Abstract:
Disclosed is a substrate treating apparatus including a treatment solution dispenser supplying a treatment solution on a substrate, a transporting unit transporting the substrate, and a controller controlling the transporting unit so that the substrate is transported in an inclined position. The substrate is inclined sideways through a rotation with respect to an axis extending parallel to a transportation direction of the substrate. The rotation may be made in both directions in an alternating manner. The apparatus is useful for treating the substrate uniformly regardless of substrate size.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application Nos. 2004-0055951, 2005-0007483 and 2005-0013487, filed on Jul. 19, 2004, Jan. 27, 2005, and Feb. 18, 2005 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to a substrate treating apparatus and a substrate treating method using the same.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     A liquid crystal panel (LCD) comprises a liquid crystal panel having a thin film transistor (TFT) substrate on which TFTs are formed, a color filter substrate on which a color filter layer is formed, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the two substrates. The liquid crystal panel does not emit light by itself, so a backlight unit is often disposed behind the TFT substrate for providing light to the liquid crystal panel. The amount of light transmitted by the backlight unit depends on the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules.  
         [0006]     Further, the LCD includes a driving circuit driving each pixel of the liquid crystal panel and gate and data drivers receiving driving signals from the driving circuit and supplying voltage to a data line and a gate line.  
         [0007]     Fabricating the color filter substrate and the TFT substrate entails treating the substrates by providing a treatment solution. Specifically, fabricating the substrate entails a developing process forming a photosensitive layer pattern from a light-exposed photosensitive layer, an etching process forming a metal layer pattern or an electrode pattern by using the photosensitive layer pattern formed through the developing process, and a washing process washing the substrate that was subjected to the developing process or the etching process. These processes employ a developing solution, an etching solution, and DI (de-ionized) water, respectively.  
         [0008]     Treating the substrate typically involves transporting the substrate while a treatment solution is sprayed on the substrate. During the transport process, the substrate is in an inclined position to facilitate the removal of the treatment solution. While moving the substrate in an inclined position facilitates the removal of the treatment solution, it causes the problem of the treatment solution flowing from the higher end to the lower end of the substrate and accumulating near the lower part of the inclined substrate This accumulation results in the treatment solution being applied with different thicknesses between the higher end and the lower end of the substrate. The uneven thicknesses, in turn, cause the effective spraying pressure applied to the substrate to be higher on the upper part of the inclined substrate than on the lower part.  
         [0009]     The difference of the spraying pressure causes a nonuniform treatment of the surface of the substrate. As the size of the substrate becomes larger, the nonuniformity gets worse. This nonuniform treatment problem does not occur where a dipping method is employed in which the substrate is immersed in the treatment solution,. However, it is well known that the dipping method is difficult to implement when the substrate is lager than a certain size.  
         [0010]     Recently, with the substrates becoming larger, the uniformity of a wiring width and an etching profile has become an issue. Treating the substrate uniformly is an essential factor for achieving the wiring uniformity. However, uniform treatment of a substrate is difficult to achieve if the treatment condition differs for different parts of the substrate. A method of uniformly treating a substrate regardless of its size is desired.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a substrate treating apparatus treating the substrate uniformly.  
         [0012]     It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a substrate treating method treating the substrate uniformly.  
         [0013]     The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention are also achieved by providing a substrate treating apparatus including a treatment solution dispenser supplying a treatment solution on a substrate, a transporting unit transporting the substrate; and a controller controlling the transporting unit so that the substrate is transported in an inclined position. The inclined position is achieved through a rotation with respect to an axis extending parallel to a transportation direction of the substrate. The substrate may be inclined in both directions in an alternating manner.  
         [0014]     It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a substrate treating apparatus including a transporting unit transporting a substrate in an inclined position, and a treatment solution dispenser placed above the transporting unit and spraying a treatment solution more intensely on a lower part of the inclined substrate than on an upper part of the inclined substrate.  
