Patent ID: 8216386
Filing Date: 2012-07-10
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method of exchanging an atmosphere of a vacuum chamber of an exposure apparatus which includes a load lock chamber, the exposure apparatus being configured to expose a substrate to exposure light in the vacuum chamber under a vacuum environment having a first gas pressure, the method comprising steps of: loading the substrate into the load lock chamber in which a gas pressure is changed between the first gas pressure and a second gas pressure higher than the first gas pressure, and through which the substrate having a first temperature is transferred to or from the vacuum chamber; controlling a temperature of the substrate such that the temperature of the substrate is kept at the first temperature; exchanging the atmosphere of the load lock chamber between the first gas pressure and the second gas pressure, wherein the exchanging step maintains a pressure of the load lock chamber within a predetermined pressure range for a predetermined time period; and controlling a temperature of a dust collection unit provided in the load lock chamber such that the temperature of the dust collection unit is kept lower than the first temperature of the substrate, wherein the predetermined pressure range and the predetermined time period correspond to a specific gravity and size of dust to be collected by the dust collection unit, wherein the load lock chamber further includes a holding unit configured to hold the substrate, and a driving unit configured to move the dust collection unit and the holding unit relative to each other, and wherein controlling the temperature of the dust collection unit includes controlling the driving unit so that a distance between the dust collection unit and the substrate changes so as to generate a predetermined temperature gradient therebetween.