Substrate processing apparatus and substrate processing method

A substrate processing apparatus, comprising:

• a table, which rotates in parallel to a processing target surface of a substrate under a state in which the processing target surface is supported horizontally, the table having the processing target surface provided thereon, toward which a predetermined processing liquid is supplied;
• a protruding portion, which is formed at a center portion of a surface of the table and has a central axis coincident with a rotational axis of the table;
• and
• a plurality of substrate support mechanisms, which are formed on portions of the surface of the table spaced apart from a base end of the protruding portion in an outer peripheral direction of the table by a predetermined distance, for supporting the substrate so that the processing target surface thereof is held horizontally, the plurality of substrate support mechanisms being provided at the same distance from a top end of the protruding portion,
• wherein the predetermined processing liquid, which is supplied vertically downward toward the top end of the protruding portion rotating together with the table, is forced to flow by centrifugal force generated through rotation of the table via the top end of the protruding portion, to thereby cause the predetermined processing liquid to reach processing target surfaces of all of substrates supported by the plurality of substrate support mechanisms, the processing target surfaces including vicinity of center portions of the substrates, further comprising blocking plates, which are formed on the surface of the table, for receiving one of a flow of the predetermined processing liquid and a flow of air routed via the protruding portion, while blocking one of a flow of the predetermined processing liquid and a flow of air routed via one of adjacent one of the plurality of substrate support mechanisms and a substrate supported by the adjacent one of the plurality of substrate support mechanisms, and further comprising a top plate, which is opposed in parallel to the processing target surfaces of the substrates supported by the plurality of substrate support mechanisms each provided between adjacent blocking plates, the top plate being provided on outer end portions of the adjacent blocking plates, and wherein the top plate is formed into a mesh form.