Substrate processing apparatus

In a substrate processing apparatus, the inner peripheral edge of a second-cup canopy part radially opposes an outer peripheral surface of an opposing-member side wall part. This suppresses dispersion of processing liquids to above a cup part. A second-cup gap distance that is a radial distance between the outer peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part and the inner peripheral edge of the second-cup canopy part is greater than a holder gap distance that is a radial distance between the inner peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part and the outer peripheral surface of the substrate holder. This prevents or suppresses the possibility that, when a second processing liquid dispersed from a substrate is received by a second cup, the second processing liquid may be pushed downward by a downward airflow. Accordingly, a plurality of types of processing liquids will be separately received by a plurality of cups.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a substrate processing apparatus for processing substrates.

BACKGROUND ART

A process of manufacturing semiconductor substrates (hereinafter, simply referred to as “substrates”) conventionally involves various types of processing that is performed on substrates. For example, chemical solution processing such as etching is performed on a surface of a substrate having a resist pattern on the surface thereof, by supplying a chemical solution to the substrate. After the chemical solution processing has ended, cleaning processing is performed by supplying a cleaning liquid to the substrate, and then dry processing is performed on the substrate.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-153947 (Document 1) proposes a substrate processing apparatus for processing substrates in an atmosphere where the oxygen concentration is low. The substrate processing apparatus includes a spin chunk that holds and rotates a substrate, a shielding member that is disposed over the substrate, and a cup that surrounds a spin base of the spin chunk. The shielding member has an opposed surface disposed over the substrate and an inner peripheral surface surrounding the substrate. The lower end of the inner peripheral surface of the shielding member is disposed in the periphery of the spin base.

The space between the upper surface of the substrate and the opposed surface of the shielding member is filled with an inert gas that is discharged from a discharge port of the shielding member. This reduces the oxygen concentration in an atmosphere that is in contact with the upper and outer peripheral surfaces of the substrate. The inert gas in the space between the substrate and the shielding member is drawn through the cup by suction by an exhaust unit provided at the bottom of the cup, flows into the cup from between the lower end of the inner peripheral surface of the shielding member and the outer peripheral surface of the spin base, and is exhausted to the outside of the cup.

In the substrate processing apparatus of Document 1, the distance in the radial direction between the cup upper end portion and the shielding member is less than the distance in the radial direction between the lower end of the inner peripheral surface of the shielding member and the outer peripheral surface of the spin base. By making small the ring-shaped clearance between the cup upper end portion and the shielding member in this way, it is possible to suppress the possibility that processing liquids dispersed from a rotating substrate into the cup may be dispersed through this clearance into the space above the cup.

Now, in the case where a plurality of types of processing liquids are sequentially supplied to a substrate and used to process the substrate, substrate processing apparatuses may separately recover or discard the processing liquids depending on the type of processing liquid. In this case, a plurality of cups may be disposed one inside another in the radial direction around the substrate, and the cups for receiving a processing liquid dispersed from the substrate may be switched by moving some of the cups in the up-down direction. For example, when a processing liquid is received by a radially outer cup, radially inward cups may be moved downward to place the radially outer cup around the substrate.

A case is assumed in which the substrate processing apparatus of Document 1 includes a plurality of cups and separate the aforementioned plurality of types of processing liquids. If a processing liquid is received by a radially outer cap, the small clearance between the cup upper end portion and the shielding member may increase the velocity of downflow of a gas that flows from the space over the cup into the cup through the clearance, and the processing liquid dispersed from the substrate into the cup may be caused to flow downward by the downflow of the gas. Consequently, the processing liquid that is supposed to be received by the radially outer cup may flow into a radially inner cup placed below the radially outer cup.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention is intended for a substrate processing apparatus for processing substrates, and it is an object of the present invention to separately receive a plurality of types of processing liquids by a plurality of cups while suppressing dispersion of the processing liquids into the space above a cup part.

The substrate processing apparatus according to the present invention includes

a substrate holder of a disk-like shape having an outer diameter larger than an outer diameter of a substrate, disposed below the substrate, and for holding the substrate in a horizontal position, a substrate rotation mechanism for rotating the substrate holder about a central axis pointing in an up-down direction, an opposing member that opposes an upper surface of the substrate, a processing-liquid supply part for supplying a processing liquid to the upper surface of the substrate, a gas supply part for supplying a treatment atmospheric gas to a processing space that is a space between a lower surface of the opposing member and the upper surface of the substrate, a cup part disposed around the substrate holder and for receiving the processing liquid from the substrate, and a gas discharge part for discharging a gas in the cup part to an outside of the cup part by suction. The processing-liquid supply part includes a first processing-liquid supply part for supplying a first processing liquid to the substrate, and a second processing-liquid supply part for supplying a second processing liquid to the substrate. The opposing member includes an opposing-member canopy part that opposes the upper surface of the substrate, and an opposing-member side wall part that extends downward from an outer peripheral portion of the opposing-member canopy part, and has an outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical shape and an inner peripheral surface that opposes an outer peripheral surface of the substrate holder in a radial direction. The cup part includes a first cup having a first-cup side wall part of a cylindrical shape and a first-cup canopy part of a circular ring plate-like shape and for receiving the first processing liquid from the substrate, the first-cup canopy part extending radially inward from an upper edge of the first-cup side wall part, and a second cup having a second-cup side wall part of a cylindrical shape and a second-cup canopy part of a circular ring plate-like shape, disposed radially outward of the first cup, and for receiving the second processing liquid from the substrate, the second-cup canopy part extending radially inward from an upper edge of the second-cup side wall part and having an inner peripheral edge that opposes the outer peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part in the radial direction, and a cup moving mechanism for moving the first cup relative to the substrate holder in the up-down direction. The first processing liquid supplied to the upper surface of the substrate that is being rotated is received by the first cup while the first cup is at a first processing position at which an inner peripheral edge of the first-cup canopy part opposes the outer peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part in the radial direction. The second processing liquid supplied to the upper surface of the substrate that is being rotated is received by the second cup while the first cup is at a second processing position at which the inner peripheral edge of the first-cup canopy part is located below a lower end of the opposing-member side wall part. A second-cup gap distance that is a distance in the radial direction between the outer peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part and the inner peripheral edge of the second-cup canopy part is greater than a holder gap distance that is a distance in the radial direction between the inner peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part and the outer peripheral surface of the substrate holder. The substrate processing apparatus can separately receive a plurality of types of processing liquids by a plurality of cups while suppressing dispersion of the processing liquids into the space above the cup part.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a lower surface of the second-cup canopy part includes an inclined surface that is inclined downward outwardly in the radial direction from the inner peripheral edge of the second-cup canopy part.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the opposing-member canopy part has an opposing-member opening in a central portion thereof, the first processing liquid and the second processing liquid from the processing-liquid supply part are supplied through the opposing-member opening to the upper surface of the substrate, and a first-cup gap distance that is a distance in the radial direction between the outer peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part and the inner peripheral edge of the first-cup canopy part is greater than the holder gap distance.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a lower surface of the first-cup canopy part includes an inclined surface that is inclined downward outwardly in the radial direction from the inner peripheral edge of the first-cup canopy part.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the opposing member rotates about the central axis when the substrate holder rotates.

