US20110069294A1 - Apparatus and method for exposing edge of substrate - Google Patents
Apparatus and method for exposing edge of substrate Download PDFInfo
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- US20110069294A1 US20110069294A1 US12/954,362 US95436210A US2011069294A1 US 20110069294 A1 US20110069294 A1 US 20110069294A1 US 95436210 A US95436210 A US 95436210A US 2011069294 A1 US2011069294 A1 US 2011069294A1
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- substrate
- exposure unit
- stage
- edge
- distance
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03F—PHOTOMECHANICAL PRODUCTION OF TEXTURED OR PATTERNED SURFACES, e.g. FOR PRINTING, FOR PROCESSING OF SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; MATERIALS THEREFOR; ORIGINALS THEREFOR; APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED THEREFOR
- G03F7/00—Photomechanical, e.g. photolithographic, production of textured or patterned surfaces, e.g. printing surfaces; Materials therefor, e.g. comprising photoresists; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
- G03F7/20—Exposure; Apparatus therefor
- G03F7/2022—Multi-step exposure, e.g. hybrid; backside exposure; blanket exposure, e.g. for image reversal; edge exposure, e.g. for edge bead removal; corrective exposure
- G03F7/2026—Multi-step exposure, e.g. hybrid; backside exposure; blanket exposure, e.g. for image reversal; edge exposure, e.g. for edge bead removal; corrective exposure for the removal of unwanted material, e.g. image or background correction
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03F—PHOTOMECHANICAL PRODUCTION OF TEXTURED OR PATTERNED SURFACES, e.g. FOR PRINTING, FOR PROCESSING OF SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; MATERIALS THEREFOR; ORIGINALS THEREFOR; APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED THEREFOR
- G03F7/00—Photomechanical, e.g. photolithographic, production of textured or patterned surfaces, e.g. printing surfaces; Materials therefor, e.g. comprising photoresists; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
- G03F7/70—Microphotolithographic exposure; Apparatus therefor
- G03F7/70425—Imaging strategies, e.g. for increasing throughput or resolution, printing product fields larger than the image field or compensating lithography- or non-lithography errors, e.g. proximity correction, mix-and-match, stitching or double patterning
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03F—PHOTOMECHANICAL PRODUCTION OF TEXTURED OR PATTERNED SURFACES, e.g. FOR PRINTING, FOR PROCESSING OF SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; MATERIALS THEREFOR; ORIGINALS THEREFOR; APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED THEREFOR
- G03F7/00—Photomechanical, e.g. photolithographic, production of textured or patterned surfaces, e.g. printing surfaces; Materials therefor, e.g. comprising photoresists; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
- G03F7/70—Microphotolithographic exposure; Apparatus therefor
- G03F7/70691—Handling of masks or workpieces
- G03F7/70733—Handling masks and workpieces, e.g. exchange of workpiece or mask, transport of workpiece or mask
- G03F7/7075—Handling workpieces outside exposure position, e.g. SMIF box
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03F—PHOTOMECHANICAL PRODUCTION OF TEXTURED OR PATTERNED SURFACES, e.g. FOR PRINTING, FOR PROCESSING OF SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; MATERIALS THEREFOR; ORIGINALS THEREFOR; APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED THEREFOR
- G03F7/00—Photomechanical, e.g. photolithographic, production of textured or patterned surfaces, e.g. printing surfaces; Materials therefor, e.g. comprising photoresists; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
- G03F7/70—Microphotolithographic exposure; Apparatus therefor
- G03F7/70691—Handling of masks or workpieces
- G03F7/70791—Large workpieces, e.g. glass substrates for flat panel displays or solar panels
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for exposing an edge of a substrate to manufacture a flat display device, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for exposing an edge of a substrate, in which an exposure time period for exposing the edge of the substrate is reduced.
- a photolithography process is used to pattern a substrate in a process of manufacturing a semiconductor device or a flat display device.
- the photolithography process includes a deposition process of depositing a photoresist on a substrate, an exposure process of exposing the photoresist deposited on the substrate, and a development process of developing the exposed substrate.
- the exposure process is to selectively expose the photoresist deposited on the substrate using a mask.
- an edge exposure process is performed before the exposure process to remove the edge of the substrate at a certain width.
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a related art apparatus for exposing an edge of a substrate.
- the related art apparatus for exposing an edge of a substrate includes a loading/unloading unit 10 loading and unloading the substrate, and an edge exposure unit 20 exposing the edge of the substrate loaded by the loading/unloading unit 10 .
- the loading/unloading unit 10 loads the substrate externally deposited with a photoresist into the edge exposure unit 20 using a robot arm. Also, the loading/unloading unit 10 unloads the substrate exposed by the edge exposure unit 20 from the edge exposure unit 20 using the robot arm.
- the edge exposure unit 20 exposes the edge, i.e., long and short sides, of the substrate loaded by the loading/unloading unit 10 at a certain width.
- FIG. 2 illustrates the related art edge exposure unit 20 shown in FIG. 1 .
- the related art edge exposure unit 20 includes a stage 21 supporting the substrate deposited with the photoresist, a driving shaft 22 moving the stage 21 in a first direction (X axis) and rotating the stage 21 , a rail 23 guiding the driving shaft 22 to move the driving shaft 22 to the first direction, and an exposure unit provided in the rail 23 to expose the edge of the substrate.
- the stage 21 includes a plurality of lift pins 25 supporting and fixing the substrate loaded from the loading/unloading unit 10 .
- the lift pins 25 are ascended and descended by a driving device (not shown) to adsorb the substrate under the vacuum state.
- the driving shaft 22 is linked to the driving device to move the stage 21 in the first direction (X axis) along the rail 23 . Also, the driving shaft 22 is rotated by the driving device to rotate the stage 21 .
- the rail 23 guides the driving shaft 22 to move the driving shaft 22 to the first direction (X axis).
- the exposure unit includes a support bar 24 arranged to vertically cross the rail 23 , first and second optical systems 26 a and 26 b arranged in parallel at a side of the support bar 24 , and a distance controller 28 controlling the distance between the first and second optical systems 26 a and 26 b.
- the support bar 24 is fixed to the rail 23 to vertically cross the rail 23 .
- Each of the first and second optical systems 26 a and 26 b are spaced apart from each other to correspond to the distance between the long sides or the short sides of the substrate.
- Each of the first and second optical systems 26 a and 26 b irradiates light toward the long sides or the short sides of the substrate to expose the edge of the substrate.
- the distance controller 28 controls the distance between the first and second optical systems 26 a and 26 b to correspond to the distance between the long sides or the short sides of the substrate.
- FIGS. 3A to 3G are sectional views illustrating exposure process steps of exposing the edge of the substrate using the related art edge exposure unit 20 .
- the substrate 2 deposited with the photoresist is loaded, as shown by arrow 30 , onto the stage 21 of the home position by the robot arm of the loading/unloading unit 10 . If the robot arm of the loading/unloading unit 10 on which the substrate is mounted is positioned on the stage 21 , the lift pins 25 are ascended by the driving device to lift the substrate 2 mounted on the robot arm. If the substrate 2 is lifted at a certain height by the lift pins 25 , the robot arm returns to the loading/unloading unit 10 . At this time, the distance between the first and second optical systems 26 a and 26 b is set by the distance controller 28 to correspond to the distance between the long sides of the substrate 2 .
- the driving shaft 22 moves to the first direction (X axis) along the rail 23 so that the stage 21 moves, as shown by arrow 31 , to the exposure unit.
- the first and second optical systems 26 a and 26 b irradiate light toward both edges 29 a of the long sides of the substrate 2 to expose the long sides of the substrate 2 .
- the first and second optical systems 26 a and 26 b may be driven by a sensing signal of a sensor (not shown) that senses the position of the substrate 2 .
- the driving shaft 22 is clockwise rotated, as shown by arrow 32 , at an angle of 90° as shown in FIG. 3D .
- the distance between the first and second optical systems 26 a and 26 b is set, as shown by arrow 33 , by the distance controller 28 to correspond to the distance between the short sides of the substrate 2 .
