WETTING A WORKPIECE SURFACE IN A FLUID-PROCESSING SYSTEM
First Claim
1. An apparatus For wetting a workpiece having front and back surfaces, the apparatuscomprising:
- a workpiece holder disposed in a chamber, the workpiece holder comprising;
a body comprising a surface, the body defining a cavity extending from the surface;
a ring adapted to retain the workpiece on the surface of the body over the cavity, the ring forming a fluid seal relative to the workpiece and to the workpiece holder; and
a port defined in the body and in communication with the cavity, the port affecting pressure in the cavity to minimize a pressure differential between the front and back surfaces of the workpiece; and
a fluid port in communication with the chamber, the fluid port delivering a fluid to wet the front surface of the workpiece during operation of the chamber at a reduced pressure relative to atmosphere.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for wetting the surface of a workpiece is disclosed. The apparatus includes a chamber with a vacuum port and a fluid port and a workpiece holder including a body, a ring, and a port. The body includes a surface and defines a cavity extending from the surface. The ring is adapted to retain the workpiece on the surface of body over the cavity. The ring forms a fluid seal relative to the workpiece and to the workpiece holder. The port is defined in the body and in communication with the cavity. The port affects pressure in the cavity to minimize a pressure differential between the front and back surfaces of the workpiece. The fluid port is in communication with the chamber. The fluid port delivers a fluid (e.g., a substantially degassed fluid) to wet the front surface of the workpiece during operation of the chamber at a reduced pressure relative to atmosphere.
19 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus For wetting a workpiece having front and back surfaces, the apparatus
comprising: -
a workpiece holder disposed in a chamber, the workpiece holder comprising; a body comprising a surface, the body defining a cavity extending from the surface; a ring adapted to retain the workpiece on the surface of the body over the cavity, the ring forming a fluid seal relative to the workpiece and to the workpiece holder; and a port defined in the body and in communication with the cavity, the port affecting pressure in the cavity to minimize a pressure differential between the front and back surfaces of the workpiece; and a fluid port in communication with the chamber, the fluid port delivering a fluid to wet the front surface of the workpiece during operation of the chamber at a reduced pressure relative to atmosphere. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of wetting a workpiece having front and back surfaces, the method comprising:
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retaining the workpiece on a surface of a workpiece holder disposed in a chamber to create fluid seals between the ring and the workpiece and between the ring and the workpiece holder; reducing pressure in the chamber relative to atmospheric pressure; minimizing a pressure differential between the front and back surfaces of the workpiece; and
introducing a fluid to the chamber to wet the front surface of the workpiece. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus for wetting a workpiece having front and back surfaces, the apparatus comprising:
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means for retaining the workpiece on a surface of a workpiece holder disposed in a chamber and for sealing the back surface of the workpiece from the chamber; means for reducing pressure in the chamber relative to atmospheric pressure; means for minimizing a pressure differential between the front and back surfaces of the workpiece; and means for introducing a fluid into the chamber to wet the front surface of the workpiece.
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Specification