Patent ID: 8021513
Filing Date: 2011-09-20
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A substrate processing apparatus, comprising: a processing vessel adapted to provide a process to a substrate; an ambient atmospheric carrying chamber which is connected airtightly with the processing vessel, includes a carrying means adapted to receive and carry the substrate having been processed in the processing vessel, and is set under an ambient atmosphere; a first air stream creating means for creating a stream of cleaned air in the ambient atmospheric carrying chamber; a functional module provided in a position for enabling the substrate to be transferred by the carrying means, and adapted to provide a predetermined work to the substrate in the ambient atmosphere; and a second air stream creating means for creating a stream of cleaned air directed toward the interior of the ambient atmospheric carrying chamber, by taking in a gas from the exterior of the substrate processing apparatus toward the functional module, wherein in the processing vessel, the process for generating products on the substrate is performed to the substrate, the products having potential to be diffused into the ambient air, as particles and/or corrosive gases, due to contact with the ambient air; the second air stream creating means is configured such that the interior of the functional module is set under a pressure condition more positive than in the ambient atmospheric carrying chamber to direct the stream of cleaned air in the interior of the functional module toward the interior of the ambient atmospheric carrying chamber; and the work provided to the substrate by the functional module is an alignment for the substrate.