- the driving shaft 22 moves to the first direction (X axis) along the rail 23 so that the stage 21 moves to the home position. If the substrate 2 , which is moving to the home position, moves near the exposure unit, the first and second optical systems 26 a and 26 b irradiate light toward both edges 29 b of the short sides of the substrate 2 to expose the short sides of the substrate 2 .
- the driving shaft 22 is clockwise rotated, as shown by arrow 34 , at an angle of 90° as shown in FIG. 3G .
- the distance between the first and second optical systems 26 a and 26 b is set by the distance controller 28 to correspond to the distance between the long sides of the substrate 2 .
- the substrate 2 whose long and short sides have completely been exposed is ascended at a certain height by the lift pins 25 .
- the robot arm of the loading/unloading unit 10 is inserted between the ascended substrate 2 and the stage 21 .
- the lift pins 25 are descended into the stage 21 so that the substrate 2 is mounted on the robot arm and thus unloaded from the loading/unloading unit 10 .
- the edge of the substrate 2 is exposed in the order of loading of the substrate 2 , movement of the stage 21 and exposure of the long sides, rotation of the stage 21 , movement of the stage 21 and exposure of the short sides, rotation of the stage 21 , and unloading of the substrate 2 .
- the process time of exposing the edge of the substrate 2 increases due to a standby time period of the substrate 2 .
- the present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for exposing an edge of a substrate, which substantially obviate one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
- An objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for exposing an edge of a substrate, in which an exposure time period for exposing the edge of the substrate is reduced.
- an apparatus for exposing an edge of a substrate.
- the apparatus comprises a loading unit loading the substrate, and an edge exposure unit exposing the edge of the substrate loaded by the loading unit using each of a long side exposure unit and a short side exposure unit.
- a method for exposing an edge of a substrate includes mounting the substrate on a stage, and then exposing the edge of the substrate mounted on the stage using each of a long side exposure unit and a short side exposure unit.
- a method for exposing an edge of a substrate includes mounting the substrate on a stage, exposing both edges of a first side of the substrate in a state that the stage is stopped, exposing both edges of a second side of the substrate while moving the stage, and drawing the substrate of which both edges of the first and second sides have been exposed, from the stage and moving the drawn substrate to the outside.
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a related art apparatus for exposing an edge of a substrate
- FIG. 2 illustrates a related art edge exposure unit shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIGS. 3A to 3G are sectional views illustrating exposure process steps of exposing an edge of a substrate using a related art edge exposure unit
- FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for exposing an edge of a substrate in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention
- FIGS. 5A and 5B are sectional views illustrating an edge exposure unit shown in FIG. 4 ;
- FIG. 6 illustrates a conveyer unit shown in FIG. 4 ;
- FIGS. 7A to 7J are sectional views illustrating exposure process steps of exposing an edge of a substrate in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for exposing an edge of a substrate in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating an edge exposure unit shown in FIG. 8 ;
- FIGS. 10A to 10G are sectional views illustrating exposure process steps of exposing an edge of a substrate in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for exposing an edge of a substrate in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.
- the apparatus for exposing an edge of a substrate includes a loading unit 110 loading the substrate, an edge exposure unit 120 exposing the edge of the substrate loaded by the loading unit 110 , and a conveyer unit 125 moving the substrate whose edge has been exposed by the edge exposure unit 120 .
- the substrate may be a wafer for manufacture of a semiconductor device or a glass for manufacture of an image display device.
- the loading unit 110 loads the substrate externally deposited with photoresist into the edge exposure unit 120 using a robot arm.
- the edge exposure unit 120 fixes the substrate loaded by the loading unit 110 and exposes long sides of the fixed substrate at a certain width using a long side exposure unit. Then, the edge exposure unit 120 exposes short sides of the exposed substrate at a certain width using a short side exposure unit.
- the conveyer unit 125 moves the substrate whose edge has been exposed by the edge exposure unit 120 using a conveyer.
- the apparatus for exposing the edge of the substrate in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention can reduce an edge exposure process time period by arranging the loading unit 110 , the edge exposure unit 120 and the conveyer unit 125 in an in-line type.
- FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate the edge exposure unit 120 shown in FIG. 4 .
- the edge exposure unit 120 includes a stage 221 supporting the substrate 202 loaded from the loading unit 110 , a driving shaft 222 moving the stage 221 in a first direction (X axis), a rail 223 guiding the driving shaft 222 to move the driving shaft 222 to the first direction, a long side exposure unit exposing the long sides of the substrate 202 supported by the stage 221 , and a short side exposure unit exposing the short sides of the substrate 202 moved by movement of the stage 221 .
- the stage 221 includes a plurality of lift pins 225 supporting and fixing the substrate 202 loaded from the loading unit 110 .
- the lift pins 225 are ascended and descended by a driving device (not shown) to adsorb the substrate 202 under the vacuum state.
- the substrate 202 from the loading unit 110 is loaded onto the stage 221 through a port 215 provided to face one side of the stage 221 .
- the driving shaft 222 is linked to the driving device to move the stage 221 in the first direction (X axis) along the rail 223 .
- the rail 223 is provided on a support 200 and guides the driving shaft 222 to move the driving shaft 222 to the first direction (X axis).
- the long side exposure unit includes first and second driving bars 230 and 232 arranged on the stage 221 to face each other, a moving bar 234 arranged between the first and second driving bars 230 and 232 to move to a second direction (Y axis), and first and second optical systems 226 a and 226 b arranged at a side of the moving bar 234 to correspond to the distance between the long sides of the substrate 202 .
- the first and second driving bars 230 and 232 are arranged on the stage 221 to vertically cross the rail 223 and move the moving bar 234 to the second direction (Y axis). At this time, the first driving bar 230 is arranged near the port 215 to which the substrate 202 is loaded by the loading unit 110 while the second driving bar 232 is arranged near the short side exposure unit.
- the moving bar 234 is arranged to vertically cross the first and second driving bars 230 and 232 and faces the stage 221 .
- the moving bar 234 is linked to driving of the first and second driving bars 230 and 232 to move to the second direction (Y axis).
- the moving bar 234 may be any one of LM (Linear Motion) rail and LM block of LM guide.
- Each of the first and second driving bars 230 and 232 may be the other one of LM rail and LM block of LM guide.
- the first and second optical systems 226 a and 226 b are arranged in parallel at a side of the moving bar 234 and spaced apart from each other to correspond to the distance between the long sides of the substrate 202 .
- Each of the first and second optical systems 226 a and 226 b irradiates light toward the long sides of the substrate 202 moved by the moving bar 234 and mounted on the stage 221 .
- each of the first and second optical systems 226 a and 226 b may be laser modules irradiating laser or projection optical modules irradiating ultraviolet rays.
- the long side exposure unit may further include a distance controller 228 a that controls the distance between the first and second optical systems 226 a and 226 b in accordance with the size of the substrate 202 .
- the short side exposure unit includes a support bar 240 arranged in parallel with the long side exposure unit, and third and fourth optical systems 246 a and 246 b arranged at a side of the support bar 240 to correspond to the distance between the short sides of the substrate 202 .
- the support bar 240 is arranged in parallel with the second driving bar 232 of the long side exposure unit to vertically cross the rail 223 .
- the third and fourth optical systems 246 a and 246 b are arranged in parallel at a side of the support bar 240 and spaced apart from each other to correspond to the distance between the short sides of the substrate 202 .
- Each of the third and fourth optical systems 246 a and 246 b irradiates light toward the short sides of the substrate 202 mounted on the stage 221 moved to the first direction (X axis) along the rail 223 .
- each of the third and fourth optical systems 246 a and 246 b may be laser modules irradiating laser or projection optical modules irradiating ultraviolet rays.
- the short side exposure unit may further include a distance controller 228 b that controls the distance between the third and fourth optical systems 246 a and 246 b in accordance with the size of the substrate 202 .
- FIG. 6 illustrates the conveyer unit 125 shown in FIG. 4 .
- the conveyer unit 125 includes a substrate drawing unit 250 drawing the substrate, whose edge has been exposed, from the edge exposure unit 120 , and a substrate moving unit 270 moving the substrate drawn by the substrate drawing unit 250 to an external development unit (not shown).
