Patent ID: 12205831

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF NON-LIMITING EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

A cleaning apparatus according to a first aspect of an embodiment includes:a cleaning tank that defines a cleaning space for cleaning a wafer;a wafer rotation mechanism that is arranged inside the cleaning tank and holds and rotates the wafer;a cleaning member that contacts and cleans a surface of the wafer, is rotatable around a central axis extending in a lateral direction, and has a length in an axial direction longer than a radius of the wafer;a swing mechanism that swings the cleaning member around a swing axis located inside the cleaning tank to move the cleaning member from a retracted position outside of the wafer to a cleaning position directly above the wafer;a second cleaning means that cleans the surface of the wafer; anda second swing mechanism that swings the second cleaning means around a second swing axis located inside the cleaning tank to pass directly above a center of the wafer.

According to this aspect, even if the cleaning member is a long member that is longer than the radius of the wafer, the cleaning member is moved from the retracted position to the cleaning position by swinging around the swing axis, so that it is possible to reduce a space required for moving the cleaning member from the cleaning position to the retracted position (a space through which the cleaning member passes) as compared with the case where the cleaning member is linearly moved (run) from the retracted position to the cleaning position. Additionally, since the swing axis is located inside the cleaning tank, it is not required to form an opening for running on the side wall of the cleaning tank. Therefore, in the cleaning apparatus capable of moving the cleaning member from the retracted position to the cleaning position, it is possible to reduce the footprint of the cleaning tank without forming an opening for running on the side wall of the cleaning tank. Further, since it is not required to form an opening for running on the side wall of the cleaning tank, it is possible to correct the leakage of the chemical liquid atmosphere to the outside of the cleaning tank. Moreover, the cleaning member that is swung around the swing axis and moved from the retracted position to the cleaning position and the second cleaning means that is swung around the second swing axis and caused to pass directly above the center of the wafer are arranged in the same cleaning tank, so that, before or after the roll scrub cleaning step by the cleaning member, the second cleaning means can be swung so as to pass through the center of the wafer to clean the surface of the wafer in the same cleaning tank.

A cleaning apparatus according to a second aspect of the embodiment is a cleaning apparatus according to the first aspect, whereina distance from a center of the cleaning member to the swing axis is smaller than a diameter of the wafer, andwhen the swing mechanism swings the cleaning member around the swing axis, the cleaning member passes directly above the center of the wafer.

According to this aspect, even if the cleaning member is a long member that is longer than the radius of the wafer, the distance from the center of the cleaning member to the swing axis is prescribed as being smaller than the diameter of the wafer, and the cleaning member is moved from the retracted position to the cleaning position by swinging around the swing axis, so that it is possible to reduce a space required for moving the cleaning member from the cleaning position to the retracted position (a space through which the cleaning member passes) as compared with the case where the cleaning member is linearly moved (run) from the retracted position to the cleaning position.

A cleaning apparatus according to a third aspect of the embodiment is a cleaning apparatus according to the first or second aspect, whereinthe swing axis is located at a position away from an extension of the central axis of the cleaning member.

According to this aspect, since the swing axis is not on the extension of the central axis of the cleaning member, the distance from the center of the cleaning member to the swing axis can be reduced to less than half the length of the cleaning member. This further reduces the space required for moving the cleaning member from the cleaning position to the retracted position (the space through which the cleaning member passes), and makes the footprint of the cleaning tank smaller.

A cleaning apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the embodiment is a cleaning apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, whereina swing angle at which the swing mechanism moves the cleaning member from the retracted position to the cleaning position is smaller than 90°.

According to this aspect, it is possible to further reduce the space required for moving the cleaning member from the cleaning position to the retracted position (the space through which the cleaning member passes) and make the footprint of the cleaning tank smaller, as compared with the case where the swing angle at which the swing mechanism moves the cleaning member from the retracted position to the cleaning position is equal to or greater than 90°.

A cleaning apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the embodiment is a cleaning apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, whereinthe second cleaning means is a jet cleaning means that sprays a jet stream onto the surface of the wafer to perform non-contact cleaning.

A cleaning apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the embodiment is a cleaning apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, whereinthe second cleaning means is a pen cleaning means that is rotatable around a central axis extending in a longitudinal direction and that contacts and cleans the surface of the wafer.

A cleaning apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the embodiment is a cleaning apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, whereina distance from a center of the second cleaning means to the second swing axis is larger than the distance from the center of the cleaning member to the swing axis and is smaller than the diameter of the wafer.

A cleaning apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the embodiment is a cleaning apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, whereinthe second swing mechanism swings the second cleaning means around the second swing axis to move the second cleaning means between a second retracted position outside the wafer and inside the cleaning tank, a second cleaning position directly above the wafer, and a maintenance position outside of the cleaning tank.

A cleaning apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the embodiment is a cleaning apparatus according to the eighth aspect, whereinthe second swing mechanism causes the second cleaning means to retract to the outside of the cleaning tank when the cleaning member is replaced or maintained inside the cleaning tank.

According to this aspect, when the cleaning member is replaced or maintained inside the cleaning tank, the second cleaning means is retracted to the outside of the cleaning tank, so that the operator can access the cleaning member without being hindered by the second cleaning means, which results in improvement of work efficiency.

A cleaning apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the embodiment is a cleaning apparatus according to the eighth or ninth aspect, further includinga monitoring means that monitors whether the second cleaning means is located outside the cleaning tank.

According to this aspect, it is possible to automatically check whether the second cleaning means is located outside the cleaning tank by the monitoring means without the operator's visual checking, which results in improvement of work efficiency.

A cleaning apparatus according to an eleventh aspect of the embodiment is a cleaning apparatus according to the tenth aspect, whereinthe monitoring means stops operation of the second cleaning means when the second cleaning means is located outside the cleaning tank.

According to this aspect, when the second cleaning means is located outside the cleaning tank, the monitoring means automatically stops the operation of the second cleaning means, so that it is possible to prevent the operation of the second cleaning means from being erroneously continued to contaminate the outside of the cleaning tank.

A cleaning apparatus according to a twelfth aspect of the embodiment is a cleaning apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein the swing axis and the second swing axis are positioned opposite to each other when viewed from the center of the wafer.

According to this aspect, the internal space of the cleaning tank can be efficiently used, which makes the footprint of the cleaning tank smaller.

A polishing apparatus according to a thirteenth aspect of the embodiment includes:a polishing unit that polishes a wafer; anda cleaning unit that cleans the wafer after polishing, whereinthe cleaning unit includes:a cleaning tank that defines a cleaning space for cleaning a wafer;a wafer rotation mechanism that is arranged inside the cleaning tank and holds and rotates the wafer;a cleaning member that contacts and cleans a surface of the wafer, is rotatable around a central axis extending in a lateral direction, and has a length in an axial direction longer than a radius of the wafer;a swing mechanism that swings the cleaning member around a swing axis located inside the cleaning tank to move the cleaning member from a retracted position outside of the wafer to a cleaning position directly above the wafer;a second cleaning means that cleans the surface of the wafer; anda second swing mechanism that swings the second cleaning means around a second swing axis located inside the cleaning tank to pass directly above a center of the wafer.

