Developing apparatus, resist pattern forming method and storage medium

Provided is a developing apparatus configured to slim the resist pattern while reducing the number of developing modules. A room temperature developing liquid and a high temperature developing liquid to modify the surface layer of a resist pattern can be supplied from a common nozzle to a substrate disposed on a mount table. Although both developing liquids may be sequentially discharged by switching between the supply line for the room temperature developing liquid and the supply line for the high temperature developing liquid, it is also possible to join these supply lines for supplying the room temperature developing liquid from the former supply line, and then adjust the ratio of the flow rates between both supply lines, and then supply the mixed liquid of the developing liquids as a high temperature developing liquid.

This application is based on and claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-169539, filed on Jul. 17, 2009, with the Japanese Patent Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a developing apparatus, a method for forming a resist pattern and a storage medium.

BACKGROUND

In a photoresist process as one of semiconductor manufacturing processes, resist has been applied to the surface of a semiconductor wafer (hereinafter, referred to as “wafer”), and exposed in a predetermined pattern and then, developed so as to form a resist pattern. These processes are generally performed using a system in which an exposing apparatus is connected to a resist applying and developing apparatus for applying and developing the resist.

The resist applying and developing apparatus includes a resist applying module to apply the resist on the wafer and a developing module to supply a developing liquid. In addition to these modules, the resist applying and developing apparatus further includes modules for heating and cooling configured to heat or cool the wafer before and after the processing of the wafer in the resist applying module and the developing module. And, the wafer is carried between these modules by a carrying means such as a carrying arm.

In this respect, it has been considered that a double patterning method is used to allow a feature size of the resist pattern to be finer. In summarizing the double patterning method, a first resist applying process, a first exposure process and a first developing process are performed in this order to form a first resist pattern on the wafer. And then, after a process protecting the shape of the first resist pattern is performed, the wafer is further subjected to a second resist applying process and a second exposure process. In the second exposure process, wafer W is exposed to an area deviated from the area exposed in the first exposure process. Thereafter, a second developing process is performed to form a second resist pattern.

Upon performing such a double patterning method, it has been considered that a slimming process is performed which allows a wall part of the resist pattern formed by each of the first and the second developing processes to be thinned and an aperture width of the resist pattern to become widened so as to achieve a desired pattern dimension. In this slimming process, after the resist pattern is formed, a developing liquid which is at a higher temperature than a room temperature developing liquid used in forming the resist pattern is supplied to the wafer so as to modify the surface layer of the pattern wall. Further, an acid containing chemical liquid is supplied to the wafer to be penetrated into the modified surface layer of the pattern wall, and then the room temperature developing liquid is supplied to the wafer to remove the modified surface.

On the other hand, in a conventional developing module for forming the resist pattern, the temperature of the developing liquid is regulated up to the entry of the module, so that the room temperature developing liquid can be supplied from a nozzle to the wafer. However, in such a conventional developing facility, it may be difficult to supply a high temperature developing liquid capable of performing the slimming process from the nozzle. Accordingly, being separated from the conventional developing module, it may be considered that a developing module to supply the high temperature developing liquid is provided in the applying and developing apparatus, and the wafer is transferred between these modules to be processed. However, since the number of the modules is increased and the carrying time of the wafer is also increased by doing so, the throughput of the wafer is decreased. Further, Japanese Patent Laid-open Publications No. 2005-210059 (e.g., paragraph 0040) and No. 2005-286231 (e.g., paragraph 0040 and FIG. 6) describe a developing apparatus capable of regulating the temperature of the developing liquid supplied to the wafer. However, the developing apparatus described in these Publications just aims to control the shape of the pattern in a normal developing process, but cannot perform the normal developing process and a process for modifying a surface of the pattern as mentioned above. Accordingly, these developing apparatus cannot overcome the above situation.

SUMMARY

According to an exemplary embodiment, there is provided an apparatus to develop a substrate formed with a resist film and exposed, by supplying a developing liquid to the substrate. The apparatus includes a mount table configured to mount the substrate horizontally, a first nozzle configured to supply a first developing liquid regulated in a first temperature to the surface of the substrate disposed on the mount table, a second nozzle configured to supply a second developing liquid regulated in a second temperature higher than the first temperature to the surface of the substrate disposed on the mount table, a control unit configured to output a control signal which allows the first nozzle to supply the first developing liquid on the surface of the substrate so as to develop the surface of the substrate and then allows the second nozzle to supply the second developing liquid on the surface of the substrate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is developed in view of the above situation, and aims to provide a developing apparatus and a resist pattern forming method capable of allowing the resist pattern to be thinner and reducing the number of the module (the number of the developing apparatus), and a recording medium having a computer program capable of performing the resist pattern forming method.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus to develop a substrate formed with a resist film and then exposed, by supplying a developing liquid to the substrate. The apparatus includes a mount table configured to mount the substrate horizontally, a first nozzle configured to supply a first developing liquid regulated in a first temperature to the surface of the substrate disposed on the mount table, a second nozzle configured to supply a second developing liquid regulated in a second temperature higher than the first temperature to the surface of the substrate disposed on the mount table, a control unit configured to output a control signal which allows the first nozzle to supply the first developing liquid on the surface of the substrate so as to develop the surface of the substrate and then allows the second nozzle to supply the second developing liquid on the surface of the substrate.

The developing apparatus may include a cleaning nozzle configured to supply a liquid, such as a cleaning liquid on the surface of the substrate disposed on the mount table. Further, the control unit may output a control signal which allows the cleaning nozzle to supply the cleaning liquid to the surface of the substrate after the substrate is developed by the first developing liquid supplied from the first nozzle, and then allows the second nozzle to supply the second developing liquid to the surface of the substrate. Moreover, the developing apparatus may include a first supply line connected to the first nozzle and configured to flow the developing liquid therethrough while regulating the developing liquid in a first temperature and a second supply line connected to the second nozzle and configured to flow the developing liquid therethrough while regulating the developing liquid in a second temperature.

In addition, the developing apparatus may include a first supply line configured to flow the developing liquid therethrough while regulating the developing liquid in a predetermined temperature, a second supply line configured to flow the developing liquid therethrough while regulating the developing liquid in a temperature higher than the predetermined temperature, a join part at which the first supply line and the second supply line join, a flow rate regulating unit configured to regulate a flow ratio of the developing liquid between the first supply line and the second supply line, and a control unit which controls the flow rate regulating unit to regulate the temperature of the developing liquid into the second temperature so as to use the developing liquid at a downstream side of the join part as the second developing liquid when the second developing liquid is supplied to the surface of the substrate. In this case, for example, the predetermined temperature in the first supply line may be the first temperature, and the developing liquid flowing through the first supply line may be used as the first developing liquid.

