Abstract:
A method of processing a substrate in a substrate processing apparatus that is arranged adjacent to an exposure device and includes first, second and third processing units, includes the steps of: forming a photosensitive film made of a photosensitive material on the substrate by said first processing unit before exposure processing by said exposure device. The method also includes applying washing processing to the substrate by said second processing unit after the formation of said photosensitive film by said first processing unit and before the exposure processing by said exposure device and transporting the substrate after the washing processing to said exposure device. The method further includes transporting the substrate from said exposure device and applying development processing by said third processing unit to the substrate transported after the exposure processing by said exposure device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/295,240, filed Dec. 6, 2005 now abandoned, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-353119, filed Dec. 6, 2004, Japanese Patent Application 2005-095782, filed Mar. 29, 2005, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-267330, filed on Sep. 14, 2005. The disclosures of U.S. Ser. No. 11/295,240, JP 2004-353119, JP 2005-095782, and JP 2005-267330 are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes. 
     The present application is related to the following four applications filed Dec. 6, 2005, and commonly owned: 1) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/294,877 now abandoned, entitled “SUBSTRATE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND SUBSTRATE PROCESSING METHOD,” 2) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/295,257 now abandoned, entitled “SUBSTRATE PROCESSING APPARATUS,” 3) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/294,727 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,040,488, entitled “SUBSTRATE PROCESSING APPARATUS,” and 4) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/295,216 now abandoned, entitled “SUBSTRATE PROCESSING APPARATUS.” 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to substrate processing apparatuses and substrate processing methods for applying processing to substrates. 
     2. Description of the Background Art 
     A substrate processing apparatus is used to apply a variety of processing to substrates such as semiconductor substrates, substrates for use in liquid crystal displays, plasma displays, optical disks, magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, photomasks, and other substrates. 
     Such a substrate processing apparatus typically applies a plurality of successive processing to a single substrate. The substrate processing apparatus as described in JP 2003-324139 A comprises an indexer block, an anti-reflection film processing block, a resist film processing block, a development processing block, and an interface block. An exposure device is arranged adjacent to the interface block as an external device separate from the substrate processing apparatus. 
     In the above-described substrate processing apparatus, a substrate is carried from the indexer block into the anti-reflection film processing block and the resist film processing block, where the formation of an anti-reflection film and resist film coating processing are applied to the substrate. The substrate is then carried to the exposure device through the interface block. After exposure processing has been applied to the resist film on the substrate by the exposure device, the substrate is transported to the development processing block through the interface block. In the development processing block, development processing is applied to the resist film on the substrate to form a resist pattern thereon, and the substrate is subsequently carried into the indexer block. 
     With recent improvements in the density and integration of devices, making finer resist patterns have become very important. Conventional exposure devices typically perform exposure processing by providing reduction projection of a reticle pattern on a substrate through a projection lens. With such conventional exposure devices, however, the line width of an exposure pattern is determined by the wavelength of the light source of an exposure device, thus making it impossible to make a resist pattern finer than that. 
     For this reason, a liquid immersion method is suggested as a projection exposure method allowing for finer exposure patterns (refer to, e.g., WO99/49504 pamphlet). In the projection exposure device according to the WO99/49504 pamphlet, a liquid is filled between a projection optical system and a substrate, resulting in a shorter wavelength of exposure light on a surface of the substrate. This allows for a finer exposure pattern. 
     However, in the projection exposure device according to the aforementioned WO99/49504 pamphlet, exposure processing is performed with the substrate and the liquid being in contact with each other. Accordingly, part of the component of a resist applied on the substrate is eluted in the liquid. The resist component eluted in the liquid remains on a surface of the substrate, which may become the cause of a defect. 
     The resist component eluted in the liquid contaminates the lens of the exposure device. This may cause a defective dimension and a defective shape of the exposure pattern. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a substrate processing apparatus and a substrate processing method capable of preventing a component of a photosensitive material on a substrate from being eluted in a liquid in an exposure device. 
     (1) 
     A substrate processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention that is arranged adjacent to an exposure device comprises a processing section for applying processing to a substrate, and an interface that is provided on one end of the processing section for exchanging the substrate between the processing section and the exposure device, wherein the processing section includes a first processing unit that forms a photosensitive film made of a photosensitive material on the substrate, a second processing unit that washes the substrate after the formation of the photosensitive film by the first processing unit and before the exposure processing by the exposure device, and a third processing unit that applies development processing to the substrate after the exposure processing by the exposure device. 
     In the substrate processing apparatus, the photosensitive film made of a photo sensitive material is formed on the substrate by the first processing unit. Then, the substrate is subjected to washing processing by the second processing unit. After this, the substrate is transported to the exposure device from the processing section through the interface, where the substrate is subjected to exposure processing. The substrate after the exposure processing is transported to the processing section from the exposure device through the interface, and the substrate is subjected to the development processing in the third processing unit. 
     In this way, the substrate is subjected to washing processing by the second processing unit before the exposure processing by the exposure device. Part of the component of the photosensitive film formed on the substrate by the first processing unit is thus eluted, and washed away. In this case, even if the substrate in contact with a liquid is subjected to the exposure processing by the exposure device, the component of the photosensitive material on the substrate is hardly eluted. This reduces contamination in the exposure device while preventing the component of the photosensitive material from remaining on a surface of the substrate. As a result, processing defects of the substrate that may be generated in the exposure device are reduced. 
     (2) 
     The processing section may comprise a first processing block that includes the first processing unit, a first thermal processing unit that thermally treats the substrate, and a first transport unit that transports the substrate; and a second processing block that includes the second processing unit, the third processing unit, a second thermal processing unit that thermally treats the substrate, and a second transport unit that transports the substrate. 
     In this case, the photosensitive film is formed on the substrate by the first processing unit in the first processing block. Then, the substrate is transported to the first thermal processing unit by the first transport unit, where the substrate is subjected to given thermal treatment. The substrate is subsequently transported to an adjacent other processing block by the first transport unit. 
     Next, in the second processing block, the substrate is subjected to washing processing by the second processing unit. Then, the substrate is transported to the exposure device from the processing section through the interface, where the substrate is subjected to exposure processing. The substrate after the exposure processing is transported to the processing section from the exposure device through the interface. 
     Then, in the second processing block, the substrate is subjected to development processing in the third processing unit. After this, the substrate is transported to the second thermal processing unit by the second transport unit, where the substrate is subjected to given thermal treatment. The substrate is subsequently transported to an adjacent other processing block by the second transport unit. 
     In the substrate processing apparatus, in the second processing block, the substrate before the exposure processing is subjected to washing processing and the substrate after the exposure processing is subjected to development processing. That is, in an existing substrate processing apparatus having the first and third processing units, the addition of the second processing unit to a processing block that includes the third processing unit makes it possible to apply washing processing to the substrate before the exposure processing and to apply development processing to the substrate after the exposure processing by a single processing block. As a result, processing defects of the substrate that may be generated in the exposure device can be reduced at low cost without increasing the footprint of the substrate processing apparatus. 
     (3) 
     The second processing block may be arranged adjacent to an exposure device. 
     In this case, the washing processing can be applied to the substrate immediately before the exposure processing, and the development processing can be applied to the substrate immediately after the exposure processing. This prevents the attachment of particles and the like in the atmosphere to the substrate during the transport of the substrate from the second processing block to the exposure device and from the exposure device to the second processing block. As a result, processing defects of the substrate that may be generated during the exposure processing and the development processing can be reduced. 
     (4) 
     The processing section may further comprise a third processing block that includes a fourth processing unit that forms an anti-reflection film on the substrate before the formation of the photosensitive film by the first processing unit, a third thermal processing unit that thermally treats the substrate, and a third transport unit that transports the substrate. 
     In this case, since the fourth processing unit forms the anti-reflection film on the substrate, potential standing waves and halation generated during the exposure processing can be reduced. As a result, processing defects of the substrate that may be generated during the exposure processing can be reduced more. 
     (5) 
     The substrate processing apparatus may further comprise an indexer that is arranged adjacent to another end of the processing section and carries in the substrate to the processing section and carries out the substrate from said processing section, wherein the third processing block may be arranged adjacent to the indexer. 
     In this case, an anti-reflection film is formed in the third processing block immediately after the transporting of the substrate to the processing section, and then a photosensitive film can be formed in the first processing block subsequently. This enables the smooth formation of the anti-reflection film and the photosensitive film on the substrate. 
     (6) 
     The interface may further include a fifth processing unit that applies given processing to the substrate; a platform on which the substrate is temporarily mounted; a fourth transport unit that transports the substrate between the processing section, the fifth processing unit, and the platform; and a fifth transport unit that transports the substrate between the platform and the exposure device. 
