Abstract: An apparatus includes a rotatable chuck for supporting a substrate and a splash guard. The splash guard surrounds the chuck and surrounds a substrate mounted on the chuck. The splash guard has a portion that deflects fluid being flung off the substrate by centrifugal action in a manner so as to not splash back onto the substrate. The splash guard is moveable between a process position in which the upper annular edge of the splash guard extends above the chuck and a substrate on the chuck, and a load/unload position in which the splash guard is tilted so that one side of the upper annular edge is below an upper edge of the chuck. The movement of the splash guard facilitates loading and unloading of a substrate.

Abstract: A substrate processing system has a first substrate cleaner and a second substrate cleaner. The first substrate cleaner comprises a forward portion and a rear portion. The forward portion includes a rotatable substrate support. The rear portion is vertically thicker than the forward portion. The rear portion includes a device for rotating the support. The second substrate cleaner includes the elements included in the first substrate cleaner. The second substrate cleaner is stacked above the first substrate cleaner with the forward portions being vertically aligned and the rear portions being vertically aligned. A space is formed between the forward portions to permit access to the forward portion of the first substrate cleaner and to permit ample gas flow into the area between the forward portions of the first and the second substrate cleaners.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a substrate includes a bearing assembly, a tubular shaft, a substrate support, a process bowl, and a dispenser. The tubular shaft has an upper end and a lower end. The lower end is rotatably mounted to the bearing assembly. The shaft provides an area through which cleaning liquid can be directed. The substrate support has a lower region connected to the tubular shaft and an upper region that supports the substrate. The process bowl surrounds and is spaced outwardly from the substrate support. The process bowl has a slot in an outer wall that receives a robot arm that positions the substrate on the substrate support and that withdraws the substrate from the substrate support. The dispenser has an outlet that directs liquid through the area, toward the upper region. The dispenser is positioned beneath the upper region.

Abstract: A substrate processing system has a first substrate cleaner and a second substrate cleaner. The first substrate cleaner comprises a forward portion and a rear portion. The forward portion includes a rotatable substrate support. The rear portion is vertically thicker than the forward portion. The rear portion includes a device for rotating the support. The second substrate cleaner includes the elements included in the first substrate cleaner. The second substrate cleaner is stacked above the first substrate cleaner with the forward portions being vertically aligned and the rear portions being vertically aligned. A space is formed between the forward portions to permit access to the forward portion of the first substrate cleaner and to permit ample gas flow into the area between the forward portions of the first and the second substrate cleaners.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a rotatable chuck for supporting a substrate and a splash guard. The splash guard surrounds the chuck and surrounds a substrate mounted on the chuck. The splash guard has a portion that deflects fluid being flung off the substrate by centrifugal action in a manner so as to not splash back onto the substrate. The splash guard is moveable between a process position in which the upper annular edge of the splash guard extends above the chuck and a substrate on the chuck, and a load/unload position in which the splash guard is tilted so that one side of the upper annular edge is below an upper edge of the chuck. The movement of the splash guard facilitates loading and unloading of a substrate.