US20230249225A1 - Steam cleaning of cmp components - Google Patents
Steam cleaning of cmp components Download PDFInfo
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- US20230249225A1 US20230249225A1 US18/301,883 US202318301883A US2023249225A1 US 20230249225 A1 US20230249225 A1 US 20230249225A1 US 202318301883 A US202318301883 A US 202318301883A US 2023249225 A1 US2023249225 A1 US 2023249225A1
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- steam
- polishing
- polishing pad
- component
- temperature
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- 238000013020 steam cleaning Methods 0.000 title 1
- 238000005498 polishing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 198
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 claims description 53
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 claims description 21
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 claims description 13
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 37
- 239000002002 slurry Substances 0.000 description 35
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 32
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 24
- NJPPVKZQTLUDBO-UHFFFAOYSA-N novaluron Chemical compound C1=C(Cl)C(OC(F)(F)C(OC(F)(F)F)F)=CC=C1NC(=O)NC(=O)C1=C(F)C=CC=C1F NJPPVKZQTLUDBO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 23
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 description 20
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 19
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 18
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 14
- 230000003750 conditioning effect Effects 0.000 description 13
- HEMHJVSKTPXQMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M Sodium hydroxide Chemical compound [OH-].[Na+] HEMHJVSKTPXQMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 9
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 9
- 238000009529 body temperature measurement Methods 0.000 description 8
- 239000006227 byproduct Substances 0.000 description 8
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 8
- 239000002826 coolant Substances 0.000 description 7
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 description 6
- -1 debris Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000009835 boiling Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000007547 defect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000000945 filler Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000013021 overheating Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005299 abrasion Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000009825 accumulation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000000151 deposition Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000011343 solid material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 2
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003486 chemical etching Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000356 contaminant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000593 degrading effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000008367 deionised water Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008021 deposition Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910003460 diamond Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010432 diamond Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003628 erosive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011065 in-situ storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000977 initiatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000010355 oscillation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000007517 polishing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920002635 polyurethane Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004814 polyurethane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003746 surface roughness Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010409 thin film Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B08—CLEANING
- B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
- B08B3/00—Cleaning by methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B08—CLEANING
- B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
- B08B1/00—Cleaning by methods involving the use of tools, brushes, or analogous members
- B08B1/001—Cleaning by methods involving the use of tools, brushes, or analogous members characterised by the type of cleaning tool
-
- B08B1/10—
-
- B08B1/14—
-
- B08B1/16—
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B08—CLEANING
- B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
- B08B3/00—Cleaning by methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam
- B08B3/04—Cleaning involving contact with liquid
- B08B3/10—Cleaning involving contact with liquid with additional treatment of the liquid or of the object being cleaned, e.g. by heat, by electricity or by vibration
- B08B3/106—Cleaning involving contact with liquid with additional treatment of the liquid or of the object being cleaned, e.g. by heat, by electricity or by vibration by boiling the liquid
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
- B24B—MACHINES, DEVICES, OR PROCESSES FOR GRINDING OR POLISHING; DRESSING OR CONDITIONING OF ABRADING SURFACES; FEEDING OF GRINDING, POLISHING, OR LAPPING AGENTS
- B24B37/00—Lapping machines or devices; Accessories
- B24B37/11—Lapping tools
- B24B37/20—Lapping pads for working plane surfaces
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
- B24B—MACHINES, DEVICES, OR PROCESSES FOR GRINDING OR POLISHING; DRESSING OR CONDITIONING OF ABRADING SURFACES; FEEDING OF GRINDING, POLISHING, OR LAPPING AGENTS
- B24B53/00—Devices or means for dressing or conditioning abrasive surfaces
- B24B53/017—Devices or means for dressing, cleaning or otherwise conditioning lapping tools
-
- 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
- H01L21/02—Manufacture or treatment of semiconductor devices or of parts thereof
- H01L21/02041—Cleaning
- H01L21/02057—Cleaning during device manufacture
-
- 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
- H01L21/67207—Apparatus for manufacturing or treating in a plurality of work-stations comprising a chamber adapted to a particular process
- H01L21/67219—Apparatus for manufacturing or treating in a plurality of work-stations comprising a chamber adapted to a particular process comprising at least one polishing chamber
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B08—CLEANING
- B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
- B08B2203/00—Details of cleaning machines or methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam
- B08B2203/007—Heating the liquid
-
- 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
- H01L21/02—Manufacture or treatment of semiconductor devices or of parts thereof
- H01L21/04—Manufacture or treatment of semiconductor devices or of parts thereof the devices having at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier, e.g. PN junction, depletion layer or carrier concentration layer
- H01L21/18—Manufacture or treatment of semiconductor devices or of parts thereof the devices having at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier, e.g. PN junction, depletion layer or carrier concentration layer the devices having semiconductor bodies comprising elements of Group IV of the Periodic System or AIIIBV compounds with or without impurities, e.g. doping materials
- H01L21/30—Treatment of semiconductor bodies using processes or apparatus not provided for in groups H01L21/20 - H01L21/26
- H01L21/302—Treatment of semiconductor bodies using processes or apparatus not provided for in groups H01L21/20 - H01L21/26 to change their surface-physical characteristics or shape, e.g. etching, polishing, cutting
- H01L21/306—Chemical or electrical treatment, e.g. electrolytic etching
- H01L21/30625—With simultaneous mechanical treatment, e.g. mechanico-chemical polishing
Abstract
A chemical mechanical polishing system includes a platen to support a polishing pad, a boiler, a component that is movable between a first position spaced from the polishing pad and a second position in contact with the polishing pad, a plurality of nozzles to direct steam from the boiler onto the component of the polishing system when located at the first position, an actuator to move the component from the first position to the second position in contact with the polishing pad, and a controller configured to cause the treatment station to direct the steam onto the component to clean the component, and cause the actuator to move the cleaned component from the treatment station into contact with the polishing pad.
Description
- This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/886,567, filed May 28, 2020, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/854,302, filed on May 29, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
- The present disclosure relates to chemical mechanical polishing (CMP), and more specifically to the use of steam for cleaning or preheating during CMP.
