Precision specular proximity detector and article handing apparatus employing same
First Claim
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1. A specular proximity detecor comprising:
- means for directing radiation along an incidence path to a line substantially free of optical diffusion extending for a length transverse to said incidence path at a selected location along said incidence path;
a radiation sensor; and
a first converging line-focusing optical element disposed along a reflection path to intercept radiation reflected from the selected location and direct it to the radiation sensor, the first converging line-focusing optical element positioned along the reflection path relative to the selected location and the radiation sensor to direct a greater amount of radiation to said radiation sensor when such radiation is reflected from said selected location that when reflected from locations away from said selected location.
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Abstract
Infrared radiation is focused to a line at a site at which a semiconductor wafer is expected to appear when a wafer is transferred with, i.e., loaded onto or unloaded from, a semiconductor wafer conveyor. A cylindrical lens of selected focal length is positioned to receive and focus to a line at an image plane radiation reflected by a wafer arriving at the site. An apertured stop defines an opening at the image plane to pass reflected radiation to an infrared sensor positioned on the side of the stop opposite the cylindrical lens.
49 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A specular proximity detecor comprising:
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means for directing radiation along an incidence path to a line substantially free of optical diffusion extending for a length transverse to said incidence path at a selected location along said incidence path; a radiation sensor; and a first converging line-focusing optical element disposed along a reflection path to intercept radiation reflected from the selected location and direct it to the radiation sensor, the first converging line-focusing optical element positioned along the reflection path relative to the selected location and the radiation sensor to direct a greater amount of radiation to said radiation sensor when such radiation is reflected from said selected location that when reflected from locations away from said selected location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A semiconductor wafer handling apparatus comprising:
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a semiconductor wafer conveyor; means for transferring semiconductor wafers with respect to the semiconductor wafer conveyor at a selected location relative to said conveyor; means for forming a focused line of radiation at the selected location for reflection therefrom when a semiconductor wafer is positioned at said selected location for transfer with the semiconductor wafer conveyor; means for receiving reflected radiation and focusing same to a line; and means for sensing radiation disposed to receive the reflected and line focused radiation and generate an indication of radiation reflected from the selected location. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A specular proximity detector of integral construction comprising:
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a housing defining opposite first and second sides and a third side joining said first and second opposite sides; first and second converging cylindrical lenses each having a longitudinal axis, said cylindrical lenses mounted adjacent to each other within the housing proximate the third side thereof with their longitudinal axes parallel and extending in the direction of the opposite first and second sides; the third side of the housing defining an opening exposing the cylindrical lenses to the exterior of said housing, the opening extending a first distance between the opposite first and second sides of the housing to expose a length of the cylindrical lenses and a second distance in the direction between the longitudinal axes of the cylindrical lenses less than the distance separating said longitudinal axes; a radiation emitter mounted within the housing at a side of the second converging cylindrical lense opposite the opening defined by the third side of the housing to direct radiation towards said second converging cylindrical lens generally in the direction of a radiation incidence path extending through the longitudinal axis of said second converging cylindrical lens, said opening defined by the third side of the housing and a point exterior to the housing at which emitted radiation is focused in a substantially diffusion free manner to a line by said second converging cylindrical lens; and a radiation sensor mounted within the housing at a side of the first converging cylindrical lens opposite the opening defined by the third side of the housing to receive radiation reflected from the point exterior to the housing generally in the direction of a radiation reflection path extending through said opening defined by the third side of the housing and the longitudinal axis of said first converging cylindrical lens. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification