Substrate processing apparatus

A substrate processing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment to the present disclosure includes: a main body which has therein a processing space capable of accommodating the substrate; a holding unit which holds the substrate in the main body; a supply unit which is provided at a side of the substrate held by the holding unit and supplies the processing fluid into the processing space; a discharge unit which discharges the processing fluid from an inside of the processing space; and a flow path limiting unit which limits a lower end of a flow path at an upstream side which is formed while the processing fluid flows from the supply unit to the discharge unit. Further, an upper end of the flow path limiting unit is disposed at a position higher than the upper surface of the substrate held by the holding unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-039027, filed on Mar. 2, 2017, with the Japan Patent Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a substrate processing apparatus.

BACKGROUND

In the related art, there has been known a method of drying a semiconductor wafer (hereinafter, referred to as a “wafer”), which is a substrate, by bringing the wafer having an upper surface wet with a liquid into contact with a processing fluid in a supercritical state during a drying processing after the upper surface of the water is processed by the liquid (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-012538).

SUMMARY

A substrate processing apparatus according to an aspect of an exemplary embodiment is a substrate processing apparatus that performs a drying processing of drying a substrate having an upper surface wet with a liquid by bringing the substrate into contact with a processing fluid in a supercritical state. The substrate processing apparatus includes: a main body having therein a processing space capable of accommodating the substrate; a holding unit configured to hold the substrate within the main body; a supply unit provided at a side of the substrate held by the holding unit and configured to supply the processing fluid into the processing space; a discharge unit configured to discharge the processing fluid from an inside of the processing space; and a flow path limiting unit configured to limit an upstream side lower end of a flow path which is formed while the processing fluid flows from the supply unit to the discharge unit, wherein the flow path limiting unit has an upper end which is disposed at a position higher than the upper surface of the substrate held by the holding unit.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

In a drying method in the related art which uses a processing fluid in a supercritical state, a flow path formed by the processing fluid in a processing container overlaps the wafer, and as a result, in some instances, the liquid applied onto the wafer is washed away from the wafer by the processing fluid. Therefore, the liquid on the wafer is dried on the wafer in a state in which the liquid is not dissolved in the processing fluid, and as a result, there is concern that so-called pattern collapse occurs in which patterns collapse due to surface tension applied from a gas-liquid interface while the liquid is dried.

An aspect of an exemplary embodiment has been made in consideration of the aforementioned situation, and provides a substrate processing apparatus which uses a processing fluid in a supercritical state and is capable of inhibiting patterns formed on the upper surface of a wafer from collapsing.

A substrate processing apparatus according to an aspect of an exemplary embodiment is a substrate processing apparatus that performs a drying processing of drying a substrate having an upper surface wet with a liquid by bringing the substrate into contact with a processing fluid in a supercritical state. The substrate processing apparatus includes: a main body having therein a processing space capable of accommodating the substrate; a holding unit configured to hold the substrate within the main body; a supply unit provided at a side of the substrate held by the holding unit and configured to supply the processing fluid into the processing space; a discharge unit configured to discharge the processing fluid from an interior of the processing space; and a flow path limiting unit configured to limit an upstream side lower end of a flow path which is formed while the processing fluid flows from the supply unit to the discharge unit, wherein the flow path limiting unit has an upper end which is disposed at a position higher than the upper surface of the substrate held by the holding unit.

In the above-described substrate processing apparatus, the upper end of the flow path limiting unit may be disposed at a position lower than an upper end of the liquid applied onto the substrate.

In the above-described substrate processing apparatus, the flow path limiting unit may be a rectifying plate disposed between the supply unit and the substrate held by the holding unit, and the rectifying plate may have an upper end disposed at a position higher than the upper surface of the substrate.

In the above-described substrate processing apparatus, the rectifying plate may be provided on the holding unit.

In the above-described substrate processing apparatus, a separate rectifying plate may be provided at a downstream side of the flow path.

In the above-described substrate processing apparatus, the flow path limiting unit may be a lower portion of a supply port of the supply unit.