- An integrated circuit is typically formed on a substrate by the sequential deposition of conductive, semiconductive, or insulative layers on a semiconductor wafer. A variety of fabrication processes require planarization of a layer on the substrate. For example, one fabrication step involves depositing a filler layer over a non-planar surface and planarizing the filler layer. For certain applications, the filler layer is planarized until the top surface of a patterned layer is exposed. For example, a metal layer can be deposited on a patterned insulative layer to fill the trenches and holes in the insulative layer. After planarization, the remaining portions of the metal in the trenches and holes of the patterned layer form vias, plugs, and lines to provide conductive paths between thin film circuits on the substrate. As another example, a dielectric layer can be deposited over a patterned conductive layer, and then planarized to enable subsequent photolithographic steps.
- Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) is one accepted method of planarization. This planarization method typically requires that the substrate be mounted on a carrier head. The exposed surface of the substrate is typically placed against a rotating polishing pad. The carrier head provides a controllable load on the substrate to push it against the polishing pad. A polishing slurry with abrasive particles is typically supplied to the surface of the polishing pad.
- In one aspect, a method of cleaning for a chemical mechanical polishing system includes directing a gas that includes steam from an orifice onto a component in the polishing system while a component is spaced away from a polishing pad of the polishing system to clean the component, and moving the component into contact with the polishing pad.
- Implementations can include one or more of the following features.
- A timer can be set, and steam can be halted at the expiration of the timer.
- The gas can have a temperature of 70-100° C. The gas can have a temperature of 80-100° C. The steam can include dry steam. The gas can consist of steam. The gas can include a mixture of steam and atmosphere.
- The component can be positioned in a treatment station and can be spaced from the polishing pad to direct steam onto the component at the treatment station. The component can be rotated in the treatment station as steam is directed onto the component. The component can move vertically in the treatment station as steam is directed onto the component.
- The component can include a carrier head or a substrate to be polished. The steam can be directed onto the component at a substrate transfer station. The steam can be directed onto the component at an inter-platen station.
- The component can include a conditioner disk or conditioner head. Steam can be directed onto the component at a conditioner disk cleaning cup.
- Cleaning the component can include removing coagulated slurry. Cleaning the component can include removing coagulated polishing debris.
- In one aspect, a chemical mechanical polishing system includes a platen to support a polishing pad, a boiler, a treatment station spaced from the polishing pad, the treatment station having a plurality of nozzles to direct steam from the boiler onto a body positioned in the treatment station, an actuator to move the component from the treatment station into contact with the polishing pad, a controller configured to cause the treatment station to direct the steam onto the component to clean raise a temperature of the component to an elevated temperature, and cause the actuator to move the component from the treatment station into contact with the polishing pad.
- Implementations can include one or more of the following features.
- The component can include a carrier head or a substrate.
- The component can include a conditioner head or conditioner disk.
- Possible advantages may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following.
- Steam, i.e., gaseous H2O generated by boiling, can be generated in sufficient quantities with low levels of contaminants. Additionally, a steam generator can generate steam that is substantially pure gas, e.g., has little to no suspended liquid in the steam. Such steam, also known as dry steam, can provide a gaseous form of H2O that has a higher energy transfer and lower liquid content than other steam alternatives such as flash steam.
- Various components of a CMP apparatus can be quickly and efficiently cleaned. Steam can be more effective than liquid water in dissolving or otherwise removing polishing by-products, dried slurry, debris, etc., from surfaces in the polishing system. Thus, defects on the substrate can be reduced.
- Various components of a CMP apparatus can be pre-heated. Temperature variation across the polishing pad and thus across the substrate can be reduced, thereby reducing within-wafer non-uniformity (WIWNU). Temperature variation over a polishing operation can be reduced. This can improve predictability of polishing during the CMP process. Temperature variations from one polishing operation to another polishing operation can be reduced. This can improve wafer-to-wafer uniformity.
- The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of an example of a polishing apparatus. -
FIG. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example carrier head steam treating assembly. -
FIG. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example conditioning head steam treating assembly. -
FIG. 3A is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of a polishing station of the polishing apparatus. -
FIG. 3B is a schematic top view of an example polishing station of the chemical mechanical polishing apparatus. - Chemical mechanical polishing operates by a combination of mechanical abrasion and chemical etching at the interface between the substrate, polishing liquid, and polishing pad. During the polishing process, a significant amount of heat is generated due to friction between the surface of the substrate and the polishing pad. In addition, some processes also include an in-situ pad conditioning step in which a conditioning disk, e.g., a disk coated with abrasive diamond particles, is pressed against the rotating polishing pad to condition and texture the polishing pad surface. The abrasion of the conditioning process can also generate heat. For example, in a typical one minute copper CMP process with a nominal downforce pressure of 2 psi and removal rate of 8000 Å/min, the surface temperature of a polyurethane polishing pad can rise by about 30° C.
- On the other hand, if the polishing pad has been heated by previous polishing operations, when a new substrate is initially lowered into contact with the polishing pad, it is at a lower temperature, and thus can act as a heat sink. Similarly, slurry dispensed onto the polishing pad can act as a heat sink. Overall, these effects result in variation of the temperature of the polishing pad spatially and over time.
- Both the chemical-related variables in a CMP process, e.g., as the initiation and rates of the participating reactions, and the mechanical-related variables, e.g., the surface friction coefficient and viscoelasticity of the polishing pad, are strongly temperature dependent. Consequently, variation in the surface temperature of the polishing pad can result in changes in removal rate, polishing uniformity, erosion, dishing, and residue. By more tightly controlling the temperature of the surface of the polishing pad during polishing, variation in temperature can be reduced, and polishing performance, e.g., as measured by within-wafer non-uniformity or wafer-to-wafer non-uniformity, can be improved.
- Furthermore, debris and slurry can accumulate on various components of the CMP apparatus during CMP. If these polishing by-products later come loose from the components, they can scratch or otherwise damage the substrate, resulting in an increase in polishing defects. Water jets have been used to clean various components of the CMP apparatus system. However, a large quantity of water is needed to perform this task.
