Specific Process Knowledge/Thin film deposition/Furnace LPCVD Nitride: Difference between revisions

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'''Feedback to this page''': '''[mailto:thinfilm@danchip.dtu.dk?Subject=Feed%20back%20from%20page%20http://labadviser.danchip.dtu.dk/index.php/Specific_Process_Knowledge/Thin_film_deposition/Furnace_LPCVD_Nitride click here]'''
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[[Category: Equipment|Thin film]]
<i> Unless otherwise stated, this page is written by <b>DTU Nanolab internal</b></i>
 
[[Category: Equipment|Thin film F]]
[[Category: Thin Film Deposition|LPCVD nitride]]
[[Category: Thin Film Deposition|LPCVD nitride]]
[[Category: Furnaces|LPCVD nitride]]
[[Category: Furnaces|LPCVD nitride]]
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[[image:DC_nyhed_3.jpg|320x320px|right|thumb|6" LPCVD nitride furnace (E3) located in cleanroom E-6]]
[[image:DC_nyhed_3.jpg|320x320px|right|thumb|6" LPCVD nitride furnace (E3) located in cleanroom E-6]]
[[image:Furnace_nitride1.jpg|300x300px|right|thumb|4" LPCVD nitride furnace (B2) located in cleanroom B-1]]
[[image:Furnace_nitride1.jpg|300x300px|right|thumb|4" LPCVD nitride furnace (B2) located in cleanroom B-1]]


==Deposition of Silicon Nitride using LPCVD==
==Deposition of Silicon Nitride using LPCVD==


Danchip has two LPCVD (Low Pressure Chemical Vapour Deposition) furnaces <!--[[Specific Process Knowledge/Thin film deposition/B2 Furnace LPCVD Nitride|LPCVD furnaces]]--> that are dedicated for deposition of silicon nitride: A 6" furnace (installed in 2008) for deposition of stoichiometric nitride on 100 mm and 150 mm wafers and a 4" furnace (installed in 1995) that is mainly used for deposition of silicon rich (i.e. low stress) nitride on 100 mm wafers. In LabManager the two furnaces are named "Furnace: LPCVD nitride (6") (E3)" and "Furnace: LPCVD nitride (4") (B2)", respectively. Both furnaces are Tempress horizontal furnaces.  
DTU Nanolab has two LPCVD (Low Pressure Chemical Vapour Deposition) furnaces <!--[[Specific Process Knowledge/Thin film deposition/B2 Furnace LPCVD Nitride|LPCVD furnaces]]--> for deposition of silicon nitride:
*A 4" furnace (installed in 1995) for deposition og stoichiometric nitride on 4 inch wafers.
*A 6" furnace (installed in 2008) for deposition of low stress/silicon rich nitride on 4 inch and 6 inch wafers. Deposition of stoichiometric nitride on 4 inch wafers is also allowed in this furnace.  
In LabManager the two furnaces are named "Furnace: LPCVD nitride (4") (B2)" and "Furnace: LPCVD nitride (6") (E3)", respectively. Both furnaces are Tempress horizontal furnaces.
 
Please check the cross contamination information in LabManager before you use any of the two furnaces.  


Please be aware of that it is not allowed to deposit silicon rich nitride in the 6" nitride furnace to avoid problems with particles. The 4" nitride furnace is mainly dedicated for deposition of silicon rich nitride which does affect the cleanliness of the furnace. And please check the cross contamination information in LabManager before you use any of the two furnaces.  
The LPCVD silicon nitride deposition is a batch process, where nitride can be deposited on a batch of up to 15 wafers (in the 4" nitride furnace) or 25 wafers (in the 6" nitride furnace) at a time. The deposition takes place under vacuum (120-200 mTorr, depending on the process) and at high temperature (780-845 C, depending on the process). The reactive gases are ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>) and dichlorsilane (SiH<sub>2</sub>Cl<sub>2</sub>).  
 
The LPCVD nitride has a very good step coverage, and the film thickness is very uniform over the wafers.  


The LPCVD silicon nitride deposition is a batch process, where nitride can be deposited on a batch of up to 25 wafers (in the 6" nitride furnace) or 15 wafers (in the 4" nitride furnace) at a time. The deposition takes place under vacuum (120-200 mTorr, depending on the process) and at temperature (780-845 C, depending on the process). The reactive gases are ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>) and dichlorsilane (SiH<sub>2</sub>Cl<sub>2</sub>). The LPCVD nitride has a very good step coverage, and the film thickness is very uniform over the wafers.


