Substrate processing system

A first transfer apparatus unloads and transfers substrates from a cassette. A first accommodating unit accommodates the substrates. First substrate processing units divided into at least two groups and arranged in a height direction performs a process to the substrates. Second accommodating units respectively corresponding to the groups are arranged to be parallel with the first accommodating unit in the height direction. Second transfer apparatuses respectively corresponding to the groups unload and transfer the substrates from the second accommodating units corresponding to the same groups into the first substrate processing units of the same groups. Second substrate processing units respectively corresponding to the groups are arranged to be parallel with the first and second accommodating units in the height direction. A delivery apparatus delivers the substrates between the first and second accommodating units and transfers the substrates between the first accommodating unit and the second substrate processing units.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-236271 filed on Nov. 14, 2013, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The embodiments described herein pertain generally to a substrate processing system.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, there has been known a substrate processing system that performs a substrate process, such as a liquid process with a processing liquid or a gas process with a processing gas, to a substrate such as a semiconductor wafer, or the like.

By way of example, a substrate processing system described in Patent Document 1 includes multiple substrate processing units stacked in multiple stages, a substrate accommodating unit capable of accommodating multiple substrates loaded from the outside, two substrate transfer apparatuses stacked up and down to respectively correspond to an upper group and a lower group of the multiple substrate processing units and configured to unload substrates from the substrate accommodating unit and load the substrates into the substrate processing units, and a substrate delivery apparatus configured to deliver a substrate accommodated in the substrate accommodating unit to another position in the substrate accommodating unit.

In this substrate processing system, the substrates loaded from the outside are accommodated at an accommodation position in a lower portion within the substrate accommodating unit. Then, substrates, which are processed in the lower group of the substrate processing units, are unloaded by the substrate transfer apparatus corresponding to the lower group, and then, loaded into the lower group of the substrate processing units. Further, substrates, which are processed in the upper group of the substrate processing units, are delivered by the substrate delivery apparatus to an accommodation position in an upper portion within the substrate accommodating unit. Subsequently, the substrates are unloaded by the substrate transfer apparatus corresponding to the upper group, and then loaded into the upper group of the substrate processing units.

Further, the substrate processing system described in Patent Document 1 includes an inverting device configured to invert the front and rear surfaces of a substrate. A substrate accommodated in the substrate accommodating unit is unloaded by the substrate transfer apparatus and then loaded into the inverting device if necessary. Then, after the front and rear surfaces of the substrate are inverted in the inverting device, the substrate is loaded into the substrate processing unit.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 5000627

However, in the substrate processing system described in Patent Document 1, the substrate transfer apparatus transfers substrates to the substrate processing units and also transfers substrates from the substrate accommodating unit to the inverting device. As a result, a heavy load is applied to the substrate transfer apparatus. For this reason, it is difficult to increase the number of wafers to be transferred per unit time in the substrate processing system.

Further, such a problem may occur, not only in the inverting device, but in a case where the substrate transfer apparatus accesses another processing unit such as an inspection device.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing, example embodiments provide a substrate processing system capable of increasing the number of sheets to be transferred per unit time.

In one example embodiment, a substrate processing system includes a first transfer apparatus configured to unload substrates from a cassette that accommodates the substrates and configured to transfer the unloaded substrates; a first accommodating unit configured to accommodate the substrates transferred by the first transfer apparatus; multiple first substrate processing units, which are divided into at least two groups and arranged in a height direction, configured to perform a preset process to the respective substrates; multiple second accommodating units, which respectively correspond to the groups and are arranged to be parallel with the first accommodating unit in the height direction, configured to accommodate the substrates; multiple second transfer apparatuses, respectively corresponding to the groups, configured to unload the substrates from the second accommodating units corresponding to the same groups and transfer the substrates into the first substrate processing units belonging to the same groups; multiple second substrate processing units, which respectively correspond to the groups and are arranged to be parallel with the first accommodating unit and the second accommodating units in the height direction, configured to perform a certain process to the respective substrates; and a delivery apparatus configured to deliver the substrates between the first accommodating unit and the second accommodating units and configured to transfer the substrates between the first accommodating unit and the second substrate processing units.

In accordance with the example embodiment, it is possible to increase the number of wafers to be transferred per unit time by reducing a processing load on the second transfer apparatuses.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, example embodiments of a substrate processing system will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Further, the present disclosure is not limited to the following example embodiments.

FIG. 1is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a substrate processing system in accordance with a present example embodiment. Hereinafter, in order to clarify positional relationships, the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis directions are defined as being orthogonal to each other, and the positive direction of the Z-axis is regarded as a vertically upward direction.

