Abstract:
In a substrate processing apparatus and a fabrication line including the same, the substrate processing apparatus includes a first unit apparatus performing a first unit process of a substrate, a second unit apparatus facing the first unit apparatus and performing a second unit process, and a load port providing a carrier receiving the substrate to the first unit apparatus and the second unit apparatus. The load port connects between the first unit apparatus and the second unit apparatus.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0047578 filed Apr. 3, 2015, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The inventive concepts relate to a system for processing a substrate, and more particularly, to an apparatus for processing a substrate, and a fabrication line including the same. 
         [0003]    A semiconductor device may be manufactured by a plurality of unit processes. The unit processes may include a thin film deposition process, a diffusion process, a heat treatment process, a photolithography process, a polishing process, an etching process, an ion implantation process, and a cleaning process. An apparatus for processing a substrate may perform the unit processes independently. The apparatus for processing a substrate may be installed in a clean room. The size of the apparatus for processing a substrate has a tendency to increase to correspond to the appearance of a large-area substrate. Nevertheless, an area increase of the apparatus may cause a decrease in productivity. Therefore, research and development for the apparatus for processing a substrate with space efficiency have been performed. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    An example embodiment of the inventive concepts may provide an apparatus for processing a substrate and a fabrication line including the same, capable of improving space efficiency. 
         [0005]    According to example embodiment of the inventive concepts, an apparatus for processing a substrate may include a first unit apparatus performing a first unit process for a substrate, a second unit apparatus facing the first unit apparatus and performing a second unit process, and a load port providing a carrier receiving the substrate to the first unit apparatus and the second unit apparatus. The load port may connect between the first unit apparatus and second unit apparatus and may be disposed between the first unit apparatus and the second unit process. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments, the load port may comprise a first gate wall connected to the first unit apparatus, a second gate wall connected to the second unit apparatus, and a table connecting between the first gate wall and the second gate wall. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, the load port may further comprise a stage disposed on the table. The stage may transfer the carrier to the first gate wall and the second gate wall. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments, the first and second gate walls may comprise first and second doors, respectively. When the stage is moved to the first and second gate walls, one of the first and second doors may be opened and the other is closed. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments, the stage may rotate an entrance of the carrier from a direction toward one of the first and second gate walls to a direction toward the other. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, the stage may rotate the carrier by 180°. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, the stage may rotate at a center of the table. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, the first unit apparatus may further comprise a first EFEM coupled to the first gate wall, a first load lock chamber connected to the first EFEM, a first transfer chamber connected to the first load lock chamber, and first process chambers connected to the first transfer chamber in a cluster type. The second unit apparatus may further comprise a second EFEM coupled to the second gate wall, a second load lock chamber connected to the second EFEM, a second transfer chamber connected to the second load lock chamber, and second process chambers connected to the second transfer chamber in a cluster type. 
         [0013]    In some embodiments, the first and second process chambers may comprise an etching apparatus and a thin film deposition apparatus, respectively. 
         [0014]    According to example embodiment of the inventive concepts, a fabrication line may include a clean room and an apparatus for processing a substrate provided in the clean room and performing a substrate manufacturing process. The apparatus for processing the substrate may include a first unit apparatus performing a first unit process for the substrate, a second unit apparatus facing the first unit apparatus and performing the second unit process for the substrate, and a load port providing a carrier receiving the substrate to the first unit apparatus and the second unit apparatus. The load port may connect between the first unit apparatus and second unit apparatus and may be disposed between the first unit apparatus and the second unit process. 
         [0015]    In some embodiments, the clean room may comprise service regions in which the first unit apparatus and the second unit apparatus are disposed, and an operating region in which the load port is disposed between the service regions. A width of the operating region may be less than a distance between the first unit apparatus and the second unit apparatus within each of the service regions. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, the width of each of the operating regions may be substantially equal to a width of the load port. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, the load port may comprise a first gate wall connected to the first unit apparatus, a second gate wall connected to the second unit apparatus, a table connecting between the first and second gate walls, and a stage disposed on the table. The stage may transfer the carrier between the first and second gate walls. 
         [0018]    In some embodiments, the stage may rotate an entrance of the carrier from a direction of the first gate wall to a direction of the second gate wall. 
         [0019]    In some embodiments, the fabrication line may further comprise a transfer apparatus disposed in the clean room. The transfer apparatus may provide the carrier on the stage. 
