Patent Publication Number: US-11651979-B2

Title: Transfer unit and apparatus for treating substrate

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     A claim for priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 is made to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0088354 filed on Jul. 22, 2019, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Embodiments of the inventive concept disclosed herein relate to an apparatus for treating a substrate, and more particularly, relate to an apparatus for transferring a substrate. 
     To manufacture a semiconductor device, a desired pattern is formed on a substrate through various processes such as, photolithography, etching, ashing, ion implantation, and thin film deposition. The above processes include a plurality of processes, and are performed through mutually different processing devices. 
     Accordingly, to perform mutually different processes, a substrate has to be transferred to the mutually different processing devices, and the transferring of the substrate is performed by the transfer robot. There are significantly various process devices, and the process devices are arranged to surround the peripheral portion of the transfer robot. Accordingly, the transfer robot may transfer each device to the substrate. In general, a transfer robot has a plurality of hands to support a substrate and may transfer a plurality of sheets of substrates. 
       FIG.  1    is a view illustrating a typical transfer robot. Referring to  FIG.  1   , the transfer robot has two hands. The hands are provided to be stacked on each other and supported by a support rod. A first hand  2   a  positioned at an upper portion of the transfer robot is supported by a first support rod  4   a , and a second hand  2   b  positioned at a lower portion of the transfer robot is supported by a second support rod  4   b . The first support rod  4   a  extends from one side portion of the first hand  2   a  and is connected to a base. The second support rod  4   b  extends from an opposite side of the second hand  2   b  and is connected to the base. Accordingly, the first support rod  4   a  and the second support rod  4   b  are linearly movable without interference with each other on a moving path. 
     However, the structure to support a hand using a single rod may not stably support the hand. Accordingly, the hand is vibrated during movement, and the substrate placed on the hand is changed in position thereof due to the shaking. Accordingly, the substrate may deviate from a right position or may be scratched to be damaged. 
     In addition, various particles are produced in the process in which the support rod is moved. The particles may contaminate the substrate. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the inventive concept provide an apparatus capable of stably supporting a hand. 
     Embodiments of the inventive concept provide an apparatus capable of minimizing particles produced in the procedure of operating a hand. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, there is provided is a unit for transferring a substrate. 
     The unit for transferring the substrate includes a support structure, a first hand to place the substrate, a second hand positioned to be stacked with the first hand and to place the substrate, a first guide rail provided in the support structure to guide movement of a first support rod to support the first hand, a second guide rail provided in the support structure to guide movement of a second support rod to support the second hand, and a pressure reducing member to reduce pressure of an exhaust fluid passage provided in the support structure. The exhaust fluid passage includes a first fluid passage provided to communicate with the first guide rail, a second fluid passage provided to communicate with the second guide rail, and a third fluid passage formed by combining the first fluid passage with the second fluid passage. The pressure reducing member reduces pressure of the third fluid passage. 
     The first fluid passage and the second fluid passage have parts which are bent. The first guide rail may be formed on a side surface of the support structure, and the second guide rail may be formed on a top surface of the support structure. The support structure may include a main body including the exhaust fluid passage, the first guide rail, and the second guide rail, a first partition positioned in the first fluid passage to interfere with an air flow such that an air flow line of the first fluid passage is bypassed, and a second partition positioned in the second fluid passage to interfere with an air flow such that an air flow line of the second fluid passage is bypassed. The third fluid passage may be positioned more closely to a central axis of the main body than the first fluid passage and the second fluid passage. 
     The first partition may be positioned inward from the first guide rail to face the first guide rail. The first partition may be provided to extend downward from a ceiling surface forming the first fluid passage and is spaced apart from a bottom surface forming the first fluid passage. 
     The second partition may be positioned under the second guide rail while facing the second guide rail. 
     The third fluid passage may be formed by combining the first fluid passage and the second fluid passage, and may have a first region extending toward the central axis and a second region extending downward from the first region, and the first region may be positioned higher than a lower end of the first partition. 
     A unit for transferring a substrate may include a support structure, a first hand to place the substrate, a second hand positioned to be stacked with the first hand and to place the substrate, a first guide rail provided in the support structure to guide movement of a first support rod to support the first hand, a second guide rail provided in the support structure to guide movement of a second support rod to support the second hand. The first guide rail may be formed on a side surface of the support structure, and the second guide rail may be formed on a top surface of the support structure. 
     A plurality of first guide rails and a plurality of second guide rails may be provided, the plurality of first guide rails may be provided on opposite side surfaces of the support structure, the plurality of second guide rails may be formed on a top surface of the support, the first support rod may be connected to the plurality of first guide rails, and the second support rod may be connected to the plurality of second guide rails. 
