Patent Publication Number: US-2007117400-A1

Title: Substrate treating apparatus

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
      The present invention relates to a substrate processing apparatus that performs prescribed substrate processing, such as coating of a resist solution or developing after exposure to light, by applying a process solution on a surface of a substrate, such as a semiconductor wafer or an LCD substrate (glass substrate for liquid crystal display).  
     BACKGROUND ART  
      In a manufacturing process of a semiconductor device, photolithography is used, where a substrate such as a semiconductor wafer (hereinafter, referred to as a “wafer”) is coated with a resist solution, and the resist film is exposed to light using a photo mask and then developed to thereby form a desired resist pattern on the substrate. Such processing is generally carried out using a substrate processing apparatus having a light exposure device connected to a coating and developing device used for coating of the resist solution and developing.  
      In order to reduce the area occupied by the apparatus while ensuring high throughput, the substrate processing apparatus is configured such that different kinds of processing, such as coating, developing, and heating/cooling, are performed on a substrate using separate units, and a required number of such units for each processing are incorporated in the apparatus. Transfer means for loading/unloading a substrate to/from each process unit is also provided.  
      An example of such a substrate processing apparatus will be described with reference to a configuration of Patent Document 1. In the figure,  11  represents a carrier stage  11  to/from which a carrier  10  containing 25 wafers W, for example, is loaded/unloaded. For example, three process blocks  12 A,  12 B,  12 C are connected to carrier stage  11 , and a light exposure device  12 E is connected to the third process block  12 C via an interface block  12 D. Process blocks  12 A,  12 B,  12 C include transfer means  13 A,  13 B,  13 C, respectively, at the centers, and around the means, first and second process blocks  12 A,  12 B have coating units  14 A,  14 B, respectively, for coating a wafer with a coating solution, third process block  12 C has a developing unit  15  for performing developing of the wafer after exposure to light, and all process blocks  12 A- 12 C include shelf units  16 A- 16 G provided with heating unit, cooling unit, delivery unit and others for performing prescribed heating or cooling processing on the wafer before or after the processing by coating unit  14  or developing unit  15 .  
      In this apparatus, the wafers in carrier  10  on carrier stage  11  are taken out by a delivery arm  17 , and transferred via a delivery unit of shelf unit  16 A to first process block  12 A, and then sequentially transferred to unoccupied process units in first and second process blocks  12 A,  12 B in a prescribed order to be subjected to the coating processing of the resist solution, and then transferred via process block  12 C and interface block  12 D to light exposure device  12 E, where prescribed light exposure processing is performed. Thereafter, the wafers are again transferred to unoccupied process units in third process block  12 C in a prescribed order to be subjected to the developing processing. Before and after the coating and developing processing, heating and cooling processing is carried out in unoccupied process units. Here, delivery of the wafers between first process block  12 A and second process block  12 B, between second process block  12 B and third process block  12 C, and between third process block  12 C and interface block  12 D is carried out via delivery units of shelf units  16 C,  16 E and  16 G, respectively.  
      Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2000-124124 (see FIG. 2)  
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION  
      Problems to be Solved by the Invention  
      The above-described coating and developing device is shipped as a device having processing capability consistent with the quantity of items to be processed by light exposure device  12 E from the beginning. For example, the number of process units for each processing and arrangement of the process units are designed to ensure throughput considered in advance in accordance with the maximum processing capability of light exposure device  12 E, and the maximum value of the quantity of items to be processed is set, e.g., to about 150 items per hour.  
      In practice, however, the quantity of items to be processed immediately after shipment of light exposure device  12 E is about 50 items per hour, and with recent advance of the miniaturization process, condition setting of light exposure device  12 E has become difficult, and more than one year is required for adjustment in order to increase the quantity of items to be processed to about 100 items per hour. This means that the coating and developing device is shipped as a device having processing capability of more than required level, which involves an excess initial investment, and hence, unnecessary investment at the time of shipping.  
      As such, in the coating and developing device as well, it would be practical to considerably increase the quantity of items to be processed from about 50 items per hour to about 100 items per hour in a stepwise manner, to be consistent with the throughput of light exposure device  12 E. Practically in the coating and developing device, however, a series of processing are carried out using first through third process blocks  12 A- 12 C as a whole, and therefore, transfer means  13 A- 13 C provided at respective process blocks  12 A- 12 C need to transfer the wafers not only within corresponding process blocks  12 A- 12 C, but also transfer means  13 A of first process block  12 A needs to transfer wafers between first and second process blocks  12 A and  12 B, second process block  12 B needs to transfer wafers between second and third process blocks  12 B and  12 C, and third process block  12 C needs to transfer wafers between third process block  12 C and interface block  12 D. As the load of transfer means  13 A- 13 C are thus large, if it is tried to increase the quantity of total items to be processed by the coating and developing device to about 100 items, customization would not be easy.  
      Further, the quantity of the items required to be processed differs in different manufacturers to which the device is to be shipped, and the baking processing in the heating unit and the developing time differ particularly. In the case where a series of processing is to be performed using first through third process blocks  12 A- 12 C as a whole, as described above, the difference in processing time in each process unit would considerably affect the transfer program of transfer means  13 A- 13 C, leading to complicated customization in quantity of processed items for each manufacturer. Still further, the coating and developing device has conventionally been used as a device dedicated to prescribed item type, and different devices have been prepared for different types of processing. However, recently there is a demand for a single device to handle production of various kinds of items in small quantities.  
      The present invention has been made in view of the foregoing circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a substrate processing apparatus that can easily address the increase/decrease in quantity of substrates to be processed as well as the change in type thereof.  
      Means for Solving the Problems  
      Accordingly, the substrate processing apparatus of the present invention includes: a carrier block including a carrier placement portion to/from which a substrate carrier storing a plurality of substrates is loaded/unloaded, and first transfer means for performing delivery of the substrate with respect to the substrate carrier placed on the carrier placement portion; second transfer means provided adjacent to the carrier block and for transferring the substrate along a linear transfer path; a first delivery stage for performing delivery of the substrate between the first transfer means and the second transfer means; and a plurality of process blocks arranged along the transfer path and freely attachable/detachable with respect to a main body of the apparatus; wherein each process block includes a coating unit for applying a resist solution to the substrate, a developing unit for performing developing processing on the substrate after exposure to light, a heating unit for heating the substrate, third transfer means for transferring the substrate between the units, and a second delivery stage for performing delivery of the substrate between the second transfer means and the third transfer means, and wherein application of the resist solution to the substrate and/or the developing processing after exposure to light is performed in units of the respective process blocks.  