A substrate processing apparatus according to another aspect of an exemplary embodiment is a substrate processing apparatus that performs a drying processing of drying a substrate having an upper surface wet with a liquid by bringing the substrate into contact with a processing fluid in a supercritical state. The substrate processing apparatus includes: a main body having therein a processing space capable of accommodating the substrate; a holding unit configured to hold the substrate within the main body; a supply unit provided at a side of the substrate held by the holding unit and configured to supply the processing fluid into the processing space; and a discharge unit configured to discharge the processing fluid from an inside of the processing space. The processing fluid ejected from the supply unit is directed toward a side above the substrate held by the holding unit while the processing fluid flows from the supply unit to the discharge unit.

In the above-described substrate processing apparatus, a direction of the processing fluid ejected from the supply unit may be inclined upward.

According to the aspects of the exemplary embodiment, it is possible to inhibit patterns formed on an upper surface of a wafer from collapsing in a substrate processing apparatus using a processing fluid in a supercritical state.

Hereinafter, respective exemplary embodiments of a substrate processing apparatus disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Further, the present disclosure is not limited by the respective exemplary embodiments disclosed below.

<Overview of Substrate Processing System>

First, a schematic configuration of a substrate processing system1according to a first exemplary embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 1.FIG. 1is a view illustrating the schematic configuration of the substrate processing system1according to the first exemplary embodiment. Hereinafter, in order to make positional relationships clear, an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis, which are orthogonal to one another, are defined, and a Z-axis forward direction is defined as a vertically upward direction.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the substrate processing system1includes a carry-in/out station2and a processing station3. The carry-in/out station2and the processing station3are provided adjacent to each other.

The carry-in/out station2includes a carrier placement section11and a transport section12. Multiple carriers C, each of which accommodates therein multiple sheets of semiconductor wafers W (hereinafter, referred to as a “wafer W”) in a horizontal state, are disposed on the carrier placement section11.

The transport section12is provided adjacent to the carrier placement section11, and has therein a substrate transport device13and a delivery unit14. The substrate transport device13is provided with a wafer holding mechanism for holding the wafer W. In addition, the substrate transport device13may move in horizontal and vertical directions and may turn about a vertical axis in order to transport the wafer W between the carrier C and the delivery unit14using the wafer holding mechanism.

The processing station3is provided adjacent to the transport section12. The processing station3is provided with a transport section15, multiple cleaning processing units16, and multiple drying processing units17. The multiple cleaning processing units16and the multiple drying processing units17are disposed at both sides of the transport section15. Further, the arrangement or the number of the cleaning processing units16and the drying processing units17illustrated inFIG. 1are examples, and the present disclosure is not limited to the illustrated configuration.

The transport section15has therein a substrate transport device18. The substrate transport device18is provided with a wafer holding mechanism configured to hold the wafer W. In addition, the substrate transport device18may move in horizontal and vertical directions and may turn about the vertical axis in order to transport the wafer W between the delivery unit14and the cleaning processing units16and the drying processing units17using the wafer holding mechanism.

Each cleaning processing unit16performs a predetermined cleaning processing on the wafer W transported thereto by the substrate transport device18. A configuration example of the cleaning processing unit16will be described below.

Each drying processing unit17performs a predetermined drying processing on the wafer W cleaned by the cleaning processing unit16. A configuration example of the drying processing unit17will be described below.

In addition, the substrate processing system1is provided with a control device4. The control device4is, for example, a computer, and has a controller19and a storage unit20.

The controller19includes a microcomputer having a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), input and output ports, and the like, or various types of circuits. The CPU of the microcomputer reads and executes a program stored in the ROM, thereby implementing the control to be described below.

The program may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium, and installed in the storage unit20of the control device4from the recording medium. For example, a hard disk (HD), a flexible disk (FD), a compact disk (CD), a magneto-optical disk (MO), a memory card, and the like may be used as the computer-readable recording medium.

For example, the storage unit20may be implemented with a semiconductor memory element such as, for example, a RAM or a flash memory, or a storage device such as, for example, a hard disk or an optical disk.

In the substrate processing system1configured as described above, first, the substrate transport device13of the carry-in/out station2extracts a wafer W from a carrier C mounted on the carrier placement section11, and mounts the extracted wafer W on the delivery unit14. The wafer W mounted on the delivery unit14is extracted from the delivery unit14by the substrate transport device18of the processing station3, and carried into a cleaning processing unit16.

