Patent · US Expired

Nozzle arm movement for resist development

US6270579A · kind A · utility

20Cited by
14References
27Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 29, 1999
Grant dateAug 7, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 29, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03F7/3028
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A system and method is provided that facilitates the application of a uniform layer of developer material on a photoresist material layer. The system includes a multiple tip nozzle and a movement system that moves the nozzle to an operating position above a central region of a photoresist material layer located on a substrate, and applies a volume of developer as the nozzle scan moves across a predetermined path. The movement system moves the nozzle in two dimensions by providing an arm that has a first arm member that is pivotable about a first rotational axis and a second arm member that is pivotable about a second rotational axis or is movable along a translational axis. The system also provides a measurement system that measures the thickness uniformity of the developed photoresist material layer disposed on a test wafer. The thickness uniformity data is used to reconfigure the predetermined path of the nozzle as the developer is applied. The thickness uniformity data can also be used to adjust the volume of developer applied along the path and/or the volume flow rate.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.