Apparatus for treating substrate

An apparatus for treating a substrate includes a treatment vessel having a treatment space therein, a substrate support unit that supports the substrate in the treatment space, and a liquid dispensing unit that dispenses a treatment liquid onto the substrate placed on the substrate support unit. The liquid dispensing unit includes a treatment liquid tube through which the treatment liquid flows, a constant-temperature water tube through which constant-temperature water flows and that surrounds the treatment liquid tube, wherein the constant-temperature water maintains the treatment liquid, which flows through the treatment liquid tube, at a set temperature, a constant-temperature water supply tube that supplies the constant-temperature water to the constant-temperature water tube, and an activation member that is installed in the constant-temperature water supply tube and that activates ions in the constant-temperature water.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

A claim for priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 is made to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0068587 filed on Jun. 11, 2019, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the inventive concept described herein relate to an apparatus for treating a substrate using a liquid, and more particularly, relate to an apparatus for dispensing a liquid onto a substrate.

Various processes are performed on a substrate to manufacture semiconductor elements. Among the various processes, a photolithography process of forming a pattern on the substrate is included in essential processes. The photolithography process includes a coating process of coating the substrate with a light-sensitive liquid such as photoresist, an exposing process of forming a pattern by exposing the light-sensitive liquid on the substrate to light, and a developing process of developing the pattern.

It is very important to apply the light-sensitive liquid to a uniform thickness or a set thickness in the coating process, and the thickness and uniformity are greatly affected by temperature. Accordingly, a constant-temperature water tube for uniformly maintaining or adjusting the temperature of the light-sensitive liquid is provided to surround a light-sensitive liquid supply line through which the light-sensitive liquid is supplied.

In general, pure water is used as the constant-temperature water for cost savings and stability. However, the pure water has a fatal disadvantage of corroding a metal tube, and the corrosion of the metal tube leads to leakage of the constant-temperature water, which causes contamination of the light-sensitive liquid and surrounding devices.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the inventive concept provide an apparatus for uniformly maintaining and adjusting the temperature of a liquid.

Furthermore, embodiments of the inventive concept provide an apparatus for preventing a tube from being corroded.

Embodiments of the inventive concept provide an apparatus for preventing a surrounding environment from being contaminated due to water leakage caused by corrosion of a tube.

According to an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for treating a substrate includes a treatment vessel having a treatment space therein, a substrate support unit that supports the substrate in the treatment space, and a liquid dispensing unit that dispenses a treatment liquid onto the substrate placed on the substrate support unit. The liquid dispensing unit includes a treatment liquid tube through which the treatment liquid flows, a constant-temperature water tube through which constant-temperature water flows and that surrounds the treatment liquid tube, wherein the constant-temperature water maintains the treatment liquid, which flows through the treatment liquid tube, at a set temperature, a constant-temperature water supply tube that supplies the constant-temperature water to the constant-temperature water tube, and an activation member that is installed in the constant-temperature water supply tube and that activates ions in the constant-temperature water.

The constant-temperature water supply tube may include an upstream-side supply tube that connects a constant-temperature water source and the activation member and a downstream-side supply tube that connects the constant-temperature water tube and the activation member. The activation member may be detachable from the upstream-side supply tube and the downstream-side supply tube. The activation member may include a metal tube and an organic tube disposed adjacent to the metal tube.

The organic tube may include a first organic tube that connects the upstream-side supply tube and one end of the metal tube and a second organic tube that connects the downstream-side supply tube and an opposite end of the metal tube. Each of the first organic tube and the second organic tube may have a plurality of fluid channels formed therein in which the constant-temperature water flows. The organic tube may have a plurality of fluid channels formed therein in which the constant-temperature water flows, and the metal tube may have a single fluid channel formed therein, which is connected with the fluid channels.

The metal tube may be formed of a material containing zinc, and each of the first organic tube and the second organic tube may be formed of a material containing carbon.

The liquid dispensing unit further may include a manifold that connects the constant-temperature water tube and the constant-temperature water supply tube and a constant-temperature water collection tube that collects the constant-temperature water from the manifold into the constant-temperature water source. The activation member may be additionally installed in the constant-temperature water collection tube.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the inventive concept will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The inventive concept may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the dimensions of components are exaggerated for clarity of illustration.

