Patent · US Active

Method and apparatus for safely dechucking wafers

US8000081B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
5References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 14, 2008
Grant dateAug 16, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 16, 2029

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L21/6833
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A wafer stage installed in a process chamber for safely dechucking a wafer is provided. In one embodiment, the wafer stage comprises: a chuck support for supporting a chuck; a chuck mounted on the chuck support for receiving and attaching a wafer thereto; a support lift means for supporting the wafer; a driving means coupled to the support lift means for gradually raising the support lift means to contact the wafer in response to a variable quantity; a sensor attached to the driving means for detecting a change in the variable quantity; and a controller for controlling the variable quantity to the driving means when a predetermined variable quantity is detected in comparison to the change in the variable quantity for a predetermined time.

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