WO2023276458A1

WO2023276458A1 - Substrate treatment method and substrate treatment device

Info

Publication number: WO2023276458A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/020071
Authority: WO
Inventors: 孝佳田中; 晃久岩▲崎▼
Original assignee: 株式会社Ｓｃｒｅｅｎホールディングス
Priority date: 2021-06-28
Filing date: 2022-05-12
Publication date: 2023-01-05
Also published as: TWI834178B; JP2023005188A; TW202304602A; KR20230167438A; CN117378034A

Abstract

Provided are a method and a device for treating a substrate having a first main surface and a second main surface on the opposite side to the first main surface. A gel forming agent-containing liquid that contains a gel forming agent is supplied to the first main surface of the substrate (gel forming agent-containing liquid supplying step). The gel forming agent-containing liquid on the first main surface changes into a gel film by cooling the substrate (gel forming step). The first main surface is cleaned by jetting a cleaning liquid to the first main surface in a state where a gel is formed (physical cleaning step). After the physical cleaning step, the substrate is heated and a rinsing liquid is supplied to the first main surface (rinsing step).

Description

SUBSTRATE PROCESSING METHOD AND SUBSTRATE PROCESSING APPARATUS

Related application

This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-106952 filed on June 28, 2021, and the entire contents of this application are incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to a substrate processing method for processing a substrate and a substrate processing apparatus for processing a substrate.

Substrates to be processed include, for example, semiconductor wafers, FPD (Flat Panel Display) substrates such as liquid crystal display devices and organic EL (Electroluminescence) display devices, optical disk substrates, magnetic disk substrates, and magneto-optical disk substrates. , photomask substrates, ceramic substrates, solar cell substrates, and the like.

A method for removing objects to be removed such as particles adhering to the main surface of the substrate has been proposed (see

Patent Documents

1 and 2 below).

In Patent Document 1, a sulfuric acid-hydrogen peroxide mixture (SPM) is applied to the main surface of a substrate that has been subjected to chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) using a slurry (abrasive) containing cerium oxide. and hydrogen-peroxide mixture) to remove slurry residue adhering to the main surface of the substrate. However, in order to reduce the environmental load, it is desired to reduce the amount of sulfuric acid used.

Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for removing an object to be removed from a substrate without using sulfuric acid. In this method, a solid-state polymer film is formed on the main surface of the substrate, and droplets of a cleaning liquid ejected from a spray nozzle collide with the polymer film to impart physical force to the polymer film, thereby separating the polymer film from the main surface of the substrate. exfoliate.

JP 2018-037650 A JP 2020-161525 A

An embodiment of the present invention provides a substrate processing method and a substrate processing apparatus capable of efficiently removing objects to be removed while reducing environmental load.

One embodiment of the present invention is a substrate processing method for processing a substrate having a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface, the method comprising: a gelling agent-containing liquid supplying step of supplying a liquid to the first main surface; a gelling step of cooling the substrate to change the gelling agent-containing liquid on the first main surface into a gel; a physical cleaning step of cleaning the first main surface by injecting a cleaning liquid toward the first main surface on which gel is formed; and after the physical cleaning step, a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the gelling agent. and a rinsing step of supplying a rinsing liquid having

According to this method, a gelling agent-containing liquid containing a gelling agent is supplied to the first main surface of the substrate. After that, the substrate is cooled, so that the gelling agent-containing liquid is cooled through the substrate and changed into a gel. Therefore, the gel can be brought into close contact with the object to be removed existing on the first main surface of the substrate, and the object to be removed can be firmly held by the gel.

A physical force can be imparted to the gel by injecting the cleaning liquid toward the first main surface of the substrate. Therefore, the gel on the first main surface splits while holding the object to be removed, and is separated from the first main surface together with the object to be removed. The cleaning liquid supplied to the first main surface forms a liquid flow on the first main surface and pushes the split gel out of the first main surface.

Since the gel that firmly holds the object to be removed is split by applying physical force to the gel, the object to be removed is also retained in the split gel. Therefore, the removal target retained in the split gel has an enlarged apparent size. Therefore, the object to be removed held by the gel is more susceptible to physical force from the liquid flow of the cleaning liquid than the object to be removed to which no gel is adhered. Therefore, by supplying the cleaning liquid toward the first main surface on which the gel is formed, the object to be removed can be efficiently removed from the first main surface.

As described above, the object to be removed can be removed from the substrate without using sulfuric acid, that is, while reducing the environmental load.

After that, a rinse liquid having a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the gelling agent is supplied to the first main surface. Even if a gel residue exists on the first main surface, the residue can be heated with the rinsing liquid to form a sol. Thereby, it can be changed to a gelling agent-containing liquid. Therefore, while the gelling agent-containing liquid formed by solation is dispersed in the rinse liquid, the gelling agent-containing liquid can be discharged to the outside of the substrate together with the rinse liquid. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the gel from remaining on the first main surface.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the rinsing step includes a step of discharging the rinsing liquid having a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the gelling agent from a rinsing liquid nozzle toward the first main surface. Therefore, it is possible to sol the gel residue with the rinsing liquid and discharge the gelling agent-containing liquid formed by the sol formation to the outside of the first main surface without providing a separate member for heating the substrate. . Thereby, it is possible to suppress the gel from remaining on the first main surface.

In one embodiment of the invention, the rinsing step includes a second main surface heating step of heating the second main surface to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the gelling agent. Therefore, it is possible to assist the solification of the gel residue on the first main surface. Furthermore, even when the temperature of the rinse liquid supplied to the first main surface is lower than the melting point of the gelling agent, the rinse liquid on the first main surface is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the gelling agent through the substrate. can be heated up to As a result, the residue of the gel on the first main surface can be converted into a sol, and it is possible to suppress the gel from remaining on the first main surface.

In one embodiment of the invention, the gelation step includes a second main surface cooling step of cooling the second main surface. Therefore, the gelling agent-containing liquid on the first main surface can be cooled through the substrate that contacts the gelling agent-containing liquid without bringing any member other than the substrate into contact with the gelling agent-containing liquid. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently cool the gelling agent-containing liquid while suppressing contamination of the gelling agent-containing liquid with impurities.

In one embodiment of the present invention, cooling of the second main surface is continued even during execution of the physical cleaning step. Therefore, sol formation of the gel on the first main surface can be suppressed during the execution of the physical cleaning process. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the object to be removed from falling off the gel before the object to be removed is discharged outside the first main surface of the substrate together with the gel split by the physical cleaning step.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the temperature of the cleaning liquid sprayed toward the first main surface in the physical cleaning step is lower than the melting point of the gelling agent. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the temperature rise of the gel caused by the contact between the cleaning liquid and the gel on the first main surface, so that the sol formation of the gel on the first main surface can be suppressed.

In one embodiment of the invention, the physical cleaning step includes a droplet jetting step of jetting a plurality of droplets of the cleaning liquid from a spray nozzle toward the first main surface.

The cleaning liquid sprayed toward the first main surface imparts physical force to the gel when colliding with the gel on the first main surface. Therefore, when a plurality of droplets of the cleaning liquid are jetted toward the first main surface, a physical force is applied to the gel on the first main surface each time the droplets collide with the gel on the first main surface. be. On the other hand, when a continuous flow of cleaning liquid is jetted toward the first main surface, a relatively large physical force is applied to the gel when the cleaning liquid first collides with the gel on the first main surface, but after that The physical force imparted to the gel at the time is relatively small.

Therefore, if a plurality of droplets of the cleaning liquid are sprayed toward the first main surface, the gel on the first main surface is more stable than when a continuous flow of the cleaning liquid is sprayed toward the first main surface. Can give physical force to Therefore, the gel can be split in a short time, and the gel can be discharged out of the first main surface in a short time together with the object to be removed.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the melting point (melting temperature) of the gelling agent is higher than the freezing point (solidification temperature; gelation temperature) of the gelling agent. Therefore, after cooling the gelling agent-containing liquid to form a gel, it is possible to prevent the gel from immediately returning to the gelling agent-containing liquid due to an unintended temperature rise. That is, it is possible to suppress unintended sol formation of the gel once formed.

For example, the melting point of the gelling agent is 20°C or higher and 30°C or lower, and the freezing point of the gelling agent is 15°C or higher and 25°C or lower. It is particularly preferred that the gelling agent has a freezing point of room temperature (for example, 25° C.) or lower. If so, before the gelling agent-containing liquid is cooled in the gelling step, that is, before it is supplied to the first main surface, or immediately after it is supplied to the first main surface Gelation of the liquid can be suppressed. Therefore, it is not necessary to heat the gelling agent-containing liquid in order to keep the gelling agent-containing liquid at a temperature higher than room temperature before cooling the substrate, so that the gelling agent-containing liquid can be easily handled.

In one embodiment of this invention, the gelling agent is gelatin, agar, or a mixture thereof. In that case, the gel formed on the first major surface is hydrophilic.

Therefore, when the first main surface is a hydrophobic surface, the degree of adhesion of the gel to the first main surface is low compared to when the first main surface is a hydrophilic surface. Therefore, the gel can be easily separated from the first main surface by spraying the cleaning liquid onto the first main surface. A hydrophobic surface is a surface that is more hydrophobic (less hydrophilic) than a hydrophilic surface.

On the other hand, when the first main surface is a hydrophilic surface, the degree of adhesion of the gel to the first main surface is higher than when the first main surface is a hydrophobic surface. Therefore, it may not be possible to sufficiently separate the gel from the first main surface by spraying the cleaning liquid onto the first main surface. Even in that case, after the physical cleaning step, the gel can be solified by heating the substrate, and the gelling agent-containing liquid formed by the solification can be discharged outside the first main surface together with the rinsing liquid. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the gel from remaining on the first main surface. Therefore, regardless of whether the first main surface is a hydrophobic surface or a hydrophilic surface, the removal target can be efficiently removed from the first main surface.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first main surface of the substrate is a flat surface formed by CMP using an abrasive. Therefore, the polishing residue adheres to the first main surface. The polishing residue includes abrasives used for CMP and particles generated from the substrate by polishing.

The polishing residue adhering to the first main surface is chemically bonded to the first main surface, and a relatively large physical force is required to remove the abrasive and polishing residue from the first main surface. Further, the particle size of the polishing residue is relatively small, for example smaller than the boundary layer thickness of the cleaning liquid flowing over the first main surface. Specifically, the particle size of the polishing residue is 20 nm or less. The particle size is a convenient value corresponding to the diameter of an object, assuming that it is a perfect sphere.

The boundary layer thickness is the thickness that is strongly affected by the viscosity of the cleaning liquid flow. At a position closer to the first main surface than the layer thickness, the physical force applied from the cleaning liquid is small.

Therefore, if the apparent size of the polishing residue is increased by applying a physical force to the gel holding the polishing residue to split the gel, it is possible to increase the physical force imparted by the liquid flow of the cleaning liquid. Therefore, the polishing residue can be efficiently removed from the first main surface by the liquid flow of the cleaning liquid. When the particle size of the polishing residue is smaller than the boundary layer thickness of the cleaning liquid, it is particularly preferable to make the apparent size of the polishing residue larger than the boundary layer thickness.

