WO2009107196A1 - プラズマ成膜方法、およびプラズマcvd装置 - Google Patents
プラズマ成膜方法、およびプラズマcvd装置 Download PDFInfo
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- WO2009107196A1 WO2009107196A1 PCT/JP2008/053249 JP2008053249W WO2009107196A1 WO 2009107196 A1 WO2009107196 A1 WO 2009107196A1 JP 2008053249 W JP2008053249 W JP 2008053249W WO 2009107196 A1 WO2009107196 A1 WO 2009107196A1
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- 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 potential barriers, e.g. a PN junction, depletion layer or carrier concentration layer
- H01L21/18—Manufacture or treatment of semiconductor devices or of parts thereof the devices having potential barriers, e.g. a PN junction, depletion layer or carrier concentration layer the devices having semiconductor bodies comprising elements of Group IV of the Periodic Table 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
- H01L21/31—Treatment of semiconductor bodies using processes or apparatus not provided for in groups H01L21/20 - H01L21/26 to form insulating layers thereon, e.g. for masking or by using photolithographic techniques; After treatment of these layers; Selection of materials for these layers
- H01L21/314—Inorganic layers
- H01L21/318—Inorganic layers composed of nitrides
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
- C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
- C23C16/00—Chemical coating by decomposition of gaseous compounds, without leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating, i.e. chemical vapour deposition [CVD] processes
- C23C16/22—Chemical coating by decomposition of gaseous compounds, without leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating, i.e. chemical vapour deposition [CVD] processes characterised by the deposition of inorganic material, other than metallic material
- C23C16/30—Deposition of compounds, mixtures or solid solutions, e.g. borides, carbides, nitrides
- C23C16/34—Nitrides
- C23C16/345—Silicon nitride
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
- C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
- C23C16/00—Chemical coating by decomposition of gaseous compounds, without leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating, i.e. chemical vapour deposition [CVD] processes
- C23C16/44—Chemical coating by decomposition of gaseous compounds, without leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating, i.e. chemical vapour deposition [CVD] processes characterised by the method of coating
- C23C16/50—Chemical coating by decomposition of gaseous compounds, without leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating, i.e. chemical vapour deposition [CVD] processes characterised by the method of coating using electric discharges
- C23C16/515—Chemical coating by decomposition of gaseous compounds, without leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating, i.e. chemical vapour deposition [CVD] processes characterised by the method of coating using electric discharges using pulsed discharges
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
- C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
- C23C16/00—Chemical coating by decomposition of gaseous compounds, without leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating, i.e. chemical vapour deposition [CVD] processes
- C23C16/44—Chemical coating by decomposition of gaseous compounds, without leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating, i.e. chemical vapour deposition [CVD] processes characterised by the method of coating
- C23C16/52—Controlling or regulating the coating process
-
- 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
- H01L21/02104—Forming layers
- H01L21/02107—Forming insulating materials on a substrate
- H01L21/02225—Forming insulating materials on a substrate characterised by the process for the formation of the insulating layer
- H01L21/0226—Forming insulating materials on a substrate characterised by the process for the formation of the insulating layer formation by a deposition process
- H01L21/02263—Forming insulating materials on a substrate characterised by the process for the formation of the insulating layer formation by a deposition process deposition from the gas or vapour phase
- H01L21/02271—Forming insulating materials on a substrate characterised by the process for the formation of the insulating layer formation by a deposition process deposition from the gas or vapour phase deposition by decomposition or reaction of gaseous or vapour phase compounds, i.e. chemical vapour deposition
- H01L21/02274—Forming insulating materials on a substrate characterised by the process for the formation of the insulating layer formation by a deposition process deposition from the gas or vapour phase deposition by decomposition or reaction of gaseous or vapour phase compounds, i.e. chemical vapour deposition in the presence of a plasma [PECVD]
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a plasma film forming method and a plasma CVD apparatus for forming a thin film on a substrate by capacitively coupled plasma CVD, and can be applied to forming a nitride film used as a reflective film of a crystalline solar cell.
- the present invention relates to a method and a film forming apparatus.
- a film forming apparatus that manufactures a thin film by forming a film on a substrate is known.
- a film forming apparatus there is a plasma CVD apparatus, which is used for manufacturing various semiconductors such as a TFT array used for a thin film for a solar cell, a liquid crystal display and the like.
