One processing block is arranged between an indexer block and another processing block. One substrate is transported to a main transport mechanism in the one processing block by a main transport mechanism in the indexer block, transported to a first processing section and a thermal processing section by the main transport mechanism in the one processing block and processing is performed on the substrate. The substrate after the processing is transported to the main transport mechanism in the indexer block by the main transport mechanism in the one processing block. Another substrate is transported to a sub-transport mechanism in a sub-transport chamber by the main transport mechanism in the indexer block, and is transported to a main transport mechanism in another processing block by the sub-transport mechanism in the sub-transport chamber. The substrate is transported to the sub-transport mechanism in the sub-transport chamber by the main transport mechanism in another processing block, and is transported to the main transport mechanism in the indexer block by the sub-transport mechanism in the sub-transport chamber.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a substrate processing apparatus and a substrate processing method.

Description of Related Art

Substrate processing apparatuses are used to subject various types of substrates such as semiconductor substrates, substrates for liquid crystal displays, plasma displays, optical disks, magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, and photomasks, and other substrates to various types of processing (see JP 2011-66049 A, for example).

The substrate processing apparatus described in JP 2011-66049 A includes an indexer block and first and second processing blocks. The first and second processing blocks include first and second transport sections, respectively. The unprocessed substrate is transported from the indexer block to the first processing block by the first transport section. In the first processing block, first processing is performed on the substrate. Thereafter, the substrate is received and transferred to the second transport section by the first transport section, and is transported to the second processing block by the second transport section. In the second processing block, second processing is performed on the substrate.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the substrate processing apparatus described in JP 2011-66049 A, the first and second transport sections transport the above-mentioned substrates such that various types of processing are performed on the substrates. However, when processing different and independent from each other is performed in the first and second processing blocks using this substrate processing apparatus, throughput of the second processing block is restricted by throughput of the first processing block.

An object of the present invention is to provide a substrate processing apparatus and a substrate processing method in which throughput can be improved.

(1) According to one aspect of the present invention, a substrate processing apparatus includes first, second and third processing regions, and a sub-transport region, wherein the second processing region is arranged between the first processing region and the third processing region, the first processing region includes a first main transport mechanism that transports a substrate, the second processing region includes a first processing section that performs processing on the substrate and a second main transport mechanism that transports the substrate, the third processing region includes a third main transport mechanism that transports the substrate, the sub-transport region includes a sub-transport mechanism that transports the substrate, the second main transport mechanism is configured to transport the substrate between the first main transport mechanism and the first processing section, and the sub-transport mechanism is configured to transport the substrate from the first main transport mechanism to the third main transport mechanism and to transport the substrate from the third main transport mechanism to the first main transport mechanism.

In the substrate processing apparatus, the second processing region is arranged between the first processing region and the third processing region. The one substrate is transported to the second main transport mechanism in the second processing region by the first main transport mechanism in the first processing region, and is transported to the first processing section by the second main transport mechanism. The processing is performed on the substrate by the first processing section. The substrate after the processing is transported to the first main transport mechanism by the second main transport mechanism.

Further, another substrate is transported to the sub-transport mechanism in the sub-transport region by the first main transport mechanism in the first processing region, and is transported to the third main transport mechanism in the third processing region by the sub-transport mechanism. Further, the substrate is transported to the sub-transport mechanism in the sub-transport region by the third main transport mechanism in the third processing region, and is transported to the first main transport mechanism in the first processing region by the sub-transport mechanism.

This configuration enables the substrate to be transported between the first processing region and the third processing region without the use of the second main transport mechanism in the second processing region. Thus, the throughput in the first or third processing region can be prevented from being restricted by the throughput in the second processing region. Therefore, the throughput of the substrate processing apparatus can be improved.

(2) The third processing region may further include a second processing section that performs processing on the substrate, and the third main transport mechanism may be configured to transport the substrate between the sub-transport mechanism and the second processing section.

Such configuration enables independent processing to be concurrently performed on the respective substrates in the first processing section in the second processing region and in the second processing section in the third processing region. In this case, the second main transport mechanism and the third main transport mechanism can perform the same or similar transportation. Thus, control of the transportation of the substrate by the second and third main transport mechanisms can be prevented from being complicated. Therefore, software that controls the second and third main transport mechanisms can be simplified.

(3) The substrate processing apparatus may further include a first substrate platform on which the substrate that is transported between the first main transport mechanism and the sub-transport mechanism is temporarily placed, and a second substrate platform on which the substrate that is transported between the third main transport mechanism and the sub-transport mechanism is temporarily placed.

In this case, the substrate is transported between the first main transport mechanism and the sub-transport mechanism via the first substrate platform. Further, the substrate is transported between the sub-transport mechanism and the third main transport mechanism via the second substrate platform. Thus, even when the transport speeds of the first main transport mechanism and the sub-transport mechanism are different, the substrate can be reliably transported between the first main transport mechanism and the sub-transport mechanism. Further, even when the transport speeds of the sub-transport mechanism and the third main transport mechanism are different, the substrate can be reliably transported between the sub-transport mechanism and the third main transport mechanism.

(4) The first processing section may include a first liquid processing unit that performs processing using a processing liquid on the substrate and a first thermal processing unit that performs thermal processing on the substrate, the second processing section may include a second liquid processing unit that performs processing using a processing liquid on the substrate and a second thermal processing unit that performs thermal processing on the substrate, the second processing region may include a first liquid processing region in which the first liquid processing unit is arranged, a first thermal processing region in which the first thermal processing unit is arranged and a first main transport region in which the second main transport mechanism is arranged, the third processing region may include a second liquid processing region in which the second liquid processing unit is arranged, a second thermal processing region in which the second thermal processing unit is arranged and a second main transport region in which the third main transport mechanism is arranged, the first and second liquid processing regions may be arranged to be adjacent to each other in a first direction, the first and second thermal processing regions may be arranged to be adjacent to each other in the first direction and the first and second main transport regions may be arranged to be adjacent to each other in the first direction, the first main transport region may be arranged between the first liquid processing region and the first thermal processing region in a second direction that intersects the first direction, and the second main transport region may be arranged between the second liquid processing region and the second thermal processing region in the second direction, the sub-transport region may be provided to extend in the first direction on an opposite side to the first and second main transport regions with respect to the first and second thermal processing regions, and the first substrate platform may be arranged between the first main transport region and the sub-transport region, and the second substrate platform may be arranged between the second main transport region and the sub-transport region.

In this case, with a simple configuration, the substrate is transported to the first liquid processing unit in the first liquid processing region and is transported to the first thermal processing unit in the first thermal processing region by the second main transport mechanism in the first main transport region.

Further, with a simple configuration, the substrate is transported between the first main transport mechanism and the sub-transport mechanism via the first substrate platform, and is transported between the sub-transport mechanism and the third main transport mechanism in the second main transport region via the second substrate platform. Further, with a simple configuration, the substrate is transported to the second liquid processing unit in the second liquid processing region and is transported to the second thermal processing unit in the second thermal processing region by the third main transport mechanism.

Thus, the liquid processing and the thermal processing can be independently and concurrently performed on the respective substrates in the second processing region and the third processing region. Therefore, it is possible to improve the throughput of the substrate processing apparatus without complicating the configuration and the control of the substrate processing apparatus.

(5) The first processing section may include a first lower processing section, and a first upper processing section arranged above the first lower processing section, the second main transport mechanism may include a first lower main transport mechanism that carries in the substrate from and carries out the substrate to the first lower processing section, and a first upper main transport mechanism arranged above the first lower main transport mechanism and carries in the substrate from and carries out substrate to the first upper processing section, the second processing section may include a second lower processing section, and a second upper processing section arranged above the second lower processing section, the third main transport mechanism may include a second lower main transport mechanism that carries in the substrate from and carries out the substrate to the second lower processing section, and a second upper main transport mechanism arranged above the second lower main transport mechanism and carries in the substrate from and carries out the substrate to the second upper processing section, the sub-transport mechanism may include a first sub-transport mechanism configured to transport the substrate from the first main transport mechanism to the second lower main transport mechanism and to transport the substrate from the second lower main transport mechanism to the first main transport mechanism, and a second sub-transport mechanism configured to transport the substrate from the first main transport mechanism to the second upper main transport mechanism and to transport the substrate from the second upper main transport mechanism to the first main transport mechanism, the first sub-transport mechanism may be configured to be capable of transporting the substrate from the first main transport mechanism to the second upper main transport mechanism, and to be capable of transporting the substrate from the second upper main transport mechanism to the first main transport mechanism, and the second sub-transport mechanism may be configured to be capable of transporting the substrate from the first main transport mechanism to the second lower main transport mechanism, and to be capable of transporting the substrate from the second lower main transport mechanism to the first main transport mechanism.

In this case, the substrate is carried into the first lower processing section and the substrate is carried out from the first lower processing section by the first lower main transport mechanism in the second processing region. Further, the substrate is carried into the first upper processing section and the substrate is carried out from the first upper processing section by the first upper main transport mechanism in the second processing region. Further, the substrate is transported from the first processing region to the second lower main transport mechanism by the first sub-transport mechanism, and the substrate is carried into the second lower processing section by the second lower main transport mechanism in the third processing region. Further, the substrate is carried out from the second lower processing section by the second lower main transport mechanism in the third processing region, and the substrate is transported to the first processing region by the first sub-transport mechanism. Thus, the processing can be concurrently performed on a large number of substrates.

Further, the first sub-transport mechanism can transport the substrate from the first main transport mechanism to the second upper main transport mechanism, and can transport the substrate from the second upper main transport mechanism to the first main transport mechanism. Thus, even when an abnormality occurs in the second sub-transport mechanism, transportation of the substrate between the first main transport mechanism and the second upper main transport mechanism can be performed. Further, even when an abnormality occurs in the second lower processing section or the second lower main transport mechanism, the transportation of the substrate between the first main transport mechanism and the second upper main transport mechanism is performed, whereby the processing for the substrate can be continued.

Further, the second sub-transport mechanism can transport the substrate from the first main transport mechanism to the second lower main transport mechanism, and can transport the substrate from the second lower main transport mechanism to the first main transport mechanism. Thus, even when an abnormality occurs in the first sub-transport mechanism, transportation of the substrate between the first main transport mechanism and the second lower main transport mechanism can be performed. Further, even when an abnormality occurs in the second upper processing section or the second upper main transport mechanism, the transportation of the substrate between the first main transport mechanism and the second lower main transport mechanism is performed, whereby the processing for the substrate can be continued.

(6) The first processing section in the second processing region and the second processing section in the third processing region may alternately perform same processing on the substrate.