The wafer W carried into the cleaning processing unit16is cleaned by the cleaning processing unit16, and then carried out from the cleaning processing unit16by the substrate transport device18. The wafer W carried out from the cleaning processing unit16is carried into a drying processing unit17by the substrate transport device18, and dried by the drying processing unit17.

The wafer W dried by the drying processing unit17is carried out from the drying processing unit17by the substrate transport device18, and mounted on the delivery unit14. Further, the wafer W, which is completely processed and mounted on the delivery unit14, is returned back to a carrier C of the carrier placement section11by the substrate transport device13.

<Overview of Cleaning Processing Unit>

Next, a schematic configuration of the cleaning processing unit16will be described with reference toFIG. 2.FIG. 2is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of the cleaning processing unit16according to the first exemplary embodiment. The cleaning processing unit16is configured as, for example, a single wafer type cleaning processing unit which cleans one wafer W at a time by spin cleaning.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the cleaning processing unit16approximately horizontally holds the wafer W using a wafer holding mechanism25disposed in an outer chamber23that defines a processing space, and the wafer W is rotated as the wafer holding mechanism25rotates about the vertical axis. Further, the cleaning processing unit16allows a nozzle arm26to extend to a side above the rotating wafer W, and supplies a chemical liquid and a rinse liquid in a predetermined order from a chemical liquid nozzle26aprovided at a tip portion of the nozzle arm26, thereby cleaning the upper surface Wa of the wafer W.

A chemical liquid supply path25ais also formed in the wafer holding mechanism25of the cleaning processing unit16. Further, the rear surface of the wafer W is cleaned by a chemical liquid and a rinse liquid supplied from the chemical liquid supply path25a.

For example, during the aforementioned processing of cleaning the wafer W, particles and organic contaminants are initially removed by an SC1liquid (a liquid mixture of ammonia and a hydrogen peroxide solution) which is an alkaline chemical liquid, and then rinse cleaning is performed by deionized water (hereinafter, referred to as “DIW”) which is a rinse liquid. Next, a natural oxide film is removed by diluted hydrofluoric acid (hereinafter, referred to as “DHF”) which is an acidic chemical liquid, and then the rinse cleaning is performed by the DIW.

The aforementioned various types of chemical liquids are received in the outer chamber23or an inner cup24disposed in the outer chamber23, and the chemical liquids are discharged from a liquid discharge port23aprovided at a bottom portion of the outer chamber23or a liquid discharge port24aprovided at a bottom portion of the inner cup24. Further, the atmosphere within the outer chamber23is evacuated from a gas discharge port23bprovided in the bottom portion of the outer chamber23.

After rinsing the wafer W as described above, a liquid-phase IPA (hereinafter, referred to as an “IPA liquid”) is supplied onto the upper surface Wa and the rear surface of the wafer W while the wafer holding mechanism25rotates such that the IPA liquid is substituted for the DIW remaining on both surfaces of the wafer W. Thereafter, the rotation of the wafer holding mechanism25is gently stopped.

The wafer W, which is completely cleaned as described above, is delivered to the substrate transport device18by a delivery mechanism (not illustrated) provided on the wafer holding mechanism25in a state in which an IPA liquid71(seeFIG. 4) is applied onto the upper surface Wa (state in which a liquid film of the IPA liquid71is formed on the upper surface Wa of the wafer W), and the wafer W is then carried out from the cleaning processing unit16.

Here, the IPA liquid71applied onto the upper surface Wa of the wafer W functions as a drying prevention liquid which prevents the pattern collapse caused by evaporation (vaporization) of the liquid on the upper surface Wa while the wafer W is transported from the cleaning processing unit16to the drying processing unit17or while the wafer W is carried into the drying processing unit17. The thickness of the IPA liquid71applied onto the wafer W is, for example, about 1 mm to 5 mm.

