WO2009148165A1 - 成膜装置 - Google Patents
成膜装置 Download PDFInfo
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- WO2009148165A1 WO2009148165A1 PCT/JP2009/060388 JP2009060388W WO2009148165A1 WO 2009148165 A1 WO2009148165 A1 WO 2009148165A1 JP 2009060388 W JP2009060388 W JP 2009060388W WO 2009148165 A1 WO2009148165 A1 WO 2009148165A1
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- Prior art keywords
- substrate
- film forming
- chamber
- forming apparatus
- film
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- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 101
- 239000000969 carrier Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 41
- 238000011068 loading method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 29
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 claims description 401
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 93
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 claims description 90
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 claims description 57
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims description 38
- 238000003795 desorption Methods 0.000 claims description 19
- 238000000151 deposition Methods 0.000 claims description 14
- 230000008021 deposition Effects 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 claims description 11
- 239000013081 microcrystal Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicon Chemical compound [Si] XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000005229 chemical vapour deposition Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910052710 silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000010703 silicon Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 235000012431 wafers Nutrition 0.000 abstract 5
- 239000010408 film Substances 0.000 description 295
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 78
- 239000010409 thin film Substances 0.000 description 64
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 19
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 17
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 13
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 13
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 13
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 13
- 238000007781 pre-processing Methods 0.000 description 11
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 10
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 10
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 10
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 9
- 238000002203 pretreatment Methods 0.000 description 9
- 229910021424 microcrystalline silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 8
- 229910021417 amorphous silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 7
- 239000006227 byproduct Substances 0.000 description 7
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 7
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 7
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000006872 improvement Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000005268 plasma chemical vapour deposition Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000004308 accommodation Effects 0.000 description 3
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- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 description 3
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- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005137 deposition process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010248 power generation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000002159 abnormal effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010923 batch production Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000013078 crystal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000006837 decompression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010030 laminating Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 description 1
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- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000035945 sensitivity Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- 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
- C23C16/458—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 characterised by the method used for supporting substrates in the reaction chamber
- C23C16/4582—Rigid and flat substrates, e.g. plates or discs
- C23C16/4587—Rigid and flat substrates, e.g. plates or discs the substrate being supported substantially vertically
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- 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
- C23C16/24—Deposition of silicon only
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- 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
- C23C16/54—Apparatus specially adapted for continuous coating
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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
- H01L21/67—Apparatus specially adapted for handling semiconductor or electric solid state devices during manufacture or treatment thereof; Apparatus specially adapted for handling wafers during manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or electric solid state devices or components ; Apparatus not specifically provided for elsewhere
- H01L21/67005—Apparatus not specifically provided for elsewhere
- H01L21/67011—Apparatus for manufacture or treatment
- H01L21/67155—Apparatus for manufacturing or treating in a plurality of work-stations
- H01L21/67161—Apparatus for manufacturing or treating in a plurality of work-stations characterized by the layout of the process chambers
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- H—ELECTRICITY
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- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
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- H01L21/67—Apparatus specially adapted for handling semiconductor or electric solid state devices during manufacture or treatment thereof; Apparatus specially adapted for handling wafers during manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or electric solid state devices or components ; Apparatus not specifically provided for elsewhere
- H01L21/67005—Apparatus not specifically provided for elsewhere
- H01L21/67011—Apparatus for manufacture or treatment
- H01L21/67155—Apparatus for manufacturing or treating in a plurality of work-stations
- H01L21/67161—Apparatus for manufacturing or treating in a plurality of work-stations characterized by the layout of the process chambers
- H01L21/67173—Apparatus for manufacturing or treating in a plurality of work-stations characterized by the layout of the process chambers in-line arrangement
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- 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
- H01L21/677—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 for conveying, e.g. between different workstations
- H01L21/67703—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 for conveying, e.g. between different workstations between different workstations
- H01L21/67712—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 for conveying, e.g. between different workstations between different workstations the substrate being handled substantially vertically
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- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
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- 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
- H01L21/677—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 for conveying, e.g. between different workstations
- H01L21/67703—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 for conveying, e.g. between different workstations between different workstations
- H01L21/67736—Loading to or unloading from a conveyor
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- H01L21/677—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 for conveying, e.g. between different workstations
- H01L21/67739—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 for conveying, e.g. between different workstations into and out of processing chamber
- H01L21/67754—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 for conveying, e.g. between different workstations into and out of processing chamber horizontal transfer of a batch of workpieces
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- H—ELECTRICITY
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- H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
- H01L31/04—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices
- H01L31/06—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices characterised by at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier
- H01L31/075—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices characterised by at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the potential barriers being only of the PIN type
- H01L31/076—Multiple junction or tandem solar cells
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
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- H01L31/18—Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment of these devices or of parts thereof
- H01L31/1804—Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment of these devices or of parts thereof comprising only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
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- Y02E10/547—Monocrystalline silicon PV cells
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P70/00—Climate change mitigation technologies in the production process for final industrial or consumer products
- Y02P70/50—Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a film forming apparatus. This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-149938 for which it applied on June 6, 2008, and uses the content here.
- a plasma CVD apparatus In the film forming process of the thin film Si layer (semiconductor layer) of this thin film solar cell, a plasma CVD apparatus is often used.
- a plasma CVD apparatus a single-wafer PE-CVD (plasma CVD) apparatus, an in-line PE-CVD apparatus, a batch-type PE-CVD apparatus, and the like are known.
- the film thickness of the ⁇ c-Si layer of the tandem solar cell is about 5 times that of the a-Si layer (approximately 1.5 ⁇ m).
- the ⁇ c-Si layer it is necessary to uniformly form a high-quality microcrystal layer, and forming the microcrystal layer by increasing the deposition rate has a limit in the deposition process. Therefore, for example, it is required to increase the number of batch processes to improve productivity. That is, there is a demand for an apparatus that realizes a film forming process at a low film forming speed and a high throughput.
- the CVD apparatus of Patent Document 1 includes a substrate (substrate) delivery / dispensing device, a film forming chamber group that can store a plurality of substrates, a moving chamber, and a chamber moving device.
- a substrate (substrate) delivery / dispensing device includes a substrate (substrate) delivery / dispensing device, a film forming chamber group that can store a plurality of substrates, a moving chamber, and a chamber moving device.
- an airtight shutter is provided at the film forming chamber entrance / exit of the film forming chamber, and the storage chamber entrance / exit of the moving chamber is always open.
- the chamber moving device moves the moving chamber to the position of the substrate delivery / dispensing device, and transfers the substrate carrier to the moving chamber.
- the chamber moving device joins the moving chamber and the film forming chamber, moves the substrate carrier to the film forming chamber, and forms a film on the substrate.
- the transfer chamber in order to form a thin film Si layer on a substrate, the transfer chamber is joined to the film formation chamber, and after the pressure is reduced so that the inside of the transfer chamber is in a vacuum state, the film formation is performed.
- the shutter of the chamber is opened, and the substrate carrier is transferred from the moving chamber to the film forming chamber.
- the substrate is heated in a film formation chamber, and a thin film Si layer is formed on the substrate by plasma CVD.
- the substrate is cooled, and the substrate is transferred to a processing chamber different from the film formation chamber. Therefore, it is possible to form a film on a plurality of substrates at the same time.
- the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a film forming apparatus that is excellent in productivity or manufacturing cost and can realize high throughput.
- the film forming apparatus includes a film forming chamber for forming a desired film on a substrate in a vacuum; and a vacuum atmosphere that is fixed to the film forming chamber through a first opening / closing portion.
- a loading / unloading chamber capable of depressurizing the interior; a second opening / closing portion provided on a surface of the loading / unloading chamber opposite to the surface on which the first opening / closing portion is provided; and a film forming surface of the substrate
- the carrier or the substrate is carried into and out of the preparation / removal chamber through the second opening / closing section, and a plurality of the carriers are loaded into the preparation / removal chamber.
- a plurality of the carriers are loaded into the preparation / removal chamber.
- the plurality of carriers are carried in and out in parallel between the preparation / removal chamber and the film formation chamber, and the plurality of substrates held by the plurality of carriers in the film formation chamber A film is formed at the same time.
- a plurality of carriers can be arranged in parallel in the preparation / removal chamber, and a plurality of carriers are carried into or out of the film forming chamber.
- production efficiency can be improved. That is, high throughput can be realized even when processing at a low film formation rate is performed.
- the area required for the substrate to move in the apparatus can be reduced. For this reason, while being able to miniaturize an apparatus, many apparatuses can be arrange
- the number of substrates that can be formed simultaneously can be increased, and productivity can be improved.
- the film when the film is formed in a vertical state so that the film formation surface of the substrate is substantially parallel to the gravitational direction, it is possible to suppress accumulation of particles generated during film formation on the film formation surface of the substrate. it can. Therefore, a high-quality semiconductor layer can be formed on the substrate.
- a film forming apparatus includes a film forming chamber for forming a desired film on a substrate in a vacuum; and a vacuum atmosphere that is fixed to the film forming chamber through a first opening / closing part.
- a loading / unloading chamber capable of depressurizing the inside; and a substrate demounting chamber fixed to the loading / unloading chamber via a second opening / closing portion and desorbing the substrate from a carrier capable of holding the substrate.
- the carrier holds the substrate such that the film forming surface of the substrate and the direction of gravity are substantially parallel, and a plurality of the carriers are provided in the substrate desorption chamber.
- a plurality of carriers can be arranged in parallel in the substrate desorption chamber and the loading / unloading chamber, and a plurality of carriers are carried into the film forming chamber or a plurality of carriers are formed from the film forming chamber.
- the carrier can be carried out and a plurality of substrates held by the plurality of carriers can be simultaneously formed, production efficiency can be improved. That is, high throughput can be realized even when processing at a low film formation rate is performed.
- the area required for the substrate to move in the device can be reduced, so the device can be made smaller.
- many devices can be arranged in the same installation area as the conventional one. Therefore, the number of substrates that can be formed simultaneously can be increased, and productivity can be improved.
- the film when the film is formed in a vertical state so that the film formation surface of the substrate is substantially parallel to the gravitational direction, it is possible to suppress accumulation of particles generated during film formation on the film formation surface of the substrate. it can. Therefore, a high-quality semiconductor layer can be formed on the substrate.
- a plurality of process modules including the substrate desorption chamber, the preparation / removal chamber, and the film formation chamber as a set; and a plurality of the substrate desorption chambers in common And a drive mechanism for loading / unloading the substrate.
- the film forming apparatus having the above configuration by arranging a plurality of process modules, it is possible to further increase the number of substrates that can be simultaneously formed, so even when forming a film on the substrate at a low rate, High throughput can be realized.
- the drive mechanism performs the delivery of the substrate between the substrate removal chamber and the substrate storage cassette, the production efficiency can be further improved.
- the apparatus since the apparatus is integrated as a process module, it is possible to shorten the apparatus installation time (production line start-up time) when building the production line in a factory or the like. Furthermore, when the film forming chamber is maintained, it is possible to perform maintenance for each process module, and it is not necessary to stop the entire production line. Therefore, it is possible to minimize a decrease in production efficiency during maintenance.
- the process modules are arranged in parallel and the driving mechanism has a moving part.
- the film forming apparatus having the above configuration a plurality of process modules are arranged in parallel, so that the number of substrates that can be simultaneously formed can be further increased. For this reason, high throughput can be realized even when a film is formed on a substrate at a low rate.