- the substrate drawing unit 250 includes at least one cylinder 252 arranged at an end of the support 220 , a driving shaft 254 vertically driven by driving of the cylinder 252 , a frame 256 arranged at an end of the driving shaft 254 , and a roller driver arranged in parallel with the frame 256 to draw the substrate from the stage 221 of the edge exposure unit 120 .
- Each of the cylinders 252 is driven by a driving device (not shown) to ascend and descend the driving shaft 254 .
- the driving shaft 254 is linked to driving of the cylinder 252 to ascend and descend the frame 256 .
- the roller driver includes a plurality of guide wings 260 arranged in parallel at constant intervals, and a plurality of rollers 262 arranged in the respective guide wings 260 in parallel at constant intervals.
- the guide wings 260 are arranged in parallel to be inserted between the stage 221 and the substrate. In other words, each of the guide wings 260 is inserted into a space between the lift pins ascended from the stage 221 at a certain height.
- the rollers 262 are rotated by a driving motor (not shown) to move the substrate to the substrate moving unit 270 .
- a driving motor not shown
- the substrate is mounted on the rollers 262 .
- the driving shaft 254 is ascended by driving of the cylinder 252
- the substrate is mounted on the rollers 262 .
- the substrate moving unit 270 is arranged near the substrate drawing unit 250 and includes a plurality of rollers 272 that moves the substrate moved by the roller driver to the external development unit.
- the substrate moving unit 270 may be a conveyer arranged in the external development unit to move the substrate during development.
- FIGS. 7A to 7J are sectional views illustrating exposure process steps of exposing the edge of the substrate using the edge exposure unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
- the lift pins 225 arranged in the stage 221 are ascended to lift the substrate 202 mounted on the robot arm.
- the robot arm returns to the loading unit 110 .
- the lift pins 225 descend so that the substrate 202 is mounted on the stage 221 and then aligned.
- the moving bar 234 is slowly moved to the second direction (Y axis) by means of driving of the first and second driving units 230 and 232 and the moving bar 234 .
- the first and second optical systems 226 a and 226 b irradiate, as shown by arrow 280 , light toward both edges of the long sides of the substrate 202 to expose the long sides of the substrate 202 .
- the first and second optical systems 226 a and 226 b may be driven by a sensing signal from a sensor (not shown) that senses the position of the substrate 202 .
- the stage 221 is slowly moved, as shown by arrow 290 , to the first direction (X axis), i.e., toward the conveyer unit 125 by driving of the driving shaft 222 .
- the third and fourth optical systems 246 a and 246 b irradiate, as shown by arrow 282 , light toward both edges of the short sides of the substrate 202 mounted on the stage 221 , which is moving along the rail 223 , as shown by arrows 290 and 291 , so as to expose the short sides of the substrate 202 .
- the third and fourth optical systems 246 a and 246 b may be driven by a sensing signal from a sensor (not shown) that senses the position of the substrate 202 .
- the stage 221 continues to move, as shown by arrow 292 , to the conveyer unit 125 along the rail 223 .
- the lift pins 225 ascend before the stage 221 is near the guides 260 of the substrate drawing unit.
- the substrate 202 mounted on the stage 221 ascends at a certain height.
- the guide wings 260 are inserted into the space between the stage 221 and the substrate 202 .
- the substrate 202 supported by the lift pins 225 is mounted on the rollers 262 arranged in the guide wings 260 .
- the cylinder 252 is driven so that the guide wings 260 ascend at a certain height.
- the substrate 202 supported by the lift pins 225 may be mounted on the rollers 262 arranged in the guide wings 260 .
- the driving shaft 254 is linked to driving of the cylinder 252 and ascends, so that the guide wings 260 ascend.
- the guide wings 260 ascend, as shown by arrow 294 , to the position corresponding to the rollers 272 arranged in the substrate drawing unit 270 .
- the stage 221 stopped at the drawing position of the substrate 202 is moved, as shown by arrow 295 , to the first direction (X axis), i.e., the port 215 along the rail 223 and returns to the home position.
- the edge of the substrate 202 is exposed in the order of loading of the substrate 202 , exposure of the long sides of the stopped substrate 202 , movement of the stage 221 and exposure of the short sides of the substrate 202 concurrently, and movement of the stage 221 and unloading of the substrate 202 concurrently.
- the substrate 202 is moved in an in-line type without any unnecessary standby time period of the substrate 202 such as rotation of the substrate 202 and reciprocating movement of the stage 221 to expose the edge of the substrate 202 , thereby reducing the edge exposure time period. Therefore, it is possible to improve productivity. Also, since no rotation of the substrate 202 is required, it is possible to reduce the size of the apparatus.
- the aforementioned apparatus and method for exposing the edge of the substrate according to the first embodiment of the present invention may depend on the position between the loading unit 110 and the edge exposure unit 120 .
- FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for exposing an edge of a substrate in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.
- the apparatus for exposing an edge of a substrate includes a loading unit 110 loading the substrate, an edge exposure unit 320 arranged below the loading unit 110 to expose the edge of the substrate loaded by the loading unit 110 using a short side exposure unit and a long side exposure unit, and a conveyer unit 125 moving the substrate whose edge has been exposed by the edge exposure unit 320 .
- the apparatus for exposing the edge of the substrate in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention can reduce an edge exposure process time period by arranging the edge exposure unit 320 and the conveyer unit 125 excluding the loading unit 110 in an in-line type.
- the apparatus for exposing an edge of a substrate in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention has the same elements as those of the first embodiment excluding the edge exposure unit 320 . Therefore, description of other elements excluding the edge exposure unit 320 will be replaced with the description according to the first embodiment.
- FIG. 9 illustrates the edge exposure unit 320 shown in FIG. 8 .
- the edge exposure unit 320 includes a stage 321 supporting the substrate 302 loaded from the loading unit 110 , a driving shaft (not shown) moving the stage 321 to a first direction (X axis), a rail 323 guiding the driving shaft to move the driving shaft to the first direction, a short side exposure unit exposing the short sides of the substrate 302 supported by the stage 321 , and a long side exposure unit exposing the long sides of the substrate 302 moved along the movement of the stage 321 .
- the stage 321 includes a plurality of lift pins 325 supporting and fixing the substrate 302 loaded from the loading unit 110 .
- the lift pins 325 are ascended and descended by a driving device (not shown) to adsorb to the substrate 302 under the vacuum state.
- the substrate 302 from the loading unit 110 is loaded onto the stage 321 through a port 315 provided to face an upper end of the stage 321 .
- the driving shaft is linked to the driving device to move the stage 321 in the first direction (X axis) along the rail 323 .
- the rail 323 guides the driving shaft to move the driving shaft to the first direction (X axis).
- the short side exposure unit includes first and second driving bars 330 and 332 arranged on the stage 321 to face each other, a moving bar 334 arranged between the first and second driving bars 330 and 332 to move to a second direction (Y axis), and first and second optical systems 326 a and 326 b arranged at a side of the moving bar 334 to correspond to the distance between the short sides of the substrate 302 .
- the first and second driving bars 330 and 332 are arranged on the stage 321 to vertically cross the rail 323 and move the moving bar 334 to the second direction (Y axis). At this time, the first driving bar 330 is arranged to be vertical to the port 315 to which the substrate 302 is loaded by the loading unit 110 , while the second driving bar 332 is arranged near the short side exposure unit.
- the moving bar 334 is arranged to vertically cross the first and second driving bars 330 and 332 and faces the stage 321 .
- the moving bar 334 is linked to driving of the first and second driving bars 330 and 332 to move to the second direction (Y axis).
- the moving bar 334 may be any one of LM rail and LM block of LM guide.
- Each of the first and second driving bars 330 and 332 may be other one of LM rail and LM block of LM guide.
- the first and second optical systems 326 a and 326 b are arranged in parallel at a side of the moving bar 334 and spaced apart from each other to correspond to the distance between the short sides of the substrate 302 .
- Each of the first and second optical systems 326 a and 326 b irradiates light toward the short sides of the substrate 302 moved by the moving bar 334 and mounted on the stage 321 .
- each of the first and second optical systems 326 a and 326 b may be laser modules irradiating laser or projection optical modules irradiating ultraviolet rays.
- the short side exposure unit may further include a distance controller 328 a that controls the distance between the first and second optical systems 326 a and 326 b in accordance with the size of the substrate 302 .
