Method for drying a polymer coating on a substrate

A method for a defect-free drying of a polymer coating applied onto a substrate from a solution that contains a polymer dissolved in a solvent, comprising the steps of:

• placing a first substrate with said polymer coating into a first sealed chamber;
• retaining said first substrate with said polymer coating in said first sealed chamber for a first period of time in a first temperature cycle that ensures rapid removal of a portion of said solvent from said polymer coating without violating continuity of said polymer coating;
• transferring said first substrate with said polymer coating from said first sealed chamber to a second sealed chamber;
• retaining said first substrate with said polymer coating in said second sealed chamber in a second temperature cycle at a temperature and under a pressure that ensure removal of said solvent remained after the first temperature cycle from said polymer coating;
• transferring said first substrate with said polymer coating from said second sealed chamber to a third sealed chamber;
• and
• cooling said first substrate with said polymer coating in said third chamber for accomplishing said defect-free drying.