- A technique that could address one or more of these issues is to clean and/or pre-heat various components of the CMP apparatus using steam, i.e., gaseous H2O generated by boiling. Less steam may be required to impart an equivalent amount of energy as hot water, e.g., due to the latent heat of the steam. Additionally, steam can be sprayed at high velocities to clean and/or preheat the components. In addition, steam can be more effective than liquid water in dissolving or otherwise removing polishing by-products.
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FIG. 1 is a plan view of a chemicalmechanical polishing apparatus 2 for processing one or more substrates. The polishingapparatus 2 includes apolishing platform 4 that at least partially supports and houses a plurality of polishingstations 20. For example, the polishing apparatus can include four polishingstations station 20 is adapted to polish a substrate that is retained in acarrier head 70. Not all components of each station are illustrated inFIG. 1 . - The polishing
apparatus 2 also includes a multiplicity of carrier heads 70, each of which is configured to carry a substrate. The polishingapparatus 2 also includes atransfer station 6 for loading and unloading substrates from the carrier heads. Thetransfer station 6 can include a plurality ofload cups 8, e.g., twoload cups transfer robot 9. The load cups 8 generally facilitate transfer between therobot 9 and each of the carrier heads 70 by loading and unloading the carrier heads 70. - The stations of the
polishing apparatus 2, including thetransfer station 6 and the polishingstations 20, can be positioned at substantially equal angular intervals around the center of theplatform 4. This is not required, but can provide the polishing apparatus with a good footprint. - For a polishing operation, one
carrier head 70 is positioned at each polishing station. Two additional carrier heads can be positioned in the loading and unloadingstation 6 to exchange polished substrates for unpolished substrates while the other substrates are being polished at the polishingstations 20. - The carrier heads 70 are held by a support structure that can cause each carrier head to move along a path that passes, in order, the first polishing
station 20 a, the second polishingstation 20 b, the third polishingstation 20 c, and the fourth polishingstation 20 d. This permits each carrier head to be selectively positioned over the polishingstations 20 and the load cups 8. - In some implementations, each
carrier head 70 is coupled to acarriage 78 that is mounted to asupport structure 72. By moving acarriage 78 along thesupport structure 72, e.g., a track, thecarrier head 70 can be positioned over a selected polishingstation 20 orload cup 8. Alternatively, the carrier heads 70 can be suspended from a carousel, and rotation of the carousel moves all of the carrier heads simultaneously along a circular path. - Each polishing
station 20 of thepolishing apparatus 2 can include a port, e.g., at the end of aslurry supply arm 39, to dispense polishing liquid 38 (seeFIG. 3A ), such as abrasive slurry, onto thepolishing pad 30. Each polishingstation 20 of thepolishing apparatus 2 can also includepad conditioner 93 to abrade thepolishing pad 30 to maintain thepolishing pad 30 in a consistent abrasive state. -
FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an example of a polishingstation 20 of a chemical mechanical polishing system. The polishingstation 20 includes a rotatable disk-shapedplaten 24 on which apolishing pad 30 is situated. Theplaten 24 is operable to rotate (see arrow A inFIG. 3B ) about anaxis 25. For example, amotor 22 can turn adrive shaft 28 to rotate theplaten 24. Thepolishing pad 30 can be a two-layer polishing pad with anouter polishing layer 34 and asofter backing layer 32. - Referring to
FIGS. 1, 3A and 3B , the polishingstation 20 can include a supply port, e.g., at the end of aslurry supply arm 39, to dispense a polishingliquid 38, such as an abrasive slurry, onto thepolishing pad 30. - The polishing
station 20 can include apad conditioner 90 with a conditioner disk 92 (seeFIG. 2B ) to maintain the surface roughness of thepolishing pad 30. Theconditioner disk 92 can be positioned in aconditioner head 93 at the end of anarm 94. Thearm 94 andconditioner head 93 are supported by abase 96. Thearm 94 can swing so as to sweep theconditioner head 93 andconditioner disk 92 laterally across thepolishing pad 30. A cleaningcup 255 can be located adjacent theplaten 24 at a position to which thearm 94 can move theconditioner head 93. - A
carrier head 70 is operable to hold asubstrate 10 against thepolishing pad 30. Thecarrier head 70 is suspended from asupport structure 72, e.g., a carousel or a track, and is connected by adrive shaft 74 to a carrierhead rotation motor 76 so that the carrier head can rotate about anaxis 71. Optionally, thecarrier head 70 can oscillate laterally, e.g., on sliders on the carousel, by movement along the track, or by rotational oscillation of the carousel itself. - The
carrier head 70 can include aflexible membrane 80 having a substrate mounting surface to contact the back side of thesubstrate 10, and a plurality ofpressurizable chambers 82 to apply different pressures to different zones, e.g., different radial zones, on thesubstrate 10. Thecarrier head 70 can include a retainingring 84 to hold the substrate. In some implementations, the retainingring 84 may include alower plastic portion 86 that contacts the polishing pad, and anupper portion 88 of a harder material, e.g., a metal. - In operation, the platen is rotated about its
central axis 25, and the carrier head is rotated about its central axis 71 (see arrow B inFIG. 3B ) and translated laterally (see arrow C inFIG. 3B ) across the top surface of thepolishing pad 30. - Referring to
FIGS. 3A and 3B , as thecarrier head 70 sweeps across thepolishing pad 30, any exposed surfaces of thecarrier head 70 tend to become covered with slurry. For example, slurry can stick to the outer or inner diameter surface of the retainingring 84. In general, for any surfaces that are not maintained in a wet condition, the slurry will tend to coagulate and/or dry out. As a result, particulates can form on thecarrier head 70. If these particulates become dislodged, the particulates can scratch the substrate, resulting in polishing defects. - Moreover, the slurry can cake onto the
carrier head 70, or the sodium hydroxide in the slurry can crystallize on one of the surfaces of thecarrier head 70 and/or thesubstrate 10 and cause the surface of thecarrier head 70 to be corrode. The caked-on slurry is difficult to remove and the crystallized sodium hydroxide is difficult to return to a solution. - Similar problems occur with the
conditioner head 92, e.g., particulates can form on theconditioner head 92, the slurry can cake onto theconditioner head 92, or the sodium hydroxide in the slurry can crystallize on one of the surfaces of theconditioner head 92. - One solution is to clean the components, e.g., the
