Patent · US Active

System for purging reticle storage

US8776841B2 · kind B2 · utility

5Cited by
28References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 19, 2007
Grant dateJul 15, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 15, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S414/14
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The present invention provides a method, system, and components for protecting reticles and specifically for minimizing haze formation on reticles during storage and use. By substantially continually maintaining a purge in a storage housing having a reduced humidity level on reticles or by temporarily storing the reticle in a container in proximity to a desiccant or getter when not being purged, haze formation can be eliminated, minimized, or sufficiently controlled. Moreover, a filter media in the container may be positioned to be “recharged” during the substantially continual purging of the reticle, a reduced desirable humidity level can be readily maintained in the reticle container when the container is not currently being purged. Additionally, the system of the invention can comprise an ionizer associated with the purge system. For example, the ionizer can be associated with at least one of the plurality of purge lines of the purge system. The system of the invention can also include a purge gas source connected to the purge system that comprises a source of CDA or extra CDA. The storage housing can comprise a plurality of shelves that each include a plurality of reticle stora…

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