SUBSTRATE TRANSPORT APPARATUS

A substrate transport apparatus for detecting with high accuracy rubbing between a substrate held in a substrate holding tool, and a support which transports a substrate. The substrate transport apparatus includes: a stage for placing thereon the substrate holding tool; a substrate transport mechanism including the support for the substrate, and a back-and-forth movement mechanism for moving the support, the mechanism configured to transfer a substrate to/from the substrate holding tool; a lifting mechanism for moving the support up and down with respect to the substrate holding tool; a sound amplifying section for amplifying a contact sound generated by contact between a substrate held in the substrate holding tool and the support; and a detection section for detecting rubbing between a substrate and the support based on a detection signal from a vibration sensor which detects a solid-borne sound, propagating through the substrate holding tool, and outputs the detection signal.