A substrate processing method includes holding a substrate W by using a holder 52 configured to hold the substrate; supplying a plating liquid L onto a top surface of the held substrate; covering the substrate by using a cover body 6 before or after the supplying of the plating liquid; heating the plating liquid on the substrate by using a heating device 63 provided in the cover body, while keeping the substrate covered with the cover body; and supplying a cooling gas to a bottom surface of the substrate or the holder from below the substrate in the heating of the plating liquid.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The various aspects and embodiments described herein pertain generally to a substrate processing method and a substrate processing apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, there is known a technique of electroless-plating a substrate such as a semiconductor wafer by using a plating liquid. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of forming a plating film on the substrate by accumulating the plating liquid on a top surface of the substrate, covering the substrate with a cover body, and then heating the plating liquid on the substrate by using a heater provided in the cover body.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

Exemplary embodiments provide a technique enabling to easily maintain a temperature of a plating liquid on a substrate constant.

Means for Solving the Problems

In an exemplary embodiment, a substrate processing method includes holding a substrate; supplying a plating liquid; covering the substrate; heating the plating liquid; and supplying a cooling gas. In the holding of the substrate, the substrate is held by using a holder configured to hold the substrate. In the supplying of the plating liquid, the plating liquid is supplied onto a top surface of the held substrate. In the covering of the substrate, the substrate is covered by using a cover body before or after the supplying of the plating liquid. In the heating of the plating liquid, the plating liquid on the substrate is heated by using a heating device provided in the cover body, while keeping the substrate covered with the cover body. In the supplying of the cooling gas, the cooling gas is supplied to a bottom surface of the substrate or the holder from below the substrate in the heating of the plating liquid.

Effect of the Invention

According to the exemplary embodiments, it is possible to easily maintain the temperature of the plating liquid on the substrate constant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments for a substrate processing method and a substrate processing apparatus according to the present disclosure (hereinafter, referred to as “exemplary embodiments”) will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Further, it should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited by the exemplary embodiments. Further, unless processing contents are contradictory, the various exemplary embodiments can be appropriately combined. Furthermore, in the various exemplary embodiments to be described below, same parts will be assigned same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

Further, in the following exemplary embodiments, expressions such as “constant,” “perpendicular,” “vertical” and “parallel” may be used. These expressions, however, do not imply strictly “constant”, “perpendicular,” “vertical” and “parallel”. That is, these expressions allow some tolerable errors in, for example, manufacturing accuracy, installation accuracy, or the like.

Moreover, in the various accompanying drawings, for the purpose of clear understanding, there may be used a rectangular coordinate system in which the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction and Z-axis direction which are orthogonal to one another are defined and the positive Z-axis direction is defined as a vertically upward direction. Further, a rotational direction around a vertical axis may be referred to as θ direction.

<Configuration of Substrate Processing Apparatus>

FIG.1is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a substrate processing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. As depicted inFIG.1, a substrate processing apparatus1includes a carry-in/out station2and a processing station3. The carry-in/out station2and the processing station3are provided adjacent to each other.

The carry-in/out station2is equipped with a carrier placing table11and a transfer section12. On the carrier placing table11, a plurality of carriers C is placed to horizontally accommodate therein a plurality of semiconductor wafers W (hereinafter, referred to as “substrates W”) in the present exemplary embodiment.

On the carrier placing table11, a plurality of load ports are arranged so as to be adjacent to the transfer section12, and the carriers C are placed on the plurality of load ports in one-to-one correspondence.

The transfer section12is provided adjacent to the carrier placing table11, and is equipped with a substrate transfer device13and a delivery unit14. The substrate transfer device13is equipped with a wafer holding mechanism configured to hold the substrate W. Further, the substrate transfer device13is movable in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction and pivotable around a vertical axis, and serves to transfer the substrate W between the carrier C and the delivery unit14by using the wafer holding mechanism.

The processing station3is provided adjacent to the transfer section12. The processing station3is equipped with a transfer section15and a plurality of plating units5. The plurality of plating units5are arranged on both sides of the transfer section15. A configuration of the plating unit5will be elaborated later.

The transfer section15has therein a substrate transfer device17. The substrate transfer device17includes a wafer holding mechanism configured to hold the substrate W. Further, the substrate transfer device17is movable in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction and pivotable around a vertical axis, and transfers the substrate W between the delivery unit14and the plating unit5by using the wafer holding mechanism.

Further, the substrate processing apparatus1is equipped with a control device9. The control device9is, for example, a computer, and includes a controller91and a storage92. The storage92stores therein a program that controls various processings performed in the substrate processing apparatus1. The controller91controls an operation of the substrate processing apparatus1by reading and executing the program stored in the storage92.