As depicted inFIG. 1, a substrate processing system1includes a loading/unloading station2, a delivery station3, and a processing station4.

The loading/unloading station2includes a carrier mounting unit11and a transfer unit12. On the carrier mounting unit11, multiple cassettes C each configured to accommodate multiple substrates, i.e., multiple semiconductor wafers (hereinafter, referred to as “wafers W”) in the present example embodiment, in a horizontal posture.

The transfer unit12is arranged to be adjacent to the carrier mounting unit11, and includes a first transfer apparatus13therein. The first transfer apparatus13is configured to transfer the wafers W between the cassette C and the delivery station3.

The delivery station3is arranged to be adjacent to the loading/unloading station2, and includes a delivery block14and multiple delivery apparatuses15aand15btherein.

In the delivery block14, a first accommodating unit and a second accommodating unit each configured to accommodate the wafers W in multiple stages, and an inverting unit configured to invert the front and rear surfaces of the wafer W are stacked. The configuration of the delivery block14will be described in detail below.

The delivery apparatuses15aand15bare arranged to be adjacent to the delivery block14. To be specific, the delivery apparatus15ais arranged to be adjacent to the delivery block14in the positive direction of the Y-axis, and the delivery apparatus15bis arranged to be adjacent to the delivery block14in the negative direction of the Y-axis. Each of the delivery apparatuses15aand15bdelivers the wafer W among the first and second accommodating units and the inverting unit arranged in the delivery block14.

The processing station4is arranged to be adjacent to the delivery station3, and includes multiple cleaning units16and multiple second transfer apparatuses17. The multiple cleaning units16are arranged to be adjacent to the second transfer apparatuses17in the positive direction and the negative direction of the Y-axis, respectively.

The multiple second transfer apparatuses17are stacked in two stages, i.e., upper and lower stages, and each of the second transfer apparatuses17is configured to transfer the wafer W between the delivery block14and the cleaning unit16.

In the present example embodiment, the cleaning unit16includes a brush device therein and is configured to perform a cleaning process to the wafer W transferred through the second transfer apparatus17by contacting the wafer W with the brush device. Further, the cleaning unit16may perform a cleaning process with a chemical liquid such as SC1 (a mixed solution of ammonia and hydrogen peroxide water). The cleaning unit16is an example of “first substrate processing unit”.

Further, the substrate processing system1includes a control device5. The control device5is, for example, a computer, and includes a control unit18and a storage unit19. In the storage unit19, programs for controlling various processes to be performed in the substrate processing system1are stored. The control unit18reads and executes a program stored in the storage unit19to control an operation of the substrate processing system1.

Further, the programs may be stored, for example, in a computer-readable storage medium and installed from the storage medium into the storage unit19of the control device5. Examples of the computer-readable storage medium may include a hard disk (HD), flexible disk (FD), compact disk (CD), magneto-optical disk (MO), or memory card.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the delivery station3and the processing station4will be explained in detail. Arrangement of the first accommodating unit, the second accommodating unit, and the inverting unit provided in the delivery block14of the delivery station3and the cleaning unit16provided in the processing station4will be explained with reference toFIG. 2.FIG. 2is an arrangement diagram of the first accommodating unit, the second accommodating unit, the inverting unit, and the cleaning unit.

Further, inFIG. 2, the cleaning units16are denoted by “SCR”, the first accommodating units41aand41bare denoted by “SBU”, the second accommodating units42aand42bare denoted by “TRS”, and the inverting units43aand43bare denoted by “RVS”. The inverting units43aand43bare examples of “second substrate processing units”.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the multiple cleaning units16are arranged to be parallel with each other in four stages in a height direction. These cleaning units16are divided into two groups arranged in the height direction (Z-axis direction). To be specific, upper two cleaning units16abelong to an upper group G1and lower two cleaning units16bbelong to a lower group G2.

Further, the cleaning units16depicted inFIG. 2respectively correspond to the cleaning units16arranged in the negative direction of the Y-axis of the second transfer apparatus17depicted inFIG. 1. Although illustration is omitted herein, the cleaning units16arranged in the positive direction of the Y-axis of the second transfer apparatus17also have the same configuration of the cleaning units16depicted inFIG. 2. Therefore, in the processing station4, in both the negative direction and the positive direction of the Y-axis of the second transfer apparatus17, four cleaning units16aand16b(eight in total) are arranged.