      Here, the substrate processing apparatus may be configured such that an interface portion to which a light exposure device is connected is connected to a side of the transfer path opposite to the side connected to the carrier block. Alternatively, it may be configured such that an interface portion to which a light exposure device is connected is connected to a side of the transfer path opposite to the side connected to the process blocks.  
      Another substrate processing apparatus according to the present invention includes: a carrier block including a carrier placement portion to/from which a substrate carrier storing a plurality of substrates is loaded/unloaded, and first transfer means for performing delivery of the substrate with respect to the substrate carrier placed on the carrier placement portion; second transfer means provided adjacent to the carrier block and for transferring the substrate along a linear transfer path; a first delivery stage for performing delivery of the substrate between the first transfer means and the second transfer means; and a plurality of process blocks arranged along the transfer path and freely attachable/detachable with respect to a main body of the apparatus; wherein each process block includes a liquid process unit performing processing with a chemical solution on the substrate, a heating unit for heating the substrate, third transfer means for transferring the substrate between the units, and a second delivery stage for performing delivery of the substrate between the second transfer means and the third transfer means, and wherein a series of processing are performed on the substrate in units of the respective process blocks. Here, the liquid process unit is for performing processing of forming a coating film, for example, and further, the liquid process unit is for applying a chemical solution including precursor of an insulating film to the substrate.  
      In such a substrate processing apparatus, the process block is provided to be freely attachable/detachable with respect to the main body of the apparatus, and a series of processing are performed on the substrate in units of process blocks. Thus, in the case where it is desired to considerably increase/decrease the quantity of the substrates to be processed, it is possible to address the situation by attaching/detaching the process block to/from the main body of the apparatus. Further, since the processing is completed in each process block, it is readily possible to address the change in type of items by changing the process block.  
      In the substrate processing apparatus according to the present invention, it is desirable that the plurality of process blocks are formed to have the same size in two dimensions. Further, it is desirable that the second transfer means is provided in a transfer block extending along arrangement of the plurality of process blocks, and that each process block is configured to be attachable/detachable with respect to the transfer block. Further, it may be configured to include a positioning member provided at a bottom portion or a side portion of a region where the process block is to be arranged, for use in positioning the process block. Alternatively, it may be configured to include a guide member provided at a bottom portion or a side portion of a region where the process block is to be arranged, for use in drawing the process block, and a positioning member provided for positioning the process block to the guide member.  
      Further, it may be configured such that each process block includes a plurality of utility lines for taking in utilities from the outside, and connection ends of the respective utility lines configured to be attachable/detachable with respect to connection ends of corresponding utility lines on the outside. Furthermore, the connection ends on the external side may be provided at a lower side of the second transfer means, and it may be configured such that when the process block is pressed to the second transfer means side, the connection ends on the external side are connected to the connection ends on the process block side. Further, the plurality of utility lines supply utilities different from each other, and each of the plurality of utility lines is branched on a downstream side to be guided to the respective process units. The plurality of utility lines include a supply line of liquid for temperature regulation, a supply line of inactive gas, an electric supply line, a signal line, and a chemical solution supply tube.  
      Effects of the Invention  
      According to the substrate processing apparatus of the present invention, it is readily possible to address an increase/decrease in quantity of the substrates to be processed and a change in type thereof. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a top plan view showing a substrate processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the substrate processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 3  is a side cross sectional view of the substrate processing apparatus.  
       FIG. 4  is a side cross sectional view of the substrate processing apparatus.  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing the interior of the process block of the substrate processing apparatus.  
       FIG. 6A  illustrates connection of utility lines between the transfer block and the process block in the substrate processing apparatus.  
       FIG. 6B  illustrates connection of the utility lines between the transfer block and the process block in the substrate processing apparatus.  
       FIG. 7  is a top plan view showing how a process block is added to the substrate processing apparatus.  
       FIG. 8A  is a top plan view illustrating connection between the transfer block and the process block in the substrate processing apparatus.  
       FIG. 8B  is a top plan view illustrating connection between the transfer block and the process block in the substrate processing apparatus.  
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view illustrating connection between the transfer block and the process block in the substrate processing apparatus.  
       FIG. 10  is a side view illustrating connection between the transfer block and the process block in the substrate processing apparatus.  
       FIG. 11  is a cross sectional view of a coating unit provided in the substrate processing apparatus.  
       FIG. 12  is a cross sectional view of a heating unit (PEB) provided in the substrate processing apparatus.  
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of third transfer means provided in the substrate processing apparatus.  
       FIG. 14  is a top plan view illustrating another embodiment of the substrate processing apparatus of the present invention.  
       FIG. 15  is a side cross sectional view of the substrate processing apparatus.  
       FIG. 16  is a side cross sectional view of the substrate processing apparatus.  
       FIG. 17  is a top plan view illustrating another embodiment of the substrate processing apparatus of the present invention.  
       FIG. 18  is a top plan view of a conventional substrate processing apparatus.  
       FIG. 19  is a top plan view illustrating another embodiment of the substrate processing apparatus of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE SIGNS  
      B 1 : carrier block; B 2 : transfer block; B 3 : first process block; B 4 : second process block; B 5 : interface portion; B 6 : light exposure device; C: substrate carrier;  22 : first transfer means;  23 : second transfer means;  24 : delivery stage;  31 : third transfer means;  32 : coating unit; and  33 : developing unit.  
      Best Modes for Carrying Out the Invention  
      Hereinafter, an embodiment of a substrate processing apparatus of the present invention will be described.  FIG. 1  is a top plan view showing an overall configuration according to an embodiment of the substrate processing apparatus, and  FIG. 2  is a schematic perspective view thereof In the figures, B 1  is a carrier block for loading/unloading a substrate carrier C containing, e.g., 25 substrates, such as semiconductor wafers W. Carrier block B 1  includes a carrier placement portion  21  for placement of substrate carrier C, and first transfer means  22 .  
      On one side of carrier block B 1 , for example on the left end side as seen from the carrier placement portion  21  side, a transfer block B 2  having a transfer path linearly extending in the direction approximately orthogonal to the arrangement direction of carriers C is provided to be connected to carrier block B 1 . First transfer means  22  of carrier block B 1  is configured to be movable left and right, back and forth, up and down and also rotatable about a vertical axis so as to take out a substrate G from substrate carrier C and deliver the relevant substrate G to second transfer means  23  of transfer block B 2 .  
