RIE – SPTS Omega SYNAPSE 200 LPX

THIS TOOL IS UNDER INSTALLATION

The SPTS Omega SYNAPSE plasma etcher is a multipurpose Reactive Ion Etch (RIE) instrument designed for dielectric materials etching.

This tool allows anisotropic etching of silicon dioxide and nitride, as well as other materials compatible with fluoride/fluorocarbon chemistry.

The tool comes with a manual, single wafer loadlock for ease of use in a research environment. It can host 200mm wafers down to small chips.

TO BE MODIFIED

RIE uses chemically reactive plasma to remove material deposited on wafers. The plasma is generated under low pressure (vacuum) by an electromagnetic field. High-energy ions from the plasma attack the wafer surface and react with it. In ICP type of system, the plasma is generated with an RF powered magnetic field. Very high plasma densities can be achieved, though etch profiles tend to be more isotropic.

• High etch rates are achieved by high ion density (>1011 cm³) and high radical density
• Control over selectivity and damage is achieved by low ion energy
• Separate RF and ICP generators provide separate control over ion energy and ion density, enabling high process flexibility
• Low pressure processing yet still high density for improved profile control Chemical and ion-induced etching
• Can also be run in RIE mode for certain low etch rate applications
• High conductance pumping port provides high gas throughput for fastest etch rates
• Electrostatic shield eliminates capacitive coupling, reduces electrical damage to devices, reduces chamber particles
• Wafer clamping and helium cooling as standard, providing excellent temperature control with the option of a wide temperature range

Schematic of the ICP RIE reaction chamber

TO BE MODIFIED

• Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) power source: up to 2500 W at 2.4 MHz.
• Radio frequency (RF) power source: up to 600 W at 13.56 MHz.
• Electrode temperature range: -150 °C to 300 °C.
• Unique process gases: octafluorocyclobutane (C₄F₈), trifluormethane (CHF₃), and Sulfur Exafluoride (SF₆).
• Anisotropic etching of silicon and silicon oxide.
• Low temperature silicon etching.

Supported Sample Sizes:

• Maximum wafer diameter: 200 mm (8 in).
• Wafer diameters: 75 mm (3 in), 100 mm (4 in) – default, 150 mm (6 in), and 200 mm (8 in).
• Small pieces supported: Yes.

Typical Applications:

• Silicon and silicon oxide stack etching.
• Optical device fabrication.
• General device patterning.