In the delivery block14, the two first accommodating units41aand41b, the two second accommodating units42aand42b, and the two inverting units43aand43bare stacked. Each of the first accommodating units41aand41bserves as a region where the wafers W loaded into the substrate processing system1by the first transfer apparatus13(seeFIG. 1) or the wafers W unloaded from the substrate processing system1by the first transfer apparatus13are temporarily accommodated.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the first accommodating units41aand41bwill be explained with reference toFIG. 3AandFIG. 3B.FIG. 3AandFIG. 3Bare diagrams illustrating a configuration of the first accommodating units41aand41b. Further,FIG. 3Aillustrates a configuration of the first accommodating unit41aas an example, and the first accommodating unit41bhas the same configuration as the first accommodating unit41a.

As illustrated inFIG. 3A, the first accommodating unit41aincludes a base member141and three supporting members142,143, and144uprightly provided on the base member141. The three supporting members142,143, and144are arranged along a circumferential direction at regular intervals of about 120 degrees, and leading ends of the supporting members142,143, and144support an outer peripheral portion of the wafer W. Further, each of the supporting members142,143, and144is provided in plural stages along the height direction (see, for example, the multiple supporting members142illustrated inFIG. 3B). Thus, the first accommodating unit41amay accommodate multiple wafers W in multiple stages.

The first transfer apparatus13and the delivery apparatus15aaccess the first accommodating unit41ain respectively different directions. To be specific, the first transfer apparatus13enters the first accommodating unit41awhile passing through spaces between the supporting members142and the supporting members144from the negative direction of the X-axis of the first accommodating unit41a. Further, the delivery apparatus15aenters the first accommodating unit41awhile passing through spaces between the supporting members142and the supporting members143from the positive direction of the Y-axis of the first accommodating unit41a.

As depicted inFIG. 2, as for the first accommodating units41aand41b, the second accommodating units42aand42b, and the inverting units43aand43b, the inverting unit43b, the second accommodating unit42b, the first accommodating unit41b, the first accommodating unit41a, the second accommodating unit42a, and the inverting unit43aare stacked in sequence from the bottom.

The first accommodating unit41a, the second accommodating unit42a, and the inverting unit43aarranged at an upper portion of the delivery block14correspond to the upper group G1, and the first accommodating unit41b, the second accommodating unit42b, and the inverting unit43barranged at a lower portion of the delivery block14correspond to the lower group G2.

To be specific, wafers W processed or to be processed in the cleaning units16abelonging to the upper group G1are loaded into the first accommodating unit41a, the second accommodating unit42a, and the inverting unit43acorresponding to the upper group G1. Further, wafers W processed or to be processed in the cleaning units16bbelonging to the lower group G2are loaded into the first accommodating unit41b, the second accommodating unit42b, and the inverting unit43bcorresponding to the lower group G2.

Herein, one first accommodating unit, one second accommodating unit, and one inverting unit are provided in each of the groups G1and G2. However, multiple first accommodating units, multiple second accommodating units, and multiple inverting units may be provided in each of the groups G1and G2.

Hereinafter, arrangement of the first transfer apparatus13, the delivery apparatuses15aand15b, and the second transfer apparatus17will be explained with reference toFIG. 4.FIG. 4is an arrangement diagram of the first transfer apparatus13, the delivery apparatuses15aand15b, and the second transfer apparatus17.

The delivery apparatus15ais arranged to be adjacent to the delivery block14in the positive direction of the Y-axis, and the delivery apparatus15bis arranged to be adjacent to the delivery block14in the negative direction of the Y-axis (seeFIG. 1). Further, the second transfer apparatus17is arranged between the cleaning unit16provided at the positive direction side of the Y-axis of the processing station4and the cleaning units16provided at the negative direction side of the Y-axis thereof (seeFIG. 1). Meanwhile, the both delivery apparatuses15aand15bmay be arranged at one side in the positive direction or negative direction of the Y-axis of the delivery block14.

As depicted inFIG. 4, the first transfer apparatus13includes multiple (herein, five) wafer holding units131each configured to hold thereon the wafer W. Further, the first transfer apparatus13can be delivered in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction and can be rotated around a vertical axis, and can also transfer multiple wafers W at the same time between the cassette C and the first accommodating units41aand41bthrough the wafer holding units131.

The delivery apparatuses15aand15brespectively transfer the wafers W between the first accommodating units41aand41band the second accommodating units42aand42bor between the first accommodating units41aand41band the inverting units43aand43bdepicted inFIG. 2.

To be specific, the delivery apparatus15acorresponds to the upper group G1and transfers a wafer W with a wafer holding unit151abetween the first accommodating unit41aand the second accommodating unit42aor between the first accommodating unit41aand the inverting unit43acorresponding to the same upper group G1. Further, the delivery apparatus15bcorresponds to the lower group G2and transfers a wafer W with a wafer holding unit151bbetween the first accommodating unit41band the second accommodating unit42bor between the first accommodating unit41band the inverting unit43bcorresponding to the same lower group G2.