Also, if the first main surface is a flat surface formed by CMP, a large physical force can be applied to the first main surface without considering collapse of the uneven pattern. Therefore, sufficient physical force can be applied to the gel in the physical washing step. Therefore, the object to be removed can be removed more efficiently.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the gelling step includes a gel film forming step of forming a gel film that is composed of the gel and retains the removal target on the first main surface. In the physical cleaning step, the gel film is divided by the cleaning liquid to form gel film pieces holding the object to be removed, and the gel film pieces are discharged out of the first main surface together with the cleaning liquid. Includes piece ejection process.

According to this method, by splitting the gel film by the physical force of the cleaning liquid, film pieces that hold the object to be removed are formed. By holding the object to be removed on the film pieces, the apparent size of the object to be removed on the first main surface can be increased. Therefore, the objects to be removed held by the membrane pieces are more likely to receive physical force from the cleaning liquid flow than the objects to be removed that are not held by the membrane pieces. Therefore, by supplying the cleaning liquid toward the first main surface on which the gel is formed, the object to be removed can be efficiently discharged from the first main surface to the outside of the first main surface of the substrate together with the cleaning liquid.

After that, by heating the substrate and supplying a rinsing liquid to the first main surface, the gel film residue remaining on the first main surface after cleaning with the cleaning liquid is solized and changed to a gelling agent-containing liquid. By sol-forming the gel film residue, the gelling agent-containing liquid formed by sol-forming can be dispersed in the rinse liquid, and the gelling agent-containing liquid can be discharged outside the first main surface of the substrate together with the rinse liquid. . Thereby, it is possible to suppress the gel from remaining on the first main surface after the rinsing process.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the rinsing step includes a sol-forming step of heating the gel film residue remaining on the first main surface after the physical cleaning step.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a substrate processing method for processing a substrate having a first principal surface and a second principal surface opposite to the first principal surface, comprising a gelling agent containing a gelling agent After the gelling agent-containing liquid supply step of supplying the gelling agent-containing liquid to the first main surface, and after the gelling agent-containing liquid supplying step, a cooling fluid having a temperature equal to or lower than the freezing point of the gelling agent is supplied from the cooling fluid nozzle. a cooling fluid discharging step of discharging the cooling fluid toward the second main surface; after the cooling fluid discharging step, a cleaning liquid jetting step of jetting the cleaning liquid toward the first main surface; and after the cleaning liquid jetting step, the gelation. and a rinse liquid discharge step of discharging a rinse liquid having a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the agent from a rinse liquid nozzle toward the first main surface.

According to this method, a gelling agent-containing liquid containing a gelling agent is supplied to the first main surface of the substrate. The gelling agent-containing liquid is cooled through the substrate by discharging the cooling fluid having a temperature below the freezing point of the gelling agent from the cooling fluid nozzle toward the second main surface of the substrate. As a result, the gelling agent-containing liquid turns into a gel. Therefore, the gel can be brought into close contact with the object to be removed existing on the first main surface of the substrate, and the object to be removed can be firmly held by the gel.

A physical force can be imparted to the gel by injecting the cleaning liquid toward the first main surface of the substrate. Therefore, the gel on the first main surface of the substrate splits while holding the object to be removed, and is separated from the first main surface together with the object to be removed. The cleaning liquid supplied to the first main surface forms a liquid flow on the first main surface and pushes the split gel out of the first main surface.

Thereafter, a rinse liquid having a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the gelling agent is discharged from the rinse liquid nozzle toward the first main surface, so that the gel residue remaining on the first main surface reaches a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the gelling agent. It is heated and becomes a sol. Thereby, it can be changed to a gelling agent-containing liquid. Therefore, while the gelling agent-containing liquid formed by solation is dispersed in the rinse liquid, the gelling agent-containing liquid can be discharged to the outside of the substrate together with the rinse liquid. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the gel from remaining on the first main surface.

Still another embodiment of the present invention is a substrate processing apparatus for processing a substrate having a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface, the substrate processing apparatus comprising a gelling agent containing a gelling agent. a gelling agent-containing liquid nozzle that discharges a gelling agent-containing liquid toward the first main surface; a cooling unit that cools the second main surface to a temperature below the freezing point of the gelling agent; and a rinse liquid nozzle for ejecting a rinse liquid having a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the gelling agent toward the first main surface. provides a substrate processing apparatus.

According to this device, the gelling agent-containing liquid containing the gelling agent is discharged from the gelling agent-containing liquid nozzle toward the first main surface of the substrate, whereby the gelling agent-containing liquid is discharged onto the first main surface. can be supplied. By cooling the substrate with the cooling unit, the gelling agent-containing liquid is cooled through the substrate, and the gelling agent-containing liquid turns into gel. Therefore, the gel can be brought into close contact with the object to be removed existing on the first main surface of the substrate, and the object to be removed can be firmly held by the gel.

A physical force can be imparted to the gel by injecting the cleaning liquid toward the first main surface of the substrate. Therefore, the gel on the first main surface splits while holding the object to be removed, and the split gel is separated from the first main surface together with the object to be removed. The cleaning liquid supplied to the first main surface forms a liquid flow on the first main surface and pushes the split gel out of the first main surface.

After that, a rinse liquid having a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the gelling agent is discharged from the rinse liquid nozzle toward the first main surface. The gel residue remaining on the main surface can be solified. Therefore, the gelling agent-containing liquid formed by the solation can be discharged to the outside of the substrate together with the rinse liquid while being dispersed in the rinse liquid. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the gel from remaining on the first main surface.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling unit is in a state where the gelling agent-containing liquid supplied from the gelling agent-containing liquid nozzle onto the first main surface exists on the first main surface. to cool the second main surface. The cleaning liquid nozzle is directed toward the first main surface in a state in which the gelling agent-containing liquid on the first main surface is cooled by the cooling unit to form a gel on the first main surface. Inject the cleaning liquid. The rinse liquid nozzle supplies the rinse liquid toward the first main surface after the cleaning liquid is sprayed from the cleaning liquid nozzle onto the first main surface.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the gelling agent-containing liquid nozzle contains the gelling agent having a melting point of 20° C. or higher and 30° C. or lower and a freezing point of 15° C. or higher and 25° C. or lower. A gelling agent-containing liquid is discharged toward the first main surface.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the gelling agent-containing liquid nozzle directs the gelling agent-containing liquid containing the gelling agent, which is gelatin, agar, or a mixture thereof, toward the first main surface. Dispense.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning liquid nozzle includes a spray nozzle that sprays a plurality of droplets of cleaning liquid toward the first main surface.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning liquid nozzle sprays the cleaning liquid having a temperature below the freezing point of the gelling agent toward the first main surface.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling unit includes a cooling fluid nozzle that supplies cooling fluid having a temperature below the freezing point of the gelling agent to the second main surface.

The above and further objects, features and effects of the present invention will be made clear by the following description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view for explaining a configuration example of a substrate processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of a processing unit provided in the substrate processing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the electrical configuration of the substrate processing apparatus. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a substrate, which is an example of an object to be processed by the substrate processing apparatus. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a substrate, which is another example of an object to be processed by the substrate processing apparatus. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of substrate processing by the substrate processing apparatus. FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram for explaining the state of the substrate during the substrate processing. FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram for explaining the state of the substrate during the substrate processing. FIG. 7C is a schematic diagram for explaining the state of the substrate during the substrate processing. FIG. 7D is a schematic diagram for explaining the state of the substrate during the substrate processing. FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram for explaining the state of the vicinity of the first main surface of the substrate during the substrate processing. FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram for explaining the state of the vicinity of the first main surface of the substrate during the substrate processing. FIG. 8C is a schematic diagram for explaining the state of the vicinity of the first main surface of the substrate during the substrate processing. FIG. 8D is a schematic diagram for explaining the state of the vicinity of the first main surface of the substrate during the substrate processing. FIG. 8E is a schematic diagram for explaining the state of the vicinity of the first main surface of the substrate during the substrate processing. FIG. 8F is a schematic diagram for explaining the state of the vicinity of the first main surface of the substrate during the substrate processing. FIG. 8G is a schematic diagram for explaining the state of the vicinity of the first main surface of the substrate during the substrate processing. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining a first modification of the substrate processing. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a second modification of the substrate processing. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining a modified example of the cleaning liquid nozzle. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a modification of the cooling unit provided in the substrate processing apparatus. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a modification of the heating unit provided in the substrate processing apparatus.

<Structure of Substrate Processing Apparatus According to First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a plan view for explaining a configuration example of a substrate processing apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention.

The substrate processing apparatus 1 is a single-wafer type apparatus that processes substrates W one by one. In this embodiment, the substrate W has a disk shape. The substrate W is a substrate W such as a silicon wafer, and has a pair of main surfaces, ie, a first main surface W1 and a second main surface W2 (see FIG. 2). The second main surface W2 is a main surface opposite to the first main surface W1.

The substrate processing apparatus 1 includes a plurality of processing units 2 for processing substrates W, a load port LP on which a carrier C containing a plurality of substrates W to be processed by the processing units 2 is mounted, the load port LP and processing. It comprises a transport robot (a first transport robot IR and a second transport robot CR) that transports substrates W to and from the unit 2 and a controller 3 that controls each member provided in the substrate processing apparatus 1 .

The first transport robot IR transports substrates W between the carrier C and the second transport robot CR. The second transport robot CR transports substrates W between the first transport robot IR and the processing units 2 .

Each of the transport robots IR and CR, for example, is articulated including a pair of multi-joint arms AR and a pair of hands H provided at the tips of the pair of multi-joint arms AR so as to be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction. Arm robot.

The plurality of processing units 2 form four processing towers TW arranged at four horizontally separated positions. Each processing tower TW includes a plurality of vertically stacked processing units 2 . The four processing towers TW are arranged two by two on each side of the transport route TR extending from the load port LP toward the second transport robot CR.

The processing unit 2 includes a chamber 4 and a processing cup 7 arranged in the chamber 4, and processes the substrate W in the processing cup 7. The chamber 4 is formed with an entrance (not shown) through which the substrate W is loaded and unloaded by the second transport robot CR. The chamber 4 is provided with a shutter unit (not shown) that opens and closes this entrance.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the processing unit 2. FIG.

The processing unit 2 further includes a spin chuck 5 that rotates the substrate W around the rotation axis A1 while holding the substrate W in a predetermined processing posture. The rotation axis A1 passes through the center of the substrate W and is perpendicular to each major surface of the substrate W held in the processing posture. The processing posture is, for example, the posture of the substrate W shown in FIG. 2, which is a horizontal posture in which the main surface of the substrate W is a horizontal plane. When the processing attitude is a horizontal attitude, the rotation axis A1 extends vertically. The spin chuck 5 is an example of a rotation holding member that rotates the substrate W around the rotation axis A1 while holding the substrate W in the processing posture.

