SUBSTRATE PROCESSING APPARATUS

A substrate processing apparatus includes a heat treatment chamber providing a heat treatment space for heat-treating a substrate, a cooling chamber arranged apart from the heat treatment chamber in a horizontal direction, and a cover sealing the heat treatment chamber and the cooling chamber, wherein the cooling chamber includes a housing defining a cooling treatment space therein, a cooling plate on which the substrate is placed, a first carry-in/out port arranged in one inner wall of the housing and defining a path through which the substrate is externally carried in/out with respect to the cooling chamber, and a first purge gas supply unit arranged in an inner wall of the housing and providing a first purge gas to the cooling treatment space.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0150980, filed on Nov. 11, 2022, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates to a substrate processing apparatus, and more particularly, to an apparatus for heat-treating a substrate.

2. Description of the Related Art

In order to manufacture a semiconductor device, various processes, such as photolithography, etching, deposition, ion-injection, cleaning, and the like, are performed. Among them, a photolithography process is used to form a pattern, which is important for achieving high integration of a semiconductor device.

The photolithography process generally consists of a coating process, an exposure process, and a development process, and a baking process is performed before or after the exposure process is performed. The baking process is used to heat-treat a substrate, and in this process, after a substrate is placed on a heating plate, the substrate is heat-treated through a heater provided inside the heating plate.

SUMMARY

Provided is a substrate processing apparatus which may maintain a low oxygen saturation during a baking process by including a gas supply unit for providing an inert gas not only in a heat treatment chamber, but also in a cooling treatment chamber.

Provided is a substrate processing apparatus which may maintain a low oxygen saturation during a baking process, by including a cover for sealing the heat treatment chamber and the cooling treatment chamber.

The technical objectives to be achieved by the disclosure are not limited to the above-described objectives, and other technical objectives that are not mentioned herein would be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art from the description of the disclosure.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a substrate processing apparatus includes a heat treatment chamber providing a heat treatment space for heat-treating a substrate, a cooling chamber arranged apart from the heat treatment chamber in a horizontal direction, and a cover sealing the heat treatment chamber and the cooling chamber, wherein the cooling chamber includes a housing defining a cooling treatment space therein, a cooling plate on which the substrate is placed, a first carry-in/out port arranged in one inner wall of the housing and defining a path through which the substrate is externally carried in/out with respect to the cooling chamber, and a first purge gas supply unit arranged in an inner wall of the housing and providing a first purge gas to the cooling treatment space.

In an embodiment, the substrate processing apparatus may further include a controller configured to control a supply of the first purge gas by the first purge gas supply unit.

In an embodiment, the controller may be further configured to control the first purge gas supply unit to inject a first purge gas while the first carry-in/out port is opened.

In an embodiment, the substrate processing apparatus may further include a transfer robot configured to transfer the substrate from the heat treatment chamber to the cooling chamber, wherein the controller may be further configured to control transfer of the substrate by the transfer robot.

In an embodiment, the heat treatment chamber further may include a second purge gas supply unit providing a second purge gas to the heat treatment space, and the controller may be further configured to control a supply of the second purge gas by the second purge gas supply unit.

In an embodiment, the heat treatment chamber further may include a second carry-in/out port defining a path through which the substrate is externally carried in/out with respect to the heat treatment chamber, and the controller may be further configured to control the second purge gas supply unit to inject the second purge gas while the second carry-in/out port is opened.

In an embodiment, the first purge gas supply unit may include a gas injection hole through which the first purge gas is injected, and the gas injection hole may be arranged to face the first carry-in/out port.

In an embodiment, the first purge gas may include an inert gas having a constant temperature.

In an embodiment, the first purge gas may include an inert gas including nitrogen (N2)

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a substrate processing apparatus includes a heat treatment chamber providing a heat treatment space for heat-treating a substrate, a cooling chamber arranged apart from the heat treatment chamber in a horizontal direction, and a cover sealing the heat treatment chamber and the cooling chamber, wherein the cooling chamber may include a housing defining a cooling treatment space therein, a cooling plate on which the substrate is placed, a first carry-in/out port defining a path through which the substrate is externally carried in/out with respect to the cooling chamber, and a first purge gas supply unit providing a first purge gas to the cooling treatment space, and wherein the cover may include a gas supply unit arranged in one side wall inside the cover and providing an inert gas to the inside of the cover, and a discharge unit arranged in the other side wall opposite to the one side wall and discharging the inert gas.

In an embodiment, the substrate processing apparatus may further include a controller configured to control a supply of the first purge gas by the first purge gas supply unit and a supply of the inert gas by the gas supply unit.

In an embodiment, the controller may be further configured to control the gas supply unit to inject the inert gas while the first carry-in/out port is opened.

In an embodiment, the substrate processing apparatus may further include a transfer robot configured to transfer the substrate from the heat treatment chamber to the cooling chamber, wherein the controller may be further configured to control transfer of the substrate by the transfer robot.

In an embodiment, the heat treatment chamber may further include a second purge gas supply unit providing a second purge gas to the heat treatment space, and the controller may be further configured to control a supply of the second purge gas by the second purge gas supply unit.

In an embodiment, the heat treatment chamber further may include a second carry-in/out port defining a path through which the substrate is externally carried in/out with respect to the heat treatment chamber, and the controller may be further configured to control the second purge gas supply unit to inject the second purge gas while the second carry-in/out port is opened.

In an embodiment, the cover may include an entrance defining a path through which the substrate is externally carried in/out, and the controller may be further configured to control the gas supply unit to inject the inert gas while the entrance is opened.

In an embodiment, the controller may be further configured to control the discharge unit to be opened while the gas supply unit injects the inert gas.

In an embodiment, the first purge gas may include an inert gas including nitrogen (N2).

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a substrate processing apparatus includes a heat treatment chamber providing a heat treatment space for heat-treating a substrate, a cooling chamber arranged apart from the heat treatment chamber in a horizontal direction, and a cover sealing the heat treatment chamber and the cooling chamber, wherein the cooling chamber may include a housing defining a cooling treatment space therein, a cooling plate on which the substrate is placed, a first carry-in/out port defining a path through which the substrate is externally carried in/out with respect to the cooling chamber, a first purge gas supply unit arranged in an inner wall of the housing and providing a first purge gas to the cooling treatment space, wherein the heat treatment chamber may include a second purge gas supply unit providing a second purge gas to the heat treatment space, and a second carry-in/out port defining a path through which the substrate is externally carried in/out with respect to the heat treatment chamber, wherein the first purge gas supply unit may include a gas injection hole through which the first purge gas is injected, and arranged to face the first carry-in/out port, and wherein the first purge gas may include an inert gas including nitrogen (N2) and having a constant temperature.

In an embodiment, the substrate processing apparatus may further include a controller configured to control a supply of the first purge gas by the first purge gas supply unit, and a transfer robot configured to transfer the substrate from the heat treatment chamber to the cooling chamber, wherein the controller may be further configured to control the first purge gas supply unit to inject a first purge gas while the first carry-in/out port is opened, control transfer of the substrate by the transfer robot, control a supply of the second purge gas by the second purge gas supply unit, and control the second purge gas supply unit to inject the second purge gas while the second carry-in/out port is opened.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the disclosure does not have to be configured as limited to the embodiments described below and may be embodied in various other forms. The following embodiments are not provided to fully complete the disclosure, but rather to fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

FIGS.1to3are schematic views showing a substrate processing apparatus1according to an embodiment.FIG.1is a plan view of the substrate processing apparatus1, andFIG.2is a cross-sectional view of the substrate processing apparatus1ofFIG.1when viewed from a direction A-A.FIG.3is a cross-sectional view of the substrate processing apparatus1ofFIG.1when viewed from a direction B-B.

Referring toFIGS.1to3, the substrate processing apparatus1includes a load port100, an index module200, a buffer module300, a coating and developing module400, an interface module700, and a purge module800. The load port100, the index module200, the buffer module300, the coating and developing module400, and the interface module700are sequentially arranged in a row in one direction. The purge module800may be provided in the interface module700. Unlike the above, the purge module800may be provided at various positions, such as a position at the rear end of the interface module700where an exposure device is connected, in a side portion of the interface module700, or the like.

Hereinafter, a direction in which the load port100, the index module200, the buffer module300, the coating and developing module400, and the interface module700are arranged is referred to as a first direction (x direction). When viewed from the top, a direction perpendicular to the first direction (x direction) is referred to as a second direction (y direction), and a direction perpendicular to each of the first direction (x direction) and the second direction (y direction) is referred to as a third direction (z direction).