- the long side exposure unit includes a support bar 340 arranged in parallel with the long side exposure unit, and third and fourth optical systems 346 a and 346 b arranged at each side of the support bar 340 to correspond to the distance between the long sides of the substrate 302 .
- the support bar 340 is arranged in parallel with the second driving bar 332 of the short side exposure unit to vertically cross the rail 323 .
- the third and fourth optical systems 346 a and 346 b are arranged in parallel at each side of the support bar 340 and spaced apart from each other to correspond to the distance between the long sides of the substrate 302 .
- Each of the third and fourth optical systems 346 a and 346 b irradiates light toward the long sides of the substrate 302 mounted on the stage 321 moved to the first direction (X axis) along the rail 323 .
- each of the third and fourth optical systems 346 a and 346 b may be laser modules irradiating laser or projection optical modules irradiating ultraviolet rays.
- the long side exposure unit may further include a distance controller 328 b that controls the distance between the third and fourth optical systems 346 a and 346 b in accordance with the size of the substrate 302 .
- FIGS. 10A to 10G are sectional views illustrating exposure process steps of exposing the edge of the substrate using the edge exposure unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
- the substrate 302 is loaded, as shown by arrow 390 , onto the stage 321 of the edge exposure unit 320 through the port 315 by the robot arm of the loading unit 110 .
- the lift pins 325 arranged in the stage 321 are ascended to lift the substrate 302 mounted on the robot arm.
- the robot arm returns to the loading unit 110 .
- the lift pins 325 descend so that the substrate 302 is mounted on the stage 321 and then aligned.
- the moving bar 334 is slowly moved to the second direction (Y axis) by means of driving of the first and second driving bars 330 and 332 and the moving bar 334 .
- the first and second optical systems 326 a and 326 b irradiate light toward both edges 329 a of the short sides of the substrate 302 to expose the short sides of the substrate 302 .
- the first and second optical systems 326 a and 326 b may be driven by a sensing signal from a sensor (not shown) that senses the position of the substrate 302 .
- the stage 321 is slowly moved, as shown by arrow 391 , to the first direction (X axis), i.e., toward the conveyer unit 125 along the rail 323 .
- the third and fourth optical systems 346 a and 346 b irradiate light toward both edges 329 b of the long sides of the substrate 302 mounted on the stage 321 , which is moving along the rail 323 , as shown by arrow 391 , so as to expose the long sides of the substrate 302 .
- the third and fourth optical systems 346 a and 346 b may be driven by a sensing signal from a sensor (not shown) that senses the position of the substrate 302 .
- the stage 321 continues to move to the conveyer unit 125 along the rail 323 .
- the stage 321 is moved to the drawing position of the substrate and then stopped.
- the substrate 302 mounted on the stage 321 stopped at the drawing position of the substrate is drawn from the stage 321 in accordance with the operation of the conveyer unit 125 shown in FIGS. 7F to 7I and then moved, as shown by arrow 392 , to the external development unit.
- the operation of the conveyer unit 125 will be replaced with the description of FIGS. 7F to 7I .
- the stage 321 is moved to the first direction (X axis), i.e., toward the port 325 along the rail 323 and returns to the home position.
- the edge of the substrate 302 is exposed in the order of loading of the substrate 302 , exposure of the short sides of the stopped substrate 302 , movement of the stage 321 and exposure of the long sides of the substrate 302 concurrently, and movement of the stage 321 , and unloading of the substrate 302 .
- the substrate 302 is moved in an in-line type without any unnecessary standby time period of the substrate 302 such as rotation of the substrate 302 and reciprocating movement of the stage 321 to expose the edge of the substrate 302 , thereby reducing the edge exposure time period. Therefore, it is possible to improve productivity. Also, since no rotation of the substrate 302 is required, it is possible to reduce the size of the apparatus.
- the aforementioned apparatus and method for exposing the edge of the substrate according to the embodiments of the present invention have the following advantages.
- the apparatus since no rotation of the substrate is required, it is possible to reduce the size of the apparatus. Moreover, since the apparatus is provided in an in-line type, it is possible to easily draw the substrate using the conveyer.
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- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Exposure And Positioning Against Photoresist Photosensitive Materials (AREA)
- Exposure Of Semiconductors, Excluding Electron Or Ion Beam Exposure (AREA)
Abstract
An apparatus and method for exposing an edge of a substrate are disclosed, in which an exposure time period for exposing the edge of the substrate is reduced. The apparatus for exposing an edge of a substrate includes a loading unit loading the substrate, and an edge exposure unit exposing the edge of the substrate loaded by the loading unit using each of a long side exposure unit and a short side exposure unit. Therefore, since the edge of the substrate is exposed using each of the long side exposure unit and the short side exposure unit, it is possible to reduce the edge exposure time period, thereby improving productivity. In addition, since no rotation of the substrate is required, it is possible to reduce the size of the apparatus. Moreover, since the apparatus is provided in an in-line type, it is possible to easily draw the substrate using a conveyer.
Description
- The present patent document is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/455,433, filed Jun. 19, 2006, which claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. P2005-0133112 filed in Korea on Dec. 29, 2005, which are hereby incorporated by reference.
- The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for exposing an edge of a substrate to manufacture a flat display device, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for exposing an edge of a substrate, in which an exposure time period for exposing the edge of the substrate is reduced.
- Generally, a photolithography process is used to pattern a substrate in a process of manufacturing a semiconductor device or a flat display device.
- The photolithography process includes a deposition process of depositing a photoresist on a substrate, an exposure process of exposing the photoresist deposited on the substrate, and a development process of developing the exposed substrate.
- The exposure process is to selectively expose the photoresist deposited on the substrate using a mask.
- Meanwhile, a process defect occurs due to foreign materials generated by peeling at the edge of the substrate during movement, exposure or development of the substrate. To prevent such peeling at the edge of the substrate, an edge exposure process is performed before the exposure process to remove the edge of the substrate at a certain width.
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FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a related art apparatus for exposing an edge of a substrate. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , the related art apparatus for exposing an edge of a substrate includes a loading/unloading unit 10 loading and unloading the substrate, and anedge exposure unit 20 exposing the edge of the substrate loaded by the loading/unloading unit 10. - The loading/
unloading unit 10 loads the substrate externally deposited with a photoresist into theedge exposure unit 20 using a robot arm. Also, the loading/unloading unit 10 unloads the substrate exposed by theedge exposure unit 20 from theedge exposure unit 20 using the robot arm. - The
edge exposure unit 20 exposes the edge, i.e., long and short sides, of the substrate loaded by the loading/unloading unit 10 at a certain width. -
FIG. 2 illustrates the related artedge exposure unit 20 shown inFIG. 1 . - Referring to
FIG. 2 in connection withFIG. 1 , the related artedge exposure unit 20 includes astage 21 supporting the substrate deposited with the photoresist, adriving shaft 22 moving thestage 21 in a first direction (X axis) and rotating thestage 21, arail 23 guiding thedriving shaft 22 to move thedriving shaft 22 to the first direction, and an exposure unit provided in therail 23 to expose the edge of the substrate. - The
stage 21 includes a plurality oflift pins 25 supporting and fixing the substrate loaded from the loading/unloading unit 10. Thelift pins 25 are ascended and descended by a driving device (not shown) to adsorb the substrate under the vacuum state. - The
driving shaft 22 is linked to the driving device to move thestage 21 in the first direction (X axis) along therail 23. Also, thedriving shaft 22 is rotated by the driving device to rotate thestage 21. - The
rail 23 guides thedriving shaft 22 to move thedriving shaft 22 to the first direction (X axis). - The exposure unit includes a
support bar 24 arranged to vertically cross therail 23, first and secondoptical systems support bar 24, and adistance controller 28 controlling the distance between the first and secondoptical systems - The
support bar 24 is fixed to therail 23 to vertically cross therail 23. - Each of the first and second
optical systems optical systems - The
distance controller 28 controls the distance between the first and secondoptical systems -
FIGS. 3A to 3G are sectional views illustrating exposure process steps of exposing the edge of the substrate using the related artedge exposure unit 20. - The exposure process steps of exposing the edge of the substrate according to the related art will be described as follows.
