An apparatus includes: measurement flow passage portions as part of a respective plurality of supply paths of fluids to be supplied to a substrate, the measurement flow passage portions constituting measurement regions for measurement of foreign matter in the fluids, and being disposed so as to form a row with each other; a light irradiating unit configured to form an optical path in one of the flow passage portions, the light irradiating unit being shared by the plurality of flow passage portions; a moving mechanism configured to move the light irradiating unit relatively along a direction of arrangement of the flow passage portions to form the optical path within the flow passage portion selected among the plurality of flow passage portions; a light receiving unit including a light receiving element, the light receiving element receiving light transmitted by the flow passage portion; and a detecting unit configured to detect foreign matter in the fluid on a basis of a signal output from the light receiving element. Consequently, the number of necessary light irradiating units can be reduced, and the apparatus can be miniaturized.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-113240, filed on Jun. 3, 2015; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a substrate processing apparatus and a substrate processing method for processing a substrate by supplying a fluid to the substrate.

Background Art

In a photolithography process in a semiconductor device manufacturing process, a semiconductor wafer (hereinafter described as a wafer) is supplied with various kinds of chemicals such as resists and the like to process the wafer. A chemical supply device that thus supplies a chemical to process the wafer includes for example a supply source of the chemical, a nozzle discharging the chemical to the wafer, and a supply path connecting the nozzle and the supply source to each other.

Minute foreign matter, such as particles, air bubbles, or the like, may be mixed in the chemical flowing through the above-described supply path. When air bubbles are mixed in a chemical for forming a film on the wafer, such as a resist or the like, the film formed on the wafer may be chipped. When particles are mixed, the particles may function as an unintended mask in an etching process after the photolithography process. When such an abnormality in the film formation and such an abnormality in the etching occur, the yield of the semiconductor device is decreased. Thus, detection of the foreign matter included in the chemical in the above-described supply path has been studied. Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-327638, for example, describes providing a detecting mechanism including an irradiating unit applying laser light and a light receiving unit in a supply path of a chemical supply device, and optically detecting the number of air bubbles in a chemical running through the supply path. In addition, Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-181766 describes a technology in which a sensor for detecting a strain is provided to a supply path and a nozzle of a chemical supply device to detect air bubbles.

A plurality of chemical supply paths may be provided to one chemical supply device. For example, as a chemical supply device, there is a resist coating device that coats a wafer with a resist as a chemical to form a resist film. This device may be provided with a plurality of resist supply paths in order to be able to coat the wafer with one resist selected from a plurality of kinds of resists. Further, the resist coating device may also be provided with a supply path supplying the wafer with a chemical for increasing wettability of the surface of the wafer, as will be described in an embodiment of the invention.

In the device thus including many chemical supply paths, the optical detecting mechanism described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-327638 may be provided for each supply path. However, in the case where the detecting mechanism is thus provided for each supply path, because an optical system constituting the detecting mechanism generally has a relatively large size, the chemical supply device is increased in size, and also the manufacturing cost of the device is increased. Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-181766 does not disclose any measure to prevent an increase in size of the chemical supply device and an increase in the manufacturing cost in a case where the chemical supply device has a plurality of supply paths.

The description has been made of problems when foreign matter is mixed in a chemical. However, in various kinds of devices used in the photolithography process, such as the above-described chemical supply device and the like, a gas is supplied to a wafer processing atmosphere. An abnormality may occur also in a case where foreign matter is mixed in the gas, as in the case where foreign matter is mixed in the already described chemicals. A study has therefore been made also of detection of foreign matter in a supply path for supplying the gas to the processing atmosphere.

The present invention has been made on the basis of such circumstances. It is an object of the present invention to provide a technology that can prevent increases in size and manufacturing cost of a substrate processing apparatus including a plurality of supply paths through which fluids to be supplied to a substrate flow, in a case of detecting foreign matter included in the fluids running through the respective supply paths in the apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a substrate processing apparatus for processing a substrate by supplying a fluid to the substrate, the substrate processing apparatus including: measurement flow passage portions as part of a respective plurality of supply paths of fluids to be supplied to the substrate, the measurement flow passage portions constituting measurement regions for measurement of foreign matter in the fluids, and being disposed so as to form a row with each other; a light irradiating unit configured to form an optical path in one of the flow passage portions, the light irradiating unit being shared by the plurality of flow passage portions; a moving mechanism configured to move the light irradiating unit relatively along a direction of arrangement of the flow passage portions to form the optical path within the flow passage portion selected among the plurality of flow passage portions; a light receiving unit including a light receiving element, the light receiving element receiving light transmitted by the flow passage portion; and a detecting unit configured to detect foreign matter in the fluid on a basis of a signal output from the light receiving element.

According to the present invention, there is provided a substrate processing method for processing a substrate by supplying a fluid to the substrate, the substrate processing method including: a step of forming an optical path in a flow passage portion by using a light irradiating unit shared by measurement flow passage portions, the measurement flow passage portions being part of a respective plurality of supply paths of fluids to be supplied to the substrate, and the measurement flow passage portions constituting measurement regions for measurement of foreign matter in the fluids and being disposed so as to form a row with each other; a step of moving the light irradiating unit relatively along a direction of arrangement of the flow passage portions by a moving mechanism to form the optical path within the flow passage portion selected among the plurality of flow passage portions; a step of receiving light transmitted by the flow passage portion by a light receiving element included in a light receiving unit; and a step of detecting foreign matter in the fluid by a detecting unit on a basis of a signal output from the light receiving element.

According to the present invention, there are provided a plurality of flow passage portions constituting measurement regions for measurement of foreign matter in fluids and forming a row with each other, a light irradiating unit moved relatively along a direction of arrangement of the flow passage portions to form an optical path within a selected flow passage portion, and a light receiving unit corresponding to the light irradiating unit. Such a configuration enables detection of foreign matter in the fluids in the respective flow passage portions, and can suppress an increase in size of the substrate processing apparatus and an increase in manufacturing cost of the apparatus because the light irradiating unit does not need to be provided for each flow passage portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1is a schematic diagram of a coating and developing apparatus1as one embodiment of a substrate processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The coating and developing apparatus1includes resist coating modules1A and1B, antireflection film forming modules1C and1D, and protective film forming modules1E and1F that supply respective chemicals to a wafer W to process the wafer W. These modules1A to1F correspond to the chemical supply devices described in the section of Background Art. The resist coating modules1A and1B correspond to the resist coating device described in the section of Background Art. The coating and developing apparatus1supplies various kinds of chemicals to the wafer W in these modules1A to1F to perform, in order, formation of an antireflection film, formation of a resist film, and formation of a protective film for protecting the resist film at a time of light exposure. The coating and developing apparatus1thereafter develops the wafer W that has been exposed to light in an immersed state, for example.