A substrate W is moved in a state of being accommodated in a cassette20. The cassette20has a structure sealed from the outside. As an example, a front open unified pod (FOUP) having a door in the front side may be used as the cassette20.

In the following description, the load port100, the index module200, the buffer module300, the coating and developing module400, the interface module700, and the purge module800are described. The load port100has a susceptor120on which the cassette20accommodating the substrate W is placed. The susceptor120may include a plurality of susceptors, and the susceptors120may be arranged in a row in the second direction (y direction).FIG.1illustrates four susceptors120.

The index module200transfers the substrate W between the cassette20placed on the susceptor120of the load port100and the buffer module300. The index module200may include a frame210, an index robot220, and a guide rail230. The frame210generally has an empty cuboidal shape. The frame210is arranged between the load port100and the buffer module300. The frame210of the index module200may be provided at a height lower than a frame310of the buffer module300described below. The index robot220and the guide rail230are arranged inside the frame210. The index robot220has a 4-axis drivable structure to allow a hand221directly handling the substrate W to be rotatable and movable in the first direction (x direction), the second direction (y direction), and the third direction (z direction). The index robot220include the hand221, an arm222, a support223, and a base224. The hand221is fixedly mounted on the arm222. The arm222has an extractable structure and a rotatable structure. The support223is arranged with the length direction thereof aligned in the third direction (z direction). The arm222is coupled to the support23to be movable along the support223. The support223is fixedly coupled to the base224. The guide rail230is arranged with the length direction thereof aligned in the second direction (y direction). The base224is coupled to the guide rail230to be movable linearly along the guide rail230

Furthermore, although it is not illustrated, the frame210is further provided with a door opening for opening/closing a door of the cassette20.

The buffer module300includes the frame310, a first buffer320, a second buffer330, a cooling chamber350, and a first buffer robot360. The frame310has an empty cuboidal shape, and is arranged between the index module200and the coating and developing module400. The first buffer320, the second buffer330, the cooling chamber350, and the first buffer robot360are arranged inside the frame310. The cooling chamber350, the second buffer330, and the first buffer320are sequentially arranged upwards in the third direction (z direction). The first buffer320is located at a height corresponding to a coating module401of the coating and developing module400which is described below, and the second buffer330and the cooling chamber350are provided at a height corresponding to a developing module402of the coating and developing module400which is described below. The first buffer robot360is separated a distance from the second buffer330, the cooling chamber350, and the first buffer320in the second direction (y direction).

The first buffer320and the second buffer330each temporarily store the substrate W. The second buffer330includes a housing331and a plurality of supports332. The supports332are arranged in the housing331to be spaced apart from each other in the third direction (z direction). One substrate W is placed on each of the supports332. The housing331has an opening (not shown) in a direction in which the index robot220is provided and a direction in which the first buffer robot360is provided, so that the index robot220and the first buffer robot360may carry in or out the substrate W with respect to each of the supports332in the housing331. The first buffer320has a structure approximately similar to the second buffer330. However, a housing321of the first buffer320has an opening (not shown) in a direction in which the first buffer robot360is provided and a direction in which a coating module robot432located in the coating module401is provided. The number of the supports322provided in the first buffer320and the number of the supports332provided in the second buffer330may be identical to or different from each other. In an example, the number of the supports332provided in the second buffer330may be greater than the number of the supports322provided in the first buffer320.

The first buffer robot360transfers the substrate W between the first buffer320and the second buffer330. The first buffer robot360includes a hand361, an arm362, and a support363. The hand361is fixedly installed to the arm362. The arm362has an extractable structure so that the hand361is movable in the second direction (y direction). The arm362is coupled to the support363to be linearly movable in the third direction (z direction) along the support363. The support363has a length extending from a position corresponding to the second buffer330to a position corresponding to the first buffer320. The support363may be longer than the above length in the upper or lower direction. The first buffer robot360may be provided such that the hand361is capable of only 2-axis driving in the second direction (y direction) and the third direction (z direction).