After the cleaning processing is completed by the cleaning processing unit16, the wafer W having the upper surface Wa onto which the IPA liquid71is applied is transported to a drying processing unit17. Further, a processing of drying the wafer W is performed in the drying processing unit17by bringing a processing fluid70(seeFIG. 4) in a supercritical state into contact with the IPA liquid71on the upper surface Wa, thereby removing the IPA liquid71while dissolving the IPA liquid71in the processing fluid70in the supercritical state.

<Overview of Drying Processing Unit>

Hereinafter, a configuration of the drying processing unit17will be described.FIG. 3is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of a configuration of the drying processing unit17according to the first exemplary embodiment.

The drying processing unit17has a main body31, a holding unit32, and a lid member33. An opening34is formed in the main body31having a casing shape so as to carry a wafer W into or out of the drying processing unit17therethrough. The holding unit32holds the wafer W to be processed in the horizontal direction. An aperture32ais formed, between the held wafer W and the lid member33, in the holding unit32having a substantially flat plate shape.

The lid member33supports the holding unit32and seals the opening34when the wafer W is carried into the main body31.

For example, the main body31is a container having therein a processing space31a(seeFIG. 4) capable of accommodating the wafer W having a diameter of 300 mm, and supply ports35and36and a discharge port37are provided in a wall portion of the main body31. The supply ports35and36and the discharge port37are connected to supply lines, respectively, which are provided at an upstream side and a downstream side of the drying processing unit17, and allow the processing fluid70(seeFIG. 4) to flow therethrough. A configuration example of the supply lines will be described below.

The supply port35is connected to a side surface of the casing-shaped main body31opposite to the opening34. In addition, the supply port36is connected to a bottom surface of the main body31. Further, the discharge port37is connected to a lower side of the opening34. WhileFIG. 3illustrates the two supply ports35and36and the single discharge port37, the number of supply ports35and36and the number of discharge ports37are not particularly limited.

Fluid supply headers38and39, which are examples of supply units, and a fluid discharge header40, which is an example of a discharge unit, are provided in the main body31. Further, each o fluid supply header38or39has multiple supply ports38aor39aformed therein and arranged in the longitudinal direction of the fluid supply header38or39, and the fluid discharge header40has multiple discharge ports40aformed therein and arranged in the longitudinal direction of the fluid discharge header40.

The fluid supply header38is connected to the supply port35and provided in the casing-shaped main body31adjacent to the side opposite to the opening34. In addition, the multiple supply ports38aformed and arranged in the fluid supply header38are directed toward the opening34side.

The fluid supply header39is connected to the supply port36and provided in the central portion of the bottom surface in the casing-shaped main body31. In addition, the multiple supply ports39aformed and arranged in the fluid supply header39are directed upward.

The fluid discharge header40is connected to the discharge port37and provided in the casing-shaped main body31adjacent to the side surface of the opening34side and below the opening34. In addition, the multiple discharge ports40aformed to be arranged in the fluid discharge header40are directed upward.

The fluid supply headers38and39supply the processing fluid70into the main body31. In addition, the fluid discharge header40guides and discharges the processing fluid70in the main body31to the outside of the main body31.

Here, a rectifying plate41, which regulates the flow of the processing fluid70, is provided in the main body31between the fluid supply header38and the wafer W held by the holding unit32. For example, the rectifying plate41is erected on the holding unit32at the fluid supply header38side so as to block a portion between the wafer W and the fluid supply header38. Further, a detail of the flow of the processing fluid70within the main body31will be described below.

The drying processing unit17further includes a pressing mechanism (not illustrated). The pressing mechanism serves to seal the processing space31aby pressing the lid member33to the main body31against internal pressure caused by the processing fluid70which is in the supercritical state and is supplied into the processing space31awithin the main body31. In addition, a heat insulating material, a tape heater, or the like may be provided on a surface of the main body31in order to maintain the processing fluid70supplied into the processing space31aat a predetermined temperature.

In the first exemplary embodiment, the IPA liquid71(seeFIG. 4) is used as the drying prevention liquid, and CO2is used as the processing fluid70(seeFIG. 4). However, a liquid (e.g., an organic solvent such as methanol) other than the IPA may be used as the drying prevention liquid, and a fluid other than CO2may be used as the processing fluid70.