The delivery apparatus15ais arranged above the delivery apparatus15b. To be specific, the delivery apparatus15acorresponding to the upper group G1is arranged at substantially the same height position as the first accommodating unit41a, the second accommodating unit42a, and the inverting unit43acorresponding to the same upper group G1. Further, the delivery apparatus15bcorresponding to the lower group G2is arranged at substantially the same height position as the first accommodating unit41b, the second accommodating unit42b, and the inverting unit43bcorresponding to the same lower group G2.

The second transfer apparatuses17aand17bare stacked in two stages, i.e., upper and lower stages. The second transfer apparatus17aincludes multiple (herein, two) wafer holding units171aeach configured to hold thereon a wafer W. Likewise, the second transfer apparatus17bincludes multiple (herein, two) wafer holding units171beach configured to hold thereon a wafer W. Further, the second transfer apparatuses17aand17bcan be delivered in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, and respectively transfer wafers W with the wafer holding units171aand171bbetween the second accommodating units42aand42band the cleaning units16aand16bor between the inverting units43aand43band the cleaning units16aand16b. The second transfer apparatuses17aand17brespectively use the lower wafer holding units171aand171bin order to load wafers W into each unit, and respectively use the upper wafer holding units171aand171bin order to unload wafers W from each unit.

In the second transfer apparatuses17aand17b, the second transfer apparatus17aarranged in an upper portion of the processing station4corresponds to the upper group G1, and transfers a wafer W between the second accommodating unit42aand the cleaning unit16aor between the inverting unit43aand the cleaning unit16acorresponding to the same upper group G1. Further, in the second transfer apparatuses17aand17b, the second transfer apparatus17barranged in a lower portion of the processing station4corresponds to the lower group G2, and transfers a wafer W between the second accommodating unit42band the cleaning unit16bor between the inverting unit43band the cleaning unit16bcorresponding to the same lower group G2.

Hereinafter, there will be explained a process sequence of a substrate transfer process performed by the substrate processing system1in accordance with the present example embodiment. There will be first explained a process sequence of a substrate transfer process in a case where a process is performed by the cleaning units16aand16bwithout performing a process by the inverting units43aand43bwith reference toFIG. 5.

FIG. 5is an explanatory diagram of showing a substrate transfer process in a case where a process is performed by the cleaning units16aand16bwithout performing a process by the inverting units43aand43b. Further, the substrate transfer process illustrated inFIG. 5is performed, for example, when only a front surface of a wafer W is cleaned.

Herein, inFIG. 5, the first transfer apparatus13is denoted by “CRA”, the delivery apparatuses15aand15bare denoted by “MPRA”, and the second transfer apparatuses17aand17bare denoted by “PRA”. Further, inFIG. 5, for easier understanding, the delivery apparatuses15aand15bprovided between the first transfer apparatus13and the delivery block14, and the second transfer apparatuses17aand17bprovided between the delivery block14and the cleaning units16aand16bare conveniently illustrated.

As depicted inFIG. 5, in the substrate processing system1, the first transfer apparatus13collectively unloads five unprocessed wafers W from the cassette C to accommodate the wafers W in the first accommodating unit41acorresponding to the upper group G1(S01). Further, the first transfer apparatus13collectively unloads five unprocessed wafers W again from the cassette C to accommodate the wafers W in the first accommodating unit41bcorresponding to the lower group G2(S11). As such, the first transfer apparatus13alternately performs the process of accommodating unprocessed wafers W unloaded from the cassette C in the first accommodating unit41aand the process of accommodating unprocessed wafers W unloaded from the cassette C in the first accommodating unit41b.

Then, the delivery apparatus15acorresponding to the upper group G1unloads the unprocessed wafers W one by one from the first accommodating unit41acorresponding to the upper group G1and delivers the unloaded wafers W to the second accommodating unit42acorresponding to the upper group G1(S02). Further, the delivery apparatus15bcorresponding to the lower group G2unloads the unprocessed wafers W one by one from the first accommodating unit41bcorresponding to the lower group G2and delivers the unloaded wafers W to the second accommodating unit42bcorresponding to the lower group G2(S12).

As depicted inFIG. 5, the first accommodating units41aand41bare arranged at a middle height position between the upper group G1and the lower group G2arranged adjacent to each other. The system in the present example embodiment includes only these two groups. Thus, the middle height position is equivalent to an middle height position in the delivery block14. To be specific, the first accommodating units41aand41bare stacked in upper and lower two stages between the second accommodating unit42aand the inverting unit43acorresponding to the upper group G1and the second accommodating unit42band the inverting unit43bcorresponding to the lower group G2. In the present example embodiment, the bottom surface of the first accommodating unit41ahas the same height position as the bottom surface of the upper group G1, and the top surface of the second accommodating unit41bhas the same height position as the top surface of the second group G2.