         [0015]     According to the embodiment of the present invention, the treatment solution dispenser comprises a plurality of nozzles, and the nozzle spraying the treatment solution on the lower part of the inclined substrate is disposed more closely to the substrate than the nozzle spraying the treatment solution on the upper part of the inclined substrate.  
         [0016]     According to the embodiment of the present invention, the treatment solution dispenser comprises a treatment solution pipe disposed in the transverse direction with respect to the transportation direction of the substrate and a plurality of nozzles connected with the treatment solution pipe.  
         [0017]     According to the embodiment of the present invention, the treatment solution pipe is capable of adjusting its inclination angle.  
         [0018]     According to the embodiment of the present invention, the treatment solution pipe is disposed parallel with the substrate, and the nozzle spraying the treatment solution on the lower part of the inclined substrate is longer than the nozzle spraying the treatment solution on the upper part of the inclined substrate.  
         [0019]     According to the embodiment of the present invention, the treatment solution pipe is disposed parallel with the substrate, and the nozzle is longer as the nozzle gets close to the lower part of the inclined substrate.  
         [0020]     According to the embodiment of the present invention, the treatment solution pipe is closer to the lower part of the inclined substrate than to the upper part of the inclined substrate.  
         [0021]     According to the embodiment of the present invention, the treatment solution dispenser comprises a nozzle having a first nozzle spraying the treatment solution on the upper part of the inclined substrate and a second nozzle spraying the treatment solution on the lower part of the inclined substrate, and a treatment solution pipe having a first treatment solution pipe connected with the first nozzle and a second treatment solution pipe connected with the second nozzle.  
         [0022]     According to the embodiment of the present invention, the treatment solution dispenser comprises a plurality of treatment solution pipes disposed parallel with the transportation direction of the substrate and a plurality of nozzles connected with the treatment solution pipe.  
         [0023]     According to the embodiment of the present invention, the distance between the upper part of the inclined substrate and the treatment solution pipe is longer than that between the lower part of the inclined substrate and the treatment solution pipe.  
         [0024]     According to the embodiment of the present invention, the nozzle spraying the treatment solution on the lower part of the inclined substrate is closer to the substrate than the nozzle spraying the treatment solution on the upper part of the inclined substrate.  
         [0025]     It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a substrate treating method comprising preparing a substrate and a treatment solution, and transporting the substrate in an inclined position, wherein the inclined position is achieved by rotating the substrate with respect to an axis extending parallel to a transportation direction of the substrate. The substrate is rotated in both directions in an alternating manner while receiving the treatment solution.  
         [0026]     According to the embodiment of the present invention, the transporting comprises transporting the substrate forward and backward at least one time.  
         [0027]     According to the embodiment of the present invention, an inclination angle of the substrate is 3° to 7°.  
         [0028]     According to the embodiment of the present invention, the treatment solution is one of a developing solution, an etching solution and a washing solution.  
         [0029]     It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a substrate treating method including supplying a treatment solution to a substrate in a first treating unit while transporting the substrate that is inclined at a first inclination angle through a rotation with respect to an axis extending parallel to the transportation direction of the substrate. The method also includes supplying the treatment solution to the substrate in a second treating unit while transporting the substrate that is inclined at a second inclination angle smaller than the first inclination angle, and supplying the treatment solution to the substrate in a third treating unit while transporting the substrate being inclined at a third inclination angle that is a reverse to the first inclination angle.  
         [0030]     According to the embodiment of the present invention, the substrate is transported horizontally in the second treating unit.  
         [0031]     According to the embodiment of the present invention, the first inclination angle is equal to the third inclination angle.  
         [0032]     It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a substrate treating method comprising transporting a substrate that is inclined sidewayws through a rotation with respect to an axis extending parallel to a transportation direction of the substrate and supplying a treatment solution such that a spraying pressure of the treatment solution applied on a lower part of the inclined substrate is higher than that applied on an upper part of the inclined substrate. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0033]     The above and/or other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:  
         [0034]      FIG. 1  is a sectional view of a substrate treating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0035]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating an operation of the substrate treating apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0036]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart of a substrate treating method using the substrate treating apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0037]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating another operation of the substrate treating apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0038]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart of another substrate treating method using the substrate treating apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0039]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an essential part of a substrate treating apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0040]      FIG. 7  is a side view of an essential part of the substrate treating apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0041]      FIG. 8  is a side view of an essential part of a substrate treating apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0042]      FIG. 9  is a side view of an essential part of a substrate treating apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0043]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an essential part of a substrate treating apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0044]      FIG. 11  is a side view of an essential part of the substrate treating apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0045]     Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below in order to explain the present invention by referring to the figures.  