Here, in comparison with a liquid (e.g., the IPA liquid71), the processing fluid70in the supercritical state has lower viscosity and a high ability to dissolve a liquid, and does not have an interface between the processing fluid70in the supercritical state and a liquid or gas in an equilibrium state. Therefore, the drying processing using the processing fluid70in the supercritical state may inhibit pattern collapse of a pattern P because it is possible to dry the liquid without being affected by surface tension.

Meanwhile, when a flow path of the processing fluid70in the main body31is formed to overlap the wafer W during the drying processing using the processing fluid70in the supercritical state, the applied IPA liquid71is washed away from the wafer W by the processing fluid70in some cases.

Therefore, the applied IPA liquid71is dried on the wafer W in a state in which the IPA liquid71is not dissolved in the processing fluid70, and as a result, there is concern that a pattern P collapses by surface tension applied to the pattern P from a gas-liquid interface while the IPA liquid71is dried.

Therefore, according to the drying processing unit17according to the first exemplary embodiment, the flow of the processing fluid70is controlled by the internal configuration, thereby inhibiting the pattern P formed on the wafer W from collapsing.

First Exemplary Embodiment

Subsequently, the drying processing unit17according to the first exemplary embodiment will be described in detail with reference toFIG. 4.FIG. 4is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the drying processing unit17according to the first exemplary embodiment.

Until the point in time illustrated inFIG. 4, the wafer W onto which the IPA liquid71is applied first is held by the holding unit32and carried into the drying processing unit17. Next, the processing fluid70is supplied into the drying processing unit17through the fluid supply header39(seeFIG. 3), the processing space31aof the main body31is filled with the processing fluid70, the pressure of which is increased to a desired pressure.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the processing fluid70is supplied from the fluid supply header38, the processing fluid70is discharged from the fluid discharge header40, and a flow path72of the processing fluid70is formed between the fluid supply header38and the fluid discharge header40. Further, because the fluid supply header39does not supply the processing fluid70while the flow path72is formed, the illustration of the fluid supply header39is omitted fromFIG. 4.

For example, the flow path72is provided at a lateral side of the wafer W, and the flow path72is formed in the approximately horizontal direction above the wafer W to be directed toward the lid member33along the upper surface Wa of the wafer W from the fluid supply header38of which the supply ports38aare directed in the approximately horizontal direction. Further, the direction of the flow path72is changed to a downward direction in the vicinity of the lid member33, the flow path72passes through the aperture32aformed in the holding unit32, and the flow path72is directed toward the discharge ports40aof the fluid discharge header40. For example, the processing fluid70flows in a laminar flow in the flow path72.

Here, in the first exemplary embodiment, the rectifying plate41is provided between the fluid supply header38and the wafer W, that is, at an upstream side of the wafer W in the flow path72. Further, the upper end41aof the rectifying plate41is disposed at a position higher than the upper surface Wa of the wafer W. Therefore, the position of the lower end72aof the flow path72at the upstream side is limited to a position higher than the upper surface Wa of the wafer W. That is, the rectifying plate41functions as a flow path limiting unit which limits the lower end72aof the flow path72at the upstream side.

In the first exemplary embodiment, the flow path72may be formed not to overlap the wafer W since the flow path limiting unit (the rectifying plate41) is provided, and as a result, it is possible to inhibit the applied IPA liquid71from being washed away from the upper surface Wa of the wafer W by the processing fluid70.

Therefore, according to the first exemplary embodiment, the IPA liquid71may be sufficiently removed from between the patterns P by the processing fluid70, and as a result, it is possible to inhibit the patterns P formed on the upper surface Wa of the wafer W from collapsing during the drying processing using the processing fluid70.

In the first exemplary embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 4, the upper end41aof the flow path limiting unit (rectifying plate41) may be provided at a position lower than the upper end71aof the IPA liquid71applied onto the wafer W. In other words, the IPA liquid71may be applied onto the wafer W such that the upper end71aof the IPA liquid71is provided at a position higher than the upper end41aof the flow path limiting unit (the rectifying plate41).