Further, the second accommodating unit42acorresponding to the upper group G1is arranged on the first accommodating unit41acorresponding to the upper group G1, and the second accommodating unit42bcorresponding to the lower group G2is arranged below the first accommodating unit41bcorresponding to the lower group G2.

The first accommodating units41aand41bare arranged at the middle height position in the delivery block14and the second accommodating units42aand42bare arranged on and below the first accommodating units41aand41b, respectively. As a result, it is possible to shorten moving distances of the delivery apparatuses15aand15bwhen the wafers W are delivered from the first accommodating units41aand41bto the second accommodating units42aand42b, respectively. Further, with the configuration as described above, a moving distance of the delivery apparatus15acorresponding to the upper group G1can be equivalent to a moving distance of the delivery apparatus15bcorresponding to the lower group G2, and, thus, it is possible to suppress a difference in processing times between the groups G1and G2.

Then, the unprocessed wafers W accommodated in the second accommodating unit42aare unloaded one by one by the second transfer apparatus17acorresponding to the upper group G1from the second accommodating unit42aand transferred into the cleaning unit16aof the upper group G1(S03). Likewise, the unprocessed wafers W accommodated in the second accommodating unit42bare unloaded one by one by the second transfer apparatus17bcorresponding to the lower group G2from the second accommodating unit42band transferred into the cleaning unit16bof the lower group G2(S13). Then, the wafers W transferred into the cleaning units16aand16bare cleaned by the cleaning units16aand16b, respectively.

Then, the wafers W processed by the cleaning units16aand16bare accommodated in the cassette C in a reverse sequence in which they are loaded. By way of example, the wafers W cleaned by the cleaning unit16aof the upper group G1are unloaded one by one by the second transfer apparatus17acorresponding to the upper group G1from the cleaning unit16aand transferred to the second accommodating unit42acorresponding to the upper group G1. Then, the delivery apparatus15acorresponding to the upper group G1unloads the wafers W one by one from the second accommodating unit42aand delivers the unloaded wafers W to the first accommodating unit41a, and the first transfer apparatus13collectively unloads the five wafers W from the first accommodating unit41ato load the wafers W back to the cassette C. The same operations may be applied to the lower group G2. Among the above-described operations, the operations of transferring and delivering substrates from when the substrates are placed in the first accommodating unit41acorresponding to the upper group G1to when the substrates are placed in the first accommodating unit41aagain and the operations of transferring and delivering substrates from when the substrates are placed in the first accommodating unit41bcorresponding to the lower group G2to when the substrates are placed in the first accommodating unit41bagain are carried out at the same time in parallel.

Hereinafter, there will be explained a process sequence of a substrate transfer process in a case where a process is performed by the cleaning units16aand16bafter a process is performed by the inverting units43aand43bwith reference toFIG. 6.

FIG. 6is an explanatory diagram of showing a substrate transfer process in a case where a process is performed by the cleaning units16aand16bafter a process is performed by the inverting units43aand43b. Further, the substrate transfer process illustrated inFIG. 6is performed, for example, when a rear surface of a wafer W is cleaned.

As depicted inFIG. 6, the first transfer apparatus13collectively unloads five unprocessed wafers W from the cassette C to accommodate the wafers W in the first accommodating unit41acorresponding to the upper group G1(S21). Further, the first transfer apparatus13collectively unloads five unprocessed wafers W again from the cassette C to accommodate the wafers W in the first accommodating unit41bcorresponding to the lower group G2(S31).

Then, the delivery apparatus15acorresponding to the upper group G1unloads the unprocessed wafers W one by one from the first accommodating unit41acorresponding to the upper group G1and transfers the unloaded wafers W to the inverting unit43acorresponding to the upper group G1(S22). Further, the delivery apparatus15bcorresponding to the lower group G2unloads the unprocessed wafers W one by one from the first accommodating unit41bcorresponding to the lower group G2and transfers the unloaded wafers W to the inverting unit43bcorresponding to the lower group G2(S32). The front and rear surfaces of the wafer W transferred to the inverting units43aand43bare inverted by the inverting units43aand43b.

Further, the second transfer apparatus17acorresponding to the upper group G1unloads the inverted wafers W one by one from the inverting unit43acorresponding to the upper group G1and transfers the unloaded wafers W to the cleaning unit16acorresponding to the upper group G1(S23). Further, the second transfer apparatus17bcorresponding to the lower group G2unloads the inverted wafers W one by one from the inverting unit43bcorresponding to the lower group G2and transfers the unloaded wafers W to the cleaning unit16bcorresponding to the lower group G2(S33).

