Semiconductor wafer processing system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A semiconductor processing system comprising:
- an enclosure;
an interface section and a processing section within the enclosure;
a processing station in the processing section;
a guide track within the enclosure extending from the interface section to the processing station in the processing section;
a conveyor carriage supported on the guide track and movable along the guide track from the interface section to the processing station in the processing section; and
an arm assembly attached to the conveyor carriage.
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Abstract
A processor for processing integrated circuit wafers, semiconductor substrates, data disks and similar units requiring very low contamination levels. The processor has an interface section which receives wafers in standard wafer carriers. The interface section transfers the wafers from carriers onto novel trays for improved processing. The interface unit can hold multiple groups of multiple trays. A conveyor having an automated arm assembly moves wafers supported on a tray. The conveyor moves the trays from the interface along a track to several processing stations. The processing stations are accessed from an enclosed area adjoining the interface section.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A semiconductor processing system comprising:
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an enclosure; an interface section and a processing section within the enclosure; a processing station in the processing section; a guide track within the enclosure extending from the interface section to the processing station in the processing section; a conveyor carriage supported on the guide track and movable along the guide track from the interface section to the processing station in the processing section; and an arm assembly attached to the conveyor carriage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of processing semiconductor wafers and similar articles comprising the steps of:
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loading a batch of vertically oriented articles into an interface section of a processing system; engaging the batch of articles on a mechanical arm; transporting the batch of articles laterally to a position in alignment with a processing station; placing the batch of articles into the processing station, while constantly maintaining the batch of articles in a substantially vertical orientation; processing the articles by applying at least a fluid to the articles; and removing the articles from the processing station and returning them to the interface section, while continuing to constantly maintain the articles in the substantially vertical orientation. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A method for processing semiconductor wafers or similar articles comprising the steps of:
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opening an enclosure door to provide access into the enclosure; loading a wafer carrier containing a batch of wafers into enclosure by moving through the enclosure doorway; closing the enclosure door, to provide a substantially enclosed working space within the enclosure; lifting the batch of wafers out of the wafer carrier; placing the batch of wafers into a carriage; conveying the batch of wafers from the carriage into a processing station; and processing the batch wafers.
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Specification