The above-described modules1A to1F include a chemical supply path. The coating and developing apparatus1is configured to be able to detect foreign matter in a chemical running through the supply path. The chemical that has run through the above-described supply path is supplied to the wafer W. That is, the supply of the chemical to the wafer W and the detection of foreign matter are performed in parallel with each other. The foreign matter is for example particles or air bubbles. The detection of the foreign matter is specifically, for example, the detection of a total number of pieces of foreign matter flowing through a predetermined part in the supply path during a predetermined period and the size of each piece of foreign matter and the determination of the kind of the foreign matter. The determination of the kind of the foreign matter is for example determination of whether the foreign matter is air bubbles or particles.

The coating and developing apparatus1is provided with a light supply unit2.FIG. 2shows a constitution of the light supply unit2. The light supply unit2includes a light source21that outputs laser light and a splitter22as a split light path forming unit. The splitter22divides laser light output from the light source21into six pieces of laser light, which are supplied to corresponding foreign matter detecting units4provided in the modules1A to1F via six fibers23. Dotted line arrows inFIG. 1represent the split laser light.

The modules1A to1F are configured in a substantially similar manner. The following description will be made of a general configuration of the resist coating module1A shown inFIG. 1. The resist coating module1A for example includes 11 nozzles11A to11K. Of the 11 nozzles11A to11K, 10 nozzles11A to11J discharge a resist as a chemical to the wafer W to form a resist film. The nozzle11K discharges a thinner to the wafer W. The thinner is a pre-wetting chemical that is supplied to the wafer W before being supplied with a resist and which increases the wettability of the resist.

The nozzles11A to11J are connected with downstream ends of chemical supply pipes12A to12J forming chemical supply paths. Upstream ends of the chemical supply pipes12A to12J are respectively connected to resist supply sources13A to13J via valves V1. The resist supply sources13A to13J include for example bottles storing resists and pumps pumping the resists supplied from the bottles into the nozzles11A to11J. The kinds of the resists stored in the respective bottles of the resist supply sources13A to13J are different from each other. One kind of resist selected from the 10 kinds of resists is supplied to the wafer W.

The nozzle11K is connected with a downstream end of the chemical supply pipe12K. An upstream end of the chemical supply pipe12K is connected to a supply source13K via a valve V1. The supply source13K is formed in a similar manner to the supply sources13A to13J except that the supply source13K stores the above-described thinner in place of the resists. That is, timings in which the chemicals flow through the chemical supply pipes12A to12K in processing the wafer W are different from each other. The chemical supply pipes12A to12J are formed of a flexible material, for example a resin. The chemical supply pipes12A to12J are thus formed so as not to hinder the movement of the nozzles11A to11J which movement will be described later.

In addition, the module1A is provided with a test solution supply pipe12L formed in a similar manner to the chemical supply pipes12A to12K. A downstream end of the test solution supply pipe12L is for example connected to a drainage path not shown in the figure. An upstream end of the test solution supply pipe12L is for example branched via a valve V1into n parts (n is an integer), which are connected to corresponding test solution supply sources14. Incidentally, n is three or more inFIG. 1, but may be two. The test solution supply sources14are different from the resist supply sources13A to13J in that the test solution supply sources14store test solutions made of pure water in place of the resists. The test solutions include test particles having predetermined particle diameters as foreign matter at predetermined ratios. The particle diameters and ratios of the test particles included in the test solutions differ for the different test solution supply sources14. Each of the test solutions is used to calibrate reference data used for detection of foreign matter when the processing of the wafer W is not performed, as will be described later.

Cuvettes15A to15L are interposed between the nozzles11A to11K and the valves V1in the chemical supply pipes12A to12K and on the downstream side of the valve V1in the test solution supply pipe12L. The cuvettes15A to15K are formed as flow passage portions for measurement of foreign matter. The insides of the cuvettes15A to15K form foreign matter measurement regions. The cuvette15L is formed as a flow passage portion for measurement of the test particles, and forms a region for measurement of the test particles in the test solutions. The cuvettes15A to15L will be described later in detail.

FIG. 3shows an example of a more detailed constitution of the resist coating module1A. Reference numerals31and31inFIG. 3denote spin chucks, which each suck and hold a central portion of an undersurface of the wafer W horizontally, and which rotate the held wafer W about a vertical axis. Reference numerals32and32inFIG. 3denote cups, which surround a lower part and a side of the wafer W held on the spin chucks31to prevent scattering of chemicals.

Reference numeral33inFIG. 3denotes a rotating stage rotating about a vertical axis. Provided on the rotating stage33are a vertical column34movable horizontally and a holder35for the nozzles11A to11K. Reference numeral36denotes a raising and lowering portion capable of being raised and lowered along the column34. Reference numeral37denotes an arm movable along the raising and lowering portion36in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the direction of movement of the column34. An attaching and detaching mechanism38for the nozzles11A to11K is provided at an end of the arm37. Cooperative operation of the rotating stage33, the column34, the raising and lowering portion36, and the arm37moves the nozzles11A to11K between each spin chuck31and the holder35.

FIG. 4shows a general configuration of the foreign matter detecting unit4provided in the resist coating module1A. The foreign matter detecting unit4includes a light supplying and interrupting unit41and a detecting unit main body42. The light supplying and interrupting unit41is for example interposed in the already described fiber23. The light supplying and interrupting unit41includes a shutter43. The shutter43opens and closes an optical path between the upstream side and downstream side of the fiber23by moving between a shielding position at which the shutter43shields the optical path (which shielding position is indicated by a chain double-dashed line inFIG. 4) and an opening position at which the shutter43is retracted from the optical path (which opening position is indicated by a solid line inFIG. 4). For example, during the operation of the coating and developing apparatus1, light is supplied from the light supply unit2to the fiber23at all times. The shutter43opens and closes the optical path, whereby switching is performed between a state in which the light is supplied to the detecting unit main body42and a state in which the supply of the light to the detecting unit main body42is stopped. A speed at which the shutter43moves from one of the shielding position and the opening position described above to the other is for example 100 milliseconds.

The detecting unit main body42for example has a casing44. The casing44is provided on the sides of the rotating stage33and the cups32so as not to interfere with the arm37and the column34that move. The detecting unit main body42includes, within the casing44, a slider mechanism45as a moving mechanism, a light irradiating unit51, and a light receiving unit52. Description will be made referring also toFIG. 5, which is a perspective view showing in detail a constitution within the casing44. The already described supply pipes12A to12L are routed within the casing44, and the cuvettes15A to15L are arranged within the casing44. The cuvettes15A to15L are formed so as to be similar to each other as elongate erected tubes.