- the in-line type plasma CVD apparatus includes a load chamber, a reaction chamber, and an unload chamber, and performs processing while sequentially moving a substrate placed on a susceptor such as a tray to the load chamber, the reaction chamber, and the unload chamber.
- a susceptor such as a tray
- the substrate is heated in a state of being placed on a tray and carried into a vacuum chamber, and further carried into a film forming chamber.
- the film formation chamber one or more kinds of chemical gases composed of elements constituting the thin film material are introduced, the gas is decomposed by capacitively coupled plasma by high frequency power, and a thin film by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is formed on the substrate.
- CVD chemical vapor deposition
- FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a CVD apparatus including a film forming chamber and a heating chamber in a vacuum chamber.
- the CVD apparatus 101 shown in FIG. 9 arranges the preheating chamber 102 (102A, 102B), the film formation chamber 103 (103A, 103B), and the unload chamber 104 in-line, and conveys the substrate 120 placed on the tray 109. In this configuration, the film is formed after preliminary heating.
- a heater 107 is provided in the preheating chamber 102 and the film forming chamber 103.
- the substrate 120 is deposited from the unload chamber 104 after being deposited in the deposition chamber 103, separated from the tray 109, and sent to the next step (not shown).
- the tray 109 from which the substrate 120 has been separated is returned by the tray return belt 105, and after the unprocessed substrate 120 is placed by the substrate transfer device 106, it is introduced into the preheating chamber 102, and is placed on the placed substrate 120.
- a film forming process is performed.
- Gas is introduced into the film forming chamber 103 and RF power 103d impedance-matched by the matching box 103c from the RF power source 103a is applied to the high frequency electrode 103d to form plasma.
- RF power from an RF power source to a high-frequency electrode has been performed continuously.
- FIG. 10 is a diagram for controlling suppression of conventional arc discharge.
- FIG. 10A shows the state of RF reflected power returning from the load to the RF power source
- FIG. 10B shows the state of RF input power from the RF power source toward the load.
- the RF power source detects this RF reflected power, compares the detected RF reflected power with a preset value, and detects the occurrence of arc discharge when the RF reflected power exceeds the set value (see FIG. A) in 10 (a).
- the RF power source detects the occurrence of arc discharge, the RF power supply to the load is stopped (B in FIG. 10B), and the power is cut off for a predetermined time (for example, 0.01 sec) (FIG. 10).
- C) in (b) the arc discharge is extinguished, and then the input power is gradually increased to the power set value (D, E in FIG. 10 (b)) to perform power control for power recovery.
- the arc discharge does not occur at least once. Then, there is a problem that it is impossible to suppress the arc discharge that occurs thereafter, and when the arc discharge reoccurs, it is necessary to perform power control to cut off the power each time. However, the occurrence of micro arc discharge that cannot be observed as reflected power cannot be suppressed.
- FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the energy distribution of the electron temperature of glow discharge plasma.
- the electrons are distributed at a high density in the boundary region where the electron temperature is low, while in the low density high electron temperature plasma, the electrons are distributed at a high density in the boundary region where the electron temperature is high.
- a plasma CVD apparatus using an RF power source having a frequency of 13.56 MHz forms a high-density low electron temperature plasma, while an RF power source having a frequency of 250 KHz is used.
- the plasma CVD apparatus to be used forms a low density high electron temperature plasma.
- the glow discharge plasma does not disappear instantaneously even when the power is cut off, and the time is about 100 to 150 microseconds. It is said that the plasma state is maintained. This is because the plasma is gradually lost due to the recombination of ions and electrons, the diffusion and disappearance of electrons on the wall surface, the combination of electrons and neutral gas molecules, etc., and the plasma cannot be maintained. It is thought that there is.
- arc discharge may be caused by high-temperature electrons. Therefore, when forming a high-density low-electron temperature plasma using an RF power source having a frequency of 13.56 MHz or higher, As described, it is known that high temperature electrons in plasma are lost by cutting off electric power, and arc discharge is lost.
- Capacitively coupled plasma using a low frequency RF power source of about 150 kHz to 600 kHz is generally a low density and high electron temperature plasma.
- the capacitively coupled plasma CVD apparatus used for forming a nitride film for a crystalline solar cell uses capacitively coupled plasma that forms plasma by supplying RF power from a low frequency RF power source of about 150 kHz to 600 kHz to an electrode.