carrier head 70 andconditioner head 92, with a liquid water jet. However, the components can be difficult to clean with a water jet alone, and a substantial amount of water may be necessary. Additionally, the components that contact thepolishing pad 30, e.g., thecarrier head 70,substrate 10 andconditioner disk 92, can act as heat sinks that hinder uniformity of the polishing pad temperature. - To address these problems, as shown in the
FIG. 2A , the polishingapparatus 2 includes one or more carrier headsteam treating assemblies 200. Eachsteam treating assembly 200 can be used for cleaning and/or pre-heating of thecarrier head 70 andsubstrate 10. - A
steam treating assembly 200 can be part of theload cup 8, e.g., part of theload cup steam treating assembly 200 can be provided at one or moreinter-platen stations 9 located between adjacent polishingstations 20. - The
load cup 8 includes apedestal 204 to hold thesubstrate 10 during a loading/unloading process. Theload cup 8 also includes ahousing 206 that surrounds or substantially surrounds thepedestal 204.Multiple nozzles 225 are supported by thehousing 206 or a separate support to deliversteam 245 to a carrier head and/or substrate positioned in acavity 208 defined by thehousing 206. For example,nozzles 225 can be positioned on one or more interior surfaces of thehousing 206, e.g., afloor 206 a and/or aside wall 206 b and/or a ceiling of the cavity. Thenozzles 225 can be oriented to direct steam inwardly into thecavity 206. Thesteam 245 can be generated by using thesteam generator 410, e.g., a boiler such as a flash boiler or a regular boiler. Adrain 235 can permit excess water, cleaning solution, and cleaning by-product to pass through to prevent accumulation in theload cup 8. - An actuator provides relative vertical motion between the
housing 206 and thecarrier head 70. For example, ashaft 210 can support thehousing 206 and be vertically actuatable to raise and lower thehousing 206. Alternatively, thecarrier head 70 can move vertically. Thepedestal 204 can be on-axis with theshaft 210. Thepedestal 204 can be vertically movable relative to thehousing 206. - In operation, the
carrier head 70 can be positioned over theload cup 8, and thehousing 206 can be raised (or thecarrier head 70 lowered) so that thecarrier head 70 is partially within thecavity 208. Asubstrate 10 can begin on thepedestal 204 and be chucked onto thecarrier head 70, and/or begin on thecarrier head 70 and be dechucked onto thepedestal 204. - Steam is directed through the
nozzles 225 to clean and/or preheat one or more surfaces of thesubstrate 10 and/orcarrier head 70. For example, one or more of the nozzles can be positioned to direct steam onto the outer surface of thecarrier head 70, theouter surface 84 a of the retainingring 84, and/or thebottom surface 84 b of the retainingring 84. One or more of the nozzles can be positioned to direct steam onto a front surface of asubstrate 10 being held by thecarrier head 70, i.e., the surface to be polished, or onto the bottom surface of themembrane 80 if nosubstrate 10 is being supported on thecarrier head 70. One or more nozzles can be positioned below thepedestal 204 to direct steam upward onto the front surface of asubstrate 10 positioned onpedestal 204. One or more nozzles can be positioned above thepedestal 204 to direct steam downward onto a back surface of asubstrate 10 positioned onpedestal 204. Thecarrier head 70 can rotate within theload cup 8 and/or move vertically relative to theload cup 8 to allow thenozzles 225 to treat different areas of thecarrier head 70 and/orsubstrate 10. Thesubstrate 10 can rest on thepedestal 204 to allow for the interior surfaces of thecarrier head 70 to be steam treated, e.g., the bottom surface of themembrane 80, or the inner surfaces of the retainingring 84. - Steam is circulated from a steam source through a
supply line 230 through thehousing 206 to thenozzles 225. Thenozzles 225 can spraysteam 245 to remove organic residues, by-product, debris, and slurry particles left on thecarrier head 70 and thesubstrate 10 after each polishing operation. Thenozzles 225 can spraysteam 245 to heat thesubstrate 10 and/orcarrier head 70. - An
inter-platen station 9 can be constructed and operated similarly, but need not have a substrate support pedestal. - The
steam 245 delivered by thenozzles 225 can have an adjustable temperature, pressure, and flow rate to vary the cleaning and preheating of thecarrier head 70 and thesubstrate 10. In some implementations, the temperature, pressure and/or flow rate can be independently adjustable for each nozzle or between groups of nozzles. - For example, the temperature of the
steam 245 can be 90 to 200° C. when thesteam 245 is generated (e.g., in the steam generator 410). The temperature of thesteam 245 can be between 90 to 150° C. when thesteam 245 is dispensed by thenozzles 225, e.g., due to heat loss in transit. In some implementations, steam is delivered by thenozzles 225 at a temperature of 70-100° C., e.g., 80-90° C. In some implementations, the steam delivered by the nozzles is superheated, i.e., is at a temperature above the boiling point. - The flow rate of the
steam 245 can be 1-1000 cc/minute when thesteam 245 is delivered by thenozzles 225, depending on heater power and pressure. In some implementations, the steam is mixed with other gases, e.g., is mixed with normal atmosphere or with N2. Alternatively, the fluid delivered by thenozzles 225 is substantially purely water. In some implementations, thesteam 245 delivered by thenozzles 225 is mixed with liquid water, e.g., aerosolized water. For example, liquid water and steam can be combined at a relative flow ratio (e.g., with flow rates in sccm) 1:1 to 1:10. However, if the amount of liquid water is low, e.g., less than 5 wt %, e.g., less than 3 wt %, e.g., less than 1 wt %, then the steam will have superior heat transfer qualities. Thus, in some implementations the steam is dry steam, i.e., is substantially free of water droplets. - To avoid degrading the membrane with heat, water can be mixed with the
steam 245 to reduce the temperature, e.g., to around 40-50° C. The temperature of thesteam 245 can be reduced by mixing cooled water into thesteam 245, or mixing water at the same or substantially the same temperature into the steam 245 (as liquid water transfers less energy than gaseous water). - In some implementations, a