     The first hand may be positioned on the second hand. The unit includes a pressure reducing member to reduce pressure of an exhaust fluid passage provided in the support structure, and the exhaust fluid passage includes a first fluid passage provided to communicate with the first guide rail, a second fluid passage provided to communicate with the second guide rail, and a third fluid passage formed by combining the first fluid passage with the second fluid passage. The pressure reducing member reduces pressure of the third fluid passage. 
     An apparatus for treating a substrate includes a first unit, a second unit, and a transfer unit to transfer the substrate between the first unit and the second unit. The transfer unit includes a support structure, a first hand to place the substrate, a second hand positioned to be stacked with the first hand and to place the substrate, a first guide rail provided in the support structure to guide movement of a first support rod to support a first hand, a second guide rail provided in the support structure to guide movement of a second support rod to support a second hand, and a pressure reducing member provided in the support structure to reduce pressure of the exhaust fluid passage. The exhaust fluid passage includes a first fluid passage provided to communicate with the first guide rail, a second fluid passage provided to communicate with the second guide rail, and a third fluid passage formed by combining the first fluid passage with the second fluid passage. The pressure reducing member reduces pressure of the third fluid passage. 
     Each of the first fluid passage and the second fluid passage may be provided bent in a direction of approaching the third fluid passage. 
     The first guide rail may be formed on a side surface of the support structure, and the second guide rail may be formed on a top surface of the support structure. 
     The support structure may include a main body including the exhaust fluid passage, the first guide rail, and the second guide rail, a first partition positioned in the first fluid passage to interfere with an air flow such that an air flow line of the first fluid passage is bypassed, and a second partition positioned in the second fluid passage to interfere with an air flow such that an air flow line of the second fluid passage is bypassed. The third fluid passage may be positioned more closely to a central axis of the main body than the first fluid passage and the second fluid passage. 
     The first partition may be positioned inward from the first guide rail to face the first guide rail. The first partition may be provided to extend downward from a ceiling surface forming the first fluid passage and is spaced apart from a bottom surface forming the first fluid passage. The second partition may be positioned under the second guide rail while facing the second guide rail. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The above and other objects and features will become apparent from the following description with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various figures unless otherwise specified, and wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a view illustrating an exemplary transfer robot; 
         FIG.  2    is a view schematically illustrating an apparatus for treating a substrate, according to an embodiment of the inventive concept; 
         FIG.  3    is a sectional view of an apparatus for treating a substrate, which illustrates a coating block or a developing block of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a plan view illustrating the apparatus for treating the substrate of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view illustrating a transfer robot of  FIG.  4   ; 
         FIG.  6    is a plan view illustrating a transfer robot of  FIG.  5   ; 
         FIG.  7    is a front view illustrating a transfer robot of  FIG.  5   ; 
         FIG.  8    is a vertical sectional view illustrating an air flow in an exhaust fluid passage of  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  9    is a plan view schematically illustrating a heat treating chamber of  FIG.  4   ; 
         FIG.  10    is a front view illustrating the heat treating chamber of  FIG.  9   ; and 
         FIG.  11    is a view schematically illustrating a liquid treating chamber of  FIG.  4   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinafter, an embodiment of the inventive concept will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments of the inventive concept may be modified in various forms, and the scope of the inventive concept should not be construed to be limited by the embodiments of the inventive concept described in the following. The embodiments of the inventive concept are provided to describe the inventive concept for those skilled in the art more completely. Accordingly, the shapes and the like of the components in the drawings are exaggerated to emphasize clearer descriptions. 
       FIG.  2    is a perspective view schematically illustrating an apparatus (substrate treating apparatus) for treating a substrate according to an embodiment of the inventive concept,  FIG.  3    is a sectional view of a substrate treating apparatus, which illustrates a coating block or a developing block of  FIG.  2   , and  FIG.  4    is a plan view of a substrate treating apparatus of  FIG.  2   . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2  to  4   , a substrate treating apparatus  1  for treating a substrate includes an index module  20 , a treating module  30 , and an interface module  40 . According to an embodiment, the index module  20 , the treating module  30 , and the interface module  40  are sequentially aligned in line with each other. Hereinafter, a direction in which the index module  20 , the treating module  30 , and the interface module  40  are arranged will be referred to as a first direction  12 , a direction that is perpendicular to the first direction  12  when viewed from above will be referred to as a second direction  14 , and a direction perpendicular to all the first direction  12  and the second direction  14  will be referred to as a third direction  16 . 