The cleaned wafers W are unloaded one by one from the cleaning units16aand16bby the second transfer apparatuses17aand17band transferred to the second accommodating units42aand42b, respectively. Then, the wafers W are transferred one by one from the second accommodating units42aand42bto the first accommodating units41aand41bby the delivery apparatuses15aand15b, and then, the first transfer apparatus13collectively unloads five wafers W from the first accommodating units41aand41bto transfer the wafers W to the cassette C. Among the above-described operations, the operations of transferring and delivering substrates from when the substrates are placed in the first accommodating unit41acorresponding to the upper group G1to when the substrates are placed in the first accommodating unit41aagain and the operations of transferring and delivering substrates from when the substrates are placed in the first accommodating unit41bcorresponding to the lower group G2to when the substrates are placed in the first accommodating unit41bagain are carried out at the same time in parallel.

As such, in the substrate processing system1in accordance with the present example embodiment, wafers W are transferred from the first accommodating units41aand41bto the inverting units43aand43bby the delivery apparatuses15aand15binstead of the second transfer apparatuses17aand17b, respectively. Thus, a processing load on the second transfer apparatuses17aand17bcan be reduced. Therefore, even if an inverting process is performed, it is possible to increase the number of wafers to be transferred per unit time.

Further, in the substrate processing system1in accordance with the present example embodiment, the inverting unit43acorresponding to the upper group G1is arranged on the second accommodating unit42acorresponding to the upper group G1, and the inverting unit43bcorresponding to the lower group G2is arranged below the second accommodating unit42bcorresponding to the lower group G2.

As such, the inverting units43aand43bare arranged farther from the first accommodating units41aand41bthan the second accommodating units42aand42bcorresponding to the same groups G1and G2, respectively. For this reason, as compared with a case where the inverting units43aand43bare respectively arranged between the first accommodating units41aand41band the second accommodating units42aand42b, it is possible to shorten moving distances of the delivery apparatuses15aand15bwhen the wafers W are delivered from the first accommodating units41aand41bto the second accommodating units42aand42b, respectively.

Herein, it is possible to consider that by arranging the inverting units43aand43bbetween the first accommodating units41aand41band the second accommodating units42aand42b, moving distances of the delivery apparatuses15aand15bcan be shortened when the wafers W are delivered from the first accommodating units41aand41bto the inverting units43aand43b.

However, the second accommodating units42aand42bare used in any one of a case where only a front surface of a wafer W is cleaned, a case where only a rear surface of the wafer W is cleaned, and a case where both surfaces of the wafer W are cleaned, which will be described below, whereas the inverting units43aand43bmay not be used in some cases, for example, as depicted inFIG. 4.

Therefore, by setting distances between the second accommodating units42aand42band the first accommodating units41aand41bto be shorter than those between the inverting units43aand43band the first accommodating units41aand41b, moving distances of the delivery apparatuses15aand15bcan be shortened when the wafers W are delivered from the first accommodating units41aand41bto the second accommodating units42aand42b, which is effective in increasing the number of wafers to be transferred per unit time in the substrate transfer process.

Further, as depicted inFIG. 5and the like, the inverting units43aand43bhas greater heights than the second accommodating units42aand42b, respectively. For this reason, if the inverting units43aand43bare interposed between the first accommodating units41aand41band the second accommodating units42aand42b, the moving distances of the delivery apparatuses15aand15bare greatly increased when the wafers W are delivered from the first accommodating units41aand41bto the second accommodating units42aand42b. For this reason, it is desirable to set distances between the second accommodating units42aand42band the first accommodating units41aand41bto be shorter than those between the inverting units43aand43band the first accommodating units41aand41b. With such arrangement, it is possible to increase the number of wafers to be transferred per unit time.

Hereinafter, there will be explained a process sequence of a substrate transfer process in a case where a process is performed by the inverting units43aand43bbefore and after a process is performed by the cleaning units16aand16bwith reference toFIG. 7.

FIG. 7is an explanatory diagram of showing a substrate transfer process in a case where a process is performed by the inverting units43aand43bbefore and after a process is performed by the cleaning units16aand16b. Further, the substrate transfer process illustrated inFIG. 7is performed, for example, when both surfaces of a wafer W are cleaned. In the present example embodiment, two of the four the cleaning units16aare assigned for cleaning the front surface, and the other two cleaning units16aare assigned for cleaning the rear surface. The cleaning units16bare assigned in the same manner.

Processes S41to S43and processes S51to S53as depicted inFIG. 7show a process sequence from when front and rear surfaces of unprocessed wafers W are inverted to when the wafers W are transferred to cleaning units16aand16b, and these are the same as processes S21to S23and processes S31to S33, respectively, as depicted inFIG. 6.