Further, the program may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium and may be installed from the recording medium to the storage92of the control device9. The computer-readable recording medium may be, for example, a hard disk (HD), a flexible disk (FD), a compact disk (CD), a magneto optical disc (MO), a memory card, or the like.

In the substrate processing apparatus1configured as described above, the substrate transfer device13of the carry-in/out station2first takes out the substrate W from the carrier C placed on the carrier placing table11, and then places the taken substrate W in the delivery unit14. The substrate W placed in the delivery unit14is taken out from the delivery unit14by the substrate transfer device17of the processing station3, and carried into and processed by the plating unit5. By way of example, a recess such as a trench or a via is formed in a front surface of the substrate W, and the plating unit5fills this recess with a metal by an electroless plating method.

The substrate W processed by the plating unit5is carried out of the plating unit5by the substrate transfer device17and placed on the delivery unit14. The substrate W placed in the delivery unit14after being completely processed is returned back into the carrier C of the carrier placing table11by the substrate transfer device13.

Now, the configuration of a plating unit will be described with reference toFIG.2.FIG.2is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the plating unit5according to the exemplary embodiment.

The plating unit5is configured to perform a liquid processing including electroless plating. The plating unit5includes a chamber51; a substrate holder52disposed in the chamber51and configured to hold the substrate W horizontally; and a plating liquid supply53configured to supply a plating liquid L1(processing liquid) onto the front surface (top surface) of the substrate W held by the substrate holder52.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the substrate holder52includes a chuck member521configured to vacuum-attract a bottom surface (rear surface) of the substrate W. This chuck member521is of a so-called vacuum chuck type.

A rotation motor523(rotational driving unit) is connected to the substrate holder52with a rotation shaft522therebetween. When this rotation motor523is driven, the substrate holder52is rotated along with the substrate W. The rotation motor523is supported on a base524which is fixed to the chamber51. In addition, a heating source, such as a heater, is not provided within the substrate holder52.

The plating liquid supply53includes a plating liquid nozzle531configured to discharge (supply) the plating liquid L1onto the substrate W held by the substrate holder52; and a plating liquid source532configured to supply the plating liquid L1to the plating liquid nozzle531. Here, the plating liquid source532is configured to supply the plating liquid L1heated or regulated to a predetermined temperature to the plating liquid nozzle531through a plating liquid line533. The temperature of the plating liquid L1at the moment when it is discharged from the plating liquid nozzle531is in a range of, e.g., 55° C. to 75° C., and, more desirably, in a range of 60° C. to 70° C. The plating liquid nozzle531is held by a nozzle arm56and is configured to be movable.

The plating liquid L1is an autocatalytic (reduction) plating liquid for electroless plating. The plating liquid L1contains, for example, a metal ion and a reducing agent. The metal ion contained in the plating liquid L1may be, by way of non-limiting example, a cobalt (Co) ion, a nickel (Ni) ion, a tungsten (W) ion; a copper (Cu) ion, a palladium (Pd) ion, a gold (Au) ion, a ruthenium (Ru) ion, or the like. Further, the reducing agent included in the plating liquid L1may be hypophosphorous acid, dimethylamine borane, glyoxylic acid, or the like. A plating film formed by the plating processing using the plating liquid L1may be, by way of non-limiting example, CoWB, CoB, CoWP, CoWBP, NiWB, NiB, NiWP, NiWBP, Cu, Pd, Ru, or the like. Further, the plating film may be composed of a single layer, or two or more layers. When the plating film has a double-layer structure, it may have a layer structure of CoWB/CoB or Pd/CoB stacked in sequence from a base metal layer (seed layer) side.

The plating unit5further includes a cleaning liquid supply54configured to supply a cleaning liquid L2onto the front surface of the substrate W held by the substrate holder52; and a rinse liquid supply55configured to supply a rinse liquid L3onto the front surface of the substrate W.

The cleaning liquid supply54supplies the cleaning liquid L2onto the substrate W held and rotated by the substrate holder52to pre-clean the seed layer formed on the substrate W. This cleaning liquid supply54includes a cleaning liquid nozzle541configured to discharge the cleaning liquid L2onto the substrate W held by the substrate holder52; and a cleaning liquid source542configured to supply the cleaning liquid L2to the cleaning liquid nozzle541. Here, the cleaning liquid source542is configured to supply the cleaning liquid L2heated or regulated to a preset temperature to the cleaning liquid nozzle541through a cleaning liquid line543, as will be described later. The cleaning liquid nozzle541is held by the nozzle arm56and is configured to be moved along with the plating liquid nozzle531.