     The index module  20  transfers a substrate ‘W’ to the treating module  30  from a container  10  to receive the substrate ‘W’, and a substrate ‘W’ completely treated is received into the container  10 . The longitudinal direction of the index module  20  is provided in the second direction  14 . The index module  20  has a load port  22  and an index frame  24 . The load port  22  is positioned at an opposite side of the treating module  30 , based on the index frame  24 . The container  10  having substrates ‘W’ is placed in the load port  22 . A plurality of load ports  22  may be provided and may be arranged in the second direction  14 . 
     The container  10  may include a container  10  for sealing such as a front open unified pod (FOUP). The container  10  may be placed on the load port  22  by a transfer unit (not illustrated) such as Overhead Transfer, Overhead Conveyor, or Automatic Guided Vehicle. 
     An index robot  2200  is provided inside the index frame  24 . A guide rail  2300 , which has a longitudinal direction provided in the second direction  14 , is provided in the index frame  24 , and the index robot  2200  may be provided to be movable on the guide rail  2300 . The index robot  2200  may include a hand  2220  in which the substrate ‘W’ is positioned, and the hand  2220  may be provided to be movable forward and backward, rotatable about the third direction  16 , and movable in the third direction  16 . 
     The treating module  30  performs coating and developing processes with respect to the substrate ‘W’. The treating module  30  has a coating block  30   a  and a developing block  30   b . The coating block  30   a  forms a coating process with respect to the substrate ‘W’, and the developing block  30   b  performs a developing process with respect to the substrate ‘W’. A plurality of coating blocks  30   a  are provided and stacked on each other. A plurality of developing blocks  30   b  are provided, and stacked on each other. According to an embodiment of  FIG.  3   , two coating blocks  30   a  are provided and two developing blocks  30   b  are provided. The coating blocks  30   a  may be disposed under the developing blocks  30   b . According to an example, two coating blocks  30   a  may be subject to the same process and may be provided in the same structure. In addition, two developing blocks  30   a  may be subject to the same process and may be provided in the same structure. 
     The coating block  30   a  has a heat treating chamber  3200 , a transfer chamber  3400 , a liquid treating chamber  3600 , and a buffer chamber  3800 . The heat treating chamber  3200  performs a heat treating process on the substrate ‘W’. The heat treating process may include a cooling process and a heating process. The liquid treating chamber  3600  feeds a liquid onto the substrate ‘W’ to form a liquid film. The liquid film may be a photoresist film or an anti-reflective film. The transfer chamber  3400  transfers the substrate ‘W’ between the heat treating chamber  3200  and the liquid treating chamber  3600  inside the coating block  30   a.    
     The transfer chamber  3400  has a longitudinal direction parallel to the first direction  12 . A transfer unit is provided in the transfer chamber  3400 . The transfer unit includes a transfer robot  3422  and a transfer rail  3300 . The transfer robot  3422  transfers the substrate ‘W’ among the heat treating chamber  3200 , the liquid treating chamber  3600 , and the buffer chamber  3800 . 
       FIG.  5    is a perspective view illustrating a transfer robot of  FIG.  4   , and  FIG.  6    is a plan view illustrating the transfer robot of  FIG.  5   . Referring to  FIGS.  5  and  6   , the transfer robot  3422  includes a hand  3420 , a support rod  3423 , a guide rail  1100 , a support structure  1000 , a rotating shaft  3425 , a base  3426 , and a pressure reducing member  1600 . The hand  3420  supports the substrate ‘W’. The hand  3420  is provided to perform a horizontal-direction linear movement including a forward-movement and a backward-movement, a rotation movement for rotation about the third direction  16  serving as an axis, and an upward-movement and a downward-movement in third direction  16 . 
     The hand  3420  directly supports the substrate ‘W’. A plurality of hands  3420  are provided, and are stacked on each other. The hands  3420  are positioned on the support structure  1000 . For example, the hand  3420  may include a first hand  3420   a  positioned at an upper portion and a second hand  3420   b  positioned at a lower portion. The first hand  3420   a  and the second hand  3420   b  have the same shape. However, the first hand  3420   a  and the second hand  3420   b  may perform different functions. For example, the first hand  3420   a  may be used to withdraw the substrate ‘W’ from a unit, which treats a chamber or the substrate ‘W’, and the second hand  3420   b  may be used to introduce the substrate ‘W’ into the unit which treats the chamber or the substrate ‘W’ 
     The hand  3420  has a support  3421   a  and a support protrusion  3421   b . The support  3421   a  is provided to have the shape of an annular ring in which a part of the circumference is bent. The support  3421   a  has a diameter larger than that of the substrate ‘W’, and the hand  3420  supports the substrate ‘W’ such that the support  3421   a  surrounds the peripheral portion of the substrate ‘W’. The support protrusion  3421   b  extends inward from the support  3421   a . A plurality of support protrusion  3421   b  are provided, and are spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the support  3421   a . The support protrusion  3421   b  serves as a seating surface for placing the substrate ‘W’. Four supporting protrusions  3421   b  are provide to support a side portion of the substrate ‘W’. 
