Patent · US Expired

Wafer handling system

US6981832B2 · kind B2 · utility

464Cited by
22References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 15, 2003
Grant dateJan 3, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 4, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L21/67781
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A system for processing semiconductor wafers includes adaptations allowing the selective handling of cassettes for both 200-mm wafers and 300-mm wafers. The system is configured initially for handling standard 300-mm FOUP cassettes. Adaptions for handling 200-mm wafer open cassettes include a load port adapter frame for receiving such cassettes on a input/output platform; a cassette handler adapter configured for reversibly mounting on a cassette handler end effector and for receiving 200-mm open cassettes; a store adapter frame for converting 300-mm FOUP storage compartments into compartments for storing 200-mm open cassettes; and a Transhipment FOUP for holding 200-mm open cassettes upon a cassette transfer platform and bringing such cassettes into an interface with a wafer handler. The Transhipment FOUP has outer surfaces resembling a standard 300-mm FOUP cassette, but is configured to receive a 200-mm open cassette therein.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.