Dicarboxylic acid or tricarboxylic acid may be used as the cleaning liquid L2. As an example of the dicarboxylic acid, an organic acid such as a malic acid, a succinic acid, a malonic acid, an oxalic acid, a glutaric acid, an adipic acid, or a tartaric acid may be used. Further, as an example of the tricarboxylic acid, an organic acid such as a citric acid may be used.

The rinse liquid supply55is equipped with a rinse liquid nozzle551configured to discharge the rinse liquid L3onto the substrate W held by the substrate holder52; and a rinse liquid source552configured to supply the rinse liquid L3to the rinse liquid nozzle551. Here, the rinse liquid nozzle551is held by the nozzle arm56and configured to be moved along with the plating liquid nozzle531and the cleaning liquid nozzle541. Further, the rinse liquid source552is configured to supply the rinse liquid L3to the rinse liquid nozzle551through a rinse liquid line553. DIW or the like may be used as an example of the rinse liquid L3.

A non-illustrated nozzle moving mechanism is connected to the nozzle arm56which holds the plating liquid nozzle531, the cleaning liquid nozzle541and the rinse liquid nozzle551described above. This nozzle moving mechanism is configured to move the nozzle arm56horizontally and vertically. To be more specific, the nozzle arm56is configured to be moved by the nozzle moving mechanism between a discharge position where the processing liquid (the plating liquid L1, the cleaning liquid L2or the rinse liquid L3) is discharged onto the substrate W and a retreat position where the nozzle arm56is retreated from the discharge position. Here, the discharge position is not particularly limited as long as the processing liquid can be supplied to a certain position on the front surface of the substrate W. By way of example, it is desirable that the discharge position is set such that the processing liquid can be supplied to the center of the substrate W. The discharge position of the nozzle arm56may be set to be different when the plating liquid L1is supplied, when the cleaning liquid L2is supplied, and when the rinse liquid L3is supplied onto the substrate W. The retreat position is a position within the chamber51which is not overlapped with the substrate W when viewed from above and far from the discharge position. When the nozzle arm56is placed at the retreat position, interference between this nozzle arm56and a cover body6being moved is avoided.

A cup571is disposed around the substrate holder52. The cup571has a ring shape when viewed from above, and serves to receive the processing liquid scattered from the substrate W when the substrate W is rotated and guide the received processing liquid to a drain duct581. An atmosphere blocking cover572is provided around the cup571to suppress diffusion of an atmosphere around the substrate W into the chamber51. This atmosphere blocking cover572has a vertically extending cylindrical shape with an open top. The cover body6to be described later is configured to be inserted into the atmosphere blocking cover572from above.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the substrate W held by the substrate holder52is covered by the cover body6. This cover body6has a ceiling member61and a sidewall member62extending downwards from the ceiling member61.

The ceiling member61includes a first ceiling plate611and a second ceiling plate612provided on the first ceiling plate611. A heater63(heating device) is disposed between the first ceiling plate611and the second ceiling plate612. The first ceiling plate611and the second ceiling plate612are configured to seal the heater63so that the heater63may not come into contact with the processing liquid such as the plating liquid L1. To be more specific, a seal ring613is disposed around the heater63, and the heater63is sealed by this seal ring613. Desirably, the first ceiling plate611and the second ceiling plate612have corrosion resistance against the processing liquid such as the plating liquid L1, and may be made of, by way of example, an aluminium alloy. Further, to enhance the corrosion resistance, the first ceiling plate611, the second ceiling plate612and the sidewall member62may be coated with Teflon (registered trademark).

A cover moving mechanism7is connected to the cover body6with a cover arm71therebetween. The cover moving mechanism7is configured to move the cover body6horizontally and vertically. To be more specific, the cover moving mechanism7includes a turning motor72configured to move the cover body6horizontally; and a cylinder73(distance adjuster) configured to move the cover body6vertically. Here, the turning motor72is mounted on a supporting plate74configured to be movable vertically with respect to the cylinder73. As an alternative to the cylinder73, an actuator (not shown) including a motor and a ball screw may be used.

The turning motor72of the cover moving mechanism7is configured to move the cover body6between an upper position where the cover body6is placed above the substrate W held by the substrate holder52and a retreat position where the cover body6is retreated from the upper position. Here, the upper position is a position facing the substrate W held by the substrate holder52with a relatively large gap therebetween, overlapping the substrate W when viewed from above. The retreat position is a position within the chamber51which does not overlap the substrate W when viewed from above. When the cover body6is placed at the retreat position, interference between the nozzle arm56being moved and the cover body6is avoided. A rotation axis of the turning motor72extends vertically, and the cover body6is configured to be pivotable horizontally between the upper position and the retreat position.