- This plasma is generally of low density and high electron temperature. Since the low density high electron temperature plasma is a plasma in which high temperature electrons with high energy exist as shown in FIG. 11, arc discharge is likely to occur.
- the substrate temperature during the CVD process is a high temperature of 400 ° C. or higher
- the formed nitride film is insulative
- the electrode area is a large area of 1 m square or more. Therefore, a condition that arc discharge is likely to occur during the CVD process is also taken into consideration.
- the nitride film for a crystalline solar cell is formed by a capacitively coupled plasma device using a low frequency RF power source, it can be said that the environment is extremely susceptible to arc discharge.
- Patent Document 1 shows that arc application is prevented by stopping voltage application at an appropriate time interval and making it intermittent electric power, but a specific method of selecting the intermittent time is described. Examples are not shown.
- Patent Document 2 discloses that the rise time (the time when the voltage (absolute value) continuously increases) and the fall time (the time when the voltage (absolute value) continuously decreases) are 100 ⁇ s or less, a constant voltage. Although the example of the time width of applying 3 to 200 m ⁇ s is shown, it is not clearly specified what kind of standard the cutoff time or the application time for applying a constant voltage is determined.
- the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems and to prevent arc discharge from occurring when a nitride film for a crystalline solar cell is formed by a capacitively coupled plasma device using a low-frequency RF power source. .
- it is intended to prevent the occurrence of arc discharge by periodically suppressing the generation of hot electrons before the occurrence of arc discharge, including the occurrence of micro arc discharge that cannot be observed as reflected power. To do.
- the present invention periodically suppresses hot electrons before arc discharge occurs by pulse-controlling a low-frequency RF power source, thereby causing arc discharge. It is something that will not let you.
- the aspect of the film forming method of the present invention is a film forming method using a capacitively coupled plasma CVD apparatus, in which power supply to electrodes provided in the capacitively coupled plasma CVD apparatus is intermittently performed by pulse control.
- power supply is periodically repeated with an on time for supplying power and an off time for stopping power supply as one period.
- the off time for stopping power supply is set within the time span between the lower limit time and the upper limit time, and the on time for supplying power is set as the upper limit time.
- the lower limit of the off time during which the power supply is stopped can be determined as the time required for a plasma state in which the density of hot electrons is reduced and no arc discharge occurs after the power supply is stopped.
- the power supply stop time is set to the lower limit time or more, the density of high-temperature electrons in the plasma decreases to a plasma state where arc discharge does not occur, so arc discharge occurs when power is turned on again. This can be suppressed.
- the upper limit of the off time for stopping the power supply is the time required for the electron density to drop until it becomes difficult to maintain the plasma after the power supply is stopped.
- the electron density and power supply in the plasma are stopped.
- the high-temperature electrons can be determined by the time that becomes the residual plasma threshold, which is the limit for maintaining the plasma.
- the time for stopping power supply is set to the upper limit time or less, the plasma is maintained because the electron density in the plasma does not fall below the residual plasma threshold, and the film is continuously formed by simply turning on the power again. Can be done.
- the upper limit time of the on-time for supplying power is the time from the start of power supply until the electron temperature rises and the electron temperature is saturated, and the on-time for supplying the density of hot electrons in the plasma and power In this relation, it can be determined by setting the time shorter than the time when the density of high-temperature electrons is saturated.
- the density of hot electrons in the plasma increases and arc discharge is likely to occur.
- the power supply time is set to the upper limit time or less, the density of high-temperature electrons does not reach saturation, so that arc discharge can be prevented from occurring during power supply.
- the off time for stopping the power supply is set within a time width in which 20 microseconds is the lower limit time and 50 microseconds is the upper limit time.
- the on-time for supplying power is set to 1000 microseconds as the upper limit time, and low frequency RF power of 150 kHz to 600 kHz is intermittently supplied under this condition.
- the plasma CVD apparatus includes an RF electrode therein, a film formation chamber in which a thin film is formed by plasma CVD on a substrate disposed opposite to the RF electrode, and the RF electrode has a low frequency.
- An RF power source that supplies RF power and a pulse control unit that controls power supply from the RF power source to the RF electrode are provided.
- the RF power supply outputs low frequency RF power from 150 kHz to 600 kHz.