      Here, a first delivery stage  24  is provided at carrier block B 1  in the vicinity of the region connected to transfer block B 2 , for delivering wafer W between first transfer means  22  of carrier block B 1  and second transfer means  23  of transfer block B 2 . This delivery stage  24  is configured in two stages of: a delivery stage for loading, for use in loading wafer W to transfer block B 2 ; and a delivery stage for unloading, for use in unloading wafer W to transfer block B 2 . It is noted that delivery stage  24  may be provided in transfer block B 2  in a region accessible by first transfer means  22 . Alternatively, it may be configured in one stage so that a common delivery stage can be used for loading/unloading wafer W with respect to transfer block B 2 .  
      Transfer block B 2  is provided with a guide rail  25  that constitutes the transfer path linearly extending in the direction approximately orthogonal to the arrangement direction of carriers C. Second transfer means  23  is provided with two holding arms for holding wafers W, for example, and is configured to be movable along guide rail  25  in the direction approximately orthogonal to the arrangement direction of carriers C, movable up and down, movable back and forth, and rotatable about a vertical axis.  
      Further, a plurality of process blocks are provided in a freely attachable/detachable manner with respect to transfer block B 2  constituting the main body of the apparatus, which are arranged along the transfer path of transfer block B 2 . More specifically, at the back of carrier block B 1 , with a prescribed space being left, a first process block B 3  and a second process block B 4  as seen from the carrier block B 1  side are connected to transfer block B 2 . In this example, process blocks B 3  and B 4  are identical to each other, with their parts arranged in identical layout. That is, process blocks B 3  and B 4  are formed to have the same size, and the equal numbers of identical kinds of process units are arranged in process blocks B 3  and B 4  in the same layout so as to perform the identical series of processing on wafers W.  
      Specifically, taking first process block B 3  as a representative and referring also to  FIGS. 3, 4  and  5 , third transfer means  31  is provided at the center of process block B 3 , and to surround the same, for example, a liquid process unit group U 1  having for example two coating units (COT)  32 , two developing units (DEV)  33 , and one anti-reflection coating forming unit (ARC) stacked in multiple stages, e.g., in five stages, is arranged to the right as seen from carrier block B 1  to the back, and shelf units U 2  and U 3  having multiple stages, e.g., six stages and ten stages, respectively, of units related to heating/cooling or the like, are arranged on the front side and the back side, respectively, to the left.  
      Coating unit  32 , developing unit  33  and anti-reflection coating forming unit  34  each constitute the liquid process unit. Coating unit  32  is a unit for performing processing of coating wafer W with a resist solution, developing unit  33  is a unit for performing developing processing by, e.g., forming a puddle of a developing solution on the substrate after exposure to light and keeping the same in that state for a prescribed period of time, and anti-reflection coating forming unit  34  is a unit for forming an anti coating (Bottom-ARC) on the wafer surface before coating of the resist solution, for example. There is a case where after formation of the resist, an anti-reflection coating (Top-ARC) is formed on its surface.  
      Shelf units U 2 , U 3  are each configured by stacking a plurality of units at the region accessible by second transfer means  23  of transfer block B 2 . In this example, there are provided for example three vacuum drying units (VD) for removing solvent included in the coating solution after the liquid processing performed at coating unit  32 , anti-reflection coating forming unit  34  and others, for example four heating units (LHP) for performing prescribed heating processing on wafer W before coating with the resist solution, for example one heating unit (PAB), called a pre-baking unit or the like, for performing heating processing on the wafer after coating with the resist solution, for example two heating units (PEB), called a post-exposure baking unit or the like, for performing heating processing on the wafer W after exposure to light, for example two temperature regulating units (CPL) that are units for adjusting wafer W to a prescribed temperature, and additionally, for example one delivery unit (TRS 1 ) for loading wafer W to process block B 3 , and for example one delivery unit (TRS 2 ) for unloading wafer W from process block S 1 , which are allocated in a vertical direction.  
      These delivery units TRA 1 , TRS 2  correspond to the second delivery stage of the present invention. Although  FIGS. 3-5  show an example of the layout of these units, the number and the types of the units are not limited thereto, and in this example as well, it may be configured to have a single delivery unit to be used for both loading of wafer W to process block B 3  and unloading of wafer W from process block B 3 .  
      Third transfer means  31  is configured to be movable up and down, back and forth, and also rotatable about a vertical axis, as will be described later, and is responsible for transferring substrate G between liquid process unit group U 1  and shelf units U 2 , U 3 . It is noted that second transfer means  22  is not shown in  FIG. 2  for the sake of convenience. Second transfer means  23  is configured to be movable in the horizontal direction in  FIG. 1  along guide rail  25 , movable up and down and back and forth, and rotatable about a vertical axis, as described above, so as to deliver wafer W received from first transfer means  22  to delivery unit TRS 1  (TRS 2 ) of process block B 3 .  
      Further, in this example, at each of the upper side of transfer block B 2 . and the upper side of the region of process block B 3  where third transfer means  31  is provided, a fan filter unit (FFU)  35  formed with a fan having rotary blades and a ULPA filter or a chemical filter is provided. The cleaned air having particles and ammonia components removed by fan filter unit  35  is supplied to the lower side of transfer block B 2  and to the lower side of the region where third transfer means  31  is provided. Further, at each of the upper side of the region in process block B 3  where shelf units U 2 , U 3  are provided, and the upper side of the region in process block B 3  where liquid process unit group U 1  is provided, an electric equipment storing portion (Elec)  36  is provided, in which a driver connected to a motor of transfer means or the like, an I/O board connected to each unit, and a control portion for controlling each unit are stored.  
      A chemical unit U 4  storing tanks of chemical solutions such as a developing solution and a coating solution including an anti-reflection coating forming solution, a liquid for temperature regulation, a developing solution, inactive gas and others, is provided near the floor surface on the lower side of liquid process unit group U 1 , and near the floor surface on the lower side of shelf units U 2 , U 3 , a first utility unit U 5  containing a plurality of utility lines for taking in utilities from the outside is provided. The plurality of utility lines are for supplying different utilities, which are each branched on the downstream side to be guided to the respective process units. More specifically, as shown in  FIGS. 5, 6A  and  6 B for example, utility unit U 5  is provided with a first utility line  41  including supply lines of city water serving as the liquid for temperature regulation, a chemical solution such as a developing solution, inactive gas and dry air, and a second utility line  42  including an electric supply line for activating heating/cooling-related units and liquid process-related units provided in process block B 3 , and signal lines such as I/O signal lines of INPUT/OUTPUT. Here, the tank of the chemical solution in chemical unit U 4  is connected to first utility line  41 .  