The spin chuck 5 includes a spin base 21 having a disk shape along the horizontal direction, a plurality of chuck pins 20 for gripping the substrate W above the spin base 21 and holding the substrate W at a holding position, and an upper end portion of the spin base 21 . are connected to each other and extend in the vertical direction, and a rotary drive mechanism 23 that rotates the rotary shaft 22 around its central axis (rotational axis A1).

A plurality of chuck pins 20 are arranged on the upper surface of the spin base 21 at intervals in the circumferential direction of the spin base 21 . Rotation drive mechanism 23 includes, for example, an actuator such as an electric motor. The rotation drive mechanism 23 rotates the rotation shaft 22 to rotate the spin base 21 and the plurality of chuck pins 20 around the rotation axis A1. Thereby, the substrate W is rotated around the rotation axis A1 together with the spin base 21 and the plurality of chuck pins 20 .

The plurality of chuck pins 20 are movable between a closed position in which they are in contact with the peripheral edge of the substrate W to grip the substrate W and an open position in which they are retracted from the peripheral edge of the substrate W. The multiple chuck pins 20 are moved by an opening/closing mechanism (not shown).

When positioned at the closed position, the plurality of chuck pins 20 grip the peripheral edge of the substrate W to hold the substrate W horizontally. The opening/closing mechanism includes, for example, a link mechanism and an actuator that applies a driving force to the link mechanism.

The processing cup 7 receives liquid splashed from the substrate W held by the spin chuck 5 . The processing cup 7 has a plurality of guards 30 (two in the example of FIG. 2) for receiving the liquid splashing outward from the substrate W held by the spin chuck 5, and the liquid guided downward by the plurality of guards 30. It includes a plurality (two in the example of FIG. 2) of cups 31 that respectively receive them, and a cylindrical outer wall member 32 that surrounds the plurality of guards 30 and the plurality of cups 31 . The plurality of guards 30 are individually raised and lowered by a guard 30 elevation drive mechanism (not shown). The guard 30 elevating drive mechanism includes, for example, an actuator such as an electric motor or an air cylinder that drives each guard 30 to elevate.

The processing unit 2 includes a gelling agent-containing liquid nozzle 10 that discharges a continuous flow of gelling agent-containing liquid toward the upper surface (upper main surface) of the substrate W held by the spin chuck 5 , and the spin chuck 5 . A cleaning liquid nozzle 11 for ejecting cleaning liquid toward the upper surface of the substrate W held and a rinse liquid nozzle 12 for ejecting a continuous flow of rinse liquid toward the upper surface of the substrate W held by the spin chuck 5 are further provided. Prepare.

The gelling agent-containing liquid nozzle 10, the cleaning liquid nozzle 11, and the rinse liquid nozzle 12 are all movable nozzles that can move at least in the horizontal direction. The gelling agent-containing liquid nozzle 10, the cleaning liquid nozzle 11, and the rinse liquid nozzle 12 are moved by a plurality of nozzle moving mechanisms, that is, a first nozzle moving mechanism 35, a second nozzle moving mechanism 36, and a third nozzle moving mechanism 37. Each is moved horizontally.

Each

nozzle moving mechanism

35, 36, 37 can move the corresponding

nozzle

10, 11, 12 between the central position and the retracted position. The central position is the position where the

nozzles

10, 11, 12 face the central region of the upper surface of the substrate W. FIG. The central region of the upper surface of the substrate W is the region including the center of rotation (central portion) on the upper surface of the substrate W. As shown in FIG. The retracted position is a position where the

nozzles

10 , 11 , 12 do not face the upper surface of the substrate W, and is a position outside the processing cup 7 .

Each of the

nozzle moving mechanisms

35, 36, 37 has arms that support the corresponding

nozzles

10, 11, 12, that is, the first arm 35a, the second arm 36a, and the third arm 37a, and the corresponding arms in the horizontal direction. It includes a moving arm moving mechanism, that is, a first arm moving mechanism 35b, a second arm moving mechanism 36b, and a third arm moving mechanism 37c. Each

arm moving mechanism

35b, 36b, 37b includes an actuator such as an electric motor or an air cylinder. Each of the

arm moving mechanisms

35b, 36b, and 37b may be an arm rotating mechanism that rotates the

arms

35a, 36a, and 37a around a predetermined rotation axis, or may move in the direction in which the

arms

35a, 36a, and 37a extend. A direct-acting mechanism that moves the

nozzles

10, 11, and 12 linearly by linearly moving an arm may be used.

Unlike this embodiment, the gelling agent-containing liquid nozzle 10, the cleaning liquid nozzle 11, and the rinsing liquid nozzle 12 may be configured to move integrally by a common nozzle moving mechanism. The common nozzle moving mechanism may be an arm rotation mechanism that rotates an arm that commonly supports the

nozzles

10, 11, 12 around a predetermined rotation axis, or a mechanism that rotates the

nozzles

10, 11, 12 in common. A linear motion mechanism may be used in which the

nozzles

10, 11 and 12 are linearly moved by linearly moving the supporting arms in the extending direction of the arms.

The gelling agent-containing liquid nozzle 10, the cleaning liquid nozzle 11, and the rinsing liquid nozzle 12 may be configured so that they can also be moved in the vertical direction by a nozzle moving mechanism.

The gelling agent-containing liquid nozzle 10 has a single ejection port 10a for ejecting the gelling agent-containing liquid. The gelling agent-containing liquid discharged from the gelling agent-containing liquid nozzle 10 contains a gelling agent and a solvent that dissolves the gelling agent. The solvent contained in the gelling agent-containing liquid is, for example, water such as DIW (deionized water). However, the solvent is not limited to DIW.

The solvent is not limited to DIW, DIW, carbonated water, electrolytic ion water, hydrochloric acid water with a dilution concentration (e.g., 1 ppm or more and 100 ppm or less), dilution concentration (e.g., 1 ppm or more and 100 ppm or less). It may be a liquid containing at least one of ammonia water and reduced water (hydrogen water).

The gelling agent is, for example, gelatin, agar, or a mixture thereof. The gelling agent-containing liquid turns into a gel by being cooled below the freezing point (solidifying temperature, gelling temperature) of the gelling agent. The change of the gelling agent-containing liquid to gel is called gelation. The gel changes into a gelling agent-containing liquid when heated to a melting point (melting temperature) of the gelling agent or higher. The conversion of a gel into a gelling agent-containing liquid is called sol formation. Therefore, the gelling agent-containing liquid is also called a sol. The temperature of the gelling agent-containing liquid discharged from the gelling agent-containing liquid nozzle 10 is higher than the freezing point of the gelling agent.

The melting point and freezing point of the gelling agent are usually different from each other, and the melting point of the gelling agent is higher than the freezing point of the gelling agent. Therefore, after cooling the gelling agent-containing liquid to form a gel, it is possible to prevent the gel from immediately returning to the gelling agent-containing liquid due to an unintended temperature rise. That is, it is possible to suppress unintended sol formation of the gel once formed.

The melting point of the gelling agent is, for example, 20°C or higher and 30°C or lower, and the freezing point of the gelling agent is, for example, 15°C or higher and 25°C or lower.

The freezing point of the gelling agent is particularly preferably below the room temperature (for example, 25°C) in the clean room in which the substrate processing apparatus 1 is arranged. If so, it is possible to suppress gelation of the gelling agent-containing liquid before it is discharged from the gelling agent-containing liquid nozzle 10 or immediately after it is supplied to the first main surface W1. Therefore, it is not necessary to heat the gelling agent-containing liquid supplied to the gelling agent-containing liquid nozzle 10 in order to keep the gelling agent-containing liquid at a temperature higher than room temperature, so that the gelling agent-containing liquid can be easily handled. becomes.

The melting point and freezing point of the gelling agent change depending on the blending ratio (concentration) of the gelling agent in the etching gelling agent-containing liquid, the type of gelling agent, and other factors. For example, when the gelling agent-containing liquid contains only gelatin as the gelling agent, the gelling agent tends to have a melting point of 20° C. or higher and 30° C. or lower and a freezing point of 15° C. or higher and 25° C. or lower. For example, if the gelling agent is gelatin and the concentration of gelatin in the gelling agent-containing liquid is 10%, the melting point of the gelling agent is 23° C. or higher and 30° C. or lower.

The melting point and freezing point of the gelling agent are not limited to the above ranges. When the gelling agent contains only agar, the melting point of the gelling agent may be 85°C or higher and 93°C or lower, and the freezing point of the gelling agent may be 33°C or higher and 45°C or lower.

In the following, an example of using a gelling agent-containing liquid in which the melting point of the gelling agent is 20°C or higher and 30°C or lower and the freezing point of the gelling agent is 15°C or higher and 25°C or lower will be described. In this case, the gelling agent-containing liquid can maintain a sol state at room temperature and is gelled by cooling to less than 15° C. (for example, about 10° C.). The gel is sol-formed by heating to room temperature or higher (for example, about 40°C).

The gelling agent-containing liquid nozzle 10 is connected to a gelling agent-containing liquid pipe 40 that guides the gelling agent-containing liquid to the gelling agent-containing liquid nozzle 10 . The gelling agent-containing liquid pipe 40 is provided with a gelling agent-containing liquid valve 50A for opening and closing the gelling agent-containing liquid channel formed by the gelling agent-containing liquid pipe 40, and a gel in the gelling agent-containing liquid channel. A gelling agent-containing liquid flow rate control valve 50B for adjusting the flow rate of the gelling agent-containing liquid is provided.

When the gelling agent-containing liquid valve 50A is opened, the gelling agent-containing liquid flows downward from the ejection port 10a of the gelling agent-containing liquid nozzle 10 at a flow rate corresponding to the degree of opening of the gelling agent-containing liquid flow control valve 50B. in a continuous stream.

The cleaning liquid nozzle 11 is a spray nozzle that injects a plurality of droplets of the cleaning liquid. The cleaning liquid nozzle 11 of this embodiment has a plurality of ejection openings 11a, and ejects a plurality of droplets of the cleaning liquid (cleaning droplets) from each ejection opening 11a by voltage application. The upper surface of the substrate W can be physically cleaned by ejecting a plurality of cleaning liquid droplets toward the upper surface of the substrate W from the cleaning liquid nozzle 11 . Specifically, when a plurality of cleaning droplets are jetted toward the upper surface of the substrate W in a state where the gel is formed on the upper surface of the substrate W, a physical force is applied to the gel on the upper surface of the substrate W to remove the gel. can split. The physical force is the impact (kinetic energy) given to the gel on the substrate W by the cleaning liquid.

The cleaning liquid sprayed from the cleaning liquid nozzle 11 is water such as DIW, for example. The cleaning liquid is not limited to DIW, but includes DIW, carbonated water, electrolyzed ion water, hydrochloric acid water with a dilution concentration (for example, 1 ppm or more and 100 ppm or less), and a dilution concentration (for example, 1 ppm or more and 100 ppm or less). At least one of ammonia water and reduced water (hydrogen water) may be contained.