According to this aspect, the cleaning member is swung around the swing axis in the same cleaning tank, and even if the cleaning member is a long member that is longer than the radius of the wafer, the cleaning member is moved from the retracted position to the cleaning position by swinging around the swing axis, so that it is possible to reduce a space required for moving the cleaning member from the cleaning position to the retracted position (a space through which the cleaning member passes) as compared with the case where the cleaning member is linearly moved (run) from the retracted position to the cleaning position. Additionally, since the swing axis is located inside the cleaning tank, it is not required to form an opening for running on the side wall of the cleaning tank. Therefore, in the polishing apparatus including the cleaning module capable of moving the cleaning member from the retracted position to the cleaning position, it is possible to reduce the footprint of the cleaning tank without forming an opening for running on the side wall of the cleaning tank. Further, since it is not required to form an opening for running on the side wall of the cleaning tank, it is possible to correct the leakage of the chemical liquid atmosphere to the outside of the cleaning tank. Moreover, the cleaning member that is swung around the swing axis and moved from the retracted position to the cleaning position and the second cleaning means that is swung around the second swing axis and caused to pass directly above the center of the wafer are arranged in the same cleaning tank, so that, before or after the roll scrub cleaning step by the cleaning member, the second cleaning means can be swung so as to pass through the center of the wafer to clean the surface of the wafer in the same cleaning tank.

A polishing apparatus according to a fourteenth aspect of the embodiment is a polishing apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, whereina distance from a center of the cleaning member to the swing axis is smaller than a diameter of the wafer, andwhen the swing mechanism swings the cleaning member around the swing axis, the cleaning member passes directly above the center of the wafer.

According to this aspect, even if the cleaning member is a long member that is longer than the radius of the wafer, the distance from the center of the cleaning member to the swing axis is prescribed as being smaller than the diameter of the wafer, and the cleaning member is moved from the retracted position to the cleaning position by swinging around the swing axis, so that it is possible to reduce a space required for moving the cleaning member from the cleaning position to the retracted position (a space through which the cleaning member passes) as compared with the case where the cleaning member is linearly moved (run) from the retracted position to the cleaning position.

A polishing apparatus according to a fifteenth aspect of the embodiment is a polishing apparatus according to the thirteenth or fourteenth aspect, wherein the swing axis is located at a position away from an extension of the central axis of the cleaning member.

According to this aspect, since the swing axis is not on the extension of the central axis of the cleaning member, the distance from the center of the cleaning member to the swing axis can be reduced to less than half the length of the cleaning member. This further reduces the space required for moving the cleaning member from the cleaning position to the retracted position (the space through which the cleaning member passes), and makes the footprint of the cleaning tank smaller.

A polishing apparatus according to a sixteenth aspect of the embodiment is a polishing apparatus according to any one of the thirteenth to fifteenth aspects, wherein a swing angle at which the swing mechanism moves the cleaning member from the retracted position to the cleaning position is smaller than 90°.

According to this aspect, it is possible to further reduce the space required for moving the cleaning member from the cleaning position to the retracted position (the space through which the cleaning member passes) and make the footprint of the cleaning tank smaller, as compared with the case where the swing angle at which the swing mechanism moves the cleaning member from the retracted position to the cleaning position is equal to or greater than 90°.

A polishing apparatus according to a seventeenth aspect of the embodiment is a polishing apparatus according to any one of the thirteenth to sixteenth aspects, whereinthe second cleaning means is a jet cleaning means that sprays a jet stream onto the surface of the wafer to perform non-contact cleaning.

A polishing apparatus according to an eighteenth aspect of the embodiment is a polishing apparatus according to any one of the thirteenth to sixteenth aspects, whereinthe second cleaning means is a pen cleaning means that is rotatable around a central axis extending in the longitudinal direction and that contacts and cleans the surface of the wafer.

A polishing apparatus according to a nineteenth aspect of the embodiment is a polishing apparatus according to any one of the thirteenth to eighteenth aspects, whereina distance from a center of the second cleaning means to the second swing axis is larger than the distance from the center of the cleaning member to the swing axis and is smaller than the diameter of the wafer.

A polishing apparatus according to a twentieth aspect of the embodiment is a polishing apparatus according to any one of the thirteenth to nineteenth aspects, whereinthe second swing mechanism swings the second cleaning means around the second swing axis to move the second cleaning means between a second retracted position outside the wafer and inside the cleaning tank, a second cleaning position directly above the wafer, and a maintenance position outside of the cleaning tank.

A polishing apparatus according to a twenty-first aspect of the embodiment is a polishing apparatus according to the twentieth aspect, whereinthe second swing mechanism causes the second cleaning means to retract to the outside of the cleaning tank when the cleaning member is replaced or maintained inside the cleaning tank.

According to this aspect, when the cleaning member is replaced or maintained inside the cleaning tank, the second cleaning means is retracted to the outside of the cleaning tank, so that the operator can access the cleaning member without being hindered by the second cleaning means, which results in improvement of work efficiency.

A polishing apparatus according to a twenty-second aspect of the embodiment is a polishing apparatus according to the twentieth or twenty-first aspect, further includinga monitoring means that monitors whether the second cleaning means is located outside the cleaning tank.

According to this aspect, it is possible to automatically check whether the second cleaning means is located outside the cleaning tank by the monitoring means without the operator's visual checking, which results in improvement of work efficiency.

A polishing apparatus according to a twenty-third aspect of the embodiment is a polishing apparatus according to the twenty-second aspect, whereinthe monitoring means stops operation of the second cleaning means when the second cleaning means is located outside the cleaning tank.

According to this aspect, when the second cleaning means is located outside the cleaning tank, the monitoring means automatically stops the operation of the second cleaning means, so that it is possible to prevent the operation of the second cleaning means from being erroneously continued to contaminate the outside of the cleaning tank.

A polishing apparatus according to a twenty-fourth aspect of the embodiment is a polishing apparatus according to any one of the thirteenth to twenty-third aspects, whereinthe swing axis and the second swing axis are positioned opposite to each other when viewed from the center of the wafer.

According to this aspect, the internal space of the cleaning tank can be efficiently used, which makes the footprint of the cleaning tank smaller.

A cleaning apparatus according to a twenty-fifth aspect of the embodiment includes:a cleaning tank that defines a cleaning space for cleaning a wafer;a wafer rotation mechanism that is arranged inside the cleaning tank and holds and rotates the wafer;a cleaning member that contacts and cleans a surface of the wafer, and is rotatable around a central axis extending in a lateral direction; anda swing mechanism that swings the cleaning member around a swing axis located inside the cleaning tank to move the cleaning member from a retracted position outside of the wafer to a cleaning position directly above the wafer, whereina length of the cleaning member is longer than a radius of the wafer,a distance from a center of the cleaning member to the swing axis is smaller than a diameter of the wafer, andwhen the swing mechanism swings the cleaning member around the swing axis, the cleaning member passes directly above a center of the wafer.

