SUBSTRATE PROCESSING APPARATUS, SUBSTRATE PROCESSING METHOD, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE

Provided is a substrate processing apparatus including an index module including a load port in which a substrate is accommodated, a first transfer module and a second transfer module for loading and unloading the substrate, and a processing module that is connected to the index module and includes a plurality of process chambers that process the substrate, wherein one of the plurality of process chambers includes a light processing chamber configured to irradiate light to a photoresist pattern of the substrate, the first transfer module transfers the substrate between the index module and the processing module, the second transfer module transfers the substrate between the plurality of process chambers in the processing module, the first transfer module includes a first hand unit and a second hand unit, and the second transfer module includes a third hand unit and a fourth hand unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2023-0007459, filed on Jan. 18, 2023, and 10-2023-0036157, filed on Mar. 20, 2023, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

The inventive concept relates to a substrate processing apparatus and a substrate processing method.

Extreme ultra-violet (EUV) lithography methods having a very short wavelength (about 13.5 nm) have been proposed as the miniaturization of semiconductor devices is developed. When such EUV lithography is used, a photoresist pattern having a small horizontal dimension and a high aspect ratio may be formed. In order to prevent collapse of the photoresist pattern in the process of forming the fine photoresist pattern, the technique of using the supercritical fluid is reviewed, but matters to be improved, such as particle defects on the substrate during the manufacturing process of the semiconductor device, still remain.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the inventive concept, there is provided a substrate processing apparatus and a substrate processing method capable of reducing particle defects on a substrate by transferring the substrate to each of a plurality of process chambers by using a transfer robot including a plurality of hand units, and improving reliability of the photoresist pattern of the substrate by performing an optical processing process on the substrate.

In addition, the issues to be addressed by the inventive concept are not limited to the tasks mentioned above, and other tasks may be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art from the following description.

Aspects of the inventive concept provide a substrate processing apparatus including a load port on which a container in which a substrate is accommodated is placed, a first transfer module and a second transfer module for loading and unloading the substrate, and a processing module that is connected to the load port and includes a plurality of process chambers that process the substrate, wherein one of the plurality of process chambers includes a light processing chamber configured to radiate light to a photoresist pattern of the substrate to cure the photoresist pattern, and the first transfer module is configured to transfer the substrate between the load port and the processing module, and the second transfer module is configured to transfer the substrate between the plurality of process chambers in the processing module.

Aspects of the inventive concept provide a substrate processing apparatus including a load port configured to receive a container in which a substrate is accommodated, a first transfer module and a second transfer module for loading and unloading the substrate, and a processing module that is connected to the load port and includes a plurality of process chambers that process the substrate, wherein the plurality of process chambers includes a first process chamber, a second process chamber, a third process chamber, a fourth process chamber, a fifth process chamber, and a sixth process chamber, wherein the first process chamber is configured to form a photoresist pattern from a photoresist membrane of the substrate by supplying a developer to the substrate to perform a developing process and a replacement process, the second process chamber is configured to perform a drying process using a supercritical fluid, the third process chamber is configured to perform a cleaning process in which a rinse process is performed, the fourth process chamber is configured to perform a baking process of curing the substrate, the fifth process chamber is configured to perform a light processing process of curing the photoresist pattern by irradiating light to the substrate, the sixth process chamber is configured to perform a cooling process of cooling the substrate processed in the fifth process chamber, the first transfer module is configured to transfer the substrate between the load port and the processing module, the second transfer module is configured to transfer the substrate between the plurality of process chambers in the processing module, the first transfer module includes at least a first hand unit, and the second transfer module includes at least a second hand unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the inventive concept will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals are used for the same components in the drawings, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

FIG.1is a cross-sectional view illustrating a substrate processing apparatus200according to embodiments.

Referring toFIG.1, the substrate processing apparatus200may include an index module210, a processing module240, a first transfer module220, and a second transfer module250. These various modules may also be described as components, assemblies, or compartments.