Preferably, the opposing member is held by the substrate holder and rotated along with the substrate holder by the substrate rotation mechanism.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lower end of the opposing-member side wall part is located below an upper end of the outer peripheral surface of the substrate holder.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first processing liquid or the second processing liquid is a cleaning liquid that is supplied to the upper surface of the substrate at a processing temperature higher than normal temperature to perform cleaning processing on the substrate, dry processing for removing a liquid from a surface of the substrate by rotating the substrate via the substrate rotation mechanism is performed after the cleaning processing ends, and processing for cooling the substrate by supplying a processing liquid having a temperature lower than the processing temperature to the upper surface of the substrate is performed between the cleaning processing and the dry processing.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a substrate processing apparatus1according to an embodiment of the present invention. The substrate processing apparatus1is a single wafer processing apparatus for processing semiconductor substrates9(hereinafter, simply referred to as “substrates9”) one at a time. The substrate processing apparatus1includes a substrate holder31, a substrate rotation mechanism33, a cup part4, a top plate5, an opposing-member moving mechanism6, and a processing liquid nozzle71. The constituent elements of the substrate processing apparatus1are housed inside a housing11. The substrate processing apparatus1further includes a controller12that controls consistent elements such as the substrate rotation mechanism33. The controller12is not shown inFIG. 2onward.

The substrate holder31holds a substrate9in a horizontal position. The substrate holder31includes a holder base311, a plurality of chucks312, a plurality of engagement parts313, and a base supporter314. The holder base311is a generally disk-like member about a central axis J1pointing in the up-down direction. The holder base311is made of, for example, a fluorocarbon resin with relatively high chemical resistance. The substrate9is spaced above the holder base311. In other words, the holder base311of the substrate holder31is disposed below the substrate9. The outer diameter of the substrate holder31is larger than the outer diameter of the substrate9. The holder base311extends radially outward of the substrate9along the entire circumference thereof about the central axis J1.

The base supporter314is a generally disk-like member about the central axis J1. The holder base311is disposed above the base supporter314and supported from the underside by the base supporter314. The outer diameter of the holder base311is larger than the outer diameter of the base supporter314. The holder base311extends radially outward of the base supporter314along the entire circumference thereof about the central axis J1.

The plurality of chucks312are circumferentially arranged at approximately equiangular intervals about the central axis J1on the outer peripheral portion of the upper surface of the holder base311. In the substrate holder31, the chucks312support the outer edge of the substrate9. The plurality of engagement parts313are circumferentially arranged at approximately equiangular intervals about the central axis J1on the outer peripheral portion of the upper surface of the holder base311. The engagement parts313are disposed radially outward of the chucks312.

The substrate rotation mechanism33is housed inside a rotation-mechanism housing part34. The substrate rotation mechanism33and the rotation-mechanism housing part34are disposed blow the substrate holder31. The substrate rotation mechanism33rotates the substrate9along with the substrate holder31about the central axis J1.

The cup part4is a ring-shaped member about the central axis J1and disposed radially outward of the substrate9and the substrate holder31. The cup part4is disposed around the entire circumferences of the substrate9and the substrate holder31and receives liquids such as a processing liquid dispersed from the substrate9toward the surroundings. The cup part4includes a first cup41, a second cup42, a cup moving mechanism43, a first discharge port44, and a second discharge port45. The second cup42is disposed radially outward of the first cup41.

The first cup41has a first-cup side wall part411and a first-cup canopy part412. The first-cup side wall part411has a generally cylindrical shape about the central axis J1. The first-cup canopy part412has a generally circular ring plate-like shape about the central axis J1and extends radially inward from the upper edge of the first-cup side wall part411. The second cup42has a second-cup side wall part421and a second-cup canopy part422. The second-cup side wall part421has a generally cylindrical shape about the central axis J1and is located radially outward of the first-cup side wall part411. The second-cup canopy part422has a generally circular ring plate-like shape about the central axis J1and extends radially inward from the upper edge of the second-cup side wall part421above the first-cup canopy part412.

The inner diameters of the first-cup canopy part412and the second-cup canopy part422are slightly larger than the outer diameters of the holder base311of the substrate holder31and the top plate5. The lower surface of the first-cup canopy part412includes an inclined surface that is inclined downward outwardly in the radial direction from the inner peripheral edge of the first-cup canopy part412. The lower surface of the second-cup canopy part422also includes an inclined surface that is inclined downward outwardly in the radial direction from the inner peripheral edge of the second-cup canopy part422. In the example illustrated inFIG. 1, approximately the entire lower surface of the first-cup canopy part412is an inclined surface that is inclined downward outwardly in the radial direction from the inner peripheral edge. Approximately the entire lower surface of the second-cup canopy part422is also an inclined surface that is inclined downward outwardly in the radiation direction from the inner peripheral edge. Similarly, the upper surfaces of the first-cup canopy part412and the second-cup canopy part422are also inclined surfaces that are inclined downward outwardly in the radial direction from the inner peripheral edges.

The cup moving mechanism43switches a cup for receiving liquids such as a processing liquid from the substrate9between the first cup41and the second cup42, by moving the first cup41in the up-down direction. In other words, the cup moving mechanism43is a cup switching mechanism for switching the cup for receiving liquids such as a processing liquid from the substrate9by moving the first cup41relative to the substrate holder31and the second cup42in the up-down direction. In the cup part4, for example, the positions in the up-down direction of the substrate holder31and the second cup42are fixed, and in the case of switching the cup for receiving liquids such as processing liquids, the first cup41is moved relative to the second cup42in the up-down direction.

The liquids such as processing liquids received by the first cup41are discharged through the first discharge port44provided at the bottom of the first cup41to the outside of the housing11. The gas in the first cup41is also exhausted through the first discharge port44to the outside of the housing11. The liquids such as processing liquids received by the second cup42are discharged through the second discharge port45provided at the bottom of the second cup42to the outside of the housing11. The gas in the second cup42is also exhausted through the second discharge port45to the outside of the housing11.

