Method and apparatus for modifying surface material

摘要

A method and an apparatus for modifying a surface layer formed on the surface of a base material in order to modify the characteristics of the surface layer such as to control the chemical composition of the surface layer and to develop a novel utilization of ultra-pure water. The method includes the step of contacting a surface layer on a base material with ultra-pure water in an oxygen-free atmosphere. The amount of dissolved oxygen in the water is preferably 1 ppm or below, and the ultra-pure water is preferably boiled. The apparatus includes a chamber having inert gas introduction means for introducing an inert gas thereinto, and inert gas discharge means for discharging the inert gas therefrom, a container disposed inside the chamber for holding ultra-pure water, and heating means disposed in the chamber for heating ultra-pure water held in the ultra-pure water container.