The index module210may include a load port211and a transfer frame213. The load port211, the transfer frame213, and the processing module240may be sequentially arranged in a row. Hereinafter, the direction in which the load port211, the transfer frame213, and the processing module240are arranged in a row is defined as an X direction, the horizontal direction perpendicular to the X direction is defined as a Y direction, and the direction perpendicular to each of the X direction and the Y direction is defined as a Z direction.

A container CT in which the substrate1is accommodated is seated on the load port211. According to embodiments, a plurality of load ports211may provided, and may be arranged in a line in the Y direction. Although four load ports211are illustrated in the drawing, the number of load ports211may increase or decrease according to conditions such as process efficiency and/or installation area of the processing module240. The container CT may include a plurality of slots configured to support an edge of the substrate1. The plurality of slots may be spaced apart from each other in the Z direction, and accordingly, a plurality of substrates W may be mounted in the container CT in the Z direction. The container CT may be, for example, a front opening unified pod (FOUP).

The transfer frame213may transfer the substrate1between the container CT on the load port211and a buffer chamber241of the processing module240. The transfer frame213may include a first transfer module220and an index rail230. The index rail230may extend in the Y direction. The first transfer module220is installed on the index rail230and may move in a straight line in the Y direction along the index rail230.

The processing module240may include a buffer chamber241, a transfer chamber243, and a plurality of process chambers CH1, CH2, CH3, CH4, CH5, and CH6. The plurality of process chambers CH1, CH2, CH3, CH4, CH5, and CH6may include a first process chamber CH1, a second process chamber CH2, a third process chamber CH3, a fourth process chamber CH4, a fifth process chamber CH5, and a sixth process chamber CH6. The transfer chamber243extends in the X direction. In some embodiments, the plurality of process chambers CH1, CH2, CH3, CH4, CH5, and CH6may be spaced apart in the Y direction with the transfer chamber243therebetween. In addition, the plurality of process chambers CH1, CH2, CH3, CH4, CH5, and CH6may be arranged in the X direction. In some other embodiments, some of the plurality of process chambers CH1, CH2, CH3, CH4, CH5, and CH6may be stacked in the Z direction. Each process chamber may include an opening or door through which a wafer may pass, which door may face the transfer chamber243.

In the drawings, the arrangement of the plurality of process chambers CH1, CH2, CH3, CH4, CH5, and CH6is an example, and the plurality of process chambers CH1, CH2, CH3, CH4, CH5, and CH6may be variously arranged as necessary. For example, all of the plurality of process chambers CH1, CH2, CH3, CH4, CH5, and CH6may be arranged only on one side of the transfer chamber243.

The buffer chamber241may be arranged between the transfer frame213and the transfer chamber243. The buffer chamber241may provide a space in which a substrate1is stored between the transfer chamber243and the transfer frame213. The buffer chamber241may include a plurality of slots that are internal spaces in which the substrates1are stored. The plurality of slots may overlap and be spaced apart from each other in the Z direction. The buffer chamber241may include an opening through which the substrate1may enter and exit, in each of a surface facing the transfer frame213and a surface facing the transfer chamber243.

The transfer chamber243may transfer the substrate1between the buffer chamber241and each of the plurality of process chambers CH1, CH2, CH3, CH4, CH5, and CH6. The second transfer module250may be located in the transfer chamber243. The second transfer module250may be installed on a rail extending in the X direction and may move in the X direction along the rail. The substrate1may be transferred from one to the next among the plurality of process chambers CH1, CH2, CH3, CH4, CH5, and CH6by the second transfer module250.

According to embodiments, the first transfer module220may include a first hand unit and a second hand unit. The second transfer module250may include a third hand unit and a fourth hand unit. The first transfer module220may transfer the substrate1from the load port211to the buffer chamber241by using the first hand unit or the second hand unit. The hand units described herein may also be described as grabber arms. Each grabber arm may include an arm configured to move in different directions and a hand or grabber configured to engage with a substrate to lift, support, and hold the substrate while the arm moves. In addition, the second transfer module250may transfer, load, and unload the substrate1within the processing module240.