     A support rod  3423  connects the support  3421   a  with the guide rail  1100 . The support rod  3423  is linearly movable in a front-to-back direction through the guide rail  1100 . The support rod  3423  has a first support rod  3423   a  to support the first hand  3420   a  and a second support rod  3423   b  to support the second hand  3420   b . Accordingly, the support rod  3423  stably supports the hand  3420  during the operating of the hand  3420  to minimize the hand  3420  shaken. The guide rail  1100  will be described before the description of the shape of each support rod  3423 . 
     The guide rail  1100  guides a direction in which the support rod  3423  is moved. For example, support rods  3423  may move linearly in the horizontal direction. The guide rail  1100  includes a first guide rail  1120 , on which the first support  3423   a  is mounted, and a second guide rail  1140  on which the second support rod  3423   b  is mounted. The first support rod  3423   a  is connected to the first guide rail  1120 , and the second support rod  3423   b  is connected to the second guide rail  1140 . The first guide rail  1120  and the second guide rail  1140  have longitudinal directions parallel to each other. The first guide rail  1120  and the second guide rail  1140  have longitudinal directions extending in the horizontal directions. Support rods  3423  mounted on the guide rail  1100  are movable in the first direction which is the longitudinal direction of each guide rail  1100 . First guide rails  1120  are mounted on one side surface and another side surface of the support structure  1000 . In this case, the one side surface and the another side surface may be opposite side surfaces to each other. When viewed from a side portion, the first guide rails  1120  may be positioned to be overlapped with each other. A plurality of second guide rails  1140  may be mounted on the top surface of the support structure  1000 . When viewed from above, the second guide rails  1140  may be arranged in the direction in which the one side surface and the another side surface of the support structure  1000  face each other. 
     The first support rod  3423   a  is provided in the shape to surround the second hand  3420   b  and the second support rod  3423   b  when viewed from the front. When viewed from above, the first support rod  3423   a  extends towards opposite sides surfaces of the support structure  1000  from the rear end of the first hand  3420   a  and then extends downward to be connected to the first guide rail  1120 . 
     In addition, the second support rod  3423   b  branches while extending downward from the rear end of the second hand  3420   b  and is connected to the second guide rail  1140 . When viewed from above, second support rods  3423   b  are positioned to be overlapped with the second guide rail  1140 . 
     According to the present embodiment, the position of the guide rail  1100  and the shape of the support rod  3423  improve space efficiency. In other words, when the first guide rail  1120  and the second guide rail  1140  are mounted only on the top surface of the support structure  1000 , the top surface of the support structure  1000  is required to have a wider area. When the first guide rail  1120  and the second guide rail  1140  are mounted only on a side surface of the support structure  1000 , the side surface of the support structure is required to have a wider area. 
     In addition, the present embodiment has been described that one first support rod  3423   a  and one second support rod  3423   b  are provided. However, a plurality of first support rods  3423   a  and a plurality of second support rods  3423   b  may be provided. According to an embodiment, two first support rods  3423   a  and two second support rods  3423   b  may be provided. 
     The support structure  1000  is supported and rotated by the rotating shaft  3425 . The rotating shaft  3425  is mounted on the base  3426  and provided to be rotatable about the central axis on the base  3426 . As the rotating shaft  3425  is rotated, the support structure  1000  and the hand  3420  may be rotated together by the rotating shaft  3425 . The base  3426  may be provided to be movable upward and downward. As the base  3426  moves upward and downward, the rotating shaft  3425  and the hand  3420  may be moved upward and downward together. In addition, the base  3426  is movable from a position adjacent to a front buffer  3802  to a position adjacent to a rear buffer  3804  along the transfer rail  3300 . The transfer rail  3300  is provided to have a longitudinal direction that faces the first direction. The base  3426  mounted on the transfer rail  3300  may be moveable in the first direction by a driving member (not illustrated). 
