Cleanroom Tips
Original Author: NTS, from notes in notebook dated April 11, 2014, and June 5, 2014.
This page has been adapted and edited to make it more readable etc
Introduction: Below is a compilation of practical tips for operating within a cleanroom environment, based on collective wisdom from experienced staff and senior graduate students. Always remember the guiding principle shared by Seth and a senior grad student: "Be careful and do it right. Reference procedures as needed."
General Tips
Solvent Benches and Acid Hoods: Wipe down as necessary to maintain cleanliness.
Handling Bins: Do not hold bins with one hand when passing through doors to ensure stability and safety.
Appropriate Mask Usage: Always use the correct mask for specific operations.
Tweezer Management: Minimize holding tweezers when not in use to avoid unintentional contact with sensitive materials.
Label Verification: Double-check the labels on chemicals and beakers. Unlabeled containers are intentionally so, and proper training should guide their use.
Non-rinse Policy: Do not rinse beakers used for acetone, IPA, and developer.
Drying Labware: Avoid using wipes to dry off labware; use an N2 gun instead.
Acid Labware Cleaning: Rinse out acid labware with DI water at least three times and spray dippers, but do not wipe down with wipes.
Photoresist Storage: Photoresist (PR) has been relocated to the center of the middle shelf.
Mask Placement: Ensure only a 2 mm gap between the top edge of the mask holder and the mask. A 5 mm gap is excessive.
Mask Handling: Maintain the mask over surfaces as much as possible during transitions, such as moving it to or from the aligner table.
Vacuum Release: Never release the vacuum unless the mask and holder are securely placed, and you are holding a corner of the mask to prevent sliding.
Procedure Reference: Refer to procedures frequently, particularly for lithography, to avoid mistakes.
Timer Synchronization: Start the timer concurrently with the process to ensure accuracy.
Process Over Timer Noise: Focus on correctly stopping the process rather than being distracted by the timer's beeping.
Task Management: Avoid multitasking excessively; handle one item at a time when using beakers and dippers.
Dipper Handling: Avoid contact between dipper baskets and other dippers or beaker exteriors, except as needed in bins.
Dipper Management: Always put away a dipper before taking out another.
Empty Beaker Protocol: If you empty a solvent beaker, store it immediately rather than leaving it out.
Sleeve Awareness: Be mindful of your sleeves when using the spinner to avoid contaminating samples.
Lithography Adjustment: Adjust the MJB4 stage down by four notches before rotating the contact lever.
Focus on Samples and Timing: Prioritize attention to samples and timing over the timer's noise.
Priority of Samples Over Labware: Focus first on the samples and their timing before addressing labware management and the timer noise.
Notebook Detailing: More detail is better when recording in the notebook.
Careful Movement: Move sample holders and boxes slowly to prevent disruption or damage to the samples, especially in transit.