         [0046]     As used herein, a substrate moving “forward and backward” indicates that the substsrate is movable in both directions along the transportion direction. A substrate being “inclined” or “inclined sideways” means the substrate is rotated with respect to an axis that extends parallel to the transporting direction. An inclination angle that is the “reverse” of another angle describes the relationship between an angle φ and an angle −φ measured with respect to the same reference line.  
       First Embodiment  
       [0047]     A substrate treating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  
         [0048]     A substrate treating apparatus  1  according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of treating units  10   a,    10   b  and  10   c  having similar configurations.  
         [0049]     Each of the treating units  10   a,    10   b ,  10   c  has a tub and is connected to an adjacent treating unit(s)  10   a,    10   b,    10   c.  Between the adjacent treating units  10   a,    10   b,  and  10   c  is provided a passage  40  through which a substrate  100  is transported between the treating units.  
         [0050]     A treatment solution dispenser  20  is disposed in an upper part of each treating unit  10   a,    10   b,    10   c  to supply the substrate  100  with a treatment solution  23 . The treatment solution dispenser  20  supplies the treatment solution  23  to the substrate  100  by spraying. A plurality of treatment solution dispensers  20  are disposed along a transporting route of the substrate  100  so that the treatment solution  23  is supplied to the overall substrate  100  uniformly. Although not shown in figures, the treatment solution dispenser  20  may be connected to a treatment solution storage tank.  
         [0051]     The treatment solution  23  may be a developing solution, an etching solution, or a washing solution depending on the use of the treating apparatus  1 .  
         [0052]     If the treatment solution  23  is a developing solution, an organic alkaline based solution that dose not contain a metal ingredient is used, and the alkaline ingredients are removed through a washing process.  
         [0053]     If the treatment solution  23  is an etching solution, the exact compositions of the etching solution varies according to the composition of the etching target. For example, the etching solution for Al or Mo includes phosphoric acid, nitric acid, and acetic acid. The etching solution for Ta includes hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid. The etching solution for Cr includes ammonium nitrate caesium and nitric acid. The etching solution for ITO (indium tin oxide) includes hydrochloric acid, nitric acid and ferric chloride.  
         [0054]     If the treatment solution  23  is a washing solution, the treatment solution  23  is typically DI (de-ionized) water. For quick washing, the treating unit  10   a,    10   b  and  10   c  may comprise not only the treatment solution dispenser  20  but also the well known “aqua knife” of which a nozzle is formed in a direction perpendicular to a transportation direction of the substrate  100 .  
         [0055]     The substrate  100 , seated on a transporting unit  30 , moves forward and backward in the treating unit  10   a,    10   b  and  10   c,  or is transported between the treating units  10   a,    10   b  and  10   c.  The substrate  100  is disposed under the treatment solution dispenser  20  to be sprayed with the treatment solution  23 , with the part that is to be treated by the treatment solution  23  exposed. If the treatment process is for developing, a light-exposed photosensitive layer is exposed. If the treatment process is for etching, the parts to be etched, such as a metal layer, a transparent electrode layer, and/or an insulating layer are exposed and the parts that are not to be etched are covered with a photosensitive layer. If the treatment process is for washing, the developing solution or the etching solution, the photosensitive layer that is peeled off by the developing process and the metal layer that is peeled off by the etching process are exposed.  
