Lefei Ding

Low pressure drop filtration of airborne molecular organic contaminants using open-channel networks

Airborne molecular contamination (AMC) continues to play a very decisive role in the performance of many microelectronic devices and manufacturing processes. Besides airborne acids and bases, airborne organic contaminants such as 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP), hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO), trimethylsilanol (TMS), perfluoroalkylamines and condensables are of primary concern in these applications. Currently, the state of the filtration industry is such that optimum filter life and removal efficiency for organics is offered by granular carbon filter beds. However, the attributes that make packed beds of activated carbon extremely efficient also impart issues related to elevated filter weight and pressure drop. Most of the lower pressure drop AMC filters currently offered are quite expensive and are simply pleated combinations of various adsorptive and reactive media. On the other hand, low pressure drop filters, such as those designed as open-channel networks (OCNs), offer good filter life and removal efficiency with the additional benefits of significant reductions in overall filter weight and pressure drop. Equally important for many applications, the OCN filters can reconstruct the airflow so as to enhance the operation of a tool or process. For tool mount assemblies and fan filter units (FFUs) this can result in reduced fan and blower speeds, which subsequently can provide reduced vibration and energy costs. Additionally, these low pressure drop designs can provide a cost effective way of effectively removing AMC in full fab (or HVAC) filtration applications without significantly affecting air-handling requirements. Herein, we will present a new generation of low pressure drop OCN filters designed for the removal of airborne organics in a wide range of applications.

An investigation of the removal of 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP)

Molecular bases have long been known to be a problem in photolithographic applications using chemically amplified photoresists. Of these molecular bases, ammonia and 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) have been studied in the most detail since chemical filtration of these contaminants is critical to the success of the photolithographic process. It has been well documented that ammonia is best removed through chemisorptive reactions using acid impregnated adsorbents or strong acid ion exchange resins. However, the mechanism(s) for the removal of NMP has not been investigated to any significant extent. There are several chemical filtration systems available that employ activated carbon, impregnated activated carbon, or ion exchange resins for the removal of NMP. This work investigates the removal of NMP using several different types of adsorbents and rationalizes the adsorption mechanism which is operative in each situation.

Are ambient SO2 levels a valid indicator of projected acid gas filter life

The requirement to extend existing lithography equipment working levels and life has required manufacturers and end users to extend their filtration requirements beyond airborne base gases. Due to the effect acid gases can have on optics, masks, reticles, steppers, wafers, and metrology tools, they have become a more important molecular airborne contaminate to remove from inside a fab. SO2 is known to be especially problematic within the cleanroom and exposure tool environment. However, a host of other molecular acids can also be found, some of which are present at considerably higher concentrations; the most prevalent of which are oxides of nitrogen, NOx. Although the removal of NOx contaminants is currently not considered to be as critical as SO2, its presence can have a significant impact on acid gas sensitive applications. Several of these applications are addressed in this work in order to point out that NOx contaminants do pose a problem, especially when considering the performance of acid gas chemical filters. More importantly, this preliminary work puts forth the recommendation that in addition to SO2, the concentration of other acid gases should be taken into account when acid gas chemical filter efficiency and life estimates are being made.

Low pressure drop airborne molecular contaminant filtration using open-channel networks

Airborne molecular contamination (AMC) continues to play a very decisive role in the performance of many microelectronic devices and manufacturing processes. Currently, the state of the filtration industry is such that optimum filter life and removal efficiency for AMC is offered by granular filter beds. However, the attributes that make packed beds of adsorbents extremely efficient also impart issues related to elevated filter weight and pressure drop. Most of the low pressure drop AMC filters currently offered tend to be quiet costly and contaminant nonspecific. Many of these low pressure drop filters are simply pleated combinations of various adsorptive and reactive media. On the other hand, low pressure drop filters, such as those designed as open-channel networks (OCNs), can still offer good filter life and removal efficiency, with the additional benefits of significant reductions in overall filter weight and pressure drop. Equally important for many applications, the OCN filters can reconstruct the airflow so as to enhance the operation of a tool or process. For tool mount assemblies and full fan unit filters this can result in reduced fan and blower speeds, which subsequently can provide reduced vibration and energy costs. Additionally, these low pressure drop designs can provide a cost effective way of effectively removing AMC in full fab (or HVAC) filtration applications without significantly affecting air-handling requirements. Herein, we will present a new generation of low pressure drop OCN filters designed for AMC removal in a wide range of applications.

Removal of Low Concentrations of Acid Gases: Issues and Solutions

Part per billion concentrations of acid gases such as SOx and NOx have been detected in both high purity gases and CDA lines. These contaminants can have deleterious effects on a number of high purity applications such as the optics found in lithography equipment steppers, scanners, and inspection tools. In addition, acidic gases have also been shown to reduce the life of masks and reticles, decrease fuel cell output due to catalyst poisoning, and cause hard disk drive crashes due to surface contamination and corrosion. Consequently, acid gas control in these applications has become a critical part of the required filtration system. SOx concentrations are typically used as the baseline for acid gas filter exposure guidelines and performance testing. However, this approach has been shown to provide poor filter life predictions, which has been attributed to the presence of other acidic and organic contaminants that compete with SOx for the available adsorption sites. Equally important, the type of sorbents and methods used to control acid gases can significantly affect the ability to remove SOx. In this work we will compare the performance of various sorbents, structures, and methods for the removal of SOx and NOx.