WO2008035324A2 - Apparatus for fluid treatment - Google Patents

Abstract

A non-contact support apparatus for fluid treatment of a stationary or traveling object while supporting the object without contact by fluid- cushion induced forces. The apparatus comprises substantially opposite non-contact platforms having support surfaces, each support surface comprising a plurality of basic cells each cell having a plurality of pressure outlets and a plurality of fluid-evacuation channels. Each of the pressure outlets is fluidically connected through a flow restrictor to a high-pressure fluid supply, the pressure outlets providing pressurized fluid for generating pressure induced forces, maintaining a fluid-cushion between the object and the support surface of the platform The flow restrictor characteristically exhibits fluidic return spring behavior. Each of the plurality of fluid- evacuation channels has an inlet and outlet, for locally balancing mass flow for a plurality of basic cells.

Description

APPARATUS FOR FLUID TREATMENT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to fluid treatment of objects, in particular flat substrates. The fluid treatment includes, for example (but not limited to these examples), wet or dry cleaning, washing, drying, chemical etching and planarization, coating, disinfecting, and other fluid treatments. Although the applications described hereinafter generally relate to the world of flat objects, such as silicon wafers, Flat Panel Displays (FPD), based on TFT or LCD technology, as well as computer's hard-discs, compact discs (CD), DVD, and similar products, the present invention can be used to treat non-flat objects too, and in fact objects of various shapes and sizes. "Fluid" in the context of the present invention includes liquid, gas, gel, or combinations of them, includes two phase flow (such as liquid with small particles). More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for fluid treatment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In the manufacturing of silicon wafers, Flat Panel Displays (FPD), as well as computer's hard-discs, compact discs (CD), DVD and similar products, some fluid processes are involved. In particular some manufacturing processes involve wet- cleaning and chemical treatments.

[0003] In resent years, much attention has been given to the option of using non- contact equipment for supporting, gripping or conveying products in manufacturing processes. In particular, such non-contact equipment has a unique appeal for high- tech industry where the production is highly susceptible to direct contact. It is especially important in the semiconductors industry, during manufacturing phases of silicon wafers and Flat Panel Displays (FPD) and similar products. Non-contact equipment can beneficially be applied also in the manufacturing phase of optical equipment and in the printing world.

[0004] By using non-contact equipment, many problems that are associated with the manufacturing phase may be solved and directly enhance the production yield. Without derogating the generality, some of the advantages in using non-contact systems includes, inter alia:

(a) Eliminating or greatly reducing mechanical damages - including, for example, impact, press, but, most importantly, any friction that may cause stretches.

(b) Eliminating or greatly reducing in-contact contamination - a very important feature for semiconductors production lines of silicon wafers and FPDs.

(c) Eliminating or greatly reducing electrostatic discharge (ESD). Critical ESD problems may be founds in the semiconductors production lines of FPD and silicon wafers.

(d) Non-flatness of local nature, found in in-contact equipment, is inherently averaged when using non-contact equipment.

Additional benefits of using non-contact equipments can be obtained :

(e) Conveying of products by moving only the product thus avoiding the need to move also the holding-table that may be of much heavier weight than the product itself, a situation that is typically found in the FPD market and semiconductors industry as well as in the printing world.

(f) Conveying the product accurately where accuracy can be provided only at a small distinct area or along a narrow line where the process is executed continuously during the travel of the product or at point-to-point processing. It is relevant in steppers that are widely in use the semiconductors and the FPD industries where highly accurate planar (X₁Y) motion is needed, when rotating a wafer during inspection, or when linear motion in one direction is applied in the manufacturing line of FPD.

(g) To flatten with no contact, by pure moments enforcing of objects that are not flat, in order to provide accurate distancing (for example, when focusing optical instruments on the surface of the object) between the surface of the object to process tools (such as optical heads, dry-cleaning heads or slit-coater nozzle). It is important for the FPD and the semiconductors industries where standard or thin wafers have to be flatten to provide accuracy and/or uniformity. It is also important in the printing world including direct digital writing on different media. In most of these examples, optics or optical imaging is involved where the focal distance must be very accurate.

[0005] Commonly, systems that involve non-contact handling comprise a platform having one (or more) active-surface, in most cases flat, that generates a fluid- cushion to support the object. Such a platform is equipped with a plurality of holes for providing pressurized fluid to maintain the fluid-cushion. A fluid-cushion is developed when a surface, that is flat in most cases, is placed over the active surface of the platform at a close distance. Fluid-cushion support can be preloaded by the object weight, by pressure (dual-side configuration) or preloaded by vacuum. In case of light weight, as in many cases of the products mentioned above, high performance fluid-cushion support, in many cases, adopts the pressure or vacuum preloading approaches to provide stability, accuracy and uniformity.

[0006] Many of the currently used non-contact supporting and conveying platforms that are based on fluid-cushions offer limited performance in many aspects. These limited performance aspects are mainly related to the relatively high mass flow or energy consumption associated with these systems, non-uniformity including high risk of local contact as they are not locally balanced, and to the accuracy performance that is directly related to the aero-mechanic stiffness and the flattening capabilities of the fluid-cushion. The non-contact supporting and conveying technology associated with the present invention implements various types of fluid- cushions, employing a plurality of flow-restrictors functioning as a "fluidic return springs", and provide effective high-performance fluid-cushion support at much lower mass flow consumption with respect to conventional non-contact equipment. In particular, when using non-contact platforms where the active-area is much larger than the confronting surface of the supported object and most of the platform's active area is not cover, the use of flow restrictors provides an efficient and cost- effective non-contact platform in terms of performance versus mass flow consumption.

[0007] With respect to the present invention, a flow restrictor is individually installed in each conduit of the pressurized-fluid (air, other gases or liquids) feeding ports of the non-contact platform active-area. By active area is meant, throughout the present specification the area of the support surface where the feeding ports are distributed. It is preferred, for the purposes of the present invention, to use self-adaptive segmented orifice (SASO) nozzles as the preferred flow-restrictors, so as to effectively produce the fluidic return spring effect.

[0008] Figure 17 illustrates a typical SASO flow-restrictor. The SASO-device is of basic two dimensional configuration comprises a conduit 1 , provided with an inlet 2, and outlet 3, having a plurality of fins arranged in two arrays, 4, 4a, substantially at opposing sides on the inside of the conduit walls 5, 5a, as illustrated in Figure 17. The two fin arrays are arranged in a relative shifted position, where opposite to the gap formed between two successive fins of the first array of fins (apart from both end fins), there exists one opposite fin of the second array, thus creating a typical asymmetric configuration that characterizes SASO-conduits. Consequently, two asymmetrical arrays of cells are formed, each cell bounded by two successive fins of the same array, and a portion of the conduit wall in between them. Thus a cavity is defined, where a large vortex may develop inside it when a fluid flows through the conduit.

[0009] When driven pressure is provided, the SASO-conduit internal configuration dictates a unique vortical flow field pattern established inside the conduit, as fluid flows through it. Each one of the fins imposes a separation of the flow downstream from the fin's tip. Further downstream, a large fluid structure, a vortex, is generated inside each of the cavities. This flow pattern crates an effective aerodynamic blockage mechanism that limits the flow when the conduit is not cover. In practice, a flow pattern of two opposite rows of vortices 6, 6a, is developed, and is asymmetrically arranged, as shown in Figure 17. Each vortex is located inside a cavity, facing an opposite fin. These vortices, and in particular when formed with almost closed stream lines, practically block the flow through the conduit. Consequently, a significantly thin core-flow 7, is developed between the blocking fins and the vortices. The core-flow may be of a relatively high downstream velocity, and it is bounded on two sides by the vortices and do not touch the conduit walls. The illustration of the SASO-device given in Figure 17 should be considered as the cross-section of a practical device.

[0010] PCT/I LOO/00500, published as WO 01/14752, now US Pat. No. 6,523,574 (see also WO 01/14782 and WO 01/19572, now US Pat. No. 6,644,703, all incorporated herein by reference), entitled APPARATUS FOR INDUCING FORCES BY FLUID INJECTION, described a self adaptive segmented orifice (SASO) nozzle and its uses in non-contact supporting systems. 1] The (SASO) flow control device comprising a fluid conduit, having an inlet and outlet, provided with two opposite sets of fins mounted on the inside of the conduit, each two fins of same set and a portion of the conduit internal wall between them defining a cavity and the fin of the opposite set positioned opposite said cavity, so that when fluid flows through the conduit substantially stationary vortices are formed in the cavities said vortex existing at least temporarily during the flow thus forming an aerodynamic blockage allowing a central core-flow between the vortices and the tips of the opposite set of fins and suppressing the flow in a one-dimensional manner, thus limiting the mass flow rate and maintaining a substantial pressure drop within the conduit. It exhibits the following characteristics of the SASO nozzle :

(a) A fluidic return spring effect is established when pressurized fluid is supplied at the inlet to the SASO-nozzle and the outlet is partially blocked by an objects but not closed completely, allowing the fluid to flow out through the outlet, in such a way that a portion of the supply pressure is dropped inside each of the SASO- nozzles and the remaining pressure is introduced to the fluid-cushion, that is developed in the narrow gap between the "active surface" of that platform having the SASO-nozzle outlets and the facing surface of the object, thus force is applied on the object to elevate it. The pressure introduced to the fluid- cushion is increased as the gap is decreased and is decreased as the gap is increased. If, for example, the object is supported by a fluid-cushion, this pressure establishes a force that balances the object's weight. The object is floating over the non-contact platform active-surface at a self-adaptive manner where, with respect to this example, the fluid-cushion gap is self-defined to such a levitation distance that the total forces up-wise that act on the floating object are equal to the gravity force. The fluidic return spring behavior is obtained when trying to change that balanced situation: when trying to close the gap, the pressure at the fluid-cushion is increased and pushes the object up to the balanced fluid-cushion gap, and when trying to open the gap, the pressure at the fluid-cushion is decreased and the gravity force pulls the object down to the balanced fluid-cushion gap. This simple example is given to clarify the functionality of the fluidic return spring, but in general it can be applied in various ways as will be discussed hereinafter.

(b) An aerodynamic blockage mechanism is obtained when the SASO-nozzle outlet is not closed. In fact, a SASO-nozzle has laterally large physical scales to prevent mechanical blockage by contaminating particles, and when it is totally covered (as the flow stops, the aerodynamic blockage dissipates), it introduces pressure or vacuum at the platform active surface with losses. But, when the SASO-nozzle outlet is not closed and a through-flow exists, it has a dynamic behavior of a small orifice that is controlled by the aerodynamic blockage mechanism. This behavior is significantly important as the mass flow rate is dramatically reduced when the non-contact platform supporting or conveying a smaller in size object and a large portion of it's active surface is not covered.

[0012] The SASO-nozzle is a flow-control device that has a self-adaptive nature, based purely on aero-dynamic mechanism, with no-moving parts or any means of controls. As it has laterally large physical scales, it is not sensitive to contamination blockage. When using a plurality of SASO-nozzles to feed a well functioning fluid-cushion, it has a local behavior that provides homogeneous fluid-cushion.

[0013] Recent publication by the inventor of the present invention (WO 03/060961 , "High performance non- contact support platforms ", published July 24, 2003, and incorporated herein by reference) discloses a non-contact support platform for supporting without contact a stationary or traveling objects by fluid-cushion induced pressure forces. The platform includes one support surface or two substantially opposite support surfaces, the support surface comprising a plurality of pressure outlets and at least one of a plurality of fluid-evacuation channels. Each of the pressure outlets is fluidically connected through a pressure flow restrictor to a high- pressure reservoir, the pressure outlets providing pressurized fluid for generating pressure induced forces, maintaining an fluid-cushion between the object and the support surface, the pressure flow restrictor characteristically exhibiting fluidic return spring behavior. The fluid-evacuation channels have an inlet and outlet, the inlet kept at an ambient pressure or lower, under vacuum condition, for locally discharging mass flow, thus obtaining uniform support and local nature response. Various versions of the non-contact support surfaces are described in that publication.

[0014] The flow restrictor described in US 6,523,574 has a particular appeal for use in conjunction with the above mentioned non-contact platforms.

[0015] It is the purpose of the present invention to provide a novel fluid-treatment apparatus and method, using one or more non-contact platforms, with flow restrictor nozzles. [0016] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide such fluid-treatment apparatus and method where the nozzles serve both for non-contact support or non- contact gripping of the object or objects to be treated, and/or for introducing a treating fluid and for evacuating it.

[0017] Other objects and advantages of the present invention are presented hereinabove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] There is therefore provided, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, a non-contact support apparatus for fluid treatment of a stationary or traveling object while supporting the object without contact by fluid- cushion induced forces, the apparatus comprising:

[0019] at least one of two substantially opposite non-contact platforms having support surfaces, each support surface comprising at least one of a plurality of basic cells each cell having at least one of a plurality of pressure outlets and at least one of a plurality of fluid-evacuation channels each of the pressure outlets fluidically connected through a flow restrictor to a high-pressure fluid supply, the pressure outlets providing pressurized fluid for generating pressure induced forces, maintaining a fluid-cushion between the object and the support surface of the platform, the flow restrictor characteristically exhibiting fluidic return spring behavior; each of said at least one of a plurality of fluid-evacuation channels having an inlet and outlet, for locally balancing mass flow for said at least one of a plurality of basic cells,

[0020] wherein at least one or more zones of the platform support surface, comprising one or more basic cells, are designated as treatment zones linked to a fluid reservoir providing treatment fluid necessary for treating the object through pressure outlets and evacuating fluid through the fluid evacuation channels.

[0021] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus comprises two opposite platforms with support surfaces.

[0022] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, at least one of the treatment zones defined at a restricted area of the support surface of one of the two opposite platforms. [0023] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, at least one of the treatment zones spread over the entire support surface of one of the two opposite platforms .

[0024] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the inlet of said at least one of a plurality of evacuation channels is kept at an ambient pressure.

[0025] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the inlet of said at least one of a plurality of evacuation channels is kept at sub-atmospheric (Vacuum) conditions.

[0026] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, a flow restrictor is further provided in each evacuation channel.

[0027] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the flow restrictor comprises a fluid conduit, having an inlet and outlet, said conduit provided with a plurality of fins mounted on the internal wall of said conduit in two rows, in a shifted manner, so as to define cavities between consecutive fins of one row, with a fin of the second row placed opposite each cavity.

[0028] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, said at least one support surface is flat.

[0029] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, said at least one support surface is curved.

[0030] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, said apparatus has a circular configuration.

[0031] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, said apparatus has a rectangular configuration.

[0032] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the fluid necessary for treating the object is also used to provide support to the object in the form a fluid-cushion. [0033] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus is further provided with heaters for heating the treatment fluid or for heating the fluid-cushion.

[0034] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, more than one treatment zones are provided on either sides of the object.

[0035] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, insulation is provided to insulate one or more treatment zones on the object.

[0036] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the insulation comprises physical insulation.

[0037] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the insulation comprises dynamic insulation provided by fluid-dynamic means.

[0038] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, said at least one of two substantially opposite platforms is provided with a peripheral inlet, providing dynamic insulation by fluid suction means.

[0039] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, said at least one of two substantially opposite platforms is provided with a peripheral outlet, providing dynamic insulation by fluid injection means.

[0040] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, said dynamic insulation creates a dynamically closed fluid-treatment environment.

[0041] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus is further provided with a landing mechanism.

[0042] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus is further provided with a sealed housing.

[0043] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the sealed housing further includes an opening mechanism for allowing loading or unloading of the object. [0044] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus is linked with a conveyer for conveying the object across the apparatus.

[0045] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the conveyer is mechanical.

[0046] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the object is further supported by fluid-cushion supporting forces.

[0047] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the treatment zones are incorporated with a bridge.

[0048] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the bridge is movable.

[0049] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the treatment zones are movable across the bridge.

[0050] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the bridge is adapted to float over the object.

[0051] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, a drive system is provided to facilitate a relative motion between the treatment zones and the object.

[0052] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the drive system provides a linear motion.

[0053] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the drive system provides a circular motion.

[0054] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the drive system includes a gripper for gripping the object.

[0055] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus is further provided with a utility box for controlling operation of the apparatus.

[0056] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the utility box is adapted to control at least some of the following: provision of the treatment fluid, heating, pressure control, modification of the distance of the object from said at least one of two substantially opposite surfaces, switching of treatment fluids, conveying the object, loading and unloading of the object.

[0057] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the utility box is adapted to control a multi-stage fluid treatment process.

[0058] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus is provided in a multiple of stations, forming a multi-station fluid-treatment processing line.

[0059] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a method for non-contact fluid treatment of a stationary or traveling object while supporting the object without contact by fluid-cushion induced forces, the method comprising:

[0060] providing an apparatus comprising at least one of two substantially opposite non-contact platform having support surfaces, each support surface comprising at least one of a plurality of basic cells each cell having at least one of a plurality of pressure outlets and at least one of a plurality of fluid-evacuation channels each of the pressure outlets fluidically connected through a flow restrictor to a high-pressure fluid supply, the pressure outlets providing pressurized fluid for generating pressure induced forces, maintaining a fluid-cushion between the object and the support surface, the flow restrictor characteristically exhibiting fluidic return spring behavior; each of said at least one of a plurality of fluid-evacuation channels having an inlet and outlet, for locally balancing mass flow for said at least one of a plurality of basic cells, wherein at least one or more zones of the platform support surface comprising one or more basic cells, are designated as treatment zones linked to a fluid reservoir providing treatment fluid necessary for treating the object through pressure outlets and evacuating fluid through the fluid evacuation channels;

[0061] placing the object against the treatment zones and;

[0062] administering treatment fluid onto the object and removing treatment fluid form the object using the treatment zones.

[0063] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the fluid-cushion is a PA-type. [0064] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the fluid-cushion PV-type.

[0065] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the fluid-cushion is a PP- type.

[0066] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the fluid-cushion maintains the object at less than 1 mm from said at least one of two support surfaces.

[0067] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the fluid-cushion maintains the object at less than 0.1 mm from said at least one of two support surfaces.

[0068] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the fluid-cushion has an adjustable gap, provided by controlling the pressures introduced to the air cushion.

[0069] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the object is treated on one side.

[0070] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the object is treated on two sides.

[0071] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the treatment fluid is switched.

[0072] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the treatment fluid switches inert fluid.

[0073] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the treatment fluid is a gas.

[0074] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the treatment fluid is a liquid. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0075] In order to better understand the present invention, and appreciate its practical applications, the following Figures are provided and referenced hereafter. It should be noted that the Figures are given as examples only and in no way limit the scope of the invention as defined in the appending Claims. Like components are denoted by like reference numerals.

[0076] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic cross-section view of a fluid-treatment apparatus with one-sided non-contact support platform, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention.

[0077] Figure 2 illustrates a schematic cross-section view of a fluid-treatment apparatus with dual-sided non-contact support platform, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention.

[0078] Figure 3 illustrates a schematic cross-section view of a fluid-treatment apparatus where the substrate is in-contact with the supporting platform, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, with the treated object held by pressure forces pressing it against one support surface.

[0079] Figures 4a-4e illustrate some configurations and orientations of fluid-treatment apparatus in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention.

[0080] Figure 4a is a schematic cross-section view of a basic fluid-treatment apparatus with dual-sided non-contact support platform in vertical orientation.

[0081] Figure 4b is a schematic cross-section view of a basic fluid-treatment apparatus with one-sided non-contact support platform in vertical orientation.

[0082] Figure 4c is a schematic cross-section view of a basic fluid-treatment apparatus with one-sided non-contact support platform in up-side-down orientation.

[0083] Figure 4d is a schematic cross-section view of a basic fluid-treatment apparatus with a contoured non-contact support surface.

[0084] Figure 4e is a schematic cross-section view of a basic fluid-treatment apparatus with two substantially perpendicular non-contact support surfaces. [0085] Figures 5a-5f illustrate several sealing options for a fluid treatment apparatus in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention.

[0086] Figure 5a is a schematic cross-sectional view of contact sealing for insulating the fluid-cushion between the cleaning platform and the substrate of a fluid- treatment apparatus with one-sided non-contact support platform (partial view of the edge area of the platform).

[0087] Figure 5b is a schematic cross-sectional view of contact sealing for insulating the fluid-cushion between the cleaning platforms and the substrate of a fluid- treatment apparatus with dual-sided non-contact support platform (partial view of the edge area of the platform).

[0088] Figure 5c is a schematic cross-sectional view of contact sealing for insulating the fluid-cushion between the cleaning platform and the substrate of anther embodiment of a fluid-treatment apparatus with dual-sided non-contact support platform (partial view of the edge area of the platform).

[0089] Figure 5d is a schematic cross-sectional view of dynamic insulation by applying local fluid injection at the circumference of the apparatus with one-sided non-contact support platform (partial view of the edge area of the platform).

[0090] Figure 5e is a schematic cross-sectional view of dynamic insulation by applying local fluid suction at the circumference of the apparatus with one-sided non-contact support platform (partial view of the edge area of the platform).

[0091] Figure 5f is a schematic cross-sectional view of dynamic insulation by applying local fluid suction at the circumference of the apparatus with dual-sided non-contact support platform (partial view of the edge area of the platform).

[0092] Figures 6a-6d illustrate several embodiments of multi-zone non-contact platforms of a back-side fluid-treatment apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

[0093] Figure 6a illustrates a platform of a fluid-treatment apparatus with a non-contact conveyer and a central non-contact fluid-treatment zone, where the substrate is being conveyed during the process. [0094] Figure 6b illustrates a platform of a fluid-treatment apparatus with a mecnamical wheels conveyer and a central non-contact fluid-treatment zone, where the substrate is being conveyed during the process.

[0095] Figure 6c illustrates a platform of a fluid-treatment apparatus with a non-contact conveyer and with several consecutive fluid-treatment zones where the substrate is being conveyed during the process.

[0096] Figure 6d illustrates a detail of a closed-loop of fluid treatment zone.

[0097] Figures 7a-7g illustrate several optional motions for a top-side fluid-treatment platforms with respect to the configuration of the substrate treated.

[0098] Figure 7a illustrates a fluid treatment apparatus with a substrate supported (with contact) by a rotating stage equipped with a floating fluid-treatment bridge.

[0099] Figure 7b illustrates a fluid treatment apparatus with a substrate supported (with contact) by a rotating stage equipped with a fixed fluid-treatment bridge.

[00100] Figure 7c illustrates a fluid treatment apparatus with a substrate supported (without contact) by a rotating stage equipped with a fixed fluid-treatment bridge.

[00101] Figure 7d illustrates a fluid treatment apparatus with a stationary substrate supported (without contact) by a fixed stage equipped with a linearly moving fluid- treatment bridge.

[00102] Figure 7e illustrates a rectangular configuration of a fluid treatment apparatus, with a conveyed substrate, supported by a non-contact platform and with a stationary fluid-treatment bridge.

[00103] Figure 7f illustrates a rectangular configuration of a fluid treatment apparatus, with a stationary substrate, supported by a non-contact platform and with a linearly moving fluid-treatment bridge.

[00104] Figure 7g illustrates a rectangular configuration of a fluid treatment apparatus, with a fluid treatment unit capable to travel in two lateral directions over a stationary substrate supported by a non-contact platform.

[00105] Figures 8a and 8b illustrate a dynamically closed environment concept. U

[00106] Figure 8a illustrates the dynamically closed environment concept on a stationary back-side fluid treatment apparatus with stationary substrate.

[00107] Figure 8b illustrates the dynamically closed environment concept applies for a top-side fluid treatment moving bridge, where the stationary substrate is supported by a non-contact platform.

[00108] Figures 9a-9c illustrate several housings of fluid treatment apparatuses, for ambient insulation.

[00109] Figure 9a illustrates a fluid treatment chamber with a drain.

[00110] Figure 9b illustrates a fluid treatment chamber with a drain incorporated with the fluid treatment platform.

[00111] Figure 9c illustrates an insulated dual-sided fluid treatment chamber with drainage.

[00112] Figure 10 illustrates a general view of a circular configuration of a back-side fluid treatment apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[00113] Figure 11 illustrates a general view of a circular configuration of a front-side fluid treatment apparatus in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[00114] Figure 12 illustrates a general view of a rectangular configuration of a backside fluid treatment apparatus in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[00115] Figure 13 illustrates a general view of a rectangular configuration of a front- side fluid treatment apparatus in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[00116] Figure 14 illustrates a general view of a rectangular configuration of a backside fluid treatment apparatus in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. [00117] Figure 15 illustrates a general view of a rectangular configuration of a front- side fluid treatment apparatus in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[00118] Figure 16 illustrates a multi-station fluid-treatment system, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[00119] Figure 17 Schematically illustrates a typical SASO nozzle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[00120] The present invention aims at providing a novel fluid-treatment apparatus and method for use in fluid-treatment processes.

[00121] An aspect of the present invention is the incorporation of fluid-treatment with high-performance non-contact platforms technology, as described in detail in WO 03/060961 , incorporated herein by reference.

[00122] The ability to hold objects (in particular flat substrates) very close to a non- contact support surface, as the local balanced types of fluid-cushions described in WO 03/060961 , has a special appeal when fluid-treatment is considered.

[00123] In many current fluid-treatment processes, and specifically in chemical treatments, polishing (including CMP), physical and chemical wet or dry cleaning, washing, drying and similar processes involved in the manufacturing of silicon wafers, Flat Panel Displays (FPD), Printed Circle Boards (PCB), as well as computer's hard-discs, compact discs (CD), DVD and similar products, these processes are carried out in large chambers, with a large volume of fluids (mainly liquids, or more precisely chemicals) being used. This seems like a costly waste of materials, definitely creates significant pollution problems. The present invention, amongst its other advantages substantially reduces the quantities of fluids used, as the volumes involved are smaller in orders of magnitude. It opens the possibility to implement very effective chemical recycling process thus saving costly chemicals and avoiding pollution problems. [00124] In some preferred embodiments of the present invention non-contact support platform facilitates local balance of fluid-treatment without any global effects with respect to the substrate dimensions. In-particular it is mostly impotent with respect to wide-format substrates such as FPD that can be of thickness of 0.7mm or less glass and with dimensions of more than 2X2 meters. The locally-balanced fluid- cushions provide, uniform highly controlled process of local nature and contribute to reduce even further the quantities of fluids used, while at the same time, allowing fluid treatment to be incorporated in the production line in a compact manner, rather than a station, as is the case with available fluid-treatment techniques. It has to be emphasized that the non-contact platforms with respect to the present invention are platforms that can support common fluid treatment processes, for examples to allow chemical treatment process by using a standard chemical that are in common use.

[00125] Before going into details of some preferred embodiments of the present invention, some aspects of non-contact supporting fluid-cushions are discussed hereinafter.

