Abstract: In one aspect, a substrate processing apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a mechanism for forming a meniscus on a surface of a substrate by moving the substrate through a fluid; an air knife apparatus positioned to apply an air knife to shorten the meniscus formed on the surface of the substrate; and a drying vapor nozzle positioned to direct a drying vapor to the meniscus shortened by the air knife. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a chamber; a plurality of rollers adapted to support a wafer in a vertical orientation within a chamber; a pair of brushes adapted to scrub a first and a second side of the wafer respectively; a first spray bar adapted to spray a liquid on the wafer to form a meniscus on the wafer as the wafer is lifted out of the chamber; and a second spray bar adapted to direct a vapor to the meniscus, the vapor being adapted to lower a surface tension of the liquid at the meniscus to perform Marangoni drying of the wafer as the wafer is lifted out of the chamber. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: In one aspect, a substrate processing apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a mechanism for forming a meniscus on a surface of a substrate by moving the substrate through a fluid; an air knife apparatus positioned to apply an air knife to shorten the meniscus formed on the surface of the substrate; and a drying vapor nozzle positioned to direct a drying vapor to the meniscus shortened by the air knife. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method is provided. The method comprises forming a meniscus at an interface between a substrate and a fluid surface by moving the substrate through the fluid; shortening the meniscus by applying an air knife to the meniscus at the interface between the substrate and the fluid surface; and Marangoni drying the substrate by applying a drying vapor to the shortened meniscus. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of drying a substrate includes (1) setting a gas delivery angle for an air knife used during an immersion-drying process; (2) using the air knife during immersion drying of a hydrophilic substrate; and (3) using the air knife during immersion drying of a hydrophobic substrate. The gas delivery angle is unchanged during immersion drying of both the hydrophilic substrate and hydrophobic substrate. Numerous other aspects are provided.