     In this case, the substrate is transported to the fifth processing unit from the processing section by the fourth transport unit. The substrate is subjected to the given processing by the fifth processing unit, and then transported to the platform by the fourth transport unit. After this, the substrate is transported to the exposure device from the platform by the fifth transport unit. The substrate is subjected to the exposure processing by the exposure device, and then transported to the platform from the exposure device by the fifth transport unit. After this, the substrate is transported to the processing section from the platform by the fourth transport unit. 
     The disposition of the fifth processing unit in the interface and the transport of the substrate by the two transport units enable the addition of processing contents without increasing the footprint of the substrate processing apparatus. 
     (7) 
     The fourth transport unit may include first and second holders for holding the substrate, the fourth transport unit may hold the substrate with the first holder during the transport of the substrate before the exposure processing by the exposure device, and may hold the substrate with the second holder during the transport of the substrate after the exposure processing by the exposure device, the fifth transport unit may include third and fourth holders for holding the substrate, and the fifth transport unit may hold the substrate with the third holder during the transport of the substrate before the exposure processing by the exposure device, and may hold the substrate with the fourth holder during the transport of the substrate after the exposure processing by the exposure device. 
     In this case, the first and third holders are used during the transport of the substrate to which no liquid is attached before the exposure processing, while the second and fourth holders are used during the transport of the substrate to which a liquid is attached after the exposure processing. This prevents a liquid from attaching to the first and third holders, which prevents the attachment of a liquid to the substrate before the exposure processing. This makes it possible to prevent contamination of the substrate due to the attachment of particles and the like in the atmosphere. As a result, it is possible to prevent the generation of processing defects due to degradation in the resolution performance or the like in the exposure device. 
     (8) 
     The second holder may be provided below the first holder, and the fourth holder may be provided below the third holder. This prevents a liquid that drops from the second and fourth holders and substrates held thereon from attaching to the first and third holders and substrates held thereon. This reliably prevents a liquid from attaching to the substrate before the exposure processing. 
     (9) 
     The fifth processing unit may include an edge exposure unit that subjects a peripheral portion of the substrate to exposure. In this case, the peripheral portion of the substrate is subjected to the exposure processing by the edge exposure unit. 
     (10) 
     The second processing unit may further dry the substrate after washing the substrate. 
     This prevents the attachment of particles and the like in the atmosphere to the washed substrate. Also, if the washing liquid remains on the washed substrate, the component of the photosensitive material may be eluted in the residual washing liquid. Thus, by drying the washed substrate, it is possible to prevent the component of the photosensitive material on the substrate from being eluted in the washing liquid remaining on the substrate. It is therefore possible to reliably prevent a defective shape of the photosensitive film formed on the substrate and the contamination inside the exposure device. As a result of the foregoing, processing defects of the substrate are reliably prevented. 
     (11) 
     The second processing unit may comprise a substrate holding device that holds the substrate substantially horizontally, a rotation-driving device that rotates the substrate held on the substrate holding device about an axis vertical to the substrate, a washing liquid supplier that supplies a washing liquid onto the substrate held on the substrate holding device, and an inert gas supplier that supplies an inert gas onto the substrate after the washing liquid has been supplied onto the substrate by the washing liquid supplier. 
     In the second processing unit, the substrate is held on the substrate holding device substantially horizontally, and the substrate is rotated about the axis vertical to the substrate by the rotation-driving device. Then, the washing liquid is supplied onto the substrate from the washing liquid supplier, followed by the supply of the inert gas from the inert gas supplier. 
     In this case, since the substrate is rotated as the washing liquid is supplied onto the substrate, the washing liquid on the substrate is constantly moved toward the peripheral portion of the substrate by the centrifugal force, and splashed away. It is thus possible to prevent the component of the photosensitive material eluted in the washing liquid from remaining on the substrate. In addition, since the substrate is rotated as the inert gas is supplied onto the substrate, the washing liquid remaining on the substrate after the washing of the substrate is efficiently removed. This reliably prevents the component of the photosensitive material from remaining on the substrate and the substrate dried reliably. During the transport of the washed substrate to the exposure device, therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the component of the photosensitive material on the substrate from being further eluted in the washing liquid remaining on the substrate. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent a defective shape of the photosensitive film formed on the substrate and the contamination inside the exposure device. 
     (12) 
     The inert gas supplier may supply the inert gas so that the washing liquid supplied onto the substrate from the washing liquid supplier is removed from the substrate as the washing liquid moves outwardly from the center of the substrate. 
     This prevents the washing liquid from remaining on the center of the substrate, which reliably prevents the generation of drymarks (dry stains) on the surface of the substrate. Also, during the transport of the washed substrate to the exposure device, it is possible to prevent the component of the photosensitive material from being further eluted in the washing liquid remaining on the substrate. It is thus possible to prevent processing defects of the substrate more reliably. 
     (13) 
     The second processing unit may further comprise a rinse liquid supplier that supplies a rinse liquid onto the substrate after the supply of the washing liquid from the washing liquid supplier and before the supply of the inert gas from the inert gas supplier. 
     This allows the washing liquid to be reliably washed away by the rinse liquid, making it possible to prevent the component of the photosensitive material eluted in the washing liquid from remaining on the substrate more reliably. 
     (14) 
     The inert gas supplier may supply the inert gas so that the rinse liquid supplied onto the substrate from the rinse liquid supplier is removed from the substrate as the rinse liquid moves outwardly from the center of the substrate. 
     This prevents the rinse liquid from remaining on the center of the substrate, which prevents the generation of dry marks on the surface of the substrate reliably. Also, during the transport of the washed substrate to the exposure device, it is possible to reliably prevent the component of the photosensitive material on the substrate from being further eluted in the rinse liquid remaining on the substrate. As a result of the foregoing, it is possible to prevent processing defects of the substrate more reliably. 
     (15) 
     The second processing unit may wash the substrate by supplying a fluid mixture containing a washing liquid and a gas onto the substrate from a fluid nozzle. 
     Since the fluid mixture discharged from the fluid nozzle contains fine droplets, any contaminants attached on the surface of the substrate are stripped off, even if the surface has irregularities. Moreover, even if the film on the substrate has low wettability, the fine droplets strip off the contaminants on the substrate surface, so that the contaminants can be reliably removed from the substrate surface. 
     Consequently, even if the solvent or the like in the film on the substrate is sublimated and the sublimates are attached to the substrate again before the exposure processing, the sublimates attached to the substrate can be reliably removed by the second processing unit. It is therefore possible to reliably prevent the contamination inside the exposure device. As a result of the foregoing, processing defects of the substrate can be reliably reduced. 
     In addition, adjusting the flow rate of the gas allows adjustments to be easily made to the detergency in washing the substrate. Thus, when the film on the substrate is prone to damage, damage to the film on the substrate can be prevented by weakening the detergency. Tough contaminants on the substrate surface can also be removed reliably by strengthening the detergency. By adjusting the detergency in this way according to the properties of the film on the substrate and the degree of contamination, it is possible to prevent damage to the film on the substrate and wash the substrate reliably. 
     (16) 
     The gas may be an inert gas. In this case, it is possible to prevent a chemical influence upon the film on the substrate and the washing liquid while removing the contaminants on the substrate surface more reliably, even if a chemical solution is used as washing liquid. 
     (17) 
     The second processing unit may further dry the substrate after washing the substrate. 
     This prevents the attachment of particles and the like in the atmosphere to the washed substrate. Also, if the washing liquid remains on the washed substrate, the component of the photosensitive film on the substrate may be eluted in the residual washing liquid. Thus, by drying the washed substrate, it is possible to prevent the component of the photosensitive film on the substrate from being eluted in the washing liquid remaining on the substrate. It is therefore possible to reliably prevent a defective shape of the photosensitive film formed on the substrate and the contamination inside the exposure device. As a result of the foregoing, processing defects of the substrate are reliably prevented. 
     (18) 
     The second processing unit may include an inert gas supplier that dries the substrate by supplying an inert gas onto the substrate. The use of the inert gas prevents a chemical influence upon the film on the substrate and the substrate is reliably dried. 
     (19) 
     The fluid nozzle may function as inert gas supplier. In this case, the inert gas is supplied onto the substrate from the fluid nozzle to apply drying processing to the substrate. This obviates the need to provide the inert gas supplier separately from the fluid nozzle. As a result, the washing and drying processing can be reliably applied to the substrate with a simple structure. 
     (20) 
     The second processing unit may further include a substrate holding device that holds the substrate substantially horizontally, and a rotation-driving device that rotates the substrate held on the substrate holding device about an axis vertical to the substrate. 
     In the second processing unit, the substrate is held on the substrate holding device substantially horizontally, and the substrate is rotated about the axis vertical to the substrate by the rotation-driving device. Further, the fluid mixture is supplied onto the substrate from the fluid nozzle, followed by the supply of the inert gas from the inert gas supplier. 