The cleaning liquid nozzle 11 is connected to a cleaning liquid supply pipe 41 that guides the cleaning liquid to the cleaning liquid nozzle 11 and a cleaning liquid discharge piping 42 that discharges the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid nozzle 11 . The cleaning liquid supply pipe 41 includes a cleaning liquid supply valve 51A that opens and closes the cleaning liquid supply channel formed by the cleaning liquid supply tube 41, a cleaning liquid pump 51B that sends the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid supply channel to the cleaning liquid nozzle 11, and a cleaning liquid supply channel. A cleaning liquid cooler 51C is provided for cooling the cleaning liquid therein to a temperature lower than the melting point of the gelling agent. The cleaning liquid discharge pipe 42 is provided with a cleaning liquid discharge valve 52A that opens and closes the cleaning liquid discharge channel formed by the cleaning liquid discharge pipe 42 .

The cleaning liquid is cooled by the cleaning liquid cooler 51C to a temperature of, for example, 5°C or more and less than 20°C. More preferably, the temperature of the cleaning liquid is 5°C or higher and 15°C or lower.

If the cleaning liquid supplied to the cleaning liquid supply channel is pre-cooled to a temperature lower than the melting point of the gelling agent, the cleaning liquid cooler 51C is unnecessary.

The cleaning liquid pump 51B always delivers to the cleaning liquid nozzle 11 at a predetermined pressure (for example, 10 MPa or less). The cleaning liquid pump 51B can change the pressure of the cleaning liquid supplied to the cleaning liquid nozzle 11 to any pressure.

A piezoelectric element 58 (piezo element) is incorporated in the cleaning liquid nozzle 11 . The piezoelectric element 58 is connected to the voltage application unit 59 via wiring. A voltage application unit 59, for example, includes an inverter. A voltage application unit 59 applies an AC voltage to the piezoelectric element 58 . When an alternating voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 58, the piezoelectric element 58 vibrates at a frequency corresponding to the frequency of the applied alternating voltage. The voltage application unit 59 can change the frequency of the AC voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 58 to any frequency (for example, several hundred KHz to several MHz).

Since the cleaning liquid pump 51B is driven while the cleaning liquid supply valve 51A is open, the cleaning liquid nozzle 11 is always supplied with the removing liquid at high pressure. When the cleaning liquid discharge valve 52A is closed, the cleaning liquid supplied to the inside of the cleaning liquid nozzle 11 is jetted from each injection port 11a by hydraulic pressure. Furthermore, when an AC voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 58 while the cleaning liquid discharge valve 52A is closed, vibration of the piezoelectric element 58 is imparted to the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid nozzle 11, and the cleaning liquid is jetted from each injection port 11a. The cleaning liquid is disrupted by this vibration. Therefore, when an AC voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 58 while the cleaning liquid discharge valve 52A is closed, droplets of the cleaning liquid (cleaning liquid droplets 103) are ejected from each ejection port 11a. As a result, a large number of cleaning droplets 103 having uniform particle diameters are simultaneously jetted at a uniform speed.

The cleaning liquid supplied to the cleaning liquid nozzle 11 is cooled to a temperature lower than the melting point of the gelling agent by the cleaning liquid cooler 51C. has a temperature lower than the melting point of (for example, a temperature of 5° C. or more and less than 20° C.).

On the other hand, when the cleaning liquid discharge valve 52A is open, the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid nozzle 11 is discharged to the cleaning liquid discharge pipe 42. That is, when the cleaning liquid discharge valve 52A is open, the liquid pressure in the cleaning liquid nozzle 11 is not sufficiently increased, so that the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid nozzle 11 is not ejected from the injection port 11a, which is a fine hole. , is discharged to the cleaning liquid discharge pipe 42 . Therefore, the ejection of the cleaning liquid from the ejection port 11a is controlled by opening and closing the cleaning liquid discharge valve 52A.

The rinse liquid nozzle 12 has a single ejection port 12a for ejecting the rinse liquid. The rinse liquid discharged from the rinse liquid nozzle 12 is, for example, water such as DIW. The rinse liquid is not limited to DIW, but includes DIW, carbonated water, electrolyzed ion water, hydrochloric acid water with a dilution concentration (for example, 1 ppm or more and 100 ppm or less), and a dilution concentration (for example, 1 ppm or more and 100 ppm or less). may be a liquid containing at least one of ammonia water and reduced water (hydrogen water).

The solvent, cleaning liquid, and rinse liquid in the gelling agent-containing liquid are all water-based liquids. If a liquid (for example, DIW) made of the same components as the solvent, cleaning liquid, and rinse liquid in the gelling agent-containing liquid is used, the gelling agent-containing liquid nozzle 10, the cleaning liquid nozzle 11, and the rinse liquid nozzle 12 The number of tanks for storing liquids to be supplied can be reduced.

The rinse liquid nozzle 12 is connected to a rinse liquid pipe 43 that guides the rinse liquid to the rinse liquid nozzle 12 . The rinse liquid pipe 43 includes a rinse liquid valve 53A that opens and closes the rinse liquid flow path formed by the rinse liquid pipe 43, a rinse liquid flow rate adjustment valve 53B that adjusts the flow rate of the rinse liquid in the rinse liquid flow path, A rinse liquid heater 53C is provided for heating the rinse liquid in the liquid flow path to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the gelling agent.

The rinse liquid is heated by the rinse liquid heater 53C to a temperature that is higher than 30° C. and equal to or lower than 50° C., for example. More preferably, the temperature of the rinse liquid is 40° C. or higher and 50° C. or lower.

The rinse liquid heater 53C is unnecessary when the rinse liquid supplied to the rinse liquid flow path is preheated to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the gelling agent.

When the rinse liquid valve 53A is opened, the rinse liquid is continuously discharged downward from the discharge port 12a of the rinse liquid nozzle 12 at a flow rate corresponding to the degree of opening of the rinse liquid flow rate control valve 53B.

The processing unit 2 further includes a lower fluid nozzle 13 that supplies fluid to the lower surface (lower main surface) of the substrate W held by the spin chuck 5 .

The lower fluid nozzle 13 is inserted into the inner space of the rotating shaft 22 and the through hole 21a that opens at the center of the upper surface of the spin base 21 . A discharge port 13 a of the lower fluid nozzle 13 is exposed from the upper surface of the spin base 21 . The discharge port 13a of the lower fluid nozzle 13 faces the central region of the lower surface of the substrate W from below. The central region of the bottom surface of the substrate W is a region including the center of rotation (central portion) of the substrate W on the bottom surface of the substrate W. As shown in FIG.

The lower fluid nozzle 13 selectively applies fluids such as a cooling fluid having a temperature below the freezing point of the gelling agent and a heating fluid having a temperature above the melting point of the gelling agent to the lower surface of the substrate W. supply. The cooling fluid has a temperature of, for example, greater than or equal to 5°C and less than 15°C. The heated fluid has a temperature that is, for example, greater than 30°C and less than or equal to 50°C.

The cooling fluid and heating fluid are, for example, water such as DIW. In other words, the cooling fluid may be cold water and the heating fluid may be hot water. The cooling fluid and heating fluid may be liquids other than water. The cooling and heating fluids do not need to be liquids, and may be inert gases such as nitrogen gas, noble gases, and the like. The inert gas is a gas with negligibly low reactivity with respect to the main surface of the substrate W. As shown in FIG.

By cooling the lower surface of the substrate W with the cooling fluid, the lower surface of the substrate W can be cooled to a temperature below the freezing point of the gelling agent. By continuing to cool the lower surface of the substrate W, the entire substrate W can be cooled to a temperature below the freezing point of the gelling agent. In order to quickly cool the substrate W, it is more preferable that the temperature of the cooling fluid is lower than the freezing point (for example, 5° C. or higher and 10° C. or lower). By heating the lower surface of the substrate W with the heating fluid, the lower surface of the substrate W can be heated to a temperature above the melting point of the gelling agent. By continuing to heat the lower surface of the substrate W, the entire substrate W can be heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the gelling agent. In order to heat the substrate W quickly, it is more preferable that the temperature of the heating fluid is higher than the melting point (for example, 40° C. or higher and 50° C. or lower).

The lower fluid nozzle 13 is an example of a cooling fluid nozzle that discharges a cooling fluid having a temperature equal to or lower than the freezing point of the gelling agent toward the lower surface (second main surface W2) of the substrate W. is an example of a heated fluid nozzle that discharges a heated fluid having a temperature of toward the lower surface of the substrate W (second main surface W2).

The lower fluid nozzle 13 is an example of a cooling unit that cools the lower surface of the substrate W (second main surface W2), and is also an example of a heating unit that heats the lower surface of the substrate W (second main surface W2).

The lower fluid nozzle 13 is connected to a fluid pipe 44 that guides fluid to the lower fluid nozzle 13 . A cooling fluid pipe 45 that supplies a cooling fluid to the fluid pipe 44 and a heating fluid pipe 46 that supplies a heating fluid to the fluid pipe 44 are connected to the fluid pipe 44 . Fluid piping 44 may be connected to cooling fluid piping 45 and heating fluid piping 46 via mixing valves (not shown).

The fluid pipe 44 is provided with a fluid valve 54 that opens and closes the flow path formed by the fluid pipe 44 . The cooling fluid pipe 45 is provided with a cooling fluid valve 55A that opens and closes the cooling fluid flow path formed by the cooling fluid pipe 45, and a cooling fluid flow rate adjustment valve 55B that adjusts the flow rate of the cooling fluid in the cooling fluid flow path. It is The heating fluid pipe 46 is provided with a heating fluid valve 56A that opens and closes the heating fluid flow path formed by the heating fluid pipe 46, and a heating fluid flow rate adjustment valve 56B that adjusts the flow rate of the heating fluid in the heating fluid flow path. It is

The cooling fluid pipe 45 is provided with a fluid cooler 55C that cools the fluid to a temperature below the freezing point of the gelling agent. As mentioned above, the melting point of the gelling agent is higher than the freezing point of the gelling agent. Therefore, if the temperature is below the freezing point of the gelling agent, the temperature is lower than the melting point of the gelling agent. The heating fluid pipe 46 is provided with a fluid heater 56C for heating the fluid to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the gelling agent.

The fluid cooler 55C is unnecessary when the fluid supplied to the cooling fluid flow path is previously cooled to a temperature below the freezing point of the gelling agent. Fluid heater 56C is not required if the fluid supplied to the heating fluid flow path is preheated to a temperature above the melting point of the gelling agent.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration example related to control of the substrate processing apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. The controller 3 has a microcomputer, and controls objects provided in the substrate processing apparatus 1 according to a predetermined control program.

Specifically, the controller 3 includes a processor 3A (CPU) and a memory 3B in which control programs are stored. The controller 3 is configured to perform various controls for substrate processing by the processor 3A executing a control program. In particular, the controller 3 controls the first transport robot IR, the second transport robot CR, the rotary drive mechanism 23, the first nozzle moving mechanism 35, the second nozzle moving mechanism 36, the third nozzle moving mechanism 37, the rinse liquid heater 53C, the fluid Heater 56C, cleaning liquid cooler 51C, fluid cooler 55C, cleaning liquid pump 51B, voltage application unit 59, gelling agent-containing liquid valve 50A, gelling agent-containing liquid flow control valve 50B, cleaning liquid supply valve 51A, cleaning liquid discharge valve 52A, rinse liquid It is programmed to control valve 53A, rinse liquid flow control valve 53B, fluid valve 54, cooling fluid valve 55A, cooling fluid flow control valve 55B, heating fluid valve 56A, heating fluid flow control valve 56B, and the like.