temperature sensor 214 can be installed in or adjacent thesteam treating assembly 200 to detect the temperature of thecarrier head 70 and/or thesubstrate 10. A signal from thesensor 214 can be received by acontroller 12 to monitor the temperature of thecarrier head 70 and/or thesubstrate 10. Thecontroller 12 can control delivery of the steam by theassembly 100 based on the temperature measurement from thetemperature sensor 214. For example, the controller can receive a target temperature value. If thecontroller 12 detects that the temperature measurement exceeds a target value, thecontroller 12 halt the flow of steam. As another example, thecontroller 12 can reduce the steam delivery flow rate and/or reduce the steam temperature, e.g., to prevent overheating of the components during cleaning and/or preheating. - In some implementations, the
controller 12 includes a timer. In this case, thecontroller 12 can start when delivery of the steam begins, and can halt delivery of steam upon expiration of the timer. The timer can be set based on empirical testing to attain a desired temperature of thecarrier head 70 andsubstrate 10 during cleaning and/or preheating. -
FIG. 2B shows a conditionersteam treating assembly 250 that includes ahousing 255. Thehousing 255 can form of a “cup” to receive theconditioner disk 92 andconditioner head 93. Steam is circulated through asupply line 280 in thehousing 255 to one ormore nozzles 275. Thenozzles 275 can spraysteam 295 to remove polishing by-product, e.g., debris or slurry particles, left on theconditioner disk 92 and/orconditioner head 93 after each conditioning operation. Thenozzles 275 can be located in thehousing 255, e.g., on a floor, side wall, or ceiling of an interior of thehousing 255. One or more nozzles can be positioned to clean the bottom surface of the pad conditioner disk, and/or the bottom surface, side-walls and/or and top surface of theconditioner head 93. Thesteam 295 can be generated using thesteam generator 410. Adrain 285 can permit excess water, cleaning solution, and cleaning by-product to pass through to prevent accumulation in thehousing 255. - The
conditioner head 93 andconditioner disk 92 can be lowered at least partially into thehousing 255 to be steam treated. When theconditioner disk 92 is to be returned to operation, theconditioner head 93 andconditioning disk 92 are lifted out of thehousing 255 and positioned on thepolishing pad 30 to condition thepolishing pad 30. When the conditioning operation is completed, theconditioner head 93 andconditioning disk 92 are lifted off the polishing pad and swung back to thehousing cup 255 for the polishing by-product on theconditioner head 93 andconditioner disk 92 to be removed. In some implementations, thehousing 255 is vertical actuatable, e.g., is mounted to avertical drive shaft 260. - The
housing 255 is positioned to receive thepad conditioner disk 92 andconditioner head 93. Theconditioner disk 92 andconditioner head 93 can rotate within thehousing 255, and/or move vertically in thehousing 255, to allow thenozzles 275 to steam treat the various surfaces of theconditioning disk 92 andconditioner head 93. - The
steam 295 delivered by thenozzles 275 can have an adjustable temperature, pressure, and/or flow rate. In some implementations, the temperature, pressure and/or flow rate can be independently adjustable for each nozzle or between groups of nozzles. This permits variation and thus more effective the cleaning of theconditioner disk 92 orconditioner head 93. - For example, the temperature of the
steam 295 can be 90 to 200° C. when thesteam 295 is generated (e.g., in the steam generator 410). The temperature of thesteam 295 can be between 90 to 150° C. when thesteam 295 is dispensed by thenozzles 275, e.g., due to heat loss in transit. In some implementations, steam can be delivered by thenozzles 275 at a temperature of 70-100° C., e.g., 80-90° C. In some implementations, the steam delivered by the nozzles is superheated, i.e., is at a temperature above the boiling point. - The flow rate of the
steam 295 can be 1-1000 cc/minute when thesteam 295 is delivered by thenozzles 275. In some implementations, the steam is mixed with other gases, e.g., is mixed with normal atmosphere or with N2. Alternatively, the fluid delivered by thenozzles 275 is substantially purely water. In some implementations, thesteam 295 delivered by thenozzles 275 is mixed with liquid water, e.g., aerosolized water. For example, liquid water and steam can be combined at a relative flow ratio (e.g., with flow rates in sccm) 1:1 to 1:10. However, if the amount of liquid water is low, e.g., less than 5 wt %, e.g., less than 3 wt %, e.g., less than 1 wt %, then the steam will have superior heat transfer qualities. Thus, in some implementations the steam is dry steam, i.e., does not include water droplets. - In some implementations, a
temperature sensor 264 can be installed in or adjacent thehousing 255 to detect the temperature of theconditioner head 93 and/orconditioner disk 92. Thecontroller 12 can receive a signal from thetemperature sensor 264 to monitor the temperature of theconditioner head 93 orconditioner disk 92, e.g., to detect the temperature of thepad conditioner disk 92. Thecontroller 12 can control delivery of the steam by theassembly 250 based on the temperature measurement from thetemperature sensor 264. For example, the controller can receive a target temperature value. If thecontroller 12 detects that the temperature measurement exceeds a target value, thecontroller 12 halt the flow of steam. As another example, thecontroller 12 can reduce the steam delivery flow rate and/or reduce the steam temperature, e.g., to prevent overheating of the components during cleaning and/or preheating. - In some implementations, the
controller 12 uses a timer. In this case, thecontroller 12 can start the time when delivery of steam begins, and halt delivery of steam upon expiration of the timer. The timer can be set based on empirical testing to attain a desired temperature of theconditioner disk 92 during cleaning and/or preheating, e.g., to prevent overheating. - Referring to
FIG. 3A , in some implementations, the polishingstation 20 includes atemperature sensor 64 to monitor a temperature in the polishing station or a component of/in the polishing station, e.g., the temperature of thepolishing pad 30 and/orslurry 38 on the polishing pad. For example, thetemperature sensor 64 could be an infrared (IR) sensor, e.g., an IR camera, positioned above thepolishing pad 30 and configured to measure the temperature of thepolishing pad 30 and/orslurry 38 on the polishing pad. In particular, thetemperature sensor 64 can be configured to measure the temperature at multiple points along the radius of thepolishing pad 30 in order to generate a radial temperature profile. For example, the IR camera can have a field of view that spans the radius of thepolishing pad 30. - In some implementations, the temperature sensor is a contact sensor rather than a non-contact sensor. For example, the
temperature sensor 64 can be thermocouple or IR thermometer positioned on or in theplaten 24. In addition, thetemperature sensor 64 can be in direct contact with the polishing pad. - In some implementations, multiple temperature sensors could be spaced at different radial positions across the
