Patent · US Active

System and method for storing and transporting photomasks in fluid

US7537114B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
9References
31Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 25, 2006
Grant dateMay 26, 2009
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 30, 2027

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03F1/66
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An apparatus for and method of storing and transporting a photomask. A photomask storage container has fluid-tight walls, an opening for moving the photomask into and out of the container, and a sealable inlet for a storage fluid. The method includes placing the photomask in the storage container through the opening, introducing a storage fluid into the container through the inlet, closing the container opening and sealing the storage fluid inlet, whereby the storage fluid is essentially inert with respect to the photomask. The method then includes opening the container opening and contacting a surface of the photomask with an alcohol-containing gas while removing the photomask from the storage container to remove the storage fluid from the photomask surface.

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