According to this aspect, even if the cleaning member is a long member that is longer than the radius of the wafer, the distance from the center of the cleaning member to the swing axis is prescribed as being smaller than the diameter of the wafer, and the cleaning member is moved from the retracted position to the cleaning position by swinging around the swing axis, so that it is possible to reduce a space required for moving the cleaning member from the cleaning position to the retracted position (a space through which the cleaning member passes) as compared with the case where the cleaning member is linearly moved (run) from the retracted position to the cleaning position. Additionally, since the swing axis is located inside the cleaning tank, it is not required to form an opening for running on the side wall of the cleaning tank. Therefore, in the cleaning apparatus capable of moving the cleaning member from the retracted position to the cleaning position, it is possible to reduce the footprint of the cleaning tank without forming an opening for running on the side wall of the cleaning tank. Further, since it is not required to form an opening for running on the side wall of the cleaning tank, it is possible to correct the leakage of the chemical liquid atmosphere to the outside of the cleaning tank.

A cleaning apparatus according to a twenty-sixth aspect of the embodiment is a cleaning apparatus according to the twenty-fifth aspect, whereinthe swing axis is located at a position away from an extension of the central axis of the cleaning member.

According to this aspect, since the swing axis is not on the extension of the central axis of the cleaning member, the distance from the center of the cleaning member to the swing axis can be reduced to less than half the length of the cleaning member. This further reduces the space required for moving the cleaning member from the cleaning position to the retracted position (the space through which the cleaning member passes), and makes the footprint of the cleaning tank smaller.

A cleaning apparatus according to a twenty-seventh aspect of the embodiment is a cleaning apparatus according to the twenty-fifth or twenty-sixth aspect, whereina swing angle at which the swing mechanism moves the cleaning member from the retracted position to the cleaning position is smaller than 90°.

According to this aspect, it is possible to further reduce the space required for moving the cleaning member from the cleaning position to the retracted position (the space through which the cleaning member passes) and make the footprint of the cleaning tank smaller, as compared with the case where the swing angle at which the swing mechanism moves the cleaning member from the retracted position to the cleaning position is equal to or greater than 90°.

A cleaning apparatus according to a twenty-eighth aspect of the embodiment is a cleaning apparatus according to any one of the twenty-fifth to twenty-seventh aspects, further comprising:a raising and lowering mechanism that raises and lowers the cleaning member; anda load control mechanism that controls a load applied by the cleaning member to the surface of the wafer.

A cleaning apparatus according to the twenty-ninth aspect of the embodiment is a cleaning apparatus according to the twenty-eighth aspect, whereinthe raising and lowering mechanism has:a pillar part that longitudinally extends and is provided so as to penetrate through a wall surface of the cleaning tank;an arm part that extends laterally from the pillar part; anda driving means that is provided at an end of the pillar part protruding to outside of the cleaning tank,the swing mechanism is provided at a tip of the arm part, andthe raising and lowering mechanism integrally raises and lowers the cleaning member and the swing mechanism.

The cleaning apparatus according to the thirtieth aspect of the embodiment is a cleaning apparatus according to the twenty-ninth aspect, whereinthe arm part extends laterally so as to straddle above or below the retracted position.

According to this aspect, when the cleaning member is located at the retracted position, the cleaning member is housed in a space below or above the arm part, so that the internal space of the cleaning tank can be used efficiently, thereby making the footprint of the cleaning tank smaller.

A polishing apparatus according to a thirty-first aspect of the embodiment includes:a polishing unit that polishes a wafer; anda cleaning unit that cleans the wafer after polishing, whereinthe cleaning unit includes:a cleaning tank that defines a cleaning space for cleaning a wafer;a wafer rotation mechanism that is arranged inside the cleaning tank and holds and rotates the wafer;a cleaning member that contacts and cleans a surface of the wafer, and is rotatable around a central axis extending in a lateral direction; anda swing mechanism that swings the cleaning member around a swing axis located inside the cleaning tank to move the cleaning member from a retracted position outside of the wafer to a cleaning position directly above the wafer, whereina length of the cleaning member is longer than a radius of the wafer,a distance from a center of the cleaning member to the swing axis is smaller than a diameter of the wafer, andwhen the swing mechanism swings the cleaning member around the swing axis, the cleaning member passes directly above a center of the wafer.

According to this aspect, even if the cleaning member is a long member that is longer than the radius of the wafer, the distance from the center of the cleaning member to the swing axis is prescribed as being smaller than the diameter of the wafer, and the cleaning member is moved from the retracted position to the cleaning position by swinging around the swing axis, so that it is possible to reduce a space required for moving the cleaning member from the cleaning position to the retracted position (a space through which the cleaning member passes) as compared with the case where the cleaning member is linearly moved (run) from the retracted position to the cleaning position. Additionally, since the swing axis is located inside the cleaning tank, it is not required to form an opening for running on the side wall of the cleaning tank. Therefore, in the polishing apparatus including the cleaning module capable of moving the cleaning member from the retracted position to the cleaning position, it is possible to reduce the footprint of the cleaning tank without forming an opening for running on the side wall of the cleaning tank. Further, since it is not required to form an opening for running on the side wall of the cleaning tank, it is possible to correct the leakage of the chemical liquid atmosphere to the outside of the cleaning tank.

A polishing apparatus according to a thirty-second aspect of the embodiment is a polishing apparatus according to the thirty-first aspect, whereinthe swing axis is located at a position away from an extension of the central axis of the cleaning member.

According to this aspect, since the swing axis is not on the extension of the central axis of the cleaning member, the distance from the center of the cleaning member to the swing axis can be reduced to less than half the length of the cleaning member. This further reduces the space required for moving the cleaning member from the cleaning position to the retracted position (the space through which the cleaning member passes), and makes the footprint of the cleaning tank smaller.

A polishing apparatus according to a thirty-third aspect of the embodiment is a polishing apparatus according to the thirty-first or thirty-second aspect, whereina swing angle at which the swing mechanism moves the cleaning member from the retracted position to the cleaning position is smaller than 90°.

According to this aspect, it is possible to further reduce the space required for moving the cleaning member from the cleaning position to the retracted position (the space through which the cleaning member passes) and make the footprint of the cleaning tank smaller, as compared with the case where the swing angle at which the swing mechanism moves the cleaning member from the retracted position to the cleaning position is equal to or greater than 90°.

A polishing apparatus according to a thirty-fourth aspect of the embodiment is a polishing apparatus according to any one of the thirty-first to thirty-third aspects, further comprising:a raising and lowering mechanism that raises and lowers the cleaning member; anda load control mechanism that controls a load applied by the cleaning member to the surface of the wafer.

A polishing apparatus according to the thirty-fifth aspect of the embodiment is a polishing apparatus according to the thirty-fourth aspect, whereinthe raising and lowering mechanism has:a pillar part that longitudinally extends and is provided so as to penetrate through a wall surface of the cleaning tank;an arm part that extends laterally from the pillar part; anda driving means that is provided at an end of the pillar part protruding to outside of the cleaning tank, whereinthe swing mechanism is provided at a tip of the arm part, andthe raising and lowering mechanism integrally raises and lowers the cleaning member and the swing mechanism.