FIG. 1is a schematic perspective view illustrating a substrate treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.FIG. 2is a sectional view illustrating coating blocks and developing blocks of the substrate treating apparatus ofFIG. 1.FIG. 3is a plan view illustrating the substrate treating apparatus ofFIG. 1.

Referring toFIGS. 1 to 3, the substrate treating apparatus1includes an index module20, a treating module30, and an interface module40. According to an embodiment, the index module20, the treating module30, and the interface module40are sequentially disposed in a row. Hereinafter, a direction in which the index module20, the treating module30, and the interface module40are arranged is referred to as a first direction12, a direction perpendicular to the first direction12when viewed from above is referred to as a second direction14, and a direction perpendicular to both the first direction12and the second direction14is referred to as a third direction16.

The index module20transfers substrates W from carriers10having the substrates W received therein to the treating module30and places the completely treated substrates W in the carriers10. The lengthwise direction of the index module20is parallel to the second direction14. The index module20has load ports22and an index frame24. The load ports22are located on the opposite side to the treating module30with respect to the index frame24. The carriers10having the substrates W received therein are placed on the load ports22. The load ports22may be disposed along the second direction14.

Airtight carriers10such as front open unified pods (FOUPs) may be used as the carriers10. The carriers10may be placed on the load ports22by a transfer unit (not illustrated) such as an overhead transfer, an overhead conveyor, or an automatic guided vehicle, or by an operator.

An index robot2200is provided in the index frame24. A guide rail2300, the lengthwise direction of which is parallel to the second direction14, is provided in the index frame24, and the index robot2200is movable on the guide rail2300. The index robot2200includes a hand2220on which the substrate W is placed, and the hand2220is movable forward and backward, rotatable about an axis facing in the third direction16, and movable along the third direction16.

The treating module30performs a coating process and a developing process on the substrate W. The treating module30has the coating blocks30aand the developing blocks30b. The coating blocks30aperform the coating process on the substrate W, and the developing blocks30bperform the developing process on the substrate W. The coating blocks30aare stacked on each other. The developing blocks30bare stacked on each other. According to the embodiment ofFIG. 3, two coating blocks30aand two developing block30bare provided. The coating blocks30amay be disposed under the developing blocks30b. According to an embodiment, the two coating blocks30amay perform the same process and may have the same structure. Furthermore, the two developing blocks30bmay perform the same process and may have the same structure.

Referring toFIG. 3, the coating blocks30ahave a heat treatment chamber3200, a transfer chamber3400, a liquid treatment chamber3600, and a buffer chamber3800. The heat treatment chamber3200performs a heat treatment process on the substrate W. The heat treatment process may include a cooling process and a heating process. The liquid treatment chamber3600forms a liquid film on the substrate W by dispensing a liquid onto the substrate W. The liquid film may be a photoresist film or an anti-reflection film. The transfer chamber3400transfers the substrate W between the heat treatment chamber3200and the liquid treatment chamber3600in the coating blocks30a.

The lengthwise direction of the transfer chamber3400is parallel to the first direction12. A transfer robot3422is provided in the transfer chamber3400. The transfer robot3422transfers the substrate W between the heat treatment chamber3200, the liquid treatment chamber3600, and the buffer chamber3800. According to an embodiment, the transfer robot3422has a hand3420on which the substrate W is placed, and the hand3420is movable forward and backward, rotatable about an axis facing in the third direction16, and movable along the third direction16. A guide rail3300, the lengthwise direction of which is parallel to the first direction12, is provided in the transfer chamber3400, and the transfer robot3422is movable on the guide rail3300.

FIG. 4is a view illustrating one example of the hand of the transfer robot ofFIG. 3. Referring toFIG. 4, the hand3420has a base3428and support protrusions3429. The base3428may have an annular ring shape, the circumference of which is partly curved. The base3428has an inner diameter larger than the diameter of the substrate W. The support protrusions3429extend inward from the base3428. The support protrusions3429support an edge region of the substrate W. According to an embodiment, four support protrusions3429may be provided at equal intervals.

A plurality of heat treatment chambers3202are provided. The heat treatment chambers3202are disposed side by side along the first direction12. The heat treatment chambers3202are located on one side of the transfer chamber3400.

FIG. 5is a schematic plan view illustrating one example of the heat treatment chamber ofFIG. 3, andFIG. 6is a front view of the heat treatment chamber ofFIG. 5. Referring toFIGS. 5 and 6, the heat treatment chamber3202has a housing3210, a cooling unit3220, a heating unit3230, and a transfer plate3240.

