Specific Process Knowledge/Lithography/Coaters/Spin Coater: Gamma UV processing: Difference between revisions
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The wafer is first centered on the spindle chuck and held in place by vacuum. If static dispense is specified in the process, the spindle remains static during the ensuing resist dispense. In the case of dynamic dispense, the spindle is accelerated to a low spin speed before the resist is dispensed. Using too high spin speed during dispense can cause surface wetting issues, while a too low spin speed causes the resist to flow onto the backside of the wafer. The resist is dispensed through the dispense arm, positioned over the center of the wafer. The resist pump administers a volume of resist which depends on the substrate size. | The wafer is first centered on the spindle chuck and held in place by vacuum. If static dispense is specified in the process, the spindle remains static during the ensuing resist dispense. In the case of dynamic dispense, the spindle is accelerated to a low spin speed before the resist is dispensed. Using too high spin speed during dispense can cause surface wetting issues, while a too low spin speed causes the resist to flow onto the backside of the wafer. The resist is dispensed through the dispense arm, positioned over the center of the wafer. The resist pump administers a volume of resist which depends on the substrate size. | ||
The spin-off cycle determines the thickness of the resist coating. The thickness is primarily a function of the spin-off speed and the spin-off time, both following an inverse power-law | The spin-off cycle determines the thickness of the resist coating. The thickness is primarily a function of the spin-off speed and the spin-off time, both following an inverse power-law. The acceleration to the spin-off speed also influences the thickness, but the effect is dependent on previous steps. The spin-off is usually a simple spin at one speed, but it may be comprised of several steps at different spin speeds. After spin-off, the wafer is decelerated. | ||
Dependent on the spin speeds used in the various steps of the spin coating, resist may creep over the edge of the wafer and onto the backside. Also, some resists tend to leave fine strings of resist protruding from the edge of the wafer, or folded onto the backside, an effect sometimes referred to as "cotton candy". This resist will contaminate the soft bake hotplate, and thus subsequent wafers with resist. In a backside rinse step, solvent administered through a nozzle to the backside of the wafer while spinning dissolves the resist and washes it away. After the rinse, a short spin dries the wafer before the soft bake. Backside rinse may be done as part of the spin-off step(s). During the backside rinse solvent inevitably creeps onto the front side of the wafer, and may remove the resist coating on the edge of the wafer. As an alternative to backside rinse, a wafer which is left dirty on the backside by the spin coat process may be soft baked in proximity in order to protect the hotplate from contamination. This leaves front side coating intact, but also leaves the backside dirty. | Dependent on the spin speeds used in the various steps of the spin coating, resist may creep over the edge of the wafer and onto the backside. Also, some resists tend to leave fine strings of resist protruding from the edge of the wafer, or folded onto the backside, an effect sometimes referred to as "cotton candy". This resist will contaminate the soft bake hotplate, and thus subsequent wafers with resist. In a backside rinse step, solvent administered through a nozzle to the backside of the wafer while spinning dissolves the resist and washes it away. After the rinse, a short spin dries the wafer before the soft bake. Backside rinse may be done as part of the spin-off step(s). During the backside rinse solvent inevitably creeps onto the front side of the wafer, and may remove the resist coating on the edge of the wafer. As an alternative to backside rinse, a wafer which is left dirty on the backside by the spin coat process may be soft baked in proximity in order to protect the hotplate from contamination. This leaves front side coating intact, but also leaves the backside dirty. | ||