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The Use Of Plasma In The Semiconductor Industry

Updated: May 9



The semiconductor industry has seen unprecedented growth over the past few decades leading to the exponential increase in the power and functionality of electronic devices. As technology advances, the industry increasingly relies on refined manufacturing techniques. One such technology is the use of plasma.


From deposition to etching and cleaning, plasma technology offers an incredible amount of applications that are changing how semiconductors are made. This article delves into the intricate relationship between plasma treatment and semiconductor manufacturing, exploring how various plasma techniques contribute to the creation of increasingly compact and powerful electronic devices.


What is Plasma Treatment?

Plasma, often referred to as the "fourth state of matter," is an ionized gas composed of ions, electrons, and neutral particles. Unlike other states of matter—solid, liquid, and gas—plasma exhibits unique properties, such as electrical conductivity, collective behavior, and the ability to generate electromagnetic fields.


These characteristics arise from the presence of charged particles, making plasma an excellent conductor of electricity and heat. Plasma technology has been used in a variety of industries, from healthcare and aerospace to materials science, and, of course, Semiconductor production.


Plasma

Due to its ionized nature, plasma is highly conductive. This allows it to respond strongly to electromagnetic fields, making it useful in various applications. The fourth state of matter can quickly transfer heat, which is crucial in processes that require rapid temperature changes.


Plasma has high reactivity and can initiate chemical reactions that would otherwise require elevated temperatures or pressures. This property is particularly useful in materials processing and treatment.


Generating Plasma

Generating plasma involves energizing a neutral gas to the point where its atoms or molecules become ionized, meaning they lose or gain electrons and become charged. This ionization typically occurs through the input of external energy via methods such as electrical discharge, microwaves, or lasers.


In electrical discharge methods, a direct current (DC) or a radiofrequency (RF) voltage is applied between two electrodes submerged in a gas. When the electric field reaches a critical value, it initiates an avalanche of ionization events, transforming the gas into a plasma. RF discharge is particularly common in industrial applications like plasma etching and Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) because it can maintain a stable plasma state.


Microwave-generated plasma, on the other hand, relies on microwave energy to ionize the gas. This method is often used in analytical chemistry for applications such as mass spectrometry.


Finally, laser-induced plasma is generated by focusing high amounts of energy from a laser beam into a small volume of gas, creating a plasma state for short periods. This technique is commonly used in diagnostic applications like laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). Each method has its own advantages and limitations, which dictate its suitability for specific applications.


Semiconductor Production

The production of semiconductors is a highly complex and multi-faceted process involving numerous steps and specialized technologies. Below is a detailed overview of key aspects related to semiconductor production.


Semiconductor Material

Semiconductors are usually made from a base component which can be a pure element like silicon or a compound like gallium arsenide. Silicon is the most commonly used material due to its abundance and excellent semiconductor properties.


The starting material, usually silicon, is processed into wafers. These are thin slices that serve as the substrate for semiconductor devices. This involves several steps, including the growth of a single crystal ingot, slicing it into wafers, and polishing the wafer surfaces.


Semiconductor Photolithography

The photolithography process is used to transfer circuit patterns onto the semiconductor wafer. It involves coating the wafer with a light-sensitive material called photoresist. Ultraviolet light is then used to expose the photoresist, which is subsequently developed to reveal the circuit pattern.


After photolithography, the wafer goes through cycles of etching and deposition processes to build the semiconductor's various layers. The etching process removes unwanted material from the wafer surface. It can be performed using wet chemical solutions or dry methods like plasma etching. The deposition involves adding layers onto the wafer surface. Various methods like Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD), Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD), and epitaxy are used.


Semiconductor Usage

Semiconductors are ubiquitous in modern society, serving as the backbone of numerous technologies that have an incredible impact on our daily lives, economies, and scientific exploration.


Semiconductors are, without doubt, foundational to modern technology. Their applications span across multiple industries, contributing to advances that enhance productivity, healthcare, and quality of life. Here's a more detailed look at their usage and applications:


Computing Devices

Desktops Computers and Laptops

Central processing units (CPUs) and graphics processing units (GPUs) in these machines are built using semiconductor technology.


Cell Phones and Tablets

Smartphones and tablets contain multiple semiconductor components, such as processors, memory chips, and power management circuits.


Telecommunications

Network Infrastructure

Semiconductors are crucial in the routers, switches, and other networking devices that form the backbone of the Internet and telecommunications networks.


Satellites

Semiconductors are used in the transponders and other electronic systems within satellites, which enable global communications.


Automotive Industry

Engine Control Units

Semiconductors are used in microcontrollers that manage automotive functions such as fuel injection and ignition.


