Patents by Inventor Manabu OKUTANI
Manabu OKUTANI has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20210331192Abstract: A substrate processing method includes a first processing liquid supplying step of supplying a first processing liquid to an upper surface of the substrate, a holding layer forming step of solidifying or curing the first processing liquid to form a particle holding layer on the upper surface of the substrate, a holding layer removing step of peeling and removing the particle holding layer from the upper surface of the substrate, a liquid film forming step of forming, after removing the particle holding layer from the substrate, a liquid film of the second processing liquid, a solidifying step of cooling the liquid film to a temperature not more than a melting point of the sublimable substance to make the liquid film solidify on the substrate and form a solid film, and a sublimating step of sublimating and thereby removing the solid film from the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2021Publication date: October 28, 2021Inventors: Yukifumi YOSHIDA, Hiroaki TAKAHASHI, Masayuki OTSUJI, Manabu OKUTANI, Chikara MAEDA, Hiroshi ABE, Shuichi YASUDA, Yasunori KANEMATSU
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Patent number: 11152204Abstract: A substrate processing method includes an intermediate processing step of processing the pattern forming surface by the intermediate processing liquid after a chemical liquid processing step, a filler discharging step of discharging a filler after the intermediate processing step, a filler spreading step of spreading the filler, a solidified film forming step of solidifying the filler, a lower position disposing step of making a blocking member be disposed at a lower position prior to start of the chemical liquid processing step, and a blocking member elevating step of starting elevation of the blocking member toward an upper position in a state where the pattern forming surface is covered with the intermediate processing liquid. The chemical liquid is discharged from a central nozzle. Spreading of the filler is started in a state where the blocking member is positioned at the upper position.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2020Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Inventors: Hitoshi Nakai, Tsutomu Osuka, Naohiko Yoshihara, Yasunori Kanematsu, Manabu Okutani, Kenji Amahisa, Masayuki Hayashi
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Patent number: 11139180Abstract: In parallel with a substrate heating step, a liquid surface sensor is used to monitor the raising of an IPA liquid film. An organic solvent removing step is started in response to the raising of the IPA liquid film over the upper surface of the substrate. At the end of the organic solvent removing step, a visual sensor is used to determine whether or not IPA droplets remain on the upper surface of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2019Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Inventors: Naohiko Yoshihara, Kenji Kobayashi, Manabu Okutani
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Patent number: 11101147Abstract: A substrate processing method includes a first processing liquid supplying step of supplying a first processing liquid to an upper surface of the substrate, a holding layer forming step of solidifying or curing the first processing liquid to form a particle holding layer on the upper surface of the substrate, a holding layer removing step of peeling and removing the particle holding layer from the upper surface of the substrate, a liquid film forming step of forming, after removing the particle holding layer from the substrate, a liquid film of the second processing liquid, a solidifying step of cooling the liquid film to a temperature not more than a melting point of the sublimable substance to make the liquid film solidify on the substrate and form a solid film, and a sublimating step of sublimating and thereby removing the solid film from the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2018Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Inventors: Yukifumi Yoshida, Hiroaki Takahashi, Masayuki Otsuji, Manabu Okutani, Chikara Maeda, Hiroshi Abe, Shuichi Yasuda, Yasunori Kanematsu
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Publication number: 20210197224Abstract: A substrate processing method includes a liquid film forming step of forming a liquid film, a liquid film heat retaining step of keeping the liquid film warm, a gas phase layer forming step of forming a gas phase layer which holds the processing liquid on a center portion of the liquid film, an opening forming step of forming an opening in the center portion of the liquid film by excluding the processing liquid held by the gas phase layer, a substrate rotating step of rotating the substrate around a rotation axis, and an opening expanding step of expanding the opening, while a state in which the gas phase layer is formed on an inner circumferential edge of the liquid film is maintained, by moving the irradiation region toward a circumferential edge portion of the substrate while the liquid film heat retaining step and the substrate rotating step are performed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2020Publication date: July 1, 2021Applicant: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi ABE, Takashi OTA, Takaaki ISHIZU, Kenji KOBAYASHI, Ryo MURAMOTO, Sei NEGORO, Manabu OKUTANI, Wataru SAKAI
