Patent ID: 7628824
Filing Date: 2009-12-08
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A substrate processing apparatus for processing a plurality of substrates in succession, comprising: a substrate accumulation part for accumulating unprocessed substrates and processed substrates; a substrate processing part for performing a process on a substrate; a substrate transfer part used for transfer of a substrate between said substrate accumulation part and said substrate processing part; a first transport mechanism including N transport arms (where N is an integer not less than two) and for transporting a substrate between said substrate accumulation part and said substrate transfer part; a second transport mechanism for transporting a substrate between said substrate transfer part and said substrate processing part; and a transport controller for controlling said first transport mechanism to take an unprocessed substrate from said substrate accumulation part to transport the unprocessed substrate to said substrate transfer part, and to receive a processed substrate placed on said substrate transfer part to transport the processed substrate to said substrate accumulation part, said transport controller controlling said first transport mechanism so that said first transport mechanism simultaneously transports N unprocessed substrates from said substrate accumulation part and simultaneously loads the N unprocessed substrates into said substrate transfer part in such a manner that each of the N transport arms holds a single unprocessed substrate, said substrate transfer part including at least (N+1) sending substrate rest parts each for placing thereon an unprocessed substrate traveling from said substrate accumulation part toward said substrate processing part.