      First and second utility lines  41 ,  42  have connection ends  41   a ,  42   a , respectively, configured to be attachable/detachable to/from the connection ends of the corresponding external utility lines. Meanwhile, as shown in  FIG. 7 , transfer block B 2  is provided with a second utility unit U 6  of the external side, corresponding to first utility unit U 5 . This utility unit U 6  has connection ends  41   b ,  42   b  of the external utility lines on the lower side of second transfer means  23  of transfer block B 2  (see  FIG. 3 ). Further, the multiple end side of connection ends  41   b ,  42   b  of the external utility lines of second utility unit U 6  are respectively connected to the supply sources of city water, developing solution, inactive gas and dry air, electric supply cable, I/O signal line and others. When process block B 3  is pressed to the second transfer means  23  side of transfer block B 2 , connection ends  41   b ,  42   b  on the external side (on the transfer block B 2  side) are connected to connection ends  41   a ,  41   b  on the process block B 3  side. Here, the utility lines on the transfer block B 2  side are branched to the respective units via electric equipment storing portion  36 .  
      The side of second process block B 4  opposite to the first process block B 3  side is connected via an interface portion B 5  to a light exposure device B 6 . Further, interface portion B 5  is set to be connected to the side of transfer block B 2  opposite to the side connected to carrier block B 1 . Interface portion B 5  is provided with delivery means  26 , which is configured to be movable up and down, left and right, back and forth, and also rotatable about a vertical axis, for example, so as to deliver substrate G between second transfer means  23  of transfer block B 2  and light exposure device B 6 . Here, at interface portion B 5 , in the vicinity of the region connected to transfer block B 2 , a delivery stage  27  formed in two stages for example is provided for delivering wafer W between delivery means  26  of interface portion B 5  and transfer means  23  of transfer block B 2 . Delivery stage  27  may be provided in transfer block B 2  in the region accessible by second transfer means  23  and by delivery means  26  of interface portion B 5 , or it may be configured with one stage.  
      Further, in this example, the space between carrier block C and first process block B 3  is configured as a space where one process block can be accommodated, which allows mounting of an additional process block B 0 . Here, carrier block B 1  and transfer block B 2  are connected via a rotation shaft  28 . When installing additional process block B 0 , as shown in  FIG. 8A , carrier block B 1  is rotated via rotation shaft  28  to be separate from transfer block B 2 , and additional process block B 0  is transferred in the state where transfer block B 2  and carrier block B 1  are separate from each other, and process block B 0  is drawn toward transfer block B 2  to establish connection between connection ends  41   a ,  42   a  of the utility lines on the process block B 0  side and connection ends  41   b ,  42   b  of the utility lines on the transfer block B 2  side, as described above (see  FIG. 6A ). Additional process block B 0  is attached to transfer block B 2  using a hinge  528 , and then, carrier block B 1  is returned to the original position such that carrier placement portion  21  is adjacent to transfer block B 2  and additional process block B 0 , as shown in  FIG. 8B . That is, carrier block B 1  is capable of rotating about rotation shaft  28  provided at the end of transfer block B 2 . Process blocks B 0 , B 3  and B 4  are attached to transfer block B 2  via hinge  528 , and rotated about hinge  528  to be positioned in place.  
      In this case, as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10  for example, on the lower end side of process block B 0 , casters  43  are attached at the front side and the back side in the traveling direction of process block B 0  (in the direction advancing toward the transfer block B 2  side), at both sides in the width direction as seen from the traveling direction. On the bottom side of transfer block B 2 , a guide plate  44  serving as a guide member is provided, which is narrower than the distance between casters  43  arranged in the width direction, to allow casters  43  to travel on the both sides of guide plate  44 . Further, on the loading side (front side) of guide plate  44  and the loading side (front side) on the lower end side of process block B 0 , securing members  45  ( 45   a ,  45   b ) are provided, which can be engaged in one step when process block B 0  is attached to transfer block B 2 . Securing members  45  also serve as positioning members.  
      In this example, when additionally installing process block B 0 , for example process block B 0  is pulled such that casters  43  move along the respective ends of guide plate  44 , and when process block B 0  and guide plate  44  are positioned by securing members  45  and connected by engagement, connection ends  41   a ,  42   a  of the utility lines on the process block B 0  side and connection ends  41   b ,  42   b  of the utility lines on the external (transfer block B 2 ) side are connected collectively. It is noted that guide plate  44  and securing member  45  provided for pulling in process block B 0  may be provided at the side portion of carrier block B 1  or first process block B 3  to be adjacent to process block B 0 .  
      In  FIG. 3, 29   a ,  29   b  represent loading ports of wafer W formed at positions in transfer block B 2  corresponding to delivery units TRS 1 , TRS 2  of process block B 0 . Second transfer means  23  of transfer block B 2  delivers wafer W via loading ports  29   a ,  29   b  into process block B 0 .  
      Hereinafter, configurations of coating unit  32  and heating unit (PEB) and others provided at process blocks B 3 , B 4  will be described in brief Firstly, coating unit  32  is described with reference to  FIG. 11 . Although the coating unit used may be a known device of a spin coating type where a processing solution is supplied onto the substrate and spread by rotation, herein, a scanning coating device is described by way of example. Wafer W is partially notched at its peripheral portion to provide a notch N indicating the direction of wafer W. In the figure,  51  represents a substrate holding portion, which is configured with an attraction portion  51   a  that attracts the back surface side of wafer W to hold it approximately horizontally, and a drive base body  52 , movable in the X direction, that causes attraction portion  51   a  to be movable up and down and rotatable about a vertical axis. Drive base body  52  has its bottom end supported by a movable body  53 .  
      A ball screw portion  54  is provided near the bottom surface of movable body  53 , which portion is driven by a motor M 1 . When ball screw portion  54  is rotated by motor M 1 , movable body  53  is guided by a rail not shown, to move in the Y direction in the figure. Further, a rail not shown is provided on the upper surface of movable body  53  to guide drive base body  52  in the X direction. With the operations of drive base body  52  and movable body  53 , wafer W held by substrate holding portion  51  is movable to any position in the X and Y directions, respectively. By means of movable body  53 , the rails not shown, ball screw portion  54  and motor M 1 , wafer W is moved back and forth relative to a coating solution nozzle  55  provided on the upper side of wafer W, i.e., wafer W is moved in the Y axis direction in  FIG. 11 .  
