IP Library Granted Patent US 7,816,272
Granted Patent B2
US 7,816,272 · App. 12/385,135 · Granted Oct 19, 2010

Process of cleaning a semiconductor manufacturing system and method of manufacturing a semiconductor device

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,816,272
App. No.
12/385,135
Granted
Oct 19, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A process of cleaning a semiconductor manufacturing system, and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device. The cleaning process includes, for example, positioning a ceramic cover on the electrostatic chuck in tight contact with the chuck, and feeding a fluoride-based cleaning gas into a chamber. After the cleaning process, a process of forming a semiconductor film (deposition process) is performed. It is possible to prevent fluorine degasification from a substrate-supporting electrode (electrostatic chuck) during the deposition process. A semiconductor film can be formed without causing a temperature drop near the substrate. This prevents irregular film thickness, defective etching, film flaking, etc.

Claims (7)

1. A process of cleaning a semiconductor manufacturing system having a reaction chamber and a substrate-supporting electrode provided inside the reaction chamber, with a substrate being placed on the substrate-supporting electrode when forming a semiconductor film on the substrate, the process comprising:

positioning an insulating cover on the substrate-supporting electrode;

supplying a fluoride-based cleaning gas into the reaction chamber, and supplying at least one of an inert gas and a fluorine-reducing gas into the reaction chamber from an approximate center of the substrate-supporting electrode through a gap between the insulating cover and the substrate-supporting electrode, a pressure in the gap being maintained to be higher than a pressure in the reaction chamber; and

generating a plasma in the reaction chamber.

2. The process of cleaning as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the fluoride-based cleaning gas is one of NF 3 , CF 4 , C 3 F 8 , C 2 F 6 , and ClF 3 .

3. The process of cleaning as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the fluorine-reducing gas is H 2 or NH 3 .

4. The process of cleaning as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the inert gas is He gas.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 21, 2014
From: OKI ELECTRIC INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
To: LAPIS SEMICONDUCTOR CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 032499/0732 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 31, 2009
From: TSUTAE, HIROOMI
To: OKI ELECTRIC INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 022502/0511 →