Automated semiconductor processing system
US6942738B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 7, 2000 |
| Grant date | Sep 13, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 30, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S414/137
- WIPO fieldSemiconductors
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An automated semiconductor processing system has an indexer bay perpendicularly aligned with a process bay within a clean air enclosure. An indexer in the indexer bay provides stocking or storage for work in progress semiconductor wafers. Process chambers are located in the process bay. A process robot moves between the indexer bay and process bay to carry semi-conductor wafers to and from the process chambers. The process robot has a robot arm vertically moveable along a lift rail. Semiconductor wafers are carried offset from the robot arm, to better avoid contamination. The automated system is compact and requires less clean room floor space.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.