Patent ID: 6942737
Filing Date: 2005-09-13
Classification: B08B,H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A substrate cleaning apparatus comprising: substrate support means for supporting a substrate at a plurality of edge positions thereof to hold said substrate in horizontal posture; substrate spinning means for spinning the substrate by spinning said substrate support means; a cleaning mechanism including a physical contact type brush for cleaning said substrate in direct contact therewith, and a support arm for swinging said brush to clean areas other than edges of said substrate; and droplet forming means for forming droplets by mixing a cleaning solution and a pressurized gas, and supplying said droplets of said cleaning solution to said substrate; wherein said droplet forming means cleans, with a single two-fluid nozzle disposed directly over edges of said substrate, edges of said substrate spinning as supported at the edge positions by said substrate support means, said droplet forming means comprising said two-fluid nozzle; and said apparatus being operable so that said substrate is cleaned by said droplet forming means and said cleaning mechanism substantially simultaneously for a fixed time, thereby effecting complete cleaning of an entire surface including the edges of the substrate, in a series of cleaning processes.