Patent · US Expired

Sonic immersion process system and methods

US6774056B2 · kind B2 · utility

7Cited by
15References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 19, 2002
Grant dateAug 10, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 19, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S438/913
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A process system for processing a semiconductor wafer or other similar flat workpiece has a head including a workpiece holder. A motor in the head spins the workpiece. A head lifter lowers the head to move the workpiece into a bath of liquid in a bowl. Sonic energy is introduced into the liquid and travels through the liquid to the workpiece, to assist in processing. The head is lifted to bring the workpiece to a rinse position. The bath liquid is drained. The workpiece is rinsed via radial spray nozzles in the base. The head is lifted to a dry position. A reciprocating swing arm sprays a drying fluid onto the bottom surface of the spinning wafer, to dry the wafer.

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