The first nozzle and the second nozzle may share a nozzle body and a developing liquid discharge port formed in the nozzle body, and the first supply line and the second supply line may be connected to the developing liquid discharge port. The control unit may output a control signal to control the temperature of the developing liquid discharged from the developing liquid discharge port in the first temperature when the first developing liquid is supplied to the surface of the substrate, and to control the temperature of the developing liquid discharged from the developing liquid discharge port in the second temperature when the second developing liquid is supplied to the surface of the substrate.

Further, the first nozzle and the second nozzle may share a nozzle body, and the nozzle body may be provided with a first developing liquid discharge port and a second developing liquid discharge port for discharging the first developing liquid and the second developing liquid respectively. The control unit may output a control signal for making a supply time of the second developing liquid longer than that of the first developing liquid so as to stabilize the temperature of the substrate surface upon supplying the second developing liquid. Further, the developing apparatus may include a first regulator to regulate a flow rate of the first developing liquid and a second regulator to regulate a flow rate of the second developing liquid, and the control unit may output a control signal for regulating each of the first and second regulators so that the flow rate of the second developing liquid becomes smaller than that of the first developing liquid.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided for forming a resist pattern by supplying a developing liquid to a substrate formed with a resist film and exposed so as to develop the substrate. and the method includes steps of mounting the substrate on a mount table horizontally, supplying a first developing liquid regulated in a first temperature from a first nozzle to the surface of the substrate on the mount table so as to form a resist pattern, and supplying a second developing liquid regulated in a second temperature higher than the first temperature from a second nozzle to the surface of the substrate on the mount table so as to modify the surface layer of the resist pattern in a state that acid can easily penetrate therein.

The method further comprises steps of supplying a cleaning liquid to the surface of the substrate after supplying the first developing liquid on the surface of the substrate and before supplying the second developing liquid on the surface of the substrate, and mixing a first developing liquid from a first supply line through which the first developing liquid is flowing while being regulated in a predetermined temperature and a second developing liquid from a second supply line through which the second developing liquid is flowing while being regulated in a temperature higher than the predetermined temperature, and regulating the flow ratio between the first supply line and the second supply line to make the temperature of the mixed liquid into a second temperature so as to use the mixed liquid as the second developing liquid.

For example, the predetermined temperature in the first supply line may be the first temperature, and a developing liquid flowing through the first supply line may be used in the supplying of the first developing liquid to the surface of the substrate, and for example, the supply time of the second developing liquid to the surface of the substrate is longer than that of the first developing liquid to stabilize the temperature of the second developing liquid on the surface of the substrate. Also, for example, the supplied flow rate of the second developing liquid is smaller than that of the first developing liquid. Additionally, the method include supplying acid to the surface of the substrate after supplying the second developing liquid to the surface of the substrate, and heating the substrate to spread out the acid, and supplying a developing liquid to the substrate for resolving the spread out part of the acid in the resist pattern to cause the resist pattern to be thinned.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium stores a computer executable program that, when executed, causes a computer to perform the resist pattern forming method.

According to the present disclosure, since an exposed substrate is developed at a first temperature to form a resist pattern and then is developed at a second temperature higher than the first temperature, the surface layer part of the resist pattern can be modified into a state that acid can easily penetrate therein, and this is effective as a process for causing the resist pattern to be thinned. And, since the developing processes by both temperature developing liquids are performed by one developing apparatus, it is possible to reduce the number of modules (the number of the developing apparatus) when the developing apparatus is incorporated into the applying and developing apparatus. Also, when the setting temperature of the developing liquid from the first supply line is different from that of the developing liquid from the second supply line and theses developing liquids are mixed to be used as the second developing liquid, and then the temperature of the mixed liquid is regulated by controlling the flow ratio between the developing liquid in the first supply line and the developing liquid in the second supply line, the temperature of the developing liquid can be quickly changed even when the lot of the substrate is changed and the temperature of the second developing liquid is changed accordingly.

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment as a non-limiting example of the present disclosure will be described with reference to appended drawings. In all of the appended drawings, the same or corresponding members (or components) are designated with the same or corresponding reference numerals to omit repeated descriptions.

First Embodiment

A developing apparatus1of the present disclosure will be explained by referring toFIG. 1which is a perspective view thereof andFIG. 2which is a plan view thereof. Developing apparatus1includes four developing units11a,11b,11c,11d, four cleaning mechanisms3a,3b,3c,3dand a developing liquid supply unit5. Developing units11a,11b,11c,11dare transversely arranged in a line. Each of developing units11a,11b,11c,11dis similarly configured to each other, and developing unit11awill be explained herein as an example by referring toFIG. 3which illustrates a longitudinal side thereof. Developing unit11aincludes a spin-chuck12awhich is a mount table to absorb the backside and a central part of a wafer W for holding wafer W horizontally, and spin-chuck12ais connected with a rotary driving mechanism14avia a rotation shaft13a. Spin-chuck12ais configured to rotate around a vertical axis by rotary driving mechanism14awhile holding wafer W and the center of wafer W is set to be located over the rotation shaft thereof. Rotary driving mechanism14areceives a control signal from a control unit1A (which will be described later) to control the rotation speed of spin-chuck12a.

A cup body21ais provided around spin-chuck12a, and has an aperture part20aat its upper part to surround wafer W on spin-chuck12a. Cup body21aincludes an upper cup22aand a lower cup23a. Also, an inner cup15ais provided inside cup body21a. Upper cup22aincludes a cylindrical part25aextending upwardly between lower cup23aand inner cup15a, and an inclination part26aobliquely extending from an upper edge of cylindrical part25ainwardly upward over the entire periphery thereof. Upper cup22ais configured to be capable of ascending and descending by an elevating mechanism27a. Upper cup22adescends so as not to interrupt the movement of nozzles when each nozzle moves to developing unit11aand ascends so as to restrict the scattering of the developing liquid and the cleaning liquid when shaking off these liquids.

Inner cup15aincludes a mountain-shaped sectional part16aso as to guide the scattered liquid. A vertical guide17ais provided extending downwardly in an outer end part of mountain-shaped sectional part16a. A drain port28ais provided for discharging a liquid drained from cup body21a, and an exhaust port29ais provided for evacuating the interior of cup body21ain a bottom part of lower cup23a.