The wafers W of which rear surfaces are cleaned by the cleaning unit16abelonging to the upper group G1are unloaded one by one from the cleaning unit16aby the second transfer apparatus17acorresponding to the upper group G1to be transferred again to the inverting unit43acorresponding to the upper group G1(S44). Front and rear surfaces of the wafers W transferred to the inverting unit43aare inverted by the inverting unit43a, and then, the wafers W are unloaded one by one by the second transfer apparatus17ato be transferred again to the cleaning unit16a(S45). The front surfaces of the wafers W are cleaned by the cleaning unit16a.

Likewise, the wafers W of which rear surfaces are cleaned by the cleaning unit16bbelonging to the lower group G2are unloaded one by one from the cleaning unit16bby the second transfer apparatus17bto be transferred again to the inverting unit43b(S54). Then, front and rear surfaces of the wafers W are inverted by the inverting unit43b, and then, the wafers W are transferred one by one again to the cleaning unit16bby the second transfer apparatus17b(S55). The front surfaces of the wafers W are cleaned by the cleaning unit16b.

As such, wafers W are transferred between the cleaning units16aand16band the inverting units43aand43bby the second transfer apparatuses17aand17b, respectively. Among the above-described operations, the operations of transferring and delivering substrates from when the substrates are placed in the first accommodating unit41acorresponding to the upper group G1to when the substrates are placed in the first accommodating unit41aagain and the operations of transferring and delivering substrates from when the substrates are placed in the first accommodating unit41bcorresponding to the lower group G2to when the substrates are placed in the first accommodating unit41bagain are carried out at the same time in parallel.

Hereinafter, there will be explained a comparison between the substrate transfer processes performed in the conventional substrate processing system and in the substrate processing system1in accordance with the present example embodiment.FIG. 8is an explanatory diagram of showing a substrate transfer process in the conventional substrate processing system. Further,FIG. 8shows a process sequence of a substrate transfer process in a case where a process is performed by cleaning units16a′ and16b′ after a process is performed by inverting units43a′ and43b′.

As depicted inFIG. 8, in the conventional substrate processing system1′, as for second accommodating units42a′ and42b′ and inverting units43a′ and43b′, the second accommodating unit42b′, the second accommodating unit42b′, the inverting unit43b′, the inverting unit43a′, the second accommodating unit42a′, and the second accommodating unit42a′ are stacked in sequence from the bottom. Further, the conventional substrate processing system1′ includes a single delivery apparatus15′.

In the conventional substrate processing system1′, a first transfer apparatus13′ unloads unprocessed wafers W from the cassette C to accommodate the wafers W in the second accommodating unit42b′ corresponding to the lower group (S61). The first transfer apparatus13′ repeats the above-described unloading process regardless of whether the wafers W are supposed to be processed by the cleaning unit16a′ corresponding to the upper group or by the cleaning unit16b′ corresponding to the lower group.

Then, a delivery apparatus15′ unloads the wafers W to be processed by the cleaning unit16a′ corresponding to the upper group from the second accommodating unit42b′ corresponding to the lower group to deliver the unloaded wafers W to the second accommodating unit42a′ corresponding to the upper group (S62).

As such, in the conventional substrate processing system1′, the single delivery apparatus15′ accesses both of the second accommodating unit42b′ corresponding to the lower group and the second accommodating unit42a′ corresponding to the upper group. Therefore, a moving distance of the delivery apparatus15′ is increased. This is one of factors that hinder an increase in the number of wafers to be transferred per unit time.

In contrast, the substrate processing system1in accordance with the present example embodiment includes the delivery apparatus15acorresponding to the upper group G1and the delivery apparatus15bcorresponding to the lower group G2, respectively. Further, the first accommodating units41aand41bare arranged at the middle height position in the delivery block14. Further, the second accommodating unit42ais arranged on the first accommodating unit41aand the second accommodating unit42bis arranged below the first accommodating unit41b. Thus, in the substrate processing system1in accordance with the present example embodiment, moving distances of the delivery apparatuses15aand15bcan be decreased. Therefore, it is possible to increase the number of wafers to be transferred per unit time.

Then, the second transfer apparatus17a′ corresponding to the upper group unloads the wafers W from the second accommodating unit42a′ corresponding to the upper group and transfers the unloaded wafers W to the inverting unit43a′ corresponding to the upper group (S63). Then, the second transfer apparatus17a′ unloads the wafers W, of which front and rear surfaces of the wafers W are inverted by the inverting unit43a′, from the inverting unit43a′ and transfers the wafers W to the cleaning unit16a′ belonging to the upper group (S64).