         [0056]     The transporting unit  30  includes a conveyor belt type mechanism. The transporting unit  30  transports the substrate  100  between the treating units  10   a,    10   b,  and  10   c,  and moves the substrate  100  forward and backward within one treating unit  10   a,    10   b  or  10   c.  The transporting unit  30  comprises a plurality of rollers  31  disposed parallel to one another and capable of rotating forward or backward, supporters  32  combined with the roller  31  and directly contacting a rear surface of the substrate  100 , and side rollers  33  that are rotated by the movement of the substrate  100 . The side rollers  33  keep the substrate  100  on the transport unit  30  by supporting the side surfaces of the substrate  100 . The side rollers  33  are provided along both sides of the substrate  100 . The transporting unit  30  is made of material that is not reactive with or damaged by the treatment solution  23 . The supporter  32  is preferably made of a material like plastic that does not to affect the substrate  100 . The transporting unit  30  includes a controller (not shown) directing the roller  31  whether to rotate and which direction to rotate.  
         [0057]     The controller controls the transporting unit  30  so that the substrate  100  is transported while being inclined sideways in alternative directions. In  FIG. 2 , a first inclination angle θ 1  has an opposite direction to a second inclination angle θ 2  with respect to the horizontal axis signifying 0° in a reference coordinate  35 , and each inclination angle may be 3° to 7°. If the inclination angle is smaller than 3°, the treatment solution  23  is removed too slowly. On the other hand, if the inclination angle is larger than 7°, the treatment solution  23  remains on the substrate  100  for too short a time. In some cases, the inclination angles θ 1  and θ 2  may be equal.  
         [0058]     Although not shown in the figures, the transporting unit  30  may include an inclination control member that controls the sideways inclination direction and the inclination angle of the substrate  100 . The inclination control member may include a piston device.  
         [0059]     The treating apparatus  1  can be modified in various ways. For example, more than three treating units  10   a,    10   b  and  10   c  may be provided for a treating apparatus  1 .  
         [0060]     Now, a substrate treating method using the treating apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 3 . For example, a process for forming a gate wiring on the substrate  100  is as follows.  
         [0061]     A gate metal layer is deposited on an insulating substrate and sprayed with a photosensitive solution. Then, a solvent within the photosensitive solution is removed through a soft-bake process thereby forming a photosensitive layer. Subsequently, the photosensitive layer from which the solvent is removed is exposed to light by a mask having a certain pattern. Afterwards, the developing is performed in the following process.  
         [0062]     First, the substrate  100 , seated on the transporting unit  30 , is moved to the first treating unit  10   a  at step  101 . The treatment solution  23  sprayed from the treatment solution dispenser  21 , namely, the developing solution starts to be supplied to the substrate  100  when the substrate  100  is carried into the first treating unit  10   a.  Upon receiving the developing solution, the substrate  100  develops the photosensitive layer in step  200 . If a negative type of photosensitive solution is applied, the area of the photosensitive layer that is not exposed to light reacts with the treatment solution  23  and is dissolved. If a positive type of photosensitive solution is applied, the area of the photosensitive layer that is exposed to light reacts with the treatment solution  23  and is dissolved. In step  200 , the substrate  100  is transported from the first treating unit  10   a  toward a second treating unit  10   b  in a first transportation direction. The transporting unit  30  transports the substrate  100  in a sideways-inclined position, forming a first inclination angle. Since the substrate  100  is inclined, the treatment solution  23  remains on the lower part of the inclined substrate  100  longer than on the upper part of the substrate  100 .  
         [0063]     After transporting the substrate  100  in the first transportation direction for a predetermined time, the transporting unit  30  transports the substrate  100  in a second transportation direction that is a reverse direction to the first transportation direction (step  300 ). While transporting the substrate  100  in the second transportation direction, the transporting unit  30  inclines the substrate  100  to form a second inclination angle. Where the first inclination angle is φ, the second inclination angle may be −φ in the reference coordinate  35  (see  FIG. 2 ). Due to the second inclination angle being in the opposite direction of the first inclination angle, the part of the substrate  100  that was the lower end when the substrate was tilted to form the first inclination angle becomes the upper end when the substrate is tilted to form the second inclination angle. Likewise, the part of the substrate  100  that was the upper end when the substrate  100  was tilted to form the first inclination angle becomes the lower end when the substrate  100  is tilted in the opposite direction, i.e. to form the second inclination angle. Therefore, the area covered with a large amount of the treatment solution  23  in step  200  contacts a small amount of the treatment solution  23  in step  300 . Conversely, the area covered with a small amount of the treatment solution  23  in step  200  contacts a large amount of the treatment solution  23  in step  300 .  