      Coating solution nozzle  55  is configured to be movable in the X direction by means of a drive base body  56  of a rectangular shape extending in the X direction, which contains therein a drive pulley, a driven pulley, an endless belt wound around the pulleys, which are not shown, and a motor M 2  for rotating the drive pulley. In the figure,  57  ( 57   a ,  57   b ) represents a pair of liquid receiving portions for receiving the coating solution dropping from the above to prevent the coating solution from being fed to the region of wafer W near the outer periphery.  
      In this coating unit  32 , when coating solution nozzle  55  moves from one end face to the other end face of the wafer, wafer W is moved intermittently, at the corresponding timing, in the direction crossing the same. With repetition of such an operation, the coating solution is applied onto wafer W as if drawing a picture without lifting the pencil from the paper.  
      Anti-reflection coating forming unit  34  is configured similarly to coating unit  32 , for example. The vacuum drying unit (VD), which is the process unit for use in the step following that of coating unit  32 , is configured to heat wafer W to a prescribed temperature while reducing the pressure to a prescribed degree of vacuum in a sealed vessel, for example, to vaporize a solvent within the coating film to thereby form the coating film. Further, developing unit  33  is configured to supply a developing solution from the supply nozzle to the central portion of wafer W along the width in the radial direction of wafer W, to cause wafer W to half turn to create a puddle of the developing solution on wafer W, and to carry out prescribed developing processing by leaving wafer W with the puddle of the developing solution thereon for a prescribed period of time.  
      A post exposure baking unit (PEB) serving as the heating unit will now be described with reference to  FIG. 12 . In a casing  6 , on an upper surface of a stage  60 , a cooling plate  61  is arranged on the front side, and a heating plate  62  provided with a heater  62   a  is arranged on the back side. Cooling plate  61  is used to deliver wafer W between heating plate  62  and third transfer means  31  that advances into casing  6  via an opening portion  63  provided with a shutter  63   a , and also functions to cool the heated wafer W to some extent (rough heat removal) at the time of transfer. Thus, as shown in the figure, a leg portion  61   a  is configured to be movable back and forth in the Y direction along guide means not shown, so that cooling plate  61  can move from the position on the side of opening portion  63  to the position above heating plate  62 . Further, a cooling flow channel not shown is provided on the rear surface of cooling plate  61 .  
      In stage  60 , at the delivery position of wafer W between third transfer means  31  and cooling plate  61 , and at the delivery position of wafer W between heating plate  62  and cooling plate  61 , support pins  64  are provided, which protrude and retreat freely. Cooling plate  61  is provided with slits not shown, to allow raised support pins  64  to penetrate through cooling plate  61  to lift wafer W. In the figure,  66  represents a ventilation room in communication via a fan  66   a , and  67  represents a ventilation hole provided with a fan  67   a.    
      In such a heating unit (PEB), wafer W is delivered from third transfer means  31  onto cooling plate  61 , and then delivered by cooling plate  61  onto heating plate  62 , where prescribed heating processing is carried out. The wafer having undergone the heating processing is returned from heating plate  62  to cooling plate  61 , where it is cooled to some extent, and then received by the third transfer means to be transferred to the next step.  
      The other heating units (LHP), (PAB) each have a configuration provided with only a heating plate for heating wafer W to a prescribed temperature, and temperature regulating unit (CPL) has a configuration provided with only a cooling plate for adjusting wafer W to a prescribed temperature.  
      Third transfer means  31  will now be described with reference to  FIG. 13 . This transfer means  31  is provided with for example three arms  71  for holding wafers W, a base table  72  supporting arms  71  to be freely movable back and forth, a pair of guiding rails  73   a ,  73   b  supporting base table  72  to be freely movable up and down, connecting members  74   a ,  74   b  respectively connecting the upper ends and lower ends of guiding rails  73   a  ,  73   b  , a rotation drive portion  75  integrally attached to connecting member  74   b  at the lower ends of the guiding rails so as to drive a frame body made of guiding rails  73   a ,  73   b  and connecting members  74   a ,  74   b  in a manner rotatable about a vertical axis, and a rotation shaft portion  76  provided at connecting member  74   a  at the upper ends of the guiding rails.  
      Arm  71  is configured with three stages so as to respectively hold wafers W, and has its proximal end portion movable in a sliding manner along the longitudinal direction of the base table. Such back and forth movement of arm  71  by sliding is controlled by drive means not shown. Further, the up and down movement of base table  72  is controlled by another drive means not shown. In this manner, arm  71  is driven to be rotatable about the vertical axis as well as movable up and down and back and forth.  
      The flow of the wafers in such a substrate processing apparatus will now be described taking the case of forming coating films of the same kind for wafers W in first process block B 3  and second process block B 4  as an example. An automatic transfer robot (or an operator) loads carrier C storing 25 wafers W, for example, from the outside onto carrier placement portion  21  of carrier block B 1 . Next, first transfer means  22  takes out the n-th wafer W from within carrier C and delivers the same to delivery stage  24  of carrier block B 1 . Wafer W on delivery stage  24  is delivered by second transfer means  23  of transfer bock B 2  via delivery unit TRS 1  of first process block B 3 , for example, to third transfer means  31 . Similarly, the (n+1)-th wafer W within carrier C is delivered to third transfer means  31  via delivery stage  24  of carrier block B 1 , second transfer means  23  of transfer block B 2 , and via delivery unit TRS 1  of second process block B 4 , for example. In this manner, wafers W within carrier C are delivered sequentially to first process block B 3  and second process block B 4 , for example.  
      Since processing of the same kind, e.g., resist film forming processing, is carried out in units of blocks in first and second process blocks B 3  and B 4  in this example, the flow of wafer W within process block B 3  will be explained taking first process block B 3  as an example. Firstly, wafer W on delivery unit TRS 1  is transferred by third transfer means  31  in the order of temperature regulating unit (CPL)→anti-reflection coating forming unit (Bottom-ARC)  34 →vacuum drying unit (VD), to form an anti-reflection coating, and thereafter, the wafer is transferred in the order of heating unit (LHP)→temperture regulating unit (CPL)→coating unit  32 →vacuum drying unit (VD), to perform coating processing of a resist solution. At this time, in the case of using a conventional spin coating device, the vacuum drying unit (VD) does not necessarily have to be provided depending on the conditions.  