The top plate5is a generally circular member in a plan view. The top plate5is an opposing member that opposes the upper surface91of the substrate9and serves as a shielding plate that shields the top of the substrate9. The outer diameter of the top plate5is larger than the outer diameters of the substrate9and the holder base311. The top plate5includes an opposing-member main body51, a held part52, and a plurality of engagement parts53. The opposing-member main body51is made of, for example, a fluorocarbon resin with relatively high chemical resistance. The opposing-member main body51includes an opposing-member canopy part511and an opposing-member side wall part512. The opposing-member canopy part511opposes the upper surface91of the substrate9. The opposing-member canopy part511is, for example, a generally circular ring plate-like member about the central axis J1. The lower surface of the opposing-member canopy part511is a flat surface that opposes the upper surface91of the substrate9.

In the example illustrated inFIG. 1, the opposing-member canopy part511has an opposing-member opening54in a central portion thereof in the radial direction (hereinafter, also simply referred to as the “central portion”). The opposing-member opening54has, for example, a generally circular shape in a plan view. The diameter of the opposing-member opening54is sufficiently smaller than the diameter of the substrate9. The opposing-member canopy part511has a generally circular ring plate-like shape having the opposing-member opening54in the central portion thereof. The opposing-member side wall part512extends downward from the outer peripheral portion of the opposing-member canopy part511. The opposing-member side wall part512is, for example, a generally cylindrical member about the central axis J1. The outer peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part512is a generally cylindrical surface about the central axis J1.

The plurality of engagement parts53are circumferentially arranged at approximately equiangular intervals about the central axis J1on the outer peripheral portion of the lower surface of the opposing-member canopy part511. The engagement parts53are disposed radially inward of the opposing-member side wall part512.

The held part52is connected to the upper surface of the opposing-member main body51. The held part52has an opposing-member cylindrical part521and an opposing-member flange part522. The opposing-member cylindrical part521is a generally cylindrical portion that protrudes upward from the circumference of the opposing-member opening54of the opposing-member main body51. The opposing-member cylindrical part521has, for example, a generally cylindrical shape about the central axis J1. The opposing-member flange part522annularly extends outward in the radial direction from the upper edge of the opposing-member cylindrical part521. The opposing-member flange part522has, for example, a generally circular ring plate-like shape about the central axis J1.

The opposing-member moving mechanism6includes an opposing-member holder61and an opposing-member elevating mechanism62. The opposing-member holder61holds the held part52of the top plate5. The opposing-member holder61includes a holder main body611, a main body supporter612, a flange supporter613, and a supporter connector614. The holder main body611has, for example, a generally disk-like shape about the central axis J1. The holder main body611covers the top of the opposing-member flange part522of the top plate5. The main body supporter612is a rod-like arm extending approximately in a horizontal direction. One end of the main body supporter612is connected to the holder main body611, and the other end thereof is connected to the opposing-member elevating mechanism62.

The processing liquid nozzle71protrudes downward from the central portion of the holder main body611. The processing liquid nozzle71is inserted without contact in the opposing-member cylindrical part521. In the following description, the space between the processing liquid nozzle71and the opposing-member cylindrical part521is referred to as a “nozzle gap56.”

The flange supporter613has, for example, a generally circular ring plate-like shape about the central axis J1. The flange supporter613is located below the opposing-member flange part522. The inner diameter of the flange supporter613is smaller than the outer diameter of the opposing-member flange part522of the top plate5. The outer diameter of the flange supporter613is larger than the outer diameter of the opposing-member flange part522of the top plate5. The supporter connector614has, for example, a generally cylindrical shape about the central axis J1. The supporter connector614connects the flange supporter613and the holder main body611around the opposing-member flange part522. In the opposing-member holder61, the holder main body611corresponds to a holder upper part that opposes the upper surface of the opposing-member flange part522in the up-down direction, and the flange supporter613corresponds to a holder lower part that opposes the lower surface of the opposing-member flange part522in the up-down direction.

In a state in which the top plate5is at the position illustrated inFIG. 1, the flange supporter613is in contact with and supports the outer peripheral portion of the opposing-member flange part522of the top plate5from the underside. In other words, the opposing-member flange part522is held by the opposing-member holder61of the opposing-member moving mechanism6. Thus, the top plate5is suspended by the opposing-member holder61above the substrate9and the substrate holder31. In the following description, the position in the up-down direction of the top plate5illustrated inFIG. 1is referred to as a “first position.” The top plate5at the first position is held by the opposing-member moving mechanism6and spaced above the substrate holder31.

The flange supporter613includes a movement restricting part616that restricts displacement of the top plate5(i.e., movement and rotation of the top plate5). In the example illustrated inFIG. 1, the movement restricting part616is a protruding part that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the flange supporter613. The displacement of the top plate5is restricted by the movement restricting part616being inserted in a hole provided in the opposing-member flange part522.

The opposing-member elevating mechanism62moves the top plate5along with the opposing-member holder61in the up-down direction.FIG. 2is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the top plate5is moved down from the first position illustrated inFIG. 1. In the following description, the position in the up-down direction of the top plate5illustrated inFIG. 2is referred to as a “second position.” That is, the opposing-member elevating mechanism62moves the top plate5relative to the substrate holder31in the up-down direction between the first position and the second position. The second position is below the first position. In other words, the second position is a position at which the top plate5is in closer proximity to the substrate holder31in the up-down direction than when the top plate5is at the first position.

In a state in which the top plate5is at the second position, the plurality of engagement parts53of the top plate5are respectively in engagement with the plurality of engagement parts313of the substrate holder31. The engagement parts53are supported from the underside by the engagement parts313. In other words, the engagement parts313serve as an opposing-member supporter that supports the top plate5. For example, the engagement parts313are pins that extend approximately in parallel with the up-down direction, and the upper ends of the engagement parts313fit in upwardly opening recesses that are formed in the lower ends of the engagement parts53. The opposing-member flange part522of the top plate5is spaced above the flange supporter613of the opposing-member holder61. Thus, the top plate5at the second position is held by the substrate holder31and spaced from the opposing-member moving mechanism6(i.e., not in contact with the opposing-member moving mechanism6).

In the state in which the top plate5is held by the substrate holder31, the lower end of the opposing-member side wall part512of the top plate5is located below the upper surface of the holder base311of the substrate holder31. Thus, the inner peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part512opposes the outer peripheral surface of the substrate holder31(i.e., the outer peripheral surface of the holder base311) in the radial direction. At this time, an approximately sealed processing space90is formed between the top plate5and the substrate holder31. When the substrate9is rotated and processed with a processing liquid as will be described later, the processing liquid dispersed from the substrate9flows from clearance between the inner peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part512and the outer peripheral surface of the substrate holder31to the outside of the processing space90, and is mainly dispersed outward from the lower end of the opposing-member side wall part512. The dispersed processing liquid is received by the first cup41or the second cup42. In the example illustrated inFIG. 2, the lower end of the opposing-member side wall part512is located below the upper end of the outer peripheral surface of the holder base311and is located above the lower end of the outer peripheral surface of the holder base311.