By controlling the valves by the controller 3, the presence or absence of ejection of fluid from the corresponding nozzles and the ejection flow rate of the fluid from the corresponding nozzles are controlled. Each step shown in FIG. 6, which will be described later, is executed by the controller 3 controlling each member provided in the substrate processing apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. In other words, the controller 3 is programmed to perform each step shown in FIG. 6, which will be described later.

<Structure of substrate to be processed>
Next, the configuration of the substrate W used in the substrate processing apparatus 1 will be described.

The first main surface W1 of the substrate W used in the substrate processing apparatus 1 is, for example, a flat surface. The first main surface W1 of the substrate W used in the substrate processing apparatus 1 is made of, for example, silicon (Si), silicon nitride (SiN), silicon oxide (SiO ₂ ), silicon germanium (SiGe), germanium (Ge), or nitrogen-doped. one or more of silicon carbide (SiCN), tungsten (W), titanium nitride (TiN), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), ruthenium (Ru) and amorphous carbon (aC) This is the surface where the seeds are exposed.

The first main surface W1 may be a hydrophobic surface or a hydrophilic surface. A hydrophobic surface is a surface that is more hydrophobic (less hydrophilic) than a hydrophilic surface. The contact angle of DIW on hydrophobic surfaces is greater than the contact angle of DIW on hydrophilic surfaces.

The contact angle of DIW with respect to the first main surface W1 depends on the component exposed from the first main surface W1 and the shape of the first main surface W1. The higher the hydrophobicity of the component exposed from the first main surface W1, the larger the contact angle. If minute unevenness is formed on the first main surface W1, the contact angle increases.

For example, when SiCN, TiN, Si, aC, Ru, etc. are exposed from the first main surface W1, the contact angle of DIW with respect to the first main surface W1 may be 40° or more. When Si or TiN is exposed from the first main surface W1, the first main surface is treated with a chemical solution such as an APM (ammonia-hydrogen peroxide mixture) solution containing an oxidizing agent. The contact angle of W1 can be reduced below 40°.

A representative example of the substrate W used in the substrate processing apparatus 1 is a substrate subjected to CMP using an abrasive (slurry). The first main surface W1 is flattened by performing CMP.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a substrate W, which is an example of an object to be processed by the substrate processing apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. The substrate W shown in FIG. 4 is the substrate W after the isolation layer has been subjected to CMP using cerium oxide (CeO ₂ ) as an abrasive. The element isolation layer is an insulator layer for electrically isolating devices formed on the main surface of the substrate W from each other.

A substrate W shown in FIG. , and a plurality of second insulator layers 73 respectively embedded in the plurality of trenches 72 . The trench 72 penetrates the first insulator layer 71 . Trench 72 has a bottom portion 72 a defined by semiconductor layer 70 .

Semiconductor layer 70 is, for example, a polysilicon layer. The first insulator layer 71 is, for example, a silicon nitride layer (SiN layer), and the second insulator layer 73 is a silicon oxide layer (SiO ₂ layer). The second insulator layer 73 is an element isolation layer. The first insulator layer 71 and the second insulator layer 73 are exposed from the first main surface W1 of the substrate W shown in FIG. Therefore, from the first main surface W1 of the substrate W, silicon nitride and silicon oxide are exposed.

A polishing residue as an object 80 to be removed adheres to the first main surface W1 of the substrate W shown in FIG. The polishing residue contains cerium oxide, which is an abrasive, and particles generated when the first insulator layer 71 and the second insulator layer 73 are polished.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a substrate W, which is another example of an object to be processed by the substrate processing apparatus 1. FIG. The substrate W shown in FIG. 5 is the substrate W after the low dielectric constant layer (Low-k layer) has been subjected to CMP using silicon oxide as an abrasive.

The substrate W shown in FIG. 5 includes an insulator layer 75, a plurality of trenches 76 formed in the insulator layer 75, and metal layers 77 embedded in the plurality of trenches 76, respectively. Trench 76 has a bottom 76a defined by an insulator layer.

The insulator layer 75 is a low dielectric constant layer, for example, a nitrogen-doped silicon carbide layer (SiCN layer) having a dielectric constant lower than that of silicon oxide. Metal layer 77 is, for example, a copper layer (Cu layer). The insulator layer 75 and the metal layer 77 are exposed from the first main surface W1 of the substrate W shown in FIG. Therefore, the SiCN layer and the Cu layer are exposed from the first main surface W1 of the substrate W. As shown in FIG.

A polishing residue is adhered to the first main surface W1 of the substrate W shown in FIG. 5 as an object 80 to be removed. The polishing residue contains silicon oxide, which is an abrasive, and particles generated when the insulator layer and metal layer 77 are polished.

Polishing residues adhering to the first main surface W1 of the substrate W shown in FIG. 4 and the first main surface W1 of the substrate W shown in FIG. In order to remove the residue from the first main surface W1, it is necessary to apply a relatively strong physical force. Furthermore, the size of the polishing residue is relatively small, for example smaller than the boundary layer thickness of the cleaning liquid flowing over the first main surface W1. Specifically, the particle size of the polishing residue is 20 nm or less.

The substrate W to be processed by the substrate processing apparatus 1 is not limited to the substrate W shown in FIG. 4 and the substrate W shown in FIG. The substrate W does not have to be a substrate W subjected to CMP, and the first main surface W1 does not necessarily have to be a flat surface. Also, the first main surface W1 may be a flat surface formed by a technique other than CMP.

The second main surface W2 of the substrate W may have the same configuration as the first main surface W1, or may have a different configuration from the first main surface W1.

<Example of substrate processing>
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of substrate processing performed by the substrate processing apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 6 mainly shows processing realized by the controller 3 executing the program.

In substrate processing by the substrate processing apparatus 1, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, a substrate loading step (step S1), a gelling agent-containing liquid supplying step (step S2), a gelling step (step S3), a physical cleaning step ( Step S4), a rinse process (step S5), a spin dry process (step S6) and a substrate unloading process (step S7) are executed in this order.

7A to 7D are schematic diagrams for explaining each step of substrate processing. The details of the substrate processing will be described below mainly with reference to FIGS. 2 and 6. FIG. Reference will be made to FIGS. 7A to 7D as appropriate.

First, an unprocessed substrate W is transferred from the carrier C to the processing unit 2 by the first transfer robot IR and the second transfer robot CR (see FIG. 1) and transferred to the spin chuck 5 (substrate transfer step: step S1 ). Thereby, the substrate W is horizontally held by the spin chuck 5 (substrate holding step). In this substrate processing, the substrate W is held so that the first main surface W1 faces upward. The substrate W continues to be held by the spin chuck 5 until the spin dry process (step S6) is completed. While the substrate W is held by the spin chuck 5, the rotation drive mechanism 23 starts rotating the substrate W (substrate rotation step).

After the transport robot has retreated outside the processing unit 2, the gelling agent-containing liquid supply step (step S2) of supplying the gelling agent-containing liquid onto the upper surface of the substrate W is performed.

Specifically, the first nozzle moving mechanism 35 moves the gelling agent-containing liquid nozzle 10 to the treatment position. With the gelling agent-containing liquid nozzle 10 positioned at the treatment position, the gelling agent-containing liquid valve 50A is opened. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7A, a continuous flow of the gelling agent-containing liquid is discharged (supplied) from the gelling agent-containing liquid nozzle 10 toward the upper surface of the substrate W (gelating agent-containing liquid discharge step, gelling agent-containing liquid supply step). The gelling agent-containing liquid discharged from the gelling agent-containing liquid nozzle 10 lands on the upper surface of the substrate W. As shown in FIG. The gelling agent-containing liquid that has landed on the upper surface of the substrate W spreads radially from the landing point toward the periphery of the upper surface of the substrate W. As shown in FIG.

In this substrate treatment, the treatment position of the gelling agent-containing liquid nozzle 10 is the central position. Therefore, the gelling agent-containing liquid lands on the central region of the upper surface of the substrate W. As shown in FIG. Unlike this embodiment, the gelling agent-containing liquid nozzle 10 may move horizontally along the upper surface of the substrate W to discharge the gelling agent-containing liquid.

After the gelling agent-containing liquid supply step (step S2), the gelling step (step S3) of cooling the substrate W and gelling the gelling agent-containing liquid on the upper surface of the substrate W is performed.

Specifically, the gelling agent-containing liquid valve 50A is closed to stop the discharge of the gelling agent-containing liquid, and instead, the fluid valve 54 and the cooling fluid valve 55A are opened. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7B, the cooling fluid such as cold water is discharged (supplied) from the lower fluid nozzle 13 toward the lower surface of the substrate W (cooling fluid discharge step, cooling fluid supply step). After the gelling agent-containing liquid valve 50A is closed, the first nozzle moving mechanism 35 moves the gelling agent-containing liquid nozzle 10 to the retracted position.

The cooling fluid discharged from the lower fluid nozzle 13 lands on (collides with) the central region of the lower surface of the substrate W. The cooling fluid spreads over the entire bottom surface of the substrate W due to the action of centrifugal force. As a result, the substrate W is cooled from below (the side of the second main surface W2) by the cooling fluid, and the gelling agent-containing liquid is cooled through the substrate W. That is, the gelling agent-containing liquid on the upper surface of the substrate W is cooled by cooling the lower surface (second main surface W2) of the substrate W with the cooling fluid (second main surface cooling step). The gelling agent-containing liquid on the upper surface of the substrate W is gelled by cooling, and a gel film 81 covering almost the entire upper surface of the substrate W is formed on the upper surface of the substrate W (gelation step, gel film forming step).

By cooling the lower surface of the substrate W, the gelling agent-containing liquid on the substrate W can be cooled through the substrate W without bringing any member other than the substrate W into contact with the gelling agent-containing liquid. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently cool the gelling agent-containing liquid while suppressing contamination of the gelling agent-containing liquid with impurities.

The cooling fluid is cooled to a temperature below the freezing point of the gelling agent by the fluid cooler 55C. Therefore, by supplying the cooling fluid to the lower surface of the substrate W, the temperature of the gelling agent-containing liquid on the substrate W is lowered to a temperature below the freezing point of the gelling agent. This can promote gelation of the gelling agent-containing liquid. In this manner, the second main surface W2 of the substrate W can be cooled by a simple method of supplying the cooling fluid from the lower fluid nozzle 13. FIG.

The gelling agent-containing liquid on the substrate W is discharged outside the upper surface of the substrate W due to the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the substrate W. Therefore, the liquid film of the gelling agent-containing liquid on the upper surface of the substrate W is thinned (thin filming step). By reducing the amount of the gelling agent-containing liquid on the substrate W, the temperature of the entire liquid film of the gelling agent-containing liquid tends to decrease. In other words, gelation of the gelling agent-containing liquid is promoted.

