Patent ID: 6821550
Filing Date: 2004-11-23
Classification: B05C,G03F,H01L

Abstract:
A process solution applying method for selectively supplying different types of process solutions to a substrate in a small total supply amount, and forming a process solution film having a uniform thickness, the method comprising:preparing a plurality of supply systems configured to selectively supply different types of process solutions to a substrate held by a rotatable spin holder, each of the supply systems having a supply mechanism configured to change a rate at which a process solution is supplied; preparing a controller configured to control the supply systems, the controller having a storage section which stores data, a selection section for selecting a process solution to be used from the process solutions, and a control section which selects a supply system corresponding to the selected process solution, and drives the supply mechanism of the selected supply system at a supply rate determined for the selected process solution; determining for each of the different process solutions a supply rate at which a uniform thickness is achieved, wherein the supply rate of each of the different process solutions is prescribed to be such a value that the corresponding process solution applied in a predetermined total supply amount, while the substrate is rotated at a predetermined rotational speed, forms a process solution film having a uniform thickness on an entire surface of the substrate; storing reference data representing relationships between the process solutions and supply rates determined for the same in the storage section; holding the substrate by the spin holder; selecting, by the controller, a supply system corresponding to a process solution selected from the process solutions; searching the reference data, by the controller, for a corresponding supply rate determined for the selected process solution; driving, by the controller, the supply mechanism of the selected supply system at the corresponding supply rate, thereby supplying the selected process solution to the substrate held by the spin holder; and rotating the spin holder, thereby rotating the substrate to spread the selected process solution by virtue of centrifugal force and to coat the substrate with the selected process solution.