Patent ID: 7559992

Claim:
A processing method using a semiconductor processing apparatus, the method comprising: preparing a processing apparatus to include a process chamber configured to accommodate a target substrate, a gas supply system configured to supply a process gas into the process chamber, an exhaust unit configured to exhaust the process chamber, an exhaust line connecting the process chamber to the exhaust unit, an opening variable valve disposed on the exhaust line, and an inactive gas line connected to the exhaust line at a position between the process chamber and the opening variable valve to introduce an inactive gas; supplying the process gas from the gas supply system into the process chamber while exhausting gas, using the exhaust unit, from inside the process chamber through the exhaust line and the opening variable valve, thereby executing a process for the target substrate in the process chamber; introducing the inactive gas from the inactive gas line into the exhaust line during the executed process while exhausting gas using the exhaust unit, thereby causing the inactive gas to pass through the opening variable valve along with the process gas being exhausted; and controlling a pressure in the process chamber to be a process pressure for the process by adjusting a flow rate of the inactive gas introduced from the inactive gas line into the exhaust line while setting the opening variable valve to a predetermined opening ratio.