polishing pad 30 in order to provide the temperature at multiple points along the radius of thepolishing pad 30. This technique could be use in the alternative or in addition to an IR camera. - Although illustrated in
FIG. 3A as positioned to monitor the temperature of thepolishing pad 30 and/orslurry 38 on thepad 30, thetemperature sensor 64 could be positioned inside thecarrier head 70 to measure the temperature of thesubstrate 10. Thetemperature sensor 64 can be in direct contact (i.e., a contacting sensor) with the semiconductor wafer of thesubstrate 10. In some implementations, multiple temperature sensors are included in the polishingstation 22, e.g., to measure temperatures of different components of/in the polishing station. - The polishing
system 20 also includes atemperature control system 100 to control the temperature of thepolishing pad 30 and/orslurry 38 on the polishing pad. Thetemperature control system 100 can include acooling system 102 and/or aheating system 104. At least one, and in some implementations both, of thecooling system 102 andheating system 104 operate by delivering a temperature-controlled medium, e.g., a liquid, vapor or spray, onto the polishingsurface 36 of the polishing pad 30 (or onto a polishing liquid that is already present on the polishing pad). - For the
cooling system 102, the cooling medium can be a gas, e.g., air, or a liquid, e.g., water. The medium can be at room temperature or chilled below room temperature, e.g., at 5-15° C. In some implementations, thecooling system 102 uses a spray of air and liquid, e.g., an aerosolized spray of liquid, e.g., water. In particular, the cooling system can have nozzles that generate an aerosolized spray of water that is chilled below room temperature. In some implementations, solid material can be mixed with the gas and/or liquid. The solid material can be a chilled material, e.g., ice, or a material that absorbs heat, e.g., by chemical reaction, when dissolved in water. - The cooling medium can be delivered by flowing through one or more apertures, e.g., holes or slots, optionally formed in nozzles, in a coolant delivery arm. The apertures can be provided by a manifold that is connected to a coolant source.
- As shown in
FIGS. 3A and 3B , anexample cooling system 102 includes anarm 110 that extends over theplaten 24 and polishingpad 30 from an edge of the polishing pad to or at least near (e.g., within 5% of the total radius of the polishing pad) the center of polishingpad 30. Thearm 110 can be supported by abase 112, and the base 112 can be supported on thesame frame 40 as theplaten 24. The base 112 can include one or more an actuators, e.g., a linear actuator to raise or lower thearm 110, and/or a rotational actuator to swing thearm 110 laterally over theplaten 24. Thearm 110 is positioned to avoid colliding with other hardware components such as the polishinghead 70,pad conditioning disk 92, and theslurry dispensing arm 39. - The
example cooling system 102 includesmultiple nozzles 120 suspended from thearm 110. Eachnozzle 120 is configured to spray a liquid coolant medium, e.g., water, onto thepolishing pad 30. Thearm 110 can be supported by a base 112 so that thenozzles 120 are separated from thepolishing pad 30 by agap 126. - Each
nozzle 120 can be configured to direct aerosolized water in aspray 122 toward thepolishing pad 30. Thecooling system 102 can include asource 130 of liquid coolant medium and a gas source 132 (seeFIG. 3B ). Liquid from thesource 130 and gas from thesource 132 can be mixed in a mixing chamber 134 (seeFIG. 3A ), e.g., in or on thearm 110, before being directed through thenozzle 120 to form thespray 122. - In some implementations, a process parameter, e.g., flow rate, pressure, temperature, and/or mixing ratio of liquid to gas, can be independently controlled for each nozzle. For example, the coolant for each
nozzle 120 can flow through an independently controllable chiller to independently control the temperature of the spray. As another example, a separate pair of pumps, one for the gas and one for the liquid, can be connected to each nozzle such that the flow rate, pressure and mixing ratio of the gas and liquid can be independently controlled for each nozzle. - The various nozzles can spray onto different
radial zones 124 on thepolishing pad 30. Adjacentradial zones 124 can overlap. In some implementations, thenozzles 120 generate a spray impinges thepolishing pad 30 along anelongated region 128. For example, the nozzle can be configured to generate a spray in a generally planar triangular volume. - One or more of the
elongated region 128, e.g., all of theelongated regions 128, can have a longitudinal axis parallel to the radius that extends through the region 128 (seeregion 128 a). Alternatively, thenozzles 120 generate a conical spray. - Although
FIG. 1 illustrates the spray itself overlapping, thenozzles 120 can be oriented so that the elongated regions do not overlap. For example, at least somenozzles 120, e.g., all of thenozzles 120, can be oriented so that theelongated region 128 is at an oblique angle relative to the radius that passes through the elongated region (seeregion 128 b). - At least some
nozzles 120 can be oriented so that a central axis of the spray (see arrow A) from that nozzle is at an oblique angle relative to the polishingsurface 36. In particular,spray 122 can be directed from anozzle 120 to have a horizontal component in a direction opposite to the direction of motion of polishing pad 30 (see arrow A) in the region of impingement caused by rotation of theplaten 24. - Although
FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate thenozzles 120 as spaced at uniform intervals, this is not required. Thenozzles 120 could be distributed non-uniformly either radially, or angularly, or both. For example, thenozzles 120 can clustered more densely along the radial direction toward the edge of thepolishing pad 30. In addition, althoughFIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate nine nozzles, there could be a larger or smaller number of nozzles, e.g., three to twenty nozzles. - For the
heating system 104, the heating medium can be a gas, e.g., steam (e.g., from the steam generator 410) or heated air, or a liquid, e.g., heated water, or a combination of gas and liquid. The medium is above room temperature, e.g., at 40-120° C., e.g., at 90-110° C. The medium can be water, such as substantially pure de-ionized water, or water that that includes additives or chemicals. In some implementations, theheating system 104 uses a spray of steam. The steam can includes additives or chemicals. - The heating medium can be delivered by flowing through apertures, e.g., holes or slots, e.g., provided by one or more nozzles, on a heating delivery arm. The apertures can be provided by a manifold that is connected to a source of the heating medium.
