SUBSTRATE PROCESSING APPARATUS

Abstract

A discharge pipe is provided within a processing chamber, and ejects a drying gas. A pressure reducing pump exhausts air from the processing chamber to create a reduced-pressure atmosphere in the processing chamber. A drying gas supply passage supplies the drying gas generated in a first drying gas generator and in a second drying gas generator to the discharge pipe. The first drying gas generator generates the drying gas by bubbling IPA liquid stored in a heating bath with nitrogen gas. The second drying gas generator generates the drying gas by mixing IPA vapor produced by evaporation in an IPA vapor generating bath and nitrogen gas together. Thus, the supply of the drying gas generated in the plurality of drying gas generators to the processing chamber increases the concentration of the IPA vapor within the processing chamber. This shortens the time required for drying to improve drying performance.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the overall construction of a substrate processing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 conceptually shows the overall construction of a reduced-pressure drying part;

FIG. 3 is a front view, with portions of external construction broken away, of a pair of drying gas generators;

FIG. 4 illustrates a relationship between IPA consumption and the opening/closing of a switching valve, and a relationship between an IPA vapor concentration and the opening/closing of the switching valve; and

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram for illustrating a technique for determining whether to open or close the switching valve.

Claims

1. A substrate processing apparatus for performing a drying process on a substrate, comprising: a processing chamber for receiving a substrate therein;a drying gas supply part provided within said processing chamber for supplying a drying gas into said processing chamber;a first generator for generating the drying gas;a second generator for generating the drying gas;a carrier gas supply passage for supplying a carrier gas to said first generator and said second generator; anda drying gas supply passage for supplying the drying gas generated in said first generator and the drying gas generated in said second generator to said drying gas supply part,said first generator includinga first reservoir for storing a drying liquid therein,a heating part for heating the drying liquid stored in said first reservoir, anda first carrier gas inlet passage connected to said carrier gas supply passage for introducing the carrier gas supplied from said carrier gas supply passage into the drying liquid stored in said first reservoir,said first generator mixing the carrier gas introduced from said first carrier gas inlet passage and a vapor of drying liquid produced in said first reservoir together to generate the drying gas,said second generator includinga second reservoir for storing the drying liquid therein,a gas mixing chamber for housing said second reservoir,an intake part for guiding the drying liquid heated in said first reservoir into said second reservoir, anda second carrier gas inlet passage connected to said carrier gas supply passage for introducing the carrier gas supplied from said carrier gas supply passage into said gas mixing chamber,said second generator mixing the carrier gas introduced from said second carrier gas inlet passage and a vapor of drying liquid produced in said second reservoir together to generate the drying gas.

2. The substrate processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a switching valve provided in said first carrier gas inlet passage; anda controller for controlling the opening and closing operation of said switching valve to control the amount of carrier gas supplied to said first reservoir.

3. The substrate processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said controller controls the opening and closing operation of said switching valve in accordance with a device structure formed on a surface of the substrate.