Abstract: A separating method includes holding a combined substrate and separating a first substrate. In the holding of the combined substrate, the combined substrate in which the first substrate and a second substrate are bonded is held. In the separating of the first substrate, the first substrate is separated from the combined substrate, starting from a side surface of the combined substrate. The separating of the first substrate includes brining a fluid containing water into contact with the side surface.

Abstract: In a joint apparatus, a transfer region and a processing region are formed. In the transfer region, a transfer mechanism transferring a first substrate, a second substrate, or a superposed substrate, a position adjusting mechanism adjusting an orientation in a horizontal direction of the first substrate or the second substrate, and a reversing mechanism reversing front and rear surfaces of the second substrate are provided. In the processing region, a first holding member mounting and holding the first substrate on an upper surface thereof, a second holding member holding the second substrate on a lower surface thereof, and a pressing and moving member bringing one end portion of the first substrate and one end portion of the second substrate into abutment with each other and pressing the one end portions when joining the first substrate and the second substrate together are provided.

Abstract: A joint system includes: a transfer-in/out station capable of holding a plurality of substrates or a plurality of superposed substrates, and transferring-in/out the substrates or superposed substrates to/from a processing station; and the processing station performing predetermined processing on the substrates and joining the substrates together. The processing station includes: a surface activation apparatus activating a front surface of the substrate; a surface hydrophilizing apparatus hydrophilizing and cleaning the front surface of the substrate; a joint apparatus joining the substrates together; and a transfer region for transferring the substrate or superposed substrate to the surface activation apparatus, the surface hydrophilizing apparatus, and the joint apparatus.

Abstract: A joint system includes: a transfer-in/out station capable of holding a plurality of substrates or a plurality of superposed substrates, and transferring-in/out the substrates or superposed substrates to/from a processing station; and the processing station performing predetermined processing on the substrates and joining the substrates together. The processing station includes: a surface activation apparatus activating a front surface of the substrate; a surface hydrophilizing apparatus hydrophilizing and cleaning the front surface of the substrate; a joint apparatus joining the substrates together; and a transfer region for transferring the substrate or superposed substrate to the surface activation apparatus, the surface hydrophilizing apparatus, and the joint apparatus.

Abstract: In a joint apparatus, a transfer region and a processing region are formed. In the transfer region, a transfer mechanism transferring a first substrate, a second substrate, or a superposed substrate, a position adjusting mechanism adjusting an orientation in a horizontal direction of the first substrate or the second substrate, and a reversing mechanism reversing front and rear surfaces of the second substrate are provided. In the processing region, a first holding member mounting and holding the first substrate on an upper surface thereof, a second holding member holding the second substrate on a lower surface thereof, and a pressing and moving member bringing one end portion of the first substrate and one end portion of the second substrate into abutment with each other and pressing the one end portions when joining the first substrate and the second substrate together are provided.