The housing3210has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing3210has, in a sidewall thereof, an entrance/exit opening (not illustrated) through which the substrate W enters and exits the housing3210. The entrance/exit opening may be maintained in an open state. Selectively, a door (not illustrated) may be provided to open and close the entrance/exit opening. The cooling unit3220, the heating unit3230, and the transfer plate3240are provided in the housing3210. The cooling unit3220and the heating unit3230are provided side by side along the second direction14. According to an embodiment, the cooling unit3220may be located closer to the transfer chamber3400than the heating unit3230.

The cooling unit3220has a cooling plate3222. The cooling plate3222may have a substantially circular shape when viewed from above. A cooling member3224is provided inside the cooling plate3222. According to an embodiment, the cooling member3224may be formed inside the cooling plate3222and may serve as a fluid channel through which a cooling fluid flows.

The heating unit3230has a heating plate3232, a cover3234, and a heater3233. The heating plate323has a substantially circular shape when viewed from above. The heating plate3232has a larger diameter than the substrate W. The heating plate3232is equipped with the heater3233. The heater3233may be a resistance heating element to which electric current is applied. The heating plate3232has lift pins3238that are vertically movable along the third direction16. The lift pins3238receive the substrate W from a transfer unit outside the heating unit3230and lay the substrate W down on the heating plate3232, or raise the substrate W off the heating plate3232and transfer the substrate W to the transfer unit outside the heating unit3230. According to an embodiment, three lift pins3238may be provided. The cover3234has a space therein, which is open at the bottom. The cover3234is located over the heating plate3232and is vertically moved by an actuator3236. When the cover3234is brought into contact with the heating plate3232, a space surrounded by the cover3234and the heating plate3232serves as a heating space in which the substrate W is heated.

The transfer plate3240has a substantially circular plate shape and has a diameter corresponding to that of the substrate W. The transfer plate3240has notches3244formed at the edge thereof. The notches3244may have a shape corresponding to the protrusions3429formed on the hand3420of the transfer robot3422described above. Furthermore, as many notches3244as the protrusions3429formed on the hand3420are formed in positions corresponding to the protrusions3429. The substrate W is transferred between the hand3420and the transfer plate3240when the vertical positions of the hand3420and the transfer plate3240aligned with each other in the vertical direction are changed. The transfer plate3240may be mounted on a guide rail3249and may be moved along the guide rail3249by an actuator3246. A plurality of guide grooves3242in a slit shape are formed in the transfer plate3240. The guide grooves3242extend inward from the edge of the transfer plate3240. The lengthwise direction of the guide grooves3242is parallel to the second direction14, and the guide grooves3242are located to be spaced apart from each other along the first direction12. The guide grooves3242prevent the transfer plate3240and the lift pins1340from interfering with each other when the substrate W is transferred between the transfer plate3240and the heating unit3230.

The substrate W is heated while the substrate W is directly placed on the heating plate3232. The substrate W is cooled while the transfer plate3240on which the substrate W is placed is brought into contact with the cooling plate3222. The transfer plate3240is formed of a material having a high heat transfer rate for efficient heat transfer between the cooling plate3222and the substrate W. According to an embodiment, the transfer plate3240may be formed of a metallic material.

The heating units3230provided in some of the heat treatment chambers3200may improve adhesion of photoresist to the substrate W by supplying gas while heating the substrate W. According to an embodiment, the gas may be a hexamethyldisilane gas.

A plurality of liquid treatment chambers3600are provided. Some of the liquid treatment chambers3600may be stacked on each other. The liquid treatment chambers3600are disposed on an opposite side of the transfer chamber3400. The liquid treatment chambers3600are arranged side by side along the first direction12. Some of the liquid treatment chambers3600are located adjacent to the index module20. Hereinafter, these liquid treatment chambers are referred to as the front liquid treatment chambers3602. Other liquid treatment chambers3600are located adjacent to the interface module40. Hereinafter, these liquid treatment chambers are referred to as the rear liquid treatment chambers3604.

The front liquid treatment chambers3602apply a first liquid to the substrate W, and the rear liquid treatment chambers3604apply a second liquid to the substrate W. The first liquid and the second liquid may be different types of liquids. According to an embodiment, the first liquid is an anti-reflection film, and the second liquid is photoresist. The photoresist may be applied to the substrate W coated with the anti-reflection film. Selectively, the first liquid may be photoresist, and the second liquid may be an anti-reflection film. In this case, the anti-reflection film may be applied to the substrate W coated with the photoresist. Selectively, the first liquid and the second liquid may be of the same type. Both the first liquid and the second liquid may be photoresist.

FIG. 7is a schematic view illustrating one example of the liquid treatment chamber ofFIG. 3. Referring toFIG. 7, the liquid treatment chamber3600has a housing3610, a cup3620, a substrate support unit3640, and a liquid dispensing unit1000. The housing3610has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing3610has, in a sidewall thereof, an entrance/exit opening (not illustrated) through which the substrate W enters and exits the housing3610. The entrance/exit opening may be opened and closed by a door (not illustrated). The cup3620, the substrate support unit3640, and the liquid dispensing unit1000are provided in the housing3610. A fan filter unit3670for forming a downward air flow in the housing3260may be provided in an upper wall of the housing3610. The cup3620has a treatment space that is open at the top. The substrate support unit3640is disposed in the treatment space and supports the substrate W. The substrate support unit3640is provided such that the substrate W is rotatable during liquid treatment. The liquid dispensing unit1000dispenses a liquid onto the substrate W supported on the substrate support unit3640.

FIG. 8is a sectional view illustrating the liquid dispensing unit of FIG.7. Referring toFIGS. 7 and 8, the liquid dispensing unit1000includes a nozzle1100, a treatment liquid tube1200, and a temperature adjustment member1300. The nozzle1100dispenses the liquid onto the substrate W in a process position in which the nozzle1100faces the substrate W supported on the substrate support unit3640. For example, the liquid may be a light-sensitive liquid such as photoresist. The process position may be a position in which the nozzle1100is able to dispense the light-sensitive liquid to the center of the substrate W.

The treatment liquid tube1200supplies the light-sensitive liquid to the nozzle1100. The treatment liquid tube1200, through which the light-sensitive liquid flows, is equipped with various devices such as an opening/shutting valve, a suck-back valve, and a pump. The opening/shutting valve is a valve for opening/closing the treatment liquid tube1200, and the suck-back valve is a valve for adjusting the level of the light-sensitive liquid located at a dispensing end of the nozzle1100. The pump applies pressure to the inside of the treatment liquid tube1200to supply the light-sensitive liquid.

The temperature adjustment member1300adjusts the temperature of the light-sensitive liquid flowing through the treatment liquid tube1200. The temperature adjustment member1300allows temperature-adjusted constant-temperature water to flow around the treatment liquid tube1200, thereby adjusting the temperature of the light-sensitive liquid. The temperature adjustment member1300includes a constant-temperature water tube1320, a constant-temperature water supply tube1400, a constant-temperature water collection tube1500, a manifold1600, and activation members1700. The constant-temperature water tube1320surrounds the treatment liquid tube1200. The constant-temperature water tube1320may surround the treatment liquid tube1200from one end of the treatment liquid tube1200to an opposite end thereof. Alternatively, the constant-temperature water tube1320may surround only a partial area from a fastening end to which the nozzle1100is connected. The constant-temperature water supply tube1400supplies constant-temperature water to the constant-temperature water tube1320. The constant-temperature water supply tube1400includes an upstream-side supply tube1420and a downstream-side supply tube1440. The upstream-side supply tube1420connects a constant-temperature water source1350and the activation member1700, and the downstream-side supply tube1440connects the activation member1700and the manifold1600. Accordingly, constant-temperature water received in the constant-temperature water source1350sequentially passes through the upstream-side supply tube1420, the activation member1700, and the downstream-side supply tube1440and is supplied to the manifold1600. The constant-temperature water collection tube1500collects the constant-temperature water supplied to the manifold1600or the constant-temperature water supplied to the constant-temperature water tube1320. The constant-temperature water collection tube1500circulates the constant-temperature water by collecting the constant-temperature water supplied to the manifold1600or the constant-temperature water tube1320into the constant-temperature water source1350. According to an embodiment, the constant-temperature water may be supplied from the constant-temperature water source1350and may be sequentially circulated by the manifold1600through the constant-temperature water supply tube1400, the manifold1600, the constant-temperature water tube1320, the manifold1600, and the constant-temperature water collection tube1500. Alternatively, the constant-temperature water may be supplied from the constant-temperature water source1350and may be sequentially circulated by the manifold1600through the constant-temperature water supply tube1400, the manifold1600, and the constant-temperature water collection tube1500. The constant-temperature water supply tube1400and the constant-temperature water collection tube1500are equipped with a heater1800that adjusts the temperature of the constant-temperature water to a set temperature.