- the drive mechanism for transferring the substrate between the substrate removal chamber and the substrate storage cassette is moved by the moving unit, one drive mechanism can be shared by a plurality of modules, thereby reducing the cost. be able to.
- the apparatus since the apparatus is integrated as a process module, it is possible to shorten the apparatus installation time (production line start-up time) when building the production line in a factory or the like. Furthermore, when the film forming chamber is maintained, it is possible to perform maintenance for each process module, and it is not necessary to stop the entire production line. Therefore, it is possible to minimize a decrease in production efficiency during maintenance.
- the process module is installed so as to extend radially from the drive mechanism.
- the substrate can be delivered to a plurality of process modules without the drive mechanism being moved by the moving unit. Therefore, the operating time of the drive mechanism can be shortened and the tact time can be shortened.
- the film forming apparatus of the first aspect or the second aspect of the present invention it is preferable to include a plurality of process modules each having one film forming chamber connected to one charging / discharging chamber.
- the process modules are arranged in parallel.
- the number of substrates that can be simultaneously formed can be further increased by arranging a plurality of process modules in parallel. For this reason, high throughput can be realized even when a film is formed on a substrate at a low rate.
- the cost can be reduced by sharing the drive mechanism for transferring the substrate between the substrate desorption chamber and the substrate storage cassette among a plurality of modules.
- the apparatus since the apparatus is integrated as a process module, it is possible to shorten the apparatus installation time (production line start-up time) when building the production line in a factory or the like. Furthermore, when the film forming chamber is maintained, it is possible to perform maintenance for each process module, and it is not necessary to stop the entire production line. Therefore, it is possible to minimize a decrease in production efficiency during maintenance.
- a plurality of film forming chambers are connected to one of the charging / removing chambers, and the plurality of film forming chambers are arranged in parallel. It is preferable to contain.
- the substrate attached to the carrier can move in the preparation / removal chamber. For this reason, when different film forming materials are supplied to each of the plurality of film forming chambers, the substrate is transported between the plurality of film forming chambers through the loading / unloading chamber, and different types of film forming materials are transferred to the substrate. Are sequentially stacked. Thus, a substrate having a multilayer structure can be efficiently formed.
- the drive mechanism to carry out is included.
- the process module is installed so as to extend radially from the drive mechanism.
- the apparatus is integrated as a process module, it is possible to shorten the apparatus installation time (production line start-up time) when building the production line in a factory or the like. Furthermore, when the film forming chamber is maintained, it is possible to perform maintenance for each process module, and it is not necessary to stop the entire production line. Therefore, it is possible to minimize a decrease in production efficiency during maintenance. Further, since the process module is installed so as to extend radially from the drive mechanism, it is not necessary to move the drive mechanism by the moving unit, and the substrate can be delivered to a plurality of process modules. Therefore, the operating time of the drive mechanism can be shortened and the tact time can be shortened.
- the carrier can hold a plurality of the substrates. According to the film forming apparatus having the above-described configuration, a plurality of substrates can be simultaneously formed using one carrier, and thus productivity can be further improved.
- one or two of the carriers can hold the substrate such that the film formation surfaces of the two substrates face each other.
- two substrates can be simultaneously formed by supplying a film forming material from between the two substrates. Therefore, it can contribute to the improvement of productivity.
- the apparatus includes a transfer unit that accommodates the substrate and can transfer the substrate to the outside of the film forming apparatus.
- the substrate can be efficiently transferred by using the transfer unit to the outside of the film forming apparatus, for example, an apparatus in which a processing step other than the film forming process is performed. Therefore, it can contribute to the improvement of productivity.
- the film forming chamber has a film forming part for forming microcrystal silicon on the substrate by a CVD method. According to the film forming apparatus having the above configuration, since microcrystalline silicon can be formed on a plurality of substrates at the same time, even when performing a microcrystalline silicon film forming process that is a low film forming speed process, High throughput can be realized.
- the preparation / removal chamber includes a first carrier holding a substrate before being carried into the film formation chamber, and an unloading from the film formation chamber. It is preferable that the second carrier on which the substrate after being held is held at the same time.
- the first carrier in which the substrate before the film forming process carried into the film forming chamber is held, and the substrate after the film forming process carried out from the film forming chamber are held. Since the second carrier can be simultaneously accommodated in the preparation / removal chamber, the number of steps for switching the atmosphere in the preparation / removal chamber to a vacuum atmosphere or an air atmosphere can be reduced. Therefore, productivity can be improved.
- the heat stored in the substrate after the film formation process is transferred to the substrate before the film formation process. Heated and heat exchange takes place.
- productivity can be improved and equipment used in the conventional heating process / cooling process can be canceled, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
- the film forming chamber preferably includes a plurality of electrode units.
- the electrode unit has a cathode to which a voltage is applied, and the cathode is disposed on both sides; the cathode unit is opposed to the cathode disposed on both sides of the cathode unit.
- a pair of anode units having an anode to be In this film forming apparatus the carrier can hold the substrate so that the substrate faces the cathode, and the substrate can be inserted between the cathode and the anode. According to the film forming apparatus having the above configuration, since the substrates can be arranged on both sides of one cathode unit, two substrates can be simultaneously formed with one electrode unit. Therefore, productivity can be improved.
- the electrode unit can be pulled out of the film forming chamber or inserted into the film forming chamber.
- the electrode unit having the cathode and the anode can be easily separated from the film forming chamber. For this reason, the maintenance work can be performed by the electrode unit alone, and a large work space can be secured. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the burden of maintenance work.
- the electrode unit has a driving device that changes an interval between the cathode and the anode.
- the anode moves in a direction toward or away from the cathode unit. Therefore, when the substrate is taken in and out of the film forming chamber, the gap between the anode and the cathode unit is increased. Can be set.
- the gap between the anode and the cathode unit is set small, and as a result, the gap between the substrate and the cathode unit is set small, specifically about 5 mm. be able to.
- the substrate can be easily taken in and out of the film formation chamber while improving the quality of the formed film, and the productivity can be improved. Further, it is possible to prevent the substrate from coming into contact with and damaging the anode or cathode unit when the substrate is taken in and out.
- the cathode unit that is relatively difficult to move is disposed between the two substrates, that is, between the two substrates that are disposed with the film formation surfaces facing each other.
- the anode that is relatively easy to move is arranged outside the two substrates, that is, outside the two substrates arranged with the film formation surfaces facing each other. Since the anode can be moved by the driving device, the distance between the substrate and the cathode unit is controlled. For this reason, compared with the case where a cathode unit is moved, complication of a thin film solar cell manufacturing apparatus can be suppressed, and manufacturing cost can be reduced.
- a plurality of carriers can be arranged in parallel in the preparation / removal chamber, and a plurality of carriers can be carried into or out of the film formation chamber, Since a plurality of substrates held by a plurality of carriers can be formed at the same time, production efficiency can be improved. That is, high throughput can be realized even when processing at a low film formation rate is performed.
- the area required for the substrate to move in the device can be reduced, so the device can be made smaller.
- many devices can be arranged in the same installation area as the conventional one. Therefore, the number of substrates that can be formed simultaneously can be increased, and productivity can be improved.
- the film when the film is formed in a vertical state so that the film formation surface of the substrate is substantially parallel to the gravitational direction, it is possible to suppress accumulation of particles generated during film formation on the film formation surface of the substrate. it can. Therefore, a high-quality semiconductor layer can be formed on the substrate.
- FIG. 1 It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the thin film solar cell in embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the thin film solar cell manufacturing apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the film-forming chamber in embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the film-forming chamber in the embodiment of the present invention from another angle. It is a side view which shows the film-forming chamber in embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the electrode unit in embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the electrode unit in embodiment of this invention from another angle. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows a part of electrode unit in embodiment of this invention.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a thin film solar cell 100 manufactured by the thin film solar cell manufacturing apparatus of the present invention.
- a thin film solar cell 100 comprises a substrate W made of glass; a top electrode 101 made of a transparent conductive film provided on the substrate W; and a top cell made of amorphous silicon.
- the thin film solar cell 100 is an a-Si / microcrystal Si tandem solar cell.
- power generation efficiency can be improved by absorbing short wavelength light by the top cell 102 and absorbing long wavelength light by the bottom cell 104.
- the three-layer structure of the p layer (102p), i layer (102i), and n layer (102n) of the top cell 102 is formed of amorphous silicon.
- the three-layer structure of the p layer (104p), i layer (104i), and n layer (104n) of the bottom cell 104 is made of microcrystalline silicon.
- the thin film solar cell 100 having such a configuration, when energetic particles called photons contained in sunlight hit the i layer, electrons and holes are generated by the photovoltaic effect, and the electrons are in the n layer. The holes move toward the p layer while moving toward the p layer. By extracting electrons / holes generated by the photovoltaic effect by the upper electrode 101 and the back electrode 106, light energy can be converted into electric energy.
- the intermediate electrode 103 between the top cell 102 and the bottom cell 104, a part of the light that passes through the top cell 102 and reaches the bottom cell 104 is reflected by the intermediate electrode 103 and is incident on the top cell 102 again. Therefore, the sensitivity characteristic of the cell is improved, which contributes to the improvement of power generation efficiency.
- Sunlight incident on the substrate W is reflected by the back electrode 106 after passing through each layer.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a thin-film solar cell manufacturing apparatus.
- a thin film solar cell manufacturing apparatus 10 which is a film forming apparatus of the present invention includes a film forming chamber 11, a loading / unloading chamber 13, a substrate desorbing chamber 15, and a substrate desorbing robot (drive mechanism) 17. And a substrate storage cassette (conveyance unit) 19.
- a bottom cell 104 semiconductor layer made of microcrystalline silicon is simultaneously formed on a plurality of substrates W by using a CVD method.
- the preparation / removal chamber 13 simultaneously accommodates the unprocessed substrate W ⁇ b> 1 carried into the film forming chamber 11 and the post-processed substrate W ⁇ b> 2 unloaded from the film forming chamber 11.
- pre-treatment substrate means a substrate before film formation
- post-treatment substrate means a substrate after film formation.
- the unprocessed substrate W ⁇ b> 1 is attached to the carrier 21 (see FIG. 9), or the processed substrate W ⁇ b> 2 is removed from the carrier 21.
- the substrate removal robot 17 attaches or removes the substrate W to / from the carrier 21.
- the substrate accommodation cassette 19 is used when the substrate W is transported to a different processing chamber different from the thin film solar cell manufacturing apparatus 10 and accommodates the substrate W.
- the substrate removal robot 17 is provided with a moving unit for moving the substrate removal robot 17 on a rail 18 laid on the floor surface. With this configuration, the substrate removal robot 17 moves on the rail 18, and the substrate W transfer process to all substrate deposition lines 16 is performed by one substrate removal robot 17.
- a direction in which a plurality of process modules 14 configured by connecting one film forming chamber 11 to one charging / unloading chamber 13 is arranged (perpendicular to the substrate film forming line 16). Rail 18 extends in the direction).
- the substrate removal robot 17 moves along the direction in which the rail 18 extends by driving the moving unit. Further, the substrate film forming module 14 is formed by integrating the film forming chamber 11 and the loading / unloading chamber 13 and has a size that can be loaded on a transporting truck.
- FIGS. 3A to 3C are schematic configuration diagrams of the film forming chamber 11, in which FIG. 3A is a perspective view, FIG. 3B is a perspective view seen from an angle different from FIG. 3A, and FIG. 3C is a side view.
