The embodiments herein relate to apparatuses and methods for electroplating one or more materials onto a substrate. Embodiments herein utilize a cross flow conduit in the electroplating cell to divert flow of fluid from a region between a substrate and a channeled ionically resistive plate positioned near the substrate down to a level lower than level of fluid in a fluid containment unit for collecting overflow fluid from the plating system for recirculation. The cross flow conduit can include channels cut into components of the plating cell to allow diverted flow, or can include an attachable diversion device mountable to an existing plating cell to divert flow downwards to the fluid containment unit. Embodiments also include a flow restrictor which may be a plate or a pressure relief valve for modulating flow of fluid in the cross flow conduit during plating.

Systems and methods for electroplating are described. The electroplating system may include a vessel configured to hold a first portion of a liquid electrolyte. The system may also include a substrate holder configured for holding a substrate in the vessel. The system may further include a first reservoir in fluid communication with the vessel. In addition, the system may include a second reservoir in fluid communication with the vessel. Furthermore, the system may include a first mechanism configured to expel a second portion of the liquid electrolyte from the first reservoir into the vessel. The system may also include a second mechanism configured to take in a third potion of the liquid electrolyte from the vessel into the second reservoir when the second portion of the liquid electrolyte is expelled from the first reservoir. Methods may include oscillating flow of the electrolyte within the vessel.

A plating apparatus includes a workpiece holder, a plating bath, and a clamp ring. The plating bath is underneath the workpiece holder. The clamp ring is connected to the workpiece holder. The clamp ring includes channels communicating an inner surface of the clamp ring and an outer surface of the clamp ring.

A semiconductor apparatus and methods of processing a semiconductor workpiece are provided. The semiconductor apparatus for pre-wetting a semiconductor workpiece includes a process chamber, a workpiece holder disposed within the process chamber to hold the semiconductor workpiece, a pre-wetting fluid tank disposed outside the process chamber and containing a pre-wetting fluid, and a conduit coupled to the pre-wetting fluid tank and extending into the process chamber. The conduit delivers the pre-wetting fluid from the pre-wetting fluid tank out through an outlet of the conduit to wet a major surface of the semiconductor workpiece comprising a plurality of recess portions.

An object is to enhance the accuracy of porosity and/or the flexibility in adjustment of the porosity in each portion of a plate. There is provided a plate that is placed between a substrate and an anode in a plating tank. The plate comprises a pore forming area in which a plurality of pores are formed, wherein the pore forming area includes a center portion, a middle portion located on an outer side of the center portion, and an outer circumferential portion located on an outer side of the middle portion, the center portion and the outer circumferential portion of the pore forming area have a plurality of oblong pores, and the middle portion of the pore forming area has a plurality of circular pores.

A plating apparatus 1000 includes a plating tank 10 and a substrate holder 30. The plating tank includes an anode 11 arranged in an anode chamber 13. The substrate holder is arranged above the anode chamber and configured to hold a substrate Wf as a cathode. The anode has a cylindrical shape extending in a vertical direction. The plating apparatus further includes a gas accumulation portion 60 and a discharge mechanism 70. The gas accumulation portion is disposed in the anode chamber so as to have a space between the anode and the gas accumulation portion. The gas accumulation portion covers an upper end, an outer peripheral surface, and an inner peripheral surface of the anode to accumulate a process gas generated from the anode. The discharge mechanism is configured to discharge the process gas accumulated in the gas accumulation portion to outside of the plating tank.

A plating system is provided. The plating system includes an electroplating chamber defining a plating area within which a wafer is plated. The electroplating chamber includes an inlet configured to introduce plating solution into the plating area of the electroplating chamber. The electroplating chamber includes an outlet configured to remove the plating solution from the plating area of the electroplating chamber. The plating system includes a barrier configured to inhibit removal of the plating solution from the plating area.

The agitation of the plating solution may result in spattering of the plating solution. It have been found that the spattered plating solution can be attached even to portions that are not originally brought into contact with the plating solution in the plating apparatus. There is provided an electroplating apparatus for plating a substrate using a substrate holder, the electroplating apparatus comprising at least one bath for storing the substrate, the substrate holder being provided with a hanger shoulder, and a holder contact, and wherein the electroplating apparatus being provided with a cleaning/drying part provided on at least one side of the bath, the cleaning/drying part being provided for cleaning and/or drying at least one of the hanger shoulder, the holder contact and a contact provided to the bath.

A plating apparatus 1 includes a substrate holder 10, a first electrode, a second electrode and a voltage applying unit 30. The substrate holder 10 is configured to hold a substrate. The first electrode is electrically connected to the substrate. The second electrode is configured to scan with respect to a front surface of the substrate. The voltage applying unit 30 is configured to apply a voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode. A first discharge opening 23 configured to discharge a plating liquid L1 and a second discharge opening 24 configured to discharge a cleaning liquid L2 are formed in a bottom surface 22a of the second electrode.

A system for printing metal interconnects on a substrate includes an anode substrate. A plurality of anodes are arranged on one side of the anode substrate with a first predetermined gap between adjacent ones of the plurality of anodes. A first plurality of fluid holes have one end located between the plurality of anodes. A plurality of control devices is configured to selectively supply current to the plurality of anodes, respectively. The anode substrate is arranged within a second predetermined gap of a work piece substrate including a metal seed layer. A ratio of the second predetermined gap to the first predetermined gap is in a range from 0.5:1 and 1.5:1. An array controller is configured to energize selected ones of the plurality of anodes using corresponding ones of the plurality of control devices while electrolyte solution is supplied through the first plurality of fluid holes between the anode substrate and the work piece substrate.