         [0064]     After finishing the transportation in the second transportation direction in step  300 , the transporting unit  30  transports the substrate  100  back in the first transportation direction (step  400 ). At this time, the inclination direction of the substrate  100  is switched back to the first inclination direction. Even though the inclination direction is switched, the substrate  100  does not fall off the transporting unit  30  because of the side roller  33  disposed at opposite sides of the substrate  100 .  
         [0065]     After the substrate  100  reaches the passage  40  by moving in the first transportation direction in step  400 , the transporting unit  30  carries out the substrate  100  to the adjacent treating unit  10   b  in step  500 . After the substrate  100  is transported to the second treating unit  10   b,  the foregoing process is repeated, and the substrate  100  is carried out to a third treating unit  10   c.    
         [0066]     Meanwhile, another substrate  100  is transported to the first treating unit  10   a,  and the above process is repeated. Thus, multiple substrates can be processed simultaneously with one treating apparatus  1 , whereas the substrates are in different stages of the process at a given time.  
         [0067]     Through theses processes, the developing of the photosensitive layer is completed when the substrate  100  exits from the third treating unit  10   c.  Since the substrate  100  is inclined sideways in an alternating manner during the developing process, the problem of the developing solution contacting the substrate  100  unevenly is at least partly resolved.  
         [0068]     After the developing process, the substrate  100  undergoes the washing process, the etching process, and another washing process. These processes are similar to the above-described developing process.  
         [0069]     Since the treatment solution  23  contacts the overall substrate  100  uniformly, the lack of uniformity in the gate wiring is reduced.  
         [0070]     Now, another substrate treating method using the substrate treating apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 .  
         [0071]     The substrate  100  has a single inclination angle in one treating unit  10   a,    10   b,  or  10   c.  For example, a developing process is as follows.  
         [0072]     The substrate  100 , seated on the transporting unit  30 , is transported into the first treating unit  10   a  at operation  110 . The treatment solution  23  sprayed from the treatment solution dispenser  20 , namely the developing solution, starts to be supplied on the substrate  100  when the substrate  100  is carried into the first treating unit  10   a  and develops the photosensitive layer in step  210 . The substrate  100  is transported from the first treating unit  10   a  to a second treating unit  10   b,  and this direction is referred to as a first transportation direction. Also, the substrate  100  is transported while being inclined sideways by as much as the first inclination angle (θ 3 ). The lower part of the substrate  100  contacts the treatment solution  23  longer than the upper part of the substrate  100 .  
         [0073]     The transporting unit  30  can move the substrate  100  forward in the first transportation direction, or backward in the second transportation direction reverse to the first transportation direction.  
         [0074]     After the step  210 , the substrate  100  is transported to the second treating unit  10   b  in step  310 . The substrate  100  is transported horizontally and undergoes the developing treatment in step  410 . In other words, the second inclination angle θ 4  in the second treating unit  10   b  becomes 0°. Accordingly, the treatment solution  23  contacts the substrate  100  uniformly. As in the first treating unit  10   a,  the transporting unit  30  may move the substrate  100  forward or backward.  
         [0075]     Next, the substrate  100  is moved onto the third treating unit  10   c  in step  510 .  