After the gelation step (step S3), while cooling the substrate W on which the gel film 81 is formed, the cleaning liquid is poured toward the upper surface of the substrate W on which the gel film 81 is formed. A physical cleaning step (step S4) of cleaning the upper surface of the substrate W by jetting is performed.

Specifically, the second nozzle moving mechanism 36 moves the cleaning liquid nozzle 11 to the processing position. With the cleaning liquid nozzle 11 positioned at the processing position, the cleaning liquid discharge valve 52A is closed and an AC voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 58 . As a result, as shown in FIG. 7C, a plurality of cleaning liquid droplets 103 are jetted from the cleaning liquid nozzle 11 toward the upper surface of the substrate W (cleaning liquid jetting step, droplet jetting step). Then, the fluid valve 54 and the cooling fluid valve 55A are closed, and the supply of the cooling fluid to the lower surface of the substrate W is stopped.

A plurality of cleaning liquid droplets 103 ejected from the cleaning liquid nozzle 11 collide with the gel film 81 on the upper surface of the substrate W. The plurality of cleaning droplets 103 collide with the gel film 81, and the gel film 81 is separated from the upper surface of the substrate W while splitting.

The cleaning liquid droplets 103 that collide with the upper surface of the substrate W form a radial liquid flow (cleaning liquid flow 104; see FIGS. 8E and 8F) on the upper surface of the substrate W toward the peripheral edge of the upper surface of the substrate W. Therefore, the cleaning liquid that has landed on the upper surface of the substrate W spreads from the liquid landing point toward the periphery of the upper surface of the substrate W. As shown in FIG. The gel film 81 that is split and pulled away from the top surface of the substrate W is dislodged from the top surface of the substrate W by the cleaning liquid stream 104 (see FIGS. 8E and 8F). That is, the upper surface of the substrate W is cleaned by the action of the physical force of the cleaning droplets 103 (physical cleaning step).

In this substrate processing, the processing position of the cleaning liquid nozzle 11 is the central position. Therefore, the cleaning liquid lands on the central region of the upper surface of the substrate W. As shown in FIG. Unlike this embodiment, the cleaning liquid nozzle 11 may move horizontally along the upper surface of the substrate W to eject the cleaning liquid.

By ejecting a plurality of cleaning droplets 103 toward the upper surface of the substrate W, a physical force acts on the gel film 81 each time the cleaning droplets 103 collide with the gel film 81 . Unlike this substrate processing, when a continuous flow of cleaning liquid is jetted toward the upper surface of the substrate W, a relatively large physical force acts on the gel film 81 when the continuous flow of cleaning liquid first collides with the gel film 81 . However, the physical force acting on the gel film 81 thereafter is relatively small.

Therefore, if a plurality of cleaning liquid droplets 103 are jetted toward the upper surface of the substrate W, physical force is applied to the gel film 81 more stably than when a continuous flow of cleaning liquid is jetted toward the upper surface of the substrate W. can do. As a result, the gel film 81 can be split in a short time, and the gel film 81 can be discharged out of the first main surface W1 together with the object 80 to be removed in a short time.

The cleaning liquid is maintained at a temperature lower than the melting point of the gelling agent by the cleaning liquid cooler 51C. Therefore, the temperature rise of the gel film 81 caused by the contact between the cleaning liquid and the gel film 81 can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the gel film 81 from becoming a sol.

After the physical cleaning step (step S4), the substrate W is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the gelling agent, and a rinsing step (step S5) of supplying a rinse liquid toward the upper surface of the substrate W is performed. .

Specifically, the cleaning liquid discharge valve 52A is opened, and the application of current to the piezoelectric element 58 is stopped. As a result, the ejection of cleaning liquid droplets 103 from the cleaning liquid nozzle 11 is stopped. After the ejection of the cleaning liquid droplets 103 from the cleaning liquid nozzle 11 is stopped, the second nozzle moving mechanism 36 moves the cleaning liquid nozzle 11 to the retracted position.

On the other hand, the third nozzle moving mechanism 37 moves the rinse liquid nozzle 12 to the processing position. With the rinse liquid nozzle 12 positioned at the processing position, the rinse liquid valve 53A is opened. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7D, a continuous flow of the rinse liquid is discharged (supplied) from the rinse liquid nozzle 12 toward the upper surface of the substrate W (rinse liquid discharge process, rinse liquid supply process). The rinse liquid discharged from the rinse liquid nozzle 12 lands on the upper surface of the substrate W. As shown in FIG. The rinse liquid that has landed on the upper surface of the substrate W spreads radially from the landing point toward the periphery of the upper surface of the substrate W. As shown in FIG.

In this substrate processing, the processing position of the rinse liquid nozzle 12 is the central position. Therefore, the rinse liquid lands on the central region of the upper surface of the substrate W. As shown in FIG. Unlike this embodiment, the rinse liquid nozzle 12 may eject the rinse liquid while horizontally moving along the upper surface of the substrate W. FIG.

The gel may adhere to the upper surface of the substrate W even after physical cleaning with the cleaning liquid. The gel remaining on the upper surface of the substrate W even after physical cleaning is called gel film residue. The gel film residue is heated by a rinsing liquid having a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the gelling agent and converted into a gelling agent-containing liquid (solation step). Since the rinsing liquid forms a liquid flow that spreads radially on the upper surface of the substrate W, the gelling agent-containing liquid formed by the solification can be dispersed in the rinsing liquid and discharged to the outside of the upper surface of the substrate W together with the rinsing liquid. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the gel from remaining on the upper surface of the substrate W. FIG.

It should be noted that not all the gel film residue on the substrate W needs to be solified by the rinse liquid, and part of the gel film residue may be pushed out from the upper surface of the substrate W by the liquid flow of the rinse liquid.

Next, a spin dry process (step S6) is performed to dry the upper surface of the substrate W by rotating the substrate W at high speed. Specifically, the rinse liquid valve 53A is closed. As a result, the supply of the rinse liquid to the upper surface of the substrate W is stopped.

Then, the rotation drive mechanism 23 accelerates the rotation of the substrate W to rotate the substrate W at high speed (eg, 1500 rpm). As a result, a large centrifugal force acts on the fluid (rinse liquid, etc.) adhering to the substrate W, and the fluid is shaken off around the substrate W. FIG.

After the spin dry process (step S6), the rotation drive mechanism 23 stops the rotation of the substrate W. After that, the second transport robot CR enters the processing unit 2, receives the processed substrate W from the spin chuck 5, and carries it out of the processing unit 2 (substrate unloading step: step S7). The substrate W is transferred from the second transport robot CR to the first transport robot IR and stored in the carrier C by the first transport robot IR.

Next, an example of a change in the appearance of the vicinity of the first main surface W1 during substrate processing will be described. 8A to 8G are schematic diagrams for explaining the state of the vicinity of the first main surface W1 of the substrate W during substrate processing.

An object to be removed 80 is attached to the first main surface W1 of the substrate W transferred from the second transport robot CR to the spin chuck 5, as shown in FIG. 8A. As shown in FIG. 8B, the gelling agent-containing liquid is brought into contact with the removal target 80 by supplying the gelling agent-containing liquid to the first main surface W1.

By cooling and gelling the gelling agent-containing liquid on the first main surface W1, a gel film 81 is formed on the first main surface W1, as shown in FIG. 8C.

In this substrate processing, the gel film 81 is not placed on the first main surface W1, but the gelling agent-containing liquid is placed on the first main surface W1 while the gelling agent-containing liquid is in contact with the object 80 to be removed. is gelled to form a gel film 81 . Therefore, the gel film 81 can be brought into close contact with the object 80 to be removed, and the object 80 to be removed can be firmly held by the gel film 81 .

After the gel film 81 is formed, droplets 103 of the cleaning liquid are jetted toward the gel film 81 as shown in FIG. 8D. By making the droplet 103 collide with the gel film 81, physical force can be applied to the gel film 81 on the first main surface W1 as shown in FIG. 8E.

The jetting of the plurality of cleaning droplets 103 onto the first main surface W1 is performed while the substrate W is being cooled. Therefore, physical force can be applied to the gel film 81 while suppressing the solification of the gel film 81 .

The gel film 81 splits to form gel film pieces 82 while holding the object 80 to be removed, and is separated (separated) from the first main surface W1 together with the object 80 to be removed. The cleaning liquid supplied to the first main surface W1 forms a cleaning liquid flow 104 on the first main surface W1 and discharges the gel film pieces 82 to the outside of the first main surface W1 (gel film piece discharging step). As shown in FIG. 8F, the cleaning liquid stream 104 can also separate the gel film pieces 82 that have not been separated from the first major surface W1 from the first major surface W1, or the gel film strips that have been separated from the first major surface W1. It is also possible to push the piece 82 away.

By applying physical force from the cleaning droplets 103 to the gel film 81 holding the object to be removed 80 to form gel film pieces 82, the apparent size of the object to be removed 80 on the first main surface W1 can be increased. Therefore, the object to be removed 80 held by the gel film piece 82 is more susceptible to physical force from the cleaning liquid flow 104 than the object to be removed 80 not covered with gel. Therefore, by supplying the cleaning liquid toward the first main surface W1 on which the gel film 81 is formed, the object to be removed 80 can be efficiently removed from the first main surface W1.

Thereafter, by heating the substrate W and supplying a rinse liquid to the first main surface W1, the gel film residue 83 (see FIG. 8F) remaining on the first main surface W1 after cleaning with the cleaning liquid is solified. It changes to a gelling agent-containing liquid (solization step). By sol-forming the gel film residue 83, the gelling agent-containing liquid formed by the sol-forming is dispersed in the rinse liquid, and the gelling agent-containing liquid is dispersed on the outside of the first main surface W1 of the substrate W together with the rinse liquid. can be discharged to Thereby, as shown in FIG. 8G, it is possible to suppress the gel from remaining on the first main surface W1.

Here, in recent years, with the miniaturization of semiconductor devices, the object to be removed 80 adhering to the first main surface W1 has also become smaller. The particle size of the object 80 to be removed may be smaller than the thickness of the boundary layer of the cleaning liquid flowing over the first main surface W1. The particle size of the object to be removed 80 is, for example, 20 nm or less.

The boundary layer thickness is the thickness that is strongly affected by the viscosity of the cleaning liquid flow. At a position closer to the first main surface W1 than the thickness, the physical force acting from the cleaning liquid is small.

Therefore, by enlarging the apparent size of the object 80 to be removed by the gel film piece 82, it is possible to make the particle size of the object 80 to be removed larger than the thickness of the boundary layer of the cleaning liquid. By enlarging the apparent size of the object 80 to be removed by the gel film pieces 82, the object 80 to be removed can be easily discharged outside the first main surface W1 by the cleaning liquid flow 104. FIG.

The gelling agent used for this substrate treatment is gelatin, agar, or a mixture thereof. Therefore, the gel film 81 is hydrophilic. When the first main surface W1 is a hydrophobic surface, the degree of adhesion of the gel film 81 to the first main surface W1 is lower than when the first main surface W1 is a hydrophilic surface. Therefore, the gel can be easily separated from the first main surface W1 by spraying the cleaning liquid onto the first main surface W1.