The cylinder73of the cover moving mechanism7is configured to move the cover body6vertically to adjust a distance between the substrate W on which the plating liquid L1has been supplied and the first ceiling plate611of the ceiling member61. To be more specific, the cylinder73locates the cover body6at a lower position (a position indicated by a solid line inFIG.2) or the upper position (a position indicated by a dashed double-dotted line inFIG.2).

In the present exemplary embodiment, the heater63is driven to heat the plating liquid L1on the substrate W or the substrate holder52when the cover body6is placed at the above-described lower position.

The ceiling member61and the sidewall member62of the cover body6are covered with a cover lid64. This cover lid64is disposed on the second ceiling plate612of the cover body6with supporting members65therebetween. That is, the second ceiling plate612is provided with the supporting members65protruding upwards from a top surface thereof, and the cover lid64is placed on these supporting members65. The cover lid64is configured to be moved horizontally and vertically along with the cover body6. Further, it is desirable that the cover lid64has insulation property higher than those of the ceiling member61and the sidewall member62to suppress heat within the cover body6from leaking to the vicinity thereof. By way of example, the cover lid64is desirably made of a resin material, and, more desirably, the resin material has heat resistance.

As described above, in the present exemplary embodiment, the cover body6equipped with the heater63is configured as one body with the cover lid64, and a cover unit10configured to cover the substrate holder52or the substrate W when located at the lower position is composed of the cover body6and the cover lid64.

A fan filter unit59(gas supply) is provided at an upper portion of the chamber51to supply clean air (gas) to the vicinity of the cover body6. The fan filter unit59supplies the air into the chamber51(particularly, into the atmosphere blocking cover572), and the supplied air flows toward an exhaust line81. A downflow of the air flowing downwards is formed around the cover body6, and a gas vaporized from the processing liquid such as the plating liquid L1flows toward the exhaust line81by being carried by this downflow. Accordingly, the gas vaporized from the processing liquid is suppressed from rising and diffusing into the chamber51.

The gas supplied from the above-described fan filter unit59is exhausted by an exhaust mechanism8.

<Configuration of Cooling Gas Supply>

The plating unit5according to the exemplary embodiment is further equipped with a cooling gas supply configured to supply a cooling gas to the bottom surface of the substrate W or the chuck member521. A configuration of this cooling gas supply will be explained with reference toFIG.3.FIG.3is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the cooling gas supply according to the exemplary embodiment.

As shown inFIG.3, the cooling gas supply4includes a cooling gas nozzle41configured to discharge the cooling gas; and a cooling gas source42configured to supply the cooling gas to the cooling gas nozzle41. In the present exemplary embodiment, the cooling gas source42supplies the cooling gas of a room temperature (which is not temperature-regulated) to the cooling gas nozzle41via a cooling gas line43. By way of non-limiting example, an inert gas such as nitrogen or argon is used as the cooling gas.

The cooling gas nozzle41is disposed below the substrate W held by the chuck member521, and discharges the cooling gas toward the bottom surface of the substrate W. In the present exemplary embodiment, the cooling gas nozzle41discharges the cooling gas outwards in a diametrical direction of the substrate W. Accordingly, the cooling gas can be efficiently supplied to the entire bottom surface of the substrate W. Further, without being limited to the present example, the cooling gas nozzle41may discharge the cooling gas vertically upwards. In addition, the cooling gas nozzle41may discharge the cooling gas to the chuck member521.

<Specific Operation of Plating Unit>

Now, a specific operation of the above-described plating unit5will be described with reference toFIG.4toFIG.8.FIG.4is a flowchart illustrating a sequence of processings performed by the plating unit5according to the exemplary embodiment.FIG.5is an explanatory diagram illustrating a substrate holding processing shown inFIG.4, andFIG.6is an explanatory diagram illustrating a plating liquid accumulating processing shown inFIG.4. Further,FIG.7is an explanatory diagram illustrating a processing of covering the substrate W with the cover body6shown inFIG.4, andFIG.8is an explanatory diagram illustrating a cooling processing shown inFIG.4. The series of processes shown inFIG.4are performed under the control of the controller91.

As shown inFIG.4, the substrate W carried in into the plating unit5is first held by the substrate holder52(process S101). Here, a central portion of the bottom surface of the substrate W is vacuum-attracted, so that the substrate W is held horizontally by the substrate holder52(seeFIG.5).