- First, as shown in
FIG. 3A , thesubstrate 2 deposited with the photoresist is loaded, as shown byarrow 30, onto thestage 21 of the home position by the robot arm of the loading/unloading unit 10. If the robot arm of the loading/unloading unit 10 on which the substrate is mounted is positioned on thestage 21, thelift pins 25 are ascended by the driving device to lift thesubstrate 2 mounted on the robot arm. If thesubstrate 2 is lifted at a certain height by thelift pins 25, the robot arm returns to the loading/unloading unit 10. At this time, the distance between the first and secondoptical systems distance controller 28 to correspond to the distance between the long sides of thesubstrate 2. - When the robot arm is taken out from the
stage 21, thelift pins 25 descend and are fixed to the surface of thestage 21 as shown inFIG. 3B . - Subsequently, as shown in
FIG. 3C , thedriving shaft 22 moves to the first direction (X axis) along therail 23 so that thestage 21 moves, as shown byarrow 31, to the exposure unit. When thesubstrate 2 moves near the exposure unit, the first and secondoptical systems edges 29 a of the long sides of thesubstrate 2 to expose the long sides of thesubstrate 2. At this time, the first and secondoptical systems substrate 2. - Subsequently, as shown in
FIG. 3D , when the long sides of thesubstrate 2 are completely exposed, thedriving shaft 22 is clockwise rotated, as shown byarrow 32, at an angle of 90° as shown inFIG. 3D . At this time, the distance between the first and secondoptical systems arrow 33, by thedistance controller 28 to correspond to the distance between the short sides of thesubstrate 2. - Next, as shown in
FIG. 3E , when thesubstrate 2 is completely rotated, thedriving shaft 22 moves to the first direction (X axis) along therail 23 so that thestage 21 moves to the home position. If thesubstrate 2, which is moving to the home position, moves near the exposure unit, the first and secondoptical systems edges 29 b of the short sides of thesubstrate 2 to expose the short sides of thesubstrate 2. - Subsequently, as shown in
FIG. 3F , when the short sides of thesubstrate 2 are completely exposed, thedriving shaft 22 is clockwise rotated, as shown byarrow 34, at an angle of 90° as shown inFIG. 3G . At this time, the distance between the first and secondoptical systems distance controller 28 to correspond to the distance between the long sides of thesubstrate 2. - Then, when rotation of the
substrate 2 is completed, thesubstrate 2 whose long and short sides have completely been exposed is ascended at a certain height by thelift pins 25. The robot arm of the loading/unloading unit 10 is inserted between theascended substrate 2 and thestage 21. Subsequently, thelift pins 25 are descended into thestage 21 so that thesubstrate 2 is mounted on the robot arm and thus unloaded from the loading/unloadingunit 10. - Consequently, in the related art apparatus and method for exposing the edge of the substrate, as shown in
FIGS. 3A to 3G , the edge of thesubstrate 2 is exposed in the order of loading of thesubstrate 2, movement of thestage 21 and exposure of the long sides, rotation of thestage 21, movement of thestage 21 and exposure of the short sides, rotation of thestage 21, and unloading of thesubstrate 2. - However, the related art apparatus and method for exposing the edge of the substrate have several problems.
- Since both a reciprocating movement time period of the
stage 21 to the first direction (X axis) and a rotational time period of thestage 21 are required, the process time of exposing the edge of thesubstrate 2 increases. - Further, since the
substrate 2 is unloaded through a port after being loaded into the port, the process time of exposing the edge of thesubstrate 2 increases due to a standby time period of thesubstrate 2. - Moreover, since the
stage 21 should be rotated, the size of the apparatus increases. - The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for exposing an edge of a substrate, which substantially obviate one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
- An objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for exposing an edge of a substrate, in which an exposure time period for exposing the edge of the substrate is reduced.
- Additional advantages, objectives, and features of the invention in part will be set forth in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
- In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided for exposing an edge of a substrate. The apparatus comprises a loading unit loading the substrate, and an edge exposure unit exposing the edge of the substrate loaded by the loading unit using each of a long side exposure unit and a short side exposure unit.
- In another aspect of the present invention, a method for exposing an edge of a substrate includes mounting the substrate on a stage, and then exposing the edge of the substrate mounted on the stage using each of a long side exposure unit and a short side exposure unit.
- In other aspect of the present invention, a method for exposing an edge of a substrate includes mounting the substrate on a stage, exposing both edges of a first side of the substrate in a state that the stage is stopped, exposing both edges of a second side of the substrate while moving the stage, and drawing the substrate of which both edges of the first and second sides have been exposed, from the stage and moving the drawn substrate to the outside.
- The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings:
-
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a related art apparatus for exposing an edge of a substrate; -
FIG. 2 illustrates a related art edge exposure unit shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIGS. 3A to 3G are sectional views illustrating exposure process steps of exposing an edge of a substrate using a related art edge exposure unit; -
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for exposing an edge of a substrate in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention; -
FIGS. 5A and 5B are sectional views illustrating an edge exposure unit shown inFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 6 illustrates a conveyer unit shown inFIG. 4 ; -
FIGS. 7A to 7J are sectional views illustrating exposure process steps of exposing an edge of a substrate in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for exposing an edge of a substrate in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating an edge exposure unit shown inFIG. 8 ; - and
-
FIGS. 10A to 10G are sectional views illustrating exposure process steps of exposing an edge of a substrate in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention. - Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
-
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for exposing an edge of a substrate in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. - Referring to
FIG. 4 , the apparatus for exposing an edge of a substrate according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes aloading unit 110 loading the substrate, anedge exposure unit 120 exposing the edge of the substrate loaded by theloading unit 110, and aconveyer unit 125 moving the substrate whose edge has been exposed by theedge exposure unit 120. - The substrate may be a wafer for manufacture of a semiconductor device or a glass for manufacture of an image display device.