     In this case, since the substrate is rotated as the fluid mixture is supplied onto the substrate, the fluid mixture on the substrate moves toward the peripheral portion of the substrate by the centrifugal force and splashed away. This reliably prevents the deposits of particles and the like removed by the fluid mixture from remaining on the substrate. In addition, since the substrate is rotated as the inert gas is supplied onto the substrate, the fluid mixture remaining on the substrate after the washing of the substrate is efficiently removed. This reliably prevents the deposits of particles and the like from remaining on the substrate and the substrate dried reliably. As a result, processing defects of the substrate are prevented reliably. 
     (21) 
     The second processing unit may supply the inert gas so that the fluid mixture supplied onto the substrate from the fluid nozzle is removed from the substrate as the fluid mixture moves outwardly from the center of the substrate. 
     This prevents the fluid mixture from remaining on the center of the substrate, thus reliably preventing the generation of dry marks on a surface of the substrate. Accordingly, processing defects of the substrate are prevented reliably. 
     (22) 
     The second processing unit may further include a rinse liquid supplier that supplies a rinse liquid onto the substrate, after the supply of the fluid mixture from the fluid nozzle and before the supply of the inert gas from the inert gas supplier. 
     This allows the fluid mixture to be reliably washed away by the rinse liquid, thus reliably preventing the deposits of particles and the like from remaining on the substrate. 
     (23) 
     The fluid nozzle may function as the rinse liquid supplier. In this case, the rinse liquid is supplied from the fluid nozzle. This obviates the need to provide the rinse liquid supplier separately from the fluid nozzle. As a result, the washing and drying processing can be reliably applied to the substrate with a simple structure. 
     (24) 
     The second processing unit may supply the inert gas so that the rinse liquid supplied onto the substrate from the rinse liquid supplier is removed from the substrate as the rinse liquid moves outwardly from the center of the substrate. 
     This prevents the rinse liquid from remaining on the center of the substrate, thus reliably preventing the generation of dry marks on the surface of the substrate. Accordingly, processing defects of the substrate are prevented reliably. 
     (25) 
     The fluid nozzle may have a liquid flow passage through which a liquid flows, a gas flow passage through which a gas flows, a liquid discharge port having an opening that communicates with the liquid flow passage, and a gas discharge port that is provided near the liquid discharge port and has an opening that communicates with the gas flow passage. 
     In this case, the washing liquid flows through the liquid flow passage, and is discharged from the liquid discharge port, while the gas flows through the gas flow passage, and is discharged from the gas discharge port. The washing liquid and gas are mixed outside the fluid nozzle. A mist-like fluid mixture is thus generated. 
     In this way, the fluid mixture is generated by mixing the washing liquid and the gas outside the fluid nozzle. This obviates the need to provide space for mixing the washing liquid and the gas inside the fluid nozzle. As a result, the size of the fluid nozzle can be reduced. 
     (26) 
     A substrate processing method according to another aspect of the present invention for processing a substrate in a substrate processing apparatus that is arranged adjacent to an exposure device and comprises a first processing unit, a second processing unit, and a third processing unit comprises the steps of forming a photosensitive film made of a photosensitive material on the substrate by the first processing unit before the exposure processing by said exposure device, washing the substrate after the formation of the photosensitive film by the first processing unit and before the exposure processing by the exposure device, and applying development processing to the substrate by the third processing unit after the exposure processing by the exposure device. 
     In the substrate processing method, after the formation of the photosensitive film made of a photosensitive material on the substrate by the first processing unit, the substrate is subjected to washing processing by the second processing unit. After this, the substrate is subjected to exposure processing by the exposure device. After the exposure processing, the substrate is subjected to development processing in the third processing unit. 
     In this way, the substrate is subjected to washing processing by the second processing unit before the exposure processing by the exposure device. Part of the component of the photosensitive film formed on the substrate by the first processing unit is thus eluted, and washed away. In this case, even if the substrate in contact with a liquid is subjected to the exposure processing by the exposure device, the component of the photosensitive material on the substrate is hardly eluted. This reduces contamination in the exposure device while preventing the component of the photosensitive material from remaining on a surface of the substrate. As a result, processing defects of the substrate that may be generated in the exposure device can be reduced. 
     (27) 
     The method may further comprise the step of drying the substrate by the second processing unit, after the step of washing the substrate by the second processing unit and before the step of exposure processing by the exposure device. 
     In this case, the washed substrate is dried by the second processing unit, which prevents the attachment of particles and the like in the atmosphere on the washed substrate. Also, if the washing liquid remains on the washed substrate, the component of the photosensitive material may be eluted in the residual washing liquid. Thus, by drying the washed substrate, it is possible to prevent the component of the photosensitive material on the substrate from being eluted in the washing liquid remaining on the substrate. It is therefore possible to reliably prevent a defective shape of the photosensitive film formed on the substrate and the contamination inside the exposure device. As a result of the foregoing, processing defects of the substrate are reliably prevented. 
     According to the invention, the substrate is subjected to washing processing by the second processing unit before the exposure processing by the exposure device. In this case, even if the substrate in contact with a liquid is subjected to the exposure processing by the exposure device, the component of the photosensitive material on the substrate is hardly eluted. This reduces contamination in the exposure device while preventing the component of the photosensitive material from remaining on a surface of the substrate. As a result, processing defects of the substrate that may be generated in the exposure device are reduced. 
     The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of a substrate processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the substrate processing apparatus in  FIG. 1  that is seen from the +X direction; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the substrate processing apparatus in  FIG. 1  that is seen from the −X direction; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram for use in illustrating the configuration of the washing processing unit; 
         FIGS. 5(   a ),  5 ( b ), and  5 ( c ) are diagrams for use in illustrating the operation of the washing processing unit; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of a nozzle in which a nozzle for washing processing and a nozzle for drying processing are formed integrally; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram showing another example of the nozzle for drying processing; 
         FIGS. 8(   a ),  8 ( b ), and  8 ( c ) are diagrams for use in illustrating a method of applying drying processing to a substrate using the nozzle in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram showing another example of the nozzle for drying processing; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram showing another example of the washing processing unit; 
         FIG. 11  is a diagram for use in illustrating a method of applying drying processing to the substrate using the washing processing unit in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a diagram for use in illustrating the configuration and operation of the interface transport mechanism; 
         FIG. 13  is a longitudinal cross section showing an example of the internal structure of a two-fluid nozzle for use in washing and drying processing; and 
         FIGS. 14(   a ),  14 ( b ), and  14 ( c ) are diagrams for use in illustrating a method of applying washing and drying processing to the substrate using the two-fluid nozzle in  FIG. 13 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A substrate processing apparatus according to embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. A substrate as used in the specification includes 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 disk, a substrate for a magnetic disk, a substrate for a magneto-optical disk, and a substrate for a photomask. 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of a substrate processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 1  and each of the subsequent drawings is accompanied by the arrows that indicate X, Y, and Z directions perpendicular to one another, for clarification of positions. The X and Y directions are perpendicular to each other in a horizontal plane, and the Z direction corresponds to the vertical direction. In each of the directions, the direction toward an arrow is defined as + direction, and the opposite direction is defined as − direction. The rotation direction about the Z direction is defined as θ direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the substrate processing apparatus  500  includes an indexer block  9 , an anti-reflection film processing block  10 , a resist film processing block  11 , a washing/development processing block  12 , and an interface block  13 . An exposure device  14  is arranged adjacent to the interface block  13 . The exposure device  14  applies exposure processing to substrates W by a liquid immersion method. 
     Each of the indexer block  9 , anti-reflection film processing block  10 , resist film processing block  11 , washing/development processing block  12 , and interface block  13  will hereinafter be referred to as a processing block. 
     The indexer block  9  includes a main controller (controller)  30  for controlling the operation of each processing block, a plurality of carrier platforms  60 , and an indexer robot IR. The indexer robot IR has a hand IRH for receiving and transferring the substrates W. 
     The anti-reflection film processing block  10  includes thermal processing groups  100 ,  101  for anti-reflection film, a coating processing group  70  for anti-reflection film, and a first central robot CR 1 . The coating processing group  70  is arranged opposite to the thermal processing groups  100 ,  101  with the first central robot CR 1  therebetween. The first central robot CR 1  has hands CRH 1 , CRH 2  provided one above the other for receiving and transferring the substrates W. 
     A partition wall  15  is arranged between the indexer block  9  and the anti-reflection film processing block  10  for shielding an atmosphere. The partition wall  15  has substrate platforms PASS 1 , PASS 2  provided closely one above the other for receiving and transferring the substrates W between the indexer block  9  and the anti-reflection film processing block  10 . The upper substrate platform PASS 1  is used in transferring the substrates W from the indexer block  9  to the anti-reflection film processing block  10 , and the lower substrate platform PASS 2  is used in transferring the substrates W from the anti-reflection film processing block  10  to the indexer block  9 . 
