】この後、搬送アーム5によって、ウエハ支
持機構6に支持された未処理の半導体ウエハ4を搬送
し、真空処理室2内の処理部にこの未処理の半導体ウエ
ハ4を配置する。 【0018】しかる後、搬入・搬出用開口10を閉じ、
予備真空室3内を常圧に戻し、搬入・搬出用開口7を開
ける。そして、搬送アーム5によって、ウエハ支持機構
6に支持された処理済みの半導体ウエハ4を搬出し、カ
セット載置台8に設けたウエハカセット9内に戻す。こ
の時、真空処理室2内では、上述のようにして搬入した
半導体ウエハ4のエッチング処理を並行して行う。 【0019】そして、ウエハカセット9内に未処理の半
導体ウエハ4がある場合は、次の半導体ウエハ4を上述
したようにして真空処理室2内の処理部に配置し、エッ
チング処理を行う。 【0020】このように、本実施例のエッチング装置1
では、真空処理室2に対して、予備真空室3が1つのみ
設けられているので、搬入用予備真空室と搬出用予備真
空室の2つの予備真空室を備えた従来の装置に較べて装
置コストの低減および設置スペースの削減を行うことが
できる。 【0021】また、予備真空室3内に設けられたウエハ
支持機構6に、一旦半導体ウエハ4を仮置きすることに
より、効率的に半導体ウエハ4の搬入・搬出を実施する
ことができ、搬入用予備真空室と搬出用予備真空室の2
つの予備真空室を備えた従来の装置とほぼ同様なスルー
プットを確保することができる。 【0022】なお、例えば予備真空室3内にウエハ支持
機構6がない場合は、これに半導体ウエハ4を仮置きす
ることができないので、処理済みの半導体ウエハ4を搬
出してからでないと、次の半導体ウエハ4の搬入動作を
実施することができず、大幅なスループットの低下を招
くことになる。 【0023】したがって、従来に較べて装置コストを低
減することができるとともに、設置スペースを削減する
ことができ、設備コストの削減による製品コストの低減
を図ることができる。 【0024】次に、図2および図3に、本発明の第2の
実施例の半導体製造装置を示す。この第2の実施例で
は、予備真空室3内には、天井部から吊り下げられる如
く、ウエハ支持機構6aが2つ設けられている。これら
のウエハ支持機構6aは、天井部に設けた液圧シリンダ
等の往復動機構13により上下動可能に構成されてい
て、そのロッド13aはベロー14によって保護されて
いる。図中に矢印で示すように液圧シリンダ15のロッ
ド15aによって回動可能に構成された複数の爪20に
よって、半導体ウエハ4の周縁部を係止するよう構成さ
れている。そして、搬送アーム5によって半導体ウエハ
4を搬送し、ウエハ支持機構6aの下方に位置させる
と、ウエハ支持機構6aが、爪20の回動によって半導
体ウエハ4を係止し、この後僅かに上昇することによ
り、半導体ウエハ4を搬送アーム5から受け取る。一
方、爪20の逆の動作によって、その係止を解除してこ
の半導体ウエハ4を搬送アーム5に受け渡すよう構成さ
れている。 【0025】このように構成された予備真空室3を用い
れば、前述した実施例と同様な効果を得ることができる
とともに、予備真空室3をより小形化することができ、
例えばその内部の排気に要する時間の短縮等を図ること
ができる。 【0026】上述した各実施例では、予備真空室3内に
ウエハ支持機構6、6aを設けた例について説明した
が、例えば図4および図5に示すように、2枚の半導体
ウエハ4を支持可能に構成された搬送アーム5aを用い
ることもできる。 【0027】すなわち、この第3の実施例では、搬送ア
ーム5aは、軸30を中心として回動可能に構成され、
2枚の半導体ウエハ4を支持可能に構成されたウエハ支
持部31を備えており、ウエハ支持部31を軸30を中
心に回転させることにより、例えば処理済みの半導体ウ
エハ4のアンロード動作と、未処理の半導体ウエハ4の
ロード動作とを続けて行うことができるよう構成されて
いる。このような搬送アーム5aを用いれば、前述した
実施例のようにウエハ支持機構6、6a等を使用せずに
スループットの低下を防止することができる。また、例
えば前述した搬送アーム5等を、例えば上下2段に重ね
る如く予備真空室内に2つ設け、2枚の半導体ウエハ4
を支持できるようにしてもよい。 【0028】なお、本発明は、エッチング装置に限ら
ず、真空雰囲気下で処理を行う枚葉式の半導体製造装置
であればあらゆる装置に適用することができる。 【0029】 【発明の効果】以上説明したように、本発明の半導体製
造装置によれば、従来に較べて装置コストを低減するこ
とができるとともに、設置スペースを削減することがで
き、設備コストの削減による製品コストの低減を図るこ
とができる。
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0001] [0001] The present invention relates to a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus.
Related. [0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a semiconductor device is manufactured in a manufacturing process.
In other words, an object to be processed such as a semiconductor wafer is set in a vacuum processing chamber.
In many cases, the process is performed under a reduced pressure atmosphere. [0003] Semiconductors which are treated under a reduced pressure atmosphere as described above.
In the body manufacturing equipment, workpieces such as semiconductor wafers are vacuum-processed.
Each time it is carried into or out of the room, the vacuum processing chamber is returned to normal pressure
Until the pressure in the vacuum processing chamber is reduced again to start processing.
It takes a lot of time, resulting in a decrease in throughput. others
Next to the vacuum processing chamber,
Many rooms have so-called load lock chambers. That is, as shown in FIG.
Conventional semiconductor manufacturing equipment that performs processing under
Device), two loads adjacent to the vacuum processing chamber 2
Lock chambers 3a and 3b are provided, and one load lock chamber 3a is provided.
The workpiece 4 such as a semiconductor wafer is placed in the vacuum processing chamber 2 through the
To the other load lock chamber.
Workpieces such as semiconductor wafers that have been processed through 3b
4 is carried out by the transfer arm 5b. This
In this way, the semiconductor inside the vacuum processing chamber 2 is returned to normal pressure without returning to normal pressure.
Loading / unloading of a workpiece 4 such as a wafer into / from the vacuum processing chamber 2
In this way, the throughput is improved. In the case of an etching apparatus, a vacuum processing chamber is used.
2, an upper electrode 50 and a lower electrode 51 are arranged.
You. The upper electrode 50 has many gas supply ports 52.
From here, the semiconductor wafer mounted on the lower electrode 51.
A predetermined etching gas is supplied to the workpiece 4 such as an air blower.
You. On the other hand, the lower electrode 51 is
A refrigerant circulation mechanism 53 for cooling the object 4 and a space between the electrodes.
A high-frequency power supply 54 for applying a constant high-frequency voltage
A switching circuit 55 is provided. Also. Vacuum processing chamber 2
And in the load lock chambers 3a and 3b, respectively.
No exhaust pump 56 connected to a vacuum pump is connected
These are configured so that the inside of them can be evacuated. By the way, in the manufacturing process of a semiconductor device,
Dust has an adverse effect on the formation of fine circuit patterns.
Blur. For this reason, semiconductor manufacturing equipment is moved from the ceiling to the floor.
A clean air flow (down flow) is formed
Placed in the room. [0007] [0005] However, in recent years,
Conductive devices are rapidly becoming highly integrated and miniaturized.
In the direction. Therefore, in the semiconductor manufacturing process, the number of processes
As the number of semiconductor manufacturing equipment increases with the increase in
Due to the increase in clean room area for
Cost increases, leading to higher product costs.
Alive. [0008] The present invention does not address such a conventional situation.
To reduce equipment costs compared to the past.
And installation space can be reduced.
To reduce product costs by reducing equipment costs.
To provide semiconductor manufacturing equipment
You. [0009] That is, the semiconductor device of the present invention
The body manufacturing equipment is designed to apply
A vacuum processing chamber for performing the processing of, and adjacent to the vacuum processing chamber
Provided at normal pressure and at the time of loading and unloading the workpiece.
One pre-vacuum chamber with a constant degree of vacuum and the pre-vacuum
The preliminary vacuum chamber and the vacuum processing chamber provided inside the chamber.
One transfer arm for transferring the workpiece between
And a workpiece provided in the preliminary vacuum chamber,
Is a support mechanism for supporting
Therefore, transfer of the object to and from the transfer arm
And a supporting mechanism for performing the following. [0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with respect to a semiconductor wafer.
Example applied to an etching apparatus that performs a etching process
This will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the etching apparatus 1
Performs etching on semiconductor wafers under reduced pressure atmosphere.
A vacuum processing chamber 2 is provided. This vacuum processing chamber 2
Adjacent to the side, only one preliminary vacuum chamber 3 is provided.
In the preliminary vacuum chamber 3, the semiconductor wafer 4 is transported.
Transfer arm 5 and two semiconductor wafers vertically
And a wafer support mechanism 6 configured to support the wafer 4.
ing. The wafer support mechanism 6 includes a drive mechanism (not shown).
, So that it can be moved up and down. A gate valve 7 is provided in the preliminary vacuum chamber 3.
a is provided with a carry-in / carry-out opening 7 having a
A cassette mounting table 8 is provided outside the loading / unloading opening 7.
Have been killed. This cassette mounting table 8 has a plurality of sheets (for example,
Wafer cassette containing 25 semiconductor wafers 4)
With one or several (two in the illustration)
It is configured to work. As shown by the arrow, this wafer
The cassette 9 is driven up and down by driving a ball screw 12.
And other screws 12a
Is configured to be able to move left and right through the slide base 8a.
ing. Also, between the vacuum processing chamber 2 and the preliminary vacuum chamber 3
Has a loading / unloading opening 1 with a gate valve 10a.
0 is provided (see FIG. 2). The preliminary vacuum chamber 3
Is provided with a vacuum pump through an exhaust pipe 33 and a gate valve 33a.
35 is connected, and the inside of the preliminary vacuum chamber 3 is set to a predetermined degree of vacuum.
It is configured to be able to exhaust. In addition, the inside of the preliminary vacuum chamber 3 is
OTwoN to keep freeTwoGas source 34 is partitioned
Connected to the pre-vacuum chamber 3 via the supply valve 32 and the supply valve 32a.
Have been. Similarly, a vacuum source and N TwoGas source
Is connected. Next, the etching apparatus of the present embodiment having the above-described structure is used.
The operation of the device 1 will be described. First, the cassette mounting table 8 is moved up and down and left and right.
To move the wafer cassette 9 to the loading / unloading opening 7
With the loading / unloading opening 10 closed.
The outlet opening 7 is opened, and the transfer arm 5 is turned around the point O.
The wafer cassette 9 provided on the cassette mounting table 8
Take out the semiconductor wafers 4 one by one,
Carry in. Then, the arm 50 of the transfer arm 5 is extended.
The semiconductor is mounted on one of the upper and lower wafer support mechanisms 6.
With the wafer 4 positioned, the wafer support mechanism 6 is lifted up in this state.
By raising the semiconductor wafer 4, the semiconductor wafer 4
Hand over to 6. At this time, it takes 2-3 seconds for the arm 50 to expand and contract.
It costs. At this time, the semiconductor wafer 4 is transferred to the transfer arm 5.
Moving above causes dust to be generated.
Stop. Next, the loading / unloading opening 7 of the preliminary vacuum chamber 3
Is closed, and the exhaust in the preliminary vacuum chamber 3 is exhausted by the vacuum pump 35.
After the preliminary vacuum chamber 3 reaches a predetermined degree of vacuum,
NTwoGas is introduced and purged, and loading / unloading opening 1
Open 0. At this time, the evacuation of the preliminary vacuum chamber 3 is usually performed.
30-40 seconds, and NTwo30-40 seconds to purge
You. Then, the transfer arm 5 controls the inside of the vacuum processing chamber 2.
Take out the processed semiconductor wafer 4 provided in the processing section
And the vacant one in the preliminary vacuum chamber 3 as described above.
To the wafer support mechanism 6. Thereafter, the wafer is supported by the transfer arm 5.
Transports the unprocessed semiconductor wafer 4 supported by the holding mechanism 6