A distance in the radial direction between the outer peripheral surface of the substrate holder31and the inner peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part512is approximately constant at any position in the circumferential direction. In the following description, the distance in the radial direction between the outer peripheral surface of the substrate holder31and the inner peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part512is referred to as a “holder gap distance D0.” The holder gap distance D0is, for example, a distance in the radial direction between the outer peripheral surface of the substrate holder31and the inner peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part512at a position of the lower end of the opposing-member side wall part512. In the case where the distance in the radial direction between the outer peripheral surface of the substrate holder31and the inner peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part512is not constant in the up-down direction, the holder gap distance D0may be a minimum value for this distance. The holder gap distance D0is, for example, greater than or equal to 1 mm and less than or equal to 3 mm.

When the substrate rotation mechanism33is driven while the top plate5is at the second position, the substrate holder31rotates along with the substrate9, and the top plate5also rotates about the central axis J1along with the substrate9and the substrate holder31. In other words, the top plate5at the second position is rotatable about the central axis J1along with the substrate holder31by the substrate rotation mechanism33.

FIG. 3is a block diagram illustrating a gas-liquid supply part7and a gas-liquid discharge part8for supplying or discharging gases or processing liquids in the substrate processing apparatus1. The gas-liquid supply part7includes the aforementioned processing liquid nozzle71, a processing-liquid supply part72, and a gas supply part73. The processing-liquid supply part72supplies a processing liquid to the upper surface91of the substrate9.

The processing-liquid supply part72includes a chemical-solution supply part721, a cleaning-liquid supply part722, a substitutional-liquid supply part723, and a temperature controller724. The chemical-solution supply part721, the cleaning-liquid supply part722, and the substitutional-liquid supply part723are each connected to the processing liquid nozzle71. The chemical-solution supply part721supplies a chemical solution (e.g., a polymer removing liquid or an etchant such as hydrofluoric acid or an aqueous solution of tetramethylammonium hydroxide) through the processing liquid nozzle71to the substrate9. The cleaning-liquid supply part722supplies a cleaning liquid (e.g., deionized water or carbonated water) through the processing liquid nozzle71to the substrate9. The temperature controller724is provided on a flow path between the cleaning-liquid supply part722and the processing liquid nozzle71and controls the temperature of the cleaning liquid supplied to the processing liquid nozzle71. The substitutional-liquid supply part723supplies a substitutional liquid (e.g., isopropyl alcohol; IPA) through the processing liquid nozzle71to the substrate9.

The chemical solution, the cleaning liquid, and the substitutional liquid described above are ejected from ejection ports provided at the lower end surface of the processing liquid nozzle71toward the central portion in the radial direction of the upper surface91of the substrate9. The lower end surface of the processing liquid nozzle71may have, for example, three ejection ports that correspond respectively to the chemical solution, the cleaning liquid, and the substitutional liquid, or may have a single ejection port from which the chemical solution, the cleaning liquid, and the substitutional liquid are sequentially ejected. In the following description, the chemical solution, the cleaning liquid, and the substitutional liquid described above may be collectively or individually referred to simply as a “processing liquid.”

The gas supply part73is connected to the processing liquid nozzle71and supplies a gas through the processing liquid nozzle71to the processing space90, which is the space between the lower surface of the top plate5and the upper surface91of the substrate9. More specifically, the gas from the gas supply part73is supplied from jet openings provided in the lower end surface of the processing liquid nozzle71to the processing space90. The processing liquid nozzle71also has jet openings in the side surface thereof, and the gas from the gas supply part73is also supplied from these jet openings through the nozzle gap56to the processing space90. The gas supplied from the gas supply part73may be an inert gas such as a nitrogen (N2) gas. In the substrate processing apparatus1, the substrate9is preferably processed in the processing space90that is placed in an inert gas atmosphere through the supply of an inert gas from the processing liquid nozzle71to the processing space90. In other words, the gas supplied from the gas supply part73to the processing space90is a treatment atmospheric gas. The gas supply part73may supply various gases other than inert gases as a treatment atmospheric gas.

The gas-liquid discharge part8includes the aforementioned first and second discharge ports44and45, a first suction part81, and a second suction part82. The first suction part81is connected to the first discharge port44at the bottom of the first cup41. The first suction part81draws gases and processing liquids in the first cup41by suction through the first discharge port44. The gases and processing liquids drawn by suction by the first suction part81are separated by a gas-liquid separator (not shown). The processing liquids separated by the gas-liquid separator are discarded or recovered. The second suction part82draws gases and processing liquids in the second cup42by suction through the second discharge port45. The gases and processing liquids drawn by suction by the second suction part82are separated by a gas-liquid separator (not shown). The processing liquids separated by the gas-liquid separator are discarded or recovered. The first suction part81and the second suction part82serve as a gas discharge part connected to the cup part4and for discharging gases in the cup part4by suction to the outside of the cup part4.

Next, an exemplary procedure of processing performed on the substrate9in the substrate processing apparatus1will be described with reference toFIGS. 4 and 5. First, the substrate9is conveyed into the housing11and held by the substrate holder31while the top plate5is at the first position illustrated inFIG. 1(step S11). At this time, the top plate5is held by the opposing-member holder61of the opposing-member moving mechanism6.

Then, the opposing-member holder61is moved down by the opposing-member elevating mechanism62. This movement causes the top plate5to move down from the first position to the second position and to be held by the substrate holder31as illustrated inFIG. 2(step S12). Then, the gas supply part73(seeFIG. 3) starts supplying an inert gas (i.e., treatment atmospheric gas) to the nozzle gap56and the processing space90through the processing liquid nozzle71.

Next, the controller12(seeFIG. 1) controls the substrate rotation mechanism33to start rotation of the substrate holder31, the substrate9, and the top plate5(step S13). The supply of the inert gas from the processing liquid nozzle71continues in step S13onward. The controller12then controls the chemical-solution supply part721of the processing-liquid supply part72so that a chemical solution is supplied from the chemical-solution supply part721to the processing liquid nozzle71and supplied through the opposing-member opening54of the top plate5at the second position to the central portion of the upper surface91of the rotating substrate9(step S14).

The chemical solution supplied from the processing liquid nozzle71to the central portion of the substrate9is spread radially outward from the central portion of the substrate9by the rotation of the substrate9and distributed across the upper surface91of the substrate9. The chemical solution is dispersed radially outward from the outer edge of the substrate9by a centrifugal force and discharged from the processing space90through the space between the outer peripheral surface of the holder base311and the inner peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part512. In the substrate processing apparatus1, the top plate5also rotates about the central axis J1when the substrate holder31rotates. Thus, the chemical solution is discharged from the processing space90by a centrifugal force even if the chemical solution adheres to the lower surface of the top plate5.