     Each of the substrate platforms PASS 1 , PASS 2  has an optical sensor (not shown) for detecting the presence or absence of a substrate W. This enables a determination to be made whether or not a substrate W is on the substrate platform PASS 1 , PASS 2 . In addition, each of the substrate platforms PASS 1 , PASS 2  has a plurality of support pins secured thereto. Note that each of substrate platforms PASS 3  to PASS 10  mentioned below similarly has such optical sensor and support pins. 
     The resist film processing block  11  includes thermal processing groups  110 ,  111  for resist film, a coating processing group  80  for resist film, and a second central robot CR 2 . The coating processing group  80  is arranged opposite to the thermal processing groups  110 ,  111  with the second central robot CR 2  therebetween. The second central robot CR 2  has hands CRH 3 , CRH 4  provided one above the other for receiving and transferring the substrates W. 
     A partition wall  16  is arranged between the anti-reflection film processing block  10  and the resist film processing block  11  for shielding an atmosphere. The partition wall  16  has substrate platforms PASS 3 , PASS 4  provided closely one above the other for receiving and transferring the substrates W between the anti-reflection film processing block  10  and the resist film processing block  11 . The upper substrate platform PASS 3  is used in transferring the substrates W from the anti-reflection film processing block  10  to the resist film processing block  11 . The lower substrate platform PASS 4  is used in transferring the substrates W from the resist film processing block  11  to the anti-reflection film processing block  10 . 
     The washing/development processing block  12  includes a thermal processing group  120  for development, a thermal processing group  121  for post-exposure bake, a development processing group  90 , a washing processing group  95 , and a third central robot CR 3 . The thermal processing group  121 , adjacent to the interface block  13 , has substrate platforms PASS 7 , PASS 8  as described below. The development processing group  90  and the washing processing group  95  are arranged opposite to the thermal processing groups  120 ,  121  with the third central robot CR 3  therebetween. The third central robot CR 3  has hands CRH 5 , CRH 6  provided one above the other for receiving and transferring the substrates W. 
     A partition wall  17  is arranged between the resist film processing block  11  and the washing/development processing block  12  for shielding an atmosphere. The partition wall  17  has substrate platforms PASS 5 , PASS 6  provided closely one above the other for receiving and transferring the substrates W between the resist film processing block  11  and the washing/development processing block  12 . The upper substrate platform PASS 5  is used in transferring the substrates W from the resist film processing block  11  to the washing/development processing block  12 , and the lower substrate platform PASS 6  is used in transferring the substrates W from the washing/development processing block  12  to the resist film processing block  11 . 
     The interface block  13  includes a fourth central robot CR 4 , a feed buffer unit SBF, an interface transport mechanism IFR, and edge exposure units EEW. A return buffer unit RBF and substrate platforms PASS  9 , PASS 10  are provided under the edge exposure units EEW as described below. The fourth central robot CR 4  has hands CRH 7 , CRH 8  provided one above the other for receiving and transferring the substrates W. 
     In the substrate processing apparatus  500  of the embodiment, the indexer block  9 , the anti-reflection film processing block  10 , resist film processing block  11 , washing/development processing block  12 , and interface block  13  are sequentially arranged in parallel along the Y direction. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the substrate processing apparatus  500  in  FIG. 1  that is seen from the +X direction. 
     The coating processing group  70  in the anti-reflection film processing block  10  (see  FIG. 1 ) includes a vertical stack of three coating units BARC. Each of the coating units BARC comprises a spin chuck  71  for rotating a substrate W while holding the substrate W in a horizontal attitude by suction, and a supply nozzle  72  for supplying coating liquid for an anti-reflection film to the substrate W held on the spin chuck  71 . 
     The coating processing group  80  in the resist film processing block  11  (see  FIG. 1 ) includes a vertical stack of three coating units RES. Each of the coating units RES comprises a spin chuck  81  for rotating a substrate W while holding the substrate W in a horizontal attitude by suction, and a supply nozzle  82  for supplying coating liquid for a resist film to the substrate W held on the spin chuck  81 . 
     The washing/development processing block  12  includes a vertical stack of the development processing group  90  and the washing processing group  95 . The development processing group  90  includes a vertical stack of four development processing units DEV. Each of the development processing units DEV comprises a spin chuck  91  for rotating a substrate W while holding the substrate W in a horizontal attitude by suction, and a supply nozzle  92  for supplying development liquid to the substrate W held on the spin chuck  91 . 
     The washing processing group  95  includes a washing processing unit SOAK. The washing processing unit SOAK apply washing and drying processing to the substrates W. The washing processing unit SOAK will be described in detail below. 
     The interface block  13  includes a vertical stack of two edge exposure units EEW, a return buffer unit RBF and substrate platforms PASS 9 , PASS 10 , and also includes the fourth central robot CR 4  (see  FIG. 1 ) and interface transport mechanism IFR. Each of the edge exposure units EEW comprises a spin chuck  98  for rotating a substrate W while holding the substrate W in a horizontal attitude by suction, and a light irradiator  99  for subjecting a peripheral edge of the substrate W held on the spin chuck  98  to exposure. 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the substrate processing apparatus  500  in  FIG. 1  that is seen from the −X direction. 
     In the anti-reflection film processing block  10 , the thermal processing group  100  includes a vertical stack of two cooling units (cooling plates) CP, and the thermal processing group  101  includes a vertical stack of four heating units (hot plates) HP and two cooling units CP. The thermal processing group  100  also includes a local controller LC on top thereof for controlling the temperatures of the cooling units CP, and the thermal processing group  101  also includes a local controller LC on top thereof for controlling the temperatures of the-heating units HP and the cooling plates CP. 
     In the resist film processing block  11 , the thermal processing group  110  includes a vertical stack of four cooling units CP, and the thermal processing group  110  includes a vertical stack of five heating units HP. The thermal processing group  110  also includes a local controller LC on top thereof for controlling the temperatures of the cooling units CP, and the thermal processing group  111  also includes a local controller LC on top thereof for controlling the temperatures of the heating units HP. 
     In the washing/development processing block  12 , the thermal processing group  120  includes a vertical stack of three heating units HP and four cooling units CP, and the thermal processing group  121  includes a vertical stack of four heating units HP, substrate platforms PASS 7 , PASS 8 , and two cooling units CP. The thermal processing group  120  also includes a local controller LC on top thereof for controlling the temperatures of the heating units HP and the cooling units CP, and the thermal processing group  121  also includes a local controller LC for controlling the temperatures of the heating units HP and the cooling units CP. 
     Next, the operation of the substrate processing apparatus  500  in this embodiment will be described. 
     Carriers C for storing the substrates W in multiple stages are mounted on the carrier platforms  60 , respectively, in the indexer block  9 . The indexer robot IR takes out a substrate W yet to be processed which is stored in a carrier C using the hand IRH. Then, the indexer robot IR moves in the ±X direction while rotating in the ±θ direction to transfer the unprocessed substrate W onto the substrate platform PASS 1 . 
     Although FOUPs (Front Opening Unified Pods) are adopted as the carriers C in this embodiment, SMIF (Standard Mechanical Inter Face) pods or OCs (Open Cassettes) that expose stored substrates W to outside air may also be used, for example. In addition, although linear-type transport robots that move their hands forward or backward by sliding them linearly to a substrate W are used as the indexer robot IR, the first central robot CR 1  to the fourth central robot CR 4 , and the interface transport mechanism IFR, multi joint type transport robots that linearly move their hands forward and backward by moving their joints may also be used. 
     The unprocessed substrate W that has been transferred onto the substrate platform PASS 1  is received by the hand CRH 1  of the first central robot CR 1  in the anti-reflection film processing block  10 . The first central robot CR 1  carries the substrate W to the coating processing group  70  with the hand CRH 1 . The coating processing group  70  forms a coating of an anti-reflection film on a substrate W using a coating unit BARC, in order to reduce potential standing waves and halation generated during exposure. 
     After this, the first central robot CR 1  takes out the substrate W after the coating processing from coating processing group  70  with the hand CRH 2 , and carries the substrate W to the thermal processing group  100  or  101 . 
     The first central robot CR 1  subsequently takes out the thermally treated substrate W from the thermal processing group  100  or  101  with the hand CRH 1 , and then transfers the substrate W onto the substrate platform PASS 3 . 
     The substrate W on the substrate platform PASS 3  is received by the hand CRH 3  of the second central robot CR 2  in the resist film processing block  11 . The second central robot CR 2  carries the substrate W to the coating processing group  80  with the hand CRH 3 . The coating processing group  80  forms a coating of a resist film over the substrate W coated with the anti-reflection film by a coating unit RES. 
     After this, the second central robot CR 2  takes out the substrate W after the coating processing from the coating processing group  80  with the handCRH 4 , and carries the substrate W to the thermal processing group  110  or  111 . 
     The second central robot CR 2  subsequently takes out the thermally treated substrate W from the thermal processing group  110  or  111  with the hand CRH 3 , and transfers the substrate W onto the substrate platform PASS 5 . 