'''The user manuals, quality control procedures and results, user APVs, technical information and contact information can be found in LabManager:'''
'''The user manuals, quality control procedures and results, user APVs, technical information and contact information can be found in LabManager:'''


[http://labmanager.danchip.dtu.dk/function.php?module=Machine&view=view&mach=84 4" LPCVD nitride furnace (B2)],
[http://labmanager.dtu.dk/function.php?module=Machine&view=view&mach=84 4" LPCVD nitride furnace (B2)]  


[http://labmanager.danchip.dtu.dk/function.php?module=Machine&view=view&mach=250 6" LPCVD nitride furnace (E3)]
[http://labmanager.dtu.dk/function.php?module=Machine&view=view&mach=250 6" LPCVD nitride furnace (E3)]
 
[https://labmanager.dtu.dk/d4Show.php?id=1926 Furnace computer manual]
 
 
== Manual for the furnace computer to the A, B, C and E stack furnaces ==
 
The A, B, C and E stack furnaces can be controlled either from a touch screen by each furnace or from a furnace computer. The user manual for the furnace computer can be found here:
 
[[media:Furnace_computer_manual.pdf|Manual for furnace computers for the A, B, C and E stack furnaces]]




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== Process information ==
== Process information ==


*[[/Deposition of low stress nitride using the 4" LPCVD nitride furnace|Deposition of low stress nitride using the 4" LPCVD nitride furnace]]  
*[[/Deposition of stoichiometric nitride using the 4" LPCVD nitride furnace|Deposition of stoichiometric nitride using the 4" LPCVD nitride furnace]]
*[[/Deposition of stoichiometric nitride using the 6" LPCVD nitride furnace|Deposition of stoichiometric nitride using the 6" LPCVD nitride furnace]]
*[[/Deposition of low stress nitride using the 4" LPCVD nitride furnace|Deposition of low stress nitride using the 4" LPCVD nitride furnace <span style="color:Red">(Low stress nitride depositions are no longer available in this furnace - use the 6" nitride furnace instead)</span>]]
 
*[[/Deposition of low stress nitride using the 6" LPCVD nitride furnace|Deposition of low stress nitride using the 6" LPCVD nitride furnace ]]
*[[/Deposition of stoichiometric nitride using the 6" LPCVD nitride furnace|Deposition of stoichiometric nitride using the 6" LPCVD nitride furnace <span style="color:Red">(4" wafers need a special permission using as a back up of 4" LPCVD nitride furnace, B2)</span>]]
 
*[[/Using LPCVD silicon nitride as a masking material for KOH etching|Using LPCVD silicon nitride as a masking material for KOH etching]]
*[[/Using LPCVD silicon nitride as a masking material for KOH etching|Using LPCVD silicon nitride as a masking material for KOH etching]]


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!colspan="2" border="none" style="background:silver; color:black;" align="center"|Equipment  
!colspan="2" border="none" style="background:silver; color:black;" align="center"|Equipment  
|style="background:WhiteSmoke; color:black"|<b>6" LPCVD nitride furnace (E3)</b>
|style="background:WhiteSmoke; color:black"|<b>4" LPCVD nitride furnace (B2)</b>
|style="background:WhiteSmoke; color:black"|<b>4" LPCVD nitride furnace (B2)</b>
|style="background:WhiteSmoke; color:black"|<b>6" LPCVD nitride furnace (E3)</b>
|-
|-
!style="background:silver; color:black;" align="center"|Purpose  
!style="background:silver; color:black;" align="center"|Purpose  
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|style="background:WhiteSmoke; color:black"|
|style="background:WhiteSmoke; color:black"|
*Silicon rich (low stress) nitride
*Silicon rich (low stress) nitride
*(Stoichiometric nitride)
*Stoichiometric nitride
|style="background:WhiteSmoke; color:black"|
|style="background:WhiteSmoke; color:black"|
*Stoichiometric nitride
*Stoichiometric nitride
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|style="background:LightGrey; color:black"|Temperature
|style="background:LightGrey; color:black"|Temperature
|style="background:WhiteSmoke; color:black"|
|style="background:WhiteSmoke; color:black"|
*830-845 <sup>o</sup>C
*810-845 <sup>o</sup>C
The temperature vary over the furnace tube
The temperature vary over the furnace tube
|style="background:WhiteSmoke; color:black"|
|style="background:WhiteSmoke; color:black"|
*780-790 <sup>o</sup>C
*780-790 <sup>o</sup>C
The temperature very over the furnace tube
The temperature vary over the furnace tube
|-
|-
|style="background:LightGrey; color:black"|Pressure
|style="background:LightGrey; color:black"|Pressure
|style="background:WhiteSmoke; color:black"|
|style="background:WhiteSmoke; color:black"|
*120 mTorr
*150 mTorr
|style="background:WhiteSmoke; color:black"|
|style="background:WhiteSmoke; color:black"|
*200 mTorr
*200 mTorr
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|style="background:LightGrey; color:black"|Gas flows
|style="background:LightGrey; color:black"|Gas flows
|style="background:WhiteSmoke; color:black"|
|style="background:WhiteSmoke; color:black"|
*Dichlorsilane (SiH<sub>2</sub>Cl<sub>2</sub>): 80 sccm
For Low stress nitride
*Ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>): 20 sccm
*Dichlorsilane (SiH<sub>2</sub>Cl<sub>2</sub>): 200 sccm
*Ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>): 50 sccm
For Stoichiometric nitride on 6" wafers
*Dichlorsilane (SiH<sub>2</sub>Cl<sub>2</sub>): 45 sccm
*Ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>): 180 sccm
 