Subsequently, the substrate W held by the substrate holder52is subjected to a cleaning processing (process S102). In this case, the rotation motor523is first driven to rotate the substrate W at a predetermined rotation speed. Next, the nozzle arm56located at the retreat position (the position indicated by the solid line inFIG.2) is moved to the discharge position above the center of the substrate W. Then, the cleaning liquid L2is supplied from the cleaning liquid nozzle541onto the substrate W being rotated, so that the front surface of the substrate W is cleaned. Accordingly, a deposit or the like adhering to the substrate W is removed from the substrate W. The cleaning liquid L2supplied onto the substrate W is drained into the drain duct581.

Then, the substrate W after being cleaned is subjected to a rinsing processing (process S103). In this case, the rinse liquid L3is supplied from the rinse liquid nozzle551onto the substrate W being rotated, so that the front surface of the substrate W is rinsed. As a result, the cleaning liquid L2remaining on the substrate W is washed away. The rinse liquid L3supplied to the substrate W is drained into the drain duct581.

Thereafter, the plating liquid L1is supplied to and accumulated on the substrate W after being rinsed (process S104). In this case, the rotation speed of the substrate W is reduced from the rotation speed in the rinsing processing. For example, the rotation speed of the substrate W may be set to be 50 rpm to 150 rpm. Accordingly, the plating film formed on the substrate W can be made uniform. Alternatively, the rotation of the substrate W may be even stopped.

Subsequently, the plating liquid L1is discharged from the plating liquid nozzle531onto the front surface of the substrate W. The discharged plating liquid L1stays on the front surface of the substrate W due to a surface tension. As the plating liquid L1is accumulated on the front surface of the substrate W, a layer (so-called puddle) of the plating liquid L1is formed (seeFIG.6). Some of the plating liquid L1flows out from the front surface of the substrate W to be drained from the drain duct581. After a predetermined amount of the plating liquid L1is discharged from the plating liquid nozzle531, the discharge of the plating liquid L1is stopped. Thereafter, the nozzle arm56located at the discharge position is moved to the retreat position.

Next, the plating liquid L1accumulated on the substrate W is heated. First, the substrate W is covered by the cover body6(process S105). In this case, the turning motor72of the cover moving mechanism7is first driven, so that the cover body6is pivoted horizontally to be placed at the upper position (the position indicated by the dashed double-dotted line inFIG.2).

Afterwards, the cylinder73of the cover moving mechanism7is driven, so that the cover body6located at the upper position is lowered to be placed at a processing position. Accordingly, the distance between the plating liquid L1on the substrate W and the first ceiling plate611of the cover body6becomes a first distance, and the sidewall member62of the cover body6is placed to surround the substrate W. In the present exemplary embodiment, a lower end of the sidewall member62of the cover body6is located at a position lower than the bottom surface of the substrate W. In this way, the substrate W is covered with the cover body6, and the space around the substrate W is closed (referFIG.7).

Then, a heating processing is begun (process S106). Specifically, the heater63is turned on, and the plating liquid L1accumulated on the substrate W is heated. A set temperature of the heater63is fixed to a constant target temperature throughout the heating processing. The target temperature is in a range of, e.g., 90° C. to 100° C. When the temperature of the plating liquid L1is raised up to a temperature at which a component of the plating liquid L1is precipitated, the component of the plating liquid L1is precipitated on a surface of the seed layer, so that the plating film is formed.

Subsequently, the controller91determines whether the temperature of the plating liquid L1on the substrate W has reached the target temperature (process S107). For example, this determination is made based on an elapsed time after the heating processing is begun in the process S106. That is, the controller91makes a determination that the temperature of the plating liquid L1has reached the target temperature when a preset time has elapsed after the beginning of the heating processing. The controller91repeats the determination of the process S107until the preset time passes by (process S107, No).

When it is determined in the process S107that the temperature of the plating liquid L1has reached the target temperature (process S107, Yes), a cooling processing is begun (process S108). Specifically, the supply of the cooling gas from the cooling gas supply4to the bottom surface of the substrate W is started (seeFIG.8).

FIG.9is a graph schematically illustrating temperature variations of the plating liquid L1in the heating processing. InFIG.9, the temperature variation of the plating liquid L1in the case when the cooling processing is not performed is shown by a dashed-dotted line. Further, inFIG.9, a reference numeral TO denotes a temperature of the plating liquid L1at the beginning of the heating processing (for example, a temperature equal to or less than a temperature of the plating liquid L1supplied from the plating liquid supply53). Further, a reference numeral T1denotes the target temperature of the plating liquid L1.