The cooling chamber350cools each substrate W. The cooling chamber350includes a housing351and a cooling plate352. The cooling plate352has an upper surface on which the substrate W is placed and a cooling device353for cooling the substrate W. Various methods, such as cooling using a coolant, cooling using a thermoelectric device, and the like, may be used as the cooling device353. Furthermore, the cooling chamber350may be provided with a lift pin assembly for placing the substrate W on the cooling plate352. The housing351has an opening (not shown) in the direction in which the index robot220is provided and a direction in which a developing module robot482is provided, so that the index robot220and the developing module robot482provided in the developing module402may carry in or out the substrate W with respect to the cooling plate352. Furthermore, the cooling chamber350may be provided with doors for opening and closing the opening described above.

The coating module401includes a resist coating process of coating a photosensitive solution such as photoresist on the substrate W and a heat treatment process of heating and cooling the substrate W before and after the resist coating process. The coating module401has a liquid processing chamber410, a bake unit500, and a transfer chamber430. The liquid processing chamber410, the bake unit500, and the transfer chamber430are sequentially arranged in the second direction (y direction). The liquid processing chamber410may be provided as a resist coating chamber410that performs a resist application process on the substrate W. The resist coating chamber410includes a plurality of resist coating chambers which are arranged in each of the first direction (x direction) and the third direction (z direction). The bake unit500includes a plurality of bake units which are arranged in each of the first direction (x direction) and the third direction (z direction).

The transfer chamber430is located parallel to the first buffer320of the buffer module300in the first direction (x direction). The coating module robot432and a guide rail433are located in the transfer chamber430. The transfer chamber430has an approximately rectangular shape. The coating module robot432transfers the substrate W among the bake units500, the resist coating chambers410, and the first buffer320of the buffer module300. The guide rail433is arranged such that a length direction thereof is parallel to the first direction (x direction). The guide rail433guides the coating module robot432to linearly move in the first direction (x direction). The coating module robot432includes a hand434, an arm435, a support436, and a base437. The hand434is fixedly installed on the arm435. The arm435has an extractable structure so that the hand434is movable in the horizontal direction. The support436is provided such that a length direction thereof is arranged in the third direction (z direction). The arm435is coupled to the support436to be linearly movable in the third direction (z direction) along the support436. The support436is fixedly coupled to the base437, and the base437is coupled to the guide rail433to be movable along the guide rail433.

The resist coating chambers410all have the same structure. However, the type of photoresist used in each of the resist coating chambers410may be different from each other. In an example, chemical amplification resist may be used as the photoresist. The resist coating chamber410is provided to coat photoresist on the substrate W. The resist coating chamber410includes a housing411, a support plate412, and a nozzle413. The housing411has a cup shape with an open upper portion. The support plate412is located in the housing411, and supports the substrate W. The support plate412is rotatable. The nozzle413supplies photoresist to the substrate W placed on the support plate412. The nozzle413has a circular tube shape, and may supply photoresist to the center of the substrate W. Optionally, the nozzle413may have a length corresponding to the diameter of the substrate W, and a discharge hole of the nozzle413may be provided as a slit. Furthermore, the resist coating chamber410may be further provided with a nozzle414for supplying a washing liquid such as deionized water to wash a surface of the substrate W on which photoresist is coated.

Referring toFIGS.1to3, the developing module402includes a development process of supplying photoresist and removing a portion of the photoresist to obtain a pattern on the substrate W, and a heat treatment process of heating and cooling the substrate W before and after the development process. The developing module402includes a liquid processing chamber460, the bake unit500, and a transfer chamber480. The liquid processing chamber460, the bake unit500, and the transfer chamber480are sequentially arranged in the second direction (y direction). The liquid processing chamber460may be provided as a development chamber. The development chamber460and the bake unit500are arranged spaced apart from each other in the second direction (y direction) with the transfer chamber480therebetween. The development chamber460includes a plurality of development chambers which are arranged in each of the first direction (x direction) and in the third direction (z direction).

The transfer chamber480is located parallel to the second buffer330of the buffer module300in the first direction (x direction). The developing module robot482and a guide rail483are located in the transfer chamber480. The transfer chamber480has an approximately rectangular shape. The developing module robot482transfers the substrate W between the bake units500, the development chambers460, the second buffer330of the buffer module300, and the cooling chamber350. The guide rail483is arranged such that a length direction thereof is parallel to the first direction (x direction). The guide rail483guides the developing module robot482to linearly move in the first direction (x direction). The developing module robot482includes a hand484, an arm485, a support486, and a base487. The hand484is fixedly installed on the arm485. The arm485has an extractable structure so that the hand484is movable in the horizontal direction. The support486is provided such that a length direction thereof is arranged in the third direction (z direction). The arm485is coupled to the support486to be linearly movable in the third direction (z direction) along the support486. The support486is fixedly coupled to the base487. The base487is coupled to the guide rail483to be movable along the guide rail483.