|style="background:WhiteSmoke; color:black"|
|style="background:WhiteSmoke; color:black"|
*Dichlorsilane (SiH<sub>2</sub>Cl<sub>2</sub>): 10-45 sccm
*Dichlorsilane (SiH<sub>2</sub>Cl<sub>2</sub>): 20 sccm
*Ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>): 160-180 sccm
*Ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>): 80 sccm
The gas flows depend on whether nitride is deposited on 4" or 6" wafers
The gas flows depend on whether nitride is deposited on 4" or 6" wafers
|-
|-
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|style="background:LightGrey; color:black"|Batch size
|style="background:LightGrey; color:black"|Batch size
|style="background:WhiteSmoke; color:black"|
|style="background:WhiteSmoke; color:black"|
*1-15 100 mm wafers
*1-25 100 mm wafers
*1-25 150 mm wafers
Including a test wafer
Including a test wafer
|style="background:WhiteSmoke; color:black"|
|style="background:WhiteSmoke; color:black"|
*1-25 100 mm wafers
*1-15 100 mm wafers
*1-25 150 mm wafers
Including a test wafer
Including a test wafer
|-
|-
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<!--hide text  
<!--hide text  
==Using LPCVD silicon nitride as a masking material for KOH etching==
==Using LPCVD silicon nitride as a masking material for KOH etching==
At Danchip stoichiometric silicon nitride is mainly used as masking material for potassium hydroxide (KOH) etching. The etch rate of the nitride in 80 <sup>o</sup>C KOH is expected to be less than 1 Å/min.  
Stoichiometric silicon nitride is mainly used as masking material for potassium hydroxide (KOH) etching. The etch rate of the nitride in 80 <sup>o</sup>C KOH is expected to be less than 1 Å/min.  


There are regularly users having problems with pinholes in the silicon nitride after KOH etching. It is not always clear what the reasons are, but we suspect problems can arise due to  
There are regularly users having problems with pinholes in the silicon nitride after KOH etching. It is not always clear what the reasons are, but we suspect problems can arise due to  
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'''To avoid too many or too large particles in the nitride'''<br\>
'''To avoid too many or too large particles in the nitride'''<br\>
*If possible, use the new nitride furnace to deposit stoichiometric nitride. In order to avoid problems with particles it is not allowed to deposit low stress nitride in this furnace, and the particles level is therefore low compared to the older nitride furnace.  
*If possible, use the new nitride furnace to deposit stoichiometric nitride. In order to avoid problems with particles it is not allowed to deposit low stress nitride in this furnace, and the particles level is therefore low compared to the older nitride furnace.  
*Before running a process keep in close contact with the Danchip staff (especially the process specialist on the furnace) or take a look at the logbook to make sure that the nitride furnace is expected to be in a good state.
*Before running a process keep in close contact with the Nanolab staff (especially the process specialist on the furnace) or take a look at the logbook to make sure that the nitride furnace is expected to be in a good state.