     The substrate W on the substrate platform PASS 5  is received by the hand CRH 5  of the third central robot CR 3  in the washing/development processing block  12 . The third central robot CR 3  carries the substrate W to the washing processing group  95  with the hand CRH 5 . As described above, the washing processing group  95  applies washing and drying processing to the substrate W by a washing processing unit SOAK. 
     After this, the third central robot CR 3  takes out the processed substrate W from the washing processing unit SOAK with the hand CRH 5 , and transfers the substrate W onto the substrate platform PASS 7 . The substrate W on the substrate platform PASS 7  is received by the upper hand CRH 7  of the fourth central robot CR 4  in the interface block  13 . The fourth central robot CR 4  transfers the substrate W to an edge exposure unit EEW. The edge exposure unit EEW applies exposure processing to the peripheral portion of the substrate W. 
     Then, the fourth central robot CR 4  takes out the substrate W after the edge exposure processing from the edge exposure unit EEW with the hand CRH 7 . After this, the fourth central robot CR 4  transfers the substrate W onto the substrate platform PASS 9  with the hand CRH 7 . 
     The substrate W on the substrate platform PASS 9  is carried into the exposure device  14  by the hand H 5  of the interface transport mechanism IFR. After exposure processing has been applied to the substrate W by the exposure device  14 , the interface transport mechanism IFR transports the substrate W onto the substrate platform PASS 10  with hand H 6 . The interface transport mechanism IFR will be described below. 
     The substrate W on the substrate platform PASS 10  is received by the lower hand CRH 8  of the fourth central robot CR 4  in the interface block  13 . The fourth central robot CR 4  carries the substrate W into the thermal processing group  121  in the washing/development processing block  12  with the hand CRH 8 . The substrate W is subjected to a post-exposure bake (PEB) by the thermal processing group  121 . After this, the fourth central robot CR 4  takes out the substrate W from the thermal processing group  121  with the hand CRH 8 , and transfers the substrate W onto the substrate platform PASS 8 . 
     The substrate W on the substrate platform PASS 8  is received by the hand CRH 6  of the third central robot CR 3  in the washing/development processing block  12 . The third central robot CR 3  carries the substrate W into the development processing group  90  with the hand CRH 6 . The development processing group  90  applies development processing to the substrate W by the development processing unit DEV. 
     After this, the third central robot CR 3  takes out the substrate W after the development processing from the development processing group  90  with the hand CRH 5 , and transfers the substrate W to the thermal processing group  120 . 
     Then, the third central robot CR 3  takes out the thermally treated substrate W from the thermal processing group  120  with the hand CRH 6 , and transfers the substrate W onto the substrate platform PASS 6 . 
     If the development processing group  90  is temporarily not capable of applying development processing to the substrate W by, e.g., a failure, the substrate W may temporarily be stored in the return buffer unit RBF in the interface block  13  after the thermal treatment in the thermal processing group  121 . 
     The substrate W on the substrate platform PASS 6  is transferred onto the substrate platform PASS 4  by the hand CRH 4  of the second central robot CR 2  in the resist film processing block  11 . The substrate W on the substrate platform PASS 4  is transferred onto the substrate platform PASS 2  by the hand CRH 2  of the first central robot CR 1  in the anti-reflection film processing block  10 . 
     The substrate W on the substrate platform PASS 2  is stored in a carrier C by the indexer robot IR in the indexer block  9 . Each of the processing to the substrate W in the substrate processing apparatus is thus completed. 
     The aforementioned washing processing unit SOAK is now described in detail with reference to the drawings. 
     The configuration of the washing processing unit SOAK is first described.  FIG. 4  is a diagram for use in illustrating the configuration of the washing processing unit SOAK. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the washing processing unit SOAK comprises a spin chuck  621  for rotating a substrate W about the vertical rotation axis passing through the center of the substrate W while horizontally holding the substrate W. 
     The spin chuck  621  is secured to an upper end of a rotation shaft  625 , which is rotated via a chuck rotation-drive mechanism  636 . An air suction passage (not shown) is formed in the spin chuck  621 . With the substrate W being mounted on the spin chuck  621 , air inside the air suction passage is discharged, so that a lower surface of the substrate W is sucked onto the spin chuck  621  by vacuum, and the substrate W is held in a horizontal attitude. 
     A first rotation motor  660  is arranged outside the spin chuck  621 . The first rotation motor  660  is connected to a first rotation shaft  661 . The first rotation shaft  661  is coupled to a first arm  662 , which extends in the horizontal direction, and whose end is provided with a nozzle  650  for washing processing. 
     The first rotation shaft  661  is rotated by the first rotation motor  660 , so that the first arm  662  swings. This causes the nozzle  650  to move above the substrate W held on the spin chuck  621 . 
     A supply pipe  663  for washing processing is arranged so as to pass through the inside of the first rotation motor  660 , first rotation shaft  661 , and first arm  662 . The supply pipe  663  is connected to a washing liquid supply source R 1  and a rinse liquid supply source R 2  through a valve Va and a valve Vb, respectively. Controlling the opening and closing of the valves Va, Vb allows the selection of the processing liquid supplied to the supply pipe  663  and adjustments of the amount thereof. In the configuration of  FIG. 4 , when the valve Va is opened, washing liquid is supplied to the supply pipe  663 , and when the valve Vb is opened, rinse liquid is supplied to the supply pipe  663 . 
     The washing liquid or the rinse liquid is supplied to the nozzle  650  through the supply pipe  663  from the washing liquid supply source R 1  or the rinse liquid supply source R 2 . The washing liquid or the rinse liquid is thus supplied to a surface of the substrate W. Examples of the washing liquid may include pure water, a pure water solution containing a complex (ionized), or a fluorine-based chemical solution. Examples of the rinse liquid may include pure water, carbonated water, hydrogen water, electrolytic ionic water, and HFE (hydrofluoroether). 
     A second rotation motor  671  is arranged outside the spin chuck  621 . The second rotation motor  671  is connected to a second rotation shaft  672 . The second rotation shaft  672  is coupled to a second arm  673 , which extends in the horizontal direction, and whose end is provided with a nozzle  670  for drying processing. 
     The second rotation shaft  672  is rotated by the second rotation motor  671 , so that the second arm  673  swings. This causes the nozzle  670  to move above the substrate W held on the spin chuck  621 . 
     A supply pipe  674  for drying processing is arranged so as to pass through the inside of the second rotation motor  671 , second rotation shaft  672 , and second arm  673 . The supply pipe  674  is connected to an inert gas supply source R 3  through a valve Vc. Controlling the opening and closing of the valve Vc allows adjustments to be made to the amount of the inert gas supplied to the supply pipe  674 . 
     The inert gas is supplied to the nozzle  670  through the supply pipe  674  from the inert gas supply source R 3 . The inert gas is thus supplied to the surface of the substrate W. Nitrogen gas (N 2 ), for example, may be used as the inert gas. 
     When supplying the washing liquid or the rinse liquid onto the surface of the substrate W, the nozzle  650  is positioned above the substrate. When supplying the inert gas onto the surface of the substrate W, the nozzle  650  is retracted to a predetermined position. 
     When supplying the washing liquid or the rinse liquid onto the surface of the substrate W, the nozzle  670  is retracted to a predetermined position. When supplying the inert gas onto the surface of the substrate W, the nozzle  670  is positioned above the substrate W. 
     The substrate W held on the spin chuck  621  is housed in a processing cup  623 . A cylindrical partition wall  633  is provided inside the processing cup  623 . A discharge space  631  is formed so as to surround the spin chuck  621  for discharging the processing liquid (i.e., washing liquid or rinse liquid) used in processing the substrate W. Also, a liquid recovery space  632  is formed between the processing cup  623  and the partition wall  633 , so as to surround the discharge space  631 , for recovering the processing liquid used in processing the substrate W. 
     The discharge space  631  is connected with a discharge pipe  634  for directing the processing liquid to a liquid discharge processing device (not shown), while the liquid recovery space  632  is connected with a recovery pipe  635  for directing the processing liquid to a recovery processing device (not shown) 
     A guard  624  is provided above the processing cup  623  for preventing the processing liquid on the substrate W from splashing outward. The guard  624  is configured to be rotation-symmetric with respect to the rotation shaft  625 . A liquid discharge guide groove  641  with a V-shaped cross section is formed in a circular shape inwardly of an upper end portion of the guard  624 . 
     Also, a liquid recovery guide  642  having an inclined surface that inclines down outwardly is formed inwardly of a lower portion of the guard  624 . A partition wall housing groove  643  for receiving the partition wall  633  in the processing cup  623  is formed in the vicinity of the upper end of the liquid recovery guide  642 . 