On the other hand, when the first main surface W1 is a hydrophilic surface, the degree of adhesion of the gel to the first main surface W1 is higher than when the first main surface W1 is a hydrophobic surface. Therefore, the gel may not be sufficiently removed from the first main surface W1 by spraying the cleaning liquid onto the first main surface W1. Even in that case, after the physical cleaning step, the substrate W is heated while the rinsing liquid is supplied to the first main surface W1, so that the gel is turned into a sol and discharged outside the first main surface W1 together with the rinsing liquid. can. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the gel from remaining on the first main surface W1. Therefore, regardless of whether the first main surface W1 is a hydrophobic surface or a hydrophilic surface, the object to be removed 80 can be efficiently removed from the first main surface W1.

In this substrate treatment, water such as DIW is used as a cooling fluid, rinsing liquid, cleaning liquid, and solvent contained in the gelling agent-containing liquid, and gelatin is used as the gelling agent contained in the gelling agent-containing liquid. etc. are used. Therefore, the object to be removed 80 can be removed from the substrate W without using a chemical such as sulfuric acid that has a large environmental impact. If the environmental load is smaller than that of sulfuric acid, the solvent contained in the cooling fluid, rinsing liquid, cleaning liquid, and gelling agent-containing liquid may be a liquid other than water, or a mixed liquid of an organic solvent and water. There may be.

Further, when the substrate W is the substrate W whose first main surface W1 has undergone CMP, that is, when the substrate W is the substrate W shown in FIG. 4 or 5, the first main surface W1 is Since the surface is flat and the grain size of the polishing residue as the object 80 to be removed is 20 nm or less, the removal effect of the object 80 to be removed by the substrate processing described above is remarkable.

If the first main surface W1 is a flat surface, a large physical force can be applied to the first main surface W1 without considering collapse of the uneven pattern. Therefore, sufficient physical force can be applied to the gel in the physical washing step. Therefore, the object 80 to be removed can be removed more efficiently.

<Modified Example of Substrate Processing>
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining a first modified example of substrate processing. As in the first modification of the substrate processing shown in FIG. 9, the cooling of the lower surface of the substrate W by the cooling fluid may be continued even after the start of spraying the cleaning liquid onto the upper surface of the substrate W (cooling continuation process).

Therefore, the gel film 81 is cooled not only by the cleaning liquid but also by the cooling fluid. Therefore, compared to the case where the gel film 81 is cooled only by the cleaning liquid, solification of the gel film 81 can be suppressed.

Since the cooling fluid has a temperature below the freezing point of the gelling agent, it may be colder than the cleaning liquid, which has a temperature lower than the melting point of the gelling agent. Therefore, the cooling fluid may have a higher effect of suppressing the solification of the gel film 81 than the cleaning liquid.

By continuing to cool the lower surface of the substrate W even during the execution of the physical cleaning process, it is possible to prevent the gel film 81 from turning into a sol during the execution of the physical cleaning process. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the object to be removed 80 from falling off from the gel film piece 82 before the object to be removed 80 is discharged outside the substrate W together with the gel film 81 split by the physical cleaning process.

When the gel film 81 can be sufficiently cooled by the cooling fluid, the cleaning liquid may have a temperature higher than the melting point of the gelling agent, unlike the first modification of the substrate processing. In this case, cooling of the cleaning liquid may be omitted, and the cleaning liquid cooler 51C (see FIG. 2) can be omitted from the substrate processing apparatus 1. FIG.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a second modified example of substrate processing. As in the second modification of substrate processing shown in FIG. 10, the lower surface (second main surface W2) of the substrate W is heated by the heating fluid while the rinse liquid is being discharged from the rinse liquid nozzle 12 in the rinse step. (second main surface heating step).

Specifically, after the physical cleaning process, the heating fluid valve 56A is opened. As a result, the heated fluid is discharged (supplied) from the lower fluid nozzle 13 toward the lower surface of the substrate W (heated fluid discharging step, heated fluid supplying step). The heated fluid ejected from the lower fluid nozzle 13 lands on (collides with) the central region of the lower surface of the substrate W. As shown in FIG. The heated fluid spreads over the entire lower surface of the substrate W due to the action of centrifugal force. As a result, the substrate W is heated from below (the side of the second main surface W2), and the gel film residue 83 is heated through the substrate W. As shown in FIG. A heated fluid can be used to assist in the solification of the gel film residue 83 . In this manner, the second main surface W2 of the substrate W can be heated by a simple method of supplying the heating fluid from the lower fluid nozzle 13 .

In the second modification of substrate processing, the gel film residue 83 is heated by both the heating fluid and the rinsing liquid. Therefore, the gel film residue 83 can be efficiently solified. Both the rinse liquid and the heating fluid have a temperature above the melting point of the gelling agent. Therefore, the rinsing liquid can raise the temperature of the gel film residue 83 and promote the conversion of the gel film residue 83 into a sol more efficiently.

Unlike the second modified example of substrate processing, the rinse liquid having a temperature lower than the melting point of the gelling agent may be discharged from the rinse liquid nozzle 12 toward the upper surface of the substrate W. Even in this case, by heating the substrate W with the heating fluid while the rinse liquid is present on the upper surface of the substrate W, the rinse liquid on the upper surface of the substrate W is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the gelling agent. can be heated up to By heating the rinse liquid on the top surface of the substrate W with a heated fluid, it is possible to supply the top surface of the substrate W with a rinse liquid having a temperature higher than the melting point of the gelling agent.

In this way, even if the temperature of the rinse liquid is lower than the melting point of the gelling agent, heating the lower surface of the substrate W with the heating fluid can assist the solification of the gel residue. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the gel from remaining on the upper surface of the substrate W. FIG.

It should be noted that in the substrate processing shown in FIG. 6, heating with a heating fluid is not performed. Therefore, when performing the substrate processing shown in FIG. 6, the heating fluid pipe 46, the heating fluid valve 56A, the heating fluid flow control valve 56B, the fluid heater 56C, etc. may be omitted from the substrate processing apparatus 1 shown in FIG.

<Modified Example of Substrate Processing Apparatus>
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining a modified example of the cleaning liquid nozzle 11. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, the cleaning liquid nozzle 11 may be a spray nozzle that forms cleaning droplets 103 by mixing gas with the cleaning liquid.

The cleaning liquid nozzle 11 shown in FIG. 11 is an external mixing type two-fluid nozzle that generates cleaning droplets 103 by colliding the cleaning liquid and gas in the air (outside the nozzle). Unlike FIG. 11, the cleaning liquid nozzle 11 may be of an internal mixing type in which the cleaning liquid and gas are mixed within the nozzle.

The cleaning liquid nozzle 11 has a cleaning liquid discharge port 90 for discharging a continuous flow of cleaning liquid and a gas discharge port 91 for discharging gas. The gas discharged from the gas discharge port 91 is, for example, an inert gas such as nitrogen gas. The inert gas does not need to be nitrogen gas, and may be a rare gas such as argon. The gas discharged from the gas discharge port 91 may be a gas other than an inert gas, or may be air.

The cleaning liquid discharge port 90 discharges the cleaning liquid downward. The gas discharge port 91 has an annular shape surrounding the cleaning liquid discharge port 90 and discharges gas obliquely inward. The gas ejection trajectory from the gas ejection port 91 intersects with the cleaning liquid ejection trajectory from the cleaning liquid ejection port 90 . Therefore, the liquid flow 92 of the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid ejection port 90 collides with the gas flow 93 from the gas ejection port 91 . A plurality of cleaning droplets 103 are formed by the collision of the liquid stream 92 and the gas stream 93 . A plurality of cleaning droplets 103 formed in this manner are supplied toward the upper surface of the substrate W. As shown in FIG.

The cleaning liquid nozzle 11 is connected to a cleaning liquid pipe 94 and a gas pipe 96 . The cleaning liquid pipe 94 is provided with a cleaning liquid valve 95A for opening and closing the cleaning liquid flow path formed by the cleaning liquid piping 94, a cleaning liquid flow rate adjustment valve 95B for adjusting the flow rate of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid flow path, and a melting point lower than the melting point of the gelling agent. A cleaning liquid cooler 95C is provided to cool the cleaning liquid to a temperature. The gas pipe 96 is provided with a gas valve 97A that opens and closes the gas flow path formed by the gas pipe 96, and a gas flow rate adjustment valve 97B that adjusts the flow rate of the gas in the gas flow path.

Also, unlike FIGS. 2 and 11, the cleaning liquid nozzle 11 may not be a spray nozzle. Specifically, the cleaning liquid nozzle 11 may be a high-pressure nozzle that ejects a continuous flow of cleaning liquid by using a pump to push the cleaning liquid out of a narrow outlet. The high pressure nozzle may be, for example, an inkjet nozzle or a slit nozzle, but is not limited to this. Further, the cleaning liquid nozzle 11 may be a bar-shaped nozzle extending in both directions (for example, in the horizontal direction) on the upper surface of the substrate W. As shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a modification of the cooling unit provided in the substrate processing apparatus 1. FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, the lower surface of the substrate W may be cooled by a cooling plate 110 facing the substrate W from below.

The processing unit 2 includes a cooling plate 110 and an elevating shaft 115 connected to the lower surface of the cooling plate 110 for elevating the cooling plate 110 . The cooling plate 110 has a circular cooling surface 110a in plan view. The cooling surface 110a is slightly smaller than the substrate W. Cooling surface 110 a is configured by, for example, the upper surface of cooling plate 110 .

The cooling plate 110 incorporates, for example, internal cooling fluid pipes 111 that constitute cooling fluid flow paths within the cooling plate 110 . The internal cooling fluid pipe 111 includes a cooling fluid supply pipe 112 that supplies cooling fluid to the internal cooling fluid pipe 111 and a cooling fluid discharge pipe 113 (cooling fluid discharge channel) that discharges the cooling fluid from the internal cooling fluid pipe 111 . is connected. The cooling fluid supply pipe 112 is provided with a cooling fluid supply valve 114 that opens and closes the cooling fluid supply channel formed by the cooling fluid supply pipe 112 .

A lifting mechanism (not shown) including an actuator such as a motor is connected to the lifting shaft 115 . The cooling plate 110 is moved up and down between a contact position in contact with the lower surface of the substrate W and a separated position separated from the lower surface of the substrate W by an elevating mechanism. The lifting mechanism includes an actuator such as an electric motor.

The cooling plate 110 has a temperature below the freezing point of the gelling agent, and can cool the substrate W to a temperature below the freezing point of the gelling agent. Specifically, the cooling fluid has a temperature below the freezing point of the gelling agent, and the substrate W can be cooled to a temperature below the freezing point of the gelling agent by bringing the cooling plate 110 into contact with the lower surface of the substrate W. . If the temperature of the cooling fluid is sufficiently low, it is possible to cool the substrate W to a temperature below the freezing point of the gelling agent without bringing the cooling plate 110 into contact with the lower surface of the substrate W.

The cooling plate 110 has a temperature of, for example, 5°C or more and less than 15°C. In order to quickly cool the substrate W, it is more preferable that the cooling plate 110 has a temperature lower than the freezing point (for example, 5° C. or more and 10° C. or less).