The plurality of process chambers CH1, CH2, CH3, CH4, CH5, and CH6may sequentially perform semiconductor processes on one substrate1. For example, after a developing process is performed on the substrate1in the first process chamber CH1, a drying process may be performed on the substrate1in the second process chamber CH2. Here, the developing process is a process of removing photoresist at a portion exposed (or not exposed) by EUV light during an exposure process. The drying process may be performed by a processing fluid in a supercritical state. In some embodiments, the processing fluid in the supercritical state may include carbon dioxide (CO2).

The first process chamber CH1may supply a developer to the substrate1in a dry state by using a spraying device. In embodiments, the developer may include, for example, a nonpolar organic solvent. In addition, in embodiments, the developer may include a mixture of a nonpolar organic solvent and an acidic solution. In embodiments, the nonpolar organic solvent may include at least one of propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate (PGMEA), propylene glycol methyl ether (PGME), n-butyl acetate (n-BA), 2-heptanone (MAK), methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), and ethyl pyruvate (EP). The acidic solution may include at least one of acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and hydrofluoric acid.

The developer may be a liquid capable of selectively removing a soluble area of an EUV photoresist. Due to the developer in the first process chamber CH1, the substrate1in a dry state may become the substrate1in a wet state. A plurality of first process chambers CH1may be arranged in the processing module240, and the number of first process chambers CH1may increase or decrease according to conditions such as process efficiency and/or installation area of the processing module240.

In addition, the first process chamber CH1may supply a replacement solution that replaces the developer to the substrate1by using a spraying device. Here, the replacement solution may include a nonpolar organic solvent. For example, the replacement solution may include n-butyl acetate (n-BA). The developer may be replaced with the replacement solution (e.g., removed and/or replaced, for example, by physically displacing, dissolving, and/or diluting the developer using the replacement solution).

The second process chamber CH2may receive the substrate1from the first process chamber CH1in a state in which the developer has been replaced with the replacement solution, and remove the replacement solution on the transferred substrate1using a supercritical fluid. Conventionally, a method of rotating the substrate1at a high speed has been used, but the EUV photoresist pattern may collapse due to surface tension during high-speed rotation. In order to address this issue, the replacement solution is sprayed to the substrate1in the first process chamber CH1, thereby facilitating the removal of the developer and residue by the supercritical fluid. In this way, the substrate1may be dried by removing the developer replaced with the replacement solution and the supercritical fluid together from the substrate1. Due to the drying process in the second process chamber CH2, the substrate1in the wet state may become the substrate1in the dry state. A plurality of second process chambers CH2may be arranged in the processing module240, and the number of second process chambers CH2may increase or decrease according to conditions such as process efficiency and/or installation area of the processing module240.

The third process chamber CH3may be configured to perform an edge cleaning process on the photoresist pattern formed in the substrate by supplying a rinse solution to an edge area of the substrate. In embodiments, the rinse solution may include an acidic solution. In addition, in embodiments, the rinse solution may include a mixture of a nonpolar organic solvent and an acidic solution. In embodiments, the nonpolar organic solvent may include at least one of propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate (PGMEA), propylene glycol methyl ether (PGME), n-butyl acetate (n-BA), 2-heptanone (MAK), methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), and ethyl pyruvate (EP). The acidic solution may include at least one of acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and hydrofluoric acid.

In embodiments, the third process chamber CH3may primarily supply the rinse solution to an edge area of the substrate. The third process chamber CH3may primarily (e.g., initially) supply the rinse solution to the edge area of the substrate and then secondarily (e.g., subsequently) supply the rinse solution to a rear area of the substrate. After performing the supercritical process as described above, a substrate processing apparatus of the inventive concept may perform a cleaning process using a rinse solution in a chamber (for example, the third process chamber CH3) different from a chamber (for example, the second process chamber CH2) in which the supercritical process has been performed. Accordingly, organic matter and/or residue remaining on the photoresist pattern of the substrate may be removed.

The fourth process chamber CH4may receive the substrate1from the third process chamber CH3and perform a baking process to completely dry the substrate1. In a hot plate in the fourth process chamber CH4, the substrate1may be baked at a temperature of about 120° C. to about 170° C. for about 30 seconds to about 120 seconds. Due to the baking process in the fourth process chamber CH4, the substrate1may be maintained in a dry state.

