Aeris®-Si

 Aeris-Si

Aeris-Si is an integrated solution for subfab foreline cleaning to manage silica load and improve pump lifetime. The solution enables a high flow tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) process for the highest deposition rate and throughput, while extending pump lifetime from 1 to 12 or more months resulting in less than a 1-year ROI. The system has no impact on wafer qualification data due to foreline plasma during cleans, and all process parameters operate within normal ranges.

The Aeris-Si process collects SiO2 powder prior to the pump inlet. By using NF3 plasma technology, the system converts the solid silica particles to pump-friendly SiF4 gas, thus preventing the build-up of solids inside the pump.

Features
  • Proprietary trap design for solids accumulation during deposition and solids removal during chamber clean
  • Particle accumulation reduced in foreline and pump by converting solid Si02 into gaseous SiF4
  • Tool interface for smart operation
  • Data collection and reporting—can be interfaced to customer monitoring systems

 

 

 

 

Benefits
  • Extends pump lifetime from 1 to >10 months for high flow TEOS systems
  • Offers lowest downtime and maintenance costs of foreline and pumps
  • Provides >7% uptime improvement
  • Enables highest improvement of overall wafer yield at deposition stage
  • Enables highest throughput for high flow and TEOS process (18G/min/side)
  • Fits easily into existing exhaust lines, requiring only power, cooling water and clean gas connections
  • Achieves ROI within 8 months