In this case, the second and third main transport mechanisms can be controlled by the same software. Thus, the software that controls the second and third main transport mechanisms can be simplified.

(7) A substrate processing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention, a substrate processing apparatus includes first, second and third processing regions, and a sub-transport region, wherein the second processing region is arranged between the first processing region and the third processing region, the first processing region includes a first main transport mechanism that transports a substrate, the second processing region includes a processing section that performs processing on the substrate and a second main transport mechanism that transports the substrate, the processing section includes a plurality of processing units, the third processing region includes a third main transport mechanism that transports the substrate, the sub-transport region includes a sub-transport mechanism that transports the substrate, the sub-transport mechanism is configured to transport the substrate between the first main transport mechanism and at least one processing unit of the plurality of processing units, and the second main transport mechanism is configured to carry in the substrate from and carry out the substrate to another processing unit of the plurality of processing units, to receive the substrate from and transfer the substrate to the first main transport mechanism and to receive the substrate from and transfer the substrate to the third main transport mechanism.

In this substrate processing apparatus, the second processing region is arranged between the first processing region and the third processing region. The substrate is transported to the sub-transport mechanism in the sub-transport region by the first main transport mechanism in the first processing region, and is transported to at least the one processing unit of the plurality of processing units in the processing section in the second processing region by the sub-transport mechanism. The one processing is performed on the substrate by the one processing unit.

The substrate after the one processing is carried into another processing unit of the plurality of processing units by the second main transport mechanism. Another processing is performed on the substrate by another processing unit. The substrate after another processing is carried out from another processing unit by the second main transport mechanism, and received and transferred to the third main transport mechanism in the third processing region. Further, the substrate is received and transferred to the second main transport mechanism by the third main transport mechanism, and received and transferred to the first main transport mechanism by the second main transport mechanism.

In this case, transportation of the substrate to at least the one processing unit of the plurality of processing units in the processing section in the second processing region is performed by the sub-transport mechanism. Therefore, the number of transportation steps by the second main transport mechanism is reduced. Thus, a burden on the second main transport mechanism can be reduced. As a result, the throughput of the substrate processing apparatus can be improved.

(8) The substrate processing apparatus may further include a first substrate platform on which the substrate that is transported between the first main transport mechanism and the sub-transport mechanism is temporarily placed and the substrate that is transported between the sub-transport mechanism and the second main transport mechanism is temporarily placed.

In this case, the substrate is transported between the first main transport mechanism and the sub-transport mechanism via the first substrate platform. Further, the substrate is transported between the sub-transport mechanism and the second main transport mechanism via the first substrate platform. Thus, even when the transport speeds of the first main transport mechanism and the sub-transport mechanism are different, the substrate can be reliably transported between the first main transport mechanism and the sub-transport mechanism. Further, even when the transport speeds of the sub-transport mechanism and the second main transport mechanism are different, the substrate can be reliably transported between the sub-transport mechanism and the second main transport mechanism.

(9) The plurality of processing units may include a liquid processing unit that performs processing using a processing liquid and a thermal processing unit that performs thermal processing on the substrate, the at least one processing unit may include the thermal processing unit, the second processing region may include a liquid processing region in which the liquid processing unit is arranged, a thermal processing region in which the thermal processing unit is arranged and a main transport region in which the second main transport mechanism is arranged, the main transport region may be arranged between the liquid processing region and the thermal processing region, the sub-transport region may be provided on an opposite side to the main transport region with respect to the thermal processing region, and the first substrate platform may be arranged between the main transport region and the sub-transport region.

In this case, with a simple configuration, the substrate is transported to the first liquid processing region and the thermal processing region by the second main transport mechanism in the main transport region. Thus, the thermal processing can be performed on the substrate as the one processing. Further, the processing using the processing liquid and the thermal processing can be performed on the substrate as another processing.

(10) The substrate processing apparatus may further include a second substrate platform on which the substrate that is received and transferred between the first main transport mechanism and the second main transport mechanism is temporarily placed, and a third substrate platform on which the substrate that is transported between the second main transport mechanism and the third main transport mechanism is temporarily placed.

In this case, the substrate is transported between the first main transport mechanism and the second main transport mechanism via the second substrate platform. Further, the substrate is transported between the second main transport mechanism and the third main transport mechanism via the third substrate platform. Thus, even when the transport speeds of the first main transport mechanism and the second main transport mechanism are different, the substrate can be reliably transported between the first main transport mechanism and the second main transport mechanism. Further, even when the transport speeds of the second main transport mechanism and the third main transport mechanism are different, the substrate can be reliably transported between the second main transport mechanism and the third main transport mechanism.

(11) The first processing region may further include a container platform on which a substrate storing container that stores the substrate is placed, and the first main transport mechanism may be configured to transport the substrate between the substrate storing container placed on the container platform and the second main transport mechanism and to transport the substrate between the substrate storing container placed on the container platform and the sub-transport mechanism.

In this case, the substrate stored in the substrate storing container on the container platform are sequentially transported to the second main transport mechanism or the sub-transport mechanism by the first main transport mechanism. Further, the substrate that is transported to the first main transport mechanism by the second main transport mechanism or the sub-transport mechanism are sequentially stored in the substrate storing container on the container platform. Thus, the processing can be efficiently performed on the plurality of substrates.

(12) The substrate processing apparatus may further include a fourth processing region arranged to be adjacent to the third processing region, wherein the fourth processing region may include a fourth main transport mechanism that transports the substrate, and the third main transport mechanism may be configured to transport the substrate among the sub-transport mechanism, the second processing section and the fourth main transport mechanism.

In this case, the substrate can be transported among the sub-transport mechanism, the second processing section and the fourth main transport mechanism by the third main transport mechanism.

(13) According to still another aspect of the present invention, a substrate processing method using a substrate processing apparatus that includes first, second and third processing regions and a sub-transport region, the second processing region being arranged between the first processing region and the third processing region, includes the steps of transporting a substrate by a first main transport mechanism arranged in the first processing region, transporting the substrate between the first main transport mechanism and a processing section in the second processing region by a second main transport mechanism arranged in the second processing region, performing processing on the substrate by the processing section, transporting the substrate by a third main transport mechanism arranged in the third processing region, transporting the substrate from the first main transport mechanism to the third main transport mechanism by a sub-transport mechanism arranged in the sub-transport region, and transporting the substrate from the third main transport mechanism to the first main transport mechanism by the sub-transport mechanism.

In this substrate processing method, the second processing region is arranged between the first processing region and the third processing region. The one substrate is transported to the second main transport mechanism in the second processing region by the first main transport mechanism in the first processing region, and is transported to the processing section by the second main transport mechanism. The processing is performed on the substrate by the processing section. The substrate after the processing is transported to the first main transport mechanism by the second main transport mechanism.

Further, another substrate is transported to the sub-transport mechanism in the sub-transport region by the first main transport mechanism in the first processing region, and is transported to the third main transport mechanism in the third processing region by the sub-transport mechanism. Further, the substrate is transported to the sub-transport mechanism in the sub-transport region by the third main transport mechanism in the third processing region, and is transported to the first main transport mechanism in the first processing region by the sub-transport mechanism.

This configuration enables the substrate to be transported between the first processing region and the third processing region without the use of the second main transport mechanism in the second processing region. Thus, the throughput in the first or third processing region can be prevented from being restricted by the throughput in the second processing region. Therefore, the throughput in the substrate processing apparatus can be improved.

(14) According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a substrate processing method using a substrate processing apparatus that includes first, second and third processing regions and a sub-transport region, the second processing region being arranged between the first processing region and the third processing region, includes the steps of transporting a substrate by a first main transport mechanism arranged in the first processing region, receiving the substrate from and transferring the substrate to the first main transport mechanism by a second main transport mechanism arranged in the second processing region, performing processing on the substrate by a plurality of processing units arranged in the second processing region, transporting the substrate between the first main transport mechanism and at least one processing unit of the plurality of processing units and transporting the substrate between the at least one processing unit and the second main transport mechanism by a sub-transport mechanism arranged in the sub-transport region, transporting the substrate between the sub-transport mechanism and another processing unit of the plurality of processing units by the second main transport mechanism, receiving the substrate from and transferring the substrate to the third main transport mechanism by the second main transport mechanism, and transporting the substrate by a third main transport mechanism arranged in the third processing region.

In this substrate processing method, the second processing region is arranged between the first processing region and the third processing region. The substrate is transported to the sub-transport mechanism in the sub-transport region by the first main transport mechanism in the first processing region, and is transported to at least the one processing unit of the plurality of the processing units in the processing section in the second processing region by the sub-transport mechanism. The one processing is performed on the substrate by the one processing unit.

The substrate after the one processing is carried into another processing unit of the plurality of processing units by the sub-transport mechanism and the second main transport mechanism. Another processing is performed on the substrate by another processing unit. The substrate after another processing is carried out from another processing unit by the second main-transport mechanism, and is received and transferred to the third main transport mechanism in the third processing region. Further, the substrate is received and transferred to the second main transport mechanism by the third main transport mechanism and is received and transferred to the first main transport mechanism by the second main transport mechanism.

In this case, the transportation of the substrate to at least the one processing unit of the plurality of processing units in the processing section in the second processing region is performed by the sub-transport mechanism. Therefore, the number of transportation steps by the second main transport mechanism is reduced. Thus, a burden on the second main transport mechanism can be reduced. As a result, the throughput of the substrate processing apparatus can be improved.

Other features, elements, characteristics, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A substrate processing apparatus and a substrate processing method according to embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a substrate refers to a semiconductor substrate, a substrate for a liquid crystal display, a substrate for a plasma display, a glass substrate for a photomask, a substrate for an optical disc, a substrate for a magnetic disc, a substrate for a magneto-optical disc, a substrate for a photomask or the like.

In the substrate used in the present embodiment, at least part of the substrate has a circular outer periphery. The outer periphery except for a cutout (an orientation flat or a notch) for positioning is circular, for example.

[1] First Embodiment

(1) Configuration of Substrate Processing Apparatus

FIG. 1is a schematic plan view of the substrate processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 1and subsequent given diagrams are accompanied by the arrows that indicate X, Y, and Z directions orthogonal to one another for the clarity of a positional relationship. The X and Y directions are orthogonal to each other within a horizontal plane, and the Z direction corresponds to a vertical direction. Note that the direction toward the arrow is defined as +direction, and the opposite direction thereto is defined as −direction.