[00126] A significant configuration of non-contact supporting platforms are cases where the fluid-cushion is provided by an "active" facing surface of a platform and the object over it is supported without motion or conveyed over that platform without contact. Without derogating the generality, in most cases this configuration is usually referred to, but other possible configurations where the platform is passive and the fluid-cushion is generated by an floating object having its own "active surface" that generates the fluid-cushion are considered to be covered by the present invention, for example a cleaning bridge that apply a fluid-treatment as it is traveling over a flat substrate such as FPS and supported be an fluid-cushion that is created between the top-surface of that substrate and the opposing active surface of that bridge. Hereinafter, this second configuration is referred to as the "self supported bridge configuration".

[00127] Non-contact platforms or handing and conveying equipments make use of various types of fluid-cushions. A single aerodynamic building block links the various types of fluid-cushions, namely the usage of a plurality of fluidic return springs such as SASO nozzle to established a high performance non-contact platform. It is asserted that for better performance of fluid-cushion support systems, it is important to establish a local balance fluid-cushion by locally evacuating the fluid from the entire area of the platform "active surface". Without derogating the generality, some types of fluid-cushions are mentioned herein, each creates the local evacuation of fluid at a different manner:

[00128] Pressure-Atmosphere (PA) type of fluid-cushion

[00129] PA-type fluid-cushion is generated using an active surface with a plurality of pressure ports, and evacuation vents, where fluid is allowed to evacuate into the surroundings. The PA-type fluid-cushion is preloaded by the object bodyweight, where an object is supported by the non-contact platform that balances the gravity forces. The PA-type platform provides non-contact support in both cases where the object, that in common cases is flat and/or thin and/or of wide-format, is stationary supported, or while it conveyed by any drive mechanism. The lateral dimensions of the object are usually much larger than the dimensions of the "basic cell" of the PA- platform to be discussed hereafter. "Bodyweight preloading" means that fluid- dynamic stiffness (to be referred hereafter by FD-stiffness), of the PA-type fluid- cushion at a predetermined equilibrium floating gap (to be referred hereafter as the fluid-cushion nominal gap, denoted by ε_n), depends on the object weight. "FD- stiffness" means the amount of force that is developed by the fluid-cushion in a self- adaptive manner, when trying to change the nominal gap (between the lower surface of the object and the active-surface of the non-contact platform). The FD- stiffness is measured, for the purposes of the present invention, in terms of grams/cm²/μm.

[00130] PA-type fluid-cushion is generated in a narrow gap between the active surface of the platform and the supported object lower surface. The fluid is introduced to the fluid-cushion by a plurality of pressure ports, provided with flow restrictors, such as SASO nozzles, preferably arranged in two dimensional manner or optionally at a mixed repeatable format with a plurality of evacuation holes, through which excessive fluid evacuates into a reservoir kept at atmospheric pressure. The dimensions of the basic cell are selected with respect to the lateral dimensions of the object to be levitated, and in general it is desired that the resolution of the pressure ports and evacuation vents (all termed herein as holes) be such that at any given time a plurality of holes is covered by the levitated object. To obtain uniform support of local nature, it is preferable that a plurality of basic-cells, each the basic cells is of local balance nature with respect to mass flow balance, will be distributed in two-dimensional manner to support the object. It has to be emphasized that the "resistor-symbol" used for the flow-restrictor in the accompanying drawings is only of symbolic meaning and the embodiment details of the flow-restrictors such as the preferred SASO-nozzles (see Figure 17) were described in WO 01/14782, WO 01/14752 and WO 01/19572, all incorporated herein by reference. Other flow restrictors that exhibit the same characteristics may be also used.

[00131] A PA-type non-contact platform is preloaded by the object bodyweight. In general, as the pressure introduced to the fluid-cushion is higher, the FD-stiffness is intensified. It means that a well-functioning non-contact platform in terms of fluid- cushion stiffness, a stable and easy to-controlled platform, is obtained when the object is heavy, and relatively high driven pressure has to be introduced to the fluid- cushion in order to balance gravity. However it is mostly important that a PA-type fluid-cushion will operate at high driven pressure with respect to the weight of object per area when supporting a thin substrates such as silicon wafers or FPD having a weight of about 0.2 gram per square cm. The PA-type fluid-cushion can operate, for example, at 100 millibars driven pressure, a value that is 500 times larger with respect to the above mentioned substrates weight. It can be achieve by special design of the basic cell where local evacuation holes dramatically reduces the fluid- cushion support at the nominal fluid-cushion gap, and the most of the supply pressure is dropped inside the flow restrictor, but when such a substrate is forced, by any dynamic or static force, to move toward the active surface of the non-contact platform, huge return forces with respect to the weight of such substrate are developed against this motion and protect it very intensively and fast from any harmed contact.

[00132] Pressure-Vacuum (PV) type fluid-cushion

[00133] PV-type fluid-cushion is a vacuum preloaded fluid cushion generated by an active surface with a plurality of pressure ports, and evacuation outlets connected to a vacuum (means sub-atmospheric pressure) source, thus excessive fluid is evacuated by that vacuum. It is a vacuum preloaded fluid-cushion where the object is accurately supported in rest or conveyed while gripped by the PV-type fluid- cushion. The FD-stiffness of the PV-type fluid-cushion is inherently of bi-directional nature and it may not be depended on the object bodyweight. Bi-directional FD- stiffness means that in both cases when trying to push the abject toward the active- surface of the non-contact platform or when trying to pull it away from that surface, pressure forces that can be much larger than the object bodyweight force the object back, in a self-adaptive manner, to the equilibrium nominal gap. The object dimensions can be much smaller than the active-surface of the platform as mass flow rate is protected by the flow restrictors that are used both at the pressure port and at the evacuation vent (without derogating the generality, in most cases it is not effective to use flow restrictors at the evacuation vents when the platform is fully covered by the substrate). Accordingly we shell refer to the expression active-area as the area on the active-surface of the platform where the object subsists.

[00134] PV-type fluid-cushion generally includes two types of conduits, outlets of pressure conduits and outlets of vacuum suction conduits. The pressure conduits are always individually equipped with flow-restrictors, preferably SASO-nozzles, to provide local FRS (Fluidic Return Spring) behavior of the non-contact platform and to secure, by implementing the aerodynamic blockage mechanism, the uniformity of pressure supply in cases where the active surface of the platform is not fully covered, the vacuum conduits can be simple cylindrical hole or optionally, they may also equipped with an individual flow-restrictors such as SASO-nozzles, but it must be of much lower FD-resistance with respect to the pressure flow-restrictors, in order to secure the vacuum level by aerodynamic blockage mechanism in " - uncovered areas, when the non-contact platform is not fully covered, at least during a potion of the effective operational duration.

[00135] It is possible to provide a flow restrictor in the fluid-evacuation vents which are fluidically connected to the ambient atmospheric pressure, without connecting it to a vacuum source, thus in effect the pressure of the fluid-cushion and hence the lifting force under the object are increased. It would be natural to call these flow restrictors "evacuation flow restrictors", but in order to simplify, the term "vacuum flow restrictor is used throughout this specification is refer to evacuation flow restrictors too.

[00136] The functionality of the PV-type fluid-cushion, a vacuum preloaded fluid- cushion, is not dependent on gravity. In an equilibrium gripping state (ε_n), the object is supported by the PV-type fluid-cushion where the total pressure forces (ΣF_P), which are developed around each outlet of the pressure restrictor's exits (preferably SASO nozzles), are of the same order of magnitude as the total opposing vacuum forces (ΣF_v) that are developed around each outlet of the vacuum conduits, which may optionally be equipped with different ("wider" that the pressure flow restrictor) flow-restrictors (preferably SASO nozzles). Both opposing forces may by larger by a factor of 10 or 100 and more from the object bodyweight, and the differential force (ΣFp-ΣF_v) balances the gravity. In such magnitudes, the functionality of the PV-type fluid-cushion, with respect to FD-stiffness and accordingly to the flatness accuracy performances, is disassociated form the object weight and earth-wise direction of gravity. It has to be emphasize again that the PV-type fluid-cushion has essentially bi-directional FD-stiffness that does not depend on the object weight, and it is a most important property of the PV-type platform, for it means that in both cases when trying to push the object towards the active-surface of the platform or when trying to pull it away, large opposing pressure forces are rapidly developed by the fluid-cushion in a self adaptive and local manner to return it to its equilibrium position.

[00137] Similar to the PA-type fluid cushion, the PV-type fluid-cushion is characterized by local balance nature, a significantly important nature with respect to the present invention, as it has a similar basic-cells but the evacuation vents are connected, optionally through flow-restrictors, to a vacuum or sub-atmospheric source to provide intensify evacuation with respect to the PA-type fluid-cushion and to enable to introduced sub-atmospheric pull back forces when to move the object or local portion of it away from the active surface of the platform by external forces. Accordingly the bi-directional FD-stiffness is established

[00138] Pressure-Preloading (PP) type fluid-cushion

[00139] PP-type fluid-cushion is a dual sided configuration created by using two opposing active surfaces from both side of an object. Each active surface (similar to the active surface of a PA-type fluid cushion), generating forces that are opposite in direction with respect to the forces of the other active-surface and support for example a flat substrate from its both sides.