         [0076]     While being transported into the third treating unit  10   c,  the substrate  100  is inclined sideways by as much as the third inclination angle θ 3  by the transporting unit  30  in step  610 . The third inclination angle θ 5  has the same value as the first inclination angle θ 3 , but has a reverse direction to the first inclination angle θ 3 . Namely, the part of the substrate  100  that was the lower end in the first treating unit  10   a  becomes the upper end in the third treating unit  10   c.  Conversely, the part of the substrate  100  that was the upper end in the first treating unit  10   a  becomes the lower end in the third treating unit  10   c.  Therefore, the area that was covered with a large amount of the treatment solution  23  in step  210  contacts a small amount of the treatment solution  23  in step  610  and, the area that was covered with a small amount of the treatment solution  23  in step  210  contacts a large amount of the treatment solution  23  in step  610 . As in the above cases, the transporting unit  30  may move the substrate  100  forward and backward.  
         [0077]     Meanwhile, another substrate  100  is carried into the first treating unit  10   a  and the above processes are repeated.  
       Second Embodiment  
       [0078]     Below here, a substrate treating apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 .  
         [0079]     A treatment solution dispenser  20  is extended in a direction that is perpendicular to the transportation direction of a substrate  100 , and includes a plurality of treatment solution pipes  21  parallel with one another and a plurality of nozzles  22  connected to each treatment solution pipe  21 . A treatment solution  23  is supplied to the treatment solution pipe  21  through a treatment solution tank (not shown) and a treatment solution pump (not shown). The treatment solution  23 , which is supplied to the treatment solution pipe  21 , is sprayed on substrate  100  through the nozzle  22 .  FIG. 6  shows a case where the substrate has a rectangular shape with two long sides and two short sides. As shown in  FIG. 6 , if the long sides of the substrate  100  are parallel to the transportation direction of the substrate  100 , the treatment solution pipe  21  is disposed parallel to one of the short sides of the substrate  100 . The spacial interval between the treatment solution pipes  21  may be constant. The spacial interval between the nozzles  22  also may be constant.  
         [0080]     Now, a spraying pressure of the treatment solution  23  applied on the substrate  100  will be described.  
         [0081]     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the substrate  100 , seated on the transporting unit  30 , is inclined at a predetermined angle θ 6  so that the treatment solution  23  can be removed quickly from the substrate  100 . In the embodiment, the inclination angle θ 6  of the substrate  100  may be 3° to 7°.  
         [0082]     The treatment solution pipe  21  disposed above the substrate  100  is also inclined at an inclination angle θ 7 , the inclination angle θ 7  of the treatment solution pipe  21  being larger than that θ 6  of the substrate  100 . The The inclination angle θ 7  of the treatment solution ipe  21  may be adjustable. Due to an inclination angle difference, the distance d 1  between the upper part A of the inclined substrate  100  and the nozzle  22  is greater than the distance d 2  between a lower part B of the inclined substrate  100  and the nozzle  22 . Accordingly, in the case that each nozzle  22  is operated with the same spraying pressure, the spraying pressure that is applied to the lower part B of the inclined substrate  100  will be more intense than on the upper part A of the inclined substrate  100 .  
         [0083]     A substrate treating method using the substrate treating apparatus  1  according to the second embodiment of the present invention is as follows.  
         [0084]     When the substrate  100  is transported by the transporting unit  30  to under the treatment solution dispenser  20 , the treatment solution  23  is sprayed uniformly on the overall substrate  100  through the nozzles  22 . The treatment solution  23  sprayed on the upper part A of the inclined surface of the substrate  100  treats the upper part A, and then flows down to the lower part B of the inclined surface of the substrate  100 . The treatment solution  23  sprayed on an area between the upper part A and the lower part B of the inclined substrate  100  flows down to the lower part B after treating the substrate  100 . Thus, the treatment solution  23  accumulates on the lower part B, and the lower part B is dipped in the treatment solution  23 . Consequently, the upper part A is treated by spraying the treatment solution  23  but the lower part B is treated by being dipped in the accumulated pool of treatment solution  23 . The substrate  100  is treated without uniformity.  
         [0085]     In the second embodiment, the lower part B of the inclined substrate  100  can be treated with spraying by reducing the distance d 2  between the lower part B of the inclined substrate  100  and the nozzle  22  and therefore increasing the spraying pressure of the treatment solution  23  applied to the substrate  100 . Further, due to the intense spraying pressure of the treatment solution  23 , the treatment solution  23  that is accumulated on the lower part B is quickly removed from the substrate  100 . With this configuration, the treatment solution  23  is sprayed on the overall substrate  100 , thereby treating the substrate  100  uniformly.  