FIG. 6is an enlarged cross-sectional view of part of the substrate processing apparatus1. In the cup part4illustrated inFIG. 6, the first cup41and the second cup42are disposed around the substrate holder31and the top plate5. The first-cup canopy part412of the first cup41is in close proximity to the lower surface of the second-cup canopy part422of the second cup42at a slight interval. The inner peripheral edge of the first-cup canopy part412is located above the lower end of the opposing-member side wall part512. The inner peripheral edge of the first-cup canopy part412opposes the outer peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part512in the radial direction. The distance in the radial direction between the inner peripheral edge of the first-cup canopy part412and the outer peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part512is approximately constant at any position in the circumferential direction.

In the following description, the distance in the radial direction between the inner peripheral edge of the first-cup canopy part412and the outer peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part512is referred to as a “first-cup gap distance D1.” The first-cup gap distance D1is greater than the aforementioned holder gap distance D0. The first-cup gap distance D1is, for example, greater than or equal to 3 mm and less than or equal to 6 mm. In the following description, the position of the first cup41illustrated inFIG. 2is referred to as a “first processing position.” In a state in which the first cup41is at the first processing position, the lower portion of the outer peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part512opposes the inner peripheral surface of the first-cup side wall part411in the radial direction. The lower portion of the outer peripheral surface of the holder base311also opposes the inner peripheral surface of the first-cup side wall part411in the radial direction.

In step S14, in the state in which the first cup41is at the first processing position, the chemical solution supplied to the upper surface91of the rotating substrate9is discharged from the processing space90as described above and received by the first cup41of the cup part4. The chemical solution received by the first cup41is discharged through the first discharge port44provided at the bottom of the first cup41to the outside of the housing11. In the substrate processing apparatus1, the processing of the substrate9using the chemical solution (i.e., chemical solution processing) ends if the chemical solution is applied to the substrate9for a predetermined period of time. Note that the supply of the chemical solution (step S14) may occur prior to the start of rotation of the substrate9(step S13). In this case, the chemical solution puddles (form paddles) across the upper surface91of the substrate9that is in a stationary state, and puddling is performed using the chemical solution.

The supply of the chemical solution from the processing liquid nozzle71stops when the chemical solution processing of the substrate9is completed. Then, the controller12controls the cleaning-liquid supply part722(seeFIG. 3) so that a cleaning liquid is supplied from the cleaning-liquid supply part722to the processing liquid nozzle71and supplied through the opposing-member opening54of the top plate5at the second position to the central portion of the upper surface91of the rotating substrate9(step S15).

The cleaning liquid supplied from the processing liquid nozzle71to the central portion of the substrate9is spread radially outward from the central portion of the substrate9by the rotation of the substrate9and distributed across the upper surface91of the substrate9. The chemical solution remaining on the upper surface91of the substrate9is washed away with the cleaning liquid and removed from the surface of the substrate9. The cleaning liquid and the washed chemical solution are dispersed radially outward from the outer edge of the substrate9by a centrifugal force and discharged from the processing space90through the space between the outer peripheral surface of the holder base311and the inner peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part512. The cleaning liquid and other fluids are also discharged from the processing space90by a centrifugal force even if they adhere to the lower surface of the top plate5.

In step S15, in the state in which the first cup41is at the first processing position, the cleaning liquid supplied to the upper surface91of the rotating substrate9is discharged from the processing space90as described above and received by the first cup41of the cup part4. The cleaning liquid received by the first cup41is discharged through the first discharge port44provided at the bottom of the first cup41to the outside of the housing11. In the substrate processing apparatus1, the processing of the substrate9using the cleaning liquid (i.e., cleaning processing) ends if the cleaning liquid is applied to the substrate9for a predetermined of time.

FIG. 5illustrates a detailed procedure of the cleaning processing performed in step S15. In the substrate processing apparatus1, as illustrated inFIG. 5, the cleaning liquid having a temperature that is adjusted to a predetermined pre-processing temperature is supplied from the processing liquid nozzle71to the surface of the substrate9after the chemical solution processing in step S14has ended (step S151). The temperature of the cleaning liquid supplied to the substrate9is controlled by the aforementioned temperature controller724. The pre-processing temperature is, for example, normal temperature (i.e., temperature approximately equal to room temperature).

After the cleaning liquid with the pre-processing temperature has been supplied for a predetermined period of time, the temperature of the cleaning liquid supplied from the processing liquid nozzle71is changed to a predetermined processing temperature by the temperature controller724. The processing temperature is higher than the pre-processing temperature and higher than normal temperature. In the substrate processing apparatus1, the cleaning processing of the substrate9is performed by supplying the cleaning liquid with the processing temperature (e.g., approximately 80 degrees centigrade) to the upper surface91of the substrate9for a predetermined period of time (step S152). This contact with the cleaning liquid having the processing temperature increases the temperature of the upper surface91of the substrate9to a temperature higher than normal temperature.

When the cleaning processing of the substrate9using the cleaning liquid with the processing temperature is completed, the temperature of the cleaning liquid supplied from the processing liquid nozzle71is changed to a predetermined post-processing temperature by the temperature controller724. The post-processing temperature is lower than the processing temperature and is, for example, normal temperature. The post-processing temperature may be the same as or different from the pre-processing temperature. Then, the cleaning liquid with the post-processing temperature is supplied to the upper surface91of the substrate9for a predetermined period of time so as to cool the substrate9(step S153). The cleaning processing of the substrate9using the cleaning liquid with the pre-processing temperature, the processing temperature, and the post-processing temperature ends after execution of steps S151to S153.

The supply of the cleaning liquid from the processing liquid nozzle71stops when the processing of the substrate9using the cleaning liquid is completed. At this time, a thin liquid film of cleaning liquid exists on the upper surface91of the substrate9. Then, the first cup41is moved down by the cup moving mechanism43and positioned at the second processing position below the first processing position illustrated inFIG. 2, as illustrated inFIG. 7. In the state in which the first cup41is at the second processing position, the inner peripheral edge of the first-cup canopy part412is located below the lower end of the opposing-member side wall part512. Thus, the second cup42opposes the substrate holder31and the top plate5in the radial direction, and the cup for receiving processing liquids from the substrate9is switched from the first cup41to the second cup42(step S16).

FIG. 8is an enlarged cross-sectional view of part of the substrate processing apparatus1. In the cup part4illustrated inFIG. 8, the second cup42is disposed around the substrate holder31and the top plate5. The inner peripheral edge of the second-cup canopy part422is located above the lower end of the opposing-member side wall part512. The inner peripheral edge of the second-cup canopy part422opposes the outer peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part512in the radial direction. A distance in the radial direction between the inner peripheral edge of the second-cup canopy part422and the outer peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part512is approximately constant at any position in the circumferential direction.