The manifold1600adjusts a direction in which the constant-temperature water is supplied. The constant-temperature water supply tube1400, the constant-temperature water collection tube1500, and the constant-temperature water tube1320are connected to the manifold1600. The manifold1600receives the constant-temperature water from the constant-temperature water supply tube1400and supplies the constant-temperature water to one of the constant-temperature water collection tube1500and the constant-temperature water tube1320.

The activation members1700activate ions in the constant-temperature water. The activation members1700may be installed in the constant-temperature water supply tube1400and the constant-temperature water collection tube1500, respectively. The activation members1700may activate the ions in the constant-temperature water passing through the activation members1700, and the activated ions may remove dissolved oxygen contained in the constant-temperature water. Each of the activation members1700includes a metal tube1740and organic tubes1720. Here, the metal tube1740is defined as a tube formed of a metallic material, and the organic tubes1720are defined as tubes formed of an organic material. According to an embodiment, the constant-temperature water supply tube1400and the constant-temperature water collection tube1500, in which the activation members1700are installed, may be formed of a metallic material.

FIG. 9is a sectional view illustrating the activation member ofFIG. 8, andFIG. 10is an exploded perspective view illustrating the activation member ofFIG. 9. Referring toFIGS. 9 and 10, the organic tubes1720include a first organic tube1722and a second organic tube1724. The first organic tube1722is fastened to one end of the metal tube1740, and the second organic tube1724is fastened to an opposite end of the metal tube1740. Accordingly, the first organic tube1722connects the upstream-side supply tube1420and the metal tube1740, and the second organic tube1724connects the downstream-side supply tube1440and the metal tube1740. The organic tubes1720may be fastened to the opposite ends of the metal tube1740to distinguish static electricity between the metal tube1740and the constant-temperature water supply tube1400and form a stable electrostatic field.

Each of the first organic tube1722and the second organic tube1724has a plurality of fluid channels1725formed therein. The fluid channels1725increase the contact area between the constant-temperature water and the organic tubes1720to increase a frictional area. Due to the friction between the organic tubes1720and the constant-temperature water, static electricity is integrated in the organic tubes1720and the metal tube1740. Positive charges are integrated in the organic tubes1720, negative charges are integrated in the metal tube1740, and an electrostatic field is formed between the organic tubes1720and the metal tube1740. Accordingly, the electrostatic field rotating about an axis facing in the direction in which the constant-temperature water flows is formed, and ions in the constant-temperature water are activated while the constant-temperature water passes through the electrostatic field. For example, the constant-temperature water may be pure water (H2O), and hydrogen ions (H+) and hydroxyl ions (OH−) may be activated. The organic tubes1720may be formed of a material containing carbon (C).

The metal tube1740is located between the first organic tube1722and the second organic tube1724. The metal tube1740has a through-hole1742that extends from the one end to the opposite end of the metal tube1740. The through-hole1742is connected with the plurality of fluid channels1725. For example, the metal tube1740may be formed of a material containing zinc (Zn).

In this embodiment, it has been described that the activation members1700are installed in the constant-temperature water supply tube1400and the constant-temperature water collection tube1500, respectively. However, the activation member1700may be installed in only the constant-temperature water supply tube1400.

Referring again toFIGS. 2 and 3, a plurality of buffer chambers3800are provided. Some of the buffer chambers3800are disposed between the index module20and the transfer chamber3400. Hereinafter, these buffer chambers are referred to as the front buffers3802. The front buffers3802are stacked on each other along the vertical direction. The other buffer chambers3800are disposed between the transfer chamber3400and the interface module40. Hereinafter, these buffer chambers are referred to as the rear buffers3804. The rear buffers3804are stacked on each other along the vertical direction. The front buffers3802and the rear buffers3804temporarily store a plurality of substrates W. The substrates W stored in the front buffers3802are extracted by the index robot2200and the transfer robot3422. The substrates W stored in the rear buffers3804are extracted by the transfer robot3422and a first robot4602.

