When equipment is specially designed for a specific cleaning process, residue and particle removal from wafers can be improved. A better wafer cleaning process reduces semiconductor defects and can result in improved output quality. Specialized equipment can clean more quickly, allowing higher facility throughput. Specialized and customized equipment can be adapted for batch processing, continuous manufacturing or prototyping, improving production line performance, and reducing costs.
Specialized Equipment Delivers Specific Advantages
Modutek has developed specialized equipment that addresses issues with specific semiconductor manufacturing processes. Resulting advantages include better control of process variables, more efficient cleaning, reduced space requirements, and more flexible automation. While standard solutions are also available and are sometimes sufficient, the specialized equipment will deliver superior results in specific cases.
Piranha Etch Clean is often used for post-etch clean and for the removal of organic matter. Modutek has implemented a specialized control strategy that gives more reliable cleaning results while cutting chemical costs. The “bleed and feed” method provides tight control of temperature and chemical concentration to deliver superior cleaning performance.
A wafer cleaning process used in semiconductor manufacturing such as Piranha Clean has to take place in special tanks that are impervious to the process chemicals. Modutek’s heated quartz tanks minimize particle contamination while delivering precise temperature control. They are available in recirculating and constant temperature models are made from boron-free virgin fused quartz.
For many process steps, wafers must be carefully rinsed after cleaning. Modutek’s specialized quick dump rinsers minimize rinsing time while reducing the consumption of deionized water. Modutek’s specialized design has eliminated particle entrapment by reducing particle contamination at the rinsing stage.
After rinsing, wafers have to be dried while limiting additional particle contamination. Modutek offers IPA vapor drying stations but has developed a specialized single-chamber unit that rinses and dries the wafers without moving them to a new station. Moving the wafers exposes them to additional particle contamination and the single chamber IPA vapor dryer features extremely low particle counts.
As microscopic structures on silicon wafers become smaller and more tightly packed, a reduced particle count becomes critical for some wafer processes. Modutek’s use of Megasonic cleaning uses high-frequency sound waves in a cleaning solution to remove almost all remaining particles on wafer surfaces. The cavitation bubbles created by the sound waves can dislodge even the smallest particles, delivering an almost completely particle-free wafer.
Specialized Software Control for Automation
To control the wafer cleaning process, specialized software and automation can help deliver exactly the cleaning chemicals required while eliminating human error. Modutek uses its own SolidWorks Simulation Professional and Flow Simulation software and can adapt the programs to any process. Modutek’s wet bench stations are available in manual, semi-automatic, and fully automated versions with the automation designed to support the latest wet process technology. The specialized automation can be customized for specific applications to satisfy customer process requirements.
How Modutek’s Specialized Equipment Improves Performance
Specialized equipment can reduce particle counts, improve cleaning, reduce costs and increase production capacity. Modutek works closely with customers in a variety of industries and develops specialized wafer cleaning equipment to meet their unique needs. When additional customization is needed, Modutek can adapt equipment and software as required. Because the company designs and builds its products in-house, it can make the changes needed itself without relying on third parties.
With Modutek’s specialized equipment, customers ranging from large semiconductor manufacturers to small research labs can achieve excellent production results, especially after the additional customization that Modutek can provide. Superior wafer cleaning performance impacts all aspects of semiconductor manufacturing, from initial prototyping to full production line fabrication. Modutek can help with the choice of specialized equipment, suggest customizations, and ensure that the delivered equipment meets expectations.