In the following description, the distance in the radial direction between the inner peripheral edge of the second-cup canopy part422and the outer peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part512is referred to as a “second-cup gap distance D2.” The second-cup gap distance D2is greater than the aforementioned holder gap distance D0. The second-cup gap distance D2is, for example, greater than or equal to 3 mm and less than or equal to 6 mm. The second-cup gap distance D2may be the same as or different from the first-cup gap distance D1(seeFIG. 6). The lower portion of the outer peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part512opposes the inner peripheral surface of the second-cup side wall part421in the radial direction. The lower portion of the outer peripheral surface of the holder base311also opposes the inner peripheral surface of the second-cup side wall part421in the radial direction.

As described above, after the first cup41is moved to the second processing position, the controller12controls the substitutional-liquid supply part723(seeFIG. 3) so that a substitutional liquid is supplied from the substitutional-liquid supply part723to the processing liquid nozzle71and supplied through the opposing-member opening54of the top plate5at the second position to the central portion of the upper surface91of the rotating substrate9(step S17).

The substitutional liquid supplied from the processing liquid nozzle71to the central portion of the substrate9is spread radially outward from the central portion of the substrate9by the rotation of the substrate9and distributed across the upper surface91of the substrate9. The cleaning liquid remaining on the upper surface91of the substrate9is pushed radially outward by the substitutional liquid and removed from the surface of the substrate9. This allows the substitutional liquid to be substituted for the cleaning liquid on the substrate9. If IPA is used as the substitutional liquid, IPA substitution processing is performed in step S17. The substitutional liquid is dispersed radially outward from the outer edge of the substrate9by a centrifugal force and discharged from the processing space90through the space between the outer peripheral surface of the holder base311and the inner peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part512. The substitutional liquid and other fluids are also discharged from the processing space90by a centrifugal force even if they adhere to the lower surface of the top plate5.

In step S17, in the state in which the first cup41is at the second processing position illustrated inFIG. 7, the substitutional liquid supplied to the upper surface91of the rotating substrate9is discharged from the processing space90as described above and received by the second cup42of the cup part4. The substitutional liquid received by the second cup42is discharged through the second discharge port45provided at the bottom of the second cup42to the outside of the housing11. In the substrate processing apparatus1, the processing of the substrate9using the substitutional liquid (i.e., substitution processing) ends if the substitutional liquid is applied to the substrate9for a predetermined period of time.

The supply of the substitutional liquid from the processing liquid nozzle71stops when the processing of the substrate9using the substitutional liquid is completed. Then, the gas supply part73(seeFIG. 3) increases the flow rate of the inert gas ejected from the side surface of the processing liquid nozzle71toward the nozzle gap56. The gas supply part73also increases the flow rate of the inert gas ejected from the lower end surface of the processing liquid nozzle71toward the processing space90. Moreover, the controller12(seeFIG. 1) controls the substrate rotation mechanism33to increase the rotational speeds of the substrate holder31, the substrate9, and the top plate5. Accordingly, the substitutional liquid remaining on the upper surface91of the substrate9is thrown radially outward, dispersed radially outward from the outer edge of the substrate9, and discharged from the processing space90through the space between the holder base311and the opposing-member side wall part512. The substitutional liquid or other fluids discharged from the processing space90is received by the second cup42of the cup part4. The dry processing for removing the substitutional liquid from the upper surface91of the substrate9is performed by continuing the rotation of the substrate9for a predetermined period of time (step S18).

The rotation of the substrate holder31, the substrate9, and the top plate5by the substrate rotation mechanism33stops when the dry processing of the substrate9is completed (step S19). The supply of the inert gas from the gas supply part73to the nozzle gap56and the processing space90also stops. Next, the opposing-member holder61is moved upward by the opposing-member elevating mechanism62so that the top plate5is moved up from the second position to the first position illustrated inFIG. 1(step S20). The top plate5is spaced above the substrate holder31and held by the opposing-member holder61. Thereafter, the substrate9is conveyed out of the housing11(step S21). In the substrate processing apparatus1, the above-described steps S11to S21are performed sequentially on a plurality of substrates9to sequentially process the substrates9.

As described above, the substrate processing apparatus1includes the substrate holder31, the substrate rotation mechanism33, the cup part4, the top plate5, the processing-liquid supply part72, the gas supply part73, and the gas discharge part (i.e., the first suction part81and the second suction part82). The substrate holder31has a disk-like shape having an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the substrate9. The substrate holder31is disposed below the substrate9and holds the substrate9in a horizontal position. The substrate rotation mechanism33rotates the substrate holder31about the central axis J1pointing in the up-down direction. The top plate5is an opposing member that opposes the upper surface91of the substrate9. The processing-liquid supply part72supplies processing liquids to the upper surface91of the substrate9. The gas supply part73supplies a treatment atmospheric gas to the processing space90, which is the space between the lower surface of the top plate5and the upper surface91of the substrate9. The cup part4is disposed around the substrate holder31and receives the processing liquids from the substrate9. The gas discharge part discharges the gas in the cup part4to the outside of the cup part4.

The top plate5includes the opposing-member canopy part511and the opposing-member side wall part512. The opposing-member canopy part511opposes the upper surface91of the substrate9. The opposing-member side wall part512extends downward from the outer peripheral portion of the opposing-member canopy part511. The outer peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part512has a cylindrical shape. The inner peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part512opposes the outer peripheral surface of the substrate holder31in the radial direction.

The cup part4includes the first cup41, the second cup42, and the cup moving mechanism43. The first cup41includes the first-cup side wall part411of a cylindrical shape and the first-cup canopy part412of a circular ring plate-like shape. The first-cup canopy part412extends radially inward from the upper edge of the first-cup side wall part411. The second cup42is disposed radially outward of the first cup41. The second cup42includes the second-cup side wall part421of a cylindrical shape and the second-cup canopy part422of a circular ring plate-like shape. The second-cup canopy part422extends radially inward from the upper edge of the second-cup side wall part421. The cup moving mechanism43moves the first cup41relative to the substrate holder31in the up-down direction.

In the state in which the first cup41is at the first processing position, the inner peripheral edge of the first-cup canopy part412opposes the outer peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part512in the radial direction. In the state in which the first cup41is at the second processing position, the inner peripheral edge of the first-cup canopy part412is located below the lower end of the opposing-member side wall part512.

Here, if the chemical solution and the cleaning liquid described above are referred to as “first processing liquids” and the substitutional liquid as a “second processing liquid,” the chemical-solution supply part721and the cleaning-liquid supply part722serve as a first processing-liquid supply part for supplying the first processing liquids to the substrate9, and the substitutional-liquid supply part723serves as a second processing-liquid supply part for supplying the second processing liquid to the substrate9. In the substrate processing apparatus1, in the state in which the first cup41is at the aforementioned first processing position, the first processing liquids from the substrate9(i.e., first processing liquids supplied to the upper surface91of the rotating substrate9) are received by the first cup41. In the state in which the first cup41is at the aforementioned second processing position, the second processing liquid from the substrate9(i.e., second processing liquid supplied to the upper surface91of the rotating substrate9) is received by the second cup42.