Reference numeral18adenotes elevating-pins capable of being elevated by an elevating mechanism36a, and transferring wafer W between spin-chuck12aand a substrate carrying means disposed outside the developing apparatus. While actual numbers of elevating-pins18aare three, only two elevating-pins are shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 3for convenience. Further, reference numeral19adenotes a backside cleaning nozzle to clean the backside of wafer W by supplying cleaning liquid, such as, for example, deionized water, to the backside of wafer W which is rotating during a developing process. Each part of developing units11b,11c,11dcorresponding to each part of developing unit11ais designated in the same reference numerals as in developing units11a, and symbols b, c and d are attached as index in each figures instead of symbol a.

Next, cleaning mechanisms3a,3b,3cand3dwill be explained. Cleaning mechanisms3a˜3dare similarly configured to each other, and, cleaning mechanism3awill be explained herein as a representative example. Cleaning mechanism3aincludes a deionized water nozzle31aas a cleaning nozzle. Deionized water nozzle31aincludes a discharge port opened vertically downward, and the discharge port is formed in a circular shape of a shower head having pores. As shown inFIG. 3, pure water nozzle31ais connected to a pure water source33via a supply line32a, which stores a cleaning liquid, for example, deionized water for cleaning wafer W after developing. Deionized water source33is shared by cleaning mechanisms3a˜3d. Reference numeral34adenotes a flow rate control unit provided in supply line32a, and includes, for example, valve or mass flow controller, etc. Flow rate control unit34areceives a control signal outputted from control unit1A to control the supply of deionized water to wafer W.

As shown inFIG. 1, deionized water nozzle31ais supported on an end of an arm body35ahorizontally extending in a right angle to an arrangement direction of developing units11a˜11d. The other end of arm body35ais connected to a driving mechanism36aprovided on a base10, and driving mechanism36aintegrally moves together with arm body35aand deionized water nozzle31aalong with the longitudinal direction of a guide37aextending in the arrangement direction of developing units11a˜11d. Further, diving mechanism36aelevates deionized water nozzle31avia arm body35a. Deionized water nozzle31acan move over a central part of wafer W disposed on spin-chuck12aby the operation of driving mechanism36aso as to supply deionized water to the central part of wafer W. The operation of driving mechanism36ais controlled by receiving a control signal outputted from control unit1A.

Each of the parts of cleaning mechanisms3b,3c,3dcorresponding to each part of cleaning mechanism3ais designated in the same reference numerals as in cleaning mechanism3a, and symbols b, c and d are attached in each figure instead of symbol a. Further, in a side of each developing unit11a˜11d, nozzle baths38a˜38dare provided in a form of cup with an upper side opened. When wafer W is not processed, deionized water nozzles31a˜31dare respectively contained in these nozzle baths38a˜38din a waiting state.

Subsequently, a developing liquid supply mechanism5will be explained by referring toFIG. 4andFIG. 5.FIG. 4illustrates the configuration of developing liquid supply mechanism5, andFIG. 5illustrates the lower perspective view of developing liquid nozzle body51constituting developing liquid supply mechanism5. Developing liquid nozzle body51moves diametrically from over peripheral end of wafer W disposed on each spin-chuck12a˜12dtoward over the central part of the wafer to supply the developing liquid. Developing liquid nozzle body51is provided with a discharge port52, through which room temperature developing liquid for normal developing process and high temperature developing liquid for modifying a surface of the resist pattern to make acid to be easily penetrating into the surface thereof. Here, a process for forming a resist pattern using a room temperature developing liquid is referred as a normal developing process, and a process for modifying the resist pattern using a high temperature developing liquid is referred as high temperature developing process. Discharge port52is formed in a slit shape, and the longitudinal direction thereof is parallel to the moving direction of developing liquid nozzle body51.

Developing liquid nozzle body51is formed with a flow path53continuous to discharge port52, and the upstream side of flow path53is branched into a flow path54through which high temperature developing liquid flows and a flow path55through which room temperature developing liquid flows. The upstream side of flow path54is branched into a plurality of flow paths, and such branched flow paths54are connected with downstream end of pipe61. An upstream side of pipe61joins to each other forming pipe62. The upstream side of pipe62is connected to a developing liquid source64in which a developing liquid is stored, via a flow rate regulating unit63. Pipes61,62and flow paths54constitute a first supply line.

Also, an end of pipe65is connected to an upstream side of flow path55. The other end of pipe65is connected to pipe62at the upstream side of flow rate regulating unit63. A flow rate control unit66is provided in pipe65. Pipe65and flow path55constitute a second supply line for supplying a second developing liquid. Flow rate regulating units63,66are constituted by, for example, an air operated valve having a function to regulate flow rate, and receives a control signal outputted from control unit1A to control supply/stop of high temperature developing liquid and room temperature developing liquid to discharge port52, respectively. In order to prevent the thermal conductance from occurring between flow path54and flow path55influencing on a temperature of developing liquid supplied to wafer W, developing liquid nozzle body51is made of a resin, for example, fluorine resin capable of obtaining high thermal insulation property.

Further, developing liquid supply mechanism5includes temperature regulating units4A,4B,4C configured as a heat exchanger, for example. Temperature regulating unit4A is provided in a front stage side of flow path consisting of pipe62and pipe61, and temperature regulating unit4B is provided in a rear stage side of the flow path. Temperature regulating units4A,4B include a fluid circulation path41and a heating unit42for heating the fluid flowing through fluid circulation path41. A heat exchange occurs between fluid circulation path41of temperature regulating unit4A and pipe62, and between fluid circulation path41of temperature regulating unit4B and pipes61,62. By these heat exchanges, the temperature of high temperature developing liquid supplied to discharge port52through flow path54is regulated in a temperature range of 30° C. to 60° C., for example, in a temperature of 50° C.

Temperature regulating unit4C is similarly configured to temperature regulating units4A,4B, and a heat exchange occurs between fluid circulation path41thereof and pipe65at an upstream side of flow rate control unit66. And, by this heat exchange, the temperature of room temperature developing liquid supplied to discharge port52through flow path55is regulated in a temperature range of 20° C. to 25° C., for example in a temperature of 23° C. The temperatures of high temperature developing liquid and room temperature developing liquid are not limited to above temperature ranges, but the temperature of high temperature developing liquid may be regulated so as to be higher than that of room temperature developing liquid.