      After prescribed heating processing is carried out in heating unit (PAB), wafer W is delivered to second transfer means  23  of transfer block B 2  via delivery unit TRS 2  for output, and then delivered by second transfer means  23  to delivery stage  27  of interface portion B 5 . Thereafter, wafer W is transferred by delivery means  26  of interface portion B 5  to light exposure device B 6 , where prescribed light exposure processing is carried out.  
      Wafer W having been exposed to light is transferred via delivery means  26  of interface portion B 5 , delivery stage  27 , and second transfer means  23  of transfer block B 2 , back to the original process block where the resist solution was applied, i.e., to first process block B 3  via delivery unit TRS 1  for input provided at process block B 3 . It is then transferred by third transfer means  31  in the order of heating unit (PEB)→temperature regulating unit (CPL)→developing unit  33 , where prescribed developing processing is carried out. Thereafter, it is adjusted to a prescribed temperature by heating unit (LHP), and delivered to second transfer means  23  of transfer block B 2  via delivery unit TRS 2  for output. It is then returned to original carrier C, for example, via delivery stage  24  of carrier block B 1  and first delivery means  22 .  
      Similarly, wafer W having been applied with an anti-reflection coating and a resist solution in second process block B 4  is transferred by second transfer means  23  of transfer block B 2  via interface portion B 5  to light exposure device B 6 , where prescribed light exposure processing is carried out. Thereafter, it is returned via interface portion B 5  and second transfer means  23  to the original process block where the resist solution was applied, i.e., to second process block B 4 , where developing processing is carried out. Thereafter, it is returned to carrier block B 1  via second transfer means  23  of transfer block B 2  and first transfer means  22 .  
      Thus, in this example, wafer W having been applied with the resist solution in first process block B 3  (or second process block B 4 ) is subjected to the developing processing in the relevant block B 3  (B 4 ), so that formation of coating film of one type is carried out in units of blocks in first and second process blocks B 3 , B 4 , and formation of the coating film is completed in the respective process blocks B 3 , B 4 .  
      In this configuration, transfer block B 2  is provided, and second transfer means  23  of the relevant transfer block B 2  performs delivery of wafers W between carrier block B 1  and respective process blocks B 3 , B 4 , and between respective process blocks B 3 , B 4  and interface portion B 5 . Further, in the respective process blocks B 3 , B 4 , parallel processing is carried out for each block. This means that third transfer means  31  of each process block B 3 , B 4  only needs to take charge of transfer of wafer W within the relevant process block B 3 , B 4 , so that the burden of transfer means  31  is alleviated compared to the conventional case. As such, it is less probable that transfer of processed wafer W by transfer means  31  is awaited, which leads to reduction in transfer time and, hence, improvement in throughput of the entire apparatus.  
      Further, the process block is configured to be freely attachable to and detachable from transfer block B 2  (main body of the apparatus). Thus, it is possible to arrange one or two process blocks at the time of shipment, and a process block may be added in accordance with adjustment of the quantity of items to be processed in light exposure device B 6 . More specifically, although the case of increasing the quantity of items to be processed in a process block by about 10 items per hour may be addressed by adjustment in each process block, it is difficult to address the case of increasing the quantity by about 50 items per hour. However, since the quantity of items to be processed in one process block is about 50 items, the total quantity of items to be processed in the whole process blocks can considerably be increased in a stepwise manner from 50 items→100 items→150 items or the like by adding the process block itself, without the need of drastic change of the apparatus. Accordingly, it is possible to minimize the initial investment at the time of shipment as well as the time required for changing the apparatus in response to the increase in quantity of items to be processed.  
      Further, since the processing of one kind is completed in units of process blocks, adjustment and condition setting can be performed in advance before shipment. This can reduce trouble and time of the on-site adjustment work upon installation of an additional process block.  
      Still further, even in the case where the quantity of items required to be processed differs for each manufacturer to which the apparatus is to be shipped, particularly in the case where baking processing in the heating unit or the like differs, the processing is completed in units of process blocks, and thus, all that is needed is to take account of the transfer program of transfer means  31  within the relevant process block. Thus, compared to the conventional case where a series of processing are carried out in first through third process blocks  12 A- 12 C as a whole, the influence of the difference in processing time in each process unit on transfer means  31  is small, so that it is readily possible to perform customization of the quantity of items to be processed for each manufacturer.  
      When adding a process block, connection ends  41   a ,  42   a  of the utility lines on the process block side can be connected collectively to connection ends  4 l b ,  42   b  of the utility lines on the external (transfer block) side as described above, which facilitates the connecting job of the utility systems upon installation of an additional process block.  
      In the present embodiment, the case of performing processing of the same kind in a plurality of process blocks has been described. Alternatively, processing of different kinds may be carried out in the respective process blocks.  
      Further, the substrate processing apparatus of the present invention may be configured as shown in  FIGS. 14-16 . The substrate processing apparatus of this example differs from that of the above-described example only in the internal configuration of first through third process blocks S 1 -S 3 . This substrate processing apparatus will now be described taking the case of performing processing of different kinds in a plurality of process blocks S 1 -S 3  as an example. Three process blocks S 1 -S 3  are formed to have the same size and the same layout of process units arranged therein, although a series of processing of different kinds are performed on wafer W in each block.  
      More specifically, from the front side as seen from carrier block B 1 , two liquid process unit groups  81 A,  81 B each having liquid process-related process units in multiple stages, e.g., five stages, are provided, and on the back side thereof, two shelf units  83 A,  83 B each having heating/cooling-related process units in multiple stages, e.g., ten stages and six stages, respectively, are provided, with third transfer means  82  sandwiched therebetween. Third transfer means  82  delivers wafers W between liquid process unit groups  81 A,  81 B and shelf units  83 A,  83 B. Further, shelf unit  83 A on the transfer block B 2  side is provided with a delivery unit (TRS 1 , TRS 2 ) at the position accessible by second transfer means  23  of transfer block B 2 , serving as the delivery stage for delivering wafers W between second transfer means  23  and third transfer means  82 .  