As shown inFIG.9, when the cooling processing is not performed, the temperature of the plating liquid L1continues to rise for a while even after it reaches the target temperature T1. In order to suppress this temperature rise, it may be considered to increase the set temperature of the heater63stepwise toward the target temperature T1. However, this is not desirable in that the time required for the heating processing becomes long. Further, in order to improve uniformity of the temperature of the plating liquid L1within the surface of the substrate W, the heater63may have multiple heating regions whose temperatures can be set individually (which will be elaborated later). In this case, the set temperature of the heater63is adjusted for each heating region so that the in-surface uniformity of the temperature of the plating liquid L1may be increased. Therefore, in such a case, if the set temperature is dynamically changed during the heating processing, there is a risk that the in-surface uniformity of the temperature of the plating liquid L1may be rather deteriorated.

In view of this, in the plating unit5according to the present exemplary embodiment, by supplying the cooling gas to the bottom surface of the substrate W when the temperature of the plating liquid L1reaches the target temperature T1, a temperature rise of the plating liquid L1beyond the target temperature T1is suppressed. Therefore, in the plating unit5according to the exemplary embodiment, the temperature of the plating liquid L1on the substrate W can be easily maintained constant even when the heating processing is performed with the set temperature of the heater63fixed to the target temperature.

Thereafter, for example, upon the lapse of a preset time as a processing time of the heating processing after the heating processing is begun in the process S106, the heating processing and the cooling processing are ended (process S109). Specifically, the heater63is turned off, and the supply of the cooling gas from the cooling gas supply4to the bottom surface of the substrate W is stopped.

Then, a cover body retreating processing is performed (process S110). In the cover body retreating processing, the cover moving mechanism7is driven, so that the cover body6is placed at the retreat position. In this case, as the cylinder73of the cover moving mechanism7is first driven, the cover body6is raised to be located at the upper position. Then, the turning motor72of the cover moving mechanism7is driven, so that the cover body6located at the upper position is pivoted horizontally to be placed at the retreat position.

Subsequently, the substrate W is subjected to a rinsing processing (process S111). In this case, the rotation speed of the substrate W is increased to be higher than the rotation speed in the plating processing. For example, the substrate W is rotated at the same rotation speed as that in the rinsing processing (process S103) before the plating processing. Then, the rinse liquid nozzle551located at the retreat position is moved to the discharge position. Thereafter, the rinse liquid L3is supplied from the rinse liquid nozzle551onto the substrate W being rotated, so that the front surface of the substrate W is cleaned. As a result, the plating liquid L1remaining on the substrate W is washed away.

Afterwards, the substrate W after being rinsed is subjected to a drying processing (process S112). In this case, the rotation speed of the substrate W is increased to be higher than the rotation speed in the rinsing processing (process S111), for example, to thereby rotate the substrate W at a high speed. Accordingly, the rinse liquid L3remaining on the substrate W is scattered off, so that the substrate W is dried.

Upon the completion of the drying processing, the substrate W is taken out from the plating unit5and transferred to the delivery unit14by the substrate transfer device17. Further, the substrate W transferred to the delivery unit14is taken out from the delivery unit14by the substrate transfer device13, and is accommodated in the carrier C. Through these operations, the series of processings of the electroless plating on a single sheet of the substrate W are ended.

First Modification Example

FIG.10is a diagram showing a configuration of a plating unit according to a first modification example. As depicted inFIG.10, a plating unit5A according to the first modification example has a configuration in which a cover body6A and a plating liquid nozzle531A of a plating liquid supply53A are integrated.

To elaborate, the plating liquid nozzle531A is formed to penetrate the ceiling member61of the cover body6A, the heater63, and the cover lid64. The plating liquid nozzle531A is moved together with the cover body6A by the cover moving mechanism7.

Here, although an example in which the plating liquid nozzle531A is disposed above the center of the substrate W held by the substrate holder52is illustrated, the plating liquid nozzle531A may be disposed at a position shifted from immediately above the center of the substrate W.

Now, a specific operation of the plating unit5A according to the first modification example will be described with reference toFIG.11.FIG.11is a flowchart showing a sequence of processings performed by the plating unit according to the first modification example.

Among processings of processes S201to S212shown inFIG.11, the processings other than the processes S204and S205are identical to, among the processings of the processes S101to S112performed by the plating unit5according to the above-described exemplary embodiment, the processings other than the processes S104and S105. Specifically, the processings of the processes S201to S203are the same as the processings of the processes S101to S103, and the processings of the processes S206to S212are the same as the processings of the processes S106to S112.

As depicted inFIG.11, in the plating unit5A according to the first modification example, after a processing of covering the substrate W with the cover body6A (process S204) is performed, a processing of accumulating the plating liquid L1(process S205) is carried out.

