An apparatus for supercritical processing and non-supercritical processing
of a workpiece comprises a transfer module, a supercritical processing
module, a non-supercritical processing module, and a robot. The transfer
module includes an entrance. The supercritical processing module and the
non-supercritical processing module are coupled to the transfer module.
The robot is preferably located within the transfer module. In operation,
the robot transfers a workpiece from the entrance of the transfer module
to the supercritical processing module. After supercritical processing,
the robot then transfers workpiece from the supercritical processing
module to the non-supercritical processing module. After the
non-supercritical processing, the robot returns the workpiece to the
entrance of the transfer module. Alternatively, the non-supercritical
processing is performed before the supercritical processing.