The development chambers460all have the same structure. However, the type of a developer used in each development chamber460may be different from each other. The development chamber460removes an area to which light is irradiated from the photoresist on the substrate W. In this state, an area to which light is irradiated is removed from a protective/passivation film. Optionally, according to the type of photoresist in use, only an area to which light is not irradiated may be removed from areas of the photoresist and the protective/passivation film. The development chamber460include a housing461, a support plate462, and a nozzle463. The housing461has a cup shape with an open upper portion. The support plate462is located in the housing461, and supports the substrate W. The support plate462is rotatable. The nozzle463supplies a developer onto the substrate W placed on which the support plate462. The nozzle463has a circular tube shape, and may supply a developer to the center of the substrate W. Optionally, the nozzle463has a length corresponding to the diameter of the substrate W, and a discharge hole of the nozzle463is provided as a slit. Furthermore, the development chamber460may be further provided with a nozzle464for supplying a washing liquid such as deionized water to wash the surface of the substrate W on which the developer is supplied.

The heat treatment chamber provided to the developing module402may be identical to the bake unit500described above.

As described above, in the coating and developing module400, the coating module401and the developing module402are provided separated from each other. Furthermore, when viewed from the top, the coating module401and the developing module402may have the same chamber arrangement.

The interface module700transfers the substrate W. The interface module700includes a frame710, a first buffer720, a second buffer730, and an interface robot740. The first buffer720, the second buffer730, and the interface robot740are located inside the frame710. The first buffer720and the second buffer730are separated a certain distance from each other and stacked on each other. The first buffer720is arranged higher than the second buffer730.

The interface robot740is arranged apart from the first buffer720and the second buffer730in the second direction (y direction). The interface robot740transports the substrate W among the first buffer720, the second buffer730, and an exposure device900.

The first buffer720temporarily stores the substrates WS having been processed before being moved to the exposure device900. The second buffer730temporarily stores the substrates WS having completed a process in the exposure device900before being moved. The first buffer720includes a housing721and a plurality of supports722. The supports722are arranged inside the housing721, and are arranged apart from each other in the third direction (z direction). One substrate W is placed on each of the supports722. The housing721has an opening (not shown) in a direction in which the interface robot740is provided and a direction in which the pretreatment robot632is provided, so that the interface robot740and the pretreatment robot632may carry in or out the substrates W on the supports722with respect to the housing721. The second buffer730has a structure similar to the first buffer720. The interface module700may be provided with buffers and robot only as described above without providing a chamber for performing a certain process on a wafer.

FIGS.4A and4Bare cross-sectional views illustrating a bake unit500a, which is an example of the bake unit500shown inFIG.3.

Referring toFIGS.4A and4B, the bake unit500amay include a heat treatment chamber2000providing a heat treatment space of heat-treating the substrate W and a cooling chamber1000arranged apart from the heat treatment chamber2000in the horizontal direction. In the heat treatment chamber2000, a baking process may be performed on the substrate W with heat of a high temperature. The substrate W having completed a baking process with heat of a high temperature may be transferred to the cooling chamber1000. A description thereof will be presented later in detail. However, according to an embodiment, the substrate W may wait in the cooling chamber1000before a baking process is performed in the heat treatment chamber2000with heat of a high temperature, and then may be transferred to the heat treatment chamber2000and transferred back to the cooling chamber1000to be cooled.

According to an embodiment, the bake unit500amay include a cover510for sealing the heat treatment chamber2000and the cooling chamber1000. Furthermore, the cover510may include an entrance512providing a path through which the substrate W may be externally carried in/out. Air including oxygen may be introduced into the bake unit500athrough the entrance512.

For the manufacturing of a precision device, the bake unit500amay maintain a relatively low oxygen saturation. Accordingly, to prevent air including oxygen from being externally introduced during the baking process, the cover510may perform sealing the heat treatment chamber2000and the cooling chamber1000.