         [0020]    According to example embodiment of the inventive concepts, a method for processing a substrate may include providing a carrier receiving a substrate to a load port, providing the substrate form the carrier to a first unit apparatus to perform a first unit process for the substrate, putting the substrate in a carrier after performing the first unit process, rotating the carrier on the load port from a direction of the first unit apparatus to a direction of a second unit apparatus facing the first unit apparatus, and providing the substrate from the carrier to the second unit apparatus to perform a second unit process for the substrate. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, the first and second unit processes may be an etching process and a thin film deposition process, respectively. 
         [0022]    In some embodiments, the load port may comprise a first gate wall connected to the first unit apparatus, a second gate wall connected to the second unit apparatus, a table connecting between the first gate wall and the second gate wall, and a stage disposed on the table to support the carrier. Rotating of the carrier may comprise rotating an entrance of the carrier from a direction of the first gate wall to a direction of the second gate wall. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments, providing the substrate to the first unit apparatus may comprise transferring the carrier from a center of the table to the first gate wall, and opening a cover of the carrier and a first door of the first gate wall. 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, the carrier may be rotated on a center of the table by the stage. Providing the substrate to the second unit apparatus may comprise transferring the carrier from the center of the table to the second gate wall, and opening a cover of the carrier and a second door of the second gate wall. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0025]    The foregoing and other features and advantages of the inventive concepts will be apparent from the more particular description of preferred embodiments of the inventive concept, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the inventive concepts. In the drawings: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  illustrates a plan view of a substrate for explaining a substrate processing apparatus according to the inventive concepts; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  illustrates a typical fabrication line for processing the substrate of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a plan view illustrating a fabrication line according to an embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a plan view illustrating a substrate processing apparatus of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating a carrier of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0031]      FIGS. 6 and 7  are plan and front views illustrating an example of a substrate processing apparatus of  FIG. 4 , respectively; 
           [0032]      FIGS. 8 and 9  are plan and cross sectional views illustrating an example of a substrate processing apparatus of  FIG. 4 , respectively; 
           [0033]      FIGS. 10 and 11  are perspective and cross sectional views illustrating first and second EFEMs and a load port of  FIG. 7 , respectively; 
           [0034]      FIG. 12  is a diagram illustrating a host computer for controlling a fabrication line of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 13  is a flow chart illustrating a method for processing a substrate by a control of a host computer of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0036]      FIGS. 14 to 16  illustrate an operation of a load port in the step of  FIG. 13  in which the substrate is provided to a first unit apparatus; 
           [0037]      FIG. 17  illustrates a carrier which is rotated in a direction of a second EFEM of  FIG. 11 ; and 
           [0038]      FIGS. 18 to 20  illustrate an operation of a load port in the step of  FIG. 13  in which the substrate is provided to a second unit apparatus. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0039]    Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The inventive concepts, however, may be embodied in various different forms, and should not be construed as being limited only to the illustrated embodiments. Rather, these embodiments are provided as examples so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, known processes, elements, and techniques are not described with respect to some of the embodiments of the inventive concepts. Unless otherwise noted, like reference numerals denote like elements throughout the attached drawings and written description, and thus descriptions will not be repeated. In the drawings, the sizes and relative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. 
         [0040]    As used herein, a term may be intended to illustrate embodiments of the inventive concept and may be not intended to limit the inventive concepts. In this specification, a singular may include plural unless specifically states otherwise in a text or figures. In addition, terms such as a substrate, a unit apparatus, a load port, a stage, a carrier, a transfer apparatus, a robot, and a region in the specification may be understood in terms of a general semiconductor and device. 
         [0041]      FIG. 1  illustrates a substrate  10  for explaining a substrate processing apparatus according to the inventive concepts. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the substrate  10  may include a semiconductor substrate. Alternatively, the substrate  10  may include a glass substrate or a plastic substrate. The substrate  10  may include a plurality of unit devices  12 . Each of the unit devices  12  may be formed through a plurality of unit processes. For example, the unit devices  12  may include a memory device, a central processing unit (CPU), a light sensor, or a power device. 
         [0043]      FIG. 2  illustrates a conventional fabrication line  20  for processing the substrate  10  of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the fabrication line  20  may be a semiconductor plant or a semiconductor fabrication line. For example, the fabrication line  20  may include a clean room  30  and a substrate processing apparatuses  40 . 
         [0045]    The clean room  30  may be defined as a space or region where most of particles in an air are removed. The substrate processing apparatuses  40  may be installed in the clean room  30 . The substrate processing apparatuses  40  may be disposed to correspond to unit processes for the substrate  10 , respectively. 
         [0046]    The substrate processing apparatuses  40  may include unit apparatuses  42  and load ports  44 . The unit apparatuses  42  may perform a manufacturing process for the substrate  10 . The load ports  44  may supply the substrate  10  to the unit apparatuses  42 . The load ports  44  and the unit apparatuses  42  may be connected in a one-to-one manner. The unit apparatuses  42  may be disposed adjacent to each other. In addition, the load ports  44  may be disposed adjacent to each other. 
         [0047]    The clean room  30  may include a main passage  32 , a service region  34 , and an operating region  36 . The main passage  32  may be a main movement path of an operator and materials (or parts). The service region  34  may be a region in which the unit apparatuses  42  are installed. Alternatively, the service region  34  may be a region which is provided between the unit apparatuses without the load ports  44 . The operating region  36  may be a region in which the load ports  44  are installed. Alternatively, the operating region  36  may be a region which is provided between the load ports  44  without the unit apparatuses  42   
         [0048]    An area of the service region  34  and the operating region  36  may be increased in proportion to a size of the substrate  10 . For example, the substrate  10  may have a tendency to be enlarged from 4 inches to 12 inches (300 mm). The enlarged substrate  10  may have a high productivity. However, the size and an occupying area of the substrate processing apparatuses  40  may be increased. The number of the substrate processing apparatuses  40  to be installed in the clean room  30  may be reduced and thereby the productivity may be decreased. 
         [0049]      FIG. 3  illustrates a fabrication line  110  according to an example embodiment of inventive concepts. 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the fabrication line  110  may include load ports  160  and substrate processing apparatuses  130  including a first unit apparatus  140  and a second unit apparatus  150  at opposite sides of the load ports  160 . The load ports  160  may connect between the first unit apparatus  140  and the second unit apparatus  150 . 
         [0051]    Each of operating regions  126  of a clean room  120  may have substantially the same width as that of each of the load ports  160 . The plurality of load ports  160  may be disposed in one operating region  126 . Each of service regions  124  may be disposed between the operating regions  126 . The first unit apparatus  140  and the second unit apparatus  150  may be disposed within one service region  124 . In an example, a distance between the first unit apparatus  140  and the second unit apparatus  150  within each of the service regions  124  may be greater than the width of the operating regions  126 . A main passage  122  may extend in a direction crossing the service regions  124  and the operating region  126 . The main passage  122  may extend from one end to the other end along a center of the clean room  120 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 4  illustrates one of substrate processing apparatuses  130  of  FIG. 3 . 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4  again, the substrate  10  may be provided to the first unit apparatus  140  and the second unit apparatus  150  through the load ports  160 . The first unit apparatus  140  and the second unit apparatus  150  may be arranged in a mirror configuration to face each other. The load ports  160  may be shared by the first unit apparatus  140  and the second unit apparatus  150 . The shared load ports  160  may minimize the area of the operating regions  126 . 
         [0054]    A carrier  50  may be provided on the load port  160 . The carrier  50  may receive the substrate  10 . The substrate  10  may be taken in to the first unit apparatus  140  and the second unit apparatus  150 . When a unit process is completed, the substrate  10  may be returned into the carrier  50 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating the carrier  50  of  FIG. 4 . 
         [0056]    Referring  FIG. 5 , the carrier  50  may be a front open unified pod (FOUP). According to an example embodiment of inventive concept, the carrier  50  may include a housing  52 , slots  54 , a hanger  56 , and a cover  58 . The housing  52  may hold the substrate  10 . The housing  52  may have an entrance  51 . The substrate  10  may be provided within the housing  52  through the entrance  51 . The slots  54  may be disposed on an inner wall of the housing  52 . The substrate  10  may be provided in the slots  54 . The hanger  56  may be disposed on the housing  52 . The cover  58  may be coupled to the entrance  51 . The housing  52  and the cover  58  can protect the substrate  10  from a particle. 
