Summary of the invention
Therefore, an aspect of of the present present invention provides a kind of substrate processing apparatus of uniform treatment substrate.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a kind of substrate processing method using same of uniform treatment substrate.
Aforementioned and/or other aspects of the present invention are also by providing a kind of substrate processing apparatus to realize, this substrate processing apparatus comprises Treatment Solution divider, delivery unit and controller, the Treatment Solution divider is supplied Treatment Solution on substrate, delivery unit transmits substrate, and controller control delivery unit makes substrate be transmitted under heeling condition.This heeling condition is by rotating realization with respect to the axle that is parallel to the extension of substrate direction of transfer.Substrate can be in the mode that replaces two reverse direction medium dips.
Another aspect of the present invention is that a kind of substrate processing apparatus will be provided, this equipment comprises delivery unit and Treatment Solution divider, delivery unit transmits substrate with heeling condition, and the Treatment Solution divider is in delivery unit top, it the inclination substrate than lower part than spraying Treatment Solution more strong in the higher part of inclination substrate.
According to embodiments of the invention, the Treatment Solution divider comprises a plurality of nozzles, the inclination substrate than lower part on spray Treatment Solution nozzle be provided with closelyer than the nozzle of sprinkling Treatment Solution on the higher part at the inclination substrate from substrate.
According to embodiments of the invention, the Treatment Solution divider comprises Treatment Solution pipe and a plurality of nozzle, and the Treatment Solution pipe is arranged on respect to the substrate direction of transfer transversely, and nozzle is connected with the Treatment Solution pipe.
According to embodiments of the invention, the Treatment Solution pipe can be regulated its pitch angle.
According to embodiments of the invention, Treatment Solution pipe and substrate are provided with abreast, and the nozzle that sprays Treatment Solution at the inclination substrate on than lower part is longer than the nozzle that sprays Treatment Solution on the higher part of inclination substrate.
According to embodiments of the invention, the Treatment Solution pipe is parallel to the substrate setting, and along with nozzle apart from inclination substrate more and more nearer than lower part, nozzle is just more and more longer.
According to embodiments of the invention, the Treatment Solution pipe is nearer apart from the higher part of inclination substrate than the lower part ratio apart from the inclination substrate.
According to embodiments of the invention, the Treatment Solution divider comprises nozzle and Treatment Solution pipe, nozzle have first nozzle that sprays Treatment Solution on the higher part of inclination substrate and the inclination substrate than lower part on spray second nozzle of Treatment Solution, the Treatment Solution pipe has first Treatment Solution pipe that links to each other with first nozzle and the second Treatment Solution pipe that links to each other with second nozzle.
According to embodiments of the invention, the Treatment Solution divider comprises a plurality of Treatment Solution pipes and a plurality of nozzle, and the Treatment Solution pipe is parallel to the direction of transfer setting of substrate, and nozzle links to each other with the Treatment Solution pipe.
According to embodiments of the invention, the distance between higher part of inclination substrate and the Treatment Solution pipe than inclination substrate than the distance between lower part and the Treatment Solution pipe.
According to embodiments of the invention, the nozzle that sprays Treatment Solution at the inclination substrate on than lower part is bordering on the nozzle that sprays Treatment Solution on the higher part of inclination substrate apart from substrate.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a kind of substrate processing method using same, comprising: preparation substrate and Treatment Solution, and with heeling condition transmission substrate, wherein heeling condition is by realizing with respect to the axle rotary plate that is parallel to the extension of substrate direction of transfer.Rotary plate on two reverse directions in an alternating manner when receiving Treatment Solution.
According to embodiments of the invention, described transmission comprises forward and transmits rearward substrate at least once.
According to embodiments of the invention, the pitch angle of substrate is 3 ° to 7 °.