According to an embodiment, the heat treatment chamber2000and the cooling chamber1000may each include a first lift pin1240and a second lift pin2240. Although three first lift pins1240and three second lift pins2240are illustrated in the drawing, the disclosure is not limited to the above numbers. A plurality of lift pins (1240,2240) may perform elevating so that the substrate W may be appropriately loaded/unloaded with respect to each of the heat treatment chamber2000and the cooling chamber1000.

FIG.5is a schematic view of a controller610, a transfer robot620, the heat treatment chamber2000, and the cooling chamber1000.

Referring toFIG.5, the heat treatment chamber2000may include a heating plate2100in an inner spaced in which a baking process may be performed. After the substrate W is placed on the heating plate2100, the heating plate2100is maintained at a high temperature so that a baking process may be performed.

The cooling chamber1000may include therein a housing1050for defining a cooling treatment space CS. The cooling chamber1000may include, in the cooling treatment space CS, a cooling plate1100for performing a cooling treatment process. After the substrate W is placed on the cooling plate1100, the cooling plate1100is maintained at a low temperature so that the substrate W may be maintained at a low temperature.

According to an embodiment, the bake unit500amay include the transfer robot620for transferring the substrate W from the heat treatment chamber2000to the cooling chamber1000, and the controller610for controlling the transfer of the substrate W by the transfer robot620. The controller610may be implemented by hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, the controller610may be a computer device, such as a work station computer, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and the like. For example, the controller610may include a memory device, such as read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), etc., a processor configured to perform a certain calculation and algorithm, such as a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), etc., and the like

According to an embodiment, the cooling chamber1000may include a first carry-in/out port1300arranged in one inner wall of the housing1050and defining a path through which the substrate W is externally carried in/out with respect to the cooling chamber1000. Furthermore, the cooling chamber1000may include a first purge gas supply unit1200arranged in the inner wall of the housing1050and providing a first purge gas (G1; seeFIG.6B) to the cooling treatment space CS. In this state, the first purge gas supply unit1200may include a first gas injection hole1210through which a first purge gas G1is injected, and the first gas injection hole1210may be arranged to face the first carry-in/out port1300. As the substrate W is carried in/out through the first carry-in/out port1300, air including oxygen may be introduced with the substrate W, and thus, the first purge gas G1is injected through the first gas injection hole1210so that the low oxygen saturation of the cooling treatment space CS may be maintained.

According to an embodiment, the heat treatment chamber2000may include a second carry-in/out port2300for defining a path through which the substrate W is externally carried in/out with respect to the heat treatment chamber2000. Furthermore, the heat treatment chamber2000may include a second purge gas supply unit2200for providing a second purge gas (G2; seeFIG.6A) to a heat treatment space HS in the heat treatment chamber2000. In this state, the second purge gas supply unit2200may include a second gas injection hole2210through which a second purge gas G2is injected, and the second gas injection hole2210may be arranged to face the second carry-in/out port2300. As the substrate W is carried out from the heat treatment chamber2000through the second carry-in/out port2300, air including oxygen may be introduced with the substrate W, and thus, the second purge gas G2is injected through the second gas injection hole2210so that the low oxygen saturation of the heat treatment space HS may be maintained.

According to an embodiment, a plurality of purge gas supply units (1200,2200) may each include a plurality of supply lines (1220,2220) and storages (1230,2230). In detail, the first purge gas supply unit1200may include a first storage1230for storing the first purge gas G1, and a first supply line1220through which the first purge gas G1is supplied from the first storage1230to the first gas injection hole1210. Likewise, the second purge gas supply unit2200may include a second storage2230for storing the second purge gas G2, and a second supply line2200through which the second purge gas G2is supplied from the second storage2230to the second gas injection hole2210.

According to an embodiment, the first purge gas G1and the second purge gas G2may be an inert gas including nitrogen (N2). Furthermore, the first purge gas G1and the second purge gas G2may be an inert gas having a constant temperature when being supplied to a cooling processing space (CS) or the heat treatment space HS through a plurality of purge gas supply units (1200,2200).

FIGS.6A and6Bare schematic views of the mechanism among the controller610, the transfer robot620, and a plurality of purge gas supply units (1200,2200).