     This guard  624  is provided with a guard lifting mechanism (not shown) composed of a ball screw mechanism or the like. The guard lifting mechanism lifts and lowers the guard  624  between a recovery position in which the liquid recovery guide  642  is positioned opposite to outer edges of the substrate W held on the spin chuck  621  and a discharge position in which the liquid discharge guide groove  641  is positioned opposite to the outer edges of the substrate W held on the spin chuck  621 . When the guard  624  is in the recovery position (i.e., the position of the guard shown in  FIG. 4 ), the processing liquid splashed out from the substrate W is directed by the liquid recovery guide  642  to the liquid recovery space  632 , and then recovered through the recovery pipe  635 . On the other hand, when the guard  624  is in the discharge position, the processing liquid splashed out from the substrate W is directed by the liquid discharge guide groove  641  to the discharge space  631 , and then discharged through the discharge pipe  634 . With the above-described configuration, discharge and recovery of the processing liquid is performed. 
     The processing operation of the washing processing unit SOAK having the above-described configuration is next described. Note that the operation of each component in the washing processing unit SOAK described below is controlled by the main controller  30  in  FIG. 1 . 
     When the substrate W is initially carried into the washing processing unit SOAK, the guard  624  is lowered, and the third central robot CR 3  in  FIG. 1  places the substrate W onto the spin chuck  621 . The substrate W on the spin chuck  621  is held by suction. 
     Next, the guard  624  moves to the aforementioned discharge position, and the nozzle  650  moves above the center of the substrate W. Then, the rotation shaft  625  rotates, causing the substrate W held on the spin chuck  621  to rotate. After this, the washing liquid is discharged onto the top surface of the substrate W from the nozzle  650 . The substrate W is thus washed, and part of the component of the resist on the substrate W is eluted in the washing liquid. During the washing, the substrate W is rotated as the washing liquid is supplied onto the substrate W. This causes the washing liquid on the substrate W to constantly move toward a peripheral portion of the substrate W by the centrifugal force, and splashed away. It is therefore possible to prevent the component of the resist eluted in the washing liquid from remaining on the substrate W. Note that the aforementioned resist component may be eluted with pure water being poured onto the substrate W and kept thereon for a certain period. The supply of the washing liquid onto the substrate W may also be executed by a soft spray method using a two-fluid nozzle. 
     After the elapse of a predetermined time, the supply of the washing liquid is stopped, and the rinse liquid is discharged from the nozzle  650 . The washing liquid on the substrate W is thus washed away. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent the resist components eluted in the washing liquid from remaining on the substrate W. 
     After the elapse of another predetermined time, the rotation speed of the rotation shaft  625  decreases. This reduces the amount of the rinse liquid that is shaken off by the rotation of the substrate W, resulting in the formation of a liquid layer L of the rinse liquid over the entire surface of the substrate W, as shown in  FIG. 5(   a ). Alternatively, the rotation of the rotation shaft  625  may be stopped to form the liquid layer L over the entire surface of the substrate W. 
     The embodiment employs the configuration in which the nozzle  650  is used for supplying both the washing liquid and the rinse liquid, so as to supply both the washing liquid and the rinse liquid from the nozzle  650 . However, a configuration may also be employed in which nozzles are separately provided for supplying the washing liquid and the rinse liquid. 
     In order to prevent the rinse liquid from flowing to the back surface of the substrate W during the supply of the rinse liquid, pure water may be supplied to the back surface of the substrate W from a back rinsing nozzle (not shown). 
     Note that when using pure water as the washing liquid for washing the substrate W, it is not necessary to supply the rinse liquid. 
     The supply of the rinse liquid is subsequently stopped, and the nozzle  650  retracts to the predetermined position while the nozzle  670  moves above the center of the substrate W. The inert gas is subsequently discharged from the nozzle  670 . This causes the rinse liquid around the center of the substrate W to move toward a peripheral portion of the substrate W, leaving the liquid layer L only on the peripheral portion, as shown in  FIG. 5(   b ). 
     Next, as the number of revolutions of the rotation shaft  625  (see  FIG. 4 ) increases, the nozzle  670  gradually moves from above the center of the substrate W to above the peripheral portion thereof, as shown in  FIG. 5(   c ). This causes a great centrifugal force acting on the liquid layer L on the substrate W while allowing the inert gas to be sprayed toward the entire surface of the substrate W, thereby ensuring the removal of the liquid layer L on the substrate W. As a result, the substrate W can be reliably dried. 
     Then, the supply of the inert gas is stopped, and the nozzle  670  retracts to the predetermined position while the rotation of the rotation shaft  625  is stopped. After this, the guard  624  is lowered, and the third central robot CR 3  in  FIG. 1  carries the substrate W out of the washing processing unit SOAK. The processing operation of the washing processing unit SOAK is thus completed. 
     It is preferred that the position of the guard  624  during washing and drying processing is suitably changed according to the necessity of the recovery or discharge of the processing liquid. 
     Moreover, although the washing processing unit SOAK shown in  FIG. 4  includes the nozzle  650  for washing processing and the nozzle  670  for drying processing separately, the nozzle  650  and the nozzle  670  may also be formed integrally, as shown in  FIG. 6 . This obviates the need to move each of the nozzle  650  and the nozzle  670  separately during the washing or drying processing to the substrate W, thereby simplifying the driving mechanism. 
     A nozzle  770  for drying processing as shown in  FIG. 7  may also be used instead of the nozzle  670  for drying processing. 
     The nozzle  770  in  FIG. 7  extends vertically downward, and also has branch pipes  771 ,  772  that extend obliquely downward from sides thereof. A gas discharge port  770   a  is formed at the lower end of the branch pipe  771 , a gas discharge port  770   b  is formed at the lower end of the nozzle  770 , and a gas discharge port  770   c  is formed at the lower end of the branch pipe  772 , each for discharging an inert gas. The discharge port  770   b  discharges an inert gas vertically downward, and the discharge ports  770   a ,  770   c  each discharge an inert gas obliquely downward, as indicated by the arrows in  FIG. 7 . That is to say, the nozzle  770  discharges the inert gas so as to increase the spraying area downwardly. 
     Now, a washing processing unit SOAK using the nozzle  770  for drying processing applies drying processing to the substrate W as will now be described. 
       FIGS. 8(   a ),  8 ( b ),  8 ( c ) are diagrams for use in illustrating a method of applying drying processing to the substrate W using the nozzle  770 . 
     Initially, a liquid layer L is formed on the surface of the substrate W by the method as described in  FIG. 5(   a ), and then the nozzle  770  moves above the center of the substrate W, as shown in  FIG. 8(   a ). After this, an inert gas is discharged from the nozzle  770 . This causes the rinse liquid on the center of the substrate W to move to the peripheral portion of the substrate W, leaving the liquid layer L only on the peripheral portion of the substrate W, as shown in  FIG. 8(   b ). At the time, the nozzle  770  is brought close to the surface of the substrate W so as to reliably move the rinse liquid present on the center of the substrate W. 
     Next, as the number of revolutions of the rotation shaft  625  (see  FIG. 4 ) increases, the nozzle  770  moves upward as shown in  FIG. 8(   c ). This causes a great centrifugal force acting on the liquid layer L on the substrate W while increasing the area to which the inert gas is sprayed on the substrate W. As a result, the liquid layer L on the substrate W is reliably removed. Note that the nozzle  770  can be moved up and down by lifting and lowering the second rotation shaft  672  via a rotation shaft lifting mechanism (not shown) provided to the second rotation shaft  672  in  FIG. 4 . 
     Alternatively, a nozzle  870  for drying processing as shown in  FIG. 9  may be used instead of the nozzle  770 . The nozzle  870  in  FIG. 9  has a discharge port  870   a  whose diameter gradually increases downward. This discharge port  870   a  discharges an inert gas vertically downward and obliquely downward as indicated by the arrows in  FIG. 9 . That is, similarly to the nozzle  770  in  FIG. 7 , the nozzle  870  discharges the inert gas so as to increase the spraying area downwardly. Consequently, drying processing similar to that using the nozzle  770  can be applied to the substrate W using the nozzle  870 . 
     A washing processing unit SOAKa as shown in  FIG. 10  may also be used instead of the washing processing unit SOAK shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     The washing processing unit SOAKa in  FIG. 10  is different from the washing processing unit SOAK in  FIG. 4  as described below. 
     The washing processing unit SOAKa in  FIG. 10  includes above the spin chuck  621   a  disk-shaped shield plate  682  having an opening through the center thereof. A support shaft  689  extends vertically downward from around an end of an arm  688 , and the shield plate  682  is mounted at a lower end of the support shaft  689  so as to oppose the top surface of the substrate W held on the spin chuck  621 . 
     A gas supply passage  690  that communicates with the opening of the shield plate  682  is inserted into the inside of the support shaft  689 . A nitrogen gas (N 2 ), for example, is supplied into the gas supply passage  690 . 
     The arm  688  is connected with a shield plate lifting mechanism  697  and a shield plate rotation-driving mechanism  698 . The shield plate lifting mechanism  697  lifts and lowers the shield plate  682  between a position close to the top surface of the substrate W held on the spin chuck  621  and a position upwardly away from the spin chuck  621 . 
