Specific Process Knowledge/Wafer and sample drying/Critical Point Dryer: Difference between revisions

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'''Critical Point Dryer'''
'''Unless anything else is stated, everything on this page, text and pictures are made by DTU Nanolab.'''
[[Image:Alcatel.jpg|300x300px|thumb|Alcatel: positioned in cleanroom 4]]
The critical point dryer is used to dry fragile structures that may be damaged in a normal drying procedure. Fragile structures may be thin membranes, or free hanging structures like cantilevers and grippers.  


In the critical point dryer, these structures are dried in CO<math>_2</math>. In the drying process, the sample is first put into Isopropanol, and loaded into the machine. In the process itself, the isopropanol is exchanged for liquid CO<math>_2</math>. When there is only CO<math>_2</math> in the machine, the pressure and temperature in the chamber is raised, above the so called “critical point”. In this way, there is never a liquid/gas interface, but instead the liquid is turned into a mixture of equal parts of gas and liquid. Because of this, the problem with surface tension, which destroys the fragile structures through capillary forces, is avoided.  
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'''Feedback to this page''': '''[mailto:pvd@danchip.dtu.dk?Subject=Feed%20back%20from%20page%20http://labadviser.danchip.dtu.dk/index.php?title=Specific_Process_Knowledge/Wafer_and_sample_drying/Critical_Point_Dryer&action=edit click here]'''
==Critical Point Dryer==
[[Image:CPD.JPG|300x300px|thumb|Critical point dryer: positioned in cleanroom D-3.]]
The critical point dryer is used to dry fragile structures that may be damaged in a normal drying procedure. Fragile structures can be thin membranes, or free hanging structures like cantilevers and grippers.
'''The user manual(s), technical information and contact information can be found in LabManager:'''
<!-- remember to remove the type of documents that are not present -->
<!-- give the link to the equipment info page in LabManager: -->
[http://labmanager.dtu.dk/function.php?module=Machine&view=view&mach=254 Critical Point Dryer in LabManager]
In the critical point dryer, samples are dried in supercritical CO<math>_2</math>. In the drying process, the sample is first put into Isopropanol for at least 1 hour, and then loaded into the machine. When the machine is started, the isopropanol is exchanged for liquid CO<math>_2</math>. When there is only CO<math>_2</math> in the machine, the pressure and temperature in the chamber is raised, above the so called “critical point”. At this point, there is no longer a liquid/gas interfacen, but instead the CO<math>_2</math> is in a supercritical state. Because of this, the problem with surface tension, which destroys the fragile structures through capillary forces, is avoided.
==Equipment performance and process related parameters==


{| border="2" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="10"  
{| border="2" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="10"  
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!style="background:silver; color:black" align="left" valign="top" rowspan="2"|Process parameter range
!style="background:silver; color:black" align="left" valign="top" rowspan="2"|Process parameter range
|style="background:LightGrey; color:black"|Process Temperature
|style="background:LightGrey; color:black"|Process Temperature
|style="background:WhiteSmoke; color:black"|
|style="background:WhiteSmoke; color:black"|0 <sup>o</sup>C to 45 <sup>o</sup>C  
0<math>\rm{^o}</math>C temperature to 45<math>\rm{^o}</math>C  
|-
|-
|style="background:LightGrey; color:black"|Process pressure
|style="background:LightGrey; color:black"|Process pressure
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*Pieces (up to 10x10mm)   
*Pieces (up to 10x10mm)   
|-
|-
| style="background:LightGrey; color:black"|Substrate material allowed
| style="background:LightGrey; color:black"|Materials allowed
|style="background:WhiteSmoke; color:black"|
|style="background:WhiteSmoke; color:black"|
*Silicon wafers
*Please consult the [http://labmanager.dtu.dk/function.php?module=XcMachineaction&view=edit&MachID=254 Critical Point Dryer cross contamination sheet]
*Quartz wafers
*Pyrex wafers
*InAlP
*GaAs
|-
| style="background:LightGrey; color:black"|Material allowed on the substrate
|style="background:WhiteSmoke; color:black"|
*Silicon oxide
*Silicon nitride
*Poly Silicon
*SU-8
|-  
|-  
|}
|}