- The
loading unit 110 loads the substrate externally deposited with photoresist into theedge exposure unit 120 using a robot arm. - The
edge exposure unit 120 fixes the substrate loaded by theloading unit 110 and exposes long sides of the fixed substrate at a certain width using a long side exposure unit. Then, theedge exposure unit 120 exposes short sides of the exposed substrate at a certain width using a short side exposure unit. - The
conveyer unit 125 moves the substrate whose edge has been exposed by theedge exposure unit 120 using a conveyer. - The apparatus for exposing the edge of the substrate in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention can reduce an edge exposure process time period by arranging the
loading unit 110, theedge exposure unit 120 and theconveyer unit 125 in an in-line type. -
FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate theedge exposure unit 120 shown inFIG. 4 . - Referring to
FIGS. 5A and 5B in connection withFIG. 4 , theedge exposure unit 120 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes astage 221 supporting thesubstrate 202 loaded from theloading unit 110, a drivingshaft 222 moving thestage 221 in a first direction (X axis), arail 223 guiding the drivingshaft 222 to move the drivingshaft 222 to the first direction, a long side exposure unit exposing the long sides of thesubstrate 202 supported by thestage 221, and a short side exposure unit exposing the short sides of thesubstrate 202 moved by movement of thestage 221. - The
stage 221 includes a plurality of lift pins 225 supporting and fixing thesubstrate 202 loaded from theloading unit 110. The lift pins 225 are ascended and descended by a driving device (not shown) to adsorb thesubstrate 202 under the vacuum state. Thesubstrate 202 from theloading unit 110 is loaded onto thestage 221 through aport 215 provided to face one side of thestage 221. - The driving
shaft 222 is linked to the driving device to move thestage 221 in the first direction (X axis) along therail 223. - The
rail 223 is provided on asupport 200 and guides the drivingshaft 222 to move the drivingshaft 222 to the first direction (X axis). - The long side exposure unit includes first and second driving bars 230 and 232 arranged on the
stage 221 to face each other, a movingbar 234 arranged between the first and second driving bars 230 and 232 to move to a second direction (Y axis), and first and secondoptical systems bar 234 to correspond to the distance between the long sides of thesubstrate 202. - The first and second driving bars 230 and 232 are arranged on the
stage 221 to vertically cross therail 223 and move the movingbar 234 to the second direction (Y axis). At this time, thefirst driving bar 230 is arranged near theport 215 to which thesubstrate 202 is loaded by theloading unit 110 while thesecond driving bar 232 is arranged near the short side exposure unit. - The moving
bar 234 is arranged to vertically cross the first and second driving bars 230 and 232 and faces thestage 221. The movingbar 234 is linked to driving of the first and second driving bars 230 and 232 to move to the second direction (Y axis). The movingbar 234 may be any one of LM (Linear Motion) rail and LM block of LM guide. Each of the first and second driving bars 230 and 232 may be the other one of LM rail and LM block of LM guide. - The first and second
optical systems bar 234 and spaced apart from each other to correspond to the distance between the long sides of thesubstrate 202. Each of the first and secondoptical systems substrate 202 moved by the movingbar 234 and mounted on thestage 221. To this end, each of the first and secondoptical systems - Meanwhile, the long side exposure unit may further include a
distance controller 228 a that controls the distance between the first and secondoptical systems substrate 202. - The short side exposure unit includes a
support bar 240 arranged in parallel with the long side exposure unit, and third and fourthoptical systems support bar 240 to correspond to the distance between the short sides of thesubstrate 202. - The
support bar 240 is arranged in parallel with thesecond driving bar 232 of the long side exposure unit to vertically cross therail 223. - The third and fourth
optical systems support bar 240 and spaced apart from each other to correspond to the distance between the short sides of thesubstrate 202. Each of the third and fourthoptical systems substrate 202 mounted on thestage 221 moved to the first direction (X axis) along therail 223. To this end, each of the third and fourthoptical systems - Meanwhile, the short side exposure unit may further include a
distance controller 228 b that controls the distance between the third and fourthoptical systems substrate 202. -
FIG. 6 illustrates theconveyer unit 125 shown inFIG. 4 . - Referring to
FIG. 6 in connection withFIG. 4 , theconveyer unit 125 includes asubstrate drawing unit 250 drawing the substrate, whose edge has been exposed, from theedge exposure unit 120, and asubstrate moving unit 270 moving the substrate drawn by thesubstrate drawing unit 250 to an external development unit (not shown). - The
substrate drawing unit 250 includes at least onecylinder 252 arranged at an end of the support 220, a drivingshaft 254 vertically driven by driving of thecylinder 252, aframe 256 arranged at an end of the drivingshaft 254, and a roller driver arranged in parallel with theframe 256 to draw the substrate from thestage 221 of theedge exposure unit 120. - Each of the
cylinders 252 is driven by a driving device (not shown) to ascend and descend the drivingshaft 254. - The driving
shaft 254 is linked to driving of thecylinder 252 to ascend and descend theframe 256. - The roller driver includes a plurality of
guide wings 260 arranged in parallel at constant intervals, and a plurality ofrollers 262 arranged in therespective guide wings 260 in parallel at constant intervals. - The
guide wings 260 are arranged in parallel to be inserted between thestage 221 and the substrate. In other words, each of theguide wings 260 is inserted into a space between the lift pins ascended from thestage 221 at a certain height. - The
rollers 262 are rotated by a driving motor (not shown) to move the substrate to thesubstrate moving unit 270. At this time, when the lift pins arranged in thestage 221 are ascended into thestage 221, the substrate is mounted on therollers 262. Otherwise, when the drivingshaft 254 is ascended by driving of thecylinder 252, the substrate is mounted on therollers 262. - The
substrate moving unit 270 is arranged near thesubstrate drawing unit 250 and includes a plurality ofrollers 272 that moves the substrate moved by the roller driver to the external development unit. Thesubstrate moving unit 270 may be a conveyer arranged in the external development unit to move the substrate during development. -
FIGS. 7A to 7J are sectional views illustrating exposure process steps of exposing the edge of the substrate using the edge exposure unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. - The exposure process steps of exposing the edge of the substrate using the edge exposure unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described as follows.
- First, when the substrate is loaded onto the
stage 221 of theedge exposure unit 120 through the port (not shown) by the robot arm of theloading unit 110, as shown inFIG. 7A , the lift pins 225 arranged in thestage 221 are ascended to lift thesubstrate 202 mounted on the robot arm. When thesubstrate 202 is lifted by the lift pins 225, the robot arm returns to theloading unit 110. - When the robot arm is taken out from the
stage 221, as shown inFIG. 7B , the lift pins 225 descend so that thesubstrate 202 is mounted on thestage 221 and then aligned. - Subsequently, the moving
bar 234 is slowly moved to the second direction (Y axis) by means of driving of the first andsecond driving units bar 234. When the movingbar 234 moves near thesubstrate 202, the first and secondoptical systems arrow 280, light toward both edges of the long sides of thesubstrate 202 to expose the long sides of thesubstrate 202. At this time, the first and secondoptical systems substrate 202. - Subsequently, when the long sides of the
substrate 202 are completely exposed, thestage 221 is slowly moved, as shown byarrow 290, to the first direction (X axis), i.e., toward theconveyer unit 125 by driving of the drivingshaft 222. - Next, when the
substrate 202 mounted on thestage 221 moves near the short side exposure unit, as shown inFIGS. 7C and 7D , the third and fourthoptical systems arrow 282, light toward both edges of the short sides of thesubstrate 202 mounted on thestage 221, which is moving along therail 223, as shown byarrows substrate 202. At this time, the third and fourthoptical systems substrate 202. - Subsequently, when the short sides of the
substrate 202 are completely exposed, as shown inFIG. 7E , thestage 221 continues to move, as shown byarrow 292, to theconveyer unit 125 along therail 223. At this time, the lift pins 225 ascend before thestage 221 is near theguides 260 of the substrate drawing unit. Thus, thesubstrate 202 mounted on thestage 221 ascends at a certain height. - When the
stage 221 is moved, as shown byarrow 293, to the drawing position of the substrate, as shown inFIG. 7F , theguide wings 260 are inserted into the space between thestage 221 and thesubstrate 202. - Next, as shown in
FIG. 7G , as the lift pins 225 are descended into thestage 221, thesubstrate 202 supported by the lift pins 225 is mounted on therollers 262 arranged in theguide wings 260. At the same time, thecylinder 252 is driven so that theguide wings 260 ascend at a certain height. In this case, thesubstrate 202 supported by the lift pins 225 may be mounted on therollers 262 arranged in theguide wings 260. - Subsequently, as shown in
FIG. 7H , to move thesubstrate 202 to the external development unit, the drivingshaft 254 is linked to driving of thecylinder 252 and ascends, so that theguide wings 260 ascend. At this time, theguide wings 260 ascend, as shown byarrow 294, to the position corresponding to therollers 272 arranged in thesubstrate drawing unit 270. At the same time, thestage 221 stopped at the drawing position of thesubstrate 202 is moved, as shown byarrow 295, to the first direction (X axis), i.e., theport 215 along therail 223 and returns to the home position. - Afterwards, when the
rollers 262 arranged in theguide wings 260 and therollers 272 arranged in thesubstrate drawing unit 270 are aligned, as shown inFIG. 7I , thesubstrate 202 is moved to the external development unit as therollers - Then, when the
substrate 202 is moved to the external development unit, as shown inFIG. 7J , anew substrate 202 is loaded onto thestage 221, which has returned to the home position, by the robot arm of theloading unit 110. While thesubstrate 202 is being loaded onto the stage, theguide wings 260 is descended to the position for drawing thesubstrate 202 by driving of thecylinder 252 and is in a standby state. - In the aforementioned apparatus and method for exposing the edge of the substrate according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in