The fifth process chamber CH5may receive the substrate1from the fourth process chamber CH4and irradiate the substrate1with light to perform a light processing process. Here, the fifth process chamber CH5may be a light processing chamber. The fifth process chamber CH5may be configured to cure the photoresist pattern by radiating light to the photoresist of the substrate. The fifth process chamber CH5will be described later with reference toFIGS.2A and2B.

The sixth process chamber CH6may receive the substrate1from the fifth process chamber CH5and perform a cooling process thereon to lower the temperature of the substrate1. A cooling process may be performed in a cooling plate in the sixth process chamber CH6. Due to the cooling process in the sixth process chamber CH6, the substrate1may be maintained in a dry state.

FIGS.2A and2Bare respectively a perspective view and a cross-sectional view illustrating a light processing chamber according to embodiments.

Referring toFIGS.2A and2B, the light processing chamber300may correspond to the fifth process chamber CH5ofFIG.1. The light processing chamber300may include a light source unit310, a reflective plate340, a substrate support unit360, a focusing lens320, a light filter unit350, a circulation unit330, a cooling line (not shown), and a refrigerant supply source (not shown).

The light source unit310may emit light to the substrate. The light source unit may include a plurality of light sources, and may also be described generally as a light source. Each of the plurality of light sources, which may be described as a light source element, may include any one of a laser, an extreme ultraviolet lamp, a flash lamp, an infrared lamp, and an ultraviolet lamp. In addition, inFIG.2A, the plurality of light sources of the light source unit310are shown in a cylindrical shape, but the embodiments are not limited thereto, and the plurality of light sources of the light source unit310may include any one of a cylindrical shape, a circular shape, and a rectangular shape, for example.

The reflective plate340may be arranged on the upper part of the light source unit and reflect the light radiated from the light source unit310back toward the substrate1. The reflective plate340may be arranged above the light source unit310and may be arranged to surround a part of the light source unit310.

The substrate support unit360, also described as a substrate support or a substrate support plate, may include a chuck and may support the substrate1in an inner space of the light processing chamber300. In addition, the substrate support unit360may rotate the substrate1seated on the chuck. The chuck may be one of a plurality of chucks, such that the light processing chamber300may include a plurality of chucks.

The focusing lens320may be arranged between the light source unit310and the substrate support unit360and may concentrate light radiated from the light source unit310toward the substrate1. The focusing lens320may include a collimate lens or a convex lens.

The light filter unit350, also described as a light filter, may be formed under the focusing lens and may filter light. In embodiments, the light filter unit350may filter the light radiated from the light source unit310to any one of infrared, ultraviolet, and extreme ultraviolet wavelength bands. The wavelength of light irradiating the substrate1may be determined by the light filter unit350.

The circulation unit330may circulate air in the light processing chamber300. The circulation unit330may be an air circulation system that includes a suction unit332(e.g., an intake opening and/or intake fan) for sucking external air into the light processing chamber300and an exhaust unit334(e.g., an exhaust opening and/or exhaust fan) for exhausting internal air of the light processing chamber300. The circulation unit330may adjust the temperature of the internal space of the light processing chamber300. In addition, the circulation unit330may discharge the waste gas formed in the light processing chamber300to the outside of the light processing chamber300.

The cooling line (not shown) may be arranged adjacent to the light source unit310and may cool the light source unit310. In addition, the cooling line may have an S-shaped line shape or a winding shape. The refrigerant supply source (not shown) may supply cooling water or other cooling liquid to the cooling line.

FIG.3is a flowchart illustrating a substrate processing method according to embodiments.FIGS.4A to4Fare cross-sectional views illustrating a substrate processing method according to embodiments.FIGS.5A to5Fare cross-sectional views illustrating a substrate processing method according to embodiments.FIGS.6A to6Dare cross-sectional views illustrating an oxygen network formation process of a photoresist pattern according to embodiments. Hereinafter, each operation will be described with reference to drawings corresponding to each operation. The substrate processing method ofFIGS.3,4A to4F, and5A to5Fand the oxygen network formation process ofFIGS.6A to6Dwill be described together with reference toFIG.1, but the redundant description in relation toFIG.1will be omitted or briefly given. The processing method may be part of a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, such as a semiconductor memory or logic chip, in which the processing method is one step in a series of deposition, etching, and cleaning steps that form a plurality of layers on a substrate to form an integrated circuit on the substrate.