Advanced Driver Guidance Systems

Semiconductor sensors and processors power features like lane departure warnings, adaptive cruise control, and autonomous driving capabilities.


Medical Devices

Imaging

Semiconductors are integral to the functioning of medical imaging devices like MRIs and CT scanners.


Personal Health Monitors

Semiconductors serve as essential elements in everything from smartwatches that measure heart rates to specialized gadgets designed to monitor particular medical conditions.


Consumer Electronics

Audio and Video Devices

Semiconductors are found in everything from flat-panel TVs and home theater systems to Bluetooth speakers and headphones.


Home Appliances

Smart refrigerators, washing machines, and even coffee makers now include semiconductor components for various functionalities, including connectivity and automation.


Aerospace and Defense

Aircrafts

Semiconductor components are crucial in the electronic systems used for navigation, communication, and radar in aircraft.


Weapon Systems

Guidance and control systems in missiles and other defense applications rely on ruggedized semiconductor components that can withstand extreme conditions.


Renewable Energy

Solar Panels

Semiconductors like silicon are used in photovoltaic cells that capture solar energy.


Wind Turbines

Power electronics based on semiconductors are used to convert and manage electrical power in wind turbines.


Scientific Research

Particle Detectors

Semiconductor detectors are used in high-energy physics experiments.


Space Exploration

Semiconductors are integral to the sensors and communication devices used in space probes and rovers.


Plasma Treatment for Semiconductor Usage?

Plasma treatment has a pivotal role in semiconductor manufacturing. It offers advantages in precision, speed, and efficiency.


Each of these plasma treatments has its own particular set of advantages and constraints, making them suitable for different steps in the complex process of semiconductor manufacturing. The incredible precision afforded by plasma treatments is vital in the ongoing endeavor to make smaller and more efficient electronic devices. Below are key applications of plasma treatment in this industry:


1. Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD)

PECVD is used to deposit thin film materials from a gas state (vapor) onto a substrate and is crucial for insulating layers. The process is particularly useful for lower-temperature applications where traditional Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) could damage the material.


2. Plasma dry etching

Traditional wet etching methods using liquid chemicals are often less precise than desired for intricate semiconductor designs. Plasma dry etching offers a more controllable and cleaner alternative, using reactive ions in the plasma to remove material with high precision.


3. Plasma cleaning

Before many types of treatment can occur, the surface of the semiconductor must be perfectly clean. Plasma cleaning removes even the most minuscule particles and contaminants from the surface, ensuring that subsequent processes like doping or deposition are effective.


4. Reactive Ion Etching (RIE)

RIE is a type of dry plasma etching where the plasma is highly controlled to create specific geometric features on the treated materials. It's known for extreme precision, capable of creating features at the nanometer scale. This is invaluable for modern semiconductors, where feature size is continually shrinking.


5. Plasma Doping

In the semiconductor industry, doping is the addition of impurities into a semiconductor to modify its properties. Plasma doping allows for more precise control of the dopant distribution, leading to devices with superior electrical characteristics.


6. Plasma Ashing

After the photolithography process, it's necessary to remove the photoresist from the wafer. Plasma ashing is the process of using oxygen plasma to remove these layers of photoresist, providing a cleaner alternative to chemical solvents.


7. High-Density Plasma Chemical Vapor Deposition (HDPCVD)

HDPCVD is another method for depositing thin films onto a substrate, but does so at a much faster rate than standard PECVD. It is often used for applications where high-quality films are required at industrial scales.


Final Thoughts

The convergence of plasma technology and semiconductor manufacturing has created a perfect environment for ongoing advancements in the electronics industry. Plasma treatments offer unparalleled precision and efficiency in various steps of semiconductor production, including deposition, etching, cleaning, and doping.


These innovations are integral to the enhancements and performance of electronic devices, impacting everything from computing and telecommunications to healthcare and renewable energy. As the demand for faster and more efficient devices continues to grow, the role of plasma in semiconductor manufacturing becomes increasingly vital, making it a cornerstone of modern technology.


SCI Plasma, a recognized leader in the arena of plasma treatment for semiconductor manufacturing, brings together a group of highly skilled professionals committed to delivering unparalleled plasma solutions.


Drawing on a history of expertise, SCI Plasma serves as a specialist for those navigating the complexities of plasma-enhanced processes in semiconductor production. Whether you're looking for specialized plasma etching equipment or expert advice on plasma cleaning, SCI Plasma's team is dedicated to meeting your specific needs. Contact us to explore how we can collaboratively address your semiconductor plasma treatment challenges.


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