According to embodiments of the invention, Treatment Solution is one of developing solution, etching solution and rinse solution.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a kind of substrate processing method using same, comprising: in first processing unit, provide Treatment Solution to substrate when transmitting substrate, wherein make substrate first pitch angle that tilts with respect to being parallel to axle rotation that the substrate direction of transfer extends.This method also comprises: in second processing unit, provide Treatment Solution to substrate when transmitting substrate, wherein substrate tilts with second pitch angle less than first pitch angle; And, in the 3rd processing unit, when transmitting substrate, provide Treatment Solution to substrate, wherein substrate tilts with the 3rd pitch angle, and the 3rd pitch angle and first pitch angle are reverse.
According to embodiments of the invention, in second processing unit, flatly transmit substrate.
According to embodiments of the invention, first pitch angle equals the 3rd pitch angle.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a kind of substrate processing method using same, comprise and transmit substrate and Treatment Solution is provided, by with respect to making substrate to lopsidedness, be applied to the inclination substrate and be higher than the pressure that is applied on the higher part of inclination substrate than the spray pressure of the Treatment Solution on the lower part and make when Treatment Solution is provided along being parallel to the axle rotation that the substrate direction of transfer extends.
Embodiment
To their example be shown in the accompanying drawing in detail with reference to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention now, Reference numeral similar in institute's drawings attached is indicated similar element.Embodiment is described so that explain the present invention below with reference to accompanying drawing.
According to this paper usage, substrate " forward and backward " moves and is meant that substrate can move at both direction along direction of transfer.Substrate " inclination " or " to lopsidedness " are meant with respect to being parallel to the axle rotary plate that direction of transfer extends.One pitch angle and another angle " oppositely " are meant, with respect to the angle of same reference line metering
And the angle-
Between relation.
First embodiment
To substrate processing apparatus according to first embodiment of the invention be described with reference to Fig. 1 and 2.
Substrate processing apparatus 1 according to first embodiment of the invention comprises the similar processing unit 10a of a plurality of structures, 10b and 10c.
Each of processing unit 10a, 10b, 10c all has process chamber (tub), and they are connected to adjacent processing unit 10a, 10b, 10c.Between adjacent processing unit 10a, 10b and 10c, be equipped with passage 40, between processing unit, transmit substrate 100 by this passage 40.
Set handling solution dispenser 20 in the higher part of each processing unit 10a, 10b, 10c is to provide Treatment Solution 23 to substrate 100.Treatment Solution divider 20 provides Treatment Solution 23 by spraying to substrate 100.A plurality of Treatment Solution dividers 20 are set, so that on whole base plate 100, supply Treatment Solution 23 equably on the transmission route of substrate 100.Though do not illustrate among the figure, Treatment Solution divider 20 can be connected to the Treatment Solution storage tank.
According to the purposes of treatment facility 1, Treatment Solution 23 can be developing solution, etching solution or rinse solution.
If Treatment Solution 23 is a developing solution, use the not organic base based sols of containing metal composition, the organic base composition is eliminated by the flushing operation.
If Treatment Solution 23 is an etching solution, can change to some extent according to the accurate component of the composition etching solution of etching target.For example, the etching solution that is used for Al or Mo comprises phosphoric acid, nitric acid and acetic acid.The etching solution that is used for Ta comprises hydrofluorite and nitric acid.The etching solution that is used for Cr comprises ammonium nitrate caesium (ammonium nitrate caesium) and nitric acid.The etching solution that is used for ITO (tin indium oxide) comprises hydrochloric acid, nitric acid and iron chloride.
If Treatment Solution 23 is a rinse solution, Treatment Solution 23 is DI (deionization) water typically.For rapid flushing, processing unit 10a, 10b and 10c can not only comprise Treatment Solution divider 20, also comprise known " water cutter (aqua knife) ", and it is formed with nozzle in the direction perpendicular to substrate 100 direction of transfers.
Substrate 100 is placed on the delivery unit 30, moves forward and backward in processing unit 10a, 10b and 10c, perhaps transmits between processing unit 10a, 10b and 10c.Substrate 100 is arranged on Treatment Solution divider 20 belows, is sprayed Treatment Solution 23, exposes the part that processed solution 23 is handled.If treatment process is used to develop, just expose the photographic layer that is exposed.If treatment process is to be used for etchedly,, be exposed such as metal level, transparent electrode layer and/or insulation course, and not etched part covers with photographic layer etched part.If treatment process is used to wash, just expose developing solution or etching solution, the photographic layer of peeling off by developing procedure and the metal level of peeling off by etching work procedure.