In this way, by supplying the plating liquid L1onto the substrate W after the substrate W is covered with the cover body6A, a temperature decline of the plating liquid L1on the substrate W can be suppressed, as compared to the case where the substrate W is covered with the cover body6A after the plating liquid L1is supplied. That is, it is possible to suppress a temperature decline of the plating liquid L1that occurs before the cover body6A is moved to cover the substrate W after the plating liquid L1is supplied onto the substrate W.

In addition, after covering the substrate W with the cover body6A in the process S204, the plating unit5A may pre-heat the substrate W by turning on the heater63before supplying the plating liquid L1onto the substrate W.

Further, in the plating unit5A, when covering the substrate W with the cover body6A in the process S204, the cover body6A may be disposed at a position allowing the first ceiling plate611of the cover body6A comes into contact with the plating liquid L1accumulated on the substrate W in the process S205. Accordingly, in the subsequent heating processings (processes S206to S209), the heat of the heater63can be efficiently transmitted to the plating liquid L1. Therefore, the heating efficiency of the plating liquid L1can be increased.

In this configuration in which the cover body6A is brought into contact with the plating liquid L1, the plating unit5A may perform a rinsing processing (process S211) and a drying processing (process S212) in the state that the substrate W is covered with the cover body6A. Accordingly, the plating liquid L1adhering to the first ceiling plate611of the cover body6A can be washed away by the rinse liquid L3, and the first ceiling plate611can be dried. In this case, the rinse liquid source552needs to be connected to the plating liquid nozzle531A via the rinse liquid line553. In addition, a drying gas source may be connected to the plating liquid nozzle531A via a pipeline. With this configuration, in the drying processing (process S212), the plating unit5A is capable of drying the substrate W and the cover body6A by supplying a drying gas (for example, an inert gas such as nitrogen) supplied from the drying gas source into the cover body6A.

Second Modification Example

FIG.12is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a plating unit according to a second modification example.FIG.13is a diagram schematically illustrating a positional relationship between a plurality of heating regions of a heater and a plurality of cooling gas nozzles.

As depicted inFIG.12, a cover body6B belonging to a plating unit5B according to the second modification example is equipped with a heater63B.

The heater63B according to the second modification example has a plurality of heating regions631to633whose temperatures can be set individually. The plurality of heating regions631to633are arranged concentrically, for example (seeFIG.13). These heating regions631to633are arranged in the order of the heating region631, the heating region632, and the heating region633as they go outwards from the center of the substrate W. Among the plurality of heating regions631to633, the heating region631has substantially the same diameter as the chuck member521, for example.

Further, the plating unit5B according to the second modification example includes a plurality of cooling gas supplies4B1to4B3. Each of the cooling gas supplies4B1to4B3has the same configuration as the above-described cooling gas supply4. These cooling gas supplies4B1to4B3are equipped with cooling gas nozzles411to413, cooling gas sources421to423, and cooling gas lines431to433, respectively. Further, the plurality of cooling gas nozzles411may be connected to a single cooling gas nozzle.

The cooling gas nozzles411to413are disposed at positions corresponding to the plurality of heating regions631to633. Specifically, the cooling gas nozzle411is disposed under the heating region631and discharges a cooling gas from below toward a bottom surface of the chuck member521positioned under the heating region631. Further, the cooling gas nozzle412is disposed under the heating region632and discharges a cooling gas from below toward the bottom surface of the substrate W located below the heating region632. Moreover, the cooling gas nozzle413is disposed under the heating region633and discharges a cooling gas from below toward the bottom surface of the substrate W located below the heating region633.

As shown inFIG.13, the plurality of cooling gas nozzles411(412,413) may be provided for the heating region631.

Here, although an example where the cooling gas is discharged vertically upwards from the cooling gas nozzles411to413is illustrated, the cooling gas nozzles411to413may discharge the cooling gas obliquely toward the substrate W or the chuck member521.

As described above, the plating unit5B may be provided with the plurality of cooling gas nozzles411to413corresponding to the plurality of heating regions631to633whose temperatures can be set individually. Accordingly, in the plating unit5B, the temperature of the plating liquid L1on the substrate W can be maintained constant more easily.

Other Modification Examples

In the above-described exemplary embodiment, the supply of the cooling gas is started when the temperature of the plating liquid L1reaches the target temperature. However, the cooling gas may be supplied even before the temperature of the plating liquid L1reaches the target temperature. By way of example, the supply of the cooling gas and the heating processing may be started concurrently. In this case, a flow rate (first flow rate) of the cooling gas in the heating processing (first heating processing) before the plating liquid L1reaches the target temperature T1is set to be smaller than a flow rate (second flow rate) of the cooling gas in the heating processing (second heating processing) after the plating liquid L1reaches the target temperature T1.