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Patent number: 10964526Abstract: A substrate processing method includes forming a liquid film of a processing liquid covering an entire upper surface of a horizontally-held substrate; heating the substrate to make the processing liquid of the substrate evaporate to form a gas phase layer between the upper surface of the substrate and the processing liquid and maintain the liquid film on the gas phase layer; blowing a gas at a first flow rate onto the liquid film on the substrate to partially remove the processing liquid to open a hole in the liquid film; heating the substrate to spread the hole to an outer periphery of the substrate and move the liquid film on the gas phase layer to remove the processing liquid, constituting the liquid film, off the substrate; and blowing a gas at a second flow rate greater than the first flow rate onto a region of the upper surface of the substrate within the hole after the hole opening step to spread the hole to the outer periphery of the substrate and move the liquid film on the gas phase layer to removeType: GrantFiled: February 12, 2019Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Inventors: Manabu Okutani, Kenji Kobayashi, Naohiko Yoshihara
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Patent number: 10921057Abstract: A substrate drying method includes a sublimation-agent-liquid-film placing step of placing a liquid film of a liquid sublimation agent on the front surface of the substrate, a high vapor-pressure liquid supply step of supplying a high vapor-pressure liquid that has vapor pressure higher than the sublimation agent and that does not include water to a rear surface that is a surface on a side opposite to the front surface in the substrate, a vaporizing/cooling step of, after the liquid film of the sublimation agent is placed on the front surface of the substrate, stopping supplying the high vapor-pressure liquid, and, as a result, losing vaporization heat in response to vaporization of the high vapor-pressure liquid, and, as a result, cooling the sublimation agent, and, as a result, solidifying the liquid film of the sublimation agent and a sublimating step of sublimating a sublimation-agent film.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2018Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Inventors: Manabu Okutani, Noriyuki Kikumoto, Naohiko Yoshihara, Hiroshi Abe
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Publication number: 20210031228Abstract: In a second liquid supply step, a second liquid film and a first liquid film surrounding a side of the second liquid film are formed on an upper surface of a substrate. Then, in a vapor layer formation step, by heating the substrate, a second vapor layer is formed by evaporating the second liquid contacting the upper surface of the substrate, and the second liquid film is held on the second vapor layer. Since the second liquid included in the second liquid film has a high vapor pressure, a height position of a lower surface of the floating second liquid film may be kept high. By blowing a gas to the floating second liquid film, a hole is formed in the second liquid film, and by expanding the hole toward an outer periphery of the substrate, the first liquid and the second liquid are removed outside the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2020Publication date: February 4, 2021Applicant: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.Inventors: Manabu OKUTANI, Hiroshi ABE, Takaaki ISHIZU
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Publication number: 20200398302Abstract: A substrate treatment apparatus includes: a substrate holding unit; a rotator for rotating the substrate holding unit; a first liquid nozzle for supplying a rinsing liquid; a second liquid nozzle for supplying a low surface tension liquid; a heater; a lifting mechanism for relatively moving up and down the heater between a contact position allowing the heater to be brought into contact with the lower surface of the substrate and a separation position allowing the heater to be separated from the substrate; a gas nozzle provided in an upper surface of the heater to suck the substrate; a suction pump for sucking an atmosphere above the heater through the gas nozzle; a gas supply source for supplying an inert gas toward above the heater through the gas nozzle; and a controller for selectively performing suction of the atmosphere or supply of the inert gas, through the gas nozzle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2020Publication date: December 24, 2020Inventors: Hiroshi ABE, Manabu OKUTANI, Takashi OTA, Naohiko YOSHIHARA