     During the drying processing to the substrate W in the washing processing unit SOAKa in  FIG. 10 , with the shield plate  682  brought close to the substrate W as shown in  FIG. 11 , an inert gas is supplied to clearance between the substrate W and the shield plate  682  from the gas supply passage  690 . This allows the inert gas to be efficiently supplied from the center of the substrate W to the peripheral portion thereof, thereby ensuring the removal of the liquid layer L on the substrate W. 
     Although in the above-described embodiment, the substrate W is subjected to drying processing by spin drying in the washing processing unit SOAK, the substrate W maybe subjected to drying processing by other methods such as a reduced pressure drying method or an air knife drying method. 
     Although in the above-described embodiment, the inert gas is supplied from the nozzle  670  with the liquid layer L of the rinse liquid being formed, the following method may be applied when the liquid layer L of the rinse liquid is not formed or the rinse liquid is not used. That is, the liquid layer of washing liquid is shaken off once by rotating the substrate W, and an inert gas is then immediately supplied from the nozzle  670  to thoroughly dry the substrate W. 
     As described above, in the substrate processing apparatus  500  according to the embodiment, the substrate W is subjected to the washing processing by the washing processing unit SOAK before the exposure processing by the exposure device  14 . During this washing processing, part of the component of the resist on the substrate W is eluted in the washing liquid or the rinse liquid, and washed away. Therefore, even if the substrate W is in contact with liquid in the exposure device  14 , the component of the resist on the substrate W is hardly eluted in the liquid. This reduces contamination in the exposure device  14  while preventing the resist component from remaining on the surface of the substrate W. As a result, processing defects of the substrate W that may be generated in the exposure device  14  can be reduced. 
     In addition, the washing processing unit SOAK applies the drying processing to the substrate after the washing processing, which prevents the attachment of particles in the atmosphere to the substrate W during the transport of the substrate W after the washing processing. This prevents contamination of the substrate W. 
     Moreover, the washing/development processing block  12  is arrange adjacent to the interface block  13 . In this case, the washing processing can be applied to the substrate W immediately before the exposure processing by the exposure device  14 , and the development processing can be applied to the substrate W immediately after the exposure processing by the exposure device  14 . This prevents the attachment of particles and the like in the atmosphere to the substrate W during the transport of the substrate W from the washing/development processing block  12  to the exposure device  14  and from the exposure device  14  to the washing/development processing block  12 . As a result, processing defects of the substrate W that may be generated during the exposure processing and the development processing can be sufficiently reduced. 
     In addition, the washing processing unit SOAK applies the drying processing to the substrate W by spraying the inert gas to the substrate W from the center to the peripheral portion thereof while rotating the substrate W. This reliably removes the washing liquid and the rinse liquid on the substrate W, which reliably prevents particles and the like in the atmosphere from attaching to the washed substrate W. This prevents contamination of the substrate W reliably while preventing the generation of dry marks on the surface of the substrate W. 
     In addition, the washing liquid and the rinse liquid are reliably prevented from remaining on the washed substrate W, so that the resist components are reliably prevented from being eluted in the washing liquid and the rinse liquid during the transport of the substrate W from the washing processing unit SOAK to the exposure device  14 . This prevents a defective shape of the resist film and the contamination inside the exposure device  14 . 
     As a result of the foregoing, processing defects of the substrate W can be reliably prevented. 
     The interface transport mechanism IFR is next described.  FIG. 12  is a diagram for use in illustrating the configuration and operation of the interface transport mechanism IFR. 
     The configuration of the interface transport mechanism IFR is first described. As shown in  FIG. 12 , a movable base  21  in the interface transport mechanism IFR is threadably mounted to a screwed shaft  22 . The screwed shaft  22  is rotatably supported with support bases  23  so as to extend in the X direction. One end of the screwed shaft  22  is provided with a motor M 1 , which causes the screwed shaft  22  to rotate and the movable base  21  to horizontally move in the ±X direction. 
     A hand support base  24  is mounted on the movable base  21  so as to rotate in the .+−θ direction while moving up and down in the ±Z direction. The hand support base  24  is coupled to a motor M 2  in the movable base  21  through a rotation shaft  25 , and rotated by the motor M 2 . Two hands H 5 , H 6  for holding the substrate W in a horizontal attitude are mounted to the hand support base  24  one above the other so as to move forward and backward. 
     The operation of the interface transport mechanism IFR is next described. The operation of the interface transport mechanism IFR is controlled by the main controller  30  in  FIG. 1 . 
     The interface transport mechanism IFR initially rotates the hand support base  24  at the position A in  FIG. 12  while lifting the hand support base  24  in the +Z direction, to allow the upper hand H 5  to enter the substrate platform PASS 9 . When the hand H 5  has received the substrate W in the substrate platform PASS 9 , the interface transport mechanism IFR retracts the hand H 5  from the substrate platform PASS 9 , and lowers the hand support base  24  in the −Z direction. 
     The interface transport mechanism IFR subsequently moves in the −X direction, and rotates the hand support base  24  at the position B while allowing the hand H 5  to enter a substrate inlet  14   a  in the exposure device  14  (see  FIG. 1 ). After the hand H 5  has carried the substrate W into the substrate inlet  14   a , the interface transport mechanism IFR retracts the hand H 5  from the substrate inlet  14   a.    
     Then, the interface transport mechanism IFR allows the lower hand H 6  to enter a substrate outlet  14   b  in the exposure device  14  (see  FIG. 1 ). When the hand H 6  has received the substrate W after the exposure processing from the substrate outlet  14   b , the interface transport mechanism IFR retracts the hand H 6  from the substrate outlet  14   b.    
     After this, the interface transport mechanism IFR moves in the +X direction, and rotates the hand support base  24  at the position A while lifting the hand support base  24  in the +Z direction, to allow the hand H 6  to enter the substrate platform PASS 10  and transfer the substrate W onto the substrate platform PASS 10 . 
     If the exposure device  14  is not capable of receiving the substrate W during the transport of the substrate W from the substrate platform PASS 9  to the exposure device  14 , the substrate W is temporarily stored in the feed buffer unit SBF. 
     As described above, in this embodiment, the hand H 5  of the interface transport mechanism IFR is used during the transport of the substrate W from the substrate platform PASS 9  to the exposure device  14 , while the hand H 6  is used during the transport of the substrate W from the exposure device  14  to the substrate platform PASS 10 . That is, the hand H 6  is used for transporting the substrate W to which a liquid is attached after the exposure processing, while the hand H 5  is used for transporting the substrate W to which no liquid is attached. This prevents the liquid on the substrate W from attaching to the hand H 5 . 
     Moreover, since the hand H 6  is arranged below the hand H 5 , even if a liquid drops from the hand H 6  and the substrate W held thereon, the liquid will not attach to the hand H 5  and the substrate W held thereon. 
     Furthermore, as described above, the fourth central robot CR 4  also employs the lower hand CRH 8  during the transport of the substrate W to which a liquid is attached after the exposure processing (between the substrate platform PASS 10  and the thermal processing group  121 ), and employs the upper hand CRH 7  during the transport of the substrate W to which no liquid is attached before the exposure processing (between the substrate platform PASS 7  and the edge exposure units EEW, and between the edge exposure units EEW and the substrate platform PASS 9 ). This prevents a liquid from attaching to the substrate W before the exposure processing also in the fourth central robot CR 4 . 
     As a result of the foregoing, a liquid is prevented from attaching to the substrate W before the exposure processing which prevents the contamination of the substrate W due to the attachment of particles and the like in the atmosphere. This prevents the generation of processing defects of the substrate W due to degradation in the resolution performance and the like in the exposure device  14 . 
     Although in this embodiment, the single interface transport mechanism IFR is used for transporting the substrate W, a plurality of interface transport mechanisms IFR may also be used for transporting the substrate W. 
     The operation and the configuration of the interface transport mechanism IFR may also be modified according to the positions of the substrate inlet  14   a  and the substrate outlet  14   b  of the exposure device  14 . For example, when the substrate inlet  14   a  and the substrate outlet  14   b  in the exposure device  14  are positioned opposite to the position A in  FIG. 12 , the screwed shaft  22  in  FIG. 12  may be omitted. 
     Furthermore, the numbers of the coating units BARC, RES, the development processing units DEV, the washing processing unit SOAK, the heating units HP, and the cooling units CP may suitably be changed according to the processing speed of each processing block. 
     In addition, a two-fluid nozzle shown in  FIG. 13  may also be used in the washing processing unit SOAK, instead of one or both the nozzle  650  for washing processing and the nozzle  670  for drying processing shown in  FIG. 4   
       FIG. 13  is a longitudinal cross section showing an example of the internal structure of the two-fluid nozzle  950  for use in washing and drying processing. The two-fluid nozzle  950  is capable of selectively discharging a gas, a liquid, and a fluid mixture of the gas and liquid. 