      In first process block S 1 , in order for the processing of forming, e.g., the lower-layer anti-reflection coating (BARC), the resist film and the upper-layer anti-reflection coating (TARC) to be performed on wafer W, for example one lower-layer anti-reflection coating forming unit (BARC), one coating unit (COT), one upper-layer anti-reflection coating forming unit (TARC),and two developing units (DEV) are arranged in liquid process unit groups  81 A,  81 B, and in shelf units  82 A,  82 B, for example three vacuum drying units (VD), for example three heating units (LHP), for example one heating unit (PAB), for example two heating units (PEB), for example three temperature regulating units (CPL), and additionally, two delivery units (TRS 1 , TRS 2 ) are arranged in a vertical direction.  
      In second process block S 2 , in order for the processing of forming, e.g., the resist film and the upper-layer anti-reflection coating to be performed on wafer W, for example one coating unit (COT), one upper-layer anti-reflection coating forming unit (TARC) and two developing units (DEV) are arranged in liquid process unit groups  81 A,  81 B, and in shelf units  82 A,  82 B, for example one hydrophobic process unit (ADH), two vacuum drying units (VD), for example two heating units (LHP), for example one heating unit (PAB), for example two heating units (PEB), for example three temperature regulating units (CPL), and additionally, for example two delivery units (TRS 1 , TRS 2 ) are arranged in a vertical direction.  
      In third process block S 3 , in order for the processing of forming, e.g., the lower-layer anti-reflection coating and the resist film to be performed on wafer W, for example one coating unit (COT), one lower-layer anti-reflection coating forming unit (BARC), and two developing units (DEV) are arranged in liquid process unit groups  81 A,  81 B, and in shelf units  82 A,  82 B, for example two vacuum drying units (VD), for example three heating units (LHP), for example one heating unit (PAB), for example two heating units (PEB), for example three temperature regulating units (CPL), and additionally, for example two delivery units (TRS 1 , TRS 2 ) are arranged in a vertical direction. The other configuration is identical to that of the above-described substrate processing apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 .  
      The flow of wafers W in this substrate processing apparatus will now be explained, taking the case where wafer W 1  to be subjected to first processing, wafer W 2  to be subjected to second processing and wafer W 3  to be subjected to third processing are stored in the same carrier C as an example. Firstly, wafer W 1  to be subjected to the first processing is taken out by first transfer means  22  from within carrier C 1  loaded to carrier placement portion  21  of carrier block B 1 , and is delivered to delivery stage  24  of carrier block B 1 .  
      Wafer W on this delivery stage  24  is delivered by second transfer means  23  of transfer block B 2  via delivery unit TRS 1  of shelf unit  83 A of first process block S 1  to third transfer means  31 , for example, and in process block S 1 , it is transferred in the order of, e.g., temperature regulating unit (CPL)→lower-layer anti-reflection coating forming unit (BARC)→vacuum drying unit (VD), to form the lower-layer anti-reflection coating, and thereafter, it is transferred in the order of heating unit (LHP)→temperature regulating unit (CPL)→coating unit→vacuum drying unit (VD), to perform the resist solution coating processing. Thereafter, it is transferred in the order of heating unit (PAB)→temperature regulating unit (CPL)→upper-layer anti-reflection coating forming unit (TARC)→vacuum drying unit (VD)→heating unit (LHP), to form the upper-layer anti-reflection coating, and then transferred along the path of delivery unit TRS 2  for output→second transfer means  23  of transfer block B 2  →delivery stage  27  of interface portion B 5 →delivery means  26 →light exposure device B 6 , where prescribed light exposure processing is carried out.  
      Next, wafer W having been exposed to light is transferred along the path of delivery means  26  of interface portion B 5 →delivery stage  27 →second transfer means  23 , back to the original process block where the resist solution was applied, i.e., first process block S 1  via delivery unit TRS 1  for input of the relevant process block S 1 , where it is transferred to heating unit (PEB)→temperature regulating unit (CPL)→developing unit (DEV), to be subjected to prescribed developing processing, and then is adjusted to a prescribed temperature at heating unit (LHP). Wafer W having thus undergone the first processing of forming the lower-layer anti-reflection coating, the resist film and the upper-layer anti-reflection coating, is returned to the original carrier C, for example, along the path of delivery unit TRS 2  for output→second transfer means  23 →delivery stage  24  of carrier block B 1 →first delivery means  22 .  
      Further, wafer W 2  taken out of the same carrier C to be subjected to the second processing is delivered by second transfer means  23  via delivery stage  24  of carrier block B 1  to third transfer means  31  of second process block S 2  via delivery unit TRS 1  for example, and in process block S 2 , it is transferred in the order of, e.g., hydrophobic process unit (ADH)→temperature regulating unit (CPL)→coating unit (COT)→vacuum drying unit (VD), to be subjected to resist solution coating processing. Thereafter, it is transferred in the order of heating unit (PAB)→temperature regulating unit (CPL)→upper-layer anti-reflection coating forming unit (TARC)→vacuum drying unit (VD)→heating unit (LHP), to form the upper-layer anti-reflection coating, and then transferred along the path of delivery unit TRS 2  for output→second transfer means  23  of transfer block B→delivery stage  27  of interface portion B 5 →delivery means  26 →light exposure device B 6 , where prescribed light exposure processing is carried out.  
      Thereafter, wafer W having been exposed to light is transferred along the path identical to the case of the above-described first processing, to second process block S 2  where the coating of the resist solution and formation of the upper-layer anti-reflection coating were carried out, and is subjected to prescribed developing processing. Wafer W having thus undergone the second processing of forming the resist film and the upper-layer anti-reflection coating is returned to the original carrier C, for example.  
      Further, wafer W 3  taken out from the same carrier C to be subjected to the third processing is delivered by second transfer means  23  via delivery stage  24  of carrier block B 1  to third transfer means  31  via delivery unit TRS 1  of third process block S 3  for example, and in process block S 3 , it is transferred in the order of, e.g., temperature regulating unit (CPL)→lower-layer anti-reflection coating forming unit (BARC)→vacuum drying unit (VD)→heating unit (LHP), to form the lower-layer anti-reflection coating, and then transferred in the order of temperature regulating unit (CPL)→coating unit (COT)→vacuum drying unit (VD)→heating unit (PAB), to be subjected to the resist solution coating processing. Thereafter, it is transferred along the path of delivery unit TRS 2  for output→second transfer means  23  of transfer block B→delivery stage  27  of interface portion B 5 →delivery means  26 →light exposure device B 6 , where prescribed light exposure processing is carried out.  