The developing blocks30bhave heat treatment chambers3200, a transfer chamber3400, and liquid treatment chambers3600. The heat treatment chambers3200and the transfer chamber3400of the developing blocks30bare disposed in a structure substantially similar to the structure in which the heat treatment chambers3200and the transfer chamber3400of the coating blocks30aare disposed. Therefore, description thereabout will be omitted.

The liquid treatment chambers3600in the developing blocks30bare provided as developing chambers3600, all of which identically dispense a developing solution to perform a developing process on the substrate W.

Referring again toFIGS. 3 and 4, the interface module40connects the treating module30with an external exposing apparatus50. The interface module40has an interface frame4100, an additional process chamber4200, an interface buffer4400, and a transfer member4600.

The interface frame4100may have, at the top thereof, a fan filter unit that forms a downward air flow in the interface frame4100. The additional process chamber4200, the interface buffer4400, and the transfer member4600are disposed in the interface frame4100. Before the substrate W completely processed in the coating blocks30ais transferred to the exposing apparatus50, the additional process chamber4200may perform a predetermined additional process on the substrate W. Selectively, before the substrate W completely processed in the exposing apparatus50is transferred to the developing blocks30b, the additional process chamber4200may perform a predetermined additional process on the substrate W. According to an embodiment, the additional process may be an edge exposing process of exposing an edge area of the substrate W to light, a top-side cleaning process of cleaning the top side of the substrate W, or a back-side cleaning process of cleaning the backside of the substrate W. A plurality of additional process chambers4200may be provided. The additional process chambers4200may be stacked on each other. The additional process chambers4200may all perform the same process. Selectively, some of the additional process chambers4200may perform different processes.

The interface buffer4400provides a space in which the substrate W transferred between the coating blocks30a, the additional process chambers4200, the exposing apparatus50, and the developing blocks30btemporarily stays. A plurality of interface buffers4400may be provided. The interface buffers4400may be stacked on each other.

According to an embodiment, the additional process chambers4200may be disposed on one side of an extension line facing in the lengthwise direction of the transfer chamber3400, and the interface buffers4400may be disposed on an opposite side of the extension line.

The transfer member4600transfers the substrate W between the coating blocks30a, the additional process chambers4200, the exposing apparatus50, and the developing blocks30b. The transfer member4600may be implemented with one or more robots. According to an embodiment, the transfer member4600has the first robot4602and a second robot4606. The first robot4602may transfer the substrate W between the coating blocks30a, the additional process chambers4200, and the interface buffers4400. The second robot4606may transfer the substrate W between the interface buffers4400and the exposing apparatus50. The second robot4606may transfer the substrate W between the interface buffers4400and the developing blocks30b.

The first robot4602and the second robot4606each include a hand on which the substrate W is placed, and the hand is movable forward and backward, rotatable about an axis parallel to the third direction16, and movable along the third direction16.

The hands of the index robot2200, the first robot4602, and the second robot4606may all have the same shape as the hand3420of the transfer robot3422. Selectively, the hand of the robot that directly exchanges the substrate W with the transfer plate3240of each heat treatment chamber3200may have the same shape as the hand3420of the transfer robot3422, and the hands of the remaining robots may have different shapes from the hand3420of the transfer robot3422.

According to an embodiment, the index robot2200may directly exchange the substrate W with the heating units3230of the front heat treatment chambers3200provided in the coating blocks30a.

Furthermore, the transfer robots3422provided in the coating blocks30aand the developing blocks30bmay directly exchange the substrate W with the transfer plates3240located in the heat treatment chambers3200.

One embodiment of a method for treating a substrate using the above-described substrate treating apparatus1will be described below.

Coating process S20, edge exposing process S40, exposing process S60, and developing process S80are sequentially performed on the substrate W.

Coating process S20is performed by sequentially performing heat treatment process S21in the heat treatment chamber3200, anti-reflection film coating process S22in the front liquid treatment chamber3602, heat treatment process S23in the heat treatment chamber3200, photoresist film coating process S24in the rear liquid treatment chamber3604, and heat treatment process S25in the heat treatment chamber3200.

Hereinafter, one example of a transfer path of the substrate W from the carrier10to the exposing apparatus50will be described.

