Load lock and method for transferring objects
First Claim
1. A system configured to transfer a substrate between a first environment and a second environment having different pressures and to keep the first environment and the second environment separated, comprising:
- a load lock chamber located directly between the first and second environments that includes first and second substrate supports and first and second corresponding substrate displacement elements, the first and second substrate supports being positioned one above the other, each of the first and second substrate supports having a surface configured to receive a substrate;
an intermediate plate coupled to an interior wall of the load lock chamber and located substantially between the first and second substrate supports, wherein the intermediate plate has first and second opposing surfaces that face the first and second substrate supports, respectively, and wherein the first and second opposing surfaces are parallel to the surfaces of the first and second substrate supports;
an evacuation device configured to evacuate the load lock chamber; and
a door configured to isolate the load lock chamber during evacuation.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A load lock is constructed and arranged to transfer a substrate between a first environment and a second environment and to maintain each of the first environment and the second environment therein. The load lock includes a load lock chamber provided with at least two mutually distinct substrate supports positioned one above the other. Each of the substrate supports includes a substrate displacement element. The load lock also includes an evacuation device constructed and arranged to evacuate the load lock chamber, and a door constructed and arranged to close the load lock chamber during evacuation and for opening the load lock chamber.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A system configured to transfer a substrate between a first environment and a second environment having different pressures and to keep the first environment and the second environment separated, comprising:
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a load lock chamber located directly between the first and second environments that includes first and second substrate supports and first and second corresponding substrate displacement elements, the first and second substrate supports being positioned one above the other, each of the first and second substrate supports having a surface configured to receive a substrate; an intermediate plate coupled to an interior wall of the load lock chamber and located substantially between the first and second substrate supports, wherein the intermediate plate has first and second opposing surfaces that face the first and second substrate supports, respectively, and wherein the first and second opposing surfaces are parallel to the surfaces of the first and second substrate supports; an evacuation device configured to evacuate the load lock chamber; and a door configured to isolate the load lock chamber during evacuation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for transferring objects between a first environment and a second environment having different pressures, the method using a load lock having a load lock chamber, the method comprising:
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positioning a first object, coming from the first environment, on a first movable object support inside the load lock that is independently movable relative to a second movable object support inside the load lock; closing the load lock in order to enclose the first object; evacuating the load lock; opening the load lock for connecting the load lock to the second environment; and positioning a second object on the second movable object support inside the load lock and removing the first object from the first movable object support without requiring displacement of the first and second movable object supports during the positioning of the second object and the removing the first object. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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Specification