- the film forming chamber 11 is formed in a box shape.
- the carrier loading / unloading port 24 is provided with a shutter (first opening / closing portion) 25 for opening and closing the carrier loading / unloading port 24.
- the carrier carry-in / out port 24 is closed while ensuring airtightness.
- Three electrode units (deposition units) 31 for forming a film on the substrate W are attached to the side surface 27 facing the side surface 23.
- the electrode unit 31 is configured to be detachable from the film forming chamber 11. Further, an exhaust pipe 29 for reducing the pressure so that the inside of the film forming chamber 11 becomes a vacuum atmosphere is connected to the lower side surface 28 of the film forming chamber 11, and a vacuum pump 30 is connected to the exhaust pipe 29. .
- FIG. 4A to 4D are schematic configuration diagrams of the electrode unit 31, FIG. 4A is a perspective view, FIG. 4B is a perspective view from a different angle from FIG. 4A, and FIG. 4C is a perspective view showing a modification of the electrode unit 31.
- FIG. 4D is a sectional view partially showing the cathode unit and the anode unit.
- FIG. 5 is a plan view of the cathode.
- the electrode unit 31 can be attached to and detached from three openings 26 formed on the side surface 27 of the film forming chamber 11 (see FIG. 3B).
- the electrode unit 31 is provided with one wheel 61 at each of the lower four corners, and is movable on the floor surface.
- the bottom plate portion 62 with the wheels 61 may be a carriage 62A that can be separated from and connected to the electrode unit 31.
- the carriage 62 ⁇ / b> A can be separated from the electrode unit 31 after the electrode unit 31 is connected to the film forming chamber 11.
- each of the electrode units 31 can be moved using the carriage 62A in common without using a plurality of carriages.
- the side plate portion 63 forms a part of the wall surface of the film forming chamber 11.
- An anode unit 90 and a cathode unit 68 positioned on both surfaces of the substrate W when the film is formed are provided on one surface (surface facing the inside of the film forming chamber 11, the first surface) 65 of the side plate portion 63. It has been.
- the electrode unit 31 of the present embodiment includes a pair of anode units 90 that are disposed on both sides of the cathode unit 68 with the cathode unit 68 interposed therebetween. In this electrode unit 31, two substrates W can be formed simultaneously using one electrode unit 31.
- the substrates W during the film formation process are arranged to face each other on both sides of the cathode unit 68 so as to be substantially parallel to the gravity direction (vertical direction).
- the two anode units 90 are arranged on the outer side in the thickness direction of each substrate W in a state of facing each substrate W.
- the anode unit 90 includes a plate-like anode 67 and a heater H built in the anode unit 90.
- a matching box 72 is attached.
- a connecting portion (not shown) for piping for supplying a film forming gas to the cathode unit 68 is formed on the side plate portion 63.
- the anode unit 90 includes a heater H as a temperature control unit that controls the temperature of the substrate W. Further, the two anode units 90 and 90 are configured to be movable in a direction close to each other or in a direction away from each other (horizontal direction) by a driving device 71 provided in the side plate portion 63, and the distance between the substrate W and the cathode unit 68 is increased. It can be controlled. Specifically, when the film formation of the substrate W is performed, the two anode units 90, 90 move in the direction close to the cathode unit 68 and come into contact with the substrate W, and further in the direction close to the cathode unit 68. The distance between the substrate W and the cathode unit 68 is adjusted as desired.
- the anode units 90 and 90 move in a direction away from each other.
- the drive device 71 since the drive device 71 is provided, the substrate W can be easily taken out from the electrode unit 31.
- the anode unit 90 is attached to the drive device 71 via a hinge (not shown), and the electrode unit 31 is pulled out from the film forming chamber 11 and is connected to the cathode unit 68 of the anode unit 90 (anode 67).
- the opposing surface 67A can be rotated (opened) until it is substantially parallel to one surface 65 of the side plate portion 63. That is, the anode unit 90 is configured to be able to turn approximately 90 ° when viewed from the vertical direction of the bottom plate portion 62 (see FIG. 4A).
- shower plates 75 are arranged on the cathode unit 68 on the opposite sides of the unit 90 (anode 67) and on both sides of the cathode unit 68.
- a plurality of small holes (not shown) are formed in the shower plate 75, and a film forming gas is ejected toward the substrate W.
- the shower plates 75 and 75 are cathodes (high frequency electrodes) connected to the matching box 72.
- a cathode intermediate member 76 connected to the matching box 72 is provided between the two shower plates 75 and 75.
- the shower plate 75 is disposed on both sides of the cathode intermediate member 76 in a state of being electrically connected to the cathode intermediate member 76.
- the cathode intermediate member 76 and the shower plate (cathode) 75 are formed of a conductor, and the high frequency is applied to the shower plate (cathode) 75 via the cathode intermediate member 76. For this reason, a voltage having the same potential and the same phase for generating plasma is applied to the two shower plates 75 and 75.
- the cathode intermediate member 76 and the matching box 72 are connected by wiring (not shown).
- a space 77 is formed between the cathode intermediate member 76 and the shower plate 75.
- the space 77 is separated by the cathode intermediate member 76 and formed separately corresponding to each shower plate 75, 75. That is, the cathode unit 68 is formed with a pair of space portions 77.
- a film forming gas is supplied to the space 77 from a gas supply device (not shown), the gas is released from the shower plates 75 and 75. That is, the space 77 has a role of a gas supply path.
- the cathode unit 68 since the space part 77 is formed separately corresponding to each shower plate 75, 75, the cathode unit 68 has two gas supply paths. Accordingly, the type of gas, the gas flow rate, the gas mixing ratio, and the like are controlled independently for each system.
- a hollow exhaust duct 79 is provided on the peripheral edge of the cathode unit 68 over substantially the entire circumference.
- the exhaust duct 79 is formed with an exhaust port 80 for sucking and removing (exhausting) the deposition gas or reaction by-product (powder) in the deposition space 81.
- an exhaust port 80 is formed so as to communicate with a film formation space 81 formed between the substrate W and the shower plate 75 when performing film formation.
- a plurality of the exhaust ports 80 are formed along the peripheral edge of the cathode unit 68, and are configured so that the film forming gas or the reaction byproduct (powder) can be sucked and removed almost uniformly over the entire periphery. Yes.
- an opening (not shown) is formed in a surface of the exhaust duct 79 facing the inside of the film forming chamber 11 at the lower part of the cathode unit 68.
- the film forming gas and the like removed through the exhaust port 80 can be discharged into the film forming chamber 11 through this opening.
- the gas discharged into the film forming chamber 11 is exhausted to the outside through an exhaust pipe 29 provided at the lower side surface 28 of the film forming chamber 11.
- a stray capacitance body 82 having a dielectric and / or a laminated space is provided between the exhaust duct 79 and the cathode intermediate member 76.
- the exhaust duct 79 is connected to the ground potential.
- the exhaust duct 79 also functions as a shield frame for preventing abnormal discharge from the cathode 75 and the cathode intermediate member 76.
- a mask 78 is provided on the peripheral portion of the cathode unit 68 so as to cover a portion from the outer peripheral portion of the exhaust duct 79 to the outer peripheral portion of the shower plate 75.
- the mask 78 covers a clamping piece 59A (see FIGS. 9 and 21) of a clamping unit 59 (described later) provided on the carrier 21, and is integrated with the clamping piece 59A when forming a film.
- a gas flow path R for guiding 81 film forming gas or particles to the exhaust duct 79 is formed. That is, the gas flow path R is formed between the carrier 21 (the sandwiching piece 59 ⁇ / b> A) and the shower plate 75 and between the exhaust duct 79.
- the electrode unit 31 is configured in this way, two gaps between the anode unit 90 and the cathode unit 68 into which the substrate W is inserted are formed in one electrode unit 31. Therefore, two substrates W can be formed simultaneously with one electrode unit 31.
- the substrate W is disposed between the anode unit 90 and the cathode unit 68, and the anode unit 90 (anode 67) is in contact with the substrate W and moved to adjust the distance between the substrate W and the cathode unit 68.
- the anode unit 90 anode 67
- the gap between the substrate W and the cathode unit 68 it is necessary to set the gap between the substrate W and the cathode unit 68 to about 5 to 15 mm, but the anode 67 is movable. Therefore, the distance between the anode 67 and the cathode unit 68 can be adjusted before and after film formation. Therefore, the substrate W can be easily taken in and out.
- the film is formed while the substrate W is heated by the heater H at the time of film formation. According to the above configuration, since the anode 67 and the substrate W can be brought into contact with each other, the heat of the heater H can be effectively transferred to the substrate W. Therefore, high quality film formation can be performed.
- the cathode unit 68 and the anode unit 90 of the electrode unit 31 need to be regularly maintained in order to remove the film deposited thereon.
- the electrode unit 31 is configured to be detachable from the film forming chamber 11, maintenance can be easily performed.
- the spare electrode unit 31 is formed instead of the electrode unit 31 requiring maintenance. It can be attached to the chamber 11. In this case, maintenance can be performed without stopping the production line. Therefore, production efficiency can be improved. As a result, high throughput can be achieved even when a low-rate semiconductor layer is formed on the substrate W.
- the movable rail 37 is formed in the film forming chamber so that the carrier 21 can move between the film forming chamber 11 and the preparation / removal chamber 13 and between the preparation / removal chamber 13 and the substrate desorption chamber 15. 11 and the substrate removal chamber 15.
- the moving rail 37 is separated between the film forming chamber 11 and the loading / unloading chamber 13, and the carrier carry-in / out port 24 can be sealed by closing the shutter 25.
- FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic configuration diagrams of the preparation / removal chamber 13, FIG. 5A is a perspective view, and FIG. 5B is a perspective view from a different angle from FIG. 5A.
- the preparation / removal chamber 13 is formed in a box shape.
- the side surface 33 is connected to the side surface 23 of the film forming chamber 11 while ensuring airtightness.
- An opening 32 through which three carriers 21 can be inserted is formed on the side surface 33.
- a side surface 34 facing the side surface 33 is connected to the substrate desorption chamber 15.
- three carrier carry-in / out ports 35 through which the carrier 21 on which the substrate W is mounted can pass are formed.
- the carrier carry-in / out port 35 is provided with a shutter (second opening / closing portion) 36 that can ensure airtightness.
- the moving rail 37 is separated between the loading / unloading chamber 13 and the substrate detaching chamber 15, and the carrier carry-in / out port 35 can be sealed by closing the shutter 36.
- the preparation / removal chamber 13 is provided with a push-pull mechanism 38 for moving the carrier 21 between the film formation chamber 11 and the preparation / removal chamber 13 along the moving rail 37.
- the push-pull mechanism 38 includes a locking portion 48 for locking the carrier 21; a pair provided at both ends of the locking portion 48 and arranged substantially parallel to the moving rail 37.
- the carrier 21 is viewed in plan view (the surface on which the preparation / removal chamber 13 is installed is viewed from the vertical direction) in order to simultaneously accommodate the pre-processing substrate W 1 and the post-processing substrate W 2.
- a moving mechanism (not shown) for moving a predetermined distance in a direction substantially orthogonal to the laying direction of the moving rail 37 is provided.
- An exhaust pipe 42 is connected to the lower side surface 41 of the preparation / removal chamber 13 for reducing the pressure so that the inside of the preparation / removal chamber 13 becomes a vacuum atmosphere.
- a vacuum pump 43 is connected to the exhaust pipe 42. Has been.
- FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic configuration diagrams of the substrate desorption chamber, FIG. 7A is a perspective view, and FIG. 7B is a front view.
- the substrate removal chamber 15 is formed in a frame shape and connected to the side surface 34 of the preparation / removal chamber 13.
- the unprocessed substrate W ⁇ b> 1 can be attached to the carrier 21 disposed on the moving rail 37, and the processed substrate W ⁇ b> 2 can be detached from the carrier 21.
- the substrate removal chamber 15 is configured so that three carriers 21 can be arranged in parallel.
- the substrate removal robot 17 has a drive arm 45 (see FIG. 2), and has a suction unit that sucks the substrate W at the tip of the drive arm 45.
- the drive arm 45 drives between the carrier 21 disposed in the substrate removal chamber 15 and the substrate storage cassette 19. Specifically, the drive arm 45 can take out the unprocessed substrate W1 from the substrate storage cassette 19 and attach the unprocessed substrate W1 to the carrier (first carrier) 21 disposed in the substrate removal chamber 15.
- the substrate W2 can be removed from the carrier (second carrier) 21 that has returned to the substrate removal chamber 15 and transferred to the substrate storage cassette 19.
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the substrate storage cassette 19.
- the substrate storage cassette 19 is formed in a box shape and has a size capable of storing a plurality of substrates W.
- a plurality of substrates W are stacked and stored in the vertical direction with the film formation surface of the substrate W being horizontal.
- a caster 47 is provided at the lower part of the substrate housing cassette 19 and can be moved to another processing apparatus (outside of the thin film solar cell manufacturing apparatus 10) different from the thin film solar cell manufacturing apparatus 10.
- a plurality of substrates W may be stored in the horizontal direction of the substrate storage cassette 19 so that the film formation surface of the substrate W and the gravity direction are substantially parallel to each other.
- FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the carrier 21.
- the carrier 21 is used for transporting the substrate W, and has two frame-shaped frames 51 to which the substrate W can be attached. That is, two substrates W can be attached to one carrier 21.
- the two frames 51 and 51 are integrated by a connecting member 52 at the upper part thereof.
- a wheel 53 placed on the moving rail 37 is provided above the connecting member 52.
- a frame holder 54 is provided below the frame 51 in order to suppress the shaking of the substrate W when the carrier 21 moves.
- the front end of the frame holder 54 is fitted to a rail member 55 (see FIG.
- the rail member 55 is arranged in a direction along the moving rail 37 in a plan view (when the surface on which the rail member 55 is installed is viewed from the vertical direction). Further, if the frame holder 54 is composed of a plurality of rollers, the carrier 21 can be transported more stably.
- Each of the frames 51 has an opening 56, a peripheral edge 57, and a clamping part 59.
- the film formation surface of the substrate W is exposed at the opening 56.
- both surfaces of the substrate W are sandwiched between the peripheral portion 57 of the opening 56 and the sandwiching portion 59, and the substrate W is fixed to the frame 51.
- An urging force by a spring or the like is applied to the clamping part 59 that clamps the substrate W.
- the clamping unit 59 has clamping pieces 59A and 59B that come into contact with the front surface WO (film formation surface) and the back surface WU (back surface) of the substrate W (see FIG. 21).
- the distance between the sandwiching pieces 59A and 59B can be changed via a spring or the like, that is, along the direction in which the sandwiching piece 59A approaches or separates from the sandwiching piece 59B according to the movement of the anode unit 90 (anode 67). It is configured to be movable (details will be described later).
- one carrier 21 is mounted on one moving rail 37. That is, one carrier 21 that can hold a pair (two) of substrates is mounted on one moving rail 37. That is, in one film forming chamber 11, three carriers 21 are attached, that is, three pairs (six substrates) are held.
- the thin-film solar cell manufacturing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment four substrate film forming lines 16 configured by the film forming chamber 11, the preparation / removal chamber 13, and the substrate desorbing chamber 15 described above are arranged (see FIG. 2). Since three carriers 21 are accommodated in one film formation chamber (see FIGS. 3A and 3B), 24 substrates W can be formed almost simultaneously.
- a method for forming a film on the substrate W using the thin-film solar cell manufacturing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment will be described.
- the description will be made with reference to the drawing of one substrate film forming line 16, but the other three substrate film forming lines 16 are also formed on the substrate by a substantially similar method.
- a substrate storage cassette 19 that stores a plurality of pre-processed substrates W1 is disposed at a predetermined position.
- the drive arm 45 of the substrate removal robot 17 is moved to take out one substrate W1 before processing from the substrate storage cassette 19, and the substrate W1 before processing is placed in the substrate removal chamber 15. Attach to the carrier 21.
- the arrangement direction of the pre-processing substrate W1 arranged in the horizontal direction in the substrate accommodating cassette 19 changes to the vertical direction, and the pre-processing substrate W1 is attached to the carrier 21.
- This operation is repeated once, and two pre-processing substrates W1 are attached to one carrier 21. Further, this operation is repeated to attach the unprocessed substrates W1 to the remaining two carriers 21 installed in the substrate removal chamber 15 respectively. That is, six pre-treatment substrates W1 are attached at this stage.
- the three carriers 21 to which the unprocessed substrate W ⁇ b> 1 is attached move substantially simultaneously along the moving rail 37 and are accommodated in the preparation / removal chamber 13.
- the shutter 36 of the carrier carry-in / out port 35 of the preparation / removal chamber 13 is closed.
- the inside of the preparation / removal chamber 13 is kept in a vacuum state using the vacuum pump 43.
- the three carriers 21 are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the moving rail 37 is laid in a plan view (when the surface on which the preparation / removal chamber 13 is installed is viewed from the vertical direction).
- Each is moved by a predetermined distance (half pitch) using a moving mechanism.
- the predetermined distance is the distance that one carrier 21 moves between adjacent moving rails 37, 37.
- the shutter 25 of the film forming chamber 11 is opened, and the carrier 21A attached with the processed substrate W2 after the film formation is completed in the film forming chamber 11 is pushed into the loading / unloading chamber 13.
- the pull mechanism 38 is used for movement.
- the carrier 21 to which the pre-processing substrate W1 is attached and the carrier 21A to which the post-processing substrate W2 is attached are arranged in parallel in a plan view. Then, by maintaining this state for a predetermined time, the heat stored in the post-processing substrate W2 is transferred to the pre-processing substrate W1. That is, the pre-deposition substrate W1 is heated.
- the movement of the push-pull mechanism 38 will be described.
- the movement when the carrier 21A located in the film formation chamber 11 is moved to the preparation / removal chamber 13 will be described.
- the carrier 21A to which the processed substrate W2 is attached is locked to the locking portion 48 of the push-pull mechanism 38.
- the moving arm 58 of the moving device 50 attached to the locking portion 48 is swung.
- the length of the moving arm 58 is variable.
- the locking portion 48 with which the carrier 21A is locked moves while being guided by the guide member 49, and moves into the preparation / removal chamber 13 as shown in FIG. 15B.
- the carrier 21 ⁇ / b> A is moved from the film formation chamber 11 to the preparation / removal chamber 13. According to such a configuration, it is not necessary to provide a driving source (driving mechanism) for driving the carrier 21 ⁇ / b> A in the film forming chamber 11. It should be noted that the carrier in the loading / unloading chamber 13 can be moved to the film forming chamber 11 by the push-pull mechanism 38 transporting the carrier in the reverse operation to the operation for transporting the carrier as described above. .
- the carrier 21 and the carrier 21 ⁇ / b> A are moved in a direction orthogonal to the moving rail 37 by the moving mechanism, and each carrier 21 holding the unprocessed substrate W ⁇ b> 1 is moved to the position of each moving rail 37.
- the carrier 21 holding the unprocessed substrate W1 is moved to the film forming chamber 11 using the push-pull mechanism 38, and the shutter 25 is closed after the movement is completed.
- the inside of the film forming chamber 11 is maintained in a vacuum state.
- the unprocessed substrate W1 attached to the carrier 21 moves along a direction parallel to the surface, and the surface WO is gravitational force between the anode unit 90 and the cathode unit 68 in the film forming chamber 11. It is inserted in a state along the vertical direction so as to be substantially parallel to the direction (see FIG. 18).
- the drive unit 71 moves the anode unit 90 in a direction in which the two anode units 90 of the electrode unit 31 are close to each other, and the anode unit 90 (anode 67) and The back surface WU of the pre-processing substrate W1 is brought into contact.
- the unprocessed substrate W ⁇ b> 1 moves toward the cathode unit 68 so as to be pushed by the anode 67. Further, the unprocessed substrate W1 is moved until the gap between the unprocessed substrate W1 and the shower plate 75 of the cathode unit 68 reaches a predetermined distance (film formation distance).
- the gap (film formation distance) between the pre-process substrate W1 and the shower plate 75 of the cathode unit 68 is 5 to 15 mm, for example, about 5 mm.
- the holding piece 59A of the holding portion 59 of the carrier 21 that is in contact with the surface WO of the pre-processing substrate W1 moves away from the holding piece 59B in accordance with the movement of the pre-processing substrate W1 (movement of the anode unit 90). It is displaced to.
- the pre-deposition substrate W1 is sandwiched between the anode 67 and the sandwiching piece 59A.
- a restoring force such as a spring acts on the sandwiching piece 59A, so that the sandwiching piece 59A moves toward the sandwiching piece 59B.
- the clamping piece 59A comes into contact with the mask 78, and at this point, the movement of the anode unit 90 stops (see FIG. 21).
- the mask 78 covers the surface of the sandwiching piece 59 ⁇ / b> A and the outer edge portion of the substrate W, and is formed in close contact with the sandwiching piece 59 ⁇ / b> A or the outer edge portion of the substrate W.
- the film formation space 81 is formed by the mask 78, the shower plate 75 of the cathode unit 68, and the pre-processing substrate W1 (substrate W).
- the mating surface of the mask 78 and the sandwiching piece 59 ⁇ / b> A or the outer edge portion of the substrate W functions as the seal portion 86.
- the deposition gas is prevented from leaking to the anode 67 side between the mask 78 and the sandwiching piece 59A or between the mask 78 and the outer edge of the substrate W.
- the range in which the film forming gas spreads is limited, and it is possible to suppress the unnecessary range from being formed.
- the cleaning range can be narrowed and the cleaning frequency can be reduced, and the operating rate of the apparatus is improved.
- the movement of the pre-processing substrate W1 is stopped when the holding piece 59A or the outer edge of the substrate W comes into contact with the mask 78, so that the gap between the mask 78 and the shower plate 75, and the mask 78 and the exhaust duct 79 are moved.
- the gap that is, the height of the gas flow path R in the thickness direction (perpendicular to the plane of the shower plate 75) is set so that the gap between the pre-treatment substrate W1 and the cathode unit 68 is a predetermined distance. Is set.
- the mask 78 and the substrate W are in contact with each other has been described.
- the mask 78 and the substrate W may be arranged with a minute interval that restricts the passage of the deposition gas. .
- plasma is generated in the film formation space 81, and a film is formed on the surface WO of the pre-treatment substrate W1.
- the pre-treatment substrate W1 is heated to a desired temperature by the heater H built in the anode 67.
