Semiconductor Manufacturing

2025-01-08 17

Key Applications of Turbo Molecular Pumps in Semiconductor Equipment:

  1. Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD): TMPs maintain a clean vacuum environment for the deposition process, preventing contamination and improving thin film quality.

  2. Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD): TMPs ensure the vacuum chamber reaches the required pressure for uniform material deposition, such as for metal films on chips or conductive layers in displays.

  3. Etching: TMPs help in creating a stable vacuum for dry etching, improving etching precision and wafer stability.

  4. Ion Implantation: TMPs maintain high vacuum to reduce gas scattering, ensuring uniform energy control for the ion beam.

  5. Lithography: For extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography, TMPs ensure ultra-high vacuum to minimize scattering from air molecules, crucial for processes below 5nm.

  6. Annealing & Diffusion: TMPs optimize the atmosphere in furnaces by removing residual gases, improving process consistency and preventing oxidation.

Key Requirements for TMPs in Semiconductor Applications:

  • High Pumping Speed & Low Residual Pressure: Achieve vacuum levels as low as 10⁻⁶ Torr quickly.

  • Cleanliness & Oil-Free Operation: Prevent contamination from particles or oil, critical for wafer quality.

  • Chemical Resistance: Durable against corrosive gases like fluorides and chlorides.

  • Low Vibration & Noise: Ensure minimal impact on precision processes like photolithography and ion implantation.

  • Long Life & Reliability: Maintain continuous operation with minimal downtime.

Future Development Directions:

  • Higher Pumping Speed & Vacuum Levels: As semiconductor processes shrink, TMPs will need to deliver even higher performance.

  • Energy Efficiency & Smart Design: Focus on low-energy, intelligent pumps to support automation and sustainability in semiconductor fabs.

  • Material Optimization: Use more corrosion-resistant and lightweight materials to meet evolving manufacturing demands.