FIGS. 7A to 7J , the edge of thesubstrate 202 is exposed in the order of loading of thesubstrate 202, exposure of the long sides of the stoppedsubstrate 202, movement of thestage 221 and exposure of the short sides of thesubstrate 202 concurrently, and movement of thestage 221 and unloading of thesubstrate 202 concurrently. - Accordingly, in the aforementioned apparatus and method for exposing the edge of the substrate according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the
substrate 202 is moved in an in-line type without any unnecessary standby time period of thesubstrate 202 such as rotation of thesubstrate 202 and reciprocating movement of thestage 221 to expose the edge of thesubstrate 202, thereby reducing the edge exposure time period. Therefore, it is possible to improve productivity. Also, since no rotation of thesubstrate 202 is required, it is possible to reduce the size of the apparatus. - Meanwhile, the aforementioned apparatus and method for exposing the edge of the substrate according to the first embodiment of the present invention may depend on the position between the
loading unit 110 and theedge exposure unit 120. -
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for exposing an edge of a substrate in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention. - Referring to
FIG. 8 , the apparatus for exposing an edge of a substrate according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes aloading unit 110 loading the substrate, anedge exposure unit 320 arranged below theloading unit 110 to expose the edge of the substrate loaded by theloading unit 110 using a short side exposure unit and a long side exposure unit, and aconveyer unit 125 moving the substrate whose edge has been exposed by theedge exposure unit 320. - The apparatus for exposing the edge of the substrate in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention can reduce an edge exposure process time period by arranging the
edge exposure unit 320 and theconveyer unit 125 excluding theloading unit 110 in an in-line type. - Meanwhile, the apparatus for exposing an edge of a substrate in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention has the same elements as those of the first embodiment excluding the
edge exposure unit 320. Therefore, description of other elements excluding theedge exposure unit 320 will be replaced with the description according to the first embodiment. -
FIG. 9 illustrates theedge exposure unit 320 shown inFIG. 8 . - Referring to
FIG. 9 in connection withFIG. 8 , theedge exposure unit 320 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes astage 321 supporting thesubstrate 302 loaded from theloading unit 110, a driving shaft (not shown) moving thestage 321 to a first direction (X axis), arail 323 guiding the driving shaft to move the driving shaft to the first direction, a short side exposure unit exposing the short sides of thesubstrate 302 supported by thestage 321, and a long side exposure unit exposing the long sides of thesubstrate 302 moved along the movement of thestage 321. - The
stage 321 includes a plurality of lift pins 325 supporting and fixing thesubstrate 302 loaded from theloading unit 110. The lift pins 325 are ascended and descended by a driving device (not shown) to adsorb to thesubstrate 302 under the vacuum state. Thesubstrate 302 from theloading unit 110 is loaded onto thestage 321 through aport 315 provided to face an upper end of thestage 321. - The driving shaft is linked to the driving device to move the
stage 321 in the first direction (X axis) along therail 323. - The
rail 323 guides the driving shaft to move the driving shaft to the first direction (X axis). - The short side exposure unit includes first and second driving bars 330 and 332 arranged on the
stage 321 to face each other, a movingbar 334 arranged between the first and second driving bars 330 and 332 to move to a second direction (Y axis), and first and secondoptical systems bar 334 to correspond to the distance between the short sides of thesubstrate 302. - The first and second driving bars 330 and 332 are arranged on the
stage 321 to vertically cross therail 323 and move the movingbar 334 to the second direction (Y axis). At this time, thefirst driving bar 330 is arranged to be vertical to theport 315 to which thesubstrate 302 is loaded by theloading unit 110, while thesecond driving bar 332 is arranged near the short side exposure unit. - The moving
bar 334 is arranged to vertically cross the first and second driving bars 330 and 332 and faces thestage 321. The movingbar 334 is linked to driving of the first and second driving bars 330 and 332 to move to the second direction (Y axis). The movingbar 334 may be any one of LM rail and LM block of LM guide. Each of the first and second driving bars 330 and 332 may be other one of LM rail and LM block of LM guide. - The first and second
optical systems bar 334 and spaced apart from each other to correspond to the distance between the short sides of thesubstrate 302. Each of the first and secondoptical systems substrate 302 moved by the movingbar 334 and mounted on thestage 321. To this end, each of the first and secondoptical systems - Meanwhile, the short side exposure unit may further include a
distance controller 328 a that controls the distance between the first and secondoptical systems substrate 302. - The long side exposure unit includes a
support bar 340 arranged in parallel with the long side exposure unit, and third and fourthoptical systems support bar 340 to correspond to the distance between the long sides of thesubstrate 302. - The
support bar 340 is arranged in parallel with thesecond driving bar 332 of the short side exposure unit to vertically cross therail 323. - The third and fourth
optical systems support bar 340 and spaced apart from each other to correspond to the distance between the long sides of thesubstrate 302. Each of the third and fourthoptical systems substrate 302 mounted on thestage 321 moved to the first direction (X axis) along therail 323. To this end, each of the third and fourthoptical systems - Meanwhile, the long side exposure unit may further include a
distance controller 328 b that controls the distance between the third and fourthoptical systems substrate 302. -
FIGS. 10A to 10G are sectional views illustrating exposure process steps of exposing the edge of the substrate using the edge exposure unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention. - The exposure process steps of exposing the edge of the substrate using the edge exposure unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described as follows.
- First, as shown in
FIG. 10A , thesubstrate 302 is loaded, as shown byarrow 390, onto thestage 321 of theedge exposure unit 320 through theport 315 by the robot arm of theloading unit 110. - As shown in
FIG. 10B , the lift pins 325 arranged in thestage 321 are ascended to lift thesubstrate 302 mounted on the robot arm. When thesubstrate 302 is lifted by the lift pins 325, the robot arm returns to theloading unit 110. - Subsequently, when the robot arm is taken out from the
stage 321, the lift pins 325 descend so that thesubstrate 302 is mounted on thestage 321 and then aligned. - Then, the moving
bar 334 is slowly moved to the second direction (Y axis) by means of driving of the first and second driving bars 330 and 332 and the movingbar 334. When the movingbar 334 moves near thesubstrate 302, as shown inFIG. 10C , the first and secondoptical systems edges 329 a of the short sides of thesubstrate 302 to expose the short sides of thesubstrate 302. At this time, the first and secondoptical systems substrate 302. - Subsequently, as shown in
FIG. 10D , when the short sides of thesubstrate 302 are completely exposed, thestage 321 is slowly moved, as shown byarrow 391, to the first direction (X axis), i.e., toward theconveyer unit 125 along therail 323. - Next, when the
substrate 302 mounted on thestage 321 moves near the long side exposure unit, as shown inFIG. 10E , the third and fourthoptical systems edges 329 b of the long sides of thesubstrate 302 mounted on thestage 321, which is moving along therail 323, as shown byarrow 391, so as to expose the long sides of thesubstrate 302. At this time, the third and fourthoptical systems substrate 302. - Subsequently, when the long sides of the
substrate 302 are completely exposed, thestage 321 continues to move to theconveyer unit 125 along therail 323. Thus, thestage 321 is moved to the drawing position of the substrate and then stopped. - Afterwards, as shown in
FIG. 10F , thesubstrate 302 mounted on thestage 321 stopped at the drawing position of the substrate is drawn from thestage 321 in accordance with the operation of theconveyer unit 125 shown inFIGS. 7F to 7I and then moved, as shown byarrow 392, to the external development unit. The operation of theconveyer unit 125 will be replaced with the description ofFIGS. 7F to 7I . - While the
substrate 302 drawn from thestage 321 by the operation of theconveyer unit 125 is moving to the external development unit, as shown inFIG. 10G , thestage 321 is moved to the first direction (X axis), i.e., toward theport 325 along therail 323 and returns to the home position. - In the aforementioned apparatus and method for exposing the edge of the substrate according to the second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in
FIGS. 10A to 10G , the edge of thesubstrate 302 is exposed in the order of loading of thesubstrate 302, exposure of the short sides of the stoppedsubstrate 302, movement of thestage 321 and exposure of the long sides of thesubstrate 302 concurrently, and movement of thestage 321, and unloading of thesubstrate 302. - Accordingly, in the aforementioned apparatus and method for exposing the edge of the substrate according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the
substrate 302 is moved in an in-line type without any unnecessary standby time period of thesubstrate 302 such as rotation of thesubstrate 302 and reciprocating movement of thestage 321 to expose the edge of thesubstrate 302, thereby reducing the edge exposure time period. Therefore, it is possible to improve productivity. Also, since no rotation of thesubstrate 302 is required, it is possible to reduce the size of the apparatus. - As described above, the aforementioned apparatus and method for exposing the edge of the substrate according to the embodiments of the present invention have the following advantages.
- Since the edge of the substrate is exposed using each of the long side exposure unit and the short side exposure unit, it is possible to reduce the edge exposure time period, thereby improving productivity.
- In addition, since no rotation of the substrate is required, it is possible to reduce the size of the apparatus. Moreover, since the apparatus is provided in an in-line type, it is possible to easily draw the substrate using the conveyer.
