While the Piranha solution quickly removes organic residue from silicon wafers, the process is difficult to control and may produce explosive gas mixtures. The Piranha solution is made up of one part hydrogen peroxide and three parts sulfuric acid, although the ratio may vary for specific applications.
The mixture is exothermic and the heat released when the hydrogen peroxide is added to the sulfuric acid drives up the temperature of the solution towards the normal process operating temperature of 130 to 180 degrees centigrade. Both the temperature and the concentration may vary, reducing the useful lifespan of the solution. When the challenge to control temperature and maintain the concentration is met, the Piranha solution can deliver superior silicon wafer cleaning performance.
Spiking the Piranha Solution Can help Maintain Concentration
The hydrogen peroxide in the Piranha solution is not stable and decomposes to produce water. The rate of decomposition is higher the higher the temperature, and the water dilutes the solution. Operators can compensate for the lower concentration by periodically spiking the solution with additional hydrogen peroxide. As hydrogen peroxide is added, the temperature rises, and more hydrogen peroxide decomposes to form water. This interdependence of the concentration with the temperature complicates keeping a tight control on the process, but spiking the Piranha solution lengthens the solution’s lifespan from a few hours to about one day.
Modutek’s “Bleed and Feed” Method Increases the Piranha Solution Lifespan
Modutek has developed an innovative solution to the control and lifespan issues of the Piranha process. The company uses quartz tanks with a “clean” and a “dirty” tank to provide pre-mixed Piranha solution to the active process. Silicon wafer cleaning takes place in the “dirty” tank while the clean tank has a Piranha solution with a programmable concentration. When the concentration of hydrogen peroxide drops in the “dirty” tank, a small amount of the low-concentration solution is drained from the tank and an equal amount is added from the “clean” tank. Instead of the destabilizing spike of hydrogen peroxide, the small but frequent addition of pre-mixed fresh Piranha solution keeps both the concentration and temperature stable and makes possible a tight control of the process, significantly prolonging lifespan.
The “Bleed and Feed” Method Delivers Important Benefits
Modutek’s “Bleed and Feed” method is fully programmable, allowing operators to adapt it to any application to deliver improved silicon wafer cleaning. The concentrations of the “clean” and “dirty” tanks, the amount of the “bleed” and the amount of the “feed” are all independently adjustable so the desired concentrations can be maintained for an extended period. Specific benefits of the “bleed and feed” method include the following:
- Predictable strip rate because both the temperature and the concentration are tightly controlled.
- Programmable settings allow a flexible operation.
- Risk of an explosion from spiking with too much hydrogen peroxide is reduced.
- Longer solution lifespan results in reduced use of chemicals.
- Reduced costs for purchase, storage, and disposal of chemicals.
- Reliable process parameters result in excellent repeatability between batches and accurate maintenance of process variables over extended operation.
- Reduced downtime because the Piranha solution has to be replaced less often.
- Safer operation because the process is maintained in a stable equilibrium.
With a more stable Piranha process, silicon wafer cleaning is improved with less contamination and fewer particles. Product defect rates are lower and customers will see higher yields. Overall wet process line performance is improved, with lower costs and better output quality.
Modutek Provides Innovative Solutions for Wet Processing Requirements
Modutek continues to build on its experience in wet process technology and has in house expertise to develop innovative solutions for their customers. The Piranha solution “bleed and feed” method lets customers achieve their production goals more easily. Modutek provides solutions that meet customer needs and ensures that the delivered equipment performs as required. Contact Modutek for a free consultation to discuss the equipment needed to support your specific process requirements.