As shown inFIG. 1, the substrate processing apparatus100includes an indexer block11and processing blocks12,13. The indexer block11includes a plurality of carrier platforms111and a transport section112. A carrier113that stores a plurality of substrates W in multiple stages is placed in each carrier platform111. While a FOUP (Front Opening Unified Pod) is used as the carrier113in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. A SMIF (Standard Mechanical Inter Face) pod, an OC (Open Cassette) that exposes the stored substrates W to the outside air or the like may be used.

A transport section112is provided with a main controller114and a main transport mechanism115. The main controller114controls various constituent elements of the substrate processing apparatus100. The main transport mechanism115has a hand116for holding the substrate W. The main transport mechanism115holds and transports the substrate W using the hand116. Further, as shown in after-mentionedFIG. 5, an opening119for receiving and transferring the substrates W between each carrier113and the main transport mechanism115is formed at the transport section112.

A main panel PN is provided on a side surface of the transport section112. The main panel PN is connected to the main controller114. A user can confirm the processing status of the substrate W in the substrate processing apparatus100and other information on the main panel PN. An operation unit (not shown) made of a keyboard, for example, is provided in the vicinity of the main panel PN. The user can set operation settings of the substrate processing apparatus100and so on by operating the operation unit.

The processing block12includes a first processing section121, a transport section122and a thermal processing section123. In the present embodiment, the first processing section121is a coating processing section. The first processing section121and the thermal processing section123are provided to be opposite to each other with the transport section122sandwiched therebetween. A substrate platform PASS1and after-mentioned substrate platforms PASS2to PASS4(FIG. 5), on which the substrates W are to be placed, are provided between the transport section122and the indexer block11. The transport section122is provided with a main transport mechanism127and an after-mentioned main transport mechanism128(FIG. 5) that transport the substrates W.

The processing block13includes a second processing section131, a transport section132and a thermal processing section133. In the present embodiment, the second processing section131is a coating processing section. The second processing section131and the thermal processing section133are provided to be opposite to each other with the transport section132sandwiched therebetween. A substrate platform PASS5and after-mentioned substrate platforms PASS6to PASS8(FIG. 5), on which the substrates W are to be placed, are provided between the transport section132and the transport section122. The transport section132is provided with a main transport mechanism137and an after-mentioned main transport mechanism138(FIG. 5) that transport substrates W.

(2) Configuration of First Processing Section and Second Processing Section

FIG. 2is a diagram of the first processing section121and the second processing section131ofFIG. 1as viewed in the −Y direction. As shown inFIG. 2, four processing chambers21,22,23,24are provided in a stack in the first processing section121. Four processing chambers31,32,33,34are provided in a stack in the second processing section131. In the present embodiment, the processing chambers21to24,31to34are coating processing chambers.

A plurality of spin chucks25, a plurality of cups27and a plurality of processing liquid nozzles (not shown) are provided in each processing chamber21to24,31to34. In the present embodiment, the two spin chucks25and the two cups27are provided in each processing chamber21to24,31to34.

When each spin shuck25is holding the substrate W, the spin chuck25is driven to be rotated by a driving device (an electric motor, for example) that is not shown. Each cup27is provided to surround the spin chuck25. A processing liquid is supplied from a processing liquid storage (not shown) to each processing liquid nozzle through a processing liquid pipe. In the present embodiment, the processing liquid is a processing liquid for a resist film (a resist liquid). The processing liquid is discharged from the processing liquid nozzle when the spin chuck25is being rotated such that the processing liquid is applied on the rotating substrate W.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, a fluid box50is provided in the first processing section121to be adjacent to the second processing section131. A fluid box60is provided in the second processing section131to be opposite to the first processing section121. The fluid box50and the fluid box60each store fluid related elements used to supply the processing liquid to the processing chambers21to24,31to34, and discharge the liquid and air out of the processing chambers21to24,31to34. The fluid related elements include pipes, joints, valves, flowmeters, regulators, pumps, temperature adjusters and the like.

(3) Configuration of Thermal Processing Section

FIG. 3is a diagram of the thermal processing sections123,133ofFIG. 1as viewed in the +Y direction. As shown inFIG. 3, the thermal processing section123has an upper thermal processing section301provided above, and a lower thermal processing section302provided below. In the present embodiment, the upper thermal processing section301is provided with a plurality of thermal processing units PHP, a plurality of cooling units CP and a plurality of substrate platforms PASS9, PASS10. The lower thermal processing section302is provided with a plurality of thermal processing units PHP, a plurality of cooling units CP and a plurality of substrate platforms PASS11, PASS12.

The substrate platforms PASS9, PASS10and the cooling units CP are arranged at its lowermost portion of the upper thermal processing section301, and the substrate platforms PASS11, PASS12and the cooling units CP are arranged at its uppermost portion of the lower thermal processing section302. In each thermal processing unit PHP, heating processing and cooling processing for the substrate W are performed. In each cooling unit CP, the cooling processing for the substrate W is performed.

A local controller LC1is provided at its uppermost portion of the thermal processing section123. The local controller LC1performs temperature control of the thermal processing units PHP and the cooling units CP in the thermal processing section123. Further, the local controller LC1controls the operation of the spin chucks25ofFIG. 2, the supply of the processing liquid to the processing liquid nozzles and the like. Further, the local controller LC1controls the operation of the main transport mechanism127ofFIG. 1.

The thermal processing section133has an upper thermal processing section303provided above, and a lower thermal processing section304provided below. In the present embodiment, the upper thermal processing section303is provided with a plurality of thermal processing units PHP, a plurality of cooling units CP and a plurality of substrate platforms PASS13, PASS14. The lower thermal processing section304is provided with a plurality of thermal processing units PHP, a plurality of cooling units CP and a plurality of substrate platforms PASS15, PASS16.

The substrate platforms PASS13, PASS14and the cooling units CP are arranged at its lowermost portion of the upper thermal processing section303, and the substrate platforms PASS15, PASS16and the cooling units CP are arranged at its uppermost portion of the lower thermal processing section304.

A local control LC2is provided at its uppermost portion of the thermal processing section133. The local controller LC2performs the temperature control of the thermal processing units PHP and the cooling units CP in the thermal processing section133. Further, the local controller LC2controls the operation of the spin chucks25ofFIG. 2and the supply of the processing liquid to the processing liquid nozzles and the like. Further, the local controller LC2controls the operation of the main transport mechanism137ofFIG. 1.

A sub-transport chamber110is provided between the upper thermal processing sections301,303and the lower thermal processing sections302,304. Two sub-transport mechanisms117,118are provided in the sub-transport chamber110. The sub-transport mechanisms117,118are controlled by the main controller114in the indexer block11. The configuration and the operation of the sub-transport mechanisms117,118in the sub-transport chamber110will be described below.

The local controllers LC1, LC2and the main controller114control each constituent element in accordance with a control program (control software).

(4) Configuration of Transport Sections

FIG. 4is a diagram of the first processing section121, the transport section122and the thermal processing section123ofFIG. 1as viewed in the +X direction.FIG. 5is a diagram of the transport sections122,132as viewed in the +Y direction. As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, the transport section122has an upper transport chamber125and a lower transport chamber126. As shown inFIG. 5, the transport section132has an upper transport chamber135and a lower transport chamber136.

The main transport mechanism127is provided in the upper transport chamber125, and the main transport mechanism128is provided in the lower transport chamber126. Further, the main transport chamber137is provided in the upper transport chamber135, and the main transport mechanism138is provided in the lower transport chamber136.

As shown inFIG. 4, the processing chambers21,22and the upper thermal processing section301are provided to be opposite to each other with the upper transport chamber125sandwiched therebetween, and the processing chambers23,24and the lower thermal processing section302are provided to be opposite to each other with the lower transport chamber126sandwiched therebetween. Similarly, the processing chambers31,32(FIG. 2) and the upper thermal processing section303(FIG. 3) are provided to be opposite to each other with the upper transport chamber135(FIG. 5) sandwiched therebetween, and the processing chambers33,34(FIG. 2) and the lower thermal processing section304(FIG. 3) are provided to be opposite to each other with the lower transport chamber136(FIG. 5) sandwiched therebetween.

As shown inFIG. 5, the substrate platforms PASS1, PASS2are provided between the transport section112and the upper transport chamber125, and the substrate platforms PASS3, PASS4are provided between the transport section112and the lower transport chamber126. The substrate platforms PASS5, PASS6are provided between the upper transport chamber125and the upper transport chamber135, and the substrate platforms PASS7, PASS8are provided between the lower transport chamber126and lower transport chamber136. In the present embodiment, the substrate platforms PASS1to PASS8do not have to be used depending on a transport route of the substrate W.

The substrate W that is transported from the indexer block11to the processing block12can be placed on the substrate platform PASS1and the substrate platform PASS3, and the substrate W that is transported from the processing block12to the indexer block11can be placed on the substrate platform PASS2and the substrate platform PASS4. Further, the substrate W that is transported from the processing block12to the processing block13can be placed on the substrate platform PASS5and the substrate platform PASS7, and the substrate W that is transported from the processing block13to the processing block12can be placed on the substrate platform PASS6and the substrate platform PASS8.

(5) Configuration of Main Transport Mechanisms

Next, the main transport mechanisms127,128,137,138will be described.FIG. 6is a perspective view showing the main transport mechanism127. As shown inFIG. 6, the main transport mechanism127includes long-sized guide rails311,312. As shown inFIG. 5, the guide rails311,312are arranged to extend in the vertical direction (Z direction) and to be spaced apart from each other in the X direction in the upper transport chamber125. The guide rail311is fixed at a position in close proximity to the side surface close to the transport section112in the X direction. The guide rail312is fixed at a position in close proximity to the side surface far from the transport section112in the X direction.

A long-sized guide rail313is provided to extend in a horizontal direction (X direction) between the guide rail311and the guide rail312. The guide rail313is attached to the guide rails311,312to be movable in the vertical direction. A moving member314is attached to the guide rail313. The moving member314is provided to be movable in the X direction along the guide rail313.

The rotation member315is provided at the upper surface of the moving member314to be rotatable around an axis in the Z direction. A hand H1and a hand H2for holding the substrates W are attached to the rotation member315. The hands H1, H2are provided to be capable of advancing and retreating with respect to the rotation member315. The main transport mechanisms128,137,138have the similar configuration to the main transport mechanism127.

Such a configuration as described above enables the hands H1, H2of the main transport mechanisms127,128,137,138to respectively move in the X and Z directions in the upper transport chamber125, the lower transport chamber126, the upper transport chamber135and the lower transport chamber136, rotate around the axis in the Z direction, advance and retreat.