Since the upper end41aof the flow path limiting unit (rectifying plate41) is disposed as described above, pressure may be applied to the IPA liquid71by the flow path72of the processing fluid70. Further, with this pressure, it is possible to facilitate the dissolution of the IPA liquid71in the processing fluid70.

Therefore, according to the first exemplary embodiment, the upper end41aof the flow path limiting unit (rectifying plate41) is provided at a position lower than the upper end71aof the IPA liquid71, and as a result, it is possible to complete the drying processing in a shorter time.

In the first exemplary embodiment, the rectifying plate41is provided at the upstream side of the wafer W in the flow path72, thereby limiting the position of the lower end72ain the flow path72. It is possible to effectively inhibit the applied IPA liquid71from being washed away from the wafer W since it is possible to effectively limit the position of the lower end72aof the flow path72at the upstream side by using the rectifying plate41as described above.

In the first exemplary embodiment, the rectifying plate41is erected on the holding unit32at the fluid supply header38side so as to block a portion between the wafer W and the fluid supply header38. It is possible to more effectively inhibit the applied IPA liquid71from being washed away from the wafer W by disposing the rectifying plate41adjacent to the wafer W so as to block the flow from the fluid supply header38as described above.

Modified Example

Subsequently, various types of modified examples of the drying processing unit17according to the first exemplary embodiment will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 5 to 7.FIG. 5is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the drying processing unit17according to Modified Example 1 of the first exemplary embodiment. Further, in the following description, the constituent elements similar to the respective constituent elements in the aforementioned first exemplary embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions of the configurations similar to the configurations in the first exemplary embodiment may be omitted.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, in Modified Example 1, the rectifying plate41is provided not only at the upstream side of the wafer W in the flow path72, but also at a downstream side of the wafer W. Further, similar to the rectifying plate41at the upstream side, the upper end41aof the rectifying plate41at the downstream side is disposed at a position higher than the upper surface Wa of the wafer W.

Since the rectifying plate41is also provided at the downstream side of the flow path72as described above, it is possible to limit, with high precision, the position of the lower end72aof the flow path72from the upstream side to the downstream side. Further, since the upper ends41aof the two rectifying plates41are disposed at the positions higher than the upper surface Wa of the wafer W, it is further possible to form the flow path72so that the flow path72does not overlap the wafer W.

Therefore, according to Modified Example 1, it is possible to further inhibit the applied IPA liquid71from being washed away from the wafer W, and as a result, it is possible to further inhibit the patterns P formed on the upper surface Wa of the wafer W from collapsing during the drying processing using the processing fluid70.

In Modified Example 1, for example, the rectifying plate41is erected to surround a placement portion of the holding unit32on which the wafer W is placed such that the placement portion of the holding unit32on which the wafer W is placed is formed in a bowl shape, and as a result, the rectifying plate41may also be provided at the downstream side of the flow path72.

FIG. 6is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the drying processing unit17according to Modified Example 2 of the first exemplary embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 6, in Modified Example 2, the rectifying plate41is provided on the main body31of the drying processing unit17, not on the holding unit32.

Similar to the first exemplary embodiment, the upper end41aof the rectifying plate41is disposed at a position higher than the upper surface Wa of a wafer W. Therefore, similar to the first exemplary embodiment, it is possible to inhibit the applied IPA liquid71from being washed away from the wafer W, and as a result, it is possible to inhibit a pattern P formed on the upper surface Wa of the wafer W from collapsing.

In Modified Example 2, for example, the rectifying plate41is erected on the bottom surface of the main body31so as to block a portion between the fluid supply header38and the holding unit32. However, the installation form of the rectifying plate41in Modified Example 2 is not limited to this example, and the method of installing the rectifying plate41is not limited as long as the rectifying plate41is disposed in the main body31so as to function as the flow path limiting unit which limits the lower end72aof the flow path72at the upstream side.

FIG. 7is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the drying processing unit17according to Modified Example 3 of the first exemplary embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 7, in Modified Example 3, the lower end72aof the flow path72is not limited by using the rectifying plate41, but the lower end72aof the flow path72is limited by disposing the fluid supply header38at a predetermined position.