In addition, the cuvettes15A to15L are formed of a transparent quartz, for example, to be able to transmit light guided from the light supply unit2to the detecting unit main body42. The cuvettes15A to15L are arranged in a row so as to be in proximity to each other in the horizontal direction, thus forming a flow passage array16. An interval of cuvettes15adjacent to each other, which interval is indicated as L1inFIG. 4, for example, is 10 mm or less.

Reference numerals17and18inFIG. 5denote joints for respectively connecting the upstream sides and the downstream sides of the cuvettes15A to15L to the supply pipes12A to12L. The cuvettes15A to15L and the joints17and18are provided on a support19. The above-described slider mechanism45includes, for example, a moving base46provided below the support19, a driving mechanism47including a motor, a ball screw48that is connected to the moving base46and which moves the moving base46by being rotated by the driving mechanism47, and a rail49that guides the movement of the moving base46. Such a constitution enables the moving base46to be moved horizontally along the direction of arrangement of the cuvettes15A to15L. The light irradiating unit51and the light receiving unit52are provided on the moving base46so as to sandwich the cuvettes15A to15L from sides and so as to face each other.

The light irradiating unit51constitutes an optical system for light irradiation. As shown inFIG. 4, the light irradiating unit51includes an objective lens53as a condensing lens and a moving mirror54. A collimator55forming the downstream end of the fiber23and a fixed mirror56are provided within the casing44. Collimated light having a beam diameter of 7 mm, for example, is applied horizontally from the collimator55to the fixed mirror56. Then, the light reflected by the fixed mirror56is applied horizontally to the moving mirror54of the above-described light irradiating unit51along the direction of arrangement of the cuvettes15A to15L. Further, this light is reflected by the moving mirror54, and applied horizontally to one of the cuvettes15A to15L via the objective lens53. Incidentally,FIG. 5shows neither of the collimator55and the fixed mirror56.

The light receiving unit52constitutes an optical system for receiving light. The light receiving unit52includes a lens57for receiving light and a light receiving element58formed by a photodiode, for example. The light applied from the light irradiating unit51to one of the cuvettes15A to15L is guided to the light receiving element58via the light receiving lens57. Receiving this light, the light receiving element58outputs an electric signal to a control unit5to be described later. Supposing that the direction of light irradiation of the light irradiating unit51is a front-rear direction, the respective focuses of the objective lens53and the light receiving lens57are positioned at a central portion in the front-rear direction of each of the cuvettes15A to15L. Incidentally, reference numerals51A and52A inFIG. 5denote opening portions that are provided in the light irradiating unit51and the light receiving unit52, respectively, and through which the light applied from the objective lens53to a cuvette15and the light transmitted by the cuvette15pass, respectively.

As shown inFIG. 6, the slider mechanism45can move the light irradiating unit51and the light receiving unit52to such a position as to sandwich an arbitrary cuvette15of the cuvettes15A to15L. Then, as a result of such a movement, the respective focuses of the objective lens53and the light receiving lens57are positioned at a central portion in a left-right direction of the arbitrary cuvette15(direction of arrangement of the cuvettes15A to15L). Then, in the state in which the focuses are thus positioned, the light irradiating unit irradiates the light receiving unit52with light via the cuvette15. An optical path that passes through the cuvette15is thus formed between the light irradiating unit51and the light receiving unit52.

Because the moving mirror54is located at the position corresponding to the cuvette15irradiated with light, a distance between the moving mirror54and the fixed mirror56differs at times of irradiation of the different cuvettes15A to15L with light. However, due to the above-described collimator55, the light between these mirrors54and56is collimated light. Therefore, even when the distance between the mirrors54and56thus differs, variations in the light guided to the objective lens53are suppressed. Hence, a similar optical path is formed between the light irradiating unit51and the light receiving unit52when light is applied from the light irradiating unit51to each of the cuvettes15A to15L. Representatively, alternate long and short dashed lines inFIG. 4schematically represent the optical path formed through the cuvette15A. The light irradiation from the light irradiating unit51is performed while a liquid is running through the cuvette15to be irradiated with light. The control unit5to be described later obtains a signal output from the light receiving element58during the light irradiation.

When foreign matter is included in the liquid running through the cuvette15irradiated with light from the light irradiating unit51, and is positioned on the optical path, the signal output from the light receiving element58changes according to the size of the foreign matter. In addition, the signal output at this time is in accordance with the type of the foreign matter. Hence, the output signal from the light receiving element58includes information about the particle diameter of the foreign matter blocking the light, the number of pieces of the foreign matter, and the type of the foreign matter. The control unit5can detect the number of pieces of the foreign matter and the size of the foreign matter and determine the type of the foreign matter on the basis of the output signal. It is to be noted that cases where only one of the detection of the number of pieces of the foreign matter, the detection of the size of the foreign matter, and the determination of the type of the foreign matter is performed as foreign matter detection, for example cases where only the determination of the type of the foreign matter is made are included in the scope of rights of the present invention. The detection of the number of pieces of the foreign matter and the size of the foreign matter and the determination of the type of the foreign matter on the basis of the output from the light receiving element58may be performed by using for example an IPSA (registered trademark) method of PML (Particle Monitoring Technologies Ltd.), or may be based on a light scattering method.

To supplementarily describe the casing44described above, a N2 gas is supplied to the inside of the casing44and is exhausted from the inside of the casing44, as shown inFIG. 3, in order to prevent the chemical discharged and scattered from each of the nozzles11A to11K from entering the inside of the casing44described above, and thus prevent the chemicals from affecting the respective operations of the driving mechanism47, the light receiving unit52, and the like. However, the N2 gas may not be supplied and exhausted when another measure is taken to prevent each part within the casing44from being covered with the liquids.

To describe the modules other than the resist coating module1A, the resist coating module1B is configured in a similar manner to the module1A. The antireflection film forming modules1C and1D and the protective film forming modules1E and1F are configured in a similar manner to the modules1A and1B except that the antireflection film forming modules1C and1D and the protective film forming modules1E and1F supply chemicals for forming an antireflection film and chemicals for forming a protective film, respectively, in place of the resists and the thinner, for example. For example, also in the modules1C to1F, as in the modules1A and1B, one chemical selected from a plurality of chemicals is supplied to the wafer W.

