DIY Vacuum Spin Coater Hooked up to Rotary Vane Pump
To apply a thin layer of wet chemicals to the surface of the chip, with sub-micron control.
Spin Coater is Stuck, the chuck tries to move but it stays in place
- Remove the outer plastic vase that holds the residual photoresist and chemicals
- Wet a cleanroom wipe with acetone and wipe the outside of the chuck and the inside of the plastic vase clean
- Attempt to run the spin coater again
- If the problem persists, run the spin coater without the plastic vase or any chip present, then press the acetone covered wipe against the chuck as it is spinning to get a thorough clean
- Plug in the Spin coater and the vacuum pump (if either is not able to power on try hitting “reset” on the outlet)
- Use the arrows on the touch screen to set the spin time and rpm
- Use tweezers to place wafer onto the o-ring so that the chip completely covers the o-ring and will seal onto it
- Also attempt to center the chip on the o-ring as best you can. This will minimize the chances of it flying off.
- Use a pipette to apply liquid on top of the wafer while it is seated in the spin coater. You only need a couple drops in the pipette, don't suck up extra.
- Close the HMDS/photoresist/SOG lid.
- Close the spin coater lid
- SWITCH ON THE VACUUM PUMP!
- Press “begin”
- This will begin a pre spin at 600 rpm
- Press “coat”
- When the spin time has been reached, the coater will automatically ramp down to rest
- Open the lid and remove the wafer with tweezers
If you hear the spin coater constantly beeping, this is normal. It does this because we are using a drone motor ESC, so it is programmed to make a noise after being at rest for a few minutes. It’s trying to help you find it 🙂
Feel free to turn it off using the switch in the front so the noise goes away.