Patent ID: 7896562
Filing Date: 2011-03-01
Classification: G03F,H01L

Abstract:
1. A developing method, comprising the steps of: holding a substrate, horizontally, on a substrate holding part, the substrate having been coated with a resist and then subjected to an exposure process; supplying a developing solution from a first developing solution nozzle onto either one of a central portion or peripheral portion of a surface of the substrate, so as to form a ribbon-like region on the surface of the substrate, while rotating the substrate about a vertical axis via the substrate holding part, wherein one end of the ribbon-like region is oriented toward the central portion of the substrate; shifting a position of the ribbon-like region, in which the developing solution is supplied, from either one of the central portion or peripheral portion of the surface of the substrate toward the other of the central portion or peripheral portion thereof, while orienting the one end of the ribbon-like region of the developing solution toward the central portion of the substrate, thereby forming a liquid film of the developing solution on the surface of the substrate; and supplying the developing solution from a second developing solution nozzle, so as to form a circular region on the central portion of the substrate or form a ribbon-like region shorter in length than the ribbon-like region of the developing solution supplied from the first developing nozzle, in order to prevent the liquid film of the developing solution from being dried up, while rotating the substrate about the vertical axis via the substrate holding part, thereby spreading the developing solution toward the peripheral portion of the substrate by centrifugal force.