Likewise, the second transfer apparatus17b′ corresponding to the lower group unloads the wafers W from the second accommodating unit42b′ corresponding to the lower group and transfers the unloaded wafers W to the inverting unit43b′ corresponding to the lower group (S71). Then, the second transfer apparatus17b′ unloads the wafers W, of which front and rear surfaces of the wafers W are inverted by the inverting unit43b′, from the inverting unit43b′ and transfers the wafers W to the cleaning unit16b′ belonging to the lower group (S72).

As such, in the conventional substrate processing system1′, the wafers W are transferred from the second accommodating units42a′ and42b′ to the inverting units43a′ and43b′ by the second transfer apparatuses17a′ and17b′, respectively. Thus, a heavy processing load is applied on the second transfer apparatuses17a′ and17b′.

In contrast, in the substrate processing system1in accordance with the present example embodiment, the delivery apparatuses15aand15bdeliver the wafers W accommodated in the first accommodating units41aand41bto the inverting units43aand43b, respectively. Thus, in the substrate processing system1in accordance with the present example embodiment, it is possible to reduce a processing load on the second transfer apparatuses17aand17b. Therefore, it is possible to increase the number of wafers to be transferred per unit time.

As described above, the substrate processing system1in accordance with the present example embodiment includes the first transfer apparatus13, the first accommodating units41aand41b, the multiple cleaning units16aand16b(corresponding to examples of “first substrate processing units”), the multiple second accommodating units42aand42b, the multiple second transfer apparatuses17aand17b, the multiple inverting units43aand43b(corresponding to examples of “second substrate processing units”), and the delivery apparatuses15aand15b.

The first transfer apparatus13unloads wafers W from the cassette C, which accommodates multiple wafers W therein, and transfers the wafers W. The first accommodating units41aand41baccommodate the wafers W transferred by the first transfer apparatus13. The multiple cleaning units16aand16bare stacked in multiple stages, and divided into at least two groups arranged in a height direction. Further, each of the cleaning units16aand16bis configured to perform a cleaning process to the wafers W. The multiple second accommodating units42aand42brespectively corresponding to the groups are arranged to be parallel with the first accommodating units41aand41bat the overlapped positions in the height direction, and configured to accommodate the wafers W. The multiple second transfer apparatuses17aand17brespectively corresponding to the groups unload the wafers W from the second accommodating units42aand42bcorresponding to the same groups and transfers the wafers W into the cleaning units16aand16bbelonging to the same groups, respectively. The multiple inverting units43aand43brespectively corresponding to the groups are arranged to be parallel with the first accommodating units41aand41band the second accommodating units42aand42bat the overlapped positions in the height direction, and configured to invert the front and rear surfaces of the wafers W. The delivery apparatuses15aand15bdeliver the wafers W accommodated in the first accommodating units41aand41bto the second accommodating units42aand42bor deliver the wafers W to the inverting units43aand43b, respectively.

Thus, a processing load on the second transfer apparatuses17aand17bcan be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to increase the number of wafers to be transferred per unit time.

Further, in the substrate processing system1in accordance with the present example embodiment, the first accommodating units41aand41bare arranged at the middle height position in the delivery block14(corresponding to an example of “processing block”) including the first accommodating units41aand41band the second accommodating units42aand42b, and the second accommodating units42aand42brespectively corresponding to the different groups are arranged on and below the first accommodating units41aand41b, respectively.

Thus, the moving distances of the delivery apparatuses15aand15bcan be shortened. Therefore, it is possible to increase the number of wafers to be transferred per unit time.

In the above-described example embodiment, there has been explained the case where the multiple cleaning units16are divided into two groups, i.e., the upper group G1and the lower group G2. The cleaning units16may be divided into three or more groups. In this case, if the arrangement or the delivering and transferring operations explained in the above example embodiment are applied to at least two adjacent groups, it is possible to increase the number of wafers to be transferred per unit time.

Further, in the above-described example embodiment, there has been explained the case where the inverting units43aand43bconfigured to invert front and rear surfaces of a wafer W are used as second substrate processing units. The second substrate processing units may be other substrate processing units than the inverting units. By way of example, the second substrate processing units may be inspection units configured to inspect a status of a front surface of a wafer W or may be UV irradiation units configured to irradiate ultraviolet to a wafer W.

Furthermore, in the above-described example embodiment, there has been explained a case where the substrate processing system1includes the first accommodating unit41acorresponding to the upper group G1and the first accommodating unit41bcorresponding to the lower group G2. The substrate processing system1may include a common first accommodating unit used in both of the upper group G1and the lower group G2.

New effects or modification examples can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art. For this reason, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative example embodiment shown and described herein. Accordingly, various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.