A polishing apparatus according to the thirty-sixth aspect of the embodiment is a polishing apparatus according to the thirty-fifth aspect, whereinthe arm part extends laterally so as to straddle above or below the retracted position.

According to this aspect, when the cleaning member is located at the retracted position, the cleaning member is housed in a space below or above the arm part, so that the internal space of the cleaning tank can be used efficiently, thereby making the footprint of the cleaning tank smaller.

Specific examples of the embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description and the drawings used in the following description, the same reference numerals are used for parts that can be configured in the same manner, and duplicate description is omitted.

<Substrate Processing Apparatus>

FIG.1is a plan view of an overall configuration of a substrate processing apparatus (also called polishing apparatus)1according to an embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG.1, the substrate processing apparatus1has a substantially rectangular housing10and a load port12on which a substrate cassette (not shown) for stocking a plurality of wafers W (seeFIG.2and others) is placed. The load port12is arranged adjacent to the housing10. The load port12can be equipped with an open cassette, a standard manufacturing interface (SMIF) pod, or a front opening unified pod (FOUP). The SMIF pod and FOUP are closed containers that can house the substrate cassette inside and maintain it in an environment independent of the external space by covering with a partition wall. Examples of the wafer W include semiconductor wafers.

The housing10contains a plurality of polishing units14ato14d(four in the aspect shown inFIG.1), a first cleaning unit16aand a second cleaning unit16bthat clean the polished wafer W, and a drying unit20that dries the cleaned wafer W. The polishing units14ato14dare arranged along the longitudinal direction of the housing10, and the cleaning units16aand16band the drying unit20are also arranged along the longitudinal direction of the housing10.

A first transport robot22is arranged in the area surrounded by the load port12, the polishing unit14alocated on the load port12side, and the drying unit20. Further, a transport unit24is arranged in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the housing10between the region where the polishing units14ato14dare aligned and the region where the cleaning units16aand16band the drying unit20are aligned The first transport robot22receives the wafer W before polishing from the load port12and delivers it to the transport unit24, or receives the dried wafer W taken out from the drying unit20from the transport unit24.

A second transport robot26that delivers the wafer W between the first cleaning unit16aand the second cleaning unit16bis arranged between the first cleaning unit16aand the second cleaning unit16b. A third transport robot28that delivers the wafer W between the second cleaning unit16band the drying unit20is arranged between the second cleaning unit16band the drying unit20.

The substrate processing apparatus1is also provided with a control device30that controls movements of the devices14ato14d,16a,16b,22,24,26, and28. As the control device30, for example, a programmable logic controller (PLC) is used. In the aspect shown inFIG.1, the control device30is arranged inside the housing10, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the control device30may be arranged outside the housing10.

As the first cleaning unit16aand/or the second cleaning unit16b, may be used a roll cleaning apparatus that, in the presence of a cleaning solution, brings a roll cleaning member horizontally extending into contact with the surface of the wafer W and scrubs the surface of the wafer W while turning the roll cleaning member (a cleaning apparatus16according to an embodiment described later), or a pencil cleaning apparatus (not shown) that, in the presence of a cleaning solution, brings a columnar pencil cleaning member extending in a vertical direction into contact with the surface of the wafer W, and scrubs the surface of the wafer W by moving the pencil cleaning member to one direction parallel to the surface of the wafer W while turning the pencil cleaning member, or a buff cleaning and polishing apparatus (not shown) that, in the presence of a cleaning solution, brings a buff cleaning polishing member with a rotation axis extending in a vertical direction into contact with the surface of the wafer W, and scrubs and polishes the surface of the wafer W by moving the buff cleaning and polishing member to one direction parallel to the surface of the wafer W while turning the buff cleaning polishing member, or a two-fluid jet cleaning apparatus (not shown) that cleans the surface of the wafer W by a two-fluid jet. Further, as the first cleaning unit16aand/or the second cleaning unit16b, any two or more of these roll cleaning apparatus, pencil cleaning apparatus, buff cleaning and polishing apparatus, and two-fluid jet cleaning apparatus may be used in combination.

The cleaning solution includes a rinse solution such as pure water (DIW) and a chemical solution such as ammonia hydrogen peroxide (SC1), hydrochloric acid hydrogen peroxide (SC2), sulfuric acid hydrogen peroxide (SPM), sulfuric acid hydrofluoric acid, and hydrofluoric acid. Unless otherwise specified in the present embodiment, the cleaning solution means either a rinse solution or a chemical solution.

As the drying unit20, may be used a spin drying device that ejects isopropyl alcohol (IPA) vapor toward the rotation wafer W from a spray nozzle moving in one direction parallel to the surface of the wafer W to dry the wafer W, and further rotate the wafer W at a high speed to dry the wafer W by centrifugal force.

<Cleaning Apparatus>

Next, the cleaning apparatus16according to an embodiment will be described.FIG.2is a transparent perspective view of a cleaning tank41of the cleaning apparatus16, which shows a state in which a cleaning member43is located at a retracted position.FIG.3is an internal plan view of the cleaning apparatus16shown inFIG.2when viewed from above.FIG.4is an internal perspective view of the cleaning apparatus16shown inFIG.2when viewed from the back side.FIG.5is an internal perspective view of the cleaning apparatus16shown inFIG.2when viewed from the left side.

The cleaning apparatus16according to the present embodiment can be used as the first cleaning unit16aand/or the second cleaning unit16bin the substrate processing apparatus1described above.

As shown inFIGS.2to5, the cleaning apparatus16has: a cleaning tank41that defines a cleaning space for cleaning the wafer W; a wafer rotation mechanism42that is arranged inside the cleaning tank41to hold and rotate the wafer W; a cleaning member43that contacts and cleans the surface of the wafer W and is rotatable around a central axis extending in the lateral direction; a swing mechanism44that swings the cleaning member43around a swing axis positioned inside the cleaning tank41to move the cleaning member43from a retracted position outside the wafer W to a cleaning position directly above the wafer W; a raising and lowering mechanism45that raises and lowers the cleaning member43; and liquid supply nozzles46aand46bthat supply a cleaning solution to the wafer W.

Of these components, the cleaning tank41has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. In the illustrated example, wafer loading/unloading ports41aand41bfor loading or unloading the wafer W inside the cleaning tank41are formed on the left and right side wall surfaces of the cleaning tank41, respectively, and the wafer loading/unloading ports41aand41bcan be opened and closed by shutters50aand50b, respectively.

Inside the cleaning tank41, arranged is a cleaning means51that is adjacent to the wall surface of back side of the cleaning tank41and extends in the left-right direction. The cleaning means51has a cleaning surface on which the cleaning member43is pressed. The cleaning surface is formed in a flat shape by quartz, for example. The material and shape of the cleaning surface may be appropriately changed depending on the material and shape of the cleaning member43and the like. For example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) may be used as the material for the cleaning surface.

A chemical solution pipe, a pure water pipe, and the like (not shown) are arranged on the cleaning surface. The chemical solution sprayed from the chemical solution pipe may be the same as the chemical solution supplied to the wafer W from the liquid supply nozzles46aand46b. With the cleaning member43arranged in the retracted position, the cleaning member43is rotated (turned) and pressed against the cleaning means51, and the chemical solution is sprayed toward the cleaning member43to remove dirt from the cleaning member43. In this way, after the cleaning member43is rotated (turned) by a predetermined amount while being pressed against the cleaning means51, the cleaning member43is raised and separated from the cleaning means51, and then pure water is sprayed toward the cleaning means51and the cleaning member43to remove dirt from the cleaning means51and the cleaning member43.

In the present embodiment, the wafer rotation mechanism42has a plurality of (four in the illustrated example) rollers42ato42dthat hold the peripheral edge of the wafer W. When the plurality of rollers42ato42dis rotated (turned) by rotational driving force received from a rotational driving unit not shown (for example, a motor), the wafer W held by the plurality of rollers42ato42dis rotated in the direction opposite to the rotational direction of the rollers42ato42ddue to frictional force acting between the rollers42ato42dand the peripheral edge of the wafer W.

As the cleaning member43, a columnar roll sponge extending in the lateral direction can be used. As the material for the roll sponge, porous polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) sponge, urethane foam sponge, or the like can be used. The axial length of the cleaning member43is longer than the radius of the wafer W. The axial length of the cleaning member43may be longer than the diameter of the wafer W. With the cleaning member43arranged at the cleaning position directly above the wafer W, chemical solution and/or pure water are sprayed from the liquid supply nozzles46aand46btoward the surface of the rotated wafer W, and with the peripheral surface of the cleaning member43in contact with the surface of the wafer W, the cleaning member43is rotated (turned) to clean the surface of the wafer W.

In the illustrated example, a holder431extending parallel to the axial direction of the cleaning member43is arranged above the cleaning member43. The holder431holds both ends of the cleaning member43so as to be capable of rotation (turning) around its central axis. Inside the holder431, a motor (not shown) for rotating (turning) the cleaning member43around its central axis is provided. Further, a load cell (not shown) for measuring the load applied by the cleaning member43to the surface of the wafer W may be provided inside the holder431. A load control mechanism (not shown) is connected to the load cell. The load control mechanism controls the operation of the raising and lowering mechanism45based on the measurement result of the load cell, thereby to control the load applied by the cleaning member43to the surface of the wafer W. The load control mechanism may be provided in the control device30(seeFIG.1).

In the present embodiment, the raising and lowering mechanism45has: a vertically extending pillar part45aprovided so as to penetrate the wall surface of the cleaning tank41; an arm part45bextending in the lateral direction from one end of the pillar part45a; and a driving means45cthat is provided at the other end of the pillar part45aprotruding to the outside of the cleaning tank41. The driving means45cis a motor, for example.

In the illustrated example, a recess is formed in the upper part of the left end part of the side wall surface of the back side (the upper side in the plane of paper inFIG.3) of the cleaning tank41, and the pillar part45ais arranged in the recess. The arm part45bis extended from the upper end of the pillar part45ato the front side (the lower side in the plane of paper inFIG.3) so as to straddle above the retracted position. As a result, when the cleaning member43is arranged at the retracted position, the cleaning member43is housed in the space below the arm part45b, so that the internal space of the cleaning tank41can be efficiently used, thereby making the footprint of the cleaning tank41smaller.

In the present embodiment, the swing mechanism44is provided at the tip of the arm part45b, and a swing axis A of the swing mechanism44is positioned at the tip of the arm part45binside the cleaning tank41. The swing mechanism44is a motor, for example. The end of the holder431holding the cleaning member43is held by the tip of the arm part45bvia the swing mechanism44.

The pillar part45aof the raising and lowering mechanism45is linearly moved in the longitudinal direction integrally with the arm part45bby the linear driving force received from the driving means45c. As a result, the swing mechanism44, the holder431, and the cleaning member43provided at the tip of the arm part45bare also linearly moved in the longitudinal direction together with the pillar part45aand the arm part45b. With reference toFIGS.2to5, the raising and lowering mechanism45is operated with the cleaning member43at the retracted position, so that the cleaning member43is moved up and down between a height position in contact with the cleaning means51and a height position away from the cleaning means51.

Further, with the cleaning member43arranged at the height position away from the cleaning means51, the holder431and the cleaning member43are swung (pivoted) around the swing axis A positioned at the tip of the arm part45bby the rotational driving force received from the swing mechanism44. As a result, the cleaning member43is moved from the retracted position outside of the wafer W (seeFIGS.2to5) to the cleaning position directly above the wafer W (seeFIGS.6and7). When the swing mechanism44swings the cleaning member43around the swing axis A, the cleaning member43may be configured to pass directly above the center of the wafer W.

FIG.6is a transparent perspective view of the cleaning tank41of the cleaning apparatus16, which shows a state in which the cleaning member43is located at the cleaning position.FIG.7is an internal plan view of the cleaning apparatus16shown inFIG.6when viewed from above.

With reference toFIGS.6and7, the raising and lowering mechanism45is operated with the cleaning member43at the cleaning position, so that the cleaning member43is moved up and down between the height position in contact with the surface of the wafer W and the height position away from the surface of the wafer W. With the peripheral surface of the cleaning member43in contact with the surface of the wafer W, chemical solution and/or pure water are sprayed from the liquid supply nozzles46aand46btoward the surface of the rotated wafer W, and the cleaning member43is rotated (turned) to clean the surface of the wafer W.

FIG.8is a transparent perspective view of the cleaning tank41of the cleaning apparatus16, describing a space required for moving the cleaning member43from the cleaning position to the retracted position (a space through which the cleaning member passes).FIG.9is an internal plan view of the cleaning apparatus16shown inFIG.8when viewed from above. InFIGS.8and9, the arcuate curves denoted with reference signs C1and C2show the outline of a space required to move the cleaning member43from the cleaning position to the retracted position (that is, a space through which the cleaning member43(the holder431) passes).

In the present embodiment, as shown inFIG.9, a distance L from the center of the cleaning member43to the swing axis A of the swing mechanism44(also referred to as turning radius) is smaller than the diameter D of the wafer W (L<D). As a result, as shown inFIGS.8and9, even if the cleaning member43is a long roll sponge that is longer than the radius of the wafer W, the distance L from the center of the cleaning member43to the swing axis A is prescribed as being smaller than the diameter of the wafer W, and the cleaning member43is moved from the retracted position to the cleaning position by swinging around the swing axis A, so that it is possible to reduce the space required for moving the cleaning member43from the cleaning position to the retracted position as compared with the case where the cleaning member43is linearly moved (run) from the retracted position to the cleaning position.

In the present embodiment, as shown inFIGS.3and7, the swing axis A of the swing mechanism44is located at a position away from the extension of the central axis of the cleaning member43(that is, the swing axis A is not on the extension of the central axis of the cleaning member43). If the swing axis A is on the extension of the central axis of the cleaning member43, it is not possible to reduce the distance L from the center of the cleaning member43to the swing axis A to less than half the length of the cleaning member43in the axial direction (because the end of the cleaning member43hits the swing axis A). On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the swing axis A is not on the extension of the central axis of the cleaning member43, the distance L from the center of the cleaning member43to the swing axis A can be reduced to less than half the length of the cleaning member43. This further reduces the space required for moving the cleaning member43from the cleaning position to the retracted position (the space through which the cleaning member passes).