In the substrate processing apparatus1, the inner peripheral edge of the second-cup canopy part422opposes the outer peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part512in the radial direction. This suppresses the possibility that the first processing liquid received by the first cup41and the second processing liquid received by the second cup42may be dispersed from the space radially inward of the inner peripheral edge of the second-cup canopy part422to the space above the second-cup canopy part422(i.e., the first processing liquid and the second processing liquid may be dispersed to the space above the cup part4).

In the substrate processing apparatus1, there is an airflow (so-called downflow) from the upper part of the housing11toward the lower part in the space of the housing11above the cup part4. The airflow flows into the cup part4from the space between the opposing-member side wall part512of the top plate5and the inner peripheral edge of the second-cup canopy part422of the second cup42and is discharged by suction from the bottom of the cup part4to the outside of the cup part4by the gas discharge part. Here, if the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part512and the inner peripheral edge of the second-cup canopy part422is extremely small, the velocity of the airflow from the gap into the cup part4may increase excessively. If, in this condition, the second processing liquid dispersed from the substrate9tries to be received by the second cup42, the second processing liquid may be pushed downward by the airflow and flow into the first cup41located at the second processing position below the second cup42.

In contrast, in the substrate processing apparatus1illustrated inFIG. 8, the second-cup gap distance D2, which is the distance in the radial direction between the outer peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part512and the inner peripheral edge of the second-cup canopy part422, is greater than the holder gap distance D0, which is the distance in the radial direction between the inner peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part512and the outer peripheral surface of the substrate holder31. By preventing the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part512and the inner peripheral edge of the second-cup canopy part422from becoming excessively small in this way, it is possible to prevent an excessive increase in the velocity of the airflow from the gap into the cup part4. As a result, it is possible to prevent or suppress the possibility that, when the second processing liquid dispersed from the substrate9is received by the second cup42(i.e., when the second processing liquid dispersed from the substrate9moves to the second cup42), the second processing liquid may be carried downward by the airflow, and it is possible to prevent or suppress the possibility that the second processing liquid may flow into the first cup41located at the second processing position. In other words, the first processing liquid and the second processing liquid are separately received by the first cup41and the second cup42in the substrate processing apparatus1. In another way, a plurality of types of processing liquids are separately received by a plurality of cups in the substrate processing apparatus1.

In the substrate processing apparatus1, the lower surface of the second-cup canopy part422includes an inclined surface that is inclined downward outwardly in the radial direction from the inner peripheral edge of the second-cup canopy part422. This suppresses the possibility that the second processing liquid dispersed from the substrate9and colliding with the inner surface of the second cup42may be dispersed upward, and allows the second processing liquid to be guided downward in the second cup42. As a result, it is possible to further suppress the possibility that the second processing liquid received by the second cup42may be dispersed to the space above the cup part4.

As described above, in the substrate processing apparatus1, the opposing-member canopy part511has the opposing-member opening54in the central portion thereof, and the first processing liquids (i.e., the chemical solution and the cleaning liquid) and the second processing liquid (i.e., the substitutional liquid) from the processing-liquid supply part72are supplied through the opposing-member opening54to the upper surface91of the substrate9. Here, if the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part512and the inner peripheral edge of the first-cup canopy part412is extremely small, a relatively huge pressure drop may occur in the vicinity of the outer peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part512when the first cup41is moved down from the first processing position to the second processing position. Because this pressure drop will cause a pressure drop in the processing space90, there is, for example, a possibility that the atmosphere outside the processing space90may flow into the processing space90through the nozzle gap56and the opposing-member opening54and change the atmosphere in the processing space90from a desired state.

In contrast, in the substrate processing apparatus1illustrated inFIG. 6, the first-cup gap distance D1, which is the distance in the radial direction between the outer peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part512and the inner peripheral edge of the first-cup canopy part412, is greater than the aforementioned holder gap distance D0. By preventing the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part512and the inner peripheral edge of the first-cup canopy part412from becoming excessively small in this way, it is possible to prevent or suppress the occurrence of a pressure drop in the vicinity of the outer peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part512and a pressure drop in the processing space90, due to the movement of the first cup41in the up-down direction. As a result, the flow of the external atmosphere into the processing space90will be suppressed or prevented, and an unintentional change in the atmosphere in the processing space90will also be suppressed or prevented. As in the case of the second cup42, it is also possible to prevent the possibility that the velocity of airflow flowing from the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part512and the inner peripheral edge of the first-cup canopy part412into the first cup41may increase excessively, while suppressing or preventing dispersion of the first processing liquid to the space above the first cup41.

In the substrate processing apparatus1, the lower surface of the first-cup canopy part412includes an inclined surface that is inclined downward outwardly in the radial direction from the inner peripheral edge of the first-cup canopy part412. This suppresses the possibility that the first processing liquid dispersed from the substrate9and colliding with the first cup41may be dispersed upward, and allows the first processing liquid to be guided downward in the first cup41. As a result, it is possible to further suppress the possibility that the first processing liquid received by the first cup41may be dispersed to the space above the first cup41.

As described above, in the substrate processing apparatus1, the top plate5rotates about the central axis J1when the substrate holder31rotates. Thus, processing liquids adhering to the lower surface of the top plate5will be carried radially outward by a centrifugal force and removed from the lower surface. In other words, it is possible to prevent processing liquids from adhering to the top plate5. In addition, the treatment atmospheric gas supplied to the processing space90will be quickly diffused radially outward by the rotation of the top plate5and the substrate9. As a result, the treatment atmospheric gas will be efficiently diffused across the processing space90, and the amount of usage of the treatment atmospheric gas will be reduced.

The top plate5is held by the substrate holder31and rotated along with the substrate holder31by the substrate rotation mechanism33. This eliminates the need to provide another mechanism for rotating the top plate5separately from the substrate rotation mechanism33, thus simplifying the structure of the apparatus.

In the above-described example, the cleaning liquid is a first processing liquid received by the first cup41. When the cleaning processing is performed on the substrate9, the cleaning liquid is supplied to the upper surface91of the substrate9at a processing temperature higher than normal temperature. This improves the efficiency of the cleaning processing of the substrate9and shortens the time required for the cleaning processing of the substrate9.

In the substrate processing apparatus1, the dry processing for removing liquids from the surface of the substrate9by rotating the substrate9via the substrate rotation mechanism33is performed after completion of the cleaning processing, and the processing for cooling the substrate9by supplying a processing liquid having a temperature lower than the aforementioned processing temperature is performed between the cleaning processing and the dry processing. In this way, the cooling of the substrate9whose temperature is increased through the cleaning processing using the cleaning liquid having a processing temperature higher than normal temperature is performed prior to the dry processing. This prevents or suppresses the possibility that a slight amount of ionic substances that may remain in the processing space90may adversely affect devices on the substrate9during the dry processing. Note that the processing liquid supplied to the substrate9in step S153may be the same as or different from the cleaning liquid used in the cleaning processing (step S152) performed at the processing temperature.

In the substrate processing apparatus1, the processing liquid with a temperature lower than the processing temperature higher than normal temperature is supplied (step S151) prior to the cleaning processing (step S152) using the cleaning liquid having the processing temperature. Thus, the chemical solution remaining on the substrate9will be washed away (i.e., removed) from the surface of the substrate9without increasing the temperature of the chemical solution. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in the reactivity of the chemical solution remaining on the substrate9and to prevent or suppress the occurrence of, for example, unintentional reactions of the chemical solution when washed away from the surface of the substrate9. Note that the processing liquid supplied to the substrate9in step S151may be the same as or different from the cleaning liquid used in the cleaning processing (step S152) performed at the processing temperature.

The above-described substrate processing apparatus1may be modified in various ways.

In the substrate processing apparatus1, the top plate5does not necessarily have to be held by the substrate holder31when the chemical solution processing, the cleaning processing, and the dry processing are performed on the substrate9. For example, the top plate5may be spaced from the substrate holder31above the substrate9and may be rotated by another rotation mechanism that is provided independently of the substrate rotation mechanism33. Additionally, the top plate5does not necessarily have to be rotated when the chemical solution processing, the cleaning processing, and the dry processing are performed on the substrate9.

In the substrate processing apparatus1, the temperature of the processing liquid supplied to the substrate9during the cleaning processing (step S15) of the substrate9does not necessarily have to be changed. For example, the cleaning liquid may have approximately the same temperature from the start of supply to the substrate9to the end of the supply. In this case, the temperature of the cleaning liquid supplied to the substrate9may be higher than normal temperature, or may be less than or equal to normal temperature.

While in the above-described example, the chemical solution and the cleaning liquid are first processing liquids received by the first cup41, and the substitutional liquid is a second processing liquid received by the second cup42, the first processing liquid and the second processing liquid may be changed in various ways. The supply of the first processing liquid to the substrate9may be performed after the supply of the second processing liquid to the substrate9.

For example, assuming that the substrate processing apparatus1uses a chemical solution and a cleaning liquid as processing liquids supplied to the substrate9, a case is conceivable in which chemical solution processing of the substrate9is performed while the first cup41is at the first processing position, and then cleaning processing is performed after moving the first cup41to the second processing position. In this case, the chemical solution is a first processing liquid received by the first cup41, and the cleaning liquid is a second processing liquid received by the second cup42. A case is also conceivable in which chemical solution processing of the substrate9is performed while the first cup41is at the second processing position, and then cleaning processing is performed after moving the first cup41to the first processing position. In this case, the chemical solution is a second processing liquid received by the second cup42, and the cleaning liquid is a first processing liquid received by the first cup4. In either case, if the inner peripheral edge of the second-cup canopy part422opposes the outer peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part512in the radial direction and the second-cup gap distance D2is greater than the holder gap distance D0as described above, it is possible to suppress dispersion of the first processing liquid and the second processing liquid to the space above the cup part4and to receive a plurality of types of processing liquids separately by a plurality of cups.

The cup part4may include another cup arranged with the first cup41and the second cup42in the radial direction, in addition to the first cup41and the second cup42. In other words, the cup part4may include three or more cups. In this case, the first cup41for receiving the aforementioned first processing liquid is one of the three or more cups other than the radially outermost cup, and the second cup42for receiving the second processing liquid is one of the three or more cups that is located radially outward of the first cup.

The first-cup gap distance D1, which is the distance in the radial direction between the inner peripheral edge of the first-cup canopy part412and the outer peripheral surface of the opposing-member side wall part512, does not necessarily have to be greater than the holder gap distance D0, and may be less than or equal to the holder gap distance D0.

The lower surface of the first-cup canopy part412of the cup part4does not necessarily have to include the aforementioned inclined surface, and for example, approximately the entire lower surface of the first-cup canopy part412may be a flat surface generally perpendicular to the up-down direction. Similarly, the lower surface of the second-cup canopy part422does not necessarily have to include the aforementioned inclined surface, and for example, approximately the entire lower surface may be a flat surface generally perpendicular to the up-down direction.

In the substrate processing apparatus1, in the state in which the top plate5is held by the substrate holder31and the processing space90is formed between the top plate5and the substrate holder31, the lower end of the opposing-member side wall part512of the top plate5is located below the upper surface of the holder base311of the substrate holder31(i.e., below the upper end of the outer peripheral surface of the holder base311). Thus, processing liquids dispersed from the lower end of the opposing-member side wall part512will be received if the inner peripheral edges of the first-cup canopy part412and the second-cup canopy part422are located above the lower end of the opposing-member side wall part512of the top plate5. Accordingly, the processing liquids dispersed from the lower end of the opposing-member side wall part512will be received in a state in which the first-cup canopy part412and the second-cup canopy part422are located at positions lower than the substrate9. As a result, the substrate9will be easily transferred between the substrate holder31and the mechanism for conveying the substrate9into and out of the housing11, without moving the second cup42relative to the substrate holder31.

The substrate processing apparatus1may include a second-cup moving mechanism for moving the second cup42relative to the substrate holder31in the up-down direction. In this case, the first cup41and the second cup42may be moved to positions below the positions illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 6when the substrate9is transferred, i.e., when the substrate9is conveyed into or out of the substrate holder31. This further facilitates the transfer of the substrate9. As a result, the operational flexibility of the substrate processing apparatus1will be improved.

The configurations of the preferred embodiments and variations described above may be appropriately combined as long as there are no mutual inconsistencies.

While the invention has been shown and described in detail, the foregoing description is in all aspects illustrative and not restrictive. It is therefore understood that numerous modifications and variations can be devised without departing from the scope of the invention. This application claims priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. Section 119 of Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-054965 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Mar. 18, 2016, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1Substrate processing apparatus

43Cup moving mechanism

72Processing-liquid supply part

73Gas supply part

81First suction part

82Second suction part

411First-cup side wall part

412First-cup canopy part

421Second-cup side wall part

422Second-cup canopy part

511Opposing-member canopy part

512Opposing-member side wall part

721Chemical-solution supply part

722Cleaning-liquid supply part

723Substitutional-liquid supply part

D0Holder gap distance

D1First-cup gap distance

D2Second-cup gap distance