The main transport mechanism127can receive the substrates W from and transfer the substrates W to the processing chambers21,22(FIG. 2), the substrate platforms PASS1, PASS2, PASS5, PASS6, PASS9, PASS10(FIGS. 3 and 5) and the upper thermal processing section301(FIG. 3) using the hands H1, H2. The main transport mechanism128can receive the substrates W from and transfer the substrates W to the processing chambers23,24(FIG. 2), the substrate platforms PASS3, PASS4, PASS7, PASS8, PASS11, PASS12(FIGS. 3 and 5) and the lower thermal processing section302(FIG. 3) using the hands H1, H2.

The main transport mechanism137can receive the substrates W from and transfer the substrates W to the processing chambers31,32(FIG. 2), the substrate platforms PASS5, PASS6, PASS13, PASS14(FIGS. 3 and 5) and the upper thermal processing section303(FIG. 3) using the hands H1, H2. The main transport mechanism138can receive the substrates W from and transfer the substrates W to the processing chambers33,34(FIG. 2), the substrate platforms PASS7, PASS8, PASS15, PASS16(FIG. 5) and the lower thermal processing section304(FIG. 3) using the hands H1, H2.

Next, the configuration of the sub-transport chamber110and the configuration and the operation of the sub-transport mechanisms117,118will be described.

FIG. 7is a horizontal cross sectional view of the substrate processing apparatus100according to the first embodiment. As shown inFIG. 7, the length of each cooling unit CP in the Y direction is shorter than the length of each thermal processing unit PHP ofFIG. 1. The length of the substrate platforms PASS9to PASS16is substantially equal to the length of each cooling unit CP.

As shown inFIGS. 4 and 7, the sub-transport chamber110is provided in a space surrounded by the lowermost surface of the plurality of thermal processing units PHP in the upper thermal processing sections301,303, the uppermost surface of the plurality of the thermal processing units PHP in the lower thermal processing sections302,304, the back surfaces of the thermal processing sections123,133, the back surfaces of the plurality of cooling units CP (surfaces opposite to the transport section122) and the back surfaces of the substrate platforms PASS9to PASS16(surfaces opposite to the transport section122). The sub-transport chamber110extends from the side surface of the processing block12adjacent to the indexer block11to the side surface of the processing block13opposite to the indexer block11.

In this case, with a simple configuration, the substrate W is transported to the processing chambers21to24in the first processing section121, the upper thermal processing section301or the lower thermal processing section302in the thermal processing section123by the main transport mechanisms127,128in the transport section122.

Further, with a simple configuration, the substrate W is transported between the main transport mechanism115and the sub-transport mechanism117,118, and the substrate W is transported between the sub-transport mechanism117,118and the main transport mechanism137,138in the transport section132. Further, with a simple configuration, the substrate W is transported to the processing chambers31to34in the second processing section131, the upper thermal processing section303or the lower thermal processing section304in the thermal processing section133by the main transport mechanism137,138.

Thus, the processing can be respectively, independently and concurrently performed on the substrates W in the processing blocks12,13. Therefore, it is possible to improve the throughput of the substrate processing apparatus100without complicating the configuration and the control of the substrate processing apparatus100.

FIGS. 8(a) to 8(c)are diagrams showing the configuration of the sub-transport mechanisms117,118.FIGS. 8(a), 8(b), 8(c)are diagrams of the sub-transport mechanisms117,118as viewed in the −Z direction, +Y direction and +X direction, respectively.

As shown inFIGS. 8(a) to 8(c), the sub-transport mechanism117has long-sized guide rails411,412. The guide rails411,412extend in the vertical direction (Z direction) and are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the X direction in the sub-transport chamber110ofFIG. 3. The guide rail411is fixed at a position in close proximity to the substrate platforms PASS9to PASS12at the end adjacent to the transport section112ofFIG. 3. The guide rail412is fixed at a position in close proximity to the substrate platforms PASS13to PASS16at the end opposite to the transport section112.

A long-sized guide rail413is provided between the guide rail411and the guide rail412to extend in the horizontal direction (X direction). The guide rail413is attached to the guide rails411,412to be movable in the vertical direction. A moving member414is attached to the guide rail413. The moving member414is provided to be movable in the X direction along the guide rail413.

A support member415is provided on the upper surface of the moving member414to be movable in the vertical direction. Hands H3, H4for holding the substrates W are attached to the support member415to be capable of advancing and retreating in the horizontal direction (Y direction).

The sub-transport mechanism118includes long-sized guide rails511,512. The guide rails511,512extend in the vertical direction (Z direction) and are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the X direction in the sub-transport chamber110ofFIG. 3. The guide rail511is fixed at a position spaced apart from the guide rail411in the Y direction at the end adjacent to the transport section112ofFIG. 3. The guide rail512is fixed at a position spaced apart from the guide rail412in the Y direction at the end opposite to the transport section112.

A long-sized guide rail513is provided between the guide rail511and the guide rail512to extend in the horizontal direction (X direction). The guide rail513is attached to the guide rails511,512to be movable in the vertical direction. The moving member514is attached to the guide rail513. The moving member514is provided to be movable in the X direction along the guide rail513.

The support member515is provided on the upper surface of the moving member514to be movable in the vertical direction. Hands H3and H4for holding the substrates W are attached to the support member515to be capable of advancing and retreating in the horizontal direction (Y direction).

The configuration described above enables the hands H3, H4of the sub-transport mechanisms117,118to move in the X and Z directions and to advance and retreat in the Y direction in the sub-transport chamber110ofFIG. 3.

The support members415,515may be provided at the moving members414,514to be rotatable around an axis in the Z direction, respectively. In this case, the hands H3, H4of the sub-transport mechanisms117,118can be rotated around the axis in the Z direction.

The hands H3, H4of the sub-transport mechanisms117,118can move in the Z direction within a small range by the movement of the support members415,515in the vertical direction. Further, the hands H3, H4of the sub-transport mechanisms117,118can move in the Z direction within a range from the upper end to the lower end in the sub-transport chamber110by the movement of the guide rails413,513in the vertical direction. Hereinafter, the movement of the hands H3, H4in the Z direction caused by the movement of the support members415,515in the vertical direction is referred to as a normal movement, and the movement of the hands H3, H4in the Z direction caused by the movement of the guide rails413,513in the vertical direction is referred to as an emergency movement.

The sub-transport mechanism117can normally receive the substrate W from and transfer the substrate W to the substrate platforms PASS9, PASS10, PASS13, PASS14(FIG. 3) by the movement of the hands H3, H4in the X direction and the normal movement in the Z direction. Further, the sub-transport mechanism118can normally receive the substrate W from and transfer the substrate W to the substrate platforms PASS11, PASS12, PASS15, PASS16(FIG. 3) by the movement of the hands H3, H4in the X direction and the normal movement in the Z direction.

When an abnormality such as failure occurs to the sub-transport mechanism118, the sub-transport mechanism117can receive the substrate W from and transfer the substrate W to the substrate platforms PASS9to PASS16(FIG. 3) by the movement of the hands H3, H4in the X direction and the emergency movement in the Z direction. Further, when an abnormality such as failure occurs to the sub-transport mechanism117, the sub-transport mechanism118can receive the substrate W from and transfer the substrate W to the substrate platform PASS9to PASS16(FIG. 3) by the movement of the hands H3, H4in the X direction and the emergency movement in the Z direction.

(7) One Example of Transportation of Substrate in Substrate Processing Apparatus

Hereinafter, the substrate W that has not been processed in the processing blocks12,13is referred to as an unprocessed substrate W, and the substrate W that has been processed in the processing blocks12,13is referred to as a processed substrate.

In the present example, as shown by the one-dot and dash line inFIG. 7, the unprocessed substrate W is transported from the indexer block11to the processing block12via the sub-transport chamber110, and the unprocessed substrate W is transported from the indexer block11to the processing block13via the sub-transport chamber110. Further, the processed substrate W is transported from the processing block12to the indexer block11via the sub-transport chamber110, and the processed substrate W is transported from the processing block13to the indexer block11via the sub-transport chamber110.

In the present example, the substrate W is transported between the main transport mechanism115and the sub-transport mechanism117,118or between the main transport mechanism115and the main transport mechanism127,128via the substrate platform PASS9to PASS12. Thus, even when the time point of transportation by the main transportation mechanism115, the sub-transport mechanisms117,118, and the main transport mechanisms127,128are different, the substrate W can be reliably transported between the main transport mechanism115and the sub-transport mechanism117,118or between the main transport mechanism115and the main transport mechanism127,128.

Similarly, the substrate W is transported between the sub-transport mechanism117,118and the main transport mechanism137,138via the substrate platform PASS13to PASS16. Thus, even when the time point of transportation by the sub-transport mechanisms117,118and the main transport mechanisms137,138are different, the substrate W can be reliably transported between the sub-transport mechanism117,118and the main transport mechanism137,138.

While the substrate platforms PASS1to PASS8are not used in transportation of the present example, the substrate platforms PASS1to PASS8may be used for transporting the substrate W between the indexer block11and the processing block12.

(7-2) Transportation in Indexer Block

The transportation in the indexer block11will be described below mainly usingFIGS. 1, 3 and 5.

The carrier113in which the unprocessed substrates W are stored is placed on the carrier platform111in the indexer block11. The main transport mechanism115takes out the single substrate W from the carrier113and transports the substrate W to the substrate platform PASS9. Thereafter, the main transport mechanism115takes out another unprocessed single substrate W from the carrier113and transports the substrate W to the substrate platform PASS11.

When the processed substrate W is placed on the substrate platform PASS10, the main transport mechanism115takes out the processed substrate W from the substrate platform PASS10after transporting the unprocessed substrate W to the substrate platform PASS9. Then, main transport mechanism115transports the processed substrate W to the carrier113.

Similarly, when the processed substrate W is placed on the substrate platform PASS12, the main transport mechanism115takes out the processed substrate W from the substrate platform PASS12after transporting the unprocessed substrate W to the substrate platform PASS11. Then, the transport mechanism115transports the processed substrate W to the carrier113.

In this case, the substrate W stored in the carrier113of the carrier platform111is sequentially transported to the substrate platforms PASS9, PASS11by the main transport mechanism115. Further, the substrates W placed on the substrate platforms PASS10, PASS12are sequentially stored in the carrier113on the carrier platform111. Thus, the plurality of substrates W can be efficiently processed.

(7-3) Transportation in Sub-Transport Chamber

Next, one example of transportation in the sub-transport chamber110will be described mainly usingFIGS. 3, 4 and 7.

The sub-transport mechanism117takes out the unprocessed substrate W placed on the substrate platform PASS9using the hand H3. Further, the sub-transport mechanism117places the processed substrate W held by the hand H4on the substrate platform PASS10.