'''To avoid too rough handling of the wafers after the nitride deposition'''<br\>
'''To avoid too rough handling of the wafers after the nitride deposition'''<br\>
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*It is recommended to have a of silicon oxide layer between the silicon substrate and the nitride layer to reduce the stress level between the layers. The silicon nitride is then expected to have less tendency to break.
*It is recommended to have a of silicon oxide layer between the silicon substrate and the nitride layer to reduce the stress level between the layers. The silicon nitride is then expected to have less tendency to break.
hide text-->
hide text-->
== Rules for storage and RCA cleaning of wafers to the B2 and E3 furnaces ==
*[[Specific_Process_Knowledge/Thermal_Process/Storage_and_cleaning_of_wafer_to_the_A,_B,_C_and_E_stack_furnaces|Storage and cleaning of wafer to the B2 and E3 furnaces]]

Latest revision as of 09:31, 6 February 2024

Feedback to this page: click here

Unless otherwise stated, this page is written by DTU Nanolab internal

6" LPCVD nitride furnace (E3) located in cleanroom E-6
4" LPCVD nitride furnace (B2) located in cleanroom B-1


Deposition of Silicon Nitride using LPCVD

DTU Nanolab has two LPCVD (Low Pressure Chemical Vapour Deposition) furnaces for deposition of silicon nitride:

  • A 4" furnace (installed in 1995) for deposition og stoichiometric nitride on 4 inch wafers.
  • A 6" furnace (installed in 2008) for deposition of low stress/silicon rich nitride on 4 inch and 6 inch wafers. Deposition of stoichiometric nitride on 4 inch wafers is also allowed in this furnace.

In LabManager the two furnaces are named "Furnace: LPCVD nitride (4") (B2)" and "Furnace: LPCVD nitride (6") (E3)", respectively. Both furnaces are Tempress horizontal furnaces.

Please check the cross contamination information in LabManager before you use any of the two furnaces.

The LPCVD silicon nitride deposition is a batch process, where nitride can be deposited on a batch of up to 15 wafers (in the 4" nitride furnace) or 25 wafers (in the 6" nitride furnace) at a time. The deposition takes place under vacuum (120-200 mTorr, depending on the process) and at high temperature (780-845 C, depending on the process). The reactive gases are ammonia (NH3) and dichlorsilane (SiH2Cl2).

The LPCVD nitride has a very good step coverage, and the film thickness is very uniform over the wafers.


The user manuals, quality control procedures and results, user APVs, technical information and contact information can be found in LabManager:

4" LPCVD nitride furnace (B2)

6" LPCVD nitride furnace (E3)

Furnace computer manual


Manual for the furnace computer to the A, B, C and E stack furnaces

The A, B, C and E stack furnaces can be controlled either from a touch screen by each furnace or from a furnace computer. The user manual for the furnace computer can be found here:

Manual for furnace computers for the A, B, C and E stack furnaces


Process information

Equipment performance and process related parameters

Equipment 6" LPCVD nitride furnace (E3) 4" LPCVD nitride furnace (B2)
Purpose Deposition of
  • Silicon rich (low stress) nitride
  • Stoichiometric nitride
  • Stoichiometric nitride
Performance Step coverage
  • Very good
  • Very good
Film quality
  • Deposition on both sides of the substrate
  • Dense film
  • Few defects
  • Deposition on both sides of the substrate
  • Dense film
  • Very few defects
Process parameter range Temperature
  • 810-845 oC

The temperature vary over the furnace tube

  • 780-790 oC

The temperature vary over the furnace tube

Pressure
  • 150 mTorr
  • 200 mTorr
Gas flows

For Low stress nitride

  • Dichlorsilane (SiH2Cl2): 200 sccm
  • Ammonia (NH3): 50 sccm

For Stoichiometric nitride on 6" wafers

  • Dichlorsilane (SiH2Cl2): 45 sccm
  • Ammonia (NH3): 180 sccm
  • Dichlorsilane (SiH2Cl2): 20 sccm
  • Ammonia (NH3): 80 sccm

The gas flows depend on whether nitride is deposited on 4" or 6" wafers

Substrates Batch size
  • 1-25 100 mm wafers
  • 1-25 150 mm wafers

Including a test wafer

  • 1-15 100 mm wafers

Including a test wafer

Allowed materials
  • Silicon wafers (new or RCA cleaned)
    • with layers of silicon oxide or silicon (oxy)nitride
    • from the A, B and E stack furnaces
  • Quartz/fused silica wafers (RCA cleaned)
  • Silicon wafers (new or RCA cleaned)
    • with layers of silicon oxide or silicon (oxy)nitride
    • from the A, B and E stack furnaces
  • Quartz/fused silica wafers (RCA cleaned)


Rules for storage and RCA cleaning of wafers to the B2 and E3 furnaces