In the present embodiment, as shown inFIG.9, a swing angle θ at which the swing mechanism44moves the cleaning member43from the retracted position to the cleaning position is smaller than 90°. This further reduces the space required for moving the cleaning member43from the cleaning position to the retracted position (the space through which the cleaning member passes), as compared with the case where the swing angle θ at which the cleaning member43is moved from the retracted position to the cleaning position is equal to or greater than 90°.

In the present embodiment, the cleaning apparatus16further has: a back surface cleaning member47that contacts and cleans the back surface of the wafer W; a second cleaning means48that cleans the front surface of the wafer W; and a second swing mechanism49that swings the second cleaning means48around a second swing axis B located inside the cleaning tank41to move the second cleaning means48from a second retracted position outside of the wafer W to a second cleaning position directly above the wafer W. The second swing mechanism49is configured to swing the second cleaning means48around the second swing axis B located inside the cleaning tank41so as to pass directly above the center of the wafer W.

As the back surface cleaning member47, a columnar roll sponge extending in the lateral direction can be used. As the material for the roll sponge, porous polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) sponge, urethane foam sponge, or the like can be used. The back surface cleaning member47is arranged directly below the wafer W. The axial length of the back surface cleaning member47is longer than the radius of the wafer W. The axial length of the back surface cleaning member47may be longer than the diameter of the wafer W. With the peripheral surface of the back surface cleaning member47in contact with the back surface of the wafer W, chemical solution and/or pure water are sprayed from nozzles not shown toward the back surface of the rotated wafer W, and the back surface cleaning member47is rotated (turned) to clean the back surface of the wafer W.

In the illustrated example, a holder471extending parallel to the axial direction of the back surface cleaning member47is arranged below the back surface cleaning member47. The holder471holds both ends of the back surface cleaning member47so as to be capable of rotation (turning) around its central axis. Inside the holder471, a motor (not shown) for rotating (turning) the back surface cleaning member47around its central axis is provided. Further, a load cell (not shown) for measuring the load applied by the back surface cleaning member47to the front surface of the wafer W may be provided inside the holder471. The load cell is connected to the load control mechanism (not shown) described above. The load control mechanism controls the operation of the means (not shown) for raising and lowering the back surface cleaning member47and the holder471based on the measurement result of the load cell, thereby to control the load applied by the back surface cleaning member47to the back surface of the wafer W.

In the present embodiment, the second cleaning means48is a jet cleaning means that sprays a jet stream onto the surface of the wafer W to clean in a non-contact manner. As the jet cleaning means, for example, a megasonic jet cleaning means for spraying a megasonic (high frequency ultrasonic) jet flow to clean the surface of the wafer W may be used, or a two-fluid jet cleaning means for spraying a two-fluid jet flow to clean the surface of wafer W may be used.

As a modification, the second cleaning means48may be a pen cleaning means (called also pencil cleaning means) that is capable of rotation (turning) around a central axis vertically extending and that contacts and cleans the surface of the wafer W in the presence of a cleaning solution, or may be a buff polishing means.

The second swing mechanism49has: a second pillar part49aextending in the longitudinal direction that is provided so as to penetrate the wall surface (floor surface in the illustrated example) of the cleaning tank41; a second arm part49bextending in the lateral direction from one end (upper end in the illustrated example) of the second pillar part49a; and a second driving means49c(seeFIG.14) that is provided at the other end (lower end in the illustrated example) of the pillar part protruding to outside of the cleaning tank41. The second driving means49cis a motor, for example.

The second cleaning means48is supported so as to be suspended from the tip of the second arm part49b. The second pillar part49ais swung around the second swing axis B integrally with the second arm part49bby the rotational driving force received from the second driving means49c. As a result, the second cleaning means48provided at the tip of the second arm part49bis also swung (turned) around the second swing axis B together with the second pillar part49aand the second arm part49b.

In the present embodiment, the second pillar part49ais arranged on the side opposite to the swing mechanism44when viewed from the center of the wafer W, and the second swing axis B of the second swing mechanism49is positioned on the side opposite to the swing axis A of the swing mechanism44when viewed from the center of the wafer W. As a result, the internal space of the cleaning tank41can be efficiently used, which makes the footprint of the cleaning tank41smaller.

In the present embodiment, as shown inFIG.9, a distance L2from the center of the second cleaning means48to the second swing axis B of the second swing mechanism49is larger than the distance L from the center of the cleaning member43to the swing axis A of the swing mechanism44, and is smaller than the diameter D of the wafer W (L<L2<D).

In the present embodiment, the second swing mechanism49swings the second cleaning means48around the second swing axis B to move the second cleaning means48between the second retracted position outside the wafer W and inside the cleaning tank41(seeFIGS.2to9), the second cleaning position directly above the wafer W (seeFIGS.10and11), and a maintenance position outside the cleaning tank41(seeFIGS.12to14).

FIG.10is a transparent perspective view of the cleaning tank41of the cleaning apparatus16, which shows a state in which the cleaning member43is located at the retracted position and the second cleaning means48is located at the second cleaning position.FIG.11is an internal plan view of the cleaning apparatus16shown inFIG.10when viewed from above.

As shown inFIGS.10and11, with the cleaning member43arranged at the retracted position and the second cleaning means48arranged at the second cleaning position, the second cleaning means48sprays a jet stream onto the surface of the wafer W, and the second swing mechanism49swings the second cleaning means48around the second swing axis B to cause the second cleaning means48to reciprocate from one (for example, left-side) peripheral edge of the surface of the wafer W through the center of the wafer W to the other (for example, right-side) peripheral edge of the wafer W, so that the jet stream is supplied to the entire surface of the rotated wafer W to clean the entire surface of the wafer W.

FIG.12is a transparent perspective view of the cleaning tank41of the cleaning apparatus16, which shows a state in which the second cleaning means48is located at the maintenance position.FIG.13is an internal plan view of the cleaning apparatus16shown inFIG.12when viewed from above.FIG.14is a perspective view of the cleaning apparatus16shown inFIG.12when viewed from the left side.

As shown inFIGS.12to14, with a portion of the side wall surface of the cleaning tank41(the wall surface on the front side in the illustrated example) removed, the second swing mechanism49swings the second cleaning means48around the second swing axis B, so that the second cleaning means48is moved to the maintenance position outside the cleaning tank41. Since the second cleaning means48is movable to the maintenance position, the operator who replaces or maintains the second cleaning means48can easily access the second cleaning means48, resulting in improvement of work efficiency.

The second swing mechanism49may cause the second cleaning means48to be retracted to outside of the cleaning tank41when the cleaning member43is replaced or maintained inside the cleaning tank41. Since the second cleaning means48is retracted to the outside of the cleaning tank41, the operator who replaces or maintains the cleaning member43can access the cleaning member43without blockage of the path by the second cleaning means48, resulting in improvement of work efficiency.