Referring toFIG.5A, prior to the substrate processing operation, an exposure process for irradiating EUV light on a substrate1coated with a photoresist film4may be performed. The substrate1may be, for example, a silicon (Si) wafer including or formed of crystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, or amorphous silicon. Alternatively, the substrate1may include or be formed of a semiconductor element such as germanium (Ge), or a compound semiconductor such as silicon carbide (SiC), gallium arsenide (GaAs), indium arsenide (InAs), and indium phosphide (InP). A film-to-be-etched2, an antireflective film3, and a photoresist film4may be formed on the substrate1. The film-to-be-etched2may be patterned by processes such as plasma etching, reactive ion etching (RIE), and ion beam etching. The antireflective film3may prevent total reflection of EUV light in an exposure process. The substrate1may be seated on a substrate support unit5.

In some embodiments, the substrate1may have a silicon on insulator (SOI) structure. For example, the substrate1may include a buried oxide (BOX) layer. In some embodiments, the substrate1may include a well doped with impurities or a structure doped with impurities into a conductive area. In addition, the substrate1may have various device isolation structures such as shallow trench isolation (SHI) structures.

The photoresist film4may be formed on the substrate1. In this case, the photoresist film4may include an organic photoresist. The photoresist film4formed on the substrate1may be divided into an exposure part4A and a non-exposure part4B by the exposure process. The exposure part4A exposed to EUV light E1generates an acid from a photoacid generator, thereby resulting in deprotection of a photosensitive polymer. In contrast, since EUV light E1is not irradiated onto the non-exposure part4B, such a chemical reaction does not occur.

Referring toFIGS.5A and6A to6C, when specifically describing the exposure part4A, the photoresist film includes a central atom410and ligands420, and the ligands420may form activation ligands430by EUV light, and form an oxygen network440together with the activation ligands430of the surrounding central atom410. In this case, not all of the ligands420of the exposure part4A are activated, and some of the ligands420of the exposure part4A may not form the activation ligands430.

Referring toFIG.4A, the substrate processing method according to embodiments may transfer the substrate1having undergone the exposure process from the index module210to the buffer chamber241of the processing module240(P110ofFIG.3). In this case, the substrate1may be transferred to the buffer chamber241by a first hand unit or a second hand unit of the first transfer module220. The first hand unit may be separately controllable from the second hand unit, and may include a different arm and hand, separately moveable from an arm and hand of the second hand unit.

Referring toFIGS.4B and5B, after being transferred to the buffer chamber241, the substrate1or W may be loaded from the buffer chamber241to the first process chamber CH1to undergo a developing process (P120ofFIG.3). In this case, the second transfer module250may transfer the substrate1from the buffer chamber241to the first process chamber CH1by using the third hand unit of the second transfer module250. The second transfer module250may keep the substrate1clean by allowing the third hand unit to transfer the substrate1in a state in which the substrate1is not contaminated by residue or developer. Here, the non-exposure part4B ofFIG.5Amay be removed by the developing process. However, the embodiments are not limited thereto, and in some other embodiments, the exposure part4A may be removed instead of the non-exposure part4B. Materials such as residue and/or developer may remain around the exposure part4A and the substrate1by the developing process. After the non-exposure part4B is removed, the exposure part4A may correspond to the photoresist pattern.

Here, referring toFIG.5C, after the developing process, a replacement process of replacing the developer of the substrate1with a nonpolar organic solvent may be performed in the second process chamber CH2. Here, the replacement solution may include a nonpolar organic solvent. For example, the replacement solution may include n-butyl acetate (n-BA). The developer may be replaced with the replacement solution. For example, the developer may be dissolved into the replacement solution. By replacing the developer with a replacement solution, residue or developer may be efficiently removed in a drying process to be described later.