Although the above-described exemplary embodiment has been described for the example where the cooling gas of the room temperature is supplied, the temperature of the cooling gas may not necessarily be the room temperature as long as it is lower than the target temperature T1at least. However, it is desirable to use the cooling gas of the room temperature in that an additional device for adjusting the temperature of the cooling gas is not required.

As described above, a substrate processing method according to the exemplary embodiment includes holding a substrate (as an example, the substrate holding processing), supplying a plating liquid (as an example, the plating liquid accumulating processing), covering the substrate (as an example, the processing of covering the substrate with a cover body), heating the plating liquid (as an example, the heating processing), and supplying a cooling gas (as an example, the cooling processing). In the holding of the substrate, the substrate (as an example, the substrate W) is held by using a holder (as an example, the substrate holder52) which is configured to hold the substrate. In the supplying of the plating liquid, the plating liquid (as an example, the plating liquid L1) is supplied onto a top surface of the held substrate. In the covering of the substrate, the substrate is covered by using a cover body (as an example, the cover body6) before or after the supplying of the plating liquid. In the heating of the plating liquid, the plating liquid on the substrate is heated by using a heating device (as an example, the heater63) provided in the cover body in the state that the substrate is covered with the cover body. In the supplying of the cooling gas, the cooling gas (as an example, the inert gas) is supplied to a bottom surface of the substrate or the holder from below the substrate in the heating of the plating liquid. Therefore, according to the substrate processing method of the present exemplary embodiment, the temperature of the plating liquid on the substrate may be easily maintained constant.

In the supplying of the cooling gas, the cooling gas may be supplied to the bottom surface of the substrate or the holder when the temperature of the plating liquid reaches a target temperature (as an example, the target temperature T1). Accordingly, a temperature rise of the plating liquid exceeding the target temperature can be suppressed. Therefore, it is easy to maintain the temperature of the plating liquid on the substrate constant even when the heating processing is performed while fixing a set temperature of the heating device to the target temperature, for example.

The target temperature is the set temperature of the heating device. The temperature of the plating liquid continues to rise for a while even after reaching the target temperature, which is the set temperature of the heating device. In the substrate processing method according to the exemplary embodiment, when the temperature of the plating liquid reaches the target temperature, by supplying the cooling gas to the bottom surface of the substrate or the holder, it is possible to suppress a temperature rise of the plating liquid beyond the target temperature.

The temperature of the cooling gas is a room temperature. Thus, an additional device for adjusting the temperature of the cooling gas is not required.

The heating device has multiple heating regions whose temperatures can be set individually. In this case, in the supplying of the cooling gas, the cooling gas may be supplied from multiple nozzles disposed below the substrate while being located at positions respectively corresponding to the multiple heating regions. Therefore, the temperature of the plating liquid on the substrate may be maintained constant more easily.

In addition, a substrate processing apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment (as an example, the plating unit5) includes a holder (as an example, the substrate holder52), a plating liquid supply (as an example, the plating liquid supply53), a cover body (as an example, the cover body6), a moving mechanism (as an example, the cover moving mechanism7), a heating device (as an example, the heater63), and a cooling gas supply (as an example, the cooling gas supply4) and a controller (as an example, the controller91). The holder holds a substrate (as an example, the substrate W). The plating liquid supply supplies a plating liquid (as an example, the plating liquid1_1) onto a top surface of the substrate held by the holder. The cover body covers the substrate held by the holder. The moving mechanism moves the cover body. The heating device is provided in the cover body. The cooling gas supply is disposed below the substrate held by the holder, and supplies a cooling gas (as an example, the inert gas) to a bottom surface of the substrate or the holder. The controller outputs control signals such that holding the substrate by using the holder (as an example, the substrate holding processing), supplying the plating liquid onto the top surface of the substrate by using the plating liquid supply (as an example, the plating liquid accumulating processing), covering the substrate by using the cover body before or after the supplying of the plating liquid (as an example, the processing of covering the substrate with the cover body), heating the plating liquid on the substrate by using the heating device while keeping the substrate covered with the cover body (as an example, the heating processing), and supplying the cooling gas from the cooling gas supply to the bottom surface of the substrate or the holder in the heating of the plating liquid (as an example, the cooling processing) are performed. Therefore, according to the substrate processing apparatus of the present exemplary embodiment, it is possible to maintain the temperature of the plating liquid on the substrate constant easily.

It should be noted that the above-described exemplary embodiment is illustrative in all aspects and is not anyway limiting. In fact, the above-described exemplary embodiment can be embodied in various forms. Further, the above-described exemplary embodiment may be omitted, replaced and modified in various ways without departing from the scope and the spirit of claims.

EXPLANATION OF CODES