Delivery unit 30 comprises conveyor-type mechanism.Delivery unit 30 is transmitting substrate 100 and moving substrate 100 forward and backward in one of processing unit 10a, 10b or 10c between processing unit 10a, 10b and the 10c.Delivery unit 30 comprises a plurality of transfer rollers that are set parallel to each other 31, supporter 32 and side roller 33, transfer roller can rotate forward or backward, supporter 32 makes up also the directly rear surface of contact substrate 100 with transfer roller 31, and side roller 33 is rotated by moving of substrate 100.Side roller 33 makes substrate 100 remain on the delivery unit 30 by the side surface of supporting substrate 100.Side roller 33 is provided with along the both sides of substrate 100.Delivery unit 30 is by 23 reactions of discord Treatment Solution or not made by the material of its damage.Supporter 32 is preferred by making such as material plastics, that can not influence substrate 100.The controller (not shown) that delivery unit 30 comprises whether indication transfer roller 31 rotates and rotates to which direction.
Controller control delivery unit 30 makes substrate 100 alternately be transmitted under the state that a side direction tilts.In Fig. 2, for the transverse axis of 0 ° of the expression in the reference frame 35, first tiltangle 1 has opposite direction with second tiltangle 2, and each pitch angle can be 3 ° to 7 °.If the pitch angle is less than 3 °, Treatment Solution 23 is removed slowly excessively.On the other hand, if the pitch angle greater than 7 °, the time that Treatment Solution keeps on substrate 100 is too short.In some cases, tiltangle 1 and θ 2 can equate.
Although not shown, delivery unit 30 can comprise the inclination control member, and it is controlling the lateral tilt direction and the pitch angle of substrate 100.The inclination control member can comprise piston apparatus.
Treatment facility 1 can improve with multiple mode.For example, can surpass three processing unit 10a, 10b and 10c for treatment facility 1 provides.
Now, will the substrate processing method using same that utilize according to the treatment facility of first embodiment of the invention be described with reference to figure 3.For example, it is as described below to be used on substrate 100 forming the operation of grid circuit.
Gate metal is deposited upon on the insulated substrate and with photosensitive solution and sprays.Then, remove solvent in the photosensitive solution, form photographic layer by this by soft roasting (soft-bake) technology.Subsequently, removed the photographic layer that desolvates by the mask exposure that specific pattern is arranged.In operation subsequently, develop then.
At first, in step 100, the substrate 100 that is placed on the delivery unit 30 is moved to the first processing unit 10a.When substrate 100 is carried the first processing unit 10a, the Treatment Solution 23 that beginning is sprayed from Treatment Solution divider 21 to substrate 100 supplies, i.e. developing solution.After receiving developing solution, substrate 100 photographic layer that just in step 200, develops.If what use is negative photosensitive solution, the photographic layer of unexposed area is just also dissolved with Treatment Solution 23 reactions so.If what use is the positivity photosensitive solution, the photographic layer of exposure area is just also dissolved with Treatment Solution 23 reactions so.In step 200, substrate 100 is transmitted to the second processing unit 10b from the first processing unit 10a along first direction of transfer.Delivery unit 30 transmits substrate 100 with the lateral tilt state, and this state forms a pitch angle.Because substrate 100 tilts, it is long in substrate 100 higher parts than the time ratio of lower part that Treatment Solution 23 is stayed inclination substrate 100.