         [0086]     After the above treatment is completed, the substrate  100  is transported to the next process. If the treatment is a developing process, the next process may be a washing process or an etching process. If the treatment is the etching process, the next process may be the washing process. If the treatment is the washing process, the next process may be a drying process.  
       Third Embodiment  
       [0087]     A substrate treating apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 8 .  
         [0088]     In this embodiment, an inclination angle θ 6  of a substrate  100  is the same as the inclination angle θ 8  of a treatment solution pipe  21 . The nozzle  22  near the low end B is made longer than the nozzle  22  near the upper end A. Thus, the outlet of the longer nozzle  22  is closer to a lower part B of the inclined substrate  100  than if the nozzle  22  were the same length as the nozzle  22  for the upper end A. With this configuration, a distance d 3  between an upper part A of the substrate  100  and the nozzle  22  is longer than that d 4  between the lower part B and the nozzle  22 . If each nozzle  22  sprays the treatment solution  23  with the same spraying pressure, the spraying pressure is applied to the lower part B of the inclined substrate  100  more intensely than to the upper part A, thereby treating the substrate  100  uniformly.  
       Fourth Embodiment  
       [0089]     A substrate treating apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 9 .  
         [0090]     An inclination angle θ 6  of a substrate  100  is the same as the inclination angle θ 8  of a treatment solution pipe  21 . The treatment solution pipe  21  includes a first treatment solution pipe  21   a  supplying an upper part A of the inclined substrate  100  with a treatment solution  23  and a second treatment solution pipe  21   b  supplying a lower part B of the inclined substrate  100  with the treatment solution  23 . The nozzle  22  includes a first nozzle  22   a  connected with the first treatment solution pipe  21   a  and a second nozzle  22   b  connected with the second treatment solution pipe  21   b.  Although not shown in the figures, each of the first treatment solution pipe  21   a  and second treatment solution pipe  22   b  are connected to a respective treatment solution pump supplying the treatment solution  23  at different pressures. In the fourth embodiment, the spraying pressure of the treatment solution  23  sprayed from the second nozzle  22   b  connected with the second treatment solution pipe  21   b  is higher than that sprayed from the first nozzle  22   a  connected with the first treatment solution pipe  21   a.  Consequently, the spraying pressure of the treatment solution  23  is applied to the lower part B of the inclined substrate  100  is higher than on the upper part A, thereby treating the substrate  100  uniformly.  
       Fifth Embodiment  
       [0091]     A substrate treating apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 10 and 11 .  
         [0092]     A treatment solution pipe  21  is disposed parallel to the transportation direction of a substrate  100 . The treatment solution pipes  21  may be spaced apart by a constant interval. Likewise, the nozzles  22  may be spaced apart by a constant interval.  
         [0093]     The distance between the treatment solution pipe  21  and the substrate  100  decreases as the treatment solution pipe  21  becomes closer to a lower part B of the inclined substrate  100 . Thus, a distance d 5  between an upper part A of the inclined substrate  100  and the nozzle  22  is larger than the distance d 6  between the lower part B and the nozzle  22 . Due to the varying separation distance, the treatment solution  23  is sprayed on the lower part B of the inclined surface of the substrate  100  more intensely than on the upper part A, thereby treating the substrate  100  uniformly.  
         [0094]     The above embodiments can be modified in various ways. For example, the inclination angles of the substrate and the treatment solution pipe may be different, and the length of the nozzle may be changeable. Further, the sideways inclination angle of the substrate in either direction may be adjusted along with the spraying pressure of the treatment solution to achieve the desired uniformity.  
         [0095]     Although the above embodiments illustrate the substrate for an LCD, the substrate may also be the substrate for a flat display device like an OLED (organic light emitting diode) device or a semiconductor wafer.  
         [0096]     Although a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.