Patent · US Expired

Substrate surface processing apparatus and method

US6652662B1 · kind B1 · utility

4Cited by
4References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 1, 1999
Grant dateNov 25, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 1, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S134/902
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A processing apparatus and a processing method are capable of properly and easily obtaining accurate data on the contact pressure applied by an end effector to a workpiece while a process is being carried out. A processing apparatus (7) processes a surface of a wafer (W) held by a spin chuck (22) (holding means) by bringing an end effector (40) into contact with the surface of the wafer (W). The end effector (40) can be retracted from the surface of the wafer (W) to a waiting position (25). A measuring and cleaning device (28) comprises, in combination, a measuring device (26) for measuring contact pressure to be applied to the wafer (W) by the end effector (40), and a cleaning device (27) for cleaning the end effector (40). The measuring device (26) has a table (60) for supporting the end effector (40), and a pressure sensor (62) for measuring a pressure applied to the table (60) to estimate a contact pressure actually applied by the end effector (40) to the wafer (W). The support surface of the table (60) and the surface of the wafer (W) held by the spin chuck (22) are on the same level.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.