- the anode unit 90 stops heating when the pre-treatment substrate W1 reaches a desired temperature.
- a voltage is applied to the cathode unit 68, plasma is generated in the film formation space 81. Due to heat input from the plasma over time, the temperature of the pre-treatment substrate W1 may rise above a desired temperature even when the anode unit 90 stops heating.
- the anode unit 90 can also function as a heat radiating plate for cooling the unprocessed substrate W1 whose temperature has increased excessively. Therefore, the pre-treatment substrate W1 is maintained at a desired temperature regardless of the elapsed time of the film formation treatment time. Note that a plurality of layers can be deposited on the substrate W in a single deposition process step by switching the deposition gas material supplied from the shower plate 75 at predetermined intervals.
- gas or particles in the film formation space 81 are sucked and removed (exhaust) through the exhaust port 80 formed in the peripheral portion of the cathode unit 68.
- the gas or reaction by-product in the film formation space 81 is exhausted to the exhaust duct 79 at the peripheral edge of the cathode unit 68 via the gas flow path R and the exhaust port 80.
- the gas or the reaction by-product (powder) passes through an opening formed on a surface of the exhaust duct 79 in the lower part of the cathode unit 68 facing the film forming chamber 11.
- the gas or reaction by-product is exhausted to the outside of the film forming chamber 11 through an exhaust pipe 29 provided at the lower side surface 28 of the film forming chamber 11.
- reaction by-product generated when the film is formed is attached to and deposited on the inner wall surface of the exhaust duct 79, whereby the reaction by-product is recovered and disposed of. Since all the electrode units 31 in the film forming chamber 11 perform the same process as described above, it is possible to form films on six substrates simultaneously.
- the anode unit 90 When the film formation is completed, the anode unit 90 is moved in the direction in which the two anode units 90 are separated from each other by the driving device 71, and the processed substrate W2 and the frame 51 (holding piece 59A) are returned to their original positions (FIG. 19). FIG. 21). Furthermore, by moving the anode unit 90 in a direction in which the anode units 90 are separated from each other, the processed substrate W2 is separated from the anode unit 90 (see FIG. 18).
- the shutter 25 of the film forming chamber 11 is opened, and the carrier 21 is moved to the loading / unloading chamber 13 using a push-pull mechanism 38.
- the inside of the preparation / removal chamber 13 is maintained in a vacuum state, and the carrier 21B to which the unprocessed substrate W1 to be formed next is attached.
- the heat stored in the processed substrate W2 in the preparation / removal chamber 13 is transferred to the unprocessed substrate W1, and the temperature of the processed substrate W2 is lowered.
- each carrier 21B is moved into the film forming chamber 11
- each carrier 21 is returned to the position of the moving rail 37 by the moving mechanism.
- the processed substrate W 2 is removed from the carrier 21 by the substrate removal robot 17 and transferred to the substrate storage cassette 19.
- the film forming process is completed by moving the substrate storage cassette 19 to a place (apparatus) where the next process is performed.
- the carrier 21 that holds the substrate W1 before film formation carried into the film formation chamber 11 and the substrate after film formation carried out from the film formation chamber 11 are retained.
- the carrier 21 (21A) in which W2 is held can be simultaneously accommodated in the preparation / removal chamber 13. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the number of steps for switching the atmosphere in the preparation / removal chamber to a vacuum atmosphere or an air atmosphere. Therefore, productivity can be improved. Further, when the substrate W1 before the film forming process and the substrate W2 after the film forming process are simultaneously accommodated in the preparation / removal chamber 13, the heat stored in the substrate W2 after the film forming process is heated before the film forming process. Heat is transferred to the substrate W1 and heat exchange is performed.
- the heating process that is normally performed after the substrate W1 before the film forming process is accommodated in the film forming chamber 11 and the cooling process that is normally performed before the substrate W2 after the film forming process is carried out from the loading / unloading chamber 13 are omitted. can do.
- productivity can be improved and equipment used in the conventional heating process / cooling process can be canceled, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
- a plurality of carriers 21 (21A) holding the substrate W1 before the film forming process and carriers 21 (21A) holding the substrate W2 after the film forming process can be simultaneously stored in the preparation / removal chamber 13, so The substrates W can be formed at the same time, and productivity can be improved.
- the plurality of carriers 21 carried into the film formation chamber 11 and the plurality of carriers 21 (21A) carried out from the film formation chamber 11 can be accommodated simultaneously in the preparation / removal chamber 13, the preparation / removal chamber 13 The number of steps for switching the atmosphere to a vacuum atmosphere or an air atmosphere can be further reduced, and productivity can be further improved.
- the substrate W can be moved in the thin film solar cell manufacturing apparatus 10 to form a film in a state where the substrate W is set up in the vertical direction so that the film formation surface of the substrate W and the direction of gravity are substantially parallel to each other. Therefore, the area required for the substrate W to move in the thin film solar cell manufacturing apparatus 10 can be reduced. Therefore, the apparatus can be miniaturized and many apparatuses can be arranged in the same installation area as the conventional one. Therefore, the number of substrates W that can be simultaneously formed can be increased, and productivity can be improved. Further, when a film is formed on the substrate W with the substrate W standing in the vertical direction, it is possible to prevent particles generated during the film formation from being deposited on the film formation surface of the substrate W. Therefore, a high-quality semiconductor layer can be formed on the substrate W.
- the carrier 21 can hold a plurality (two) of substrates W, a plurality of substrates W can be simultaneously formed in one carrier 21, and productivity can be further improved. Furthermore, since a plurality of carriers 21 can be simultaneously transferred to the film forming chamber 11, the processing speed can be further increased.
- a plurality (four sets) of process modules 14 configured by connecting one film forming chamber 11 to one preparation / extraction chamber 13 are provided, and the process modules 14 are arranged in parallel. Are arranged. Therefore, the number of substrates W that can be simultaneously formed can be further increased. Accordingly, even when a low-rate film is formed on the substrate W, high throughput can be realized. Further, since the apparatus is integrated as the process module 14, it is possible to reduce the apparatus installation time (production line start-up time) when constructing the production line in a factory or the like. Further, when the film forming chamber 11 is maintained, it is possible to perform the maintenance for each process module 14, and it is not necessary to stop the entire production line. Therefore, it is possible to minimize a decrease in production efficiency during maintenance.
- the substrate removal robot 17 performs an operation of attaching the substrate W 1 before the film formation process to the carrier 21 and an operation of removing the substrate W 2 after the film formation process from the carrier 21.
- the substrate W can be efficiently detached and contributed to the improvement of productivity.
- substrate accommodation cassette 19 comprised so that conveyance was possible toward another processing apparatus different from the thin film solar cell manufacturing apparatus 10 while accommodating the board
- FIG. 26 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating Modification 1 of the thin-film solar cell manufacturing apparatus. As shown in FIG.
- the thin-film solar cell manufacturing apparatus includes a process module 114 configured such that a plurality of film forming chambers are connected to one large preparation / removal chamber.
- the plurality of film forming chambers are arranged in parallel.
- the process module 114 may be configured so that the carrier can move in the preparation / removal chamber. According to this configuration, the substrate attached to the carrier can move in the preparation / removal chamber. Therefore, when different film forming materials are supplied in each of the plurality of film forming chambers (when different films are formed in each film forming chamber), the substrate is charged between the plurality of film forming chambers. Conveyed through the take-out chamber, different types of film forming materials are sequentially stacked on the substrate.
- FIG. 27 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a second modification of the thin-film solar cell manufacturing apparatus.
- modules including a film formation chamber 11, a loading / unloading chamber 13, and a substrate removal chamber 15 are installed from the substrate removal robot 17 so as to extend radially. Yes.
- FIG. 28 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a third modification of the thin-film solar cell manufacturing apparatus. As shown in FIG.
- the film formation chamber 11 is charged and taken out on both sides of the substrate removal robot 17, that is, on both sides of the movement direction (rail extending direction) of the substrate removal robot 17.
- a module comprising a chamber 13 and a substrate removal chamber 15 is installed.
- the configuration is such that one substrate detachment robot is disposed and the substrate is detached, but two substrate detachment robots may be disposed.
- one substrate removal robot may be used exclusively for substrate attachment, and the other substrate removal robot may be used exclusively for substrate removal.
- a substrate detachment robot configured to provide two drive arms on one substrate detachment robot and attach and detach two substrates simultaneously may be employed.
- the present invention is useful for a film forming apparatus that is excellent in productivity or manufacturing cost and can realize high throughput.