As shownFIG. 1andFIG. 2, developing liquid nozzle body51is supported on an end of arm body56with connected thereto, and the other end of arm body56is connected to a driving mechanism57provided on base10. Reference numeral58denotes a guide, which is provided on base10to extend in an arrangement direction of developing units21ato21c. Driving mechanism57integrally moves together with arm body56and developing liquid nozzle body51along with the longitudinal direction of guide58. Driving mechanism57can elevate developing liquid nozzle body51via arm body56. The operation of driving mechanism57is controlled by receiving a control signal outputted from control unit1A.

In base10, a cup shaped nozzle bath50upwardly opened is provided over an extending line along arrangement direction of developing unit11ato11c. Developing liquid nozzle body51is stored in nozzle bath50while wafer W is not processed.

Developing apparatus1is provided with a control unit1A including a computer, for example. Control unit1A includes data processing part having a program, a memory and a CPU, etc, and the program stores commands (each step) for allowing control unit1A to send control signals to each unit of developing apparatus1and to perform each processing process mentioned above. Also, for example, the memory has an area in which values of processing parameters such as a processing temperature, a processing time, a supply amount of developing liquid or a power value are stored. These parameters are read out when CPU processes each command of the program, and control signals according to the values of theses parameters are sent to each unit of developing apparatus1. The program (including a program relating to an input operation or a display of processing parameter) may be stored in a computer storage medium such as, for example, flexible disk, compact disk, hard disk, MO (magneto-optical disk), memory card, etc, to be installed in control unit1A.

In this developing apparatus1, a transfer timing of carrying wafer W to each developing unit11a˜11dis preset, and depending on the transfer timing, developing liquid nozzle body51moves to each developing unit11to process wafer W. In this example, developing liquid nozzle body51moved from nozzle bath50to a developing unit11returns to nozzle bath50after completing the development process in that developing unit, and then moves to another developing unit11in which new wafer W is carried in.

Subsequently, the double-patterning method adapted with the slimming process as mentioned in background of the present disclosure will be explained by referring toFIG. 6andFIG. 7illustrating developing process performed in developing unit11aof developing apparatus1. Also,FIGS. 8˜10illustrate sequential views that the surface of wafer W is processed and modified by developing apparatus1and external processing apparatus, in the double-patterning method, and accordingly are also referred for the explanation.FIG. 8(a) illustrates the surface of wafer W immediately before the wafer W is carried into developing unit11ashowing that a resist film71, an anti-reflect film72and a lower layer film73are laminated on the surface in this order from the top. Resist film71has been exposed according to a predetermined pattern.

First, wafer W is carried into developing unit11aby a substrate carrying means, and further carried to spin-chuck12avia elevating-pin18a. Wafer W rotates, for example, in a speed of 1000 rpm, and as shown inFIG. 6(a), developing liquid nozzle body51moves over one end of wafer W, and deionized water nozzle31amoves over the other end of wafer W [step S1:FIG. 6(a)]. Room temperature developing liquid D1is discharged from developing liquid nozzle body51on the one end of wafer W, for example, in a speed of 600 mL/min [step S2:FIG. 6(b)], and developing liquid nozzle body51moves toward central part of wafer W while discharging room temperature developing liquid D1thereby coating the surface of wafer W with room temperature developing liquid D1. After, for example, one second is elapsed from the start of discharging room temperature developing liquid D1, developing liquid nozzle body51stops over the central part of wafer W, and the room temperature developing liquid D1continues to be discharged [step S3:FIG. 6(c)].

After, for example, approximately eight seconds are elapsed from the stop of developing liquid nozzle body51, room temperature developing liquid D1stops to be discharged, and developing liquid nozzle body51retreats to nozzle bath50and deionized water nozzle31ais positioned over the central part of wafer W. The rotating speed of wafer W decreases to 500 rpm, for example, and deionized water F is discharged on the central part of wafer W. The discharged deionized water F spreads out to the peripheral edge of wafer W by a centrifugal force. The rotating speed of wafer W increases and reaches, for example, up to 1500 rpm, and the deionized water is discharged from backside cleaning nozzle19ato the central part of wafer W to clean the backside thereof. On the surface of wafer W, room temperature developing liquid D1and a residue of resist modified by room temperature developing liquid D1are swept away by deionized water F [step S4:FIG. 6(d)], and as shown inFIG. 8(b), a resist pattern74consisting of wall part74aand aperture part74bis formed.

After each of deionized water nozzle31aand backside cleaning nozzle19astops discharging deionized water, deionized water F is swept away from the surface of wafer W by rotation of wafer W, and deionized water nozzle31aretreats to nozzle bath38a. The rotating speed of wafer W decreases to 500 rpm, for example, and developing liquid nozzle body51moves from nozzle bath50over one end of wafer W [step S5:FIG. 6(e)]. Thereafter, high temperature developing liquid D2is discharged from developing liquid nozzle body51on the one end of wafer W in an amount of, for example, 150 mL/min˜300 mL/min [step S6:FIG. 6(f)], and developing liquid nozzle body51moves over the central part of wafer W while discharging high temperature developing liquid D2thereby coating the surface of wafer W with high temperature developing liquid D2. After, for example, one second is elapsed from the start of discharging high temperature developing liquid D2, developing liquid nozzle body51stops over the central part of wafer W, and high temperature developing liquid D2continues to be discharged [step S7:FIG. 7(a)]. As shown inFIG. 8(c), the surface layer of wall part74ain resist pattern74is modified to be elongated by a heat of high temperature developing liquid D2so as to form a modified part75into which acid can easily penetrate, as will be described later.

After, for example, approximately 40˜60 seconds are elapsed from the stop of developing liquid nozzle body51, high temperature developing liquid D2stops to be discharged, and developing liquid nozzle body51retreats to nozzle bath50, and deionized water nozzle31ais positioned over the central part of water W. The rotating speed of wafer W decreases to 500 rpm, for example, and deionized water F is discharged on the central part of wafer W. The discharged deionized water F spreads out to the peripheral edge of wafer W by a centrifugal force. The rotating speed of wafer W increases to 1500 rpm, for example, and deionized water is discharged from the backside of cleaning nozzle19ato the backside of wafer W to clean the backside thereof. On the surface of wafer W, high temperature developing liquid D2is swept away by deionized water F to be removed [step S8:FIG. 7(b)]. Subsequently, each of deionized water nozzle31aand backside cleaning nozzle19astops discharging the deionized water, and deionized water nozzle31aretreats to nozzle bath38a. After the deionized water is swept away from the surface of wafer W by the rotation of wafer W, the rotation of wafer W stops, and wafer W is carried out of developing apparatus1in a procedure contrary to the procedure when the wafer is carried into developing apparatus1.