Description will next be made of the control unit5provided to the coating and developing apparatus1. The control unit5is formed by a computer, for example. The control unit5has a program storage unit not shown in the figures. The program storage unit stores a program in which instructions (step group) are constructed so as to perform the respective operations of the processing of the wafer W and the detection of the foreign matter in each module, the transfer of the wafer W within the coating and developing apparatus1by a transfer mechanism to be described later, and the like. A control signal is output from the control unit5to each part of the coating and developing apparatus1according to the program, whereby each of the above-described operations is performed. This program is for example stored in the program storage unit in a state of being stored on a storage medium such as a hard disk, a compact disk, a magneto-optical disk, a memory card, or the like.

In addition, a memory included in the control unit5stores reference data for detecting the above-described foreign matter. This reference data includes a first correspondence relation that defines relation between the output signal from the light receiving element58and the particle diameter of the foreign matter to calculate the particle diameter on the basis of the output signal. As described above, the focus of the objective lens53is at the central portion in each of the front-rear direction and the left-right direction of a cuvette15. The optical path is therefore formed in a limited region within the cuvette15. Hence, foreign matter running through only a part of the cuvette15is positioned on the optical path, and detected. The above-described reference data includes second correspondence relation that defines relation between the number of pieces of the foreign matter thus flowing through the part of the cuvette15and detected for each particle diameter of the foreign matter and the number of pieces of the foreign matter actually flowing through the whole of the cuvette15to calculate the number of pieces of the foreign matter flowing through the whole of the cuvette15for each particle diameter of the foreign matter. The reference data is set for each of the modules1A to1F, and is calibrated individually. This calibration will be described later.

The processing of the wafer W and the detection of the foreign matter, which are performed in the above-described resist coating module1A, will next be described with reference to a timing chart ofFIG. 7. This timing chart shows timing in which a pressure of the pump in one supply source13of the supply sources13A to13L is set, timing in which the light irradiating unit51and the light receiving unit52are moved, timing in which the valve V1of the supply pipe12corresponding to the one supply source13among the supply pipes12A to12L is opened and closed, timing in which switching is performed between a state of laser light being applied from the light irradiating unit51and a state of the application of the laser light being stopped, and timing in which the control unit5obtains a signal from the light receiving element58. The above-described timing in which switching is performed between the state of the laser light being applied and the state of the application being stopped can also be said to be timing in which the shutter43of the foreign matter detecting unit4is opened and closed.

First, the wafer W is transferred onto the spin chuck31by a transfer mechanism F3to be described later that is provided to the coating and developing apparatus1. The wafer W is then held on the spin chuck31. The arm37transfers the nozzle11K for supplying the thinner to a position above the wafer W, and the pump of the supply source13K sucks the thinner, whereby a setting is started so as to achieve a predetermined pressure (time t1). In addition, together with the start of the setting of the pump, the light irradiating unit51and the light receiving unit52start to be moved toward positions that sandwich the cuvette15K. At this time, the shutter43of the foreign matter detecting unit4is closed.

The light irradiating unit51and the light receiving unit52are stopped at the positions sandwiching the cuvette15K (time t2). Next, the valve V1of the supply pipe12K is opened. The thinner is pumped from the pump toward the nozzle11K at a predetermined flow rate. In addition, the shutter43is opened, and light is applied from the light irradiating unit51, so that an optical path passing through the cuvette15K is formed between the light irradiating unit51and the light receiving unit52(time t3). Then, the pumped thinner passes through the cuvette15K, and is discharged from the nozzle11K to the central portion of the wafer W. When a degree of opening of the valve V1has increased to reach a predetermined degree of opening, the increase in the degree of opening is stopped (time t4). The control unit5then starts to obtain an output signal from the light receiving element58(time t5). Thereafter, the control unit5stops obtaining the output signal (time t6). Next, the shutter43is closed to stop the light irradiation from the light irradiating unit51, and the valve V1of the supply pipe12K is closed (time t7), so that the discharge of the thinner to the wafer W is stopped. The wafer W is then rotated. The thinner is expanded to the periphery of the wafer W by a centrifugal force.

On the basis of the output signal obtained during the period of time t5to t6and the reference data, a total number of pieces of foreign matter running through the cuvette15K during the period of time t5to t6and the particle diameter of each piece of the foreign matter are calculated, and the type of the foreign matter is determined. Thereafter, determination of whether or not the calculated total number of pieces of the foreign matter is a threshold value or more and determination of whether or not the number of pieces of foreign matter larger than a predetermined particle diameter is a threshold value or more are made for each type of the foreign matter, for example. Then, when it is determined that the above-described total number of pieces of the foreign matter is the threshold value or more, and/or when it is determined that the number of pieces of foreign matter larger than the predetermined particle diameter is the threshold value or more, an alarm is output, and the module1A stops operating, so that the processing of the wafer W is stopped. Specifically, this alarm is for example a predetermined display on a monitor forming the control unit5or the output of a predetermined sound from a speaker forming the control unit5. In addition, the output of the alarm includes for example display or sound output for notifying a user of the cuvette15in which an abnormality is detected among the cuvettes15A to15K and the detected type of the foreign matter.

When it is determined that the total number of pieces of the foreign matter is not the threshold value or more, and it is determined that the number of pieces of foreign matter larger than the predetermined particle diameter is not the threshold value or more, no alarm is output, and the module1A does not stop operating. Incidentally, each of the calculations and the determinations is performed by the control unit5. In addition, even when the result of determination of the calculated total number of pieces of the foreign matter and the calculated number of pieces of foreign matter larger than the predetermined particle diameter does not indicate an abnormality, the user may be notified, by the screen display or the audio output described above, of the detected types of the foreign matter, the total number of pieces of the foreign matter for each type and/or the number of pieces of foreign matter larger than the predetermined particle diameter for each type, for example. Incidentally, the determination of whether or not the calculated total number of pieces of the foreign matter is the threshold value or more and the determination of whether or not the number of pieces of foreign matter larger than the predetermined particle diameter is the threshold value or more are not limited to being made for each type of the foreign matter, as described above, but may be made by comparing, with threshold values, a total number of pieces of foreign matter of all of types and the number of pieces of foreign matter all of the types which pieces have particle diameters equal to or more than a predetermined size.

Next, the discharge of a resist to the wafer W and the detection of foreign matter in the resist are performed along the timing chart ofFIG. 7as in the discharge of the thinner and the detection of the foreign matter in the thinner as described above. When description is made supposing that the resist of the supply source13A, for example, is discharged to the wafer W, the nozzle11A is moved to a position above the wafer W coated with the thinner, and a pressure of the pump of the supply source13A is set (time t1). Meanwhile, the light irradiating unit51and the light receiving unit52start to be moved to positions sandwiching the cuvette15A (time t2), and are stopped at the positions. Thereafter, the valve V1of the supply pipe12A is opened to pump the resist from the pump to the nozzle11A, and the shutter43is opened to form an optical path between the light irradiating unit51and the light receiving unit52via the cuvette15A (time t3).