- It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims (13)
1. An apparatus for exposing an edge of a substrate comprising:
a loading unit that loads a substrate;
an edge exposure unit that exposes an edge of the substrate loaded, the loading unit having a long side exposure unit and a short side exposure unit, and
a conveyer unit that draws the substrate, whose edge has been exposed by the edge exposure unit, from a stage and moving the substrate to outside,
wherein the conveyer unit includes:
at least one cylinder;
a driving shaft that ascends and descends in accordance with driving of each cylinder;
a frame arranged at an upper end of the driving shaft;
a plurality of guide wings arranged in the frame in parallel at constant intervals to draw the substrate from the stage; and
a plurality of rollers arranged in each of the guide wings at constant intervals to move the substrate.
2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the edge exposure unit includes:
a stage that supports the substrate loaded from the loading unit;
a driving shaft that moves the stage to a first direction;
a rail that guides the driving shaft to move the driving shaft to the first direction;
a long side exposure unit that exposes long sides of the substrate supported by the stage; and
a short side exposure unit that exposes short sides of the substrate moved along movement of the stage.
3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the long side exposure unit includes:
a first and a second driving bars arranged on the stage to face each other;
a moving bar arranged between the first and the second driving bars to move to a second direction; and
a first and a second optical systems arranged at each side of the moving bar to correspond to a distance between the long sides of the substrate, thereby exposing corners of the long sides of the substrate.
4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 , wherein the long side exposure unit further includes a distance controller arranged in the moving bar to control the distance between the first and the second optical systems.
5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 , wherein the moving bar is any one of linear motion rail and LM block of linear motion guide, and each of the first and the second driving bars is other one of linear motion rail and linear motion block of linear motion guide.
6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the short side exposure unit includes:
a support bar arranged in parallel with the long side exposure unit; and
a third and a fourth optical systems arranged at each side of the support bar to correspond to a distance between the short sides of the substrate, thereby exposing corners of the short sides of the substrate.
7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 6 , wherein the short side exposure unit further includes a distance controller arranged in the support bar to control the distance between the third and the fourth optical systems.
8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the edge exposure unit includes:
a stage that supports the substrate loaded from the loading unit;
a driving shaft that moves the stage to a first direction;
a rail that guides the driving shaft to move the driving shaft to the first direction;
a short side exposure unit that exposes short sides of the substrate supported by the stage; and
a long side exposure unit that exposes long sides of the substrate moved along movement of the stage.
9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 8 , wherein the short side exposure unit includes:
a first and a second driving bars arranged on the stage to face each other;
a moving bar arranged between the first and second driving bars to move to a second direction; and
a first and a second optical systems arranged at each side of the moving bar to correspond to a distance between the short sides of the substrate, thereby exposing corners of the short sides of the substrate.
10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 9 , wherein the short side exposure unit further includes a distance controller arranged in the moving bar to control the distance between the first and the second optical systems.
11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 8 , wherein the long side exposure unit includes:
a support bar arranged in parallel with the short side exposure unit; and
a third and a fourth optical systems arranged at each side of the support bar to correspond to a distance between the long sides of the substrate, thereby exposing corners of the long sides of the substrate.
12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 11 , wherein the long side exposure unit further includes a distance controller arranged in the support bar to control the distance between the third and the fourth optical systems.
13. The apparatus as set forth in claim 8 , wherein the moving bar is any one of linear motion rail and linear motion block of linear motion guide, and each of the first and the second driving bars is other one of linear motion rail and linear motion block of linear motion guide.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/954,362 US20110069294A1 (en) | 2005-12-29 | 2010-11-24 | Apparatus and method for exposing edge of substrate |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR1020050133112A KR100965570B1 (en) | 2005-12-29 | 2005-12-29 | Apparatus and method for exposing edge of substrate |
KRP2005-0133112 | 2005-12-29 | ||
US11/455,433 US7859642B2 (en) | 2005-12-29 | 2006-06-19 | Apparatus and method for exposing edge of substrate |
US12/954,362 US20110069294A1 (en) | 2005-12-29 | 2010-11-24 | Apparatus and method for exposing edge of substrate |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/455,433 Division US7859642B2 (en) | 2005-12-29 | 2006-06-19 | Apparatus and method for exposing edge of substrate |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20110069294A1 true US20110069294A1 (en) | 2011-03-24 |
Family
ID=38223993
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/455,433 Active 2028-07-18 US7859642B2 (en) | 2005-12-29 | 2006-06-19 | Apparatus and method for exposing edge of substrate |
US12/954,362 Abandoned US20110069294A1 (en) | 2005-12-29 | 2010-11-24 | Apparatus and method for exposing edge of substrate |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US11/455,433 Active 2028-07-18 US7859642B2 (en) | 2005-12-29 | 2006-06-19 | Apparatus and method for exposing edge of substrate |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
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US (2) | US7859642B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR100965570B1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN105137722A (en) * | 2015-09-24 | 2015-12-09 | 京东方科技集团股份有限公司 | Edge exposure device and edge exposure method |
CN105416973A (en) * | 2015-10-29 | 2016-03-23 | 深圳市华星光电技术有限公司 | Substrate conveying device and substrate edge exposure method |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2013122470A (en) * | 2010-03-31 | 2013-06-20 | Toray Eng Co Ltd | Peripheral exposure device and peripheral exposure method |
GB2480873B (en) * | 2010-06-04 | 2014-06-11 | Plastic Logic Ltd | Reducing defects in electronic apparatus |
CN108803245B (en) * | 2017-04-28 | 2020-04-10 | 上海微电子装备(集团)股份有限公司 | Silicon wafer processing device and method |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5892574A (en) * | 1995-06-05 | 1999-04-06 | Western Litho Plate & Supply Co. | Plate exposing apparatus and method |
US20050002005A1 (en) * | 2003-07-03 | 2005-01-06 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Image forming apparatus |
KR20050083438A (en) * | 2004-02-23 | 2005-08-26 | 주식회사 디이엔티 | Stepper for glass-substrate |
US20060221740A1 (en) * | 2005-04-01 | 2006-10-05 | Hynix Semiconductor Inc. | Sense Amplifier Overdriving Circuit and Semiconductor Device Using the Same |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH05190448A (en) * | 1992-01-16 | 1993-07-30 | Nikon Corp | Wafer edge exposer |
JP3175059B2 (en) * | 1992-03-23 | 2001-06-11 | 株式会社ニコン | Peripheral exposure apparatus and method |
JP3682395B2 (en) * | 2000-01-21 | 2005-08-10 | 株式会社ニコン | Scanning exposure apparatus and scanning exposure method |
KR100543469B1 (en) * | 2003-12-23 | 2006-01-20 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Wafer holder and wafer conveyor equiped with the same |
-
2005
- 2005-12-29 KR KR1020050133112A patent/KR100965570B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2006
- 2006-06-19 US US11/455,433 patent/US7859642B2/en active Active
-
2010
- 2010-11-24 US US12/954,362 patent/US20110069294A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5892574A (en) * | 1995-06-05 | 1999-04-06 | Western Litho Plate & Supply Co. | Plate exposing apparatus and method |
US20050002005A1 (en) * | 2003-07-03 | 2005-01-06 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Image forming apparatus |
KR20050083438A (en) * | 2004-02-23 | 2005-08-26 | 주식회사 디이엔티 | Stepper for glass-substrate |
US20060221740A1 (en) * | 2005-04-01 | 2006-10-05 | Hynix Semiconductor Inc. | Sense Amplifier Overdriving Circuit and Semiconductor Device Using the Same |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
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Machine translation of KR 2005-083438. * |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN105137722A (en) * | 2015-09-24 | 2015-12-09 | 京东方科技集团股份有限公司 | Edge exposure device and edge exposure method |
CN105416973A (en) * | 2015-10-29 | 2016-03-23 | 深圳市华星光电技术有限公司 | Substrate conveying device and substrate edge exposure method |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
KR20070070493A (en) | 2007-07-04 |
US20070153246A1 (en) | 2007-07-05 |
US7859642B2 (en) | 2010-12-28 |
KR100965570B1 (en) | 2010-06-23 |
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