In the present embodiment, the cleaning apparatus16is provided with a monitoring means60that monitors whether the second cleaning means48is located outside the cleaning tank41.

FIG.15is an enlarged perspective view of the monitoring means60in a state where the second cleaning means48is located inside the cleaning tank41.FIG.16is an enlarged perspective view of the monitoring means60in a state where the second cleaning means48is located outside the cleaning tank41.

In the examples shown inFIGS.15and16, the monitoring means60has a flange part61and a switch62. The flange part61is coaxially fixed to the lower end of the second pillar part49aof the second swing mechanism49, and when the second pillar part49ais rotated around the second swing axis B by the second driving means49c, the flange part61is rotated integrally with the second pillar part49a.

The switch62is a mechanical switch, for example, and is arranged adjacent to the flange part61. As shown inFIG.16, when the second swing mechanism49(or the operator) swings the second cleaning means48around the second swing axis B to move it from inside to outside of the cleaning tank41, the flange part61is rotated in one direction around the second swing axis B together with the second pillar part49ato come into contact with the switch62, whereby the switch62is pushed down. As a result, the switch62is turned off, and it is detected that the second cleaning means48is located outside the cleaning tank41. On the other hand, as shown inFIG.15, when the second swing mechanism49(or the operator) swings the second cleaning means48around the second swing axis B to move it from outside to inside of the cleaning tank41, the flange part61is rotated in the opposite direction around the second swing axis B together with the second pillar part49ato separate from the switch62, whereby the switch62is returned to the initial state by restoring force. As a result, the switch62is turned on, and it is detected that the second cleaning means48is located inside the cleaning tank41. In this case, the switch62is turned off when the second cleaning means48is located outside the cleaning tank41, and the switch62is turned on when the second cleaning means48is located inside the cleaning tank41. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the switch62may be turned on when the second cleaning means48is located outside the cleaning tank41, and the switch62may be turned off when the second cleaning means48is located inside the cleaning tank41.

When it is detected that the second cleaning means48is located outside the cleaning tank41, the monitoring means60may transmit a stop signal to the operation control unit of the second cleaning means48to stop the operation of the second cleaning means48(for example, spraying a jet stream). When the second cleaning means48is located outside the cleaning tank41, the monitoring means60automatically stops the operation of the second cleaning means48, so that it is possible to prevent the second cleaning means48in operation from being moved to outside of the cleaning tank41to contaminate the outside of the cleaning tank41by the operation of the second cleaning means48(for example, spraying a jet stream).

As shown inFIGS.6and7, with the second arm part49bof the second swing mechanism49arranged at a height position higher than the cleaning member43, the cleaning member43arranged at the cleaning position, and the second cleaning means48arranged at the second retracted position, the end part of the cleaning member43may go into under the second arm part49bof the second swing mechanism49. In this case, the internal space of the cleaning tank41can be efficiently used, which makes the footprint of the cleaning tank41smaller.

As shown inFIGS.17and18, with the cleaning member43arranged at the cleaning position, the second swing mechanism49may swing the second cleaning means48around the second swing axis B to move the second cleaning means48to directly above the peripheral edge of the wafer W from the second retracted position. As a result, the surface of the wafer W can be roll scrubbed by the cleaning member43, and at the same time, the peripheral edge of the surface of the wafer W can be cleaned in a non-contact manner by a jet stream supplied from the second cleaning means48.

Next, the operation of the cleaning apparatus16having such a configuration will be described.

First, referring toFIGS.2to5, with the cleaning member43arranged at the retracted position outside the wafer W and the second cleaning means48arranged at the second retracted position outside the wafer W, the shutter50ais in the open state, and the wafer W to be cleaned (for example, the wafer W having undergone a polishing process) is loaded into the cleaning tank41through the wafer loading/unloading port41a. The wafer W is held and rotated by the wafer rotation mechanism42.

Next, with the cleaning member43separated from the cleaning means51, as shown inFIGS.8and9, the swing mechanism44swings (turns) the cleaning member43around the swing axis A to move the cleaning member43from the retracted position to the cleaning position directly above the wafer W. When the swing mechanism44swings the cleaning member43around the swing axis A, the cleaning member43passes directly above the center of the wafer W.

Next, as shown inFIGS.6and7, with the cleaning member43arranged at the cleaning position, the raising and lowering mechanism45moves the cleaning member43downward to bring the peripheral surface of the cleaning member43into contact with the surface of the wafer W. Further, a means for raising and lowering the back surface cleaning member47(not shown) moves the back surface cleaning member47upward to bring the peripheral surface of the back surface cleaning member47into contact with the back surface of the wafer W. The downward movement of the cleaning member43and the raising/lowering operation of the back surface cleaning member47may be performed in the reverse of the above order or in parallel.

With the peripheral surface of the cleaning member43in contact with the surface of the wafer W, a cleaning solution is sprayed from the liquid supply nozzles46aand46btoward the surface of the rotated wafer W, and the cleaning member43is rotated (turned) to clean the surface of the wafer W. Similarly, with the peripheral surface of the back surface cleaning member47in contact with the back surface of the wafer W, a cleaning solution is sprayed from nozzles not shown toward the back surface of the wafer W, and the back surface cleaning member47is rotated (turned) to clean the back surface of the wafer W.

At this time, as shown inFIGS.16and17, the second swing mechanism49may swing the second cleaning means48around the second swing axis B to move the second cleaning means48from the second retracted position to directly above the wafer W, and cause the second cleaning means48to spray a jet stream while swinging the second cleaning means48, thereby cleaning the surface of the wafer W in a non-contact manner. The surface of the wafer W can be roll scrubbed by the cleaning member43, and at the same time, the surface of the wafer W can be cleaned in a non-contact manner by the jet stream supplied from the second cleaning means48, resulting in improvement of cleaning efficiency. At this time, the second swing mechanism49may swing the second cleaning means48around the second swing axis B to move the second cleaning means48from the second retracted position to directly above the peripheral edge of the wafer W, and cause the second cleaning means48to spray a jet stream while swinging the second cleaning means48, thereby cleaning the peripheral edge of the wafer W in a non-contact manner.

After the cleaning of the surface of the wafer W by the cleaning member43is completed, the raising and lowering mechanism45moves the cleaning member43upward and separates the peripheral surface of the cleaning member43from the surface of the wafer W. Then, as shown inFIGS.8and9, the swing mechanism44swings (turns) the cleaning member43around the swing axis A to move the cleaning member43from the cleaning position to the retracted position outside the wafer W.

Next, as shown inFIGS.10and11, the second swing mechanism49swings (turns) the second cleaning means48around the second swing axis, to move the second cleaning means48from the second retracted position to the second cleaning position directly above the wafer W. Then, the second cleaning means48sprays a jet stream onto the surface of the wafer W, and the second swing mechanism49swings the second cleaning means48around the second swing axis B to cause the second cleaning means48to reciprocate from one (for example, left-side) peripheral edge of the surface of the wafer W through the center of the wafer W to the other (for example, right-side) peripheral edge of the wafer W, so that the jet stream is supplied to the entire surface of the rotated wafer W to clean the entire surface of the wafer W in a non-contact manner.