- An
example heating system 104 includes anarm 140 that extends over theplaten 24 and polishingpad 30 from an edge of the polishing pad to or at least near (e.g., within 5% of the total radius of the polishing pad) the center of polishingpad 30. Thearm 140 can be supported by abase 142, and the base 142 can be supported on thesame frame 40 as theplaten 24. The base 142 can include one or more an actuators, e.g., a linear actuator to raise or lower thearm 140, and/or a rotational actuator to swing thearm 140 laterally over theplaten 24. Thearm 140 is positioned to avoid colliding with other hardware components such as the polishinghead 70,pad conditioning disk 92, and theslurry dispensing arm 39. - Along the direction of rotation of the
platen 24, thearm 140 of theheating system 104 can be positioned between thearm 110 of thecooling system 102 and thecarrier head 70. Along the direction rotation of theplaten 24, thearm 140 of theheating system 104 can be positioned between thearm 110 of thecooling system 102 and theslurry delivery arm 39. For example, thearm 110 of thecooling system 102, thearm 140 of theheating system 104, theslurry delivery arm 39 and thecarrier head 70 can be positioned in that order along the direction rotation of theplaten 24. -
Multiple openings 144 are formed in the bottom surface of thearm 140. Eachopening 144 is configured to direct a gas or vapor, e.g., steam, onto thepolishing pad 30. Thearm 140 can be supported by a base 142 so that theopenings 144 are separated from thepolishing pad 30 by a gap. The gap can be 0.5 to 5 mm. In particular, the gap can be selected such that the heat of the heating fluid does not significantly dissipate before the fluid reaches the polishing pad. For example, the gap can be selected such that steam emitted from the openings does not condense before reaching the polishing pad. - The
heating system 104 can include asource 148 of steam, e.g., thesteam generator 410, which can be connected to thearm 140 by tubing. Eachopening 144 can be configured to direct steam toward thepolishing pad 30. - In some implementations, a process parameter, e.g., flow rate, pressure, temperature, and/or mixing ratio of liquid to gas, can be independently controlled for each nozzle. For example, the fluid for each
opening 144 can flow through an independently controllable heater to independently control the temperature of the heating fluid, e.g., the temperature of the steam. - The
various openings 144 can direct steam onto different radial zones on thepolishing pad 30. Adjacent radial zones can overlap. Optionally, some of theopenings 144 can be oriented so that a central axis of the spray from that opening is at an oblique angle relative to the polishingsurface 36. Steam can be directed from one or more of theopenings 144 to have a horizontal component in a direction opposite to the direction of motion of polishingpad 30 in the region of impingement as caused by rotation of theplaten 24. - Although
FIG. 3B illustrates theopenings 144 as spaced at even intervals, this is not required. Thenozzles 120 could be distributed non-uniformly either radially, or angularly, or both. For example,openings 144 could be clustered more densely toward the center of thepolishing pad 30. As another example,openings 144 could be clustered more densely at a radius corresponding to a radius at which the polishingliquid 39 is delivered to thepolishing pad 30 by theslurry delivery arm 39. In addition, althoughFIG. 3B illustrates nine openings, there could be a larger or smaller number of openings. - The polishing
system 20 can also include a high pressure rinse system 106. The high pressure rinse system 106 includes a plurality ofnozzles 154, e.g., three to twenty nozzles that direct a cleaning fluid, e.g., water, at high intensity onto thepolishing pad 30 to wash thepad 30 and remove used slurry, polishing debris, etc. - As shown in
FIG. 3B , an example rinse system 106 includes anarm 150 that extends over theplaten 24 and polishingpad 30 from an edge of the polishing pad to or at least near (e.g., within 5% of the total radius of the polishing pad) the center of polishingpad 30. Thearm 150 can be supported by abase 152, and the base 152 can be supported on thesame frame 40 as theplaten 24. The base 152 can include one or more an actuators, e.g., a linear actuator to raise or lower thearm 150, and/or a rotational actuator to swing thearm 150 laterally over theplaten 24. Thearm 150 is positioned to avoid colliding with other hardware components such as the polishinghead 70,pad conditioning disk 92, and theslurry dispensing arm 39. - Along the direction of rotation of the
platen 24, thearm 150 of the rinse system 106 can be between thearm 110 of thecooling system 102 and thearm 140 of theheating system 104. For example, thearm 110 of thecooling system 102, thearm 150 of the rinse system 106, thearm 140 of theheating system 104, theslurry delivery arm 39 and thecarrier head 70 can be positioned in that order along the direction rotation of theplaten 24. Alternatively, along the direction of rotation of theplaten 24, thearm 140 of thecooling system 102 can be between thearm 150 of the rinse system 106 and thearm 140 of theheating system 104. For example, thearm 150 of the rinse system 106, thearm 110 of thecooling system 102, thearm 140 of theheating system 104, theslurry delivery arm 39 and thecarrier head 70 can be positioned in that order along the direction rotation of theplaten 24. - Although
FIG. 3B illustrate thenozzles 154 as spaced at even intervals, this is not required. In addition, althoughFIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate nine nozzles, there could be a larger or smaller number of nozzles, e.g., three to twenty nozzles. - The
polishing system 2 can also include thecontroller 12 to control operation of various components, e.g., thetemperature control system 100. Thecontroller 12 is configured to receive the temperature measurements from thetemperature sensor 64 for each radial zone of the polishing pad. Thecontroller 12 can compare the measured temperature profile to a desired temperature profile, and generate a feedback signal to a control mechanism (e.g., actuator, power source, pump, valve, etc.) for each nozzle or opening. The feedback signal is calculated by thecontroller 12 e.g., based on an internal feedback algorithm, to cause the control mechanism to adjust the amount of cooling or heating such that the polishing pad and/or slurry reaches (or at least moves closer to) the desired temperature profile. - In some implementations, the polishing