     Hereinafter, the support structure  1000  will be described in more detail.  FIG.  7    is a front view illustrating the transfer robot of  FIG.  5   , and  FIG.  8    is a sectional view illustrating an air flow in an exhaust fluid passage of  FIG.  7   . Referring to  FIGS.  7  and  8   , the support structure  1000  includes a main body  1200  having the exhaust fluid passage formed therein and a partition  1400 . The first guide rails  1120  are mounted on the opposite side surfaces of the main body  1200  and the second guide rail  1140  is mounted on the top surface of the main body  1200 . The exhaust fluid passage is provided to be connected to the first guide rail  1120  and the second guide rail  1140 , and the pressure of the exhaust fluid passage is reduced by the pressure reducing member  1600 . The exhaust fluid passage is provided to prevent particles produced due to the movement of the support rod  3423  on the guide rail  1100 , and the pressure of the exhaust pressure is reduced. Accordingly, the particles produced due to the movement of the support rod  3423  are discharged through the exhaust fluid passage. The exhaust fluid passage includes a first fluid passage  1220 , a second fluid passage  1240 , and a third fluid passage  1260 . 
     The first fluid passage  1220  is provided to communicate with the first guide rail  1120 , and the second fluid passage  1240  is provided to communicate with the second guide rail  1140 . The third fluid passage  1260  is provided by combining the first fluid passage  1220  and the second fluid passage  1240 . The third fluid passage  1260  is positioned more closely to the central axis of the support structure than the first fluid passage  1220  and the second fluid passage  1240 . The third fluid passage  1260  may be positioned to be lower than the first fluid passage  1220  and the second fluid passage  1240 . This is to prevent particles remaining in the third fluid passage  1260  from flowing back into the first fluid passage  1220  or the second fluid passage  1240 . The first fluid passage  1220  and the second fluid passage  1240  have forms bent in a direction of approaching the third fluid passage  1260 . This is to prevent particles remaining in the exhaust fluid passage from flowing back. The first fluid passage  1220  extends toward the central axis of the support structure from the first guide rail  1120  and is combined with the third fluid passage  1260 . The second fluid passage  1240  extends downward from the second guide rail  1140  and is combined with the third fluid passage  1260 . The first fluid passage  1220  and the second fluid passage  1240  have the bent forms through partitions  1400 . 
     The partitions  1400  are positioned at the first fluid passage  1220  and the second fluid passage  1240 . The partition  1400  interferes with the air flow such that the air flow lines in the fluid passage are bypassed. The partition  1400  provided at the first fluid passage  1220  is referred to as a first partition  1420 , and the partition provided at the second fluid passage  1240  is referred to as a second partition  1440 . 
     The first partition  1420  is positioned inward from the first guide rail  1120  while facing the first guide rail  1120 . For example, the first partition  1420  is provided to extend downward from a ceiling surface forming the first fluid passage  1220 . The first partition  1420  is spaced apart from a bottom surface forming the first fluid passage  1220 . Accordingly, the air flow and the particles introduced through the first guide rail  1120  may be moved in a direction of a bent inner part. 
     The second partition  1440  is positioned under the second guide rail  1140  while facing the second guide rail  1140 . The second partition  1440  is guided to be moved into the third fluid passage  1260  positioned at the central axis after moving an air flow introduced through the second guide rail  1140  away from the central axis of the support structure. Accordingly, the air flow and the particles introduced through the first guide rail  1140  may be moved in a direction of a lower portion which is bent. For example, a plurality of protrusions  1442  and  1444  are provided to protrude between the ceiling surface and the bottom surface forming the second fluid passage  1240 , such that air flow, which flows through the second fluid passage  1240 , is bent. 
     The pressure of the third fluid passage  1260  is reduced by the pressure reducing member  1600 . The pressure reducing member  1600  may be a pump  1600 . The third fluid passage  1260  has a first region  1262  and a second region  1264 . The second region  1264  serve as a central fluid passage positioned at the central axis of the support structure, and a plurality of first regions  1262  are provided to serve as branch fluid passages branching from the second region  1264 . Some of the branch fluid passages  1262  are formed by combining the first fluid passage  1220  and the second fluid passage  1240  which are positioned at one side of the central axis of the support structure  1000 , and other of the branch fluid passages  1262  are formed by combining the first fluid passage  1220  and the second fluid passage  1240  which are positioned at opposite sides of the central axis of the support structure  1000 . The branch fluid passages  1262  is positioned higher than a lower end of the first partition  1400 . Accordingly, the air flow flowing through the first fluid passage  1220  may be primarily bypassed by the first partition  1400  and may be secondarily bypassed due to the height of the branch fluid passage  1262 . 
     According to an embodiment described above, the hand  3420  is supported by the support rod  3423  connected to the plurality of guide rails  1100 . Accordingly, the hand  3420  may be more stably supported as compared with the case that the hand  3420  is supported by the support rod  3423  connected to a single guide rail  1100 . Accordingly, the shaking of the hand  3420  may be minimized in the procedure that the hand  3420  is driven. 
     In addition, the fluid passage communicating with the guide rail  1100  has a bent shape. Accordingly, it is difficult for particles, which are introduced into the exhaust fluid passage, from flowing back. 