Specifically, in the fluid supply header38, a header bottom portion38b, which is a lower portion of the supply port38a, functions as the flow path limiting unit. Further, an upper end38cof the flow path limiting unit (header bottom portion38b) is disposed at a position higher than the upper surface Wa of the wafer W. In other words, a bottom portion of the supply port38ais disposed at a position higher than the upper surface Wa of the wafer W.

Therefore, similar to the first exemplary embodiment, it is possible to inhibit the applied IPA liquid71from being washed away from the wafer W, and as a result, it is possible to inhibit the patterns P formed on the upper surface Wa of the wafer W from collapsing.

In Modified Example 3, it is possible to inhibit the collapse of the patterns P formed on the upper surface Wa of the wafer W without separately providing the rectifying plate41. Therefore, according to Modified Example 3, costs required to manufacture or mount the rectifying plate41are not needed, and as a result, it is possible to perform the drying processing in the substrate processing system1at a low cost.

In Modified Examples 1 to 3, similar to the first exemplary embodiment, the upper end41aof the rectifying plate41or the upper end38cof the header bottom portion38bmay be provided at a position lower than the upper end71aof the IPA liquid71applied onto the wafer W. Therefore, similar to the first exemplary embodiment, it is possible to facilitate the dissolution of the IPA liquid71in the processing fluid70, and as a result, it is possible to complete the drying processing in a shorter time.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

Next, a drying processing unit17according to a second exemplary embodiment will be described in detail with reference toFIG. 8.FIG. 8is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the drying processing unit17according to the second exemplary embodiment.

In the second exemplary embodiment, the supply port38aof the fluid supply header38is inclined upward such that the processing fluid70ejected from the fluid supply header38is directed toward the side above the wafer W.

As described above, since the fluid supply header38is disposed such that the processing fluid70is directed toward the side above the wafer W, it is possible to form the flow path72of the processing fluid70in such a manner that the flow path72does not overlap the wafer W as illustrated inFIG. 8. Therefore, it is possible to inhibit the applied IPA liquid71from being washed away from the upper surface Wa of the wafer W by the processing fluid70.

Therefore, according to the second exemplary embodiment, the IPA liquid71may be sufficiently removed from between the patterns P by the processing fluid70, and as a result, it is possible to inhibit the patterns P formed on the upper surface Wa of the wafer W from collapsing during the drying processing using the processing fluid70.

In the second exemplary embodiment, the supply port38aof the fluid supply header38is inclined upward, and as a result, the flow path72of the processing fluid70is formed not to overlap the wafer W. Since the supply port38aof the fluid supply header38is inclined upward as described above, it is possible to dispose the fluid supply header38at a lower position in comparison with the case in which the fluid supply header38is directed in the approximately horizontal direction (see, for example,FIG. 7).

Therefore, it is possible to limit a height of the processing space31ain the main body31, thereby decreasing a height of the main body31. Therefore, according to the second exemplary embodiment, the supply port38aof the fluid supply header38is inclined upward, and as a result, it is possible to realize the compact drying processing unit17.

In the second exemplary embodiment, the flow path72may be formed to overlap the upper surface of the IPA liquid71applied onto the wafer W, as illustrated inFIG. 8. Therefore, pressure may be applied to the IPA liquid71using the flow path72of the processing fluid70. Further, with this pressure, it is possible to facilitate the dissolution of the IPA liquid71in the processing fluid70.

Therefore, according to the second exemplary embodiment, the flow path72is formed to overlap the upper surface of the applied IPA liquid71, and as a result, it is possible to complete the drying processing in a shorter time.

In the second exemplary embodiment, the supply port38aof the fluid supply header38is inclined upward, but the direction of the supply port38ais not limited to the inclined upward direction, and as illustrated inFIG. 9, the supply port38amay be inclined downward.FIG. 9is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the drying processing unit17according to a modified example of the second exemplary embodiment.

Even in the case in which the supply port38ais inclined downward as described above, it is possible to form the flow path72of the processing fluid70not to overlap the wafer W by disposing the fluid supply header38above the wafer W such that the processing fluid70ejected from the fluid supply header38is directed toward the side above the wafer W. Therefore, it is possible to inhibit the applied IPA liquid71from being washed away from the wafer W.