[00140] Consequently, PP-type fluid-cushion is a pressure preloaded platform, where the object is supported at rest or conveyed with no-contact as FM-forces acting from both its sides, thus PP-type non-contact platform is unconditionally stable. The opposing active-surfaces of the PP-type platform are preferably identical, provided with a plurality of pressure flow-restrictors such as SASO nozzles, and typically, with much less number of evacuation holes, to create a well functioning FRS mechanism and accordingly achieve high performance with respect to FM-stiffness and accuracy, large supporting forces (induced by about half of the driven pressure where the other half is sustained inside the flow restrictors), and to establish a locally balanced support without global effects. The two opposing active-surfaces of the PP-type platform are assembled substantially in parallel, having identical active- surfaces and aligned in parallel with a mirror-image symmetry. The plane of symmetry is essentially the imaginary mid-plane of the thin (sectionally) and wide (laterally) space that is created between the two confronting active-surface. The two opposing fluid-cushions are established as the object is inserted between the two opposing active-surfaces. The gaps of the two opposing fluid-cushions share the difference between the object width and the distance between the opposing active- surfaces in a self adaptive manner. If the two active-surfaces are similar and operate at the same operational conditions, the ε_n at both fluid-cushions will be equal. The distance between the two opposing surface must be adjusted to be equal to the anticipated supported object's width plus twice the desired gap ε_n. Accordingly, When It is intended to grip objects of different width, the PP-type non- contact platform must includes a "panel width adjustment" mechanism, allowing adjustment of the distance between the two opposing active-surfaces. When trying to offset the position of the substrate towards one of the active surface, at the same time the forces at the closer active-surface are significantly increased and the forces at the other side of the substrate are significantly increased. This it the meaning of vacuum preload fluid-cushion that exhibits high flattening performance.

[00141] Similarly, it is a possibility to put to PV-type active surfaces to create a PV- PV type fluid-cushion. There is a significant difference between the PP-type fluid- cushion and PV-PV type fluid-cushion: the PP-type dual-side platform is subjected to the opposing forces that are developed between the fluid-cushions separated by the (floating) substrate being at equilibrium position, and the PV-PV type dual-side platform is not loaded by the fluid-cushions (at equilibrium position).

[00142] Another practical version of fluid-cushion is the PM-type of fluid-cushion where an active surface having basic cell similar to PP-type fluid-cushion (less evacuation vents) induced pressure forces on a flat substrate that is supported from its other side with contact, for example by vacuum or electrostatic chuck. In that case the PM-type act like a non-contact pressing surface, forcing the substrate to be flattened against the counter surface of the chuck.

[00143] There are many practical implementations of the above mentioned types of fluid cushions with respect to non-contact platforms for fluid treatment processes of the present invention. Without derogating the generality, a basic distinction based on the non-contact platform's functionality will be made as follow :

• A Non-contact platform or a sector of it that used only for supporting the object (in that case air or any other compatible inertia! gas or liquid will be used), during the fluid treatment process.

• A Non-contact platform or a sector of it that used only for introducing the fluid (such as chemicals, or rinse liquid) used for the fluid treatment process.

• A Non-contact platform or a sector of it that used for introducing the fluid used for the fluid treatment process by the fluid cushion, and at the same time this fluid-cushion is also functioning to support the object to be treated. 44] It is mostly impotent to emphasize the benefit in applying the above mentioned types of fluid-cushions that are equipped with flow restrictors in the non- contact platforms with respect to fluid-treatment apparatus of the present invention. By using flow restrictors that have fluidic return spring behavior such as SASO conduit, A very compact and uniform fluid-treatment environment can be safely established.

By the term "safety" it is meant that when using flow restrictor there is practically no risk of contact between the support surface of the platforms and the facing surface of the object, as large forces are rapidly developed when trying to close the gap in between them thus preventing any contact. For example, when a PV-fluid cushion supporting a 300mm wafer, fluid-mechanic return forces of 10 kg can be develop by the that air-cushion if the wafer is forces to moved only few micro-meter from equilibrium floating gap in a self adaptive manner (towards or away from the platform). This strong forces guarantee no-contact thus providing the option to create no-risk compact fluid-treatment environment.

The term "compact" is related to the small distance or gap (for example less than 1mm, or even less than 0.1 mm gap), between the supporting surface of the platforms and the facing surface of the object. It means of fluid-cushion that apply the fluid treatment on the surfaced of the object contains a very small amount of fluid (for example chemical fluid for surface cleaning). Accordingly, such a thin fluid- treatment environment provide significantly lower process-cost. For example, when a 300mm wafer is floating at about 100 micron over the fluid-cushion that also apply the fluid-treatment, only 7cm³ of treating-fluid is contained inside such a thin fluid- treatment environment.

The term "uniform" is related to the local balance behavior of all the above mentioned types of fluid-cushions, where the fluid is locally provided and evacuated within each of the relatively small (with respect to the object dimensions) repeatable basic cells, thus mass flow is locally balanced without any global effect.

In-addition, the recirculating fluid pattern within each of the basic cells provides lateral fluid motion close to the facing surface of the object, thus providing in a very local manner a dynamic mechanism to enhance process uniformity as well as dynamic mixing mechanism that increases fluid homogenously.

[00145] Reference is now made to the Figures.

[00146] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic cross-section view of a fluid-treatment apparatus with one-sided non-contact support platform, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention. The apparatus 100 shown in this figure comprises a non-contact platform 110, with an active surface 112, which is provided with a pressurized fluid supply port 120, fluidically connected to an integral pressure manifold 122 that provides pressurized fluid through flow restrictors 124 (for example, SASO conduit) to pressure outlets on the active surface. Evacuation port 130, that may be connected to a vacuum source (not shown in this figure) in case of PV-type platform, evacuates fluid off the active surface via inlets distributed on the active surface, through evacuation manifold 132 to a reservoir held at atmospheric (PA-type or PP-type platforms) or sub-atmospheric (PV-type platform) conditions. Optionally (mostly in cases where the platform is not fully covered), flow restrictors 134 (again, SASO conduit is preferable) are provided in the evacuation conduits. The basic cell 101 of platform 100 is the a repeatable cell that spread all over the active surface it includes the pressure holes and vacuum holes An object 10 such as a wafer, FPD, or other such substrates, is supported without contact over the active surface 112 while being treated by the fluid. Here the backside surface 12 of 10 is treated while the opposite surface 14 is not affected. Edge 16 of the object may be free, or engaged physically to an outside tool (for example, a holder), ε indicates the gap formed by the fluid cushion between the active surface 112 and the treated surface 12 of the object. This configuration creates a very thin layer of fluid between surfaces 12 and 112, a compact volume, for example compact cleaning chamber, with respect to the amount of fluid needed to preserve an highly economical fluid treatment process. The basic cell 101 of platform 100 is a repeatable cell that spread all over the active surface of 100. It includes few pressure outlets of 124 and vacuum inlets of 134 (not necessary identical number of 124 and 134) and a repeatable small volume of the thin fluid-fluid cushion. The basic cell provides local behavior and it is locally balanced with respect to mass flow rate, meaning that in each cell the amount of fluid introduced to the cell by few 124 and the amount of fluid evacuated from the basic cell through 134 are substantially similar. Accordingly this reparable approach eliminate any global effects and therefore the is no practical limitation to deal with wide format substrates.

[00147] By using platform 100 for fluid-treatment processes, a sequential multi step process can be applied. It can be done at a well defined controlled process by switching the fluid while the object 10 is supported without contact during the entire period. For example, executing a chemical process followed by washing and drying (meaning that switching from liquid to gas is also a possibility).

[00148] Figure 2 illustrates a schematic cross-section view of a fluid-treatment apparatus with dual-sided non-contact support platform, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention. Here the object 10 is treated on it's both opposite surfaces, or treatment is being carried out from one of it's sides. The apparatus 200 shown in this figure comprises two opposite non-contact platforms 210, 210a, each with an active surface, which is provided with a pressurized fluid supply port 220 (and 220a respectively), each fluidically connected to an integral pressure manifold that provides pressurized fluid through flow restrictors (for example, SASO conduit) to pressure outlets on the active surface. Evacuation ports 230 (and 230a respectively) that may be each connected to a vacuum source (not shown in this figure) in case of PV-type platform, evacuate fluid from the active surfaces via inlets distributed on the active surface, through evacuation manifold to a reservoir held at atmospheric (PA-type or PP-type platforms) or sub-atmospheric (PV-type platform) conditions. The treated object 10 is supported between the active surfaces while being treated by the fluid. Here both opposite surface of the object are treated.