         [0057]      FIGS. 6 and 7  are plan and front views illustrating an example of the substrate processing apparatus  130  of  FIG. 4 , respectively. 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the first unit apparatus  140  may include a first equipment front-end module (EFEM)  142 , first load lock chambers  144 , a first transfer chamber  146 , and first process chambers  148 . The second unit apparatus  150  may include a second EFEM and  152 , second load lock chambers  154 , a second transfer chamber  156 , and a second process chamber  158 . 
         [0059]    The first and second EFEMs  142  and  152  may be connected to opposite sides of the load port  160 . The first and second EFEMs  142  and  152  may include first and second transfer robots  141  and  151 , respectively. The first and second transfer robots  141  and  151  may transfer the substrate  10  between the load lock chambers  144  and  154  and the carrier  50  of the load port  160 . 
         [0060]    The first load lock chambers  144  may be disposed between the first EFEM  142  and the first transfer chamber  146 . The first load lock chambers  144  and the first transfer chamber  146  may be chambers which provide the substrate  10  to the first process chambers  148 . The second load lock chambers  154  may be disposed between the second EFEM  152  and the second transfer chamber  156 . The second load lock chambers  154  and the second transfer chamber  156  may be chambers which provide the substrate  10  to the second process chambers  158 . The first and second load lock chambers  144  and  154 , the first and second transfer chambers  146  and  156 , and the first and second process chambers  148  and  158  may have substantially the same degree of vacuum. 
         [0061]    The first transfer chamber  146  may be disposed between the first load lock chambers  144  and the first process chambers  148 . The second transfer chamber  156  may be disposed between the second load lock chambers  154  and the second process chambers  158 . The first and second transfer chambers  146  and  156  may have third and fourth transfer robots  145  and  155 , respectively. The third transfer robot  145  may transfer the substrate  10  between the first load lock chambers  144  and the first process chambers  148 . The fourth transfer robot  155  may transfer the substrate  10  between the second load lock chambers  154  and the second process chambers  158 . 
         [0062]    The first process chambers  148  may be coupled to the first transfer chamber  146  in a cluster type. The second process chambers  158  may be coupled to the second transfer chamber  156  in the cluster type. The first and second process chambers  148  and  158  of the cluster type may perform unit processes for the substrate  10 , respectively. The unit process may be carried out in a single substrate manner. In some embodiments, the unit processes of the first and second process chambers  148  and  158  may be different from each other and may be performed sequentially. For example, the first process chambers  148  may include an etching apparatus. The first process chambers  148  may perform a process of etching the substrate  10 . The second process chambers  158  may include a thin film deposition apparatus. The second process chambers  158  may perform a thin film deposition process. 
         [0063]    Each of the first process chambers  148  may include a first upper electrode  147  and a first lower electrode  149 . Each of the second process chambers  158  may include a second upper electrode  157  and a second lower electrode  159 . Although not illustrated, the substrate  10  may be disposed on the first and second lower electrodes  149  and  159 . A high-frequency power may be applied to the first upper electrode  147  and the first lower electrode  149  to induce a plasma reaction. A radio frequency (RF) power may be applied to the second upper electrode  157  and the second lower electrode  159  to induce a plasma reaction. The substrate  10  may be processed in the first and second process chambers by the plasma reaction. 
         [0064]    In some embodiments, the first and second process chambers  148  and  158  may perform the same unit processes. Each of the first and second process chambers  148  and  158  may include an etching apparatus. In other embodiments, each of the first and second process chambers  148  and  158  may include a thin film deposition apparatus. 
         [0065]    The first and second unit apparatus  140  and  150  and the load port  160  may be disposed on a lower plenum  128 . The lower plenum  128  may exhaust air  60  through a bottom of the clean room  120 . The first unit apparatus  140  and the second unit apparatus  150  may be disposed on the service region  124  and the load port  160  may be disposed on the operating region  126 . An upper plenum  127  may provide filtered air  60  through a ceiling of the clean room  120 . The air  60  of the operating region  126  may be managed at a class of “1000” or less. Here, the class of “1000” may be defined as 1000 particles being present in a unit volume of 1 m 3 . 
         [0066]    An air filter unit  129  may be disposed on the first unit apparatus  140  and the second unit apparatus  150  within the service region  124 . The air filter unit  129  may provide the filtered air  60  to the first unit apparatus  140  and the second unit apparatus  150 . Air cleanliness of the service region  124  may be higher than that of the operation region  126 . The air  60  of the service region  124  may be managed at a class of “100” or less. The air filter unit  129  may include a clean air supplying unit. 