     The two-fluid nozzle  950  in this embodiment is so-called an external-mix type. The external-mix type two-fluid nozzle  950  shown in  FIG. 13  comprises an inner body portion  311  and an outer body portion  312 . The inner body portion  311  is composed of, e.g., quartz, and the outer body portion  312  is composed of a fluororesin such as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene). 
     A cylindrical liquid passage  311   b  is formed along the central axis of the inner body portion  311 . The liquid passage  311   b  is provided with the supply pipe  663  shown in  FIG. 4  for washing processing. Washing liquid or rinse liquid supplied from the supply pipe  663  is thus introduced into the liquid passage  311   b.    
     A liquid discharge port  311   a  that communicates with the liquid passage  311   b  is formed at a lower end of the inner body portion  311 . The inner body portion  311  is inserted into the outer body portion  312 . Upper ends of the inner body portion  311  and the outer body portion  312  are joined together, while lower ends thereof are not joined. 
     A cylindrical gas passage  312   b  is formed between the inner body portion  311  and the outer body portion  312 . A gas discharge port  312   a  that communicates with the gas passage  312   b  is formed at the lower end of the outer body portion  312 . The supply pipe  674  shown in  FIG. 4  for drying processing is mounted to a peripheral wall of the outer body portion  312 , so as to communicate with the gas passage  312   b . An inert gas supplied from the supply pipe  674  is thus introduced into the gas passage  312   b.    
     The diameter of the gas passage  312   b  decreases downward in the vicinity of the gas discharge port  312   a . As a result, the velocity of flow of the inert gas is accelerated, and the inert gas is discharged from the gas discharge port  312   a.    
     The washing liquid discharged from the liquid discharge port  311   a  and the inert gas discharged from the gas discharge port  312   a  are mixed outside near the lower end of the two-fluid nozzle  950  to generate a mist-like fluid mixture that contains fine droplets of the washing liquid. 
       FIGS. 14(   a ),  14 ( b ),  14 ( c ) are diagrams for use in illustrating a method of applying washing and drying processing to the substrate W using the two-fluid nozzle  950  in  FIG. 13 . 
     The substrate W is initially held on the spin chuck  621  by suction, as shown in  FIG. 4 , and rotates together with the rotation of the rotation shaft  625 . The rotation speed of the rotation shaft  625  is, e.g., about 500 rpm. 
     In this state, as shown in  FIG. 14(   a ), the two-fluid nozzle  950  discharges the mist-like fluid mixture of the washing liquid and the inert gas onto the top surface of the substrate W while gradually moving from above the center of the substrate W to above the peripheral portion thereof. In this way, the fluid mixture is sprayed onto the entire surface of the substrate W from the two-fluid nozzle  950  to wash the substrate W. 
     Next, the supply of the fluid mixture is stopped, and the rotation speed of the rotation shaft  625  decreases while the rinse liquid is discharged from the two-fluid nozzle  950  onto the substrate W, as shown in  FIG. 14(   b ). The rotation speed of the rotation shaft  625  is, e.g., about 10 rpm. A liquid layer L of the rinse liquid is thus formed on the entire surface of the substrate W. Alternatively, the rotation of the rotation shaft  625  may be stopped to form the liquid layer L on the entire surface of the substrate W. When pure water is used as the washing liquid in the fluid mixture for washing the substrate W, the supply of the rinse liquid may be omitted. 
     After the formation of the liquid layer L, the supply of the rinse liquid is stopped. Then, the inert gas is discharged onto the substrate W from the two-fluid nozzle  950 , as shown in  FIG. 14(   c ). This causes the washing liquid on the center of the substrate W to move to the peripheral portion of the substrate W, leaving the liquid layer L only on the peripheral portion. 
     Then, the rotation speed of the rotation shaft  625  increases. The rotation speed of the rotation shaft  625  is, e.g., about 100 rpm. This causes a great centrifugal force acting on the liquid layer L on the substrate W, allowing the removal of the liquid layer L on the substrate W. As a result, the substrate W is dried. 
     The two-fluid nozzle  950  may gradually move from above the center of the substrate W to above the peripheral portion thereof when removing the liquid layer L on the substrate W. This allows the inert gas to be sprayed to the entire surface of the substrate W, which ensures the removal of the liquid layer L on the substrate W. As a result, the substrate W can be reliably dried. 
     As described above, in the two-fluid nozzle in  FIG. 13 , the fluid mixture discharged from the two-fluid nozzle  950  contains fine droplets of the washing liquid. Therefore, even if the surface of the substrate W has irregularities, any contaminants attached on the surface of the substrate W can be stripped off. The contaminants on the surface of the substrate W can thus be reliably removed. Moreover, even if the films on the substrate W have low wettability, the fine droplets of the washing liquid strip off the contaminants on the surface of the substrate W, so that the contaminants can be reliably removed from the surface of the substrate W. 
     As a result, even if the solvent or the like in a resist is sublimated in the heating units HP and the sublimates are attached to the substrate W again when thermal processing is applied to the substrate W by the heating units HP before the exposure processing, the sublimates attached to the substrate W can be reliably removed by the washing processing unit SOAK. It is therefore possible to reliably prevent the contamination inside the exposure device  14 . 
     In addition, adjusting the flow rate of the inert gas allows adjustments to be easily made to the detergency in washing the substrate W. Thus, when the organic films (i.e., a resist film) on the substrate W are prone to damage, damage to the organic films on the substrate W can be prevented by weakening the detergency. Tough contaminants on the surface of the substrate W can also be removed reliably by strengthening the detergency. By adjusting the detergency in this way according to the properties of the organic films on the substrate W and the degree of contamination, it is possible to prevent damage to the organic films on the substrate W and wash the substrate W reliably. 
     Moreover, the external-mix type two-fluid nozzle  950  generates the fluid mixture by mixing the washing liquid and the inert gas outside the two-fluid nozzle  950 . The inert gas and the washing liquid flow through the separate flow passages, respectively, in the two-fluid nozzle  950 . This prevents the washing liquid from remaining in the gas passage  312   b , allowing the inert gas to be discharged independently from the two-fluid nozzle  950 . Also, the rinse liquid can be discharged independently from the two-fluid nozzle  950  by supplying the rinse liquid from the supply pipe  663 . This allows the fluid mixture, the inert gas, and the rinse liquid to be selectively discharged from the two-fluid nozzle  950 . 
     Furthermore, the use of the two-fluid nozzle  950  obviates the need to provide nozzles for supplying the washing liquid or the rinse liquid to the substrate W and for supplying the inert gas to the substrate W separately. This provides reliable washing and drying of the substrate W with a simple structure. 
     Although, in this embodiment, the two-fluid nozzle  950  is used to supply the rinse liquid to the substrate W, a separate nozzle may also be used for supplying the rinse liquid to the substrate W. 
     Moreover, in this embodiment, although the two-fluid nozzle  950  is used to supply the inert gas to the substrate W, a separate nozzle may also be used for supplying the inert gas to the substrate W. 
     In this embodiment, the anti-reflection film processing block  10 , the resist film processing block  11 , and the washing/development processing block  12  correspond to a processing section; the interface block  13  corresponds to an interface; the indexer block  9  corresponds to an indexer; the coating units RES correspond to a first processing unit; the resist film processing block  11  corresponds to a first processing block; the washing processing units SOAK, SOAKa correspond to a second processing unit; the development processing units DEV correspond to a third processing unit; the washing/development processing block  12  corresponds to a second processing block; the coating units BARC correspond to a fourth processing unit; the anti-reflection film processing block  10  corresponds to a third processing block; and the resist film corresponds to a photosensitive film. 
     The heating units HP and the cooling units CP correspond to first to third thermal processing units; the second central robot CR 2  corresponds to a first transport unit; the third central robot CR 3  corresponds to a second transport unit; the first central robot CR 1  corresponds to a third transport unit; the fourth central robot CR 4  corresponds to a fourth transport unit; the interface transport mechanism IFR corresponds to a fifth transport unit; the hand CRH  7  corresponds to a first holder; the hand CRH 8  corresponds to a second holder; the hand H 5  corresponds to a third holder; the hand H 6  corresponds to a fourth holder; and the substrate platforms PASS 9 ,  10  correspond to a platform. 
     The spin chuck  621  corresponds to a substrate holding device; the rotation shaft  625  and the chuck rotation-drive mechanism  636  correspond to a rotation-drive device; the nozzle  650  for washing processing corresponds to a washing liquid supplier and a rinse liquid supplier; and the nozzles  670 ,  770 ,  870  for drying processing correspond to an inert gas supplier. 
     The two-fluid nozzle  950  corresponds to a fluid nozzle; the liquid passage  311   b  corresponds to a liquid flow passage; and the gas passage  312   b  corresponds to a gas flow passage. 
     Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.