After the resist passes through the cuvette15A and is discharged to the central portion of the wafer W, and a degree of opening of the valve V1reaches a predetermined degree of opening (time t4), the obtainment of an output signal from the light receiving element58is started (time t5). After the obtainment of the output signal is stopped (time t6), the shutter43is closed, and the valve V1is closed to stop the discharge of the resist to the wafer W (time t7). The wafer W is rotated, and the resist is expanded to the periphery of the wafer W by a centrifugal force, so that a resist film is formed. While the resist film is thus formed, a total number of pieces of foreign matter running through the cuvette15A during the period of time t5to t6and the particle diameter of each piece of foreign matter are calculated on the basis of the output signal obtained during the period of time t5to t6and the reference data, and whether or not these calculated values are threshold values or more as described above are determined. Then, depending on a result of the determination, an alarm may be output, and the operation of the module may be stopped, as already described.

When the resists included in the supply sources other than the supply source13A are discharged to the wafer W, operation similar to that in the case of performing coating with the resist of the supply source13A in the resist coating module1A is performed except that the pumps of the supply sources different from the supply source13A operate, the valves V1of the supply pipes different from the supply pipe12A are opened and closed, and the cuvettes different from the cuvette15A are irradiated with light.

Incidentally, the output of the alarm and the stopping of the operation of the module as already described are not limited to being performed on the basis of a result of one measurement. For example, each time the discharge of a chemical to the wafer W and the detection of foreign matter are performed as described above, a calculated total number of pieces of the foreign matter and the number of pieces of foreign matter larger than the predetermined particle diameter are stored in the memory of the control unit5for each cuvette15in which the foreign matter is detected. Then, for one cuvette15, moving averages of the newly obtained measured values and measured values in a predetermined number of measurements, the measured values in the predetermined number of measurements having been obtained in the past, are calculated, and the calculated moving average values may be compared with threshold values to make each of the above-described determinations. In addition, integrated values of the newly obtained measured values and measured values in a predetermined number of measurements, the measured values in the predetermined number of measurements having been obtained in the past, may be compared with threshold values to make the above-described determinations.

In the foreign matter detection described with reference to the chart ofFIG. 7, the timings in which the valve V1is opened and closed and the timings in which the control unit5starts and ends the obtainment of the output signal are shifted from each other as described above in order to increase accuracy of measurement by performing the foreign matter detection in a state in which a liquid flow in the cuvette15J is stable. For example, the period of time t4to t5is 10 milliseconds to 1000 milliseconds, and the period of time t6to t7is 10 milliseconds to 100 milliseconds.

Description will next be made of the calibration of the reference data which calibration is performed in the resist coating module1A. This calibration is performed to make the already described foreign matter detection with high accuracy even after occurrence of a secular change in the optical system due to a degradation in an antireflection film provided to the surfaces of the lenses53and57or the like, a decrease in the intensity of the light source21, a decrease in sensitivity of the light receiving element58, and the like. An operation of the module1A for performing the calibration is automatically performed while the module1A is in a standby state without the wafer W having been transferred to the module1A, for example. However, the operation of the module1A for performing the calibration is not limited to such timing, but may be performed at a time of a start-up after power to the coating and developing apparatus1is turned on or in arbitrary timing specified by the user of the coating and developing apparatus1.

A procedure for the calibration will be described in the following. For example, the light irradiating unit51and the light receiving unit52are moved to positions sandwiching the cuvette15L. A test solution is supplied from a test solution supply source (assumed to be a first test solution supply source)14to the cuvette15L. An optical path is formed between the light irradiating unit51and the light receiving unit52so as to pass through the cuvette15L while the test solution runs through the cuvette15L. An output signal from the light receiving element58is obtained.

Next, a test solution is supplied from a test solution supply source (assumed to be a second test solution supply source)14different from the first test solution supply source14to the cuvette15L at a predetermined flow rate. Then, as in the case where the test solution is supplied from the first test solution supply source14, the cuvette15L is irradiated with light, and an output signal from the light receiving element58is obtained. Thereafter, test solutions are supplied in order from test solution supply sources14different from each other at the predetermined flow rate. Each time a test solution is supplied to the cuvette15L, an optical path is formed so as to pass through the cuvette15L, and an output signal from the light receiving element58is obtained. Thus, the test solutions are supplied from all of the n test solution supply sources14to the cuvette15L, and the signals from the light receiving element58are obtained. The supply of the test solutions to the cuvette15L, the light irradiation from the light irradiating unit51, and the obtainment of the output signals are performed along the timing chart ofFIG. 7as in the already described detection of foreign matter in the thinner and the resists.

The particle diameter of test particles as foreign matter included in each test solution is known. Thus, on the basis of each output signal obtained while each test solution is supplied to the cuvette15L, the control unit5can obtain the already described first correspondence relation, which is relation between the output signal and the particle diameter of the foreign matter. Moreover, in addition to the particle diameter, a ratio of the test particles included in each test solution is known, and the test solution flows through the cuvette15L having a fixed volume at a predetermined flow rate. Therefore, on the basis of the ratio of the included test particles, the control unit5can calculate a total number of test particles flowing through the cuvette15L while the output signal from the light receiving element58is obtained. Further, the control unit5can detect the number of test particles positioned on the optical path while obtaining the output signal, as already described. Hence, the control unit5can obtain the above-described second correspondence relation, which is correspondence relation between the number of pieces of foreign matter flowing on the optical path and detected and the total number of pieces of foreign matter flowing through the whole of the cuvette15L for each particle diameter of the foreign matter. Incidentally, as for correspondence relation between foreign matter having a particle diameter which foreign matter is not supplied to the cuvette15L and an output signal obtained from the foreign matter having the particle diameter, the first correspondence relation and the second correspondence relation described above are obtained by calculation according to a predetermined algorithm from correspondence relation between foreign matter having a known particle diameter which foreign matter is supplied to the cuvette15L and the output signal obtained from the foreign matter having the particle diameter, as described above.

When the first correspondence relation and the second correspondence relation as the reference data are thus obtained, the reference data within the memory is calibrated into the newly obtained reference data. The detection of foreign matter which detection is to be subsequently performed at times of discharge of the resists and the thinner in the resist coating module1A is performed on the basis of the calibrated reference data. Incidentally, the obtainment and calibration of the above-described reference data are performed by the control unit5. The operation of the module1A has been described representatively. As with the module1A, the other modules perform the supply of chemicals and the detection of foreign matter as well as the calibration of the reference data.