Referring toFIG.4C, after the developing process and replacement process, the substrate1may be loaded into the second process chamber CH2to undergo a drying process (P130ofFIG.3). In this case, the second transfer module250may unload the substrate1from the first process chamber CH1by using the fourth hand unit of the second transfer module250, and transfer and load the substrate1to the second process chamber CH2. In this case, the drying process may be performed using a supercritical fluid.

Referring toFIGS.4D and5D, after the drying process, the substrate1may be loaded into the third process chamber CH3to undergo the cleaning process (P140ofFIG.3). The cleaning process may be performed using a rinse solution. As described above with reference toFIG.1, the rinse solution may include at least one of a nonpolar organic solvent and an acidic solution. The second transfer module250may unload the substrate1from the second process chamber CH2by using the fourth hand unit of the second transfer module250, and transfer and load the substrate1to the third process chamber CH3. The third process chamber CH3may primarily supply the rinse solution to an edge area C1of the substrate1. In this case, the edge area may include an upper edge area and a lower edge area of the substrate1.

Referring toFIG.5E, in the drying process, the third process chamber CH3may secondarily supply the rinse solution to a rear surface area C2of the substrate1. As described above, the cleaning process using the rinse solution is performed on the substrate1having undergone the developing process and the drying process, so that the residue and/or the developer remaining on the substrate1may be efficiently removed.

Referring toFIGS.4E,5F, and6D, after the cleaning process, the substrate1may be loaded into the fifth process chamber CH5to undergo a light processing process (P150ofFIG.3). Here, the second transfer module250may unload the substrate1from the fourth process chamber CH4by using the third hand unit of the second transfer module250, and transfer and load the substrate1to the fifth process chamber CH5. In this case, the light processing process may change deactivation ligands that are not activated by the EUV light to activation ligands430by the light L1emitted by the light source unit, and the activation ligands430may form an oxygen network440. The oxygen network440in the photoresist pattern on the substrate1may be formed more after performing the light processing process than before performing the light processing process. Accordingly, the substrate processing method and the substrate processing apparatus according to the embodiments may prevent the collapse of the photoresist pattern.

In accordance with some other embodiments, the substrate1may be transferred to the fourth process chamber CH4before being transferred to the fifth process chamber (CH5), to undergo a baking process. In this case, the second transfer module250may unload the substrate1from the third process chamber CH3by using the third hand unit of the second transfer module250, and transfer and load the substrate1to the fourth process chamber CH4. After the baking process is performed on the substrate1, the second transfer module250may unload the substrate1from the fourth process chamber CH4by using the third hand unit of the second transfer module250, and transfer and load the substrate1to the fifth process chamber CH5. Thereafter, a light processing process may be performed on the substrate1on which the baking process has been performed.

In addition, according to some other embodiments, the fifth process chamber CH5may perform the baking process on the substrate1by using a plurality of light sources of the light source unit310. In this case, the fifth process chamber CH5may perform a light processing process and/or baking process on the substrate1by adjusting the wavelength of light by the light filter unit350. In this case, the substrate1may not be transferred to the fourth process chamber CH4.

After the light processing process is performed, the substrate may be loaded into the sixth process chamber CH6to undergo a cooling process (P160). The second transfer module250may unload the substrate1from the fifth process chamber CH5by using the fourth hand unit of the second transfer module250, and transfer and load the substrate1to the sixth process chamber CH6. In this case, the temperature of the substrate1heated by the cooling process may be lowered.

Referring toFIG.4F, after the cooling process, the substrate1may be transferred from the sixth process chamber CH6to the buffer chamber241. In this case, the transfer of the substrate1may be performed by the third hand unit of the second transfer module250.

Further processes may then be formed on the substrate to form a plurality of semiconductor devices on the substrate, and the semiconductor devices may be subsequently separated to form individual semiconductor chips

FIG.7is a flowchart illustrating a substrate processing method according to embodiments.FIG.8is a graph illustrating pressure of a processing space while processing a substrate. Although the flowchart ofFIG.7and the graph ofFIG.8will be described with reference toFIG.1, the redundant description in relation toFIG.1will be omitted or briefly given.