     In addition, the fluid passages connected to the guide rails  1100  are combined with the third fluid passage  1260 , and reduced in pressure by the pressure reducing member  1600 . Therefore, a plurality of pressure reducing members  1600  are not necessary to exhaust gas from the fluid passages. 
     A plurality of heat treating chambers  3202  are provided. The heat treating chambers  3202  are arranged in the first direction  12 . The heat treating chambers  3202  are positioned at one side of the transfer chamber  3400 . 
       FIG.  9    is a plan view schematically illustrating a heat treating chamber of  FIG.  4   , and  FIG.  10    is a front view illustrating the heat treating chamber of  FIG.  9   . Referring to  FIGS.  9  and  10   , the heat treating chamber  3202  has a housing  3210 , a cooling unit  3220 , a heating unit  3230 , and a transfer plate  3240 . 
     The housing  3210  substantially has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing  3210  is formed in a sidewall thereof with an entrance (not illustrated) to introduce or withdraw the substrate ‘W’. The entrance may be maintained in an open state. A door (not illustrated) may be provided to selectively open or close the entrance. The cooling unit  3220 , the heating unit  3230 , and the transfer plate  3240  are provided in the housing  3210 . The cooling unit  3220  and the heating unit  3230  are provided side by side along the second direction  14 . According to an embodiment, the cooling unit  3220  may be positioned more closely to the transfer chamber  3400  rather than the heating unit  3230 . 
     The cooling unit  3220  has a cooling plate  3222 . The cooling  3222  may have a circular shape when viewed from above. The cooling plate  3222  has a cooling member  3224 . According to an embodiment, the cooling member  3224  may be formed inside the cooling plate  3222  to serve as a fluid passage through which a cooling fluid flows. 
     The heating unit  3230  has a heating radiation  3232 , a cover  3234 , and a heater  3233 . The heating plate  3232  may have a substantially circular shape when viewed from above. The heating plate  3232  may has a diameter larger than that of the substrate ‘W’. The heater  3233  is placed in the heating plate  3232 . The heater  3233  may be provided in the form of a heating resistor to which a current is applied. Lift pints  3238  are provided on the heating plate  3232  to be driven in the vertical direction along the third direction  16 . The lift pin  3238  receives the substrate ‘W’ from the conveying unit outside the heating unit  3230  to place the substrate ‘W’ on the heating plate  3232  or lifts the substrate ‘W’ from the heating plate  3232  to transmit the substrate ‘W’ to the transfer unit outside the heating unit  3230 . According to an embodiment, three lift pins  3238  may be provided. The cover  3234  has an inner space having an open top surface. The cover  3234  is positioned above the heating plate  3232 . When the cover  3234  makes contact with the heating plate  3232 , a space surrounded by the cover  3234  and the heating plate  3232  is provided as a heating space to heat the substrate ‘W’. 
     The transfer plate  3240  is provided in the shape of a substantially circular plate, and has a diameter corresponding to that of the substrate ‘W’. A notch  3244  is formed in one sidewall of the transfer plate  3240 . The notch  3244  may have the shape corresponding to a supporting protrusion  3421   b  formed on the hands  3420  of the transfer robots  3422  and  3424 . In addition, notches  3244  may be provided in number corresponding to the number of supporting protrusions  3421   b  formed on the hand  3420  and may be formed at positions corresponding to the supporting protrusions  3421   b . When the vertical positions of the hand  3420  and the transfer plate  3240  are changed in the state that the hand  3420  and the transfer plate  3240  are aligned in the vertical direction, the substrate ‘W’ is transferred between the hand  3420  and the transfer plate  3240 . The transfer plate  3240  may be mounted on the guide rail  3249 , and may move between the first area  3212  and the second area  3214  along the guide rail  3249  by the driver  3246 . A plurality of guide grooves  3242  are provided in the shape of a slit in the transfer plate  3240 . The guide groove  3242  extends from an end portion of the transfer plate  3240  to an inner part of the transfer plate  3240 . The longitudinal direction of the guide groove  3242  is provided in the second direction  14 , and the guide grooves  3242  are positioned to be spaced apart from each other in the first direction  12 . The guide groove  3242  prevents the interference between the transfer plate  3240  and the lift pin  1340  when the substrate ‘W’ is transferred between the transfer plate  3240  and the heating unit  3230 . 
     The heating of the substrate ‘W’ is achieved when the substrate ‘W’ is directly placed on the support plate  1320 , and the cooling of the substrate ‘W’ is achieved in the state that the transfer plate  3240  having the substrate ‘W’ makes contact with the cooling plate  3222 . The transfer plate  3240  is formed of a material having a heat transfer coefficient such that heat is smoothly transferred between the cooling plate  3222  and the substrate ‘W’. According to an embodiment, the transfer plate  3240  may be formed of a metallic material. 