[00149] An alternative option with respect the apparatus of figure 2 is to treat only one side of object 10, thus in one side the fluid-cushion is functioning only to support the object 10, and on the other side the fluid-cushion, for example fed with chemically reactive fluid, provide the fluid treatment on the relevant facing surface of 17

10. Accordingly two different types of fluids must by used, and it can be for example a supporting fluid-cushion where the fluid is Nitrogen or air, or inertial liquid-cushion, while a chemically reactive fluid is supply at the other, chemically active side of 10. In some application two type of fluid cushion can be used (operating for example at two different cushion gap - ε1 , ε2), thus one is dominant with respect to handling and the opposing fluid cushion responsible mostly to the fluid treatment process,

[00150] Figure 3 illustrates a schematic cross-section view of a non-contact fluid- treatment apparatus with dual-sided configuration, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, with the treated object 10 held by pressure forces pressing it against confronting support surface. When only one active-surface such as for the PP-type platform is placed against a flat object and a second non-active platform is positioned on the other side of the object, the fluid- cushion presses the object against the non-active surface. Such platform is referred herein as a PM-type platform. The apparatus 300 shown in this figure comprises a non-contact platform 310, with an active surface, which is provided with a pressurized fluid supply port 320, fluidically connected to integral pressure manifold that provides pressurized fluid through flow restrictors to pressure outlets on the active surface of 310. Evacuation port 330, that may be connected to a reservoir held at atmospheric (PA-type or PP-type platforms) or sub-atmospheric (PV-type platform) conditions, evacuates fluid off the active surface via inlets distributed on the active surface (optionally flow restrictor can be used at each of the evacuation vent), through the evacuation manifold 330. The back-side of object 10 to be treated is pressed by the fluid cushion to be fully in contact with platform 370, while at the same time the fluid-cushion is maintained between the active surface and the (upper with respect to the figure) front-side of object 10, where the fluid treatment process is carried out. Optionally, platform 370 is a vacuum chuck linked to a vacuum source via vacuum port 380, that connects the inlets 384 on the surface of platform 370 through integral manifold 382.

[00151] Figures 4a-4e illustrate some configurations and orientations of fluid- treatment apparatus in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention.

[00152] Figure 4a is a schematic cross-section view of a fluid-treatment apparatus with dual-sided non-contact support platform in vertical orientation. Here two opposite non-contact platforms 410, 410a, are used to create fluid-cushions on either sides of object 10. The object 10 is optionally held by a gripper 411 , that may be for example a robot arm that inserts the object into the space between the platforms and removes it after the object had been treated. Alternatively, element 411 (one or few) can be a limiter that prevent the object from moving vertically. In addition, element 411 can rotate object 10, for example to enhanced process uniformity, while the object is laterally held in vertical orientation by 401 410a.

[00153] Figure 4b is a schematic cross-section view of a fluid-treatment apparatus with one-sided non-contact support platform in vertical orientation. Here one platform 420 (PV-type) holds object 10 while fluidically treating its surface, with an optional holder 421 for introducing it and removing it from the platform (for more details on element 421 see similar element 411 , Figure 4a ).

[00154] Figure 4c is a schematic cross-section view of a fluid-treatment apparatus with one-sided non-contact support platform 430 in up-side-down orientation. The object 10 is suspended against gravity by the PV fluid-cushion. Holders 431 to prevent lateral movements of 10 are applied and optionally may rotate the object.

[00155] Figure 4d is a schematic cross-section view of a fluid-treatment apparatus with a contoured non-contact support surface. Platform 440 is provided with a concave active surface so as to accommodate the bulging object 10a. The active surface is planned to match the treated surface of the anticipated object to be treated, and may take any form (concave surface being only an example).

[00156] Figure 4e is a schematic cross-section view of a fluid-treatment platform 450 with two substantially perpendicular non-contact support surfaces, for holding an object 10b with matching perpendicular surfaces.

[00157] Figures 5a-5f illustrate several sealing options for a fluid treatment apparatus in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention.

[00158] Figure 5a is a schematic cross-sectional view of contact sealing for insulating the fluid-cushion between the platform and the substrate of a fluid- treatment apparatus with one-sided non-contact support platform (partial view of the edge area of the platform). The platform 510 is provided with a sealing strip 570 encircling the edges of the platform. The sealing is made of material impervious to the type of fluid used, for example silicon based soft materials. The sealing ring (it can be also of circular cross such as O-ring), preferably possesses some flexibility, so as to provide a soft touch to the object placed on it. Object 10 is placed in contact with the sealing strip at its edge 11 , (in particular by touching the peripherally "exclusion zone" of silicon wafers or FPDs).

[00159] Figure 5b is a schematic cross-sectional view of contact sealing for insulating the fluid-cushion between the cleaning platforms and the substrate of a fluid-treatment apparatus with dual-sided non-contact support platform (partial view of the edge area of the platform). Here both platforms 520 and 520a that support object 10, are each provided with a sealing strip 570, encircling the edges of the platforms with a similar details described with respect to sealing strip 570, figure 5a.

[00160] Figure 5c is a schematic cross-sectional view of contact sealing for insulating the fluid-cushion between the cleaning platform and the substrate of anther embodiment of a fluid-treatment apparatus with one-sided non-contact support platform. Here both opposite platforms 530 and 530a are non-contact platforms. Platform 530a has an extension 531a forming a comer with the rest of platform 53Oa₁ in which corner sealing member (for example, O-ring) is placed, which is in contact with the edge of object 10.

[00161] Figure 5d is a schematic cross-sectional view of dynamic insulation by applying local fluid injection at the circumference of the object, with respect to anther embodiment of a fluid-treatment apparatus. It has to be emphasized that dynamic insulation can replace physical insulation in non-contact platforms, and it enables relative motion between the supported object to the supporting platform. In that apparatus, a non-contact platform 540 is provided with edge nozzle 580, which may be in fact an annular outlet encircling the edges of the object. Peripheral (essentially two-dimensional) Nozzle 580 is used to inject fluid which serves as a fluidic insulating barrier. The direction of injection may be predetermined to cause the flow to be evacuated outwardly (as shown in this figure), or alternatively it may be directed below the object and evacuated via an evacuation channel within the platform or the apparatus. Clamp 598 is optionally used to prevent sliding of the object, or to move or rotate the object.

[00162] Figure 5e is a schematic cross-sectional view of dynamic insulation by applying local fluid suction at the circumference of the of the object, with respect to anther embodiment of a fluid-treatment apparatus. In platform 550 of this apparatus, the dynamic insulation is established by using vacuum suction slit, forcing the fluid in the vicinity of vacuum slit 590 (meaning the edge leakage coming out from the fluid cushion), to be evacuated through slit 590. The suction induced by 590 effectively creates a fluidic insulating barrier. Clamp 598 is optionally used to prevent sliding of the object, or to move or rotate the object.

[00163] Figure 5f is a schematic cross-sectional view of dynamic insulation by applying local fluid suction at the circumference of a dual side platform, with respect to anther embodiment of a fluid-treatment apparatus. Here physical insulation and dynamic insulation are incorporated. Platform 560 and 560a, define a cavity between them, where the upper platform 560a can moved up und down to enable loading and unloading of the object to be treated. Platform 560a provided with an extension forming a corner with the rest of the platform, that rests against insulation strip 599 (for example, O-ring). By using sealing 590, the internal space of this sual- sided platform is insulated from the outer space, thus, for example, prevent leakage of toxic gases. In addition inlet 590a is provided in the extension of platform 560a, opposite the anticipated location of the edge of treated object 10, for evacuating under vacuum forces local fluids, establishing circumferential dynamic insulation between the air-cushions environment at the upper and the lower surface of 10.

[00164] Figures 6a-6d illustrate several embodiments of multi-zone non-contact platforms of a fluid-treatment apparatus in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention.

[00165] Figure 6a illustrates a non-contact conveying platform with a fluid-treatment zone (shown at the center of the figure). The conveyer platform extends over platform 620 and platform 620a (both non-contact support platforms), with the fluid- treatment platform 630 in between. Pressurized air supply 622 feeds platform 620, whereas pressurized air supply 622a feeds platform 620a to establish PA-type conveying zones. Pressurized fluid supply port 632 feeds the fluid treatment platform, while evacuation port 633 evacuates fluid from the fluid treatment platform, to establish PV-type fluid-treatment zones. Suction grooves 631 may provide to evacuate any residual fluids in order to prevent contamination of the conveying platforms 620, 620a that can be also regarded as the loading and the unloading section of this configuration. Fluid treatment process is taking place dynamically as the substrate 10 is passing from loading to unloading position, through the cental zone where the fluid treatment process is locally applied with respect to 10.

[00166] Figure 6b illustrates a fluid treatment apparatus similar to the above mentioned apparatus (figure 6a), but it provided with a mechanical wheels conveyers 640, 640a, thus only the fluid-treatment zone is a non-contact platform. [00167] Figure 6c illustrates a non-contact apparatus similar to figure 6a, but with a plurality of consecutive fluid-treatment zones (650, 660, 670, 680) that may for example provide different types of fluid treatments, as rendered necessary or desired. The various fluid treatments may, for example, comprise physical cleaning, chemical cleaning, washing, drying and other processes involving fluid treatment, Including thermal platform for heating or cooling the traveling substrate 10.

[00168] Figure 6d illustrates a detail of a closed-loop of fluid treatment zone, not based on a fluid cushion but also creates a dynamically closed environment. In this fluid treatment platform 690 fluid is introduced through conduit 692, and evacuated through evacuation channels 693, without serving as a fluid cushion. The object may be supported independently by a non-contact support platform or by a physical support.