Referring toFIGS.7and8, here, the processing container may correspond to a second process chamber CH2in which a drying process is performed. In the substrate processing method S200according to embodiments, first, the substrate1is loaded into the processing space of the processing container (S210). While the substrate1is loaded into the processing space, the processing container may be located in an open position. The substrate1may be seated on the substrate support. The substrate may have formed thereon a pattern, for example, formed of a photoresist with an exposure part and a non-exposure part. When the substrate1is loaded on the substrate support, a processing container may switch from an open position to a closed position so that a processing space is sealed from the outside of the processing container.

When the loading operation of the substrate1is completed, a drying process is performed on the substrate1. The drying process for the substrate1may include an operation of boosting the pressure of the processing space to a target pressure (S220), an operation of replacing or removing the material on the substrate1using a processing fluid (PF) (S230), and an operation of exhausting the waste fluid of the processing space (S240).

The operation S220may include supplying a processing fluid in a supercritical state to the processing space to fill the processing space with a supercritical fluid. In embodiments, the fluid supply device130may supply a supercritical processing fluid to the processing space to boost the pressure of the processing space from an initial pressure P0similar to atmospheric pressure to a first pressure P1. In embodiments, the first pressure P1is higher than the threshold pressure of the processing fluid (PF), and may be, for example, about 150 bar.

In embodiments, operation S220may include a first supply operation of supplying the processing fluid of a first temperature to a lower portion of the processing space through a first supply pipe and a second supply operation of supplying the processing fluid of a second temperature to an upper portion of the processing space through a second supply pipe. In the first supply operation, the first temperature of the processing fluid may be between about 35° C. and about 70° C. In the second supply operation, the second temperature of the processing fluid may be higher than the first temperature. In the second supply operation, the second temperature of the processing fluid may be between about 70° C. and about 120° C. The first supply operation may be performed until the pressure of the processing space reaches a target intermediate pressure between the initial pressure P0and the first pressure P1, and for example, the target intermediate pressure may be between about 75 bar and about 90 bar. When the pressure of the processing space reaches the target intermediate pressure through the first supply operation, the second supply operation may be performed. The second supply operation may be performed until the pressure of the processing space reaches the first pressure P1.

In operation S230, the material (e.g., the developer and/or rinse solution) on the substrate1may be mixed (or replaced) with the processing fluid (PF), and the mixed fluid may be discharged through an exhaust pipe.

The operation S230may include a decompression process of decompressing the pressure of the processing space from the first pressure P1to a second pressure P2that is lower than the first pressure P1, and a boosting process of boosting the pressure of the processing space from the second pressure P2to the first pressure P1. The second pressure P2may be between about 75 bar and about 90 bar. The operation S230may include alternately repeating the decompression process and the boosting process at least two times. The decompression process may include exhausting waste fluid in the processing space through an exhaust device. The boosting process may include supplying the processing fluid PF of the second temperature to the upper portion of the processing space through the second supply pipe.

In operation S240, the exhaust device may exhaust the waste fluid in the processing space to decompress the pressure of the processing space to the initial pressure P0. Here, the operation of decompressing the pressure of the processing space may be divided into two operations. First, a low-speed exhaust process (slow-speed decompression) may be performed to decompress the pressure in the processing space to a third pressure P3, and a high-speed exhaust process (high-speed decompression) may be performed to decompress the pressure in the processing space to the initial pressure P0similar to atmospheric pressure.

When the drying process of the substrate1is completed, the processing container is switched from the closed position to the open position, and the substrate1may be unloaded from the processing space (S250).

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. Unless the context indicates otherwise, these terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section, for example as a naming convention. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below in one section of the specification could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section in another section of the specification or in the claims without departing from the teachings of the present invention. In addition, in certain cases, even if a term is not described using “first,” “second,” etc., in the specification, it may still be referred to as “first” or “second” in a claim in order to distinguish different claimed elements from each other.