Afterward, wafer W is carried into an acid treating device, and is supplied with an acid containing chemical liquid.FIG. 8(d) illustrates a state in which the chemical acid is supplied so that the chemical acid is attached to the surface of resist pattern74. When acid is supplied to the modified part subjected to the high temperature developing process, acid may be supplied in either a liquid state or a gas state. After acid is supplied, wafer W is carried to a heating device to be heated therein, so that the acid is spread out into modified part75of wall part74ain resist pattern74, as shown inFIG. 8(e). After that, wafer W is again carried into developing apparatus1, and steps S1˜S3are performed, so that room temperature developing liquid D1is supplied on the surface of wafer W. Subsequently, step S4is performed so that the deionized water is supplied to the surface of wafer W so as to remove modified part75. As a result, as shown inFIG. 8(f), resist pattern74is subjected to a slimming process to be thinned, that is, the width of wall part74aof resist pattern74is narrowed.

Each of pure water nozzle31aand backside cleaning nozzle19astops discharging deionized water, and deionized water F is swept away from the surface of wafer W, and then deionized water nozzle31aretreats to nozzle bath38a. And then, the rotation of wafer W stops, and wafer W is again carried out of developing apparatus1. Thereafter, wafer W is carried to a chemical liquid supply device for forming a protective film, and the chemical liquid supply device supplies a chemical liquid, so that the surface of wall part74ain resist pattern74is subjected to a freezing process in which a protective film76is formed to protect wall part74a, as shown inFIG. 9(a). Subsequently, wafer W is carried to a resist applying device, and as shown inFIG. 9(b), a resist is applied to the wafer, and then, wafer W is carried to an exposing device to be exposed in a predetermined pattern.

Thereafter, wafer W is again carried to one of developing units, for example, developing unit11aof developing apparatus1, and steps S1˜S4are performed to form a resist pattern77, as shown inFIG. 9(c). Resist pattern77is formed with wall part77awhich is formed between slimmed wall parts74awith spacing part77bsandwiched therebetween. Subsequently, steps S5˜S8are performed, so that the surface layer of wall part77ais modified to form a modified part79, as shown inFIG. 9(d). Subsequently, as mention above, the processing of wafer in developing apparatus1is completed, and wafer W is carried out of developing apparatus1.

Thereafter, wafer W is again carried to the acid treating device, and is supplied with the acid containing chemical liquid, so that, as shown inFIG. 9(e), acid is attached to the surface of resist pattern77. Also, wafer W is carried to the heating device to be heated therein, so that the acid is penetrated into modified part79to be spread out, as shown inFIG. 9(f). And then, wafer W is again transferred to developing apparatus1. And, above steps S1˜S4are performed and developing liquid and deionized water are sequentially supplied to the surface of wafer W to remove modified part79. By doing so, as shown inFIG. 10, a slimming process for allowing the width of wall part77ato be narrowed can be performed. After pattern is formed in such a manner, wafer W is carried to an etching device, and then anti-reflect film72and lower layer film73are etched in the etching device while using a resist as a mask.

According to developing apparatus1, since exposed wafer W is developed by the room temperature developing liquid to form a resist pattern and then developing liquid with a higher temperature than the room temperature developing liquid is supplied on wafer W, the surface layer of the resist pattern can be modified into a state that acid can easily penetrate therein, and this is effective as a process for causing the resist pattern to be thinned. And, since the developing processes by both temperature developing liquids are performed by one developing apparatus, it is possible to reduce the number of modules (the number of the developing apparatus) when the developing apparatus is incorporated into the developing and applying apparatus. Also, in an above process, by making the supply time of the high temperature developing liquid longer than that of the room temperature developing liquid, the temperature in the surface of wafer W is stabilized. By doing so, the modification of the resist pattern can be effectively performed. Also, in modifying the surface of the resist pattern, it may be desirable to allow the surface temperature of resist pattern to be maintained in a relatively high temperature, and as in the example of this embodiment, it is effective to restrict the flow rate of high temperature developing liquid D2relative to that of room temperature developing liquid D1within a range that allows the temperature necessary for the modification to be maintained, because this prevents the developing liquid used from being wasted.

Next, a modified embodiment of developing liquid nozzle body51will be explained. Developing liquid nozzle body51shown inFIG. 11is provided with a discharge port81connected to a pipe61of the high temperature developing liquid and a discharge port82connected to a pipe65of the room temperature developing liquid, respectively. Discharge ports81,82are formed in a slit shape similar to discharge port52, and can be arranged in parallel to the discharge developing liquid along the diameter direction of wafer W. And, an insulation material83formed from, for example, closed-cell nitrilic synthetic rubber or urethane foam, is provided between discharge ports81,82so as to prevent developing liquid discharged through one of discharge ports81,82from being affected by a heat of another discharge port.

Next, yet another example of the developing liquid supply mechanism will be explained by referring toFIG. 12. In a developing liquid supply mechanism8, developing liquids flowing through pipe61and pipe65are mixed at a path53as a join part near discharge port52, so that high temperature developing liquid and room temperature developing liquid can be supplied to wafer W in a temperature set by user. In this example, the temperature of the developing liquid supplied to developing liquid nozzle body51through pipe61is regulated in 60° C. by temperature regulating units4A,4B, and the temperature of the developing liquid supplied to developing liquid nozzle body51through pipe65is regulated in 20° C. by temperature regulating unit4C.

Flow rate regulating unit84provided in pipe62includes a flow rate regulating valve84aprovided in its upstream side and a flow meter84bprovided in its downstream side. Flow rate regulating unit85provided in pipe65includes a flow rate regulating valve85aprovided in its upstream side and a flow meter85bprovided in its downstream side. Flow meters84b,85brespectively measure flow rates of the developing liquid flowing through each pipes62,65and output a signal according to the measured values to control unit1A. Control unit1A outputs control signals to flow rate regulating valves84a,85afor making the flow rate value measured by flow meters84b,85bequal to flow rate value calculated by control unit1A which will be described later, thereby regulating the degree of opening of the flow rate regulating valves. Also, flow path53of developing liquid nozzle body51is provided with a temperature sensor88to detect the temperature of the developing liquid flowing through flow path53, and temperature sensor88outputs a signal to control unit1A according to the detected value.