     Heating units  3230  provided in some of the heat treating chambers  3200  may improve the attachment rate of the photoresist to the substrate ‘W’ by feeding gas during the heating of the substrate ‘W’. According to an example, the gas may include hexamethyldisilane gas. 
     A plurality of liquid treating chambers  3600  are provided. Some of the liquid treating chambers  3600  may be provided to be stacked on each other. The heat treating chambers  3600  are positioned at one side of the transfer chamber  3402 . The liquid treating chambers  3600  are arranged side by side in the first direction  12 . Some of the liquid treating chambers  3600  are provided in a position adjacent to the index module  20 . Hereinafter, these liquid treating chambers are referred to as front liquid treating chambers. Others of the liquid treating chambers  3600  are provided in a position adjacent to the interface module  40 . Hereinafter, these liquid treating chambers are referred to as rear liquid treating chambers  3604 . 
     A first liquid is coated on the substrate ‘W’ in the front liquid treating chamber  3602 , and a second liquid is coated on the substrate ‘W’ in the rear liquid treating chamber  3604 . The first liquid may be different from the second liquid. According to an embodiment, the first liquid is an anti-reflective liquid, and the second liquid is photoresist. The photoresist may be coated on the substrate ‘W’ having an anti-reflective film. Alternatively, the first liquid may be photoresist and the second liquid may be an anti-reflective liquid. In this case, the anti-reflective liquid may be coated onto the substrate ‘W’ coated with photoresist. Alternatively, the first liquid and the second liquid may be the same type of liquids, and all the first liquid and the second liquid may be photoresists. 
       FIG.  11    is a view schematically illustrating a liquid treating chamber of  FIG.  4   . Referring to  FIG.  11   , the liquid treating chamber  3600  has a housing  3610 , a cup  3620 , a substrate support unit  3640 , and a liquid supply unit  3660 . The housing  3610  substantially has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing  3610  is formed in a sidewall thereof with an entrance (not illustrated) to introduce or withdraw the substrate ‘W’. The entrance may be open by a door (not illustrated). The cup  3620 , the substrate support unit  3640 , and the liquid supply unit  3660  are provided in the housing  3610 . A fan filter unit  3670  may be provided on a top wall of the housing  3610  to form a descending current inside the housing  3260 . The cup  3620  has a treatment space having an open upper portion. The substrate support unit  3640  is provided in the treatment space to support the substrate ‘W’. The substrate support unit  3640  is provided such that the substrate ‘W’ is rotatable during the liquid treatment. The liquid supply unit  3660  supplies liquid to the substrate ‘W’ supported by the substrate support unit  3640 . 
     The nozzle  3662  supplies liquid on the substrate ‘W’ at a process position facing the substrate supported by the substrate support unit. For example, the liquid may be a photosensitive liquid such as a photoresist. The process position may be a position in which the nozzle  3662  may discharge the photoresist to the center of the substrate. 
     Referring back to  FIGS.  3  and  4   , a plurality of buffer chambers  3800  are provided. Some of buffer chambers  3800  are interposed between the index module  20  and the transfer chamber  3400 . Hereinafter, the buffer chamber is referred to as a front buffer. A plurality of front buffers  3802  are provided and stacked on each other in the vertical direction. Others of the buffer chambers  3802  and  3804  are interposed between the transfer chamber  3400  and the interface module  40 . The buffer chambers are referred to as a rear buffer  3804 . A plurality of front buffers  3804  are provided and stacked on each other in the vertical direction. The front buffers  3802  and the rear buffers  3804  temporarily store a plurality of substrates ‘W’. The substrate ‘W’ stored in the front buffer  3802  is introduced and withdrawn by the index robot  2200  and the transfer robot  3422 . The substrate ‘W’ stored in the rear buffer  3804  is introduced and withdrawn by the transfer robot  3422  and the first robot  4602 . 
     The developing block  30   b  has the heat treating chamber  3200 , the transfer chamber  3400 , and the liquid treating chamber  3600 . The heat treating chamber  3200 , and the transfer chamber  3400  in the developing block  30   b  have the structures and the arrangement substantially similar to those of the heat treating chamber  3200  and the transfer chamber  3400  in the coating block  30   a , so the details thereof will be omitted. 
     However, all the liquid treating chambers  3600  in the developing block  30   b  supply the same developing liquid such that the substrate ‘W’ is subject to the developing treatment. 