Then, the sub-transport mechanism117moves the hands H3, H4from positions opposite to the substrate platforms PASS9, PASS10to positions opposite to the substrate platforms PASS13, PASS14. The sub-transport mechanism117places the unprocessed substrate W held by the hand H3on the substrate platform PASS13. Further, the sub-transport mechanism117takes out the processed substrate W from the substrate platform PASS14using the hand H4. Thereafter, the sub-transport mechanism117moves the hands H3, H4from the positions opposite to the substrate platforms PASS13, PASS14to the positions opposite to the substrate platforms PASS9, PASS10, and transports the substrate W held by the hand H4to the substrate platform PASS10.

When the sub-transport mechanism117is transporting the substrate W between the substrate platform PASS9, PASS10and the substrate platform PASS13, PASS14, the unprocessed substrate W is placed on the substrate platform PASS9by the main transport mechanism115in the indexer block11and is taken out by the main transport mechanism127in the processing block12. Further, the processed substrate W is placed on the substrate platform PASS10by the main transport mechanism127in the processing block12and is taken out by the main transport mechanism115in the indexer block11.

The sub-transport mechanism118takes out the unprocessed substrate W placed on the substrate platform PASS11using the hand H3. Further, the sub-transport mechanism118places the processed substrate W held by the hand H4on the substrate platform PASS12.

Next, the sub-transport mechanism118moves the hands H3, H4from positions opposite to the substrate platforms PASS11, PASS12to positions opposite to the substrate platforms PASS15, PASS16. The sub-transport mechanism118places the unprocessed substrate W held by the hand H3on the substrate platform PASS15. Further, the sub-transport mechanism118takes out the processed substrate W from the substrate platform PASS16using the hand H4. Thereafter, the sub-transport mechanism118moves the hands H3, H4from the positions opposite to the substrate platforms PASS15, PASS16to the positions opposite to the substrate platforms PASS11, PASS12, and transports the substrate W held by the hand H4to the substrate platform PASS12.

When the sub-transport mechanism118is transporting the substrate W between the substrate platform PASS11, PASS12and the substrate platform PASS15, PASS16, the unprocessed substrate W is placed on the substrate platform PASS11by the main transport mechanism115in the indexer block11and is taken out by the main transport mechanism128in the processing block12. Further, the processed substrate W is placed on the substrate platform PASS12by the main transport mechanism128in the processing block12and taken out by the main transport mechanism115in the indexer block11.

(7-4) Transportation in Processing Block12

The transportation in the processing block12will be described mainly usingFIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5.

The main transport mechanism127takes out the unprocessed substrate W placed on the substrate platform PASS9using the hand H1. Further, the main transport mechanism127places the processed substrate W held by the hand H2on the substrate platform PASS10. The substrate W placed on the substrate platform PASS10from the main transport mechanism127is the substrate W after the resist film formation.

Next, the main transport mechanism127takes out the substrate W after the cooling processing from the one cooling unit CP in the upper thermal processing section301using the hand H2. Further, the main transport mechanism127carries in the unprocessed substrate W held by the hand H1to the cooling unit CP. In the cooling unit CP, the substrate W is cooled to a temperature suitable for the resist film formation processing.

Then, the main transport mechanism127takes out the substrate W after the resist film formation from the spin chuck25in the processing chamber21or the processing chamber22using the hand H1. Further, the main transport mechanism127places the substrate W after the cooling processing held by the hand H2on the spin chuck25. In the processing chamber21,22, the resist film is formed on the substrate W.

Then, the main transport mechanism127takes out the substrate W after the thermal processing from the one thermal processing unit PHP in the upper thermal processing section301using the hand H2. Further, the main transport mechanism127carries in the substrate W after the cooling processing held by the hand H1to the thermal processing unit PHP. In the thermal processing unit PHP, the heating processing and the cooling processing for the substrate W are successively performed.

The main transport mechanism127transports the processed substrate W that has been taken out from the thermal processing unit PHP to the substrate platform PASS10.

Similarly, the main transport mechanism128in the lower transport chamber126sequentially transports the substrate W using the hands H1, H2among the substrate platform PASS11, the one cooling unit CP in the lower thermal processing section302, the processing chamber23or the processing chamber24, the one thermal processing unit PHP and the substrate platform PASS12. Thus, the substrate W is cooled to a temperature suitable for the resist film formation, the resist film is formed on the substrate W and the heating processing and the cooling processing are performed on the substrate W. The processed substrate W is transported to the substrate platform PASS12.

(7-5) Transportation in Processing Block13

The transportation in the processing block13will be described mainly usingFIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5.

The main transport mechanism137in the upper transport chamber135sequentially transports the substrate W among the substrate platform PASS13, the one cooling unit CP in the upper thermal processing section303, the processing chamber31or the processing chamber32, the one thermal processing unit PHP and the substrate platform PASS14using the hands H1, H2. Thus, the substrate W is cooled to a temperature suitable for the resist film formation, the resist film is formed on the substrate W, and the heating processing and the cooling processing are performed on the substrate W. The processed substrate W is transported to the substrate platform PASS14.

The main transport mechanism138in the lower transport chamber136sequentially transports the substrate W among the substrate platform PASS15, the one cooling unit CP in the lower thermal processing section304, the processing chamber33or the processing chamber34, the one thermal processing unit PHP and the substrate platform PASS16using the hands H1, H2. Thus, the substrate W is cooled to a temperature suitable for the resist film formation processing, the resist film is formed on the substrate W, and the heating processing and the cooling processing are performed on the substrate W. The processed substrate W is transported to the substrate platform PASS16.

(7-6) Transportation in Sub-Transport Chamber at the Time of Abnormality

Next, the transportation at the time of abnormality will be described mainly usingFIG. 3.

When an abnormality such as a failure occurs to the sub-transport mechanism118, the sub-transport mechanism117transports the substrate W between the substrate platform PASS9, PASS10and the substrate platform PASS13, PASS14, and transports the substrate W between the substrate platform PASS11, PASS12and the substrate platform PASS15, PASS16by the movement in the X direction and an emergency movement in the Z direction of the hands H3, H4.

Further, when an abnormality such as a failure occurs to any one of the main transport mechanisms127,128,137,138or any one of the processing blocks12,13, the sub-transport mechanism117performs the movement in the X direction and the emergency movement in the Z direction of the hands H3, H4. Thus, the sub-transport mechanism117can transport the substrate W between the substrate platform PASS9, PASS10and the substrate platform PASS15, PASS16, and transports the substrate W between the substrate platform PASS11, PASS12and the substrate platform PASS13, PASS14. As a result, even when an abnormality such as a failure occurs to any one of the main transport mechanisms127,128,137,138or any one of the processing blocks12,13, the processing for the substrate W can continue.

Similarly, when an abnormality such as a failure occurs to the sub-transport mechanism117, the sub-transport mechanism118transports the substrate W between the substrate platform PASS9, PASS10and the substrate platform PASS13, PASS14, and transports the substrate W between the substrate platform PASS11, PASS12and the substrate platform PASS15, PASS16by the movement in the X direction and the emergency movement in the Z direction of the hands H3, H4.

Further, when an abnormality such as a failure occurs to any one of the main transport mechanisms127,128,137,138or any one of the processing blocks12,13, the sub-transport mechanism118performs the movement in the X direction and the emergency movement in the Z direction of the hands H3, H4. Thus, the sub-transport mechanism118can transport the substrate W between the substrate platform PASS9, PASS10and the substrate platform PASS15, PASS16, and transports the substrate W between the substrate platform PASS11, PASS12and the substrate platform PASS13, PASS14. As a result, when an abnormality such as a failure occurs to any one of the main transport mechanisms127,128,137,138or any one of the processing blocks12,13, the processing for the substrate W can continue.

In the substrate processing apparatus100according to the present embodiment, the resist film formation processing is performed on the substrates W by the processing blocks12,13. This configuration enables the transportation of the substrate W between the indexer block11and the processing block13without the use of the main transport mechanisms127,128in the processing block12. Thus, the throughput in the indexer block11or the processing block13can be prevented from being restricted by the throughput in the processing block12. Therefore, the throughput of the substrate processing apparatus100can be improved.

Further, the above-mentioned configuration enables the main transport mechanisms127,128and the main transport mechanisms137,138to perform the same or similar transportation. Thus, it is possible to prevent the control of transportation of the substrates W by the main transport mechanisms127,128and the main transport mechanisms137,138from being complicated. Therefore, software that controls the main transport mechanisms127,128and the main transport mechanisms137,138can be simplified.

[2] Second Embodiment

(1) Configuration of Substrate Processing Apparatus

As for the substrate processing apparatus according to the second embodiment, difference from the substrate processing apparatus100according to the first embodiment will be described.FIG. 9is a schematic plan view of the substrate processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 10is a horizontal cross sectional view of the substrate processing apparatus100according to the second embodiment. In the present embodiment, the configuration of the processing block13is similar to the configuration of the processing block13in the first embodiment except for that the second processing section131is a development processing section.

As shown inFIGS. 9 and 10, the substrate processing apparatus100further includes a cleaning/drying processing block14A and a carry-in/carry-out block14B. An interface block14is constituted by the cleaning/drying processing block14A and the carry-in/carry-out block14B. An exposure device15is arranged to be adjacent to the carry-in/carry-out block14B.

The cleaning/drying processing block14A includes cleaning/drying processing sections161,162and a transport section163. The cleaning/drying processing sections161,162are provided to be opposite to each other with the transport section163sandwiched therebetween. Main transport mechanisms141,142are provided in the transport section163. A placement/buffer section P-BF1and an after-mentioned placement/buffer section P-BF2(FIG. 13) are provided between the transport section163and the transport section132. The placement/buffer sections P-BF1, P-BF2are configured to be capable of storing the plurality of substrates W.

Further, a substrate platform PASS17and after-mentioned placement/cooling platforms P-CP (FIG. 13) are provided between the main transport mechanisms141,142to be adjacent to the carry-in/carry-out block14B. Each placement/cooling platform P-CP has a function of cooling the substrates W (a cooling plate, for example). The substrate W is cooled to a temperature suitable for exposure processing in the placement/cooling platform P-CP.

The main transport mechanism146is provided in the carry-in/carry-out block14B. The main transport mechanism146carries in the substrate W to and carries out the substrate W from the exposure device15. The exposure device15is provided with a substrate inlet15afor carrying in the substrate W and a substrate outlet15bfor carrying out the substrate W. Note that, the substrate inlet15aand the substrate outlet15bof the exposure device15may be arranged to be adjacent to each other in a horizontal direction or may be arranged one above the other.