Then, the unprocessed semiconductor wafer is placed in a processing section in the vacuum processing chamber 2.
C is placed. Thereafter, the carry-in / carry-out opening 10 is closed,
The pressure in the preliminary vacuum chamber 3 is returned to normal pressure, and the carry-in / carry-out opening 7 is opened.
I can. Then, the wafer supporting mechanism is moved by the transfer arm 5.
Unloads the processed semiconductor wafer 4 supported by 6
It is returned into the wafer cassette 9 provided on the set mounting table 8. This
At the time, in the vacuum processing chamber 2, it was carried in as described above.
The etching of the semiconductor wafer 4 is performed in parallel. Then, an unprocessed half is placed in the wafer cassette 9.
If there is a conductor wafer 4, the next semiconductor wafer 4 is
As described above, it is placed in the processing section in the vacuum processing chamber 2 and
Performing a ching process. As described above, the etching apparatus 1 of the present embodiment
Then, only one preliminary vacuum chamber 3 is provided for the vacuum processing chamber 2.
A vacuum chamber for carrying in and a preliminary vacuum for carrying out
Compared to a conventional device with two pre-vacuum chambers,
Lower installation costs and installation space.
it can. A wafer provided in the preliminary vacuum chamber 3
To temporarily place the semiconductor wafer 4 on the support mechanism 6
More efficiently carry in / out the semiconductor wafer 4
And a pre-loading vacuum chamber and a pre-loading vacuum chamber.
Almost the same through-hole as conventional equipment with two pre-vacuum chambers
Put can be secured. It is to be noted that, for example, a wafer is supported in the preliminary vacuum chamber 3.
If the mechanism 6 is not provided, the semiconductor wafer 4 is temporarily placed thereon.
The processed semiconductor wafer 4
If not, the next loading operation of the semiconductor wafer 4 will be performed.
Cannot be implemented, causing a significant decrease in throughput.
Will be. Therefore, the apparatus cost is lower than in the conventional case.
And installation space
Product costs by reducing equipment costs
Can be achieved. Next, FIGS. 2 and 3 show a second embodiment of the present invention.
1 shows a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus of an embodiment. In this second embodiment,
Is suspended in the preliminary vacuum chamber 3 from the ceiling.
In addition, two wafer support mechanisms 6a are provided. these
The wafer support mechanism 6a is a hydraulic cylinder provided on the ceiling.
The reciprocating mechanism 13 can move up and down.
And the rod 13a is protected by the bellows 14.
I have. The lock of the hydraulic cylinder 15 is
To the plurality of claws 20 which are rotatable by the doors 15a.
Therefore, the configuration is such that the peripheral portion of the semiconductor wafer 4 is locked.
Have been. Then, the semiconductor wafer is moved by the transfer arm 5.
4 is transported and positioned below the wafer support mechanism 6a.
And the wafer support mechanism 6a is semi-conductive by the rotation of the claw 20.
The body wafer 4 is locked and then slightly raised.
The semiconductor wafer 4 is received from the transfer arm 5. one
On the other hand, the locking operation is released by the reverse operation of the claw 20.
To transfer the semiconductor wafer 4 to the transfer arm 5.
Have been. Using the pre-vacuum chamber 3 configured as described above,
Then, the same effect as in the above-described embodiment can be obtained.
At the same time, the preliminary vacuum chamber 3 can be made more compact,
For example, to reduce the time required for exhausting the interior
Can be. In each of the above-described embodiments, the auxiliary vacuum chamber 3
The example in which the wafer support mechanisms 6 and 6a are provided has been described.
However, for example, as shown in FIGS.
Using a transfer arm 5a configured to support the wafer 4
You can also. That is, in the third embodiment, the transport
The arm 5a is configured to be rotatable around the shaft 30,
A wafer support configured to support two semiconductor wafers 4
Holding portion 31, and the wafer supporting portion 31
By rotating the core, for example,
Unloading operation of EHA 4 and unloading of unprocessed semiconductor wafer 4
It is configured so that the loading operation can be performed continuously.
I have. If such a transfer arm 5a is used, the aforementioned
Without using the wafer support mechanisms 6, 6a, etc. as in the embodiment
A decrease in throughput can be prevented. Also examples
For example, the above-described transfer arm 5 and the like are stacked,
And two semiconductor wafers 4 provided in a preliminary vacuum chamber as shown in FIG.
May be supported. The present invention is limited to an etching apparatus.
Single-wafer type semiconductor manufacturing equipment that performs processing in a vacuum atmosphere
Then, it can be applied to any device. [0029] As described above, the semiconductor device of the present invention
According to the manufacturing apparatus, the cost of the apparatus can be reduced as compared with the related art.
And installation space can be reduced.
To reduce product costs by reducing equipment costs.
Can be.