         [0067]    Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 7  again, a transfer unit  180  may be moved along a rail  186 . The rail  186  may be disposed under the upper plenum  127 . The transfer unit  180  may transfer the carrier  50 . The carrier  50  may be provided on the load port  160  by the transfer unit  180 . The transfer unit  180  may include a driving unit  182  and a hoist unit  184 . The hoist unit  184  may hold the hanger  56  of the carrier  50 . The driving unit  182  may transfer the hoist unit  184  along the rail  186 . 
         [0068]      FIGS. 8 and 9  are plan and cross sectional views illustrating an example of the substrate processing apparatus  130  of  FIG. 4 , respectively. 
         [0069]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the substrate processing apparatus  130  may include first and second process chambers  148   a  and  158   a  of a batch type. The first and second process chambers  148   a  and  158   a  of the batch type may perform unit processes with respect to a plurality of substrates  10 . In an example, each of the first and second process chambers  148   a  and  158   a  may include a diffusion apparatus. The first and second process chambers  148   a  and  158   a  may have first and second boats  149   a  and  159   a , respectively. The first and second boats  149   a  and  159   a  may receive hundreds of substrates  10 . 
         [0070]    An upper plenum  127 , a lower plenum  128 , an air filter unit  129 , first and second EFEMs  142  and  152 , first and second load lock chambers  144  and  154 , first and second transfer chambers  146  and  156 , a load port  160 , and a transfer apparatus  180  of  FIG. 9  may be the same as those of  FIG. 7 . 
         [0071]      FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate the first and second EFEMs  142  and  152  and the load port  160  of  FIG. 7 , respectively. 
         [0072]    Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the load port  160  may be coupled to side walls of first and second EFEMs  142  and  152 , respectively. The load port  160  may include first and second gate walls  162  and  164 , a table  166 , and a stage  168 . The first gate wall  162  may be connected to the side wall of the first EFEM  142 . The second gate wall  164  may be connected to the side wall of the second EFEM  152 . The first and second gate walls  162  and  164  may have first and second doors  163  and  165 , respectively. The table  166  may be connected to the first and second gate walls  162  and  164 . The stage  168  may be disposed on the table  166 . The carrier  50  may be provided on the stage  168 . 
         [0073]      FIG. 12  illustrates a host computer  100  for controlling the fabrication line  110  of  FIG. 3 . 
         [0074]    Referring to  FIGS. 3, 7 and 12 , a host computer  100  may manage products in the clean room  120 . According to an example embodiment of inventive concepts, the host computer  100  may control the substrate processing apparatus  130  and the transfer apparatus  180 . For example, the host computer  100  may communicate with a load port controller  102 , a unit apparatus controller  104 , and a transfer apparatus controller  106 . The load port controller  102  may control the load port  160 . The unit apparatus controller  104  may control the first unit apparatus  140  and the second unit apparatus  150 . The transfer apparatus controller  106  may control the transfer apparatus  180 . The host computer  100  may communicate with the load port controller  102 , the unit apparatus controller  104  and the transfer apparatus controller  106  through TCP/IP. The load port controller  102 , the unit apparatus controller  104 , and the transfer apparatus controller  106  may communicate with each other through a device net. 
         [0075]      FIG. 13  is a flow chart illustrating a method for processing a substrate by the control of the host computer  100  of  FIG. 12 . 
         [0076]    Referring  FIGS. 3, 7 and 11 to 13 , the transfer apparatus  180  may transfer the carrier  50  (S 10 ). The carrier  50  may be transferred within the fabrication line  110 . The transfer apparatus  180  may transfer the carrier  50  to the substrate processing apparatus  130 . 
         [0077]    Therefore, the transfer apparatus  180  may provide the carrier  50  to the load port  160  (S 20 ). The carrier  50  may be provided on the stage  168 . The carrier  50  may be provided on a center of the table  166 . 
         [0078]    Then, the load port  160  may provide the substrate  10  in the carrier  50  to the first unit apparatus  140  (S 30 ). 
         [0079]      FIGS. 14 to 16  illustrate an operation of the load port  160  in the step S 30  of  FIG. 13  in which the substrate is provided to the first unit apparatus  140 . 
         [0080]    Referring to  FIG. 14 , the stage  168  may transfer the carrier  50  to a first door  163 . The cover  58  of the carrier  50  may be clamped to the first door  163 . 