     The interface module  40  connects the treating module  30  with an external exposing device  50 . The interface module  40  has an interface frame  4100 , an additional process chamber  4200 , an interface buffer  4400 , and a transfer member  4600 . 
     A fan filter unit may be provided on the upper end of the interface frame  4100  to form a descending air stream in the interface frame  4100 . The additional process chamber  4200 , the interface buffer  4400 , and the transfer member  4600  are provided inside the interface frame  4100 . The substrate ‘W’ subject the process in the coating block  30   a  may be subject to a predetermined additional process in the additional process chamber  4200  before introduced into the exposing device  50 . Alternatively, the substrate ‘W’ subject the process in the exposing device  50  may be subject to a predetermined additional process in the additional process chamber  4200  before introduced into the developing block  30   b . According to an embodiment, the additional process may be an edge exposing process to expose an edge area of the substrate ‘W’, a top surface cleaning process to clean the top surface of the substrate ‘W’, or a bottom surface cleaning process to clean the bottom surface of the substrate ‘W’. A plurality of additional process chambers  4200  may be provided and may be provided to be stacked on each other. All the additional process chambers  4200  may be provided to perform the same process. Alternatively, some of the additional process chambers  4200  may be provided to perform mutually different processes. 
     The interface buffer  4400  provides a space to temporarily stay the substrate ‘W’, which is transferred among the interface buffer  4400 , the coating block  30   a , the additional process chamber  4200 , the exposing device  50 , and the developing block  30   b . A plurality of interface buffers  4400  are provided and may be provided to be stacked on each other. 
     According to an embodiment, when viewed based on a line extending in the longitudinal direction of the transfer chamber  3400 , the additional process chamber  4200  may be disposed at one side, and the interface buffer  4400  may be disposed at an opposite side. 
     The transfer member  4600  transfers the substrate ‘W’ among the coating block  30   a , the additional process chamber  4200 , the exposing device  50 , and the developing block  30   b . The transfer member  4600  may be provided with one or a plurality of robots. According to an embodiment, the transfer member  4600  has a first robot  4602  and a second robot  4606 . The first robot  4602  may be provided to transfer the substrate ‘W’ among the coating block  30   a , the additional process chamber  4200 , and the interface buffer  4400 , and the interface robot  4606  may be provided to carry the substrate ‘W’ between the interface buffer  4400  and the exposing device  50 , and the second robot  4604  may be provided to carry the substrate ‘W’ between the interface buffer  4400  and the developing block  30   b.    
     The first robot  4602  and the second robot  4606  may include hands in which the substrate ‘W’ is placed, and the hands may be provided to be movable forward and backward, rotatable about an axis parallel to the third direction  16 , and movable in the third direction  16 . 
     The hands of the index robot  2200 , the first robot  4602 , and the second robot  4606  may be all provided in the same shape as the hand  3420  of the transport robot  3342 . Alternatively, the hand of the robot to directly transfer and receive the substrate ‘W’ together with the transfer plate  3240  of the heat treating chamber are provided in the same shapes as those of the hand  3420  of the transfer robot  3422 , and the hand of the remaining robot may be provided in the shape different from the shapes. 
     According to an embodiment, the index robot  2200  may be provided to directly transmit and receive the substrate ‘W’ together with the heating unit  3230  of the front heat treating chamber  3200  provided in the coating block  30   a.    
     In addition, the transfer robot  3342  provided in the coating block  30   a  and the developing block  30   b  may be provided to directly exchange the substrate ‘W’ with the transfer plate  3240  positioned in the heat treating chamber  3200 . 
     According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the plurality of fluid passages communicating with the guide rail are combined with each other in the support structure, and the pressure of the fluid passages is reduced by the pressure reducing member. Accordingly, the particles produced in the procedure of operating the hand may be suctioned and removed. 
     In addition, according to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the fluid passage is provided to be bent. Accordingly, the particles may be prevented from flowing back. 
     In addition, according to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the hand is supported by the support rod connected to the plurality of guide rails. Accordingly, the hand may be stably supported. 
     The above description has been made for the illustrative purpose. Furthermore, the above-mentioned contents describe the exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, and the inventive concept may be used in various other combinations, changes, and environments. That is, the inventive concept can be modified and corrected without departing from the scope of the inventive concept that is disclosed in the specification, the equivalent scope to the written disclosures, and/or the technical or knowledge range of those skilled in the art. The written embodiment describes the best state for implementing the technical spirit of the inventive concept, and various changes required in the detailed application fields and purposes of the inventive concept can be made. The written embodiment describes the best state for implementing the technical spirit of the inventive concept, and various changes required in the detailed application fields and purposes of the inventive concept can be made. Furthermore, it should be construed that the attached claims include other embodiments.