【図面の簡単な説明】 【図1】本発明の一実施例の半導体製造装置の構成を示
す図である。 【図2】本発明の他の実施例の予備真空室の構成を示す
図である。 【図3】図2の予備真空室の横断面図である。 【図4】本発明の他の実施例の搬送アームの構成を示す
図である。 【図5】図4の搬送アームの側面図である。 【図6】従来の半導体製造装置の構成を示す図である。 【符号の説明】 1……エッチング装置、2……真空処理室、3……予備
真空室、4……半導体ウエハ、5……搬送アーム、6…
…ウエハ支持機構、7……搬入・搬出用開口、8……カ
セット載置台、9……ウエハカセット、10……搬入・
搬出用開口。
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a preliminary vacuum chamber according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the preliminary vacuum chamber of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a transfer arm according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a side view of the transfer arm of FIG. 4; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional semiconductor manufacturing apparatus. [Description of Signs] 1 ... Etching apparatus, 2 ... Vacuum processing chamber, 3 ... Preliminary vacuum chamber, 4 ... Semiconductor wafer, 5 ... Transfer arm, 6 ...
... wafer support mechanism, 7 ... loading / unloading opening, 8 ... cassette mounting table, 9 ... wafer cassette, 10 ... loading / loading
Opening opening.

フロントページの続き Fターム(参考) 5F004 BB15 BC05 BC06 5F031 CA02 FA01 FA11 FA12 FA15 GA02 GA43 MA03 MA09 MA11 MA32 NA04 NA05 NA07 PA02 PA30 5F045 DP02 EB02 EB08 EM10 EN04Continuation of front page    F term (reference) 5F004 BB15 BC05 BC06                 5F031 CA02 FA01 FA11 FA12 FA15                       GA02 GA43 MA03 MA09 MA11                       MA32 NA04 NA05 NA07 PA02                       PA30                 5F045 DP02 EB02 EB08 EM10 EN04