By cooling the substrate W from below with the cooling plate 110, the entire lower surface of the substrate W can be cooled with high uniformity.

In the example shown in FIG. 12, the lower fluid nozzle 13 that discharges the heating fluid is exposed from the cooling surface 110a of the cooling plate 110. In the example shown in FIG. A heating fluid pipe 46 is connected to the lower fluid nozzle 13 .

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a modification of the heating unit provided in the substrate processing apparatus 1. FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, the lower surface of the substrate W may be heated by a hot plate 116 facing the substrate W from below.

The processing unit 2 includes a hot plate 116 and an elevating shaft 117 connected to the lower surface of the hot plate 116 for elevating the hot plate 116 . The hot plate 116 has a circular heating surface 116a in plan view. The heating surface 116a is slightly smaller than the substrate W. The heating surface 116a is configured by the upper surface of the hot plate 116, for example.

A heater 118 is built into the hot plate 116, for example. A power supply line 119 is connected to the heater 118 , and power is supplied from an energization unit (not shown) such as a power supply via the power supply line 119 .

A lifting mechanism (not shown) including an actuator such as a motor is connected to the lifting shaft 117 . The hot plate 116 is moved up and down between a contact position in contact with the lower surface of the substrate W and a separated position separated from the lower surface of the substrate W by an elevating mechanism. The hot plate 116 can move up and down between a contact position in contact with the lower surface of the substrate W and a separated position separated from the lower surface of the substrate W. As shown in FIG. The lifting mechanism includes an actuator such as an electric motor.

The hot plate 116 has a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the gelling agent, and can heat the substrate W to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the gelling agent. Specifically, the heater 118 is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the gelling agent, and the hot plate 116 is brought into contact with the lower surface of the substrate W, thereby heating the substrate W to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the gelling agent. If the temperature of the heater 118 is sufficiently high, it is possible to heat the substrate W to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the gelling agent without bringing the hot plate 116 into contact with the lower surface of the substrate W.

The hot plate 116 has a temperature of, for example, higher than 30°C and lower than or equal to 50°C. In order to heat the substrate W quickly, the temperature of the hot plate 116 is more preferably higher than the melting point (for example, 40° C. or higher and 50° C. or lower).

By heating the substrate W from below with the hot plate 116, the entire lower surface of the substrate W can be heated with high uniformity. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the lower fluid nozzles 13 for discharging cooling fluid are exposed from the heating surface 116a of the hot plate 116. In the example shown in FIG.

Although not shown, a single plate can function as both the cooling plate 110 and the hot plate 116 if the temperature can be switched.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but can be embodied in other forms.

For example, substrate processing is performed on the upper surface of the substrate W in the above-described embodiments. However, substrate processing may be performed on the lower surface of the substrate W as well. In this case, during substrate processing, the substrate W is held by the spin chuck 5 so that the first principal surface W1 is the bottom surface and the second principal surface W2 is the top surface.

Further, the substrate W does not necessarily have to be held in a horizontal posture by the spin chuck 5, and may be held in a vertical posture, or may be held in a posture in which the main surface of the substrate W is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. good too.

Also, in the above-described embodiment, the spin chuck 5 is a gripping spin chuck that grips the periphery of the substrate W with a plurality of chuck pins 20, but the spin chuck 5 is not limited to a gripping spin chuck. For example, the spin chuck 5 may be a vacuum chuck type spin chuck that causes the spin base 21 to absorb the substrate W.

Also, in the above-described embodiments, heating of the gel residue in the rinsing step is performed by at least one of the heating fluid and the hot plate 116 . However, the gel residue in the rinsing process may be heated by increasing the temperature of the inner space of the chamber 4, or by using a heater facing the first main surface W1 of the substrate W. FIG.

Also, in the above-described embodiments, cooling of the gelling agent-containing liquid in the gelation step is performed by at least one of the cooling fluid and the cooling plate 110 . However, cooling of the gelling agent-containing liquid in the gelation step may be performed by lowering the temperature of the inner space of the chamber 4, or by using a cooler facing the first main surface W1 of the substrate W. good too.

Also, the cleaning liquid supplied to the cleaning liquid nozzle 11 may be cooled to a temperature below the freezing point of the gelling agent by the cleaning liquid cooler 51C. In that case, the plurality of cleaning droplets 103 ejected from the plurality of ejection ports 11a have a temperature below the freezing point of the gelling agent (for example, a temperature of 5° C. or more and less than 15° C.).

Also, the mechanism by which the gel film 81 is removed from the first main surface W1 of the substrate W is not limited to the mechanism shown in FIGS. 8A to 8G. It is sufficient that the gel film 81 is removed from the first main surface W1 of the substrate W by the jetting of the cleaning liquid and the physical force imparted by the cleaning liquid flow 104, and the removal mechanism of the gel film 81 is shown in FIGS. 8A to 8G. It may be different.

In addition, in the above-described embodiments, some of the piping, pumps, valves, actuators, etc. are omitted from the drawings, but this does not mean that these members do not exist. is placed in a suitable position.

In the above-described embodiment, expressions such as "along", "horizontal", and "vertical" are used, but strictly "along", "horizontal", and "vertical" are not required. In other words, each of these expressions allows deviations in manufacturing accuracy, installation accuracy, and the like.

In addition, although each configuration may be schematically indicated by a block, the shape, size and positional relationship of each block do not indicate the shape, size and positional relationship of each configuration.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, these are merely specific examples used to clarify the technical content of the present invention, and the present invention should be construed as being limited to these specific examples. should not, the scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Reference Signs List 1: substrate processing apparatus 10: gelling agent-containing liquid nozzle 11: cleaning liquid nozzle (spray nozzle)
12: rinse liquid nozzle 13: lower fluid nozzle (cooling fluid nozzle, cooling unit)
80: object to be removed 81: gel film 82: gel film piece 83: gel film residue 110: cooling plate (cooling unit)
W: substrate W1: first main surface W2: second main surface

Claims

A substrate processing method for processing a substrate having a first principal surface and a second principal surface opposite to the first principal surface, comprising:
a gelling agent-containing liquid supply step of supplying a gelling agent-containing liquid containing a gelling agent to the first main surface;
a gelling step of cooling the substrate to change the gelling agent-containing liquid on the first main surface into a gel;
a physical cleaning step of cleaning the first main surface by injecting a cleaning liquid toward the first main surface on which the gel is formed;
and a rinsing step of supplying a rinsing liquid having a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the gelling agent to the first main surface after the physical cleaning step.
2. The substrate processing method according to claim 1, wherein said rinsing step includes a step of discharging said rinsing liquid having a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of said gelling agent from a rinsing liquid nozzle toward said first main surface.
The substrate processing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rinsing step includes a second main surface heating step of heating the second main surface to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the gelling agent.
The substrate processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said gelation step includes a second principal surface cooling step of cooling said second principal surface.
The substrate processing method according to claim 4, wherein the cooling of the second main surface is continued even during execution of the physical cleaning step.
The substrate processing according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the temperature of the cleaning liquid sprayed toward the first main surface in the physical cleaning step is lower than the melting point of the gelling agent. Method.
7. The substrate processing method according to claim 1, wherein said physical cleaning step includes a droplet jetting step of jetting a plurality of droplets of said cleaning liquid from a spray nozzle toward said first main surface. .
The substrate processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the melting point of the gelling agent is higher than the freezing point of the gelling agent.
The substrate processing method according to claim 8, wherein the gelling agent has a melting point of 20°C or higher and 30°C or lower, and a freezing point of the gelling agent is 15°C or higher and 25°C or lower.
The substrate processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the gelling agent is gelatin, agar, or a mixture thereof.
The substrate processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said first main surface of said substrate is a flat surface formed by chemical mechanical polishing using an abrasive.
The gelation step includes a gel film forming step of forming a gel film that is composed of the gel and retains the removal target on the first main surface,
In the physical cleaning step, the gel film is divided by the cleaning liquid to form gel film pieces holding the object to be removed, and the gel film pieces are discharged out of the first main surface together with the cleaning liquid. 12. The substrate processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising a step of ejecting the piece.
The substrate according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the rinsing step includes a sol-forming step of heating the gel film residue remaining on the first main surface after the physical cleaning step. Processing method.
A substrate processing method for processing a substrate having a first principal surface and a second principal surface opposite to the first principal surface, comprising:
a gelling agent-containing liquid supply step of supplying a gelling agent-containing liquid containing a gelling agent to the first main surface;
a cooling fluid discharge step of discharging a cooling fluid having a temperature equal to or lower than the freezing point of the gelling agent from a cooling fluid nozzle toward the second main surface after the gelling agent-containing liquid supplying step;
a cleaning liquid jetting step of jetting a cleaning liquid toward the first main surface after the cooling fluid discharging step;
and a rinse solution ejection step of ejecting a rinse solution having a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the gelling agent from a rinse solution nozzle toward the first main surface after the cleaning solution ejection step.
A substrate processing apparatus for processing a substrate having a first principal surface and a second principal surface opposite to the first principal surface,
a gelling agent-containing liquid nozzle for discharging a gelling agent-containing liquid containing a gelling agent toward the first main surface;
a cooling unit that cools the second main surface to a temperature below the freezing point of the gelling agent;
a cleaning liquid nozzle for injecting a cleaning liquid for cleaning the first main surface toward the first main surface;
and a rinse liquid nozzle that discharges a rinse liquid having a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the gelling agent toward the first main surface.
The cooling unit cools the second main surface while the gelling agent-containing liquid supplied from the gelling agent-containing liquid nozzle onto the first main surface exists on the first main surface. ,
The cleaning liquid nozzle is directed toward the first main surface in a state in which the gelling agent-containing liquid on the first main surface is cooled by the cooling unit to form a gel on the first main surface. Injecting the cleaning liquid,
16. The substrate processing according to claim 15, wherein said rinse liquid nozzle supplies said rinse liquid toward said first main surface after said cleaning liquid is sprayed onto said first main surface from said cleaning liquid nozzle. Device.
The gelling agent-containing liquid nozzle dispenses the gelling agent-containing liquid containing the gelling agent having a melting point of 20° C. or higher and 30° C. or lower and a freezing point of 15° C. or higher and 25° C. or lower as the first main liquid. 17. The substrate processing apparatus according to claim 15 or 16, which discharges toward a surface.
18. The method of claims 15 to 17, wherein the gelling agent-containing liquid nozzle ejects the gelling agent-containing liquid containing the gelling agent, which is gelatin, agar, or a mixture thereof, toward the first main surface. The substrate processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The substrate processing apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein said cleaning liquid nozzle includes a spray nozzle for injecting a plurality of droplets of cleaning liquid toward said first main surface.
The substrate processing apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein said cleaning liquid nozzle sprays toward said first main surface a cleaning liquid having a temperature lower than the melting point of said gelling agent.
The substrate processing apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 20, wherein said cooling unit includes a cooling fluid nozzle for supplying cooling fluid having a temperature equal to or lower than the freezing point of said gelling agent to said second main surface.