IP Library Granted Patent US 11,422,071
Granted Patent B2
US 11,422,071 · App. 17/415,191 · Granted Aug 23, 2022

Substrate analysis method and substrate analyzer

Inventors: Katsuhiko Kawabata (Tokyo, JP); Sungjae Lee (Tokyo, JP); Takuma Hayashi (Tokyo, JP)
Assignee: IAS, INC.
G01N1/28G01N19/08G01N2001/1006
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,422,071
App. No.
17/415,191
Granted
Aug 23, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A substrate analysis method using a nozzle for substrate analysis which discharges an analysis liquid from a tip thereof, scans a substrate surface with a discharged analysis liquid, and sucks the analysis liquid. This is done by arranging a liquid catch plate that catches the discharged analysis liquid, thus retaining analysis liquid discharged between the nozzle tip and the liquid catch plate; positioning the substrate so that the end part thereof can be inserted between the nozzle tip and the liquid catch plate; bringing the end part of the substrate into contact with analysis liquid retained between the nozzle tip and liquid catch plate; and moving the nozzle and liquid catch plate concurrently along a periphery of the substrate, while keeping the end part of the substrate in contact with the analysis liquid, to analyze the end part of the substrate.

Claims (16)

1. An analysis method of a substrate by use of a nozzle for substrate analysis, which discharges an analysis liquid from a tip of the nozzle, scans a surface of the substrate with a discharged analysis liquid, and then sucks the analysis liquid, comprising the steps of:

arranging, opposite to a nozzle tip, a liquid catch plate that catches the discharged analysis liquid, to thereby retain the analysis liquid discharged from the tip between the nozzle tip and the liquid catch plate;

positioning the substrate so that an end part thereof can be inserted between the nozzle tip and the liquid catch plate;

bringing the end part of the substrate into contact with the analysis liquid retained between the nozzle tip and the liquid catch plate; and

moving the nozzle and the liquid catch plate concurrently along a periphery of the substrate, while keeping the end part of the substrate in contact with the analysis liquid, to thereby analyze the end part of the substrate,

wherein the nozzle is constituted by a triple concentric tube that includes an inner tube through which the analysis liquid is discharged and sucked; a first outer tube arranged around an outer circumference of the inner tube so as to surround the analysis liquid dragged for scanning; and a second outer tube arranged around an outer circumference of the first outer tube, and the nozzle further includes a first exhaust unit having an exhaust path arranged between the inner tube and the first outer tube; and a second exhaust unit having an exhaust path arranged between the first outer tube and the second outer tube.

2. A substrate analyzer comprising:

a nozzle for substrate analysis which discharges an analysis liquid from a tip of the nozzle, scans a substrate surface with a discharged analysis liquid, and then sucks the analysis liquid, said nozzle for substrate analysis constituted by a triple concentric tube that includes an inner tube through which the analysis liquid is discharged and sucked; a first outer tube arranged around an outer circumference of the inner tube so as to surround the analysis liquid dragged for scanning; and a second outer tube arranged around an outer circumference of the first outer tube, wherein the nozzle further includes a first exhaust unit having an exhaust path arranged between the inner tube and the first outer tube; and a second exhaust unit having an exhaust path arranged between the first outer tube and the second outer tube;

a liquid catch plate control unit that arranges, opposite to the nozzle tip, a liquid catch plate that catches the analysis liquid discharged through the inner tube; and

a drive unit capable of synchronously moving the nozzle and the liquid catch plate relative to the substrate.

3. An analysis method of a substrate by use of a nozzle for substrate analysis, which discharges an analysis liquid from a tip of the nozzle, scans a surface of the substrate with a discharged analysis liquid, and then sucks the analysis liquid, comprising the steps of:

arranging, opposite to a nozzle tip, a liquid catch plate that catches the discharged analysis liquid, to thereby retain the analysis liquid discharged from the tip between the nozzle tip and the liquid catch plate;

positioning the substrate so that an end part thereof can be inserted between the nozzle tip and the liquid catch plate;

bringing the end part of the substrate into contact with the analysis liquid retained between the nozzle tip and the liquid catch plate; and

moving the nozzle and the liquid catch plate concurrently along a periphery of the substrate, while keeping the end part of the substrate in contact with the analysis liquid, to thereby analyze the end part of the substrate,

wherein the liquid catch plate is hydrophobic, and wherein the nozzle is constituted by a triple concentric tube that includes an inner tube through which the analysis liquid is discharged and sucked; a first outer tube arranged around an outer circumference of the inner tube so as to surround the analysis liquid dragged for scanning; and a second outer tube arranged around an outer circumference of the first outer tube, and the nozzle further includes a first exhaust unit having an exhaust path arranged between the inner tube and the first outer tube; and a second exhaust unit having an exhaust path arranged between the first outer tube and the second outer tube.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 15, 2026
From: IAS INC.
To: RORZE IAS INC.
Reel/Frame 074867/0402 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 24, 2025
From: IAS INC.
To: RORZE IAS INC.
Reel/Frame 073257/0472 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 17, 2021
From: KAWABATA, KATSUHIKO; LEE, SUNGJAE; HAYASHI, TAKUMA
To: IAS, INC.
Reel/Frame 056574/0271 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP JP2018-242929 · Dec 26, 2018 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220042882A1 · Feb 10, 2022