Claims (1)

【特許請求の範囲】 【請求項1】 減圧雰囲気下で1つずつ被処理物に所定
の処理を施す真空処理室と、 前記真空処理室に隣接して設けられ、前記被処理物の搬
入・搬出時に、常圧及び所定の真空度とされる1つの予
備真空室と、 前記予備真空室の内部に設けられ、当該予備真空室と前
記真空処理室との間で前記被処理物を搬送するための1
つの搬送アームと、 前記予備真空室の内部に設けられ、前記被処理物を支持
するための支持機構であって、上下動することによって
前記搬送アームとの間で前記被処理物の受け渡しを行う
支持機構とを具備したことを特徴とする半導体製造装
置。
Claims: 1. A vacuum processing chamber for performing a predetermined process on an object to be processed one by one under a reduced-pressure atmosphere, and a vacuum processing chamber provided adjacent to the vacuum processing chamber for loading and unloading the object to be processed. At the time of unloading, one auxiliary vacuum chamber which is set to normal pressure and a predetermined degree of vacuum, and is provided inside the auxiliary vacuum chamber, and transports the workpiece between the auxiliary vacuum chamber and the vacuum processing chamber. One for
A transfer mechanism, provided in the preliminary vacuum chamber, for supporting the workpiece, and transferring the workpiece to and from the transport arm by moving up and down. A semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, comprising: a support mechanism.
JP2003059774A 1991-05-29 2003-03-06 Semiconductor manufacturing apparatus Pending JP2003303818A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2003059774A JP2003303818A (en) 1991-05-29 2003-03-06 Semiconductor manufacturing apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP12426191 1991-05-29
JP3-124261 1991-05-29
JP2003059774A JP2003303818A (en) 1991-05-29 2003-03-06 Semiconductor manufacturing apparatus

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP13652392A Division JP3429786B2 (en) 1991-05-29 1992-05-28 Semiconductor manufacturing equipment

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
JP2003303818A true JP2003303818A (en) 2003-10-24

Family

ID=29404550

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP2003059774A Pending JP2003303818A (en) 1991-05-29 2003-03-06 Semiconductor manufacturing apparatus

Country Status (1)

Country Link
JP (1) JP2003303818A (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2008010670A (en) * 2006-06-29 2008-01-17 Nikon Corp Load lock apparatus for wafer joining apparatus, and wafer joining system
JP2009032877A (en) * 2007-07-26 2009-02-12 Tokyo Electron Ltd Substrate conveyance module and substrate processing system

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2008010670A (en) * 2006-06-29 2008-01-17 Nikon Corp Load lock apparatus for wafer joining apparatus, and wafer joining system
JP4635972B2 (en) * 2006-06-29 2011-02-23 株式会社ニコン Load lock device, method using the same, and wafer bonding system
JP2009032877A (en) * 2007-07-26 2009-02-12 Tokyo Electron Ltd Substrate conveyance module and substrate processing system
US8257498B2 (en) 2007-07-26 2012-09-04 Tokyo Electron Limited Substrate transfer module and substrate processing system

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