Behind first direction of transfer transmission substrate, 100 certain hours, delivery unit 30 transmits the opposite direction (step 300) that substrate 100, the second direction of transfers are first direction of transfers on second direction of transfer.Transmit on second direction of transfer in the substrate 100, delivery unit 30 tilts to form second pitch angle substrate 100.If first pitch angle is
, second pitch angle can be in the reference frame 35-
(referring to Fig. 2).Because second pitch angle is on the opposite direction at first pitch angle, the end portion when substrate 100 is inclined to first pitch angle has just become the upper part when substrate 100 is inclined to second pitch angle.Similarly, the upper part when substrate 100 is inclined to first pitch angle has just become substrate 100 along reversal dip, the end portion when promptly being inclined to second pitch angle.Therefore, the zone that is covered by a large amount of Treatment Solution 23 in step 200 just contacts a spot of Treatment Solution 23 in step 300.Otherwise, in step 200, in step 300, just contacted a large amount of Treatment Solution 23 by the zone that is covered by a small amount of Treatment Solution 23.
Finish in step 300 after the transmission of second direction of transfer, delivery unit 30 send (step 400) with substrate 100 to passback along first direction of transfer.At this moment, the vergence direction of substrate 100 switches back first vergence direction.Even switching vergence direction, substrate 100 can not drop from delivery unit 30 yet because in the couple positioned opposite of substrate 100 side roller 33.
In step 400, when substrate 100 moved arrival passage 40 along first direction of transfer after, in step 500, delivery unit 30 transported substrate 100 to adjacent processing unit 10b.Substrate 100 is transported to after the second processing unit 10b, repeats aforementioned process, and substrate 100 is transported to the 3rd processing unit 10c.
During this time, another substrate 100 is transferred into the first processing unit 10a and repeats said process.Like this, can handle a plurality of substrates simultaneously with a treatment facility 1, all substrates at a time then are in different the processing stage.
By these operations, when substrate 100 when the 3rd processing unit 10c comes out, just finished the development of photographic layer.Because substrate 100 is lateral tilts in an alternating manner in developing process, thereby solved the problem of the inhomogeneous contact substrate 100 of developing solution at least in part.
After the developing procedure, substrate 100 washes operation, etching work procedure and another flushing operation.These operations are similar to above-mentioned developing procedure.
Because Treatment Solution 23 contacts whole base plate 100 equably, therefore having reduced the grid circuit lacks inhomogeneity problem.
Referring now to Figure 4 and 5 the another kind of substrate processing method using same that utilizes according to the substrate processing apparatus of first embodiment of the invention is described.
Substrate 100 has single pitch angle in processing unit 10a, a 10b or 10c.For example, developing procedure is as described below.
In step 110, the substrate 100 that is placed on the delivery unit 30 is sent among the first processing unit 10a.When substrate 100 is carried the first processing unit 10a, the Treatment Solution 23 that beginning is sprayed from Treatment Solution divider 21 to substrate 100 supplies, i.e. developing solution, and the photographic layer that in step 210, develops.Transmit substrate 100 from the first processing unit 10a to the second processing unit 10b, and this direction is called as first direction of transfer.In addition, substrate 100 is being transmitted the degree of inclination identical with first pitch angle (θ 3) in lateral tilt.The higher part than the time ratio substrate 100 of lower part contact Treatment Solution 23 of substrate 100 is long.
Delivery unit 30 can move forward substrate 100 at first direction of transfer, and perhaps at second direction of transfer moving substrate backward, second direction of transfer is opposite with first direction of transfer.
After step 210, in step 310, substrate 100 is sent to the second processing unit 10b.Flatly transmit substrate 100 and in step 410, carry out development treatment.In other words, second tiltangle 4 in the second processing unit 10b has become 0 °.Therefore, Treatment Solution 23 contact substrate 100 equably.As among the first processing unit 10a, delivery unit 30 is moving substrate 100 forward or backward.
Next, in step 510, substrate 100 is moved on the 3rd processing unit 10c.
When being sent to the 3rd processing unit 10c, in step 610 by delivery unit 30 with substrate 100 to lateral tilt 1 the 3rd tiltangle 5.The 3rd tiltangle 5 and first tiltangle 3 have onesize, but opposite with first tiltangle, 3 directions.That is be that the part of the substrate 100 of lower end has become the upper end in the first processing unit 10a in the 3rd processing unit 10c.On the contrary, be that the part of substrate 100 of upper end has become the lower end in the first processing unit 10a in the 3rd processing unit 10c.Therefore, the zone that is covered by a large amount of Treatment Solution 23 in step 210 just contacts a spot of Treatment Solution 23 in step 610, and the zone that is covered by a small amount of Treatment Solution 23 in step 210 just contacts a large amount of Treatment Solution 23 in step 610.As top those situations, delivery unit 30 is moving substrate 100 forward or backward.
