Patent ID: 8123868
Filing Date: 2012-02-28
Classification: B05C,C03B,C03C,C23C,F16C,H01J,H01L,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method for cleaning a substrate, the method comprising: providing a pair of hydrostatic or aerostatic bearings, at least one of said pair of hydrostatic bearings being configured for applying a cleaning solution under pressure, so as to define a gap between the bearings, at least one of said bearings having a plurality of axial grooves and lands, the axial grooves extending perpendicularly to a direction of movement of the substrate and spanning substantially a full width of the substrate; introducing the substrate into the gap; levitating and controlling a position of the substrate while cleaning the substrate by hydrostatically or aerostatically forcing the cleaning solution through said at least one of the bearings to at least one side of the substrate so that the substrate is centrally displaced relative to the bearings; and forcing the cleaning fluid using a pressure differential between the grooves in a direction opposite to a direction of movement of the substrate to use a viscous shear force of the cleaning solution to dislodge and clean a surface of said substrate.