Abstract
Description
本願は、2008年6月6日に出願された特願2008-149938号に基づき優先権を主張し、その内容をここに援用する。
そこで、近年では、製造コストが低く、材料不足のリスクが小さい薄膜Si層が形成された薄膜太陽電池の需要が高まっている。
さらに、従来型のa-Si(アモルファスシリコン)層のみを有する従来の薄膜太陽電池に加えて、最近ではa-Si層とμc-Si(マイクロクリスタルシリコン)層とを積層することにより変換効率の向上を図るタンデム型薄膜太陽電池の需要が高まっている。
また、キャリアに基板の成膜面と重力方向とが略並行となるように基板を保持することで、装置内を基板が移動するのに必要な面積を縮小することができる。このため、装置を小型化できるとともに、従来と同じ設置面積の中に多くの装置を配置することができる。したがって、同時に成膜することができる基板枚数を増加させることができ、生産性を向上することができる。また、基板の成膜面が重力方向と略並行となるように鉛直方向に立てた状態で成膜すると、成膜時に発生するパーティクルが基板の成膜面上に堆積するのを抑制することができる。したがって、基板に高品質な半導体層を成膜することができる。
上記構成を有する成膜装置によれば、基板脱着室および仕込・取出室に複数のキャリアが並列に配置可能に構成されるとともに、成膜室に複数のキャリアを搬入又は成膜室から複数のキャリアを搬出することができ、前記複数のキャリアに保持された複数の基板を同時に成膜することができるため、生産効率を向上することができる。つまり、低成膜速度の処理を行う場合でも高スループットを実現することができる。
また、キャリアに基板の成膜面と重力方向とが略並行となるように基板を保持することで、装置内を基板が移動するのに必要な面積を縮小することができるため、装置を小型化できるとともに、従来と同じ設置面積の中に多くの装置を配置することができる。したがって、同時に成膜することができる基板枚数を増加させることができ、生産性を向上することができる。また、基板の成膜面が重力方向と略並行となるように鉛直方向に立てた状態で成膜すると、成膜時に発生するパーティクルが基板の成膜面上に堆積するのを抑制することができる。したがって、基板に高品質な半導体層を成膜することができる。
上記構成を有する成膜装置によれば、プロセスモジュールを複数配置することで、同時に成膜できる基板の枚数をさらに増加させることができるため、膜を基板に低レートで成膜する際にも、高スループットを実現することができる。このとき、基板脱着室と基板収納カセットとの間における基板の受け渡しを駆動機構が行うので、生産効率をさらに向上することができる。また、プロセスモジュールとして装置が一体化されているので、製造ラインを工場などに構築する際の装置の設置時間(製造ラインの立ち上げ時間)を短縮することができる。さらに、成膜室のメンテナンスをする際に、プロセスモジュール毎にメンテナンスを行うことが可能となり、製造ライン全体を停止させる必要がなくなる。したがって、メンテナンス時の生産効率の低下を最小限に抑えることができる。
上記構成を有する成膜装置によれば、複数のプロセスモジュールを並列に配置するので、同時に成膜できる基板の枚数をさらに増加させることができる。このため、膜を基板に低レートで成膜する際にも、高スループットを実現することができる。このとき、基板脱着室と基板収納カセットとの間における基板の受け渡しを行う駆動機構が移動部によって移動されるので、一台の駆動機構を複数のモジュールで共用することができ、コストダウンを図ることができる。また、プロセスモジュールとして装置が一体化されているので、製造ラインを工場などに構築する際の装置の設置時間(製造ラインの立ち上げ時間)を短縮することができる。さらに、成膜室のメンテナンスをする際に、プロセスモジュール毎にメンテナンスを行うことが可能となり、製造ライン全体を停止させる必要がなくなる。したがって、メンテナンス時の生産効率の低下を最小限に抑えることができる。
上記構成を有する成膜装置によれば、駆動機構が移動部により移動することなく、複数のプロセスモジュールに対して基板の受け渡しをすることができる。したがって、駆動機構の動作時間を短縮して、タクトタイムを短縮することができる。
上記構成を有する成膜装置によれば、複数のプロセスモジュールを並列に配置することで、同時に成膜できる基板の枚数をさらに増加させることができる。このため、膜を基板に低レートで成膜する際にも、高スループットを実現することができる。このとき、基板脱着室と基板収納カセットとの間における基板の受け渡しを行う駆動機構を複数のモジュールで共用することでコストダウンを図ることができる。また、プロセスモジュールとして装置が一体化されているので、製造ラインを工場などに構築する際の装置の設置時間(製造ラインの立ち上げ時間)を短縮することができる。さらに、成膜室のメンテナンスをする際に、プロセスモジュール毎にメンテナンスを行うことが可能となり、製造ライン全体を停止させる必要がなくなる。したがって、メンテナンス時の生産効率の低下を最小限に抑えることができる。
上記構成を有する成膜装置によれば、仕込・取出室内においてキャリアに取り付けられた基板が移動できる。このため、複数の成膜室の各々において異なる成膜材料が供給されている場合には、複数の成膜室の間で基板が仕込・取出室を通じて搬送され、種類の異なる成膜材料が基板に順次積層される。これによって、多層構造を有する基板を効率よく成膜することができる。
上記構成を有する成膜装置によれば、複数のプロセスモジュールを配置することで、同時に成膜できる基板の枚数をさらに増加させることができるため、膜を基板に低レートで成膜する際にも、高スループットを実現することができる。このとき、基板脱着室と基板収納カセットとの間における基板の受け渡しを駆動機構が行うので、生産効率をさらに向上することができる。また、プロセスモジュールとして装置が一体化されているので、製造ラインを工場などに構築する際の装置の設置時間(製造ラインの立ち上げ時間)を短縮することができる。さらに、成膜室のメンテナンスをする際に、プロセスモジュール毎にメンテナンスを行うことが可能となり、製造ライン全体を停止させる必要がなくなる。したがって、メンテナンス時の生産効率の低下を最小限に抑えることができる。
また、プロセスモジュールが駆動機構から放射状に延在するように設置されているので、移動部によって駆動機構を移動させる必要がなく、複数のプロセスモジュールに対して基板の受け渡しをすることができる。したがって、駆動機構の動作時間を短縮して、タクトタイムを短縮することができる。
上記構成を有する成膜装置によれば、一つのキャリアにおいて複数の基板を同時に成膜することができるため、生産性をさらに向上することができる。
上記構成を有する成膜装置によれば、二枚の基板の間から成膜材料を供給することにより、二枚の基板を同時に成膜させることができる。したがって、生産性の向上に寄与できる。
上記構成を有する成膜装置によれば、前記成膜装置の外部、例えば、成膜処理以外の処理工程が行なわれる装置に対し、搬送部を用いることによって基板の搬送を効率よく行うことができるため、生産性の向上に寄与できる。
上記構成を有する成膜装置によれば、複数の基板に対して同時にマイクロクリスタルシリコンを成膜することができるため、低成膜速度の処理であるマイクロクリスタルシリコンの成膜処理を行う場合でも、高スループットを実現することができる。
上記構成を有する成膜装置によれば、成膜室に搬入される成膜処理前の基板が保持された第一キャリアと、成膜室から搬出された成膜処理後の基板が保持された第二キャリアとを仕込・取出室に同時に収容させることができるため、仕込・取出室内の雰囲気を真空雰囲気又は大気雰囲気に切り替える工程の数を減らすことができる。したがって、生産性を向上することができる。さらに、仕込・取出室において、成膜処理前の基板と成膜処理後の基板とが同時に収容されると、成膜処理後の基板に蓄熱されている熱が成膜処理前の基板に伝熱され、熱交換が行われる。つまり、成膜処理前の基板を成膜室に収容した後に通常実施する加熱工程、および、成膜処理後の基板を仕込・取出室から搬出する前に通常実施する冷却工程を省略することができる。結果として、生産性を向上することができるとともに、従来の加熱工程・冷却工程に用いていた設備を取り止めることができるため、製造コストを低減することができる。
上記構成を有する成膜装置によれば、一つのカソードユニットの両側に基板を配置することができるため、一つの電極ユニットで2枚の基板を同時に成膜することができる。したがって、生産性を向上することができる。
上記構成を有する成膜装置によれば、カソードとアノードとを有する電極ユニットを成膜室から容易に分離させることができる。このため、電極ユニット単体でメンテナンス作業を行うことができ、作業スペースを大きく確保することが可能になる。よって、メンテナンス作業の負担を軽減することが可能になる。
また、成膜室から分離させた電極ユニット単体で、各電極間の距離の調節や、例えば、各電極にダミーロードを接続して各電極のインピーダンスの調整などを行うことが可能になる。このため、薄膜太陽電池製造装置を稼動するにあたって必要なさまざまな調整をオフラインで行うことができる。
上記構成を有する成膜装置によれば、アノードがカソードユニットに対して近接する方向又は離れる方向に移動するので、成膜室に基板を出し入れする際には、アノードとカソードユニットとの隙間を大きく設定できる。一方、基板の成膜面に膜を形成する際には、アノードとカソードユニットとの隙間を小さく設定し、結果的に基板とカソードユニットとの隙間を小さく、具体的には5mm程度に設定することができる。このため、形成される膜の品質向上を図りつつ、成膜室に対して基板を容易に出し入れすることができ、生産性を向上させることが可能になる。
また、基板を出し入れする際に、基板がアノード又はカソードユニットに接触して損傷するのを防止することができる。
さらに、比較的移動させるのが困難なカソードユニットを2枚の基板の間、つまり、成膜面を向かい合わせて配置された2枚の基板の間に配置している。また、比較的移動させるのが容易なアノードを2枚の基板の外側、つまり、成膜面を向かい合わせて配置された2枚の基板の外側に配置している。そして、駆動装置によりアノードを移動することが可能であるので、基板とカソードユニットとの距離を制御している。このため、カソードユニットを移動させる場合と比較して薄膜太陽電池製造装置の複雑化を抑えることができ、製造コストを低減することができる。
また、キャリアに基板の成膜面と重力方向とが略並行となるように基板を保持することで、装置内を基板が移動するのに必要な面積を縮小することができるため、装置を小型化できるとともに、従来と同じ設置面積の中に多くの装置を配置することができる。したがって、同時に成膜することができる基板枚数を増加させることができ、生産性を向上することができる。また、基板の成膜面が重力方向と略並行となるように鉛直方向に立てた状態で成膜すると、成膜時に発生するパーティクルが基板の成膜面上に堆積するのを抑制することができる。したがって、基板に高品質な半導体層を成膜することができる。
(薄膜太陽電池)
図1は、本発明の薄膜太陽電池製造装置によって製造される薄膜太陽電池100の概略断面図である。
図1に示すように、薄膜太陽電池100は、その表面を構成し、ガラスからなる基板Wと;この基板W上に設けられた透明導電膜からなる上部電極101と;アモルファスシリコンからなるトップセル102と;このトップセル102と後述するボトムセル104との間に設けられた透明導電膜からなる中間電極103と;マイクロクリスタルシリコンからなるボトムセル104と;透明導電膜からなるバッファ層105と;金属膜からなる裏面電極106とが積層されている。
つまり、薄膜太陽電池100は、a-Si/マイクロクリスタルSiタンデム型太陽電池である。
このようなタンデム構造を有する薄膜太陽電池100では、短波長光をトップセル102で吸収するとともに、長波長光をボトムセル104で吸収することで発電効率の向上を図ることができる。
また、ボトムセル104のp層(104p)、i層(104i)、n層(104n)の3層構造は、マイクロクリスタルシリコンで構成されている。
この光起電力効果により発生した電子/正孔を上部電極101と裏面電極106とにより取り出すことで、光エネルギーを電気エネルギーに変換することができる。
薄膜太陽電池100においては、光エネルギーの変換効率を向上させるために、また、上部電極101に入射した太陽光の光路を伸ばすプリズム効果と、光の閉じ込め効果を得るために形成されたテクスチャ構造を採用している。
図2は薄膜太陽電池製造装置の概略構成図である。
図2に示すように、本発明の成膜装置である薄膜太陽電池製造装置10は、成膜室11と、仕込・取出室13と、基板脱着室15と、基板脱着ロボット(駆動機構)17と、基板収容カセット(搬送部)19と、を含む。
成膜室11は、複数の基板Wに対して同時にマイクロクリスタルシリコンで構成されたボトムセル104(半導体層)を、CVD法を用いて成膜する。
仕込・取出室13は、成膜室11に搬入される処理前基板W1と、成膜室11から搬出された処理後基板W2とを同時に収容する。
以下の説明において「処理前基板」とは、成膜処理が施される前の基板を意味し、「処理後基板」とは、成膜処理が施された後の基板を意味する。