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Publication number: 20200384510Abstract: A substrate processing method includes a processing liquid supplying step of supplying a processing liquid having a solute and a solvent to a front surface of a substrate, a processing film forming step of forming on the front surface of the substrate a processing film which holds a removal object present on the front surface of the substrate by solidifying or curing the processing liquid supplied to the front surface of the substrate, and a peeling step of peeling the processing film from the front surface of the substrate together with the removal object by supplying a peeling liquid to the front surface of the substrate, and the peeling step includes a penetrating hole forming step of forming a penetrating hole on the processing film by dissolving partially the processing film in the peeling liquid.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2020Publication date: December 10, 2020Inventors: Yukifumi YOSHIDA, Manabu OKUTANI, Shuichi YASUDA, Yasunori KANEMATSU, Dai UEDA, Song ZHANG, Tatsuro NAGAHARA, Takafumi KINUTA
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Publication number: 20200381246Abstract: A substrate processing method includes an intermediate processing step of processing the pattern forming surface by the intermediate processing liquid after a chemical liquid processing step, a filler discharging step of discharging a filler after the intermediate processing step, a filler spreading step of spreading the filler, a solidified film forming step of solidifying the filler, a lower position disposing step of making a blocking member be disposed at a lower position prior to start of the chemical liquid processing step, and a blocking member elevating step of starting elevation of the blocking member toward an upper position in a state where the pattern forming surface is covered with the intermediate processing liquid. The chemical liquid is discharged from a central nozzle. Spreading of the filler is started in a state where the blocking member is positioned at the upper position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2020Publication date: December 3, 2020Inventors: Hitoshi NAKAI, Tsutomu OSUKA, Naohiko YOSHIHARA, Yasunori KANEMATSU, Manabu OKUTANI, Kenji AMAHISA, Masayuki HAYASHI
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Patent number: 10825713Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a substrate heating unit arranged to heat the underside of a substrate while supporting the substrate thereon and an attitude changing unit arranged to cause the substrate heating unit to undergo an attitude change between a horizontal attitude and a tilted attitude. In an organic solvent removing step to be performed following a substrate heating step of heating the substrate, the substrate heating unit undergoes an attitude change to the tilted attitude so that the upper surface of the substrate becomes tilted with respect to the horizontal surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2017Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naohiko Yoshihara, Kenji Kobayashi, Manabu Okutani
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Patent number: 10792712Abstract: A substrate processing method includes a processing liquid supplying step of supplying a processing liquid having a solute and a solvent to a front surface of a substrate, a processing film forming step of forming on the front surface of the substrate a processing film which holds a removal object present on the front surface of the substrate by solidifying or curing the processing liquid supplied to the front surface of the substrate, and a peeling step of peeling the processing film from the front surface of the substrate together with the removal object by supplying a peeling liquid to the front surface of the substrate, and the peeling step includes a penetrating hole forming step of forming a penetrating hole on the processing film by dissolving partially the processing film in the peeling liquid.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2019Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yukifumi Yoshida, Manabu Okutani, Shuichi Yasuda, Yasunori Kanematsu, Dai Ueda, Song Zhang, Tatsuro Nagahara, Takafumi Kinuta
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Publication number: 20200294843Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a substrate holding unit which holds and rotates a substrate in a horizontal orientation, a substrate heating unit which has a heating surface which faces the substrate, held by the substrate holding unit, from below and overlaps with an outermost periphery of the substrate in top view, and heats the substrate in a state of contacting a lower surface of the substrate, a transferring unit which transfers the substrate between the substrate holding unit and the substrate heating unit, and a processing fluid supplying unit which supplies a processing fluid toward the substrate held by the substrate holding unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2020Publication date: September 17, 2020Inventors: Takashi OTA, Manabu OKUTANI, Hiroshi ABE
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Patent number: 10760852Abstract: A substrate drying method for drying a front surface of a substrate having a pattern includes a sublimation-agent-liquid-film placing step of placing a liquid film of a liquid sublimation-agent on the front surface of the substrate, a high vapor-pressure liquid placing step of placing a liquid film of a high vapor-pressure liquid that has vapor pressure higher than the sublimation agent and that does not include water on the liquid film of the sublimation-agent placed on the front surface of the substrate, a vaporizing/cooling step of losing vaporization heat in response to vaporization of the high vapor-pressure liquid, and, cooling the sublimation-agent, and, as a result, solidifying the liquid film of the sublimation-agent, and, forming a sublimation-agent film on the front surface of the substrate, and a sublimating step of sublimating the sublimation-agent film.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2018Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.Inventors: Manabu Okutani, Noriyuki Kikumoto, Naohiko Yoshihara, Hiroshi Abe