- the pulse control unit performs pulse control on the low-frequency RF power under the conditions of an off time of 20 to 50 microseconds and an on time of 1000 microseconds or less, and forms intermittent pulse power by this pulse control.
- the substrate temperature during the CVD process is set to 400 ° C. or higher in the film forming process for forming the nitride film for the crystalline solar cell.
- the temperature of the substrate during the CVD process is set to 400 ° C. or higher, and a nitride film for a crystalline solar cell is formed on the substrate.
- a nitride film for a crystalline solar cell is formed by a capacitively coupled plasma apparatus using a low frequency RF power source, arc discharge is caused at all.
- a nitride film can be formed on the substrate.
- the plasma film forming method and the plasma CVD apparatus of the present invention it is possible to periodically suppress high-temperature electrons before the occurrence of arc discharge to prevent the occurrence of arc discharge. .
- FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a plasma CVD apparatus of the present invention. Note that the plasma CVD apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 illustrates an inline configuration example.
- the plasma CVD apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a preheating chamber 2 (2A, 2B), a film formation chamber 3 (3A, 3B), and an unload chamber 4 arranged in-line, and a substrate 20 placed on a tray 9 is arranged.
- the film is formed after preheating while being conveyed.
- the tray 9 unloaded from the unload chamber 4 moves the film-formed substrate 20, returns it to the substrate transfer device 6 by the tray return belt 5, places the non-film-formed substrate 20, and preheats it. Carry it into the room 2.
- the unprocessed substrate 20 is placed on the tray 9 (receptor) mainly composed of carbon by the substrate transfer device 6 and introduced into the preheating chamber 2.
- the preheating chamber 2 is configured by connecting two preheating chambers 2A and 2B.
- the preheating chambers 2A and 2B include a heater 7 in a vacuum chamber.
- the tray 9 introduced into the preheating chambers 2 ⁇ / b> A and 2 ⁇ / b> B is heated by the heater 7 and controlled to a temperature suitable for the CVD process performed in the film forming chamber 3.
- the heater 7 is provided in each of the preheating chamber 2A and the preheating chamber 2B, and the temperature control can be easily adjusted by heating in two stages. For example, the temperature can be adjusted to a predetermined temperature by the heater 7 in the preheating chamber 2B after the temperature is increased at high speed by the heater 7 in the preheating chamber 2A.
- the preheating chambers 2A and 2B can be provided with an introduction mechanism (not shown) for introducing hydrogen gas or helium gas into the vacuum chamber.
- an introduction mechanism not shown
- the heating efficiency can be improved, the treatment time can be shortened, and the heating device can be simplified.
- temperature control is performed by introducing helium gas or the like into the preheating chambers 2A and 2B.
- the film formation chamber 3 is configured by connecting two film formation chambers 3A and 3B.
- the film forming chambers 3A and 3B are provided with a heater 7 in a vacuum chamber.
- the film formation chambers 3A and 3B are provided with a high-frequency electrode 3d.
- a SiN reflection film silicon nitride reflection film
- the heater 7 is maintained at the plasma CVD process temperature.
- the film forming chambers 3A and 3B can be provided with an introduction mechanism (not shown) for introducing hydrogen gas or helium gas into the vacuum chamber.
- Introducing hydrogen gas with good thermal conductivity into the film forming chambers 3A and 3B can improve the heating efficiency, shorten the processing time, and simplify the heating apparatus. Further, temperature control is performed by introducing helium gas or the like into the film forming chambers 3A and 3B.
- the film forming chambers 3A and 3B can perform a film forming process as necessary.
- it can be used for a mode in which different thin film forming processes are performed in the film forming chambers 3A and 3B, a mode in which the same type of thin film is formed in two stages in the film forming chambers 3A and 3B, and the like.
- FIG. 1 shows an example in which the preheating chamber and the film forming chamber are each two chambers, a configuration in which each chamber is a single chamber or a plurality of three or more chambers may be employed.
- the high-frequency electrode 3d provided in the film forming chamber 3 is disposed so as to face the electrode (not shown) that supports the substrate 20 together with the tray 9, and constitutes a capacitively coupled plasma CVD apparatus.
- RF power is supplied to the high-frequency electrode 3 d from an RF power source 3 a provided outside the vacuum chamber of the film formation chamber 3.
- the RF power source 3a is a power source that outputs low-frequency RF power of about 150 kHz to 600 kHz.
- a pulse control unit 3b is connected to the RF power source 3a, and pulse-controlled low frequency RF power is supplied to the high frequency electrode 3d via the matching box 3c to form capacitively coupled plasma.
- the pulse control unit 3b performs control to intermittently supply the low-frequency RF power, and repeats the period in which the power is supplied and the period in which the power is not supplied, thereby replacing the high-frequency electrode 3d with continuous power application. Then, intermittent power application is performed.
- FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining RF power pulse control.
- FIG. 2A shows an example of a control pulse signal for pulse-controlling RF power
- FIG. 2B shows an example of a waveform of pulse-controlled RF voltage.
- the control pulse signal is a signal that repeats on-pulse and off-pal.
- the control pulse signal supplies RF power output from the RF power source 3a to the high-frequency electrode 3d during the on-pulse period.
- the off-pulse period (hereinafter referred to as off-time)
- the supply of power from the RF power source 3a to the high-frequency electrode 3d is stopped.
- FIG. 2B shows a case where the electric field is attenuated to a sufficiently small extent that plasma cannot be generated during the off-pulse period (hereinafter referred to as on-time).
- FIG. 2 shows an example in which the ON time is set to 1000 ⁇ sec or less and the OFF time is set to a time width of 20 ⁇ sec to 50 ⁇ sec.
- the on time and the off time will be described.
- the time required for the hot electron density to reach a predetermined plasma state after the power supply is stopped (lower limit) Time) and the time interval between the time when the electron density is stopped and the time required to reach the residual plasma threshold (upper limit time), which is the limit for maintaining the plasma, is the off time for stopping the power supply.
- the density of hot electrons in the plasma rises after the power supply is started, the time required for the hot electron density to saturate is set as the upper limit of the power supply on time. By interrupting the power supply under conditions, the occurrence of arc discharge is suppressed.
- the predetermined plasma state is a state showing a so-called “low temperature plasma” state in which electrons in a high temperature region are sufficiently lost and arc discharge caused by the high temperature electrons is sufficiently suppressed.
- FIG. 11 shows the electron density distribution from the low temperature region to the high temperature region. According to this electron density distribution, with time, it is considered that electrons in any region such as a low temperature region and a high temperature region will disappear in the same way, and the temperature distribution of electrons after a certain time has elapsed. Only the low temperature region remains.
- FIG. 3 described later corresponds to the integral value of the electron density over time and the average electron temperature. However, it is said that there is a region having a high density in the region of 50 eV or more which is not shown in FIG.
- the electron temperature of each region is not changed (decreased), but the absolute number of electrons (electron density) in each region divided according to energy and temperature. Since it changes, the plasma as a whole is expressed as an average value of electron temperature at a low temperature or a high temperature.
- FIG. 3 shows a change in electron temperature in the plasma after the power supply is stopped
- FIG. 4 is a diagram after the power supply is stopped
- FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the range of off time determined by the electron density and the electron temperature.
- the density of high-temperature electrons in the plasma is low.
- the electron temperature change in the plasma shown in FIG. 3 after the RF power supply is shut off, the electron temperature rapidly decreases, for example, to 2 eV or less.
- the electrons in the plasma after exceeding 20 microseconds, the electrons in the plasma are occupied by low-temperature electrons that do not cause arc discharge. Therefore, as the lower limit value of the off time of the pulse control, the time required for the hot electron density to reach a predetermined plasma state after the power supply is stopped is set. From the example of FIG. 3, 20 microseconds can be defined as the lower limit of the off time.
- the density of the boundary where the plasma is maintained is defined as a residual plasma threshold (indicated by a chain line in FIG. 4). If the plasma density is equal to or higher than the residual plasma threshold, the plasma is maintained, and plasma generation can be continued by reapplying power in this state. On the other hand, when the plasma density is lower than the residual plasma threshold, it is difficult to maintain the plasma. Therefore, the time during which the plasma density (electron density) becomes the residual plasma threshold is set as the upper limit value, and power generation is stopped before the upper limit value is reached, and plasma generation can be continued by turning on the power again. .
- the upper limit value of the off time is determined based on the change in the electron density indicated by the solid line in FIG.
- the change in electron density indicated by the solid line intersects the residual plasma threshold at about 50 ⁇ sec. Therefore, here, 50 microseconds can be set as the upper limit value of the off time.
- the off time required for the plasma density to drop to the residual plasma threshold after the RF power is cut off depends on the initial value of the plasma density, and the off time when the initial value of the plasma density is large is This is longer than the off time when the initial value of the plasma density is small.
- the case where the initial value of the plasma density is large is indicated by a broken line
- the case where the initial value of the plasma density is small is indicated by a solid line.
- the range of the off time when the RF power is pulse-controlled can be determined by the lower limit value of the off time determined in FIG. 3 and the upper limit value of the off time determined in FIG. FIG. 5 shows the range of this off time.
- the off time in RF power pulse control is set in a range between the lower limit value and the upper limit value in the figure.
- the lower limit is determined by the off time when the density of high temperature electrons is below a predetermined density
- the upper limit is determined by the off time when the plasma density (electron density) is below the residual plasma threshold.
- FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the on-time, and shows a change in the electron temperature in the plasma after the start of power supply.
- FIG. 6 it increases slowly after turning on RF power. If the state in which the density of hot electrons in the plasma is high is maintained for a long time, the probability that hot electrons are present increases, and the possibility of arc discharge increases.
- the saturation time in which the density of high-temperature electrons is saturated is used as a guide for the upper limit time, and the generation of arc discharge is suppressed by interrupting the power supply before reaching the saturation time.
- the saturation time until the density of high-temperature electrons reaches saturation is set to 1000 microseconds, and this 1000 microsecond is set as the upper limit value of the on-time.
- the degree of input power can be expressed by on-duty.
- the on-duty can be expressed by the following equation.
- ON duty on time / (on time + off time)
- FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the ON duty in the pulse control and the film formation rate.
- FIG. 7A shows the relationship of the pulse control OFF time range, and FIG. The relationship of the on-time of pulse control is shown. Note that Dep.rate on the vertical axis in FIG. 7 represents the film formation rate.
- FIG. 7 (a) shows the range of the ON duty determined by the off time in the relationship of the film formation rate to the ON duty.
- the range of ON duty shown in FIG. 7A satisfies the range of the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the off time for suppressing the arc discharge described above. By setting the highest ON duty value within this ON duty range, arc discharge can be suppressed and the deposition rate can be improved.
- FIG. 7B shows the relationship between the ON time and the deposition rate in the relationship of the deposition rate with respect to the ON duty.
- the range of ON duty shown in FIG. 7 (b) changes depending on the ON time for suppressing the arc discharge described above, and the ON duty range becomes higher on the film deposition rate side as the ON time is longer.
- the ON duty as the lower limit value and the ON time as the upper limit value, it is possible to suppress arc discharge and increase the deposition rate.
- FIG. 8 shows an example of the relationship between the deposition rate and the on-duty with the input power as a parameter.
- the RF input power is a limit of 900 W
- the power can be input without generating arc discharge.
- the film formation rate can be improved by increasing the input power value.
- the plasma can be generated without generating any arc discharge by optimizing the pulse control of the RF power.
- the effects of suppressing the generation of particles, ensuring the uniformity of the thickness of the thin film, avoiding damage to the substrate, and the like can be obtained, and the peeling of the deposited film from the peripheral portion can be reduced, and the plasma CVD apparatus
- the productivity can be improved by extending the maintenance cycle.
- the amount of RF power input is limited in order to avoid the occurrence of arc discharge, and it is difficult to improve the film formation speed.
- RF power can be input, the film formation rate can be significantly increased, and productivity can be improved.
- the present invention can be applied not only to a thin film for a solar cell but also to a film forming process for generating a different film thickness on a substrate, and can be applied to a sputtering apparatus, a CVD apparatus, an ashing apparatus, an etching apparatus, an MBE apparatus, a vapor deposition apparatus, and the like. Can be applied.
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Abstract
Description
Claims (5)
- 容量結合型プラズマCVD装置による成膜方法において、
前記容量結合型プラズマCVD装置が備える電極への電力供給をパルス制御によって断続して行い、
前記パルス制御は、
電力供給を停止した後のプラズマ中の電子温度の低下において、電力供給を停止してから高温電子の密度が低下し、アーク放電が発生しないプラズマ状態になるのに要する時間を下限時間とし、電子密度が電力供給を停止してからプラズマ維持が困難となる残留プラズマ閾値となるまでの上限時間とする時間間隔を、電力供給を停止するオフ時間とし、
電力供給を開始した後のプラズマ中の電子温度の上昇において、高温電子の密度が飽和する電力供給のオン時間の上限とする条件で電力供給を断続することにより、アーク放電の発生を抑制することを特徴とする、プラズマ成膜方法。 - 容量結合型プラズマCVD装置による成膜方法において、
前記容量結合型プラズマCVD装置が備える電極への電力供給をパルス制御によって断続して行い、
前記パルス制御は、150kHzから600kHzの低周波RF電力を、電力供給を停止するオフ時間を20マイクロ秒から50マイクロ秒、電力供給を行うオン時間を1000マイクロ秒以下の条件で断続して供給することにより、アーク放電の発生を抑制することを特徴とする、プラズマ成膜方法。 - 前記容量結合型プラズマCVD装置は結晶系太陽電池用窒化膜を成膜し、CVDプロセス時の基板の温度は400℃以上であることを特徴とする、請求項1又は2に記載のプラズマ成膜方法。
- 内部にRF電極を有し、当該RF電極と対向配置した基板上にプラズマCVDによって薄膜を形成する成膜室と、
前記RF電極に低周波RF電力を供給するRF電源と、
前記RF電源からRF電極への電力供給を制御するパルス制御部とを備え、
前記RF電源は、150kHzから600kHzの低周波RF電力を出力し、
前記パルス制御部は、前記低周波RF電力を、オフ時間を20マイクロ秒から50マイクロ秒、オン時間を1000マイクロ秒以下とする条件でパルス制御して断続するパルス電力を形成することにより、アーク放電の発生を抑制することを特徴とする、プラズマCVD装置。 - 前記成膜室は、CVDプロセス時の基板の温度を400℃以上とし、基板上に結晶系太陽電池用窒化膜を成膜することを特徴とする、請求項4に記載のプラズマCVD装置。
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JP2010500472A JP5530350B2 (ja) | 2008-02-26 | 2008-02-26 | プラズマ成膜方法、およびプラズマcvd装置 |
PCT/JP2008/053249 WO2009107196A1 (ja) | 2008-02-26 | 2008-02-26 | プラズマ成膜方法、およびプラズマcvd装置 |
CN2008801174874A CN101874293B (zh) | 2008-02-26 | 2008-02-26 | 等离子体成膜方法以及等离子体cvd装置 |
US12/811,333 US8272348B2 (en) | 2008-02-26 | 2008-02-26 | Method for plasma deposition and plasma CVD system |
TW097140683A TWI429782B (zh) | 2008-02-26 | 2008-10-23 | 電漿成膜方法以及電漿cvd裝置 |
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WO2012160718A1 (ja) * | 2011-05-20 | 2012-11-29 | 株式会社島津製作所 | 薄膜形成装置 |
US8483574B2 (en) | 2010-10-15 | 2013-07-09 | Tyco Electronics Subsea Communications, Llc | Correlation-control QPSK transmitter |
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TWI409960B (zh) * | 2010-01-12 | 2013-09-21 | Tainergy Tech Co Ltd | 沉積太陽能電池之抗反射層的方法 |
KR102177210B1 (ko) * | 2013-08-19 | 2020-11-11 | 삼성디스플레이 주식회사 | 화학기상증착장치의 서셉터 이상유무 판단방법 및 이를 이용한 유기발광 디스플레이 장치 제조방법 |
US10840114B1 (en) | 2016-07-26 | 2020-11-17 | Raytheon Company | Rapid thermal anneal apparatus and method |
CN111238669B (zh) * | 2018-11-29 | 2022-05-13 | 拓荆科技股份有限公司 | 用于半导体射频处理装置的温度测量方法 |
WO2021021955A1 (en) | 2019-07-29 | 2021-02-04 | Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. | Multiplexed power generator output with channel offsets for pulsed driving of multiple loads |
CN114438477A (zh) * | 2020-11-02 | 2022-05-06 | 江苏菲沃泰纳米科技股份有限公司 | 循环镀膜方法、膜层以及产品 |
CN113629161B (zh) * | 2021-08-04 | 2024-06-07 | 苏州拓升智能装备有限公司 | 间歇等离子体氧化方法和装置、太阳电池的制备方法 |
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