System for processing a workpiece
First Claim
1. A method for processing a workpiece comprising the steps of:
- placing the workpiece into a base assembly having a base and a first rotor;
applying a magnetic force to repel the first rotor from the base;
engaging a second rotor to the first rotor to form a process chamber around the workpiece;
forcing the engaged rotors against the magnetic repulsion force to create engagement between the first and second rotors;
spinning the first and second rotors; and
applying a processing fluid to the workpiece.
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Abstract
A system for processing a workpiece includes a process head assembly and a base assembly. The process head assembly has a process head and an upper rotor. The base assembly has a base and a lower rotor. The base and lower rotor have magnets wherein the upper rotor is engageable with the lower rotor via a magnetic force created by the magnets. The engaged upper and lower rotors form a process chamber where a semiconductor wafer is positioned for processing. Process fluids for treating the workpiece are introduced into the process chamber, optionally while the processing head spins the workpiece. Additionally, air flow around and through the process chamber is managed to reduce particle adders on the workpiece.
13 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for processing a workpiece comprising the steps of:
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placing the workpiece into a base assembly having a base and a first rotor;
applying a magnetic force to repel the first rotor from the base;
engaging a second rotor to the first rotor to form a process chamber around the workpiece;
forcing the engaged rotors against the magnetic repulsion force to create engagement between the first and second rotors;
spinning the first and second rotors; and
applying a processing fluid to the workpiece. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for processing a workpiece comprising the steps of:
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placing the workpiece into a process vessel having an upper rotor and a lower rotor;
applying a magnetic force to one of either the upper or lower rotors so that the upper rotor engages the lower rotor to form a process chamber around the workpiece;
spinning the engaged first and second rotors and the workpiece; and
applying a process fluid to the workpiece. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for processing a plurality of workpieces comprising the steps of:
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providing a plurality of workpieces at an input/output station;
moving the plurality of workpieces from the input/output station to a plurality of process stations, at least one of the plurality of process stations having a workpiece processor comprising a process head assembly having a process head and an upper rotor, a base assembly having a base and a lower rotor, the base having a first magnet and the lower rotor having a second magnet;
placing the plurality of workpieces into the at least one workpiece processor a single workpiece at a time;
applying a magnetic force to repel the lower rotor from the base such that the lower rotor engages the upper rotor with the single workpiece positioned between the lower and upper rotors;
spinning the rotors and the single workpiece;
applying a process fluid to the single workpiece;
removing the single workpiece from the at least one process station; and
returning the processed workpieces to the input/output station. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification