A Novel ICP-MS Metrology for Analysis of Nanoparticles in UPW​

Nanoparticles represent one of the most critical contaminations in ultrapure supplies for semiconductor fabrication addressing ultrapure water (UPW), gasses and chemicals as well as materials of construction decreasing yield on the wafer. Along the UPW generation process, there are sources (e.g. materials) and sinks (e.g. filter) for nanoparticles. As final barrier for nanoparticles in the polishing step, ultrafilters are commonly used on UPW plants. However, the performance of the ultrafilters in the field in terms of removal performance for particles need to be investigated to come up with pro-active approaches for particle removal. Especially for UPW, there is a lack of online particle metrologies down to particle size of sub 50 nm. This study aims to give an overview on different particle metrologies to better understand the particle removal performance by ultrafilters on the market.

This presentation was given as part of the Ultrapure Micro 2021 annual conference. It was given as part of the airborne molecular contamination (AMC) and high purity gases control strand.

This presentation was given as part of the Ultrapure Micro 2021 annual conference. It was given as part of the ultrapure water strand.

Ultrapure water (UPW) is one of the main materials for electronics fabrication and therefore, it needs to be monitored for critical parameters such as nanoparticles (NP). The state-of-the-art online measurement techniques are challenged by particles at the killer particle sizes smaller than 10 nm. Due to the uncertainties in NP detection, the identification of NP sources and sinks in UPW system is limited nowadays. This review article aims to give an overview on the current developments and perspectives in metrologies for detection and control. The following topics will be discussed: transferability of general definition of NP to UPW, state-of-the-art particle analytics, sources and sinks of NP in UPW systems as well as dominant particle interactions responsible for NP contamination. This article was originally published in the Ultrapure Micro Journal in November 2017.

This webinar features a presentation from Nabil Mistkawi, Samsung Austin Semiconductor, who identifies key technology requirements for wet chemicals and gases from an end user perspective. This was followed by an engaging discussion between tool OEM companies and end users, as they explored the contamination control needs of individual environments, showing where contamination impacts the process, thereby bringing together the supply chain with the clean room.

This Q&A session took place at the 2020 Ultrapure Micro annual conference. It was a part of the Ultrapure Water Production track, and included speakers from the UPW Process Optimization session.

This presentation was given at the Ultrapure Micro 2020 annual conference. It was presented in the Ultrapure Water Production track, as part of the UPW Contamination Control session.

This presentation was given at the Ultrapure Micro 2020 annual conference. It was presented in the Ultrapure Water Production track, as part of the UPW Process Optimization session.

This presentation was given at the Ultrapure Micro 2019 annual conference. It was presented in the Ultra High Performance Chemicals and High Purity Gases track, as part of the Nanoscale Analytical: PPW? session.

This presentation was given at the Ultrapure Micro 2019 annual conference. It was presented in the Ultrapure Water Production track, as part of the Enabling Technology session.