基板脱着室15おいては、処理前基板W1がキャリア21(図9参照)に取り付けられたり、処理後基板W2がキャリア21から取り外されたりする。
基板脱着ロボット17は、基板Wをキャリア21に取り付けたり、キャリア21から取り外したりする。
基板収容カセット19は、薄膜太陽電池製造装置10とは異なる別の処理室に基板Wを搬送する際に用いられ、基板Wを収容する。
なお、本実施形態の薄膜太陽電池製造装置10においては、成膜室11、仕込・取出室13および基板脱着室15によって構成される基板成膜ライン16が4つ設けられている。
また、基板脱着ロボット17には、床面に敷設されたレール18上で基板脱着ロボット17を移動させるための移動部が設けられている。この構成により、基板脱着ロボット17がレール18上で移動し、全ての基板成膜ライン16への基板Wの受け渡し工程が1台の基板脱着ロボット17によって行なわれる。また、図2に示すように、一つの仕込・取出室13に対して一つの成膜室11が連接されて構成された複数のプロセスモジュール14が配列する方向(基板成膜ライン16に直交する方向)にレール18が延びている。基板脱着ロボット17は、移動部が駆動することによって、このレール18が延在する方向に沿って移動する。
さらに、基板成膜モジュール14は、成膜室11と仕込・取出室13とが一体化して構成されており、運搬用のトラックに積載可能な大きさを有する。
図3A~図3Cに示すように、成膜室11は箱型に形成されている。成膜室11の仕込・取出室13に接続される側面23には、基板Wが搭載されたキャリア21が通過可能なキャリア搬出入口24が3箇所形成されている。また、キャリア搬出入口24にはキャリア搬出入口24を開閉するシャッタ(第一開閉部)25が設けられている。シャッタ25を閉止した時には、キャリア搬出入口24は気密性を確保して閉止される。側面23と対向する側面27には、基板Wに成膜を施すための電極ユニット(成膜部)31が3基取り付けられている。電極ユニット31は、成膜室11から着脱可能に構成されている。また、成膜室11の側面下部28には成膜室11内が真空雰囲気となるように減圧するための排気管29が接続されており、排気管29には真空ポンプ30が接続されている。
側板部63の一方の面(成膜室11の内部を向く面、第1面)65には、成膜を施す際に基板Wの両面に位置するアノードユニット90と、カソードユニット68とが設けられている。本実施形態の電極ユニット31は、カソードユニット68を間に挟み、カソードユニット68の両側に離間して配置された一対のアノードユニット90を含む。この電極ユニット31においては、一つの電極ユニット31を用いて2枚の基板Wを同時に成膜できる。したがって、成膜処理時の基板Wは、重力方向(鉛直方向)と略並行となるように、カソードユニット68の両側にそれぞれ対向配置されている。2つのアノードユニット90は、各基板Wに対向した状態で、各基板Wの厚さ方向外側に配置されている。なお、アノードユニット90は、板状のアノード67とアノードユニット90に内蔵されたヒータHとで構成されている。
さらに、アノードユニット90は、駆動装置71にヒンジ(不図示)を介して取りつけられており、電極ユニット31を成膜室11から引き抜いた状態で、アノードユニット90(アノード67)のカソードユニット68に対向する面67Aが側板部63の一方の面65と略平行になるまで回動できる(開く)。つまり、アノードユニット90は、底板部62の鉛直方向から見て略90°回動できるように構成されている(図4A参照)。
カソード中間部材76とマッチングボックス72とは、図示しない配線により接続されている。カソード中間部材76とシャワープレート75との間には空間部77が形成されている。空間部77は、カソード中間部材76で分離され、それぞれのシャワープレート75,75毎に対応して別々に形成されている。即ち、カソードユニット68には、一対の空間部77が形成されている。
ガス供給装置(不図示)よりこの空間部77に成膜ガスが供給されると、各シャワープレート75,75からガスが放出される。すなわち、空間部77は、ガス供給路の役割を有している。この実施形態においては、空間部77がそれぞれのシャワープレート75、75毎に対応して別々に形成されているので、カソードユニット68は、2系統のガス供給路を有している。これによって、ガスの種類、ガスの流量、ガスの混合比等が系統毎に独立して制御される。
排気ダクト79には、成膜空間81の成膜ガス又は反応副生成物(パウダー)を吸引して除去する(排気する)ための排気口80が形成されている。
具体的には、成膜を施す際の基板Wとシャワープレート75との間に形成される成膜空間81に連通するように排気口80が形成されている。
排気口80は、カソードユニット68の周縁部に沿って複数形成されており、全周に亘って略均等に成膜ガス又は反応副生成物(パウダー)を吸引して除去できるように構成されている。
また、カソードユニット68の下部における排気ダクト79の成膜室11内へ向いた面には開口部(不図示)が形成されている。排気口80を通じて除去された成膜ガス等は、この開口部を介して成膜室11内へ排出することができる。
成膜室11内へ排出されたガスは、成膜室11の側面下部28に設けられた排気管29より外部へ排気される。
また、排気ダクト79とカソード中間部材76の間には、誘電体および/もしくは積層空間を有する浮遊容量体82が設けられている。排気ダクト79は、接地電位に接続されている。排気ダクト79は、カソード75およびカソード中間部材76からの異常放電を防止するためのシールド枠としても機能する。
このマスク78は、キャリア21に設けられた後述する挟持部59の挟持片59A(図9、図21参照)を被覆するとともに、成膜を施す際に挟持片59Aと一体となって成膜空間81の成膜ガス又はパーティクルを排気ダクト79に導くためのガス流路Rを形成している。すなわち、キャリア21(挟持片59A)とシャワープレート75との間、および排気ダクト79との間にガス流路Rが形成されている。
なお、移動レール37は、成膜室11と仕込・取出室13との間で分離され、キャリア搬出入口24はシャッタ25を閉じることで密閉可能である。
図5A及び図5Bに示すように、仕込・取出室13は、箱型に形成されている。
側面33は成膜室11の側面23と気密性を確保して接続されている。
側面33には3つのキャリア21が挿通可能な開口部32が形成されている。
側面33と対向する側面34は基板脱着室15に接続されている。
側面34には基板Wが搭載されたキャリア21が通過可能なキャリア搬出入口35が3箇所形成されている。
キャリア搬出入口35には気密性を確保できるシャッタ(第二開閉部)36が設けられている。なお、移動レール37は仕込・取出室13と基板脱着室15の間で分離され、キャリア搬出入口35はシャッタ36を閉じることで密閉可能である。
図6に示すように、このプッシュ-プル機構38は、キャリア21を係止するための係止部48と;係止部48の両端に設けられ、移動レール37と略平行に配された一対のガイド部材49と;係止部48を両ガイド部材49に沿って移動させるための移動装置50と;を含む。
そして、仕込・取出室13の側面下部41には、仕込・取出室13内が真空雰囲気となるように減圧するための排気管42が接続されており、排気管42には真空ポンプ43が接続されている。
図7A及び図7Bに示すように、基板脱着室15は、枠状に形成されており、仕込・取出室13の側面34に接続されている。
基板脱着室15においては、移動レール37に配されているキャリア21に対して処理前基板W1を取り付けることができ、処理後基板W2をキャリア21から取り外すことができる。
基板脱着室15には、3体のキャリア21が並列して配置できるように構成されている。
また、駆動アーム45は、基板脱着室15に配されたキャリア21と基板収容カセット19との間を駆動する。具体的に、駆動アーム45は、基板収容カセット19から処理前基板W1を取り出して、基板脱着室15に配されたキャリア(第一キャリア)21に処理前基板W1を取り付けることができ、処理後基板W2を基板脱着室15に戻ってきたキャリア(第二キャリア)21から取り外し、基板収容カセット19へ搬送することができる。
図8に示すように、基板収容カセット19は、箱型に形成されており、基板Wを複数枚収容可能な大きさを有している。
基板収容カセット19内においては、基板Wの成膜面を水平にした状態で、上下方向に基板Wが複数枚積層して収容される。
また、基板収容カセット19の下部にはキャスター47が設けられており、薄膜太陽電池製造装置10とは異なる別の処理装置(薄膜太陽電池製造装置10の外部)へと移動することができる。なお、基板収容カセット19においては、基板Wの成膜面と重力方向とが略並行となるように、基板収容カセット19の水平方向に複数の基板Wを収容してもよい。
また、連結部材52の上方には、移動レール37に載置される車輪53が設けられている。移動レール37上を車輪53が転がることにより、キャリア21が移動レール37に沿って移動可能である。
また、フレーム51の下部には、キャリア21が移動する際に基板Wの揺れを抑制するためにフレームホルダ54が設けられている。フレームホルダ54の先端は各室の底面上に設けられた断面凹状のレール部材55(図18参照)に嵌合されている。なお、レール部材55は平面視(レール部材55が設置される面を鉛直方向から見て)において移動レール37に沿う方向に配されている。
また、フレームホルダ54が複数のローラで構成されていれば、更に安定してキャリア21を搬送することが可能となる。
また、挟持部59は、基板Wの表面WO(成膜面)および裏面WU(背面)に当接する挟持片59A,59Bを有している(図21参照)。この挟持片59A,59Bの距離は、バネなどを介して可変可能、つまり、アノードユニット90(アノード67)の移動に応じて挟持片59Aが挟持片59Bに対して近接する方向又は離れる方向に沿って移動可能に構成されている(詳細は後述する)。
ここで、一つの移動レール37上には、1体のキャリア21が取り付けられている。即ち、一対(2枚)の基板を保持できる1体のキャリア21が、一つの移動レール37上に取り付けられている。つまり、一つの成膜室11においては、3体のキャリア21が取り付けられ、即ち、3対(6枚)の基板が保持される。
次に、本実施形態の薄膜太陽電池製造装置10を用いて、基板Wに成膜する方法を説明する。なお、この説明においては、一つの基板成膜ライン16の図面を用いて説明するが、他の三つの基板成膜ライン16においても略同様に方法により基板に成膜する。
まず、図10に示すように、処理前基板W1を複数枚収容した基板収容カセット19を所定の位置に配置する。
さらに、この動作を繰り返して、基板脱着室15に設置されている残り二つのキャリア21にも処理前基板W1をそれぞれ取り付ける。つまり、この段階で処理前基板W1が6枚取り付けられる。
その後、仕込・取出室13の内部を、真空ポンプ43を用いて真空状態に保持する。
この時、処理前基板W1が取り付けられたキャリア21と、処理後基板W2が取り付けられたキャリア21Aとが平面視において並列して配置される。
そして、この状態を所定時間保持することで、処理後基板W2に蓄熱されている熱が処理前基板W1に伝熱される。つまり、成膜前基板W1が加熱される。
図15Aに示すように、プッシュ-プル機構38の係止部48に、処理後基板W2が取り付けられたキャリア21Aを係止する。そして、係止部48に取り付けられている移動装置50の移動アーム58を揺動させる。この時、移動アーム58の長さは可変する。すると、キャリア21Aが係止された係止部48は、ガイド部材49に案内されながら移動し、図15Bに示すように、仕込・取出室13内へと移動する。つまり、キャリア21Aは、成膜室11から仕込・取出室13へと移動される。
このような構成によれば、キャリア21Aを駆動させるための駆動源(駆動機構)を成膜室11内に設けることが不要になる。
なお、上記のようにキャリアを搬送するための動作に対し、逆動作によってプッシュ-プル機構38がキャリアを搬送することにより、仕込・取出室13のキャリアを成膜室11へ移動することができる。
この時、キャリア21に取り付けられた処理前基板W1は、その面に平行な方向に沿って移動し、成膜室11内において、アノードユニット90とカソードユニット68との間に、表面WOが重力方向と略並行となるように鉛直方向に沿った状態で挿入される(図18参照)。
更に、処理前基板W1とカソードユニット68のシャワープレート75との隙間が所定距離(成膜距離)になるまで、処理前基板W1を移動させる。
なお、この処理前基板W1とカソードユニット68のシャワープレート75との隙間(成膜距離)は5~15mmで、例えば5mm程度である。
図21に示すように、マスク78は、挟持片59Aの表面と基板Wの外縁部を覆うと共に、挟持片59Aもしくは基板Wの外縁部と密接するように形成されている。成膜空間81は、マスク78と、カソードユニット68のシャワープレート75と、処理前基板W1(基板W)とにより形成される。すなわち、マスク78と、挟持片59Aもしくは基板Wの外縁部との合わせ面はシール部86として機能する。この構成により、マスク78と挟持片59Aとの間又はマスク78と基板Wの外縁部との間からアノード67側に成膜ガスが漏れることが防止されている。これにより、成膜ガスが広がる範囲が制限され、不要な範囲が成膜されることを抑制することができる。これによりクリーニング範囲を狭くすること、およびクリーニング頻度を減少させることができ、装置の稼働率が向上する。