Accordingly, only the carry-in/carry-out block14B is moved while the cleaning/drying processing block14A is not moved at the time of the maintenance operation of the cleaning/drying processing block14A, the carry-in/carry-out block14B and the exposure device15, thus significantly reducing the labor of workers and working time.

(2) Configuration of First Processing Section and Second Processing Section

FIG. 11is a diagram of the first processing section121, the second processing section131and the cleaning/drying processing section161ofFIG. 9as viewed in the −Y direction. In the present embodiment, the processing chambers31to34are development processing chambers. As shown inFIG. 11, each processing chamber31to34is provided with a plurality of spin chucks35, a plurality of cups37and a plurality of development liquid nozzles (not shown). In the present embodiment, the three spin chucks35and the three cups37are provided in each processing chamber31to34.

Each spin chuck35is driven to be rotated by a driving device (an electric motor, for example) while holding the substrate W. The cup37is provided to surround the spin chuck35. A development liquid is discharged from the development liquid nozzle as the processing liquid while the spin chuck35is rotated, whereby the development liquid is supplied to the rotating substrate W. Thus, the development processing for the substrate W is performed.

A plurality (four in this example) of cleaning/drying processing units SD1are provided in the cleaning/drying section161. In each cleaning/drying processing unit SD1, cleaning and drying processing for the substrate W before the exposure processing is performed. In the cleaning/drying processing unit SD1, polishing processing may be performed on the back surface of the substrate W and the end of the substrate W (a bevel portion) using a brush and the like. Here, the back surface of the substrate W refers to a surface opposite to the surface of the substrate W on which various patterns such as a circuit pattern are to be formed.

(3) Configuration of Thermal Processing Section

FIG. 12is a diagram of the thermal processing sections123,133and the cleaning/drying processing section162ofFIG. 9as viewed in the +Y direction. As shown inFIG. 12, in the present embodiment, an edge exposure unit EEW is further provided in the upper thermal processing section303. Further, an edge exposure unit EEW is further provided in the lower thermal processing section304.

In the edge exposure unit EEW, exposure processing for the peripheral edge of the substrate W (edge exposure processing) is performed. The edge exposure processing is performed on the substrate W such that the resist film on the peripheral edge of the substrate W is removed at the time of the subsequent development processing. Thus, when the peripheral edge of the substrate W comes into contact with another portion after the development processing, the resist film on the peripheral edge of the substrate W is prevented from detaching and becoming particles.

A plurality (five in this example) of cleaning/drying processing units SD2are provided in the cleaning/drying processing section162. In each cleaning/drying processing unit SD2, the cleaning and drying processing for the substrate W after the exposure processing are performed.

(4) Configuration of Transport Sections

FIG. 13is a diagram of the transport sections122,132,163ofFIG. 9as viewed in the +Y direction. As shown inFIG. 13, the placement/buffer section P-BF1is provided between the upper transport chamber135and the transport section163, and the placement/buffer section P-BF2is provided between the lower transport chamber136and the transport section163. The substrate platform PASS17and the plurality of placement/cooling platforms P-CP are provided in the transport section163to be adjacent to the carry-in/carry-out block14B.

The placement/buffer section P-BF1is configured such that the substrates W can be carried in and carried out by the main transport mechanism137and the main transport mechanisms141,142(FIG. 9). The placement/buffer section P-BF2is configured such that the substrates W can be carried in and carried out by the main transport mechanism138and the main transport mechanisms141,142(FIG. 9). The substrate platform PASS17and the placement/cooling platforms P-CP are configured such that the substrates W can be carried in and carried out by the main transport mechanisms141,142(FIG. 9) and the main transport mechanism146.

While the only one substrate platform PASS17is provided in the example ofFIG. 13, the plurality of substrate platforms PASS17may be provided one above the other. In this case, the plurality of substrate platforms PASS17may be used as buffer sections on which the substrates W are temporarily placed.

The substrate W that is transported from the processing block13to the cleaning/drying block14A is placed in the placement/buffer section P-BF1, P-BF2, the substrate W that is transported from the cleaning/drying processing block14A to the carry-in/carry-out block14B are placed on the placement/cooling platform P-CP, and the substrate W that is transported from the carry-in/carry-out block14B to the cleaning/drying processing block14A is placed on the substrate platform PASS17. The main transport mechanism146in the carry-in/carry-out block14B has hands H9, H10for holding the substrates W.

(5) Configuration of Cleaning/Drying Processing Block

FIG. 14is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the cleaning/drying processing block14A.FIG. 14is a diagram of the cleaning/drying processing block14A as viewed in the −X direction. As shown inFIG. 14, the main transport mechanism141has hands H5, H6for holding the substrates W, and the main transport mechanism142has hands H7, H8for holding the substrates W.

The cleaning/drying processing units SD1are provided in a stack on the +Y side of the main transport mechanism141, and the cleaning/drying processing units SD2are provided in a stack on the −Y side of the main transport mechanism142. The placement/buffer sections P-BF1, P-BF2are provided one above the other on the −X side between the main transport mechanisms141,142. Further, the thermal processing units PHP of the upper thermal processing section303and the thermal processing units PHP of the lower thermal processing section304are configured such that the substrates W can be carried in from the cleaning/drying processing block14A.

(6) One Example of Transportation of Substrate in Substrate Processing Apparatus

As shown by the one-dot and dash line inFIG. 10, the unprocessed substrate W is transported from the indexer block11to the transport section122in the processing block12via the substrate platform PASS1, PASS3, and the substrate Won which the resist films has been formed in the processing block12is transported to the indexer block11via the substrate platform PASS2, PASS4.

Further, the substrate W on which the resist film has been formed is transported from the indexer block11to the transport section132in the processing block13via the sub-transport chamber110and is further transported to the interface block14via the placement/buffer section P-BF1, P-BF2. The substrate W that has been processed in the interface block14is carried into the exposure device15, and the substrate W after the exposure processing by the exposure device15is carried out to the interface block14. The substrate W that has been processed in the interface block14is transported to the transport section132via the thermal processing unit PHP in the upper thermal processing section303or the lower thermal processing section304in the processing block13. The substrate W on which the development processing has been performed in the processing block13is transported to the indexer block11via the sub-transport chamber110.

(6-2) Transportation in Indexer Block

The operation of the indexer block11will be described below mainly usingFIGS. 9, 12 and 13. In the present embodiment, the unprocessed substrates W are stored in part of the plurality of carriers113, and the substrates W on which the resist films are formed are stored in the other carriers113.

The main transport mechanism115in the present embodiment takes out the single unprocessed substrate W from the carrier113, and transports the substrate W to the substrate platform PASS1. Thereafter, the main transport mechanism115takes out another unprocessed substrate W from the carrier113and transports the substrate W to the substrate platform PASS3.

When the substrate W after the resist film formation is placed on the substrate platform PASS2, the main transport mechanism115takes out the substrate W after the resist film formation from the substrate platform PASS2after transporting the unprocessed substrate W to the substrate platform PASS1. Then, the main transport mechanism115transports the substrate W after the resist film formation to the carrier113.

Similarly, when the substrate W after the resist film formation is placed on the substrate platform PASS4, the main transport mechanism115takes out the substrate W after the resist film formation from the substrate platform PASS4after transporting the unprocessed substrate W to the substrate platform PASS3. Then, the main transport mechanism115transports the substrate W after the resist film formation to the carrier113.

Further, the main transport mechanism115transports the substrate Won which the resist film is formed from the carrier113to the substrate platform PASS9, PASS11. Further, the main transport mechanism115takes out the substrate W after the development processing from the substrate platform PASS10, PASS12.

(6-3) Transportation in Sub-Transport Chamber

Next, one example of the transportation in the sub-transport chamber110will be described mainly usingFIGS. 9, 10 and 13. The operation of the sub-transport mechanisms117,118in the present embodiment is similar to the operation of the sub-transport mechanisms117,118in the first embodiment except for the following point.

In the present embodiment, all the substrates W placed on the substrate platform PASS9are transported to the substrate platform PASS13by the sub-transport mechanism117. Further, all the substrates W placed on the substrate platform PASS11are transported to the substrate platform PASS15by the sub-transport mechanism118.

(6-4) Transportation in Processing Block12

The operation of the processing block12will be described mainly usingFIGS. 11 to 13. The operation of the processing block12in the present embodiment is similar to the operation of the processing block12according to the first embodiment except for the following point. The resist film formation processing is performed on the plurality of substrates Win the processing block12.

The main transport mechanism127takes out the unprocessed substrate W from the substrate platform PASS1not the substrate platform PASS9. Further, the main transport mechanism127transports the processed substrate W to the substrate platform PASS2not to the substrate platform PASS10. The main transport mechanism128takes out the unprocessed substrate W from the substrate platform PASS3not from the substrate platform PASS11. Further, the main transport mechanism128transports the processed substrate W to the substrate platform PASS4not to the substrate platform PASS12.

(6-5) Transportation in Processing Block13

The operation of the processing block13will be described mainly usingFIGS. 11 to 13.

The main transport mechanism137in the upper transport chamber135sequentially transports the substrate W on which the resist film is formed among the substrate platform PASS13, the edge exposure unit EEW in the upper thermal processing section303and the placement/buffer section P-BF1using the hands H1, H2. Thus, the edge exposure processing is performed on the substrate W, and the substrate W after the edge exposure processing is transported to the placement/buffer section P-BF1.

Further, the main transport mechanism137sequentially transports the substrate W after the exposure processing by the exposure device15among the one thermal processing unit PHP, the one cooling unit CP, the processing chamber31or the processing chamber32, another thermal processing unit PHP and the substrate platform PASS14in the upper thermal processing section303using the hands H1, H2. Thus, post exposure bake (PEB) processing, the cooling processing, the development processing and the heating processing are sequentially performed on the substrate W. The substrate W after the development processing is transported to the substrate platform PASS14.

Similarly, the main transport mechanism138in the lower transport chamber136transports the substrate W on which the resist film is formed among the substrate platform PASS15, the edge exposure unit EEW in the lower thermal processing section304and the placement/buffer section P-BF2using the hands H1, H2. Thus, the edge exposure processing is performed on the substrate W, and the substrate W after the edge exposure processing is transported to the placement/buffer section P-BF2.

Further, the main transport mechanism138sequentially transports the substrate W after the exposure processing by the exposure device15among the one thermal processing unit PHP, the one cooling unit CP, the processing chamber33or the processing chamber34, another thermal processing unit PHP and the substrate platform PASS16in the lower thermal processing section304using the hands H1, H2. Thus, the PEB processing, the cooling processing, the development processing and the heating processing are sequentially performed on the substrate W. The substrate W after the development processing is transported to the substrate platform PASS16.

