Patent ID: 8048235
Filing Date: 2011-11-01
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method of cleaning a gate valve in a substrate processing system including the gate valve that comprises a communication port that brings an atmospheric transfer chamber and an internal pressure variable transfer chamber that transfer a substrate into communication with each other and a valve element that opens and closes the communication port, comprising: a jetting step of jetting out a removal promoting substance that promotes removal of foreign matter attached to the gate valve toward the valve element from the internal pressure variable transfer chamber side; and a scattering step of scattering the foreign matter removed by said jetting into the atmospheric transfer chamber, wherein the valve element of the gate valve is driven vertically to open and close the communication port, and the jetting step is performed by a nozzle which jets the removal promoting substance, which is provided so as to penetrate through a wall member defining the communication port, which is exposed only at a distal end thereof from an end of the wall member to project out into the communication port and bend toward the valve element, and which jets the removal promoting substance from the distal end when the nozzle faces the foreign matter attached to an upper edge of the gate valve.