After cleaning the surface of the wafer W by the second cleaning means48is completed, the second swing mechanism49swings (turns) the second cleaning means48around the swing axis A, to move the second cleaning means48from the second cleaning position to the second retracted position outside the wafer W. Then, the shutter50bis opened, and the wafer W having undergone the cleaning process is unloaded from the cleaning tank41through the wafer loading/unloading port41b.

In the above-described embodiment, the wafer W is cleaned by the cleaning member43, and then the wafer W is cleaned by the second cleaning means48. Alternatively, the wafer W may be cleaned by the second cleaning means48before the cleaning of the wafer W by the cleaning member43.

After cleaning a plurality of wafers W by the cleaning process as described above, in order to perform replacement or maintenance of the second cleaning means48, as shown inFIGS.12to14, a part of the side wall surface of the cleaning tank41(the wall surface on the front side in the illustrated example) is removed, and then the second swing mechanism49swings the second cleaning means48around the second swing axis B to move the second cleaning means48to the maintenance position outside the cleaning tank41. Thus, the operator who replaces or maintains the second cleaning means48can easily access the second cleaning means48, resulting in improvement of work efficiency.

Further, in order to replace or maintain the first cleaning means43inside the cleaning tank41, the second swing mechanism49swings the second cleaning means48around the second swing axis B to retract the second cleaning means48to the outside of the cleaning tank41. Thus, the operator who replaces or maintains the cleaning member43can access the cleaning member43without blockage of the path by the second cleaning means48, resulting in improvement of work efficiency.

According to the present embodiment as described above, even if the cleaning member43is a long member that is longer than the radius of the wafer W, the distance L from the center of the cleaning member43to the swing axis A of the swing mechanism44is prescribed as being smaller than the diameter of the wafer W, and the cleaning member43is moved from the retracted position to the cleaning position by swinging around the swing axis A, so that it is possible to reduce a space required for moving the cleaning member43from the cleaning position to the retracted position (that is, a space through which the cleaning member43passes) as compared with the case where the cleaning member43is linearly moved (run) from the retracted position to the cleaning position. Further, since the swing axis A of the swing mechanism44is located inside the cleaning tank41, it is not required to form an opening for running on the side wall of the cleaning tank41.

Therefore, in the cleaning apparatus16capable of moving the cleaning member43from the retracted position to the cleaning position, it is possible to reduce the footprint of the cleaning tank41without forming an opening for running on the side wall of the cleaning tank41. Further, according to the present embodiment, since it is not required to form an opening for running on the side wall of the cleaning tank41, it is possible to correct the leakage of the chemical liquid atmosphere to the outside of the cleaning tank41.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the swing axis A of the swing mechanism44is located at a position away from the extension line of the central axis of the cleaning member43, and is not on the extension line of the central axis of the cleaning member43. Thus, the distance L from the center of the cleaning member43to the swing axis A can be reduced to less than half the length of the cleaning member43. This further reduces the space required for moving the cleaning member43from the cleaning position to the retracted position (the space through which the cleaning member passes), and makes the footprint of the cleaning tank41smaller.

According to the present embodiment, since the swing angle θ at which the swing mechanism44moves the cleaning member43from the retracted position to the cleaning position is smaller than 90°, it is possible to further reduce the space required for moving the cleaning member43from the cleaning position to the retracted position (the space through which the cleaning member passes) and make the footprint of the cleaning tank41smaller, as compared with the case where the swing angle is equal to or greater than 90°.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the arm part45bof the raising and lowering mechanism45extends laterally so as to straddle above the retracted position, and when the cleaning member43is located at the retracted position, the cleaning member43is housed in a space below the arm part45b, so that the internal space of the cleaning tank41can be used efficiently, thereby making the footprint of the cleaning tank41smaller.

According to the present embodiment, even if the cleaning member43is a long member that is longer than the radius of the wafer W, the cleaning member43is moved from the retracted position to the cleaning position by swinging around the swing axis A, so that it is possible to reduce a space required for moving the cleaning member43from the cleaning position to the retracted position (a space through which the cleaning member passes) as compared with the case where the cleaning member43is linearly moved (run) from the retracted position to the cleaning position. Additionally, since the swing axis A is located inside the cleaning tank41, it is not required to form an opening for running on the side wall of the cleaning tank41. Therefore, in the cleaning apparatus16capable of moving the cleaning member43from the retracted position to the cleaning position, it is possible to reduce the footprint of the cleaning tank41without forming an opening for running on the side wall of the cleaning tank41. Further, since it is not required to form an opening for running on the side wall of the cleaning tank41, it is possible to correct the leakage of the chemical liquid atmosphere to the outside of the cleaning tank41. Moreover, the cleaning member43that is swung around the swing axis A and moved from the retracted position to the cleaning position and the second cleaning means48that is swung around the second swing axis B and caused to pass directly above the center of the wafer W are arranged in the same cleaning tank41, so that, before or after the roll scrub cleaning step by the cleaning member43, the second cleaning means48can be swung so as to pass through the center of the wafer W to clean the surface of the wafer W in the same cleaning tank41. This makes it possible to improve wafer per hour (WPH) and cleaning performance.

Further, according to the present embodiment, even if the cleaning member43is a long member that is longer than the radius of the wafer W, the distance L from the center of the cleaning member43to the swing axis A is smaller than the diameter D of the wafer W, and when the swing mechanism44swings the cleaning member43around the swing axis A, the cleaning member43passes directly above the center of the wafer W, so that it is possible to reduce a space required for moving the cleaning member43from the cleaning position to the retracted position (a space through which the cleaning member passes) as compared with the case where the cleaning member43is linearly moved (run) from the retracted position to the cleaning position.

According to the present embodiment, when the cleaning member43is replaced or maintained inside the cleaning tank41, the second swing mechanism49retracts the second cleaning means48to the outside of the cleaning tank41, so that the operator can access the cleaning member43without being hindered by the second cleaning means48, which results in improvement of work efficiency.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since there is provided the monitoring means60for monitoring whether the second cleaning means48is located outside the cleaning tank41, the monitoring means60can automatically check whether the second cleaning means48is located outside the cleaning tank41without the operator's visual check, thereby resulting in improvement of work efficiency.

According to the present embodiment, when the second cleaning means48is located outside the cleaning tank41, the monitoring means60automatically stops the operation of the second cleaning means48, so that it is possible to prevent the operation of the second cleaning means48from being erroneously continued to contaminate the outside of the cleaning tank41.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the swing axis A and the second swing axis B are positioned opposite to each other when viewed from the center of the wafer W, the internal space of the cleaning tank41can be efficiently used to make the footprint of the cleaning tank41smaller.

The embodiments and modifications of the present technique have been described so far as an exemplification. However, the scope of the present technique is not limited to them but can be changed or modified according to the purpose of use within the scope of the claims. In addition, the embodiments and modifications can be appropriately combined as long as there are no inconsistencies in the contents of processing.