摘要:
In a semiconductor fabrication facility, a conveyor (12) transports substrates carriers (14). The substrate carriers are unloaded from the conveyor and loaded onto the conveyor without stopping the conveyor. A load and/or unload mechanism (32) lifts the substrate carriers (14) from the conveyor during unloading operations, while matching the horizontal speed of the conveyor. Similarly, during loading operations, the load/unload mechanism lowers a substrate carrier into engagement with the conveyor while matching the horizontal speed of the conveyor. Individual substrates, without carriers, may be similarly loaded and/or unloaded from a conveyor.
摘要:
The disclosure relates to a substrate processing apparatus (10) for processing a substrate (20) having a peripheral edge, an upper surface for processing and a lower surface lying on a support (16). The apparatus includes a processing chamber (14) which houses the substrate support, in the form of a heater pedestal including a substrate receiving surface (22) for receiving the lower surface of the substrate. A circumscribing shadow ring (24) is located around the pedestal to cover peripheral edge portion of the substrate. The shadow ring also defines a cavity (70) between itself and the pedestal, at the peripheral edge of the substrate. In operation, the chamber receives processing gas at a first pressure and purge gas is introduced into the cavity, between the ring and the pedestal, at a second pressure which is greater than the first pressure. Fluid conduits (50) are provided to enhance the flow of the purge gas away from the peripheral edge of the substrate.
摘要:
In a first aspect, a substrate loading station (201) is served by a conveyor (231) which continuously transports substrate carriers (207). A substrate carrier handler (215) that is part of the substrate loading station (201) operates to exchange substrate carriers with the conveyor while the conveyor is in motion. A carrier exchange procedure may include moving an end effector (225) of the substrate carrier handler at a velocity that substantially matches a velocity of the conveyor. Numerous other aspects are provided.
摘要:
The disclosure relates to a substrate processing apparatus (10) for processing a substrate (20) having a peripheral edge, an upper surface for processing and a lower surface lying on a support (16). The apparatus includes a processing chamber (14) which houses the substrate support, in the form of a heater pedestal including a substrate receiving surface (22) for receiving the lower surface of the substrate. A circumscribing shadow ring (24) is located around the pedestal to cover peripheral edge portion of the substrate. The shadow ring also defines a cavity (70) between itself and the pedestal, at the peripheral edge of the substrate. In operation, the chamber receives processing gas at a first pressure and purge gas is introduced into the cavity, between the ring and the pedestal, at a second pressure which is greater than the first pressure. Fluid conduits (50) are provided to enhance the flow of the purge gas away from the peripheral edge of the substrate.
摘要:
In a semiconductor fabrication facility, a conveyor (12) transports substrates carriers (14). The substrate carriers are unloaded from the conveyor and loaded onto the conveyor without stopping the conveyor. A load and/or unload mechanism (32) lifts the substrate carriers (14) from the conveyor during unloading operations, while matching the horizontal speed of the conveyor. Similarly, during loading operations, the load/unload mechanism lowers a substrate carrier into engagement with the conveyor while matching the horizontal speed of the conveyor. Individual substrates, without carriers, may be similarly loaded and/or unloaded from a conveyor.
摘要:
In a semiconductor fabrication facility, a conveyor (12) transports substrates carriers (14). The substrate carriers are unloaded from the conveyor and loaded onto the conveyor without stopping the conveyor. A load and/or unload mechanism (32) lifts the substrate carriers (14) from the conveyor during unloading operations, while matching the horizontal speed of the conveyor. Similarly, during loading operations, the load/unload mechanism lowers a substrate carrier into engagement with the conveyor while matching the horizontal speed of the conveyor. Individual substrates, without carriers, may be similarly loaded and/or unloaded from a conveyor.
摘要:
In a first aspect, a substrate loading station (201) is served by a conveyor (231) which continuously transports substrate carriers (207). A substrate carrier handler (215) that is part of the substrate loading station (201) operates to exchange substrate carriers with the conveyor while the conveyor is in motion. A carrier exchange procedure may include moving an end effector (225) of the substrate carrier handler at a velocity that substantially matches a velocity of the conveyor. Numerous other aspects are provided.