Patent ID: 7387131

Claim:
A substrate processing apparatus for processing a substrate with a processing fluid, comprising: a spin chuck adapted to hold and rotate the substrate, the spin chuck having a base member arranged so as to be located below the substrate held by the spin chuck, and a holding member connected to the base member to support the substrate; a top-face member arranged so as to oppose the substrate held by the spin chuck, and adapted to move vertically between a first position in which the top-face member is adjacent to the substrate held by the spin chuck and a second position in which the top-face member is remote from the substrate held by the spin chuck; a first nozzle adapted to supply a first processing fluid to the substrate held by the spin chuck; a joint connecting the top-face member to the base member, the joint being configured to prohibit relative rotation between the spin chuck and the top-face member whereby the top-face member is driven by the spin chuck for integral rotation with the spin chuck when the spin chuck rotates, and the joint being configured to allow relative vertical movement between the spin chuck and the top-face member; and an elevating mechanism having a vertically-movable, push-up member, the push-up member being adapted to move upward to its raised position to place the top-face member in the second position where the push-up member supports the top-face member, and being adapted to move downward to its lowered position to place the top-face member in the first position where the push-up member is remote from the top-face member to allow the top-face member to rotate integral with the spin chuck without colliding with the push-up member; wherein the joint comprises a guide pin arranged on the base member and a top-face member supporting member for supporting the top-face member above the substrate, the top-face member supporting member being slidable against the guide pin.