Patent · US Active

Apparatus and operation method thereof

US9607873B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
5References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 7, 2014
Grant dateMar 28, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 26, 2035

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L21/67389
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus includes a body and a surface for receiving a semiconductor wafer carrier is provided. A nozzle and a venting hole are provided on the surface. The semiconductor wafer carrier has at least one selectively closable capped opening at a bottom, top and/or side surface thereof. The capped opening is configured to couple to, and be accessible by, the nozzle and receive gas output from the nozzle so as to create a substantially oxygen free environment within the semiconductor wafer carrier. The vent hole is configured to allow gas to flow out of the semiconductor wafer carrier. In addition, the apparatus includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor is configured to monitor an ambient condition in the semiconductor wafer carrier, and the controller is configured to adjust a control valve based on the ambient condition so as to control the gas flow or output from the nozzle.

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