Also, the memory of control unit1A stores, for example, a table89shown in the figure. In this table, setting temperatures of the developing liquid supplied to wafer W correspond to the mixing ratios of 20° C. developing liquid over 60° C. developing liquid supplied to developing liquid nozzle body51through each pipe62,65for obtaining the developing liquid with such setting temperatures. Further, only a portion of the stored setting temperatures and mixing ratios is illustrated in table89ofFIG. 12, and it is possible for a user to set the temperatures of the developing liquid in a temperature other than the temperature illustrated in table89, and the mixing ratio is stored for each setting temperature. And, the user can set a desired temperature and flow rate of the developing liquid respectively supplied to wafer W using an input means (not shown) in a room temperature developing process and a high temperature developing process.

After performing such a setting, control unit1A reads out a mixing ratio from table89corresponding to the temperature of the developing liquid supplied to wafer W set by the user in a room temperature developing process and a high temperature developing process. Based on the mixing ratio read out from the table and the flow rate set by the user, flow rate of 60° C. developing liquid and flow rate of 20° C. developing liquid supplied to developing liquid nozzle body51are calculated. And, control unit1A outputs a control signal to flow rate regulating units84,85to control the supply of the calculated flow rate of the 60° C. developing liquid and 20° C. developing liquid to developing liquid nozzle body51, respectively.

It is assumed that, the flow rate of 23° C. developing liquid is set at 600 mL/min in a room temperature developing process, and the flow rate of 45° C. developing liquid is set at 150 mL/min in a high temperature developing process by the user. And, in the room temperature developing process, control unit1A reads out the mixing ratio corresponding to 23° C. as a setting temperature of the developing liquid from table89. As illustrated inFIG. 12, this mixing ratio is 0.925 for 20° C. developing liquid and is 0.075 for 60° C. developing liquid. Control unit1A determines the flow rate of 20° C. developing liquid as 600×0.925=555 mL/min and the flow rate of 60° C. developing liquid as 600×0.075=45 mL/min, based on the calculation. And, each developing liquid is supplied to developing liquid nozzle body51at the determined flow rates. And, in the high temperature developing process, control unit1A reads out the mixing ratio from table89corresponding to 45° C. as a setting temperature of the developing liquid. As illustrated inFIG. 12, this mixing ratio is 0.375 for 20° C. developing liquid and is 0.625 for 60° C. developing liquid. Control unit1A determines the flow rate of 20° C. developing liquid as 150×0.375=56.25 mL/min and the flow rate of 60° C. developing liquid as 150×0.625=93.75 mL/min, based on the calculation. And, each developing liquid is supplied to developing liquid nozzle body51at the determined flow rates.

Further, when the developing liquid is supplied to developing liquid nozzle body51in such a manner, temperature sensor88monitors the temperature of the developing liquid mixed in flow path53. Control unit1A calculates the deviation amount between the temperature set by the user and detected by temperature sensor88, and respectively changes the flow rates of the 60° C. developing liquid and the 20° C. developing liquid supplied to developing liquid nozzle body51based on the detected deviation amount. Specifically, the memory of control unit1A stores data86in which the deviation amount that corresponds to a correction amount (a) of a mixed ratio for the 20° C. developing liquid and a correction amount (b) of a mixed ratio for the 60° C. developing liquid. Here, b equals −a. Control unit1A reads out corresponding correction amounts a, b of the mixed ratio, based on the calculated deviation amount. And, the readout correction amount of the mixed ratio for the 60° C. developing liquid and the 20° C. developing liquid are respectively added to the mixing ratio of the 60° C. developing liquid and the 20° C. developing liquid readout from data86thereby changing the mixing ratio.

That is, it is assumed that the setting temperature is 50° C., and the 20° C. developing liquid and the 60° C. developing liquid are mixed in a ratio of 0.25:0.75 for the setting temperature, according to table89. In addition, when the deviation amount (c) is detected, the correction amount (a) of the mixed ratio for the 20° C. developing liquid and the correction amount (b) of the mixed ratio for the 60° C. developing liquid each corresponding to the deviation amount are read out from data86. And, the mixed ratio for the 20° C. developing liquid is corrected to 0.25+a, and the mixed ratio of the 60° C. developing liquid is corrected to 0.75+b, and the flow rates of the 20° C. developing liquid and the 60° C. developing liquid are newly calculated according to the corrected mixed ratio, respectively. And, each developing liquid is supplied to developing liquid nozzle body51based on the calculated flow rates.

When the lot of wafer W carried into developing apparatus1is changed, film type or film quality of the resist film formed on wafer W can be changed. In this case, it is necessary to change the temperature of the developing liquid so as to modify the surface of the resist pattern. By mixing the developing liquids having different temperatures at the upstream of discharge port52and setting the mixed ratio for each lot as described above, it is possible to improve the throughput, because the temperature of the developing liquid supplied to wafer W can be quickly changed compared with a case that changes the heat amount of temperature regulating units4A˜4C for each lot. Also, in a room temperature developing process and a high temperature developing process, the temperature of the developing liquids may be changed during discharging the developing liquid to wafer W. Alternatively, the supply temperature of the developing liquids may be set for each wafer W in the same lot.

Also, when the developing liquids having different temperatures are mixed to supply the mixed developing liquid to wafer W as described above, a discharge port for discharging a room temperature developing liquid and a discharge port for discharging a high temperature developing liquid may be separately provided in developing liquid nozzle body51. For example, in developing liquid supply mechanism8shown inFIG. 12, a room temperature discharge port is formed in addition to discharge port52, flow rate regulating unit85of pipe65is branched at the downstream side thereof, and the branched pipe is connected to the room temperature discharge port. And, it is considered that the developing liquid can be supplied from pipe65through the room temperature discharge port or flow paths55,53to discharge port52by the conversion of a valve. Also, the temperature of the developing liquid flowing through pipe65is controlled, for example, to 23° C. by temperature regulating unit4C, for example, and the 23° C. developing liquid is supplied to wafer W through the room temperature discharge port in the room temperature developing process. And, in the high temperature developing process, the supply destination of the 23° C. developing liquid may be converted to flow path55,53and discharge port52, and the 23° C. developing liquid may be mixed with the 60° C. developing liquid at flow path53to form a high temperature developing liquid having a temperature set by the user. And the high temperature developing liquid may be supplied to wafer W through discharge port52.