During this time, another substrate 100 is written into the first processing unit 10a, and repeats said process.
Second embodiment
Below with reference to Fig. 6 and 7 substrate processing apparatus of describing according to second embodiment of the invention.
Treatment Solution divider 20 extends in the direction perpendicular to the direction of transfer of substrate 100, and comprises a plurality of Treatment Solution pipes 21 parallel to each other and be connected to a plurality of nozzles 22 that each handles solution conduit 21.By Treatment Solution jar (not shown) and Treatment Solution pump (not shown) Treatment Solution 23 is supplied to Treatment Solution pipe 21.Be supplied to the Treatment Solution 23 of Treatment Solution pipe 21 to be sprayed onto on the substrate 100 by nozzle 22.Fig. 6 shows the situation that substrate is a rectangle, and substrate has two long limits and two minor faces.As shown in Figure 6, if the long limit of substrate 100 is parallel to the direction of transfer of substrate 100, then Treatment Solution pipe 21 one of the minor face that is parallel to substrate 100 is provided with.Space interval between the Treatment Solution pipe 21 can be a constant.Space interval between the nozzle 22 also can be a constant.
The spray that now description is applied to the Treatment Solution 23 on the substrate 100 is pressed.
As shown in Figure 7, place substrate 100 inclinations one predetermined angle theta 6 on the delivery unit 30, thereby can remove Treatment Solution 23 from substrate 100 rapidly.In an embodiment, the tiltangle 6 of substrate 100 can be 3 ° to 7 °.
The Treatment Solution pipe 21 that the is arranged at substrate 100 tops tiltangle 7 that also tilts, the tiltangle 7 of Treatment Solution pipe 21 is greater than the tiltangle 6 of substrate 100.The tiltangle 7 of Treatment Solution pipe 21 is adjustable.Because the difference between the pitch angle, between the higher part A of inclination substrate 100 and the nozzle 22 apart from d1 greater than inclination substrate 100 than between lower part B and the nozzle 22 apart from d2.Therefore,, be applied to inclination substrate 100 and press and to press bigger than the spray that is applied to inclination substrate 100 higher part A all under the situation with the work of same spray pressure at each nozzle 22 than the spray of lower part B.
Utilization is as described below according to the substrate processing method using same of the substrate processing apparatus 1 of second embodiment of the invention.
When substrate 100 is transmitted unit 30 and is sent to Treatment Solution divider 20 times, on whole base plate 100, spray Treatment Solution 23 equably by nozzle 22.The Treatment Solution 23 that is sprayed on the higher part A of inclined surface of substrate 100 is handled higher part A, and flow to downwards subsequently substrate 100 inclined surface than lower part B.Be sprayed onto the higher part A of inclination substrate 100 and after handling substrate 100, flow to downwards than lower part B than the Treatment Solution on the zone between the lower part B 23.So, Treatment Solution 23 just accumulates in than on the lower part B, then is immersed in the Treatment Solution 23 than lower part B.As a result, higher part A is handled by spraying Treatment Solution 23, then is to be submerged in Treatment Solution 23 to gather in the pond (pool) that forms processed than lower part B.The processing of substrate 100 does not have homogeneity.
In a second embodiment, the substrate 100 that can reduce to tilt than between lower part B and the nozzle 22 apart from d2, by spray handle inclination substrate 100 than lower part B, thereby the spray that improves the Treatment Solution 23 that is applied to substrate 100 is pressed.In addition, because Treatment Solution 23 powerful sprays are pressed, accumulate in than the Treatment Solution on the lower part B 23 and removed rapidly from substrate 100.Utilize this structure, Treatment Solution 23 is sprayed onto on the whole base plate 100, by this treatment substrate 100 equably.