While respective exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments, and may be variously changed without departing from the purpose of the present disclosure. For example, in the aforementioned second exemplary embodiment, the configuration in which the rectifying plate41is not provided has been described, but the rectifying plate41may be added as described in the first exemplary embodiment.

The substrate processing apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment is a substrate processing apparatus which performs a drying processing of drying the substrate (wafer W) having the upper surface Wa wet with the liquid (IPA liquid71) by bringing the substrate (wafer W) into contact with the processing fluid70in the supercritical state. The substrate processing apparatus includes: a main body31having therein a processing space31acapable of accommodating a substrate (wafer W); a holding unit32configured to hold the substrate (wafer W) in the main body31; a supply unit (a fluid supply header38) provided at a side of the substrate (wafer W) held by the holding unit32and configured to supply the processing fluid70into the processing space31a; a discharge unit (a fluid discharge header40) configured to discharge the processing fluid70from the inside of the processing space31a; and a flow path limiting unit (a rectifying plate41a header bottom portion38b) which limits the upstream side lower end72aof the flow path72which is formed while the processing fluid70flows from the supply unit (the fluid supply header38) to the discharge unit (fluid discharge header40). Further, the upper end41a(38c) of the flow path limiting unit (the rectifying plate41, a header bottom portion38b) is disposed at a position higher than the upper surface Wa of the substrate (wafer W) held by the holding unit32. Therefore, it is possible to inhibit a pattern P formed on the upper surface Wa of the wafer W from collapsing during the drying processing using the processing fluid70.

In the substrate processing apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment, the upper end41a(38c) of the flow path limiting unit (the rectifying plate41, the header bottom portion38b) is disposed at a position lower than the upper end71aof the liquid (IPA liquid71) applied onto the substrate (wafer W). Therefore, it is possible to complete the drying processing in a shorter time.

In the substrate processing apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment, the flow path limiting unit is the rectifying plate41disposed between the supply unit (the fluid supply header38) and the substrate (the wafer W) held by the holding unit32, and the rectifying plate41has the upper end41adisposed at the position higher than the upper surface Wa of the substrate (wafer W). Therefore, it is possible to effectively inhibit the applied IPA liquid71from being washed away from the wafer W.

In the substrate processing apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment, the rectifying plate41is provided on the holding unit32. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively inhibit the applied IPA liquid71from being washed away from the wafer W.

In the substrate processing apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment, the separate rectifying plate41is provided at the downstream side of the flow path72. Therefore, it is possible to further inhibit the patterns P formed on the upper surface Wa of the wafer W from collapsing during the drying processing using the processing fluid70.

In the substrate processing apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment, the flow path limiting unit is the lower portion (header bottom portion38b) of the supply port38aof the supply unit (fluid supply header38). Therefore, it is possible to perform the drying processing in the substrate processing system1at a low cost.

The substrate processing apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment is a substrate processing apparatus that performs a drying processing of drying a substrate (wafer W) having an upper surface Wa wet with the liquid (IPA liquid71) by bringing the substrate (wafer W) into contact with the processing fluid70in the supercritical state. The substrate processing apparatus includes: a main body31having therein a processing space31acapable of accommodating the substrate (wafer W); a holding unit32configured to hold the substrate (wafer W) in the main body31; a supply unit (fluid supply header38) provided at a side of the substrate (wafer W) held by the holding unit32and configured to supply the processing fluid70into the processing space31a; and a discharge unit (a fluid discharge header40) configured to discharge the processing fluid70from the inside of the processing space31a. Further, the processing fluid70ejected from the supply unit (fluid supply header38) is directed toward the side above the substrate (wafer W) held by the holding unit32while the processing fluid70flows from the supply unit (fluid supply header38) to the discharge unit (fluid discharge header40). Therefore, it is possible to inhibit a pattern P formed on the upper surface Wa of the wafer W from collapsing during the drying processing using the processing fluid70.

In the substrate processing apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment, the processing fluid70ejected from the supply unit (fluid supply header38) is inclined upward. Therefore, it is possible to realize the compact drying processing unit17.