         [0081]    Referring to  FIG. 15 , the first door  163  may open the cover  58 . The first door  163  and the cover  58  may move along the first gate wall  162 . The first EFEM  142  and the housing  52  of the carrier  50  may be interlocked with each other. 
         [0082]    Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 16 , the first transfer robot  141  may take out the substrate  10  in the carrier  50 . The substrate  10  may be provided into the first process chamber  148  through the first load lock chamber  144  and the first transfer chamber  146 . 
         [0083]    Referring to  FIGS. 6, 7 and 13 , the first process chamber  148  may perform the unit process for the substrate  10  (S 40 ). For example, the first unit process may include a process of etching the substrate  10 . When the first unit process is completed, the substrate  10  may be transferred from the first process chamber  148  to the first EFEM  142 . 
         [0084]    Referring to  FIGS. 11, 13 to 15  again, the first transfer robot  141  may put the substrate  10  into the carrier  50  (S 50 )(see  FIG. 15 ). The first door  163  may combine the cover  58  with the housing  52  (see  FIG. 14 ). The first EFEM  142  and the carrier  50  may be separated. The stage  168  may transfer the carrier  50  to the center of the table  166  (see  FIG. 11 ). 
         [0085]    Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the host computer  100  may determine whether to perform a second unit process (S 60 ). When first and second unit processes for the substrate  10  are substantially the same, the carrier  50  may be transferred to another substrate processing apparatus  130  (S 10 ). Alternatively, when the second unit process for the substrate  10  is carried out continuously in the substrate processing apparatus  130 , a direction of the carrier  50  may be changed. 
         [0086]      FIG. 17  illustrates the carrier  50  which is rotated in a direction of the second EFEM  152  of  FIG. 11 . 
         [0087]    Referring to  FIGS. 11, 13 and 17 , the load port  160  may rotate the carrier  50  (S 70 ). According to an example embodiment of inventive concept, the cover  58  (or the entrance  51 ) of the carrier  50  may be rotated from a direction of the first EFEM  142  to a direction of the second EFEM  152 . For example, the carrier  50  may be rotated by 180°. The stage  168  and the carrier  50  may be rotated at the center of the table  166 . 
         [0088]    Next, the load port  160  may provide the substrate  10  to the second unit apparatus  150  (S 80 ). 
         [0089]      FIGS. 18 to 20  illustrate an operation of the load port  160  in the step (S 50 ) of  FIG. 13  in which the substrate is provided to the second unit apparatus. 
         [0090]    Referring to  FIG. 18 , the stage  168  may transfer the carrier  50  to the second door  165 . The cover  58  may be clamped with the second door  165 . 
         [0091]    Referring to  FIG. 19 , the second door  165  may open the cover  58 . The second door  165  and the cover  58  may be moved along the second gate wall  164 . The second EFEM  152  and the housing  52  may be interlocked with each other. 
         [0092]    Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 20 , the second transfer robot  151  may take out the substrate  10  in the carrier  50 . The substrate  10  may be provided into the second process chamber  158  through the second load lock chamber  154  and the second transfer chamber  156 . 
         [0093]    Referring to  FIGS. 6, 7 and 13 , the second process chamber  158  may perform the second unit process for the substrate  10  (S 90 ). The second unit process may include a thin film deposition process. When the second unit process is completed, the substrate  10  may be transferred from the second process chamber  158  to the second EFEM  152 . 
         [0094]    Referring to  FIGS. 11, 13 and 18 to 19  again, the second transfer robot  151  may put the substrate  10  in the carrier  50  again (S 100 ). When the second unit process is completed, the second transfer robot  151  may put the substrate  10  in the carrier  50 . The second door  165  may allow the cover  58  to be clamped with the housing  52 . The second EFEM  152  and the carrier  50  may be separated. The stage  168  may transfer the carrier  50  to the center of the table  166 . 
         [0095]    Next, the host computer  100  may determine a transfer position of the carrier  50  (S 110 ). When the transfer position is determined, the transfer unit  180  may transfer the carrier  50  (S 10 ). 
         [0096]    As described above, according to example embodiments of the inventive concept, the first unit apparatus and the second unit apparatus of the substrate processing apparatus may share the load port. The shared load port may minimize an operating region, thereby improving space efficiency of the semiconductor fabrication line. 
         [0097]    While the inventive concepts has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventive concepts. Therefore, it should be understood that the above embodiments are not limiting, but illustrative.