FIG. 13illustrates another example of the developing apparatus100. Developing apparatus100is provided with a developing liquid supply mechanism9, in addition to developing liquid supply mechanism5. Developing liquid supply mechanism9, as in developing liquid supply mechanism5, includes a developing liquid nozzle body91, an arm body56to support developing liquid nozzle body91, a driving mechanism57to elevate arm body56, a guide58to move driving mechanism57transversely, and a nozzle bath90to hold developing liquid nozzle body91in an waiting position. Developing liquid nozzle body91supplies the developing liquid along a diameter direction of wafer W, as in developing liquid nozzle body51. In this example, developing liquid nozzle body51supplies the high temperature developing liquid, and developing liquid nozzle body91supplies the room temperature developing liquid.

FIG. 14illustrates a piping system connected to developing liquid nozzle bodies51,91. Pipe65connected to developing liquid nozzle body51in the first embodiment can be connected to developing liquid nozzle body91to supply the developing liquid regulated in a temperature of 23° C., for example. And, pipe62branched from developing liquid nozzle body51constitutes a branched pipe68, and the end of branched pipe68joins with pipe62at the upstream side of flow rate regulating unit63. Branched pipe68is provided with flow rate control part69configured similarly to flow rate regulating unit63to control the supply of the developing liquid toward the downstream side.

Temperature regulating unit4A can be configured to regulate the temperature of the developing liquid flowing through pipe68as well as pipe62. Branched pipe68is configured to have the diameter smaller than the diameter of pipe62, for example. And, developing apparatus100is configured in such a way that in a case that the developing liquid is supplied to developing liquid nozzle body51without going through branched pipe68, the discharged amount of the developing liquid becomes small compared to a case that developing liquid is supplied to developing liquid nozzle body51through branched pipe68. In this example, the developing liquid is supplied to wafer W in an amount of 600 mL/min without going through pipe68and in an amount of 150 mL/min with going through pipe68, respectively.

Now, processing process by developing apparatus100will be explained by referring toFIG. 15with the difference from the above embodiment as a center. First, while steps S1˜S3are performed, the supply of the room temperature developing liquid is performed by developing liquid nozzle body91rather than developing liquid nozzle body51. Subsequently, step S4is performed, and deionized water is supplied to the surface of wafer W. And then, the deionized water is swept away, and developing liquid nozzle body51moves over the peripheral end of rotating wafer W, so that high temperature developing liquid D2is supplied to wafer W in an amount of 600 mL/min [FIG. 15(a)]. When developing liquid nozzle body51moves over the central part of wafer W, and the entire surface of wafer W is covered with high temperature developing liquid D2[FIG. 15(b)], the supply line of the developing liquid is switched and the flow rate of high temperature developing liquid D2becomes 150 mL/min[FIG. 15(c)]. And, in order to make the temperature of the entire surface of wafer W uniform, developing liquid nozzle body51discharges the developing liquid in a continuous manner while reciprocating between over the central part of wafer W and over the peripheral end thereof [FIG. 15(d)]. After, for example, 60 seconds from the change of the flow rate of high temperature developing liquid D2, high temperature developing liquid D2stops to be discharged. And then, above step S8is performed, deionized water is supplied to wafer W, and high temperature developing liquid D2is removed.

Developing apparatus100can achieve the same effect as in developing apparatus1. Also, as mentioned above, it may be desirable to maintain the surface temperature of the resist in a relatively high temperature when modifying the resist surface by supplying the high temperature developing liquid, as mentioned above. Accordingly, by restricting the flow rate of the high temperature developing liquid after high temperature developing liquid D is coated on wafer W as mentioned above, it is possible to effectively eliminate waste of the used developing liquid. Although, in a process procedure by above developing apparatus100, developing liquid nozzle body51is moved over the central part of wafer W and then reciprocated between over central part of water W and over peripheral end thereof for processing the surface of wafer W with high uniformity, it is also possible for developing liquid nozzle body51to move over the central part of wafer W, and then, to continuously discharge high temperature developing liquid D2while it is positioned over the central part of wafer W. Although, in above example, in order to quickly form a developing liquid film and to increase the processing uniformity in the surface of wafer W, high temperature developing liquid D2is supplied in a relatively large amount of 600 mL/min until developing liquid nozzle body51is positioned over the central part of wafer W, the developing liquid may be supplied in an amount of 150 mL/min, for example, without changing the flow rate of the developing liquid from the start of discharge to the stop of discharge.

Also, although, in above examples, the room temperature developing liquid is supplied to wafer W and then, deionized water is supplied to the surface of wafer W to surely remove the resist residue on the surface of wafer W, the resist residue may be swept away to be removed by supplying the room temperature developing liquid to wafer W and then high temperature developing liquid D2to modify the surface layer of the resist pattern instead of supplying deionized water. Further, after performing the high temperature developing process, developing apparatus1may carry wafer W to a cleaning apparatus without performing a cleaning process, and the cleaning apparatus may clean wafer W to remove the developing liquid. Also, when high temperature developing liquid D2is supplied to wafer W, developing liquid nozzle body51may be positioned over the central part of rotating wafer W, and may begin to discharge high temperature developing liquid D2. And then high temperature developing liquid D2may be spread out over the peripheral part of wafer W by a centrifugal force to form a liquid film.

Next, an applying and developing apparatus110including the developing apparatus according to each embodiment as described above will be explained.FIG. 16illustrates a plan view of a system in which an exposing apparatus C4is connected to applying and developing apparatus110, andFIG. 17illustrates a perspective view of the system shown inFIG. 16. Also,FIG. 18illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of applying and developing apparatus110. Applying and developing apparatus110is provided with a carrier block C1, and a transfer arm112takes wafer W out of a closed type carrier C disposed on a mount table111of the carrier block to transfer it to a processing block C2, and a transfer arm112receives processed wafer W from processing block C2to return it to carrier C.

In this example, as shown inFIG. 17, processing block C2includes, in a laminated order from the bottom, a first block (DEV layer) B1to perform a develop process, a second block (BCT layer) B2to form an anti-reflection film, a third block (COT layer) B3to form a resist film, a fourth block (acid treating layer) B4to supply an acid containing chemical liquid, and a fifth block (freezing layer) B5to form a protective film for protecting the resist pattern.