The index robot2200extracts the substrate W from the carrier10and transfers the substrate W to the front buffer3802. The transfer robot3422transfers the substrate W stored in the front buffer3802to the front heat treatment chamber3200. The substrate W is transferred to the heating unit3230by the transfer plate3240. When a heating process is completely performed on the substrate W in the heating unit3230, the transfer plate3240transfers the substrate W to the cooling unit3220. In a state of supporting the substrate W, the transfer plate3240is brought into contact with the cooling unit3220and performs a cooling process on the substrate W. When the cooling process is completed, the transfer plate3240moves above the cooling unit3220, and the transfer robot3422extracts the substrate W from the heat treatment chamber3200and transfers the substrate W to the front liquid treatment chamber3602.

The front liquid treatment chamber3602coats the substrate W with an anti-reflection film.

The transfer robot3422extracts the substrate W from the front liquid treatment chamber3602and places the substrate W in the heat treatment chamber3200. The heat treatment chamber3200sequentially performs the above-described heating and cooling processes. When each heat treatment process is completed, the transfer robot3422extracts the substrate W from the heat treatment chamber3200and transfers the substrate W to the rear liquid treatment chamber3604.

Thereafter, the rear liquid treatment chamber3604coats the substrate W with a photoresist film.

The transfer robot3422extracts the substrate W from the rear liquid treatment chamber3604and places the substrate W in the heat treatment chamber3200. The heat treatment chamber3200sequentially performs the above-described heating and cooling processes. When each heat treatment process is completed, the transfer robot3422transfers the substrate W to the rear buffer3804. The first robot4602of the interface module40extracts the substrate W from the rear buffer3804and transfers the substrate W to the additional process chamber4200.

The additional process chamber4200performs an edge exposing process on the substrate W.

The first robot4602extracts the substrate W from the additional process chamber4200and transfers the substrate W to the interface buffer4400.

The second robot4606extracts the substrate W from the interface buffer4400and transfers the substrate W to the exposing apparatus50.

Developing process S80is performed by sequentially performing heat treatment process S81in the heat treatment chamber3200, developing process S82in the liquid treatment chamber3600, and heat treatment process S83in the heat treatment chamber3200.

Hereinafter, one example of a transfer path of the substrate W from the exposing apparatus50to the carrier10will be described.

The second robot4606extracts the substrate W from the exposing apparatus50and transfers the substrate W to the interface buffer4400.

The first robot4602extracts the substrate W from the interface buffer4400and transfers the substrate W to the rear buffer3804. The transfer robot3422extracts the substrate W from the rear buffer3804and transfers the substrate W to the heat treatment chamber3200. The heat treatment chamber3200sequentially performs a heating process and a cooling process on the substrate W. When the cooling process is completed, the substrate W is transferred to the developing chamber3600by the transfer robot3422.

The developing chamber3600performs a developing process by dispensing a developing solution onto the substrate W.

The substrate W is extracted from the developing chamber3600and placed in the heat treatment chamber3200by the transfer robot3422. The heat treatment chamber3200sequentially performs a heating process and a cooling process on the substrate W. When the cooling process is completed, the substrate W is extracted from the heat treatment chamber3200and transferred to the front buffer3802by the transfer robot3422.

The index robot2200extracts the substrate W from the front buffer3802and transfers the substrate W to the carrier10.

The treating module30of the substrate treating apparatus1has been described as performing the coating process and the developing process. However, the substrate treating apparatus1may include only the index module20and the treating module30without the interface module40. In this case, the treating module30may perform only the coating process, and a film with which the substrate W is coated may be a spin-on hardmask (SOH) film.

As described above, according to the embodiments, the inventive concept removes dissolved oxygen in constant-temperature water by activating ions in the constant-temperature water. Accordingly, a constant-temperature water tube may be prevented from being corroded.

The above description exemplifies the inventive concept. Furthermore, the above-mentioned contents describe exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept, and the inventive concept may be used in various other combinations, changes, and environments. That is, variations or modifications can be made to the inventive concept without departing from the scope of the inventive concept that is disclosed in the specification, the equivalent scope to the written disclosures, and/or the technical or knowledge range of those skilled in the art. The written embodiments describe the best state for implementing the technical spirit of the inventive concept, and various changes required in specific applications and purposes of the inventive concept can be made. Accordingly, the detailed description of the inventive concept is not intended to restrict the inventive concept in the disclosed embodiment state. In addition, it should be construed that the attached claims include other embodiments.