After finishing above-mentioned processing, substrate 100 is sent to subsequent processing.If this processing is a developing procedure, then subsequent processing can be flushing operation or etching work procedure.If this processing is an etching work procedure, subsequent processing can be the flushing operation.If this processing is the flushing operation, subsequent processing can be a drying process.
The 3rd embodiment
Referring now to the substrate processing apparatus of Fig. 8 description according to third embodiment of the invention.
In this embodiment, the tiltangle 6 of substrate 100 is identical with the tiltangle 8 of Treatment Solution pipe 21.Near the B of lower end nozzle 22 is done longlyer than near the nozzle the upper end A 22.It is nearer when so, long nozzle 22 is apart from inclination substrate 100 more identical than near the nozzle nozzle 22 length and the higher part A 22 than lower part B.Utilize this structure, will compare long between lower part B and the nozzle 22 apart from d3 between the higher part A of substrate 100 and the nozzle 22 apart from d4.Spray Treatment Solution 23 if each nozzle 22 is all pressed with identical spray, the spray than lower part B that is applied to inclination substrate 100 is so pressed more powerful than higher part A, by this treatment substrate 100 equably.
The 4th embodiment
Referring now to the substrate processing apparatus of Fig. 9 description according to fourth embodiment of the invention.
The tiltangle 6 of substrate 100 is identical with the tiltangle 8 of Treatment Solution pipe 21.Treatment Solution pipe 21 comprises the first Treatment Solution pipe 21a and the second Treatment Solution pipe 21b, the first Treatment Solution pipe 21a be higher part A supply Treatment Solution 23, the second Treatment Solution pipe 21b of inclination substrate 100 be inclination substrate 100 than lower part B supply Treatment Solution 23.Nozzle 22 comprises first nozzle 22a that links to each other with the first Treatment Solution pipe 21a and the second nozzle 22b that links to each other with the second Treatment Solution pipe 21b.Although do not illustrate in the drawings, each of the first Treatment Solution pipe 21a and the second Treatment Solution pipe 21b all is connected to corresponding Treatment Solution pump, and this pump is supplied Treatment Solution 23 under different pressure.In the 4th embodiment, the spray pressure that is higher than the Treatment Solution of spraying from the first nozzle 22a that links to each other with the first Treatment Solution pipe 21a is pressed in the spray of the Treatment Solution 23 of spraying from the second nozzle 22b that links to each other with the second Treatment Solution pipe 21b.As a result, the spray than the Treatment Solution 23 of lower part B that is applied to inclination substrate 100 is pressed and is higher than higher part A, by this treatment substrate 100 equably.
The 5th embodiment
Referring now to Figure 10 and 11 substrate processing apparatus of describing according to fifth embodiment of the invention.
Treatment Solution pipe 21 is parallel to the direction of transfer setting of substrate 100.Treatment Solution pipe 21 can constant at interval distance.Similarly, nozzle 22 can constant at interval distance.
Along with Treatment Solution pipe 21 apart from inclination substrate 100 more and more nearer than lower part B, the distance between Treatment Solution pipe 21 and the substrate 100 is diminishing.So, between the higher part A of inclination substrate 100 and the nozzle 22 apart from d5 greater than than between lower part B and the nozzle 22 apart from d6.Because the variation of spacing distance, be sprayed at substrate 100 inclined surface than the Treatment Solution on the lower part B 23 more powerful than on higher part A, treatment substrate 100 equably by this.
Above embodiment can improve in various manners.For example, the pitch angle of substrate and Treatment Solution pipe can be different, and the length of nozzle is variable.In addition, the lateral tilt angle of substrate on either direction can be pressed and regulate along with the spray of Treatment Solution, to obtain required uniformity coefficient.
Although the substrate that the foregoing description is used with LCD is an example, substrate can also be the flat-panel monitor of picture OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) or the substrate of semiconductor wafer.
Although showed and described several embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art is to be understood that, need not to break away from of the present invention away from and spirit, can make variation in these embodiments, and scope of the present invention limits in claim or its important document of equal value.