[00169] Figures 7a-7g illustrate several optional motions for a fluid-treatment apparatus with respect to the object treated, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention.

[00170] Figure 7a illustrates a fluid treatment apparatus with a substrate supported (with contact) by a rotating stage equipped with a floating fluid-treatment unit. Stage 710 (for example vacuum stage), which physically supports object 10 may be provided with rotational motion, with a relatively wide stationary fluid-treatment bridge 712, floating over the object 10 (top side of 10 is being treated)..

[00171] Figure 7b illustrates a fluid treatment apparatus with a substrate supported (with contact) by a rotating stage equipped with a fixed fluid-treatment unit. Here too the support stage 720 may rotate. A stationary rigid fluid treatment bridge 722 is fixed above object 10 (top side of 10 is being treated).

[00172] Figure 7c illustrates a fluid treatment apparatus where the substrate supported by a non-contact stationary platform. The non-contact stationary platform 730 supports object 10. A stationary rigid fluid treatment bridge 732 is fixed above object 10 (top side of 10 is being treated). Here, relative rotational motion is applied by wheel drive 738 that is kept in contact with the edge of circular object 10 (for example, a silicon wafer).

[00173] Figure 7d illustrates a fluid treatment apparatus where the substrate supported by a non-contact stationary platform. Here, linearly traveling rigid fluid treatment bridge 742 is provided to treat dynamically the top surface of object 10. [00174] Figure 7e illustrates a rectangular setup of a fluid treatment apparatus, with a stationary non-contact supporting platform 750 where the substrate 10 is linearly conveyed above the platform. A stationary rigid fluid treatment bridge 752 is fixed over the traveling substrate 10 where, portions of it beneath the fluid treatment bridge receive fluid treatment.

[00175] Figure 7f illustrates a rectangular setup of a fluid treatment apparatus, with a traveling rigid fluid treatment bridge 762, and with a stationary non-contact platform 760 that support substrate 10 that is kept in rest during the process.

[00176] Figure 7g illustrates a rectangular setup of a fluid treatment apparatus, with a traveling fluid treatment bridge 772 having a local fluid treatment unit 774 movable along the bridge, and with a stationary non-contact platform 770 that support substrate 10 that is kept in rest during the process. This setup allow point-to-point fluid treatment, for example a cleaning unit that aimed to remove identified particles, after information on particles locations was collected by optical inspection system.

[00177] Figures 8a and 8b illustrate a dynamically closed environment concept, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention.

[00178] Figure 8a illustrates the dynamically closed environment concept on a stationary fluid treatment apparatus 800. Non-contact support platform 110 is equipped intermittently with pressurized fluid outlets 124 and evacuation inlets 134, which facilitate a basic, locally balanced, repeatable fluid treatment cell 801 covering the active surface of 110. Length 805 between a and b defining in effect a very thin environment locally balanced with respect to mass flow, whereas at the edges of object 10, dynamic insulation is applied, using vacuum groove (or injection groove, depending on the type of dynamic insulation chosen) 820.

[00179] Figure 8b illustrates the dynamically closed environment concept on a fluid treatment apparatus 850 traveling over stationary substrate. Here support platform 830 is used solely for supporting substrate 10, whereas traveling fluid treatment bridge 840 is provided with dynamic insulation at the edges (842) forming effectively close chamber 841 , where the fluid treatment process is carried out.

[00180] Figures 9a-9c illustrate several housed fluid treatment apparatuses, for ambient insulation, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention. [00181] Figure 9a illustrates a fluid treatment apparatus 902 with a drain chamber. Non-contact fluid treatment platform 110 that supports substrate 10 is housed inside housing 920, fixed by supports 922. Excessive fluid is drained via drain 924.

[00182] Figure 9b illustrates a fluid treatment apparatus 904 with a drain chamber incorporated with the fluid treatment platform. Fluid treatment platform 110 is incorporated with the housing leaving side drainage grooves linked to drain 944. Optionally, platform 110 is provided with landing mechanism 946 (for laoding and unloading substrate 10), that may alternatively be applied at the center or at the edge of that platform.

[00183] Figure 9c illustrates an insulated dual-sided fluid treatment chamber apparatus 906 with drainage. Here two opposite non-contact support platforms 110, 110a (PV or PP type) are provided integrated in housing made up of two opposite portions 960 and 960a respectively, which may be brought together to form closed environment, Here the lower part of the apparatus (110+960) can move up and down (970) for loading and unloading of object 10, while the upper part of the apparatus (110a+960a) is fixed. When object 10 is treated inside, sealing 962 ensures no leaking of liquids or gases (that my be toxic) outside the housing, and dismounting of the object. Optionally, each of the fluid treatment platforms may include physical insulation (966a) or alternatively dynamic insulation (966b).

[00184] Figure 10 illustrates a general view of a full system setup of a circular fluid treatment apparatus 1000 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus shown in this figure is a one-sided circular non- contact fluid treatment platform mainly aimed for silicon wafer applications (or similar applications for circularly shaped flat and thin objects). Here the fluid treatment process is carried out by the supporting fluid cushion at the bottom side of the object (it can be for example, also the wafer's patterns side when it is supported without contact where it's backside up). The fluid treatment is carried out in the gap (ε) between the object 10 and the platform 110. As shown in the previous Figures, the object may be stationary supported by 110 (thus limiting or gripping element prevent lateral motion lateral), or alternatively rotated. It has to be emphasized that any other details described in the previous figures can be relevant with respect to apparatus 1000. Pressurized fluid supply port 120 and evacuation port 130 supply and evacuate (respectively) fluids to and from apparatus 1000 and are linked to utility box 1010. Utility box 1010 may perform several functions, some of which may be: controlling pressure and sub-atmospheric levels, management of fluids, timing, thermal management (for example operating heater 1020, or supplying preheated fluids to thermally assist the process), sensing, communication with external controllers or other elements of a global manufacturing process of the plant.

[00185] Figure 11 illustrates a general view of a full system setup of a circular fluid treatment apparatus 1100 in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus shown in this figure is a one-sided non-contact fluid treatment apparatus where the process is applied on the top-side of substrate 10. Fluid treatment is carried out locally by fluid treatment bridge 1125 fixed (or floating) above object 10 (coupled to base 1120, which includes fluid supply and evacuation channels. Wheel drive 1130 rotates object 10, thus facilitating coverage of the entire top surface of the object. Object 10 is supports during the process by a non-contact platform 110, linked with supply and evacuation ports 120, 130 to utility box 1110 (same as 1010). Platform 110 my operated by using an air-cushion, or by using any other inertial fluid (liquid or gas).

[00186] Figure 12 illustrates a general view of a full system rectangular setup of a fluid treatment apparatus 1200 in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. This apparatus is similar to apparatus 1000 where the substrate 10 is being stationary held from its bottom-side by a fluid cushion generated by platform 110 and that fluid cushion also applied a fluid treatment process at the bottom-side of substrate 10. Utility box 1210 (same as 1010) is linked to platform 110 via ports 120 and 130.

[00187] Figure 13 illustrates a general view of a full system rectangular setup of a fluid treatment apparatus 1300 in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this setup, the substrate 10 (for example FPS glass), is being stationary held from its bottom-side by a fluid-cushion (for example air-cushion) generated by platform 110 where a traveling fluid treatment bridgel 330 is provided to treat the top-side of a stationary substrate 10. Utility box 1310 (same as 1010) is linked to platform 110 via ports 120 and 130, and also linked to fluid treatment bridge 1330 (to control both the process and the motion), suspended by linearly driven supports 1320, thus the fluid treatment bridge 1330 is traveling over substrate 10 to accomplish the process.

[00188] Figure 14 illustrates a general view of a full system rectangular setup of a fluid treatment apparatus 1400 in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The substrate 10 is traveling across platform 110 (towards unloading area 110a). Linear conveyer 1420 conveys substrate 10 across the platform while at the same time it is also supported by an air-cushion generated by 110 and 110a. A central portion of the platform is designated as a fluid treatment zone 1430 (see also, for example, Figures 6a, 6b and 6c). Utility box 1410 (same as 1010) is linked to the fluid treatment zone as well as to the entire platform, facilitating non-contact support for the traveling substrate 10, as well as fluid treatment at the designated zone 1430, acting on portion of bottom-side of substrate 10. The process is accomplished all over the substrate 10 bottom-side as substrate 10 is driven across the platform by conveyor 1420.

[00189] Figure 15 illustrates a general view of a full system rectangular set up of a fluid treatment apparatus 1500 in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. This is in fact a hybrid of the apparatuses shown in Figures 13 ad 14. Linear conveyer 1520 (same as 1420) conveys substrate 10 across a supporting platform 110, where fluid treatment is provided on the top-side of substrate 10 by a stationary fluid treatment bridge 1530. Platform 110 and bridge 1530 are linked to utility box 1510, (same as 1010).