<!-- copyright issue rkc


'''Comparison of samples dried in air and with Critical Point Dryer'''
==Comparison of samples dried in air and with Critical Point Dryer==


This shows a comparison of samples that have been dried in the critical point dryer, and samples that have been dried in air.  
This shows a comparison of samples that have been dried in the critical point dryer, and samples that have been dried in the air.  
Below are pictures of two wafers that have been prepared in the same way- but dried with different methods after the final etching step.  
Pictures below are shown 2 samples that have been prepared in the same way- but dried with different methods after the final etching step.  
Cantilevers of SiN, up to 710 µm long and 100 µm wide, are fabricated in the etching step. The thickness of the cantilevers is about 0.5 µm
Cantilevers of SiN, up to 710 µm long and 100 µm wide, are fabricated in the etching step. The thickness of the cantilevers is about 0.5 µm




After drying wafers in air, the majority of the cantilevers are bended and sticking to the underlying surface.
After drying wafers in the air, the majority of the cantilevers are bended and sticking to the underlying surface. But after the wafers were dried in Critical point dryer, the cantilevers were free hanging.
 
 
 
[[Image:SiN dried air.jpg|350x350px|left|thumb|Dried in air: most cantilevers are bended.]]
 
 
'''Dried in air''': most cantilevers are bended.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
[[Image:SiN cantilever dried CPD.jpg|350x350px|left|thumb|Dried with Critical Point Dryer. ]]
 
 
'''Dried with Critical Point Dryer'''. The cantilevers are free hanging, and have not bended. The dimensions of the cantilevers are 100 x 710 µm, and the thickness is about 0.5 µm.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
[[Image:SiN cantilever dried CPD nr7.jpg|350x350px|left|thumb|Dried with Critical Point Dryer.]]
 
'''Dried with the Critical Point Dryer'''. The cantilevers structures are free hanging after the drying.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Pic 1
Dried in air: most cantilevers are bended.


Pic 2
Dried with Critical Point Dryer. The cantilevers are free hanging, and have not bended. The dimensions of the cantilevers are 100 x 710 µm, and the thickness is about 0.5 µm.


Pic 3
Dried with the Critical Point Dryer. The cantilevers structures are free hanging after the drying.






An acknowledgment goes to Tom Larsen, Nanoprobes, DTU Nanotech, who provided the pictures.
An acknowledgment goes to Tom Larsen, Nanoprobes, DTU Nanotech, who provided the pictures.
-->

Latest revision as of 11:57, 7 February 2023

Unless anything else is stated, everything on this page, text and pictures are made by DTU Nanolab.

All links to Kemibrug (SDS) and Labmanager Including APV and QC requires login.

Feedback to this page: click here


Critical Point Dryer

Critical point dryer: positioned in cleanroom D-3.

The critical point dryer is used to dry fragile structures that may be damaged in a normal drying procedure. Fragile structures can be thin membranes, or free hanging structures like cantilevers and grippers.


The user manual(s), technical information and contact information can be found in LabManager:

Critical Point Dryer in LabManager


In the critical point dryer, samples are dried in supercritical CO. In the drying process, the sample is first put into Isopropanol for at least 1 hour, and then loaded into the machine. When the machine is started, the isopropanol is exchanged for liquid CO. When there is only CO in the machine, the pressure and temperature in the chamber is raised, above the so called “critical point”. At this point, there is no longer a liquid/gas interfacen, but instead the CO is in a supercritical state. Because of this, the problem with surface tension, which destroys the fragile structures through capillary forces, is avoided.

Equipment performance and process related parameters

Purpose Drying of wafers or chips

To dry fragile structures (example membranes, grippers, cantilevers).

Process parameter range Process Temperature 0 oC to 45 oC
Process pressure

1 atm to (maximum) 95 atm (1400 PSI)

Substrates Batch size
  • 1 to 5 wafers per run. Sizes: 2”, 4" or 6" or
  • Pieces (up to 10x10mm)
Materials allowed


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