In a case in which the development processing can be appropriately performed, while the cooling processing for the substrate W is performed in the cooling unit CP before the development processing for the substrate W is performed in the processing chamber31to34in the example described above, the cooling processing for the substrate W does not have to be performed in the cooling unit CP before the development processing.

(6-6) Transportation in Cleaning/Drying Processing Block and Carry-in/Carry-Out Block

The operation of the cleaning/drying processing block14A and the carry-in/carry-out block14B will be described below mainly usingFIGS. 13 and 14.

In the cleaning/drying processing block14A, the main transport mechanism141sequentially transports the substrate W after the edge exposure processing among the placement/buffer section P-BF1, the one cleaning/drying processing unit SD1in the cleaning/drying section161and the placement/cooling platform P-CP using the hands H5, H6. Similarly, the main transport mechanism141sequentially transports the substrate W among the placement/buffer section

P-BF2, the one cleaning/drying processing unit SD1in the cleaning/drying processing section161and the placement/cooling platform P-CP using the hands H5, H6.

Thus, the main transport mechanism141alternately transports the substrates W after the edge exposure processing placed on the placement/buffer sections P-BF1, P-BF2to the placement/cooling platforms P-CP via the cleaning/drying processing section161using hands H5, H6. Thus, the substrates W are cleaned and dried, and placed on the placement/cooling platforms P-CP. In the placement/cooling platforms P-CP, the substrates W are cooled to a temperature suitable for the exposure processing in the exposure device15(FIG. 9).

The main transport mechanism142transports the substrate W after the exposure processing by the exposure device15among the substrate platform PASS17, the one cleaning/drying processing unit SD2in the cleaning/drying processing section162and the thermal processing unit PHP in the upper thermal processing section303(FIG. 12) using the hands H7, H8. Similarly, the main transport mechanism142transports the substrate W after the exposure processing by the exposure device15among the substrate platform PASS17, the one cleaning/drying processing unit SD2in the cleaning/drying processing section162and the thermal processing unit PHP in the lower thermal processing section304(FIG. 12) using the hands H7, H8.

Thus, the main transport mechanism142alternately transports the substrate W after the exposure processing placed on the substrate platform PASS17using hands H7, H8to the upper thermal processing section303and the lower thermal processing section304via the cleaning/drying processing section162. Thus, the substrate W is cleaned and dried, and the PEB processing is performed in the thermal processing unit PHP in the upper thermal processing section303or the lower thermal processing section304.

In the carry-in/carry-out block14B, the main transport mechanism146takes out the substrate W placed on the placement/cooling platform P-CP using the hand H9, and transports the substrate W to the substrate inlet15aof the exposure device15. Further, the main transport mechanism146takes out the substrate W after the exposure processing from the substrate outlet15bof the exposure device15using the hand H10, and transports the substrate W to the substrate platform PASS17.

When the exposure device15cannot accept the substrate W, the substrate W after the cleaning and drying processing is temporarily stored in the placement/buffer section P-BF1, P-BF2by the main transport mechanism141. Further, when the processing chambers31to34(FIG. 10) in the processing block13cannot accept the substrate W after the exposure processing, the substrate W after the PEB processing is temporarily stored in the placement/buffer section P-BF1, P-BF2by the main transport mechanism137,138.

Further, when the substrate W is not normally transported to the placement/buffer sections P-BF1, P-BF2due to a failure and the like in the processing block13, the transportation of the substrate W from the placement/buffer sections P-BF1, P-BF2by the main transport mechanism141may be temporarily stopped until the transportation of the substrate W returns to normal.

In the substrate processing apparatus100according to the present embodiment, the resist film formation processing is performed on the substrate W by the processing block12, and the development processing is performed on another substrate W by the processing block13. This configuration enables the transportation of the substrate W between the indexer block11and the processing block13without the use of the main transport mechanism127,128in the processing block12. Thus, the throughput in the indexer block11or the processing block13can be prevented from being restricted by the throughput in the processing block12. Therefore, the throughput of the substrate processing apparatus100can be improved.

(1) Configuration of Substrate Processing Apparatus

As for the substrate processing apparatus according to the third embodiment, difference from the substrate processing apparatus100according to the second embodiment will be described.FIG. 15is a horizontal cross sectional view of the substrate processing apparatus100according to the third embodiment.FIG. 16is a diagram of the first processing section121, the second processing section131and the cleaning/drying processing section161ofFIG. 15as viewed in the −Y direction.FIG. 17is a diagram of the thermal processing sections123,133and the cleaning/drying processing section162ofFIG. 15as viewed in the +Y direction. In the present embodiment, the processing chambers21to24,32,34are the coating processing chambers, and the processing chambers31,33are the development processing chambers.

As shown inFIG. 16, the plurality of spin chucks25, the plurality of cups27and the plurality of processing liquid nozzles (not shown) are provided in each processing chamber21to24,32,34. In the present embodiment, the processing liquid nozzles of the processing chambers22,24discharge a processing liquid for the anti-reflection film. The processing liquid nozzles of the processing chambers21,23discharge the processing liquid for the resist film (a resist liquid). The processing liquid nozzles of the processing chambers32,34discharge a processing liquid for the resist cover film.

The plurality of spin chucks35, the plurality of cups37and the plurality of development liquid nozzles (not shown) are provided in each processing chamber31,33. In the present embodiment, the two spin chucks25and the two cups27are provided in each processing chamber21to24,32,34. The three spin chucks35and the three cups37are provided in each processing chamber31,33.

As shown inFIG. 17, in the present embodiment, a plurality of adhesion reinforcement processing units PAHP are further provided in the upper thermal processing section301. Further, a plurality of adhesion reinforcement processing units PAHP are further provided in the lower thermal processing section302.

In the adhesion reinforcement processing unit PAHP, the adhesion reinforcement processing for improving adhesion between the substrate W and the anti-reflection film is performed. Specifically, in the adhesion reinforcement processing unit PAHP, an adhesion agent such as HMDS (Hexamethyldisilazane) is applied to the substrate W, and the heating processing is performed on the substrate W.

The configuration of the upper thermal processing section303in the present embodiment is similar to the configuration of the upper thermal processing section303in the second embodiment. Further, the configuration of the lower thermal processing section304in the present embodiment is similar to the configuration of the lower thermal processing section304in the second embodiment.

(2) One Example of Transportation of Substrate in Substrate Processing Apparatus

As shown by the one-dot and dash arrow inFIG. 15, the unprocessed substrate W is transported from the indexer block11to the adhesion reinforcement processing unit PAHP in the processing block12via the sub-transport chamber110in the present example. The substrate W processed by the adhesion reinforcement processing unit PAHP is transported to the transport section122in the processing block12via the sub-transport chamber110. The substrate W on which the anti-reflection film and the resist film are formed in the processing block12is transported to the transport section132in the processing block13via the substrate platform PASS5, PASS7. The substrate W on which the resist cover film is formed in the processing block13is transported to the interface block14via the placement/buffer section P-BF1, P-BF2. The substrate W processed in the interface block14is carried into the exposure device15, and the substrate W after the exposure processing by the exposure device15is carried out to the interface block14.

The substrate W processed in the interface block14is transported to the transport section132via the thermal processing unit PHP in the upper thermal processing section303or the lower thermal processing unit304in the processing block13. The substrate W on which the development processing is performed in the processing block13is transported to the indexer block11via the substrate platform PASSE, PASS8, the transport section122in the processing block12and the substrate platform PASS2, PASS4.

In the present example, the substrate W is transported between the main transport mechanism115and the sub-transport mechanism117,118via the substrate platform PASS9, PASS11. Thus, even when the time points of transportation of the main transport mechanism115and the sub-transport mechanisms117,118are different, the substrate W can be reliably transported between the main transport mechanism115and the sub-transport mechanism117,118.

Further, the substrate W is transported between the main transport mechanism127,128and the main transport mechanism137,138via the substrate platform PASS5to PASS8. Thus, even when the time points of transportation of the main transport mechanisms127,128and the main transport mechanisms137,138are different, the substrate W can be reliably transported between the main transport mechanism127,128and the main transport mechanism137,138.

Further, the substrate W is transported between the main transport mechanism127,128and the main transport mechanism115via the substrate platform PASS2, PASS4. Thus, even when the time points of transportation of the main transport mechanisms127,128and the main transport mechanism115are different, the substrate W can be reliably transported between the main transport mechanism127,128and the main transport mechanism115.

(2-2) Transportation in Indexer Block

The operation of the indexer block11will be described below mainly usingFIGS. 13, 15 and 17.

The main transport mechanism115in the present embodiment takes out the single unprocessed substrate W from the carrier113and transports the substrate W to the substrate platform PASS9. Thereafter, the main transport mechanism115takes out another single unprocessed substrate W from the carrier113, and transports the substrate W to the substrate platform PASS11.

When the processed substrate W is placed on the substrate platform PASS2, the main transport mechanism115takes out the processed substrate W from the substrate platform PASS2after transporting the unprocessed substrate W to the substrate platform PASS9. Then, the main transport mechanism115transports the processed substrate W to the carrier113.

Similarly, when the processed substrate W is placed on the substrate platform PASS4, the main transport mechanism115takes out the processed substrate W from the substrate platform PASS4after transporting the unprocessed substrate W to the substrate platform PASS11. Then, the main transport mechanism115transports the processed substrate W to the carrier113.

(2-3) Transportation in Sub-Transport Chamber

Next, one example of the transportation in the sub-transport chamber110will be described mainly usingFIGS. 15 and 17.

The sub-transport mechanism117sequentially transports the unprocessed substrate W among the substrate platform PASS9, the adhesion reinforcement processing unit PAHP and the substrate platform PASS10using the hands H3, H4. Thus, the adhesion reinforcement processing is performed on the substrate W. Thereafter, the substrate W after the adhesion reinforcement processing is transported to the substrate platform PASS10.

Similarly, the sub-transport mechanism118sequentially transports the unprocessed substrate W among the substrate platform PASS11, the adhesion reinforcement processing unit PAHP and the substrate platform PASS12using the hands H3, H4. Thus, the adhesion reinforcement processing is performed on the substrate W. Thereafter, the substrate W after the adhesion reinforcement processing is transported to the substrate platform PASS12.

(2-4) Transportation in Processing Block12

The operation of the processing block12will be described below mainly usingFIGS. 13, 15, 16 and 17.

