Patent ID: 8950414
Filing Date: 2015-02-10
Classification: H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A liquid processing apparatus configured to process an object to be processed by using a temperature-regulated liquid, the liquid processing apparatus comprising: a liquid supply mechanism configured to supply a liquid; a supply line connected to the liquid supply mechanism, the supply line having a discharge opening for discharging the temperature-regulated liquid; a processing unit supporting the supply line, the processing unit being configured to be capable of processing the object to be processed by using the temperature-regulated liquid discharged from the discharge opening of the supply line; a return line configured to return the liquid supplied to the supply line to the liquid supply mechanism; a liquid-supply switching valve structured as a three-way valve disposed on the supply line and connected to one end of the return line, the liquid-supply switching valve being configured to switch between supply of the liquid, which is used in the processing of the object to be processed in the processing unit, to the discharge opening, and stoppage of the liquid supply; a first opening and closing valve disposed on the return line; a second opening and closing valve disposed on the supply line; a control unit configured to control opening and closing of the liquid-supply switching valve, the first opening and closing valve, and the second opening and closing valve; a flowmeter disposed on the supply line; and a flow-rate regulating valve whose opening degree can be adjusted, the flow-rate regulating valve being disposed on the supply line, wherein the supply line is divided into a first pipeline and a second pipeline at least in one zone at a position downstream of a connection position where the supply line is connected to the liquid supply mechanism and the first pipeline and the second pipeline are joined together upstream of a connection position where the supply line and the return line are connected to each other, wherein the flowmeter is disposed at a position of the supply line upstream of the one zone where the supply line is divided into the first pipeline and the second pipeline, wherein the flow-rate regulating valve is disposed on the first pipeline, wherein the second opening and closing valve is disposed on the second pipeline, wherein the first opening and closing valve is disposed at a position of the return line downstream of the liquid-supply switching valve, wherein the control unit is programmed to control valves such that when the object to be processed is not being processed in the processing unit, the second opening and closing valve opens the second pipeline to have the liquid pass through both of the first and second pipelines, the liquid supply switching valve communicates an upstream-side supply line which is a part of the supply line located upstream of the liquid-supply switching valve with only the return line, and the first opening and closing valve opens the return line and when the object to be processed is being processed in the processing unit, the second opening and closing valve closes the second pipeline to have the liquid pass only through the first pipeline at a flow-rate regulated by the flow-rate regulating valve, the liquid-supply switching valve communicates the upstream-side supply line with both of the return line and a downstream-side supply line which is part of the supply line located downstream of the liquid-supply switching valve, and the first opening and closing valve closes the return line, whereby a flow rate of the liquid is controlled such that an amount per unit time of the liquid flowing through the return line while the object to be processed is not being processed in the processing unit is larger than an amount per unit time of the liquid that is discharged from the discharge opening of the supply line while the object to be processed is being processed in the processing unit.