      Next, wafer W having been exposed to light is transferred along the path identical to the case of the above-described first processing, to third process block S 3  where the coating of resist solution and formation of the lower-layer anti-reflection coating were carried out, where prescribed developing processing is carried out, and then, wafer W having thus undergone the third processing of forming the lower-layer anti-reflection coating and the resist film is returned to the original carrier C, for example.  
      It is noted that in the above-described first through third processing as well, if a configuration of spin coating type is used as the coating unit, the processing in the vacuum drying unit (VD) does not necessarily have to be carried out.  
      In this configuration, a series of processing of different kinds are completed in units of process blocks B, and thus, the case of expanding the kinds of items can be addressed by adding a process block B corresponding to the new kind of item, which ensures a great degree of freedom of processing carried out in the relevant apparatus. Accordingly, it is possible to address the production of various kinds of items in small quantities as in the case of, e.g., mounting wafers to be subjected to different kinds of processing in the same carrier C, as explained in the above embodiment.  
      It is also possible to set such that processing of different kinds is carried out for different carriers C. In this case, carrier C 1  storing wafer W 1  to be subjected to first processing, carrier C 2  storing wafer W 2  to be subjected to second processing, and carrier C 3  storing wafer W 2  to be subjected to third processing may be placed on carrier placement portion  21 , for example, and first transfer means  22  may take out wafers W 1 -W 3  sequentially from carriers C 1 -C 3 , and second transfer means  23  may transfer them to corresponding process blocks C 1 -C 3 , and after prescribed processing is carried out in the respective process blocks S 1 -S 3 , the wafers may be returned to the corresponding original carriers C 1 -C 3  by second transfer means  23  and first transfer means  22 . It is noted that delivery stage  27  may be provided with a temperature regulating function for keeping wafer W at a uniform substrate temperature before delivery, or a plurality of stages may be provided.  
      In the present embodiment, process blocks having lower-layer anti-reflection coating forming units (BASC), coating units (COT), upper-layer anti-reflection coating forming units (TARC), vacuum drying units (VD), heating units (LHP), heating units (PAB), heating units (PEB), temperature regulating units (CPL), and delivery units (TRS 1 , TRS 2 ) arranged in the same number and in the same layout may be prepared as process blocks S 1 -S 3 , for example, and the required process units may be used in each of process blocks S 1 -S 3 . In this case, the respective process units are mounted in advance in the maximum required number.  
      Further, the substrate processing apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the configuration where light exposure device B 6  is connected via interface portion B 5  to the side of transfer block B 2  opposite to the side connected to carrier block B 1 . It may be configured as shown in  FIG. 17  for example, such that light exposure device B 6  is connected via interface portion B 5  to the side of transfer block B 2  opposite to the side connected to process blocks B 0 , B 3 , B 4 . In this case, as shown in  FIG. 17  for example, interface portion B 5  is provided with a delivery stage  92  for delivering wafers W between second transfer means  23  of transfer block B 2  and delivery means  91  of interface portion B 5 . Here, the layout in each process block may be as shown in  FIG. 1 , or as shown in  FIG. 14 .  
      Further, in the present invention, the apparatus capable of accommodating three process blocks may be shipped in the state where two process blocks are connected, and another process block may be added later in response to an increase in quantity of items to be processed. Alternatively, it may be configured to mount two or three process blocks, without providing an empty space for a process block from the beginning. Even in the configuration not provided with an empty space for a process block, it is possible to add a new process unit in later stage. In such a case, although it is necessary to extend the transfer path when adding the new process block to shift the position of the light exposure device, the light exposure device using electron beam (EB) can be moved later, so that this manner is effective as well.  
      Still further, in the present invention, it may be configured such that process blocks are allocated corresponding to lots of wafers W, and wafers W may be transferred to the respective process blocks such that wafers W of the first lot are processed at first processing bock B 3  and wafers W of the second lot are processed at second process block B 4 .  
      In the present invention, besides the configuration where the light exposure device is connected to the process block(s), the light exposure device may be separated from the process block(s) and provided at a different location. In this case, wafer W in carrier C of carrier block B 1  is transferred via first and second transfer means to a prescribed process block to be subjected to resist solution coating processing, for example, and then returned to carrier block B 1  again via the second and first transfer means, and thereafter, the relevant wafer W is transferred to the light exposure device arranged at the different location to be subjected to prescribed light exposure processing. Wafer W having undergone the light exposure processing is returned via carrier block B 1  and the first and second transfer means to the original process block where the resist solution was applied, and prescribed developing processing is carried out therein. It is then again returned via the second and first transfer means to the original carrier C within carrier block B 1 .  
      Further, in the substrate processing apparatus of the present invention, a heating unit (PEB) may be mounted in interface portion B 5 , for example, and wafer W having undergone the light exposure processing in light exposure device B 6  may be transferred preferentially to the heating unit (PEB) within a prescribed period of time by delivery means  26 . In this case, besides delivery means  26  in interface portion B 5 , a transfer arm dedicated to transfer via light exposure device B 6 →heating unit (PEB) may be provided.  
      Still further, in the substrate processing apparatus of the present invention, the plurality of process blocks may be configured to have internal process units of different kinds, different numbers and different layouts, as long as they have the same size in two dimensions. Furthermore, the processing of the same kind or the processing of different kinds may be carried out in the plurality of process blocks, as described above. It may be configured not to include a light exposure device, or it may be applied to processing using an interlayer insulating film, for example, or to processing of forming a SOG (Spin On Glass) film on the substrate. In the present invention, the substrate is not limited to the semiconductor wafer, but may be, e.g., a glass substrate for a liquid crystal display, or a photo-mask substrate.  
      Further, it may be configured to include a plurality of light exposure devices.  FIG. 19  shows an example for sharing the light exposure devices. Light exposure devices B 6  include an ArF exposure machine and a KrF exposure machine, and a distance L between two light exposure devices B 6  is not less than 1000 mm. Both light exposure devices B 6  are connected to a coating and developing device via interface portion B 5 . A space permitting operation and maintenance is secured between light exposure devices B 6 . The exposure machines are capable of simultaneous processing, and process blocks B 3 , B 4 , B 5  having PRB of coating and developing therefor are connected. When an EB (electron beam) exposure machine is connected as light exposure device B 6  for production of various kinds of items with small quantities, parallel processing by the light exposure machines can realize improvement of TP (throughput). It is noted that in  FIG. 19 , the lots of wafers are introduced from a loading path  700  to carrier block B 1  having a carrier station CS, and then introduced to process blocks B 3 , B 4 , B 5  via second transfer means  23  incorporated in a docking station DS.