Patent ID: 8236132
Filing Date: 2012-08-07
Classification: G03F,H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A substrate processing system for performing a process including a photolithography sequence on target substrates, the substrate processing system comprising: a first automated substrate transfer line configured to transfer the target substrates among a plurality of process sections for respectively performing processes on the target substrates; a photolithography process section configured to perform a series of processes in the photolithography sequence and located relative to the first automated substrate transfer line so as for the target substrates to be transferred therebetween; and a second automated substrate transfer line configured to transfer the target substrates among process apparatuses in the photolithography process section, wherein the second automated substrate transfer line is a cyclical substrate transfer line, which is formed as a loop independent of the first automated substrate transfer line and connects the process apparatuses in the photolithography process section to each other, the first automated substrate transfer line includes an outer line portion, which is present outside the loop of the second automated substrate transfer line and is connected to another process section of the plurality of process sections, and an intervening line portion having a U-shape, which projects from the outer line portion into the loop and extends along the loop inside the loop, the intervening line portion is connected to the loop by first and second transit portions each including a substrate handling robot, and at least one of the first and second transit portions connects the intervening line portion to the loop at a first position in front of one of the process apparatuses in the photolithography process section.