The main transport mechanism127in the upper transport chamber125sequentially transports the substrate W after the adhesion reinforcement processing among the substrate platform PASS10, the one cooling unit CP, the processing chamber22, the one thermal processing unit PHP, another cooling unit CP, the processing chamber21, another thermal processing unit PHP and the substrate platform PASS5in the upper thermal processing section301using the hands H1, H2. Thus, the cooling processing, the anti-reflection film formation processing, the heating processing and the cooling processing are sequentially performed on the substrate W after the adhesion reinforcement processing. Thereafter, the cooling processing, the resist film formation processing, the heating processing and the cooling processing are sequentially performed on the substrate W. In this manner, the anti-reflection film and the resist film are formed on the substrate W. The substrate W after the resist film formation is transported to the substrate platform PASS5.

Further, the main transport mechanism127transports the substrate W after the development processing placed on the substrate platform PASS6to the substrate platform PASS2using the hand H1or the hand H2.

Similarly, the main transport mechanism128in the lower transport chamber126sequentially transports the substrate W after the adhesion reinforcement processing among the substrate platform PASS11, the one cooling unit CP, the processing chamber24, the one thermal processing unit PHP, another cooling unit CP, the processing chamber23, another thermal processing unit PHP and the substrate platform PASS7in the lower thermal processing section302using the hands H1, H2. Thus, the cooling processing, the anti-reflection film formation processing, the heating processing and the cooling processing are sequentially performed on the substrate W after the adhesion reinforcement processing. Thereafter, the cooling processing, the resist film formation processing, the heating processing and the cooling processing are sequentially performed on the substrate W. Thus, the anti-reflection film and the resist film are formed on the substrate W. The substrate W after the resist film formation is transported to the substrate platform PASS7.

Further, the main transport mechanism128transports the substrate W after the development processing placed on the substrate platform PASS8to the substrate platform PASS4using the hand H1or the hand H2.

In a case in which the anti-reflection film can be appropriately formed, while the cooling processing for the substrate W is performed in the cooling unit CP before the anti-reflection film formation processing in the processing chamber22,24in the example described above, the cooling processing for the substrate W does not have to be performed in the cooling unit CP for the anti-reflection film formation. Similarly, in a case in which the resist film can be appropriately formed, while the cooling processing for the substrate W is performed in the cooling unit CP before the resist film formation processing in the processing chamber21,23, the cooling processing for the substrate W does not have to be performed in the cooling unit CP for the resist film formation.

(2-5) Transportation in Processing Block13

The operation of the processing block13will be described mainly usingFIGS. 13, 15, 16 and 17.

The main transport mechanism137in the upper transport chamber135sequentially transports the substrate W on which the resist film is formed among the substrate platform PASS5, the one cooling unit CP, the processing chamber32, the one thermal processing unit PHP, the edge exposure unit EEW and the placement/buffer section P-BF1in the upper thermal processing section303using the hands H1, H2. Thus, the cooling processing, the resist cover film formation processing, the heating processing and the cooling processing are sequentially performed on the substrate W on which the resist film is formed. Thereafter, the edge exposure processing is performed on the substrate W, and the substrate W after the edge exposure processing is transported to the placement/buffer section P-BF1.

Further, the main transport mechanism137sequentially transports the substrate W after the exposure processing by the exposure device15among the one thermal processing unit PHP, the one cooling unit CP, the processing chamber31, another thermal processing unit PHP and the substrate platform PASS6in the upper thermal processing section303using the hands H1, H2. Thus, the PEB processing, the cooling processing, the development processing and the heating processing are sequentially performed on the substrate W after the exposure processing. The substrate W after the development processing is transported to the substrate platform PASS6.

Similarly, the main transport mechanism138in the lower transport chamber136sequentially transports the substrate W on which the resist film is formed among the substrate platform PASS7, the one cooling unit CP, the processing chamber34, the one thermal processing unit PHP, the edge exposure unit EEW and the placement/buffer P-BF2in the lower thermal processing section304using the hands H1, H2. Thus, the cooling processing, the resist cover film formation processing, the heating processing and the cooling processing are sequentially performed on the substrate W on which the resist film is formed. Thereafter, the edge exposure processing is performed on the substrate W, and the substrate W after the edge exposure processing is transported to the placement/buffer section P-BF2.

Further, the main transport mechanism138sequentially transports the substrate W after the exposure processing by the exposure device15among the one thermal processing unit PHP, the one cooling unit CP, the processing chamber33, another thermal processing unit PHP and the substrate platform PASS8in the lower thermal processing section304using the hands H1, H2. Thus, the PEB processing, the cooling processing, the development processing and the heating processing are sequentially performed on the substrate W after the exposure processing. The substrate W after the development processing is transported to the substrate platform PASS8.

(2-6) Transportation in Cleaning/Drying Processing Block and Carry-in/Carry-Out Block

The operation of the cleaning/drying processing block14A in the present embodiment is similar to the operation of the cleaning/drying processing block14A in the second embodiment. Further, the operation of the carry-in/carry-out block14B in the present embodiment is similar to the operation of the carry-in/carry-out block14B in the second embodiment.

In the substrate processing apparatus100according to the present embodiment, the anti-reflection film formation processing and the resist film formation processing are performed on the substrate W by the processing block12, and the resist cover film formation processing and the development processing are performed on the substrate W by the processing block13. This configuration causes the transportation of the substrate W to the adhesion reinforcement processing unit PAHP in the first processing section121in the processing block12to be performed by the sub-transport mechanisms117,118. Therefore, the number of transportation steps by the main transport mechanisms127,128is reduced. Thus, a burden on the main transport mechanisms127,128can be reduced. As a result, throughput of the substrate processing apparatus100can be improved.

[4] Other Embodiments

(1) The processing block13does not have to be provided in the substrate processing apparatus100according to the second or the third embodiment. In this case, the indexer block11is a first processing region, the processing block12is a second processing region and the interface block14is a third processing region.

(2) In the substrate processing apparatus100according to the first to third embodiments, another processing block may be provided between the indexer block11and the processing block12. In this case, the indexer block11is the first processing region, another processing block is the second processing region, the processing block12is the third processing region and the processing block13is the fourth processing region.

(3) In the substrate processing apparatus100according to the first to third embodiments, the carry-in/carry-out sections for the substrates W may be provided at the side surfaces of the cooling units CP in the upper thermal processing section301and the lower thermal processing section302adjacent to the sub-transport chamber110. Thus, the sub-transport mechanisms117,118can directly carry in the substrates W from and carry out the substrates W to the cooling units CP. In this case, the cooling units CP can be used as the substrate platforms, so that the substrate platforms PASS9to PASS12do not have to be provided.

(4) In the substrate processing apparatus100according to the first to third embodiments, the carry-in/carry-out sections for the substrates W may be provided at the side surfaces of the cooling units CP in the upper thermal processing section303and the lower thermal processing section304adjacent to the sub-transport chamber110. Thus, the sub-transport mechanisms117,118can directly carry in the substrates W from and carry out the substrates W to the cooling units CP.

In this case, the cooling units CP can be used as the substrate platforms, so that the substrate platforms PASS13to PASS16do not have to be provided.

(5) In the substrate processing apparatus100according to the third embodiment, the carry-in/carry-out sections for the substrates W may be provided at the side surfaces of the adhesion reinforcement processing units PAHP in the upper thermal processing section303and the lower thermal processing section304adjacent to the transport section112. Thus, the main transport mechanisms127,128can directly carry in the substrates W from and carry out the substrates W to the adhesion reinforcement processing units PAHP. In this case, the adhesion reinforcement processing units PAHP can be used as the substrate platforms, so that the substrate platforms PASS9to PASS12do not have to be provided.

[5] Correspondences Between Constituent Elements in Claims and Parts in Preferred Embodiments

In the following paragraphs, non-limiting examples of correspondences between various elements recited in the claims below and those described above with respect to various preferred embodiments of the present invention are explained.

In the embodiment described above, the substrate processing apparatus100is an example of a substrate processing apparatus, the indexer block11is an example of a first processing region, the processing block12is an example of a second processing region, the processing block13is an example of a third processing region and the interface block14is an example of a fourth processing region. The sub-transport chamber110is an example of a sub-transport region, the transport section122is an example of a first main transport region, the transport section132is an example of a second main transport region and the sub-transport mechanisms117,118are examples of a sub-transport mechanism.

The main transport mechanism115is an example of a first main transport mechanism, the main transport mechanisms127,128are examples of a second main transport mechanism, the main transport mechanisms137,138are examples of a third main transport mechanism and the main transport mechanisms141,142,146are examples of a fourth main transport mechanism. The first processing section121and the thermal processing section123are examples of a first processing section, the second processing section131and the thermal processing section133are examples of a second processing section, the spin chuck25and the cup27are examples of a first liquid processing unit and the spin chuck35and the cup37are examples of a second liquid processing unit.

The thermal processing unit PHP, the cooling unit CP or the adhesion reinforcement processing unit PAHP are examples of a first thermal processing unit and the thermal processing unit PHP or the cooling unit CP is an example of a second thermal processing unit. The first processing section121is an example of a first liquid processing region, the second processing section131is an example of a second liquid processing region, the thermal processing section123is an example of a first thermal processing region and the thermal processing section133is an example of a second thermal processing region.

The upper thermal processing section301is an example of a first upper processing section, the lower thermal processing section302is an example of a first lower processing section, the upper thermal processing section303is an example of a second upper processing section and the lower thermal processing section304is an example of a second lower processing section. The main transport mechanism127is an example of a first upper main transport mechanism, the main transport mechanism128is an example of a first lower main transport mechanism, the main transport mechanism137is an example of a second upper main transport mechanism and the main transport mechanism138is an example of a second lower main transport mechanism.

The sub-transport mechanism118is an example of a first sub-transport mechanism, the sub-transport mechanism117is an example of a second sub-transport mechanism, the thermal processing unit PHP, the cooling unit CP or the adhesion reinforcement processing unit PAHP is an example of a processing unit, the carrier113is an example of a substrate storage container and the carrier platform111is an example of a container platform.

In the substrate processing apparatus100according to the first or second embodiment, the substrate platforms PASS9to PASS12are examples of a first substrate platform, and the substrate platforms PASS13to PASS16are examples of a second substrate platform. In the substrate processing apparatus100according to the third embodiment, the substrate platforms PASS9, PASS11are examples of a first substrate platform, the substrate platforms PASS2, PASS4are examples of a second substrate platform and the substrate platforms PASS5to PASS8are examples of a third substrate platform.

As each of constituent elements recited in the claims, various other elements having configurations or functions described in the claims can be also used.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention can be effectively utilized for various substrate processing.