In the modules1A to1F provided to the coating and developing apparatus1, the cuvettes15A to15K are interposed in the chemical supply pipes12A to12K connecting the chemical supply sources13A to13K to the nozzles11A to11K, and the cuvettes15A to15K are arranged in proximity to each other. The light irradiating unit51and the light receiving unit52are configured to be movable in the direction of arrangement of the cuvettes15. According to timing in which a chemical is discharged from one nozzle11of the nozzles11A to11K, an optical path is formed between the light irradiating unit51and the light receiving unit52so as to pass through the cuvette15corresponding to the nozzle, and foreign matter is detected optically. Because the cuvettes15A to15K are thus in proximity to each other, and further the light irradiating unit51and the light receiving unit52are shared by each cuvette15, it is possible to suppress an increase in size of each of the modules1A to1F, and suppress an increase in manufacturing cost. In addition, the cuvette15L through which the test solutions for calibrating the data for the foreign matter detection run is also provided in proximity to the cuvettes15A to15K, and the light irradiating unit51and the light receiving unit52are also shared with the cuvette15L. Thus, an increase in size of the modules1A to1F is suppressed also in this respect.

In addition, when foreign matter is thus detected, cleanliness of a chemical supplied to the wafer W is monitored. When the cleanliness of the chemical is decreased from a predetermined reference, the operation of the module is stopped as described above, and thereby the processing of subsequent wafers W in the module is stopped. Hence, a chemical having low cleanliness is prevented from being supplied to the subsequent wafers W. A decrease in yield can therefore be prevented. Further, a supply pipe12in which foreign matter is detected among the chemical supply pipes12A to12K is identified. The user of the coating and developing apparatus1can therefore immediately perform maintenance or repair after the operation of the module is stopped. Hence, a time during which the operation of the module is stopped is reduced. It is therefore possible to prevent a decrease in productivity for semiconductor products in the coating and developing apparatus1.

The valves V1and the pumps described above can be a source of foreign matter. Therefore, the above-described chemical supply pipes12A to12K are provided with the cuvettes15A to15K on the downstream side of the valves V1and the pumps to detect foreign matter in the chemicals discharged to the wafer W with high accuracy. However, the chemical supply pipes12A to12K may be provided with the cuvettes15A to15K on the upstream side of the valves V1or pumps to detect foreign matter.

In addition, in the above-described modules1A to1F, the collimator55is used to irradiate each of the cuvettes15A to15L with light in a similar manner. Thus, variations in detection accuracy between the cuvettes15A to15K are suppressed, and the already described calibration can be performed with higher accuracy. However, without the collimator55being thus provided, the downstream end of the fiber23, for example, may be connected to the light irradiating unit51, and light may be directly guided from the downstream end to the lens53. Therefore, the optical system for light irradiation which optical system is moved along the direction of arrangement of the cuvettes15is not limited to combinations of members such as lenses, reflecting mirrors, prisms, and the like for effecting convergence, divergence, reflection, refraction, and the like of light, but may be formed by one lens. Similarly, the optical system for light reception which optical system is moved along the direction of arrangement of the cuvettes15may be formed by only one lens57without including a reflecting mirror or the like.

In addition, when the supply pipes12A to12L are formed of a material capable of transmitting light from the light irradiating unit51instead of interposing the cuvettes15in the supply pipes12A to12L, an optical path can be formed between the light irradiating unit51and the light receiving unit52so as to pass through the supply pipes12A to12L to detect foreign matter. That is, the cuvettes15A to15L do not need to be provided. Further, in the above-described module1A, instead of moving the light irradiating unit51and the light receiving unit52with respect to the flow passage array16, the slider mechanism45may be configured such that the flow passage array16is moved with respect to the light irradiating unit51and the light receiving unit52. Incidentally, in the above-described module1A, for example, the light receiving unit52, for example, may be configured to be individually provided for each of the cuvettes15, and not to be moved with respect to the cuvettes15.

Further, action to be taken when it is determined that the total number of pieces of the foreign matter running through the cuvette15is the threshold value or more and/or when it is determined that the number of pieces of foreign matter larger than the predetermined particle diameter is the threshold value or more, as described above, is not limited to the output of an alarm and the stopping of the operation of the module. For example, the chemical supply source13corresponding to the cuvette15for which such determinations are made supplies the nozzle11with the chemical as a cleaning solution for the supply pipe12to remove the foreign matter included in the chemical supply pipe12from the nozzle11. That is, the supply pipe12is cleaned automatically. Processing of subsequent wafers W may be resumed after the operation.

In the case where the supply pipe12is thus cleaned, during the supply of the cleaning solution to the nozzle, the cuvette15may be irradiated with light, and the control unit5may determine whether or not the total number of pieces of foreign matter is the threshold value or more and determine whether or not the number of pieces of foreign matter larger than the predetermined particle diameter is the threshold value or more, as in the processing performed by supplying a chemical to the wafer W. Then, depending on a result of these determinations, the control unit5may determine whether to continue the cleaning of the chemical supply pipe12or to end the cleaning of the chemical supply pipe12.

A modification of the detecting unit main body42will next be described with reference toFIG. 8. In the present example, moving bases64and65and slider mechanisms66and67constituting a lens displacing mechanism are provided on a moving base46moved in the direction of arrangement of the cuvettes15described above. As with the slider mechanism45, the slider mechanisms66and67include for example a motor, a ball screw, and a guide rail. The slider mechanisms66and67move the respective moving bases64and65horizontally in a front-rear direction. A light irradiating unit51and a light receiving unit52are provided on the moving bases64and65, respectively. That is, the slider mechanisms66and67respectively move the light irradiating unit51and the light receiving unit52in the front-rear direction (optical path direction).

Reasons that the light irradiating unit51and the light receiving unit52are configured so as to be thus movable will be described. As described above, kinds of chemicals different from each other run through the respective cuvettes15. Because the kinds are thus different from each other, indexes of refraction of the respective chemicals may be different from each other. In that case, when the positions in the front-rear direction of the light irradiating unit51and the light receiving unit52are fixed, the positions of the focuses of the objective lens53and the light receiving lens57may be shifted in the front-rear direction in each cuvette15. Therefore accuracy of measurement of foreign matter may vary between the cuvettes15. However, in the detecting unit main body42described with reference toFIG. 8, in forming an optical path between the light irradiating unit51and the light receiving unit52, the positions in the front-rear direction of the light irradiating unit51and the light receiving unit52are shifted according to the index of refraction of a liquid running through the cuvette15forming the optical path such that the positions of the respective focuses of the objective lens53and the light receiving lens57are positioned at the central portions in the front-rear direction of the cuvettes15A to15L.