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Patent number: 10755916Abstract: A substrate processing method for processing a surface of a substrate includes: a first solvent supply step (a) of supplying IPA to a surface of a substrate while rotating the substrate to treat the surface; a modification treatment liquid supply step (b) of supplying a silylating solution after the first solvent supply step to form a liquid film; and a step (c) of heating the substrate in the first solvent supply step and the modification treatment liquid supply step. The step (c) is configured such that an amount of heat per unit time to be applied to the substrate in the modification treatment liquid supply step is larger than an amount of heat per unit time applied to the substrate in the first solvent supply step.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2018Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Abe, Manabu Okutani, Takashi Ota
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Patent number: 10734271Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a substrate holding unit which holds and rotates a substrate in a horizontal orientation, a substrate heating unit which has a heating surface which faces the substrate, held by the substrate holding unit, from below and overlaps with an outermost periphery of the substrate in top view, and heats the substrate in a state of contacting a lower surface of the substrate, a transferring unit which transfers the substrate between the substrate holding unit and the substrate heating unit, and a processing fluid supplying unit which supplies a processing fluid toward the substrate held by the substrate holding unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2017Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takashi Ota, Manabu Okutani, Hiroshi Abe
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Publication number: 20200243350Abstract: In substrate processing, by supplying a first processing liquid onto an upper surface 91 of a substrate 9 held in a horizontal state, a liquid film 81 of the first processing liquid which entirely covers the upper surface 91 is formed. Further, by heating the substrate 9, a vapor layer 82 of the first processing liquid is formed between the upper surface 91 and the liquid film 81 of the first processing liquid on the upper surface 91. Then, by supplying a second processing liquid onto the upper surface 91 of the substrate 9, the liquid film 81 of the first processing liquid is removed from the upper surface 91. It is thereby possible to appropriately remove extraneous matters 89 from the upper surface 91 of the substrate 9, which are taken in the liquid film 81 of the first processing liquid as the vapor layer 82 is formed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2019Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Manabu OKUTANI, Tsutomu OSUKA, Katsuei HIGASHI, Hiroshi ABE, Naohiko YOSHIHARA
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Patent number: 10695792Abstract: A processing liquid is supplied to an upper surface of a horizontally-held substrate to form a liquid film of the processing liquid that covers an entirety of the substrate upper surface. The substrate is heated to evaporate the processing liquid in contact with the upper surface of the substrate to form a gas phase layer between the upper surface of the substrate and the liquid film of the processing liquid. After the gas phase layer has been formed, a gas is blown onto the liquid film above the substrate to open a hole in the liquid film. The gas is blown onto a region inside the hole in the liquid film to move the liquid film on the gas phase layer. A direction of a gas stream at a substrate outer peripheral portion is changed to remove the liquid film at the substrate outer peripheral portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2017Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.Inventors: Manabu Okutani, Takashi Ota, Hiroshi Abe, Naohiko Yoshihara
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Publication number: 20200126822Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus processes a substrate having an upper side and a rear side. The substrate processing apparatus includes a substrate holder, a filler feeder, and a first cleaning liquid feeder. The substrate holder rotates the substrate while holding a central portion of the rear side of the substrate. The filler feeder feeds filler to the upper side of the substrate held by the substrate holder. The first cleaning liquid feeder feeds a cleaning liquid to the rear side of the substrate held by the substrate holder. The first cleaning liquid feeder feeds the cleaning liquid to an area, held by the substrate holder, of the rear side of the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventors: Yasunori KANEMATSU, Hitoshi NAKAI, Manabu OKUTANI