また、本実施形態の変形例として、マスクを排気ダクト79に弾性体を介して取り付けることによって、基板とシャワープレート75(=カソード)との距離を駆動装置71のストロークによって任意に変更する構造を採用することができる。
上記の実施形態では、マスク78と基板Wとが当接する場合を述べたが、成膜ガス通過の通過を制限するような微少な間隔を空けてマスク78と基板Wとが配置されてもよい。
なお、シャワープレート75から供給される成膜ガス材料を所定時間毎に切り替えることにより、一度の成膜処理工程において複数の層を基板W上に成膜することができる。
なお、成膜を施す際に発生した反応副生成物を排気ダクト79の内壁面に付着・堆積させることにより、この反応副生成物は、回収及び処分される。
成膜室11内の全ての電極ユニット31において、上述した処理と同じ処理が実行されるため、6枚の基板に対して同時に成膜することができる。
このとき仕込・取出室13内は、真空状態に維持されており、次に成膜される処理前基板W1を取り付けたキャリア21Bが既に配置されている。
そして、仕込・取出室13内で処理後基板W2に蓄熱されている熱を処理前基板W1へ伝熱し、処理後基板W2の温度を下げる。
本実施形態では一つの成膜室に一つの仕込・取出室を連接した場合の説明をしたが、例えば、変形例1~3に述べる装置構成を採用してもよい。
(変形例1)
図26は、薄膜太陽電池製造装置の変形例1を示す概略構成図である。
図26に示すように、薄膜太陽電池製造装置は、一つの大きな仕込・取出室に対して複数の成膜室が連接するように構成されたプロセスモジュール114を有する。ここで、複数の成膜室は、並列して配置されている。また、仕込・取出室内においてキャリアが移動できるようにプロセスモジュール114が構成されてもよい。この構成によれば、仕込・取出室内においてキャリアに取り付けられた基板が移動できる。このため、複数の成膜室の各々において異なる成膜材料が供給されている場合(各成膜室において異なる膜が形成される場合)には、複数の成膜室の間で基板が仕込・取出室を通じて搬送され、種類の異なる成膜材料が基板に順次積層される。これによって、多層構造を有する基板を効率よく成膜することができる。
(変形例2)
図27は、薄膜太陽電池製造装置の変形例2を示す概略構成図である。
図27に示すように、薄膜太陽電池製造装置においては、基板脱着ロボット17から、成膜室11、仕込・取出室13、基板脱着室15からなるモジュールが放射状に延在するように設置されている。このような構成においては、基板脱着ロボットがレール上を移動する時間を無くすことができる。つまり、基板脱着ロボットの動作時間を短縮して、タクトタイムを短縮することができる。
(変形例3)
図28は、薄膜太陽電池製造装置の変形例3を示す概略構成図である。
図28に示すように、薄膜太陽電池製造装置においては、基板脱着ロボット17の両側、即ち、基板脱着ロボット17の移動方向(レールの延在方向)の両側に、成膜室11、仕込・取出室13、基板脱着室15からなるモジュールが設置されている。このような構成においては、省スペース、かつ、基板脱着ロボットの動作時間の短縮を図ることができる。
本実施形態では一台の基板脱着ロボットを配置して基板の脱着をするように構成したが、二台の基板脱着ロボットを配置してもよい。この場合、一方の基板脱着ロボットを基板の取り付け専用として使用し、他方の基板脱着ロボットを基板の取り外し専用とて使用してもよい。また、一台の基板脱着ロボットに二本の駆動アームを設け、二枚の基板を同時に取り付け、取り外しをするように構成された基板脱着ロボットを採用してもよい。
Claims (16)
- 成膜装置であって、
真空中で基板に所望の膜を成膜する成膜室と;
前記成膜室に第一開閉部を介して固定され、真空雰囲気となるように内部を減圧可能な仕込・取出室と;
前記仕込・取出室の、前記第一開閉部が設けられている面とは反対の面に設けられた第二開閉部と;
前記基板の成膜面と重力方向とが略並行となるように前記基板を保持するキャリアと;
を含み、
前記キャリア又は前記基板は前記第二開閉部を通って前記仕込・取出室に搬入・搬出され、
前記仕込・取出室に複数の前記キャリアが並列に配置され、
前記仕込・取出室と前記成膜室との間で前記複数のキャリアが並列に搬入・搬出され、
前記成膜室で前記複数のキャリアに保持された複数の前記基板に同時に成膜することを特徴とする成膜装置。 - 成膜装置であって、
真空中で基板に所望の膜を成膜する成膜室と;
前記成膜室に第一開閉部を介して固定され、真空雰囲気となるように内部を減圧可能な仕込・取出室と;
前記仕込・取出室に第二開閉部を介して固定され、前記基板を保持可能なキャリアに対して前記基板を脱着する基板脱着室と;
を含み、
前記キャリアは前記基板の成膜面と重力方向とが略並行となるように前記基板を保持し、
前記基板脱着室内に複数の前記キャリアが並列に配置され、
前記基板脱着室と前記仕込・取出室との間で前記複数のキャリアが並列に搬入・搬出され、
前記仕込・取出室と前記成膜室との間で前記複数のキャリアが並列に搬入・搬出され、
前記成膜室で前記複数のキャリアに保持された複数の前記基板に同時に成膜することを特徴とする成膜装置。 - 請求項2に記載の成膜装置であって、
前記基板脱着室、前記仕込・取出室、及び前記成膜室を一組とする複数のプロセスモジュールと;
複数の前記基板脱着室に共通しており、前記基板を搬入・搬出する駆動機構と;
を含むことを特徴とする成膜装置。 - 請求項3に記載の成膜装置であって、
前記プロセスモジュールが並列に配置され、前記駆動機構が移動部を有することを特徴とする成膜装置。 - 請求項3に記載の成膜装置であって、
前記プロセスモジュールは、前記駆動機構から放射状に延在するように設置されていることを特徴とする成膜装置。 - 請求項1又は請求項2に記載の成膜装置であって、
一つの前記仕込・取出室に一つの前記成膜室が連接して構成されたプロセスモジュールを複数含み、
前記プロセスモジュールが並列配置されていることを特徴とする成膜装置。 - 請求項1又は請求項2に記載の成膜装置であって、
一つの前記仕込・取出室に複数の前記成膜室がそれぞれ連接され、前記複数の成膜室が並列配置されているプロセスモジュールを含むことを特徴とする成膜装置。 - 請求項1又は請求項2に記載の成膜装置であって、
一つの前記仕込・取出室に一つの前記成膜室が連接して構成されたプロセスモジュールと;
前記基板を前記プロセスモジュールに搬入・搬出する駆動機構と;
を含み、
前記プロセスモジュールは、前記駆動機構から放射状に延在するように設置されていることを特徴とする成膜装置。 - 請求項1から請求項8のいずれかに記載の成膜装置であって、
前記キャリアは、複数の前記基板を保持可能であることを特徴とする成膜装置。 - 請求項1から請求項8のいずれかに記載の成膜装置であって、
一又は二の前記キャリアは、二枚の前記基板の成膜面が対向するように前記基板を保持可能であることを特徴とする成膜装置。 - 請求項1から請求項10のいずれかに記載の成膜装置であって、
前記基板を収容するとともに、前記基板を前記成膜装置の外部に搬送可能である搬送部を含むことを特徴とする成膜装置。 - 請求項1から請求項11のいずれかに記載の成膜装置であって、
前記成膜室は、前記基板にCVD法によりマイクロクリスタルシリコンを成膜する成膜部を有することを特徴とする成膜装置。 - 請求項1から請求項12のいずれかに記載の成膜装置であって、
前記仕込・取出室は、前記成膜室に搬入される前の基板が保持された第一キャリアと、前記成膜室から搬出された後の基板が保持された第二キャリアと、を同時に収容可能であることを特徴とする成膜装置。 - 請求項1から請求項13のいずれかに記載の成膜装置であって、
前記成膜室は、複数の電極ユニットを有し、
前記電極ユニットは、
電圧が印加されるカソードを有し、前記カソードが両側に配置されたカソードユニットと;
前記カソードユニットの両側に配置された前記カソードと離間して対向するアノードを有する一対のアノードユニットと;
を含み、
前記キャリアは、前記基板が前記カソードに対向するように前記基板を保持可能であり、前記カソードと前記アノードとの間に前記基板を挿入可能であることを特徴とする成膜装置。 - 請求項14に記載の成膜装置であって、
前記電極ユニットは、前記成膜室から引出可能又は前記成膜室に挿入可能であることを特徴とする成膜装置。 - 請求項14又は請求項15に記載の成膜装置であって、
前記電極ユニットは、前記カソードと前記アノードとの間隔を変更する駆動装置を有することを特徴とする成膜装置。
Priority Applications (5)
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EP09758432.0A EP2298959A4 (en) | 2008-06-06 | 2009-06-05 | FILM FORMING APPARATUS |
KR1020107022723A KR101221559B1 (ko) | 2008-06-06 | 2009-06-05 | 성막 장치 |
US12/995,574 US20110100296A1 (en) | 2008-06-06 | 2009-06-05 | Film formation apparatus |
JP2010515946A JP5280441B2 (ja) | 2008-06-06 | 2009-06-05 | 成膜装置 |
CN200980112430XA CN101990585B (zh) | 2008-06-06 | 2009-06-05 | 成膜装置 |
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EP (1) | EP2298959A4 (ja) |
JP (1) | JP5280441B2 (ja) |
KR (1) | KR101221559B1 (ja) |
CN (1) | CN101990585B (ja) |
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KR101153117B1 (ko) | 2011-02-25 | 2012-06-04 | 엘에스산전 주식회사 | 누전 차단기 |
HUP1100436A2 (en) * | 2011-08-15 | 2013-02-28 | Ecosolifer Ag | Gas flow system for using in reaction chamber |
CN103424991B (zh) * | 2012-05-15 | 2015-09-30 | 上海微电子装备有限公司 | 一种硅片直线交换装置及方法 |
TWI551725B (zh) * | 2012-05-22 | 2016-10-01 | 隔板式沉積裝置 | |
KR101643313B1 (ko) | 2016-01-04 | 2016-07-28 | (주)우진이엔지 | 배전선로 공사시 휴전작업 관리 방법 |
DE102016125273A1 (de) * | 2016-12-14 | 2018-06-14 | Schneider Gmbh & Co. Kg | Anlage, Verfahren und Träger zur Beschichtung von Brillengläsern |
KR102531881B1 (ko) * | 2017-11-10 | 2023-05-16 | 상라오 징코 솔라 테크놀러지 디벨롭먼트 컴퍼니, 리미티드 | 탠덤 태양전지 |
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- 2009-06-05 US US12/995,574 patent/US20110100296A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2009-06-05 CN CN200980112430XA patent/CN101990585B/zh active Active
- 2009-06-05 EP EP09758432.0A patent/EP2298959A4/en not_active Withdrawn
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US20110100296A1 (en) | 2011-05-05 |
EP2298959A1 (en) | 2011-03-23 |
JP5280441B2 (ja) | 2013-09-04 |
EP2298959A4 (en) | 2014-08-13 |
TW201005118A (en) | 2010-02-01 |
KR101221559B1 (ko) | 2013-01-14 |
JPWO2009148165A1 (ja) | 2011-11-04 |
KR20110016865A (ko) | 2011-02-18 |
TWI425111B (zh) | 2014-02-01 |
CN101990585B (zh) | 2013-07-24 |
CN101990585A (zh) | 2011-03-23 |
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