As an example,FIG. 8andFIG. 9show states in which optical paths are formed in the cuvettes15A and15B configured to be supplied with resists having indexes of refraction different from each other. The optical paths are represented by chain lines in the respective figures. The position in the front-rear direction of the light irradiating unit51and the position in the front-rear direction of the light receiving unit52at a time of formation of the optical path through the cuvette15A are different from the position in the front-rear direction of the light irradiating unit51and the position in the front-rear direction of the light receiving unit52at a time of formation of the optical path through the cuvette15B. The positions of the focuses of the lenses53and57are thereby made to be the same in the cuvettes15A and15B. Because the positions of the focuses are thus made to be the same, variations in accuracy of detection of foreign matter between the cuvettes15are suppressed.

In addition, in the case where the indexes of refraction of the respective liquids running through the cuvettes15A to15L are different from each other, instead of forming the detecting unit main body42as inFIG. 8andFIG. 9, as shown inFIG. 10, 12objective lenses53different from each other in focal length may be arranged along the direction of arrangement of the cuvettes15A to15L, and12light receiving lenses57different from each other in focal length may be arranged along the direction of arrangement of the cuvettes15A to15L, so that the positions of the focuses of the lenses53and57in the front-rear direction are made to be the same in each of the cuvettes15. In the example shown inFIG. 10, unlike the example described with reference toFIG. 4and the like, only the moving mirror54of the objective lens53and the moving mirror54in the light irradiating unit51is moved in the above-described arrangement direction, and the moving mirror54guides light to an arbitrary one of the objective lenses53. In addition, the light receiving unit52is configured such that only the light receiving element58of the light receiving lens57and the light receiving element58is moved in the arrangement direction.

Another constitution of the flow passage array will be described with reference toFIGS. 11 and 12.FIG. 11andFIG. 12are a perspective view and an exploded perspective view of a flow passage array71. The flow passage array71is formed as a rectangular parallelepiped block. The flow passage array71includes erected plate-shaped supports72and73and a plurality of erected angular rod-shaped partition wall forming members74disposed so as to be sandwiched between the supports72and73. The partition wall forming members74are arranged so as to be orthogonal to a direction of arrangement of the supports72and73. The supports72and73and the rod-shaped members74are formed of quartz, for example.

A plurality of flow passages are formed by joining the supports72and73and the rod-shaped members74to each other, the plurality of flow passages being enclosed by surfaces of the supports72and73and side surfaces of the partition wall forming members74, and thus being divided from each other.FIG. 11andFIG. 12show these divided flow passages as cuvettes15A to15L. Chemicals and test solutions run through these cuvettes15A to15L as in the cuvettes15of the already described flow passage array16. The cuvettes15A to15L inFIG. 11andFIG. 12are formed so as to have a rectangular cross section. Each of the cuvettes15has a width L2of 0.2 mm in a front-rear direction, a width L3of 2.0 mm in a left-right direction (direction of arrangement of the cuvettes15), and a height L4of 25.0 mm, for example. A distance L5between cuvettes15adjacent to each other is for example 3.0 mm.

In addition, the flow passage array71has a width L6of 3.2 mm in the front-rear direction, a width L7of 63.0 mm in the left-right direction, and a height L8of 25.0 mm, for example. The flow passage array71is for example stored in a case formed of a resin or a metal such as aluminum or the like, and is included in the detecting unit main body42. An opening portion is provided at a position corresponding to each of the cuvettes15in the case so that the already described optical paths can be formed between the light irradiating unit51and the light receiving unit52.

A concrete example of configuration of the coating and developing apparatus1will next be described with reference toFIG. 13andFIG. 14.FIGS. 13 and 14are a plan view and a schematic vertical sectional side view, respectively, of the coating and developing apparatus1. The coating and developing apparatus1is formed by linearly connecting a carrier block D1, a processing block D2, and an interface block D3. A light exposure device D4is connected to the interface block D3. The carrier block D1carries a carrier C into and out of the coating and developing apparatus1. The carrier block D1includes a mounting base81for the carrier C, an opening and closing portion82, and a transfer mechanism83for transferring a wafer W from the carrier C through the opening and closing portion82.

The processing block D2is formed by stacking, in order from the bottom, a first to a sixth unit block E1to E6that subject the wafer W to liquid processing. The unit blocks E1to E6are divided from each other, and include transfer mechanisms F1to F6, respectively. The transfer and processing of wafers W are performed in parallel with each other in the unit blocks E.

The third unit block E3will be described in the following as a representative of the unit blocks with reference toFIG. 13. A transfer region84is formed so as to extend from the carrier block D1to the interface block D3. The above-described transfer mechanism F3is provided in the transfer region84. In addition, a shelf unit U is disposed on the left side of the transfer region84as viewed in a direction from the carrier block D1to the interface block D3. The shelf unit U includes a heating module. In addition, the resist coating module1A and the protective film forming module1E described above are provided along the transfer region84on the right side of the transfer region84as viewed in the direction from the carrier block D1to the interface block D3.

The fourth unit block E4is configured in a similar manner to the third unit block E3. The fourth unit block E4is provided with the resist coating module1B and the protective film forming module1F. The unit blocks E1and E2are configured in a similar manner to the unit blocks E3and E4except that the unit blocks E1and E2are provided with the antireflection film forming modules1C and1D, respectively, in place of the resist coating modules1A and1B and the protective film forming modules1E and1F. The unit blocks E5and E6include a developing module that develops a resist film by supplying a developer to the wafer W. The developing modules are configured in a similar manner to the modules1A to1F except that the developing modules supply a developer as a chemical to the wafer W.

Provided on the carrier block D1side of the processing block D2are a tower T1that extends vertically so as to span the unit blocks E1to E6and a transfer mechanism85for transferring the wafer W to and from the tower T1, the transfer mechanism85being capable of being raised and lowered. The tower T1includes a plurality of modules stacked on each other. The modules provided at respective heights of the unit blocks E1to E6can transfer the wafer W to and from the respective transfer mechanisms F1to F6of the unit blocks E1to E6. These modules include a transferring module TRS provided at the height position of each unit block, a temperature control module CPL that adjusts the temperature of the wafer W, a buffer module that temporarily stores a plurality of wafers W, a hydrophobizing processing module that hydrophobizes the surface of the wafer W, and the like. To simplify description, the hydrophobizing processing module, the temperature control module, and the buffer module are not shown in the figures.

