Physics-Informed Neural Networks For Semiconductor Film Deposition: A Review

TL;DR

This review explores the application of Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) in semiconductor film deposition, highlighting recent advances, challenges, and future research directions to improve process control and manufacturing efficiency.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of PINNs in semiconductor manufacturing, identifying research gaps and proposing new directions for integrating physics-informed ML techniques.

Findings

PINNs enhance predictive accuracy in film deposition processes.

Current methodologies face limitations in interpretability and scalability.

Future research should focus on embedding physical laws into neural networks.

Abstract

Semiconductor manufacturing relies heavily on film deposition processes, such as Chemical Vapor Deposition and Physical Vapor Deposition. These complex processes require precise control to achieve film uniformity, proper adhesion, and desired functionality. Recent advancements in Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs), an innovative machine learning (ML) approach, have shown significant promise in addressing challenges related to process control, quality assurance, and predictive modeling within semiconductor film deposition and other manufacturing domains. This paper provides a comprehensive review of ML applications targeted at semiconductor film deposition processes. Through a thematic analysis, we identify key trends, existing limitations, and research gaps, offering insights into both the advantages and constraints of current methodologies. Our structured analysis aims to highlight the potential integration of these ML techniques to enhance interpretability, accuracy, and robustness in film deposition processes. Additionally, we examine state-of-the-art PINN methods, discussing strategies for embedding physical knowledge, governing laws, and partial differential equations into advanced neural network architectures tailored for semiconductor manufacturing. Based on this detailed review, we propose novel research directions that integrate the strengths of PINNs to significantly advance film deposition processes. The contributions of this study include establishing a clear pathway for future research in integrating physics-informed ML frameworks, addressing existing methodological gaps, and ultimately improving precision, scalability, and operational efficiency within semiconductor manufacturing.