system 20 includes a wiper blade orbody 170 to evenly distribute the polishingliquid 38 across thepolishing pad 30. Along the direction of rotation of theplaten 24, thewiper blade 170 can be between theslurry delivery arm 39 and thecarrier head 70. -
FIG. 3B illustrates separate arms for each subsystem, e.g., theheating system 102,cooling system 104 and rinse system 106, various subsystems can be included in a single assembly supported by a common arm. For example, an assembly can include a cooling module, a rinse module, a heating module, a slurry delivery module, and optionally a wiper module. Each module can include a body, e.g., an arcuate body, that can be secured to a common mounting plate, and the common mounting plate can be secured at the end of an arm so that the assembly is positioned over thepolishing pad 30. Various fluid delivery components, e.g., tubing, passages, etc., can extend inside each body. In some implementations, the modules are separately detachable from the mounting plate. Each module can have similar components to carry out the functions of the arm of the associated system described above. - Referring to
FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B , thecontroller 12 can monitor the temperature measurements received by thesensors temperature control system 100 and amount of steam delivered to thesteam treating assembly controller 12 can continuously monitor the temperature measurements and control the temperature in a feedback loop, to tune the temperature of thepolishing pad 30, thecarrier head 70, and theconditioning disk 92. For example, thecontroller 12 can receive the temperature of thepolishing pad 30 from thesensor 64, and control the delivery of steam onto thecarrier head 70 and/orconditioner head 92 to raise the temperatures of thecarrier head 70 and/or theconditioner head 92 to match the temperature of thepolishing pad 30. Reducing the temperature difference can help prevent thecarrier head 70 and/or theconditioner head 92 from acting as heat sinks on a relatively highertemperature polishing pad 30, and can improve within-wafer uniformity. - In some embodiments, the
controller 12 stores a desired temperature for thepolishing pad 30, thecarrier head 70, and theconditioner disk 92. Thecontroller 12 can monitor the temperature measurements from thesensors temperature control system 100 and thesteam treating assembly 200 and/or 250 to bring the temperatures of thepolishing pad 30, thecarrier head 70, and/or theconditioner disk 92 to the desired temperature. By causing the temperatures to achieve a desired temperature, thecontroller 12 can improve within-wafer uniformity and wafer-to-wafer uniformity. - Alternatively, the
controller 12 can raise the temperatures of thecarrier head 70 and/or theconditioner head 92 to slightly above the temperature of thepolishing pad 30, to allow for thecarrier head 70 and/or theconditioner head 92 to cool to the same or substantially the same temperature of thepolishing pad 30 as they move from their respective cleaning and pre-heating stations to thepolishing pad 30. - A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.
Claims (14)
1. A chemical mechanical polishing system, comprising:
a platen to support a polishing pad;
a boiler;
a component that is movable between a first position spaced from the polishing pad and a second position in contact with the polishing pad;
a plurality of nozzles to direct steam from the boiler onto the component of the polishing system when located at the first position;
an actuator to move the component from the first position to the second position in contact with the polishing pad; and
a controller configured to
cause the treatment station to direct the steam onto the component to clean the component, and
cause the actuator to move the cleaned component from the treatment station into contact with the polishing pad.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the component comprises a carrier head.
3. The system of claim 2 , comprising a substrate transfer station, and wherein the first position is in the substrate transfer station.
4. The system of claim 2 , comprising an inter-platen station, and wherein the first position is in the inter-platen station.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the component comprises a conditioner disk or conditioner head.
6. The system of claim 5 , comprising a conditioner disk cleaning cup, and wherein the first position is in the conditioner disk cleaning cup.
7. The system of claim 1 , comprising a motor and a drive shaft to rotate the component, and wherein the controller is configured cause the motor and drive shaft to rotate the component as steam is directed onto the component.
8. The system of claim 1 , comprising a motor and a support shaft to vertically shift the component, and wherein the controller is configured cause the motor and support shaft to vertically shift the component as steam is directed onto the component.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to set a timer and to halt directing of the steam at expiration of the timer.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to control the boiler such that the steam has a temperature of 70-100° C.
11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the controller is configured to control the boiler such that the steam has a temperature of 80-100° C.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the boiler is configured to provide dry steam.
13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the boiler is configured to provide gas that consists of steam.
14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the boiler is configured to provide gas that comprises a mixture of steam and atmosphere.
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TW202110575A (en) | 2019-05-29 | 2021-03-16 | 美商應用材料股份有限公司 | Steam treatment stations for chemical mechanical polishing system |
US11633833B2 (en) | 2019-05-29 | 2023-04-25 | Applied Materials, Inc. | Use of steam for pre-heating of CMP components |
TWI765192B (en) * | 2019-11-19 | 2022-05-21 | 大量科技股份有限公司 | A method and an apparatus for testing a polishing pad of a chemical mechanical polishing device |
JP2022017674A (en) * | 2020-07-14 | 2022-01-26 | 株式会社ディスコ | Polishing device and polishing method |
US20220184771A1 (en) * | 2020-12-14 | 2022-06-16 | Applied Materials, Inc. | Polishing system apparatus and methods for defect reduction at a substrate edge |
WO2022187074A1 (en) * | 2021-03-04 | 2022-09-09 | Applied Materials, Inc. | Insulated fluid lines in chemical mechanical polishing |
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