Referring toFIG.6A, the second carry-in/out port2300of the heat treatment chamber2000is open, and the first carry-in/out port1300of the cooling chamber1000is closed. The controller610may be configured to control a supply of the second purge gas G2of the second purge gas supply unit2200. As the second carry-in/out port2300of the heat treatment chamber2000is opened, the substrate W may be introduced into the heat treatment chamber2000. In this state, air including oxygen may be introduced into the heat treatment chamber2000.

The controller610may control a supply of the second purge gas G2of the second purge gas supply unit2200. As illustrated inFIG.6A, while the second carry-in/out port2300of the heat treatment chamber2000is open, the controller610may control the second purge gas supply unit2200to inject the second purge gas G2. As the substrate W is carried in the heat treatment chamber2000through the second carry-in/out port2300, air including oxygen may in introduced with the substrate W, and thus, the second purge gas G2is injected through the second gas injection hole2210so that the low oxygen saturation of the heat treatment space HS may be maintained.

Referring toFIG.6B, the first carry-in/out port1300of the cooling chamber1000is opened, and the second carry-in/out port2300of the heat treatment chamber2000is closed. The controller610may be configured to control a supply of the first purge gas G1of the first purge gas supply unit1200. As the first carry-in/out port1300of the cooling chamber1000is opened, the substrate W may be introduced into the cooling chamber1000. In this state, air including oxygen may be introduced into the cooling chamber1000.

The controller610may control a supply of the first purge gas G1of the first purge gas supply unit1200. As illustrated inFIG.6B, while the first carry-in/out port1300of the cooling chamber1000is open, the controller610may control the first purge gas supply unit1200to inject the first purge gas G1. As the substrate W is carried in the cooling chamber1000through the first carry-in/out port1300, air including oxygen may be introduced with the substrate W, and thus, the first purge gas G1is injected through the first gas injection hole1210so that the low oxygen saturation of the cooling treatment space CS may be maintained.

FIG.7is a cross-sectional view of a bake unit500bincluded in the substrate processing apparatus1according to another embodiment.

The bake unit500bofFIG.7is substantially the same as the bake unit500aillustrated inFIGS.4A to6B, except that the cover510for sealing the cooling chamber1000and the heat treatment chamber2000further includes a gas supply unit580and a discharge unit590. Accordingly, redundant descriptions of the constituent elements of the bake unit500aillustrated inFIGS.4A to6Bare omitted.

According to an embodiment, the cover510may include the gas supply unit580arranged in one side wall of the cover510and supplying an inert gas to the inside of the cover510. Furthermore, the cover510may include the discharge unit590arranged in the other side wall opposite to the one side wall and through which the inert gas is discharged.

The gas supply unit580may include a main supply duct582provided in one side of the cover510, and a supply line584branched from the main supply duct582and connected to a supply hole516. Furthermore, the discharge unit590may include a main discharge duct592provided in the other side of the cover510, and a discharge line594branched from the main discharge duct592and connected to a discharge hole518.

The controller610, as described with reference toFIGS.5,6A, and6B, may be configured to control the transfer of the substrate W by the transfer robot620. Furthermore, the controller610may be configured to control the supply of the first purge gas G1of the first purge gas supply unit1200of the cooling chamber1000ofFIG.5and the supply of the second purge gas G2of the second purge gas supply unit2200of FIG. of the heat treatment chamber2000. The control of the first purge gas supply unit1200and the second purge gas supply unit2200by the controller610is identical to the descriptions presented with reference toFIGS.6A and6B.

According to an embodiment, the cover510may include the entrance512for defining a path through which the substrate W may be externally carried in/out.

FIGS.8A and8Bare schematic views of the mechanism between the controller610and the gas supply unit580.

Referring toFIGS.8A and8B, when the substrate W is introduced into the bake unit500b, the entrance512may be opened. In this state, air including oxygen may be externally introduced with the substrate W. As illustrated inFIG.8A, the controller610may control such that an inert gas G is injected from the gas supply unit580while the entrance512is open. The inert gas G injected from the gas supply unit580may increase a pressure in the cover510, and an inflow rate of air including oxygen from the outside may be decreased. Accordingly, the oxygen saturation in the cover510may be maintained low.

According to an embodiment, while the inert gas G is injected from the gas supply unit580, the controller610may control the discharge unit590to be opened. Accordingly, the inert gas G injected from the gas supply unit580may be discharged through the discharge unit590.