[00190] Figure 16 illustrates a multi-station fluid-treatment system, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The object to be treated is transported from one station to the next, the stations being various fluid treatment apparatuses. Loading deck 1610 receives the object, and conveys it across conveyer 1699a (preferably conveyor 1699a and similarly conveyor 1699b-f are non-contact conveyor), to station 1620 (for example, back side mechanical cleaning) Then the object is conveyed across conveyer 1699b to station 1630 (for example, front-side chemical cleaning). From there the object is conveyed across conveyer 1699c to station 1640 (for example, thermal treatment). It then passes across conveyer 1699d onto station 1650 (for example, final washing or drying station), after which the object is transferred across conveyer 1699e to unloading deck 1660, thus completing the fluid treatment. The unload deck 1660 may provided with process control means to enable, if necessary to repeat the process through conveyer 1699f.

[00191] It is generally noted that the supporting of the treated object, in accordance with the present invention, may be done by the same fluid treatment platform, or by a dedicated support platform. [00192] The fluid cushion can be accurately controlled, and for many practical reasons may be set to any value ranging from dozens of microns to a few millimeters (the present invention is not limited to these values).

[00193] The fluid cushion may be used for support, for treatment or for both.

[00194] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fluid may be switched from gas to liquid, and switched form inert to active fluid, during the course of action.

[00195] In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, different types of fluids with respect to different types of fluid treatments can be used in accordance with the fluid treatment apparatus of the present invention.

[00196] Without derogating the generality, fluid-treatment process with respect to the present invention can be for example wet or dry surface cleaning of substrates like silicon wafers or FPD glass (backside and/or front-patterns side), where a cleaning process can be a chemical cleaning process in essence, or a physical cleaning process (where forces applied directly on adhesive particles to remove them), as well as washing and drying. Another examples for fluid-treatment are Etching and chemical planarization processes aimed to etch a layer from the surface of the substrate and coating processes such as electrolytic coating.

[00197] Some of these treatments can be thermally enhanced by including a heater in the platform structure or / and fluid heating module.

[00198] Without derogating the generality, fluids for fluid-treatment processes can be for example SC-1 , SC-2, Piranha, HF, NF₃, CF₄, HCI, associated with wet or dry cleaning, rinsing with UPDI, chemicals like CF₄, HF, H₃PO₄, HNO₃, associated with etching, and CuSO₄, H₂SO₄, associated with wet or dry copper coating.

[00199] Construction materials for the fluid treatment apparatus associated with present invention, ought to be selected with respect to the specific chemicals used for that process. Without derogating the generality, typical construction materials can be metals like Stainless Steel 316, Hastelloy, nickel based alloys, titanium based alloys, nickel coated metals, or non-metallic materials such as polymers of the Fluoropolymer family like PTFE, FEP, PFA, Elastomers like Viton, Kalrez, Chemraz for sealing, and Ceramic materials like Alumina, SiC, Quartz. [00200] It should be clear that the description of the embodiments and attached Figures set forth in this specification serves only for a better understanding of the invention, without limiting its scope.

[00201] It should also be clear that a person skilled in the art, after reading the present specification could make adjustments or amendments to the attached Figures and above described embodiments that would still be covered by the present invention. Furthermore, details and features described herein with reference to the embodiments shown in the Figures can be, in many cases, implemented interchangeably, optionally or alternatively, where applicable.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. A non-contact support apparatus for fluid treatment of a stationary or traveling object while supporting the object without contact by fluid-cushion induced forces, the apparatus comprising:

at least one of two substantially opposite non-contact platforms having support surfaces, each support surface comprising at least one of a plurality of basic cells each cell having at least one of a plurality of pressure outlets and at least one of a plurality of fluid-evacuation channels each of the pressure outlets fluidically connected through a flow restrictor to a high-pressure fluid supply, the pressure outlets providing pressurized fluid for generating pressure induced forces, maintaining a fluid-cushion between the object and the support surface of the platform, the flow restrictor characteristically exhibiting fluidic return spring behavior; each of said at least one of a plurality of fluid-evacuation channels having an inlet and outlet, for locally balancing mass flow for said at least one of a plurality of basic cells,

wherein at least one or more zones of the platform support surface, comprising one or more basic cells, are designated as treatment zones linked to a fluid reservoir providing treatment fluid necessary for treating the object through pressure outlets and evacuating fluid through the fluid evacuation channels.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising two opposite platforms with support surfaces.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the treatment zones defined at a restricted area of the support surface of one of the two opposite platforms.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the treatment zones spread over the entire support surface of one of the two opposite platforms .

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the inlet of said at least one of a plurality of evacuation channels is kept at an ambient pressure.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inlet of said at least one of a plurality of evacuation channels is kept at sub-atmospheric (Vacuum) conditions.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a flow restrictor is further provided in each evacuation channel.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flow restrictor comprises a fluid conduit, having an inlet and outlet, said conduit provided with a plurality of fins mounted on the internal wall of said conduit in two rows, in a shifted manner, so as to define cavities between consecutive fins of one row, with a fin of the second row placed opposite each cavity.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said at least one support surface is flat.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said at least one support surface is curved.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said apparatus has a circular configuration.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said apparatus has a rectangular configuration.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid necessary for treating the object is also used to provide support to the object in the form a fluid-cushion.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 , further provided with heaters for heating the treatment fluid or for heating the fluid-cushion.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein more than one treatment zones are provided on either sides of the object.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein insulation is provided to insulate one or more treatment zones on the object.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the insulation comprises physical insulation.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the insulation comprises dynamic insulation provided by fluid-dynamic means.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said at least one of two substantially opposite platforms is provided with a peripheral inlet, providing dynamic insulation by fluid suction means.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said at least one of two substantially opposite platforms is provided with a peripheral outlet, providing dynamic insulation by fluid injection means.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said dynamic insulation creates a dynamically closed fluid-treatment environment.

23. The apparatus of claim 1 , further provided with a landing mechanism.

24. The apparatus of claim 1, further provided with a sealed housing.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the sealed housing further includes an opening mechanism for allowing loading or unloading of the object.

26. The apparatus of claim 1 , linked with a conveyer for conveying the object across the apparatus.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the conveyer is mechanical.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the object is further supported by fluid-cushion supporting forces.

29. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the treatment zones are incorporated with a bridge.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the bridge is movable.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the treatment zones are movable across the bridge.

32. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the bridge is adapted to float over the object.

33. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a drive system is provided to facilitate a relative motion between the treatment zones and the object.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the drive system provides a linear motion.

35. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the drive system provides a circular motion.

36. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the drive system includes a gripper for gripping the object .

37. The apparatus of claim 1 , further provided with a utility box for controlling operation of the apparatus.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the utility box is adapted to control at least some of the following: provision of the treatment fluid, heating, pressure control, modification of the distance of the object from said at least one of two substantially opposite surfaces, switching of treatment fluids, conveying the object, loading and unloading of the object.

39. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the utility box is adapted to control a multi-stage fluid treatment process.

40. The apparatus of claim 1, provided in a multiple of stations, forming a multi-station fluid-treatment processing line.

41. A method for non-contact fluid treatment of a stationary or traveling object while supporting the object without contact by fluid-cushion induced forces, the method comprising:

providing an apparatus comprising at least one of two substantially opposite non- contact platform having support surfaces, each support surface comprising at least one of a plurality of basic cells each cell having at least one of a plurality of pressure outlets and at least one of a plurality of fluid-evacuation channels each of the pressure outlets fluidically connected through a flow restrictor to a high-pressure fluid supply, the pressure outlets providing pressurized fluid for generating pressure induced forces, maintaining a fluid-cushion between the object and the support surface, the flow restrictor characteristically exhibiting fluidic return spring behavior; each of said at least one of a plurality of fluid-evacuation channels having an inlet and outlet, for locally balancing mass flow for said at least one of a plurality of basic cells, wherein at least one or more zones of the platform support surface comprising one or more basic cells, are designated as treatment zones linked to a fluid reservoir providing treatment fluid necessary for treating the object through pressure outlets and evacuating fluid through the fluid evacuation channels;

placing the object against the treatment zones and;

administering treatment fluid onto the object and removing treatment fluid form the object using the treatment zones.

42. The method of claim 41 , wherein the fluid-cushion is a PA-type.

43. The method of claim 41 , wherein the fluid-cushion PV-type.

44. The method of claim 41 , wherein the fluid-cushion is a PP- type.

45. The method of claim 41 , wherein the fluid-cushion maintains the object at less than 1 mm from said at least one of two support surfaces.

46. The method of claim 41 , wherein the fluid-cushion maintains the object at less than 0.1 mm from said at least one of two support surfaces.

47. The method of claim 41 , wherein the fluid-cushion has an adjustable gap, provided by controlling the pressures introduced to the air cushion.

48. The method of claim 41 , wherein the object is treated on one side.

49. The method of claim 41 , wherein the object is treated on two sides.

50. The method of claim 41 , wherein the treatment fluid is switched.

51. The method of claim 41 , wherein the treatment fluid switches inert fluid.

52. The method of claim 41 , wherein the treatment fluid is a gas.

53. The method of claim 41 , wherein the treatment fluid is a liquid.