Patent ID: 8313580
Filing Date: 2012-11-20
Classification: B08B,H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method for processing a substrate, the method comprising: generating a meniscus using a proximity head, the proximity head having a face in close proximity to a surface of the substrate, the face including a substantially flat surface, the meniscus being generated by delivering a fluid chemical to generate the meniscus through discrete nozzles formed in the face of the proximity head; moving the proximity head over the substrate so that an area of contact between the meniscus and the surface of the substrate moves from a first location to a second location on the substrate, the moving of the proximity head causing a fluid chemical remainder to be left behind on the surface of the substrate at the first location, the fluid chemical remainder being a layer of the fluid chemical from the meniscus; controlling an amount of fluid chemical being delivered to the proximity head with an amount of fluid chemical removed from the meniscus so that the meniscus maintains a substantially constant volume of the fluid chemical while at the same time leaving the fluid chemical remainder behind on the surface of the substrate at the first location, the controlling of the amount of fluid chemical delivered to the proximity head maintains suction ports of the discrete nozzles fully immersed in the meniscus to reduce return of a mixture of the fluid chemical and ambient gas from an interface of the meniscus, the controlling further includes measuring a flow rate of the fluid chemical being removed and controlling a vacuum source so that the flow rate controls an amount of the fluid chemical remainder left behind on the surface of the substrate.