Paper
27 March 2017 Advanced lithographic filtration and contamination control for 14nm node and beyond semiconductor processes
Rao Varanasi, Michael Mesawich, Patrick Connor, Lawrence Johnson
Author Affiliations +
Abstract
Two versions of a specific 2nm rated filter containing filtration medium and all other components produced from high density polyethylene (HDPE), one subjected to standard cleaning, the other to specialized ultra-cleaning, were evaluated in terms of their cleanliness characteristics, and also defectivity of wafers processed with photoresist filtered through each. With respect to inherent cleanliness, the ultraclean version exhibited a 70% reduction in total metal extractables and 90% reduction in organics extractables compared to the standard clean version. In terms of particulate cleanliness, the ultraclean version achieved stability of effluent particles 30nm and larger in about half the time required by the standard clean version, also exhibiting effluent levels at stability almost 90% lower. In evaluating defectivity of blanket wafers processed with photoresist filtered through either version, initial defect density while using the ultraclean version was about half that observed when the standard clean version was in service, with defectivity also falling more rapidly during subsequent usage of the ultraclean version compared to the standard clean version. Similar behavior was observed for patterned wafers, where the enhanced defect reduction was primarily of bridging defects. The filter evaluation and actual process-oriented results demonstrate the extreme value in using filtration designed possessing the optimal intrinsic characteristics, but with further improvements possible through enhanced cleaning processes
© (2017) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Rao Varanasi, Michael Mesawich, Patrick Connor, and Lawrence Johnson "Advanced lithographic filtration and contamination control for 14nm node and beyond semiconductor processes", Proc. SPIE 10146, Advances in Patterning Materials and Processes XXXIV, 101462B (27 March 2017); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2260001
Lens.org Logo
CITATIONS
Cited by 1 scholarly publication.
Advertisement
Advertisement
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission  Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace
KEYWORDS
Semiconducting wafers

Particles

Photoresist materials

Lithography

Metals

Contamination control

Semiconductors

Back to Top