The interface block D3includes towers T2, T3, and T4that extend vertically so as to span the unit blocks E1to E6, and is provided with a transfer mechanism86for transferring the wafer W to and from the tower T2and the tower T3, the transfer mechanism86being a transferring mechanism capable of being raised and lowered, a transfer mechanism87for transferring the wafer W to and from the tower T2and the tower T4, the transfer mechanism87being a transferring mechanism capable of being raised and lowered, and a transfer mechanism88for transferring the wafer W to and from the tower T2and the light exposure device D4.

The tower T2is formed by stacking transferring modules TRS, a buffer module that stores and retains a plurality of wafers W before light exposure processing, a buffer module that stores the plurality of wafers W after the light exposure processing, a temperature control module that adjusts the temperature of the wafers W, and the like on each other. However, the buffer modules and the temperature control module are not shown in the figures.

The already described light supply unit2is provided above the processing block D2. The fibers23are routed downward to be connected from the light supply unit2to the modules1A to1F in the unit blocks E1to E4. In addition, an arithmetic unit61is provided above the processing block D2, the arithmetic unit61constituting the above-described control unit5, and calculating a total number of pieces of foreign matter running through the cuvettes15and the particle diameter of each piece of foreign matter on the basis of an output signal from the already described light receiving element58. The arithmetic unit61is connected to the modules1A to1F by wiring not shown in the figures. With such a configuration, the already described foreign matter detection is performed in each of the modules1A to1F arranged at positions separated from each other.

Paths of transfer of wafers W in the coating and developing apparatus1will be described. The transfer mechanism83transfers wafers W from the carrier C to the transferring module TRS0of the tower T1in the processing block D2. The wafers W from the transferring module TRS0are allocated and transferred to the unit blocks E1and E2. For example, when the wafers W are transferred to the unit block E1, the wafers W are transferred from the TRS0to the transferring module TRS1corresponding to the unit block E1(transferring module to and from which the wafers W can be transferred by the transfer mechanism F1) among the transferring modules TRS of the tower T1. When the wafers W are transferred to the unit block E2, the wafers W are transferred from the TRS0to the transferring module TRS2corresponding to the unit block E2among the transferring modules TRS of the tower T1. The transfer of these wafers W is performed by the transfer mechanism85.

The thus allocated wafers W are transferred from TRS1(TRS2) to the antireflection film forming module1C (1D) to the heating module to TRS1(TRS2) in this order, and are next allocated by the transfer mechanism85to the transferring module TRS3corresponding to the unit block E3and the transferring module TRS4corresponding to the unit block E4.

The wafers W thus allocated to TRS3(TRS4) are transferred from TRS3(TRS4) to the resist coating module1A (1B) to the heating module to the protective film forming module1E (1F) to the heating module to the transferring module TRS of the tower T2in this order. The transfer mechanisms86and88thereafter carry the wafers W into the light exposure device D4via the tower T3. The wafers W after light exposure are transferred between the towers T2and T4by the transfer mechanisms88and87, and transferred to the transferring modules TRS15and TRS16of the tower T2, the transferring modules TRS15and TRS16corresponding to the unit blocks E5and E6, respectively. The wafers W are thereafter transferred from the heating module to the developing module to the heating module to the transferring module TRS5(TRS6), and are then returned to the carrier C via the transfer mechanism83.

The present invention may be applied to the developing modules of the above-described unit blocks E5and E6to detect foreign matter in the developers. The present invention is also applicable to chemical supply devices such for example as a device that supplies a chemical for forming an insulating film on a wafer W, a cleaning device that supplies a cleaning solution as a chemical for cleaning a wafer W, a device that supplies an adhesive for laminating a plurality of wafers W to each other as a chemical to the wafers W, and the like. Incidentally, the above-described cleaning device supplies the wafer W with for example pure water, isopropyl alcohol (IPA), or a liquid mixture of ammonia water and hydrofluoric acid which liquid mixture is referred to as SC1. Accordingly, the pure water, IPA, and SC1may respectively flow through the plurality of cuvettes15constituting one flow passage array16.

In addition, the cuvettes15of one flow passage array16are not limited to the constitution in which only chemicals used in one module flow through the cuvettes15. For example, the resists used in the resist coating module1A and chemicals for forming protective film which chemicals are used in the protective film forming module1E may be configured to flow through the cuvettes15of one flow passage array16. That is, supposing that the apparatus is provided with a first processing unit and a second processing unit (plurality of processing units) for performing liquid processing by supplying respective chemicals to a wafer W, and that, for example, the first processing unit is provided with a plurality of first flow passages supplying respective chemicals to the wafer W and the second processing unit is provided with a plurality of second flow passages supplying respective chemicals to the wafer W, the detection of foreign matter in the first flow passages and the second flow passages can be performed by the light supply unit51and the light receiving unit52made common to these first and second flow passages. In this case, the light supply unit51and the light receiving unit52may be made common to one of the plurality of first flow passages and one of the plurality of second flow passages, the light supply unit51and the light receiving unit52may be made common to the plurality of first flow passages and the plurality of second flow passages, or the light supply unit51and the light receiving unit52may be made common to one of the plurality of first flow passages and the plurality of second flow passages. Incidentally, as described above, of the light supply unit51and the light receiving unit52, only the light supply unit51may be made common.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to being applied to chemical supply devices. For example, the flow passage array16is provided with a cuvette15for gas supply which cuvette is different from the cuvettes15through which chemicals flow. Then, a suction pump or the like supplies the cuvette15for gas supply with an atmosphere in a region to which a wafer W is transferred, such as the transfer region84or the like in the coating and developing apparatus1. The region to which the wafer W is transferred includes a region in which the wafer W is processed, such as the resist coating module1A or the like. Then, as in the case of detecting foreign matter in a chemical, an optical path is formed through the cuvette for gas supply and foreign matter is detected while a gas flows through the cuvette. That is, the present invention can detect foreign matter included in a fluid supplied to the wafer W.

Foreign matter in a gas in which the wafer W is processed may be detected in addition to the gas forming the atmosphere to which the wafer is transferred as described above. For example, in the above-described developing modules, after a developer is supplied to the wafer W, and pure water for surface cleaning is supplied, a N2 gas for drying the surface of the wafer W is supplied from a nozzle. Detection of foreign matter included in the N2 gas flowing through a supply path to the nozzle may be performed in a similar manner to detection of foreign matter included in the above-described resists. Incidentally, the cuvettes15are not limited to being arranged on a straight line, but may be arranged on a curve. Further, the already described examples may be combined with each other.