Second block (BCT layer) B2includes an application module to apply a chemical liquid for forming the anti-reflection film using a spin-coating, a shelf unit constituting a group of processing modules of a heating and cooling system for treatments before and after a process performed by the application module, and a carrying arm A2disposed between the application module and the processing modules to transfer wafer W between these modules. The shelf unit is arranged along the transfer region R1in which carrying arm A1moves, and is respectively configured by lamination of the modules of the heating and cooling system.

Third block (COT layer) B3is configured similar to second block (BCT layer) B2, except that the application module applies a resist liquid as chemical acid. Fourth block (acid treating layer) B4and fifth block (freezing layer) B5are configured similar to the second block and the third block, respectively, except that the application module applies a chemical liquid for acid processing and forming protective film76, respectively. The application module of COT layer B3corresponds to the resist applying device, the application module of acid treating layer B4corresponds to the acid treating device, and the application module of the freezing layer B5corresponds to the chemical liquid supply device for forming the protective film. Further, the layout of the second to the fifth block B is configured similar to that of first block B1(which will be described later) when viewed in a plan view.

In first block (DEV layer) B1, as shown inFIG. 16, developing modules113corresponding to the application module are laminated in two stages within one DEV layer B1, and shelf units U1˜U4are provided constituting a group of heating modules for processing the wafer before and after the developing module. The developing module corresponds to the developing apparatus of the embodiment as described earlier. And, the interior of DEV layer B1is provided with carrying arm A1to carry wafer W to developing modules113formed in two stages and the heating modules. That is, developing modules113formed in two stages share carrying arm A1.

Processing block C2is further provided with a shelf unit U5at a position that carrying arms A1˜A5of each block B1˜B5can access, as shown inFIG. 16andFIG. 18. A transfer module TRS is provided in shelf unit U5to transfer wafer W between carrying arms A1˜A5and the shelf unit. And, a carrying arm E1capable of being elevated is provided near shelf unit U5, and can access to theses modules provided in shelf unit U5. Also, transfer arm112can elevate to access modules provided in a height position corresponding to BCT layer B2and DEV layer B1.

Also, a shelf unit U6is provided in processing block C2in an area of carrying region R1adjacent to interface block C3with a position capable of being accessed by carrying arm A1and shuttle arm114(which will be described later), as shown inFIG. 16. Further, shelf unit U6includes transfer module TRS as in shelf unit U5.

In the upper part within DEV layer B1, a shuttle arm114is provided as a dedicated transfer means to carry wafer W from shelf unit U5directly to shelf unit U6. Also, interface block C3is provided with an interface arm115capable of carrying wafer W between each module of shelf unit U6and exposing apparatus C4.

Applying and developing apparatus110includes a control unit120including, for example, a computer. Control unit120is constituted by program, memory and CPU, etc. The program stores commands (each step) for allowing to send a control signal from control unit120to each unit of applying and developing apparatus110, to carry the wafer between modules (which will be described later) and to advance the processes in each module. The program may be stored in various storage medium used in control unit1A as mentioned above to be installed in control unit120.

Next, processing process by applying and developing apparatus110will be described. Firstly, a carrier C containing a plurality of wafers W is carried from the outside into mount table111, and wafers W within carrier C are sequentially carried to transfer module TRS1by transfer arm112. Carrying arm A2of second block (BCT layer) B2receives wafer W from transfer module TRS1to transfer the wafer W to the application module, so that an anti-reflection film72is formed on wafer W.

Thereafter, wafer W is sequentially transferred to the heating module and transfer module TRS2of shelf unit U5by carrying arm A2, and then, is transferred to transfer arm E1and transfer module TRS3in this order. And, wafer W is transferred by carrying arm A3to the application module of COT layer B3to form resist film73. After formation of resist film73, wafer W is transferred to heating module and transfer f4of shelf unit U5in this order by carrying arm A3, and then, is transferred to transfer unit116of shelf unit U5by transfer arm E1, and is further transferred from the transfer unit to shuttle arm114. Shuttle arm114transfers wafer W to transfer unit117of shelf unit U6, and then wafer W is transferred from the transfer unit to interface arm115. Wafer W is transferred to exposing device C4by interface arm115to be subjected to the first exposure process.FIG. 8(a) as described above illustrates wafer W after the first exposure process.

After the first exposure process is performed, wafer W is transferred to carrying arm A1through transfer module TRS5of shelf unit U6by interface arm115, and is transferred to heating module and developing module113in this order to be processed.FIG. 8(c) illustrates wafer W after the wafer W is developed in developing module113. Wafer W is transferred by carrying arm A1to heating module, transfer module TRS6, transfer arm E1and transfer module TRS7in this order. A carrying arm A4of fourth block (acid treating layer) B4receives wafer W from transfer module TRS7to transfer the wafer W to application module, so that an acid chemical liquid is supplied to wafer W.FIG. 8(d) illustrates wafer supplied with the acid chemical liquid in such a manner. After acid chemical liquid is supplied, wafer W is transferred by carrying arm A4to heating module to be heated therein.FIG. 8(e) illustrates wafer W after being heated.

After the heating, wafer W is transferred to transfer module TRS8of shelf unit U5by carrying arm A4, and then is transferred from the transfer module to transfer arm E1, shuttle arm114, interface arm115, transfer module TRS9, carrying arm A1and developing module113in this order. Wafer is developed at the developing module, and the modified part is to be removed, as shown inFIG. 8(f). Thereafter, wafer W is transferred by carrying arm A1to heating module, transfer module TRS10, transfer arm E1, transfer module TRS11in this order. A carrying arm A5of fifth block (freezing layer) B5receives wafer W from transfer module TRS11to transfer the wafer W to the application module, so that the chemical liquid is supplied to wafer W and reacts with the resist to form protective film76, as shown inFIG. 9(a).

Subsequently, wafer W is transferred by carrying arm A2to heating module and transfer module TRS12of shelf unit U5in this order, and then is transferred to COT layer B3through transfer module TRS3. And thereafter, wafer W is sequentially transferred to each module of each block B1˜B4and exposing device C4in a path as described above, and is sequentially subjected to the resist application process in the application module of COT layer B3, the exposure process in exposing device C4, the developing process in developing module113of DEV layer B1, and acid treatment in acid treating layer B4in this order. Thereafter, modified part79is removed by developing module113as shown inFIG. 10, and then wafer W is transferred to the heating module in DEV layer B1and transfer module TRS7in this order. Wafer W is then returned to carrier C by transfer arm112.