Patent · US Active

Apparatus and method for centering substrates on a chuck

US9685362B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
6References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 19, 2014
Grant dateJun 20, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 14, 2035

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T279/21
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An apparatus and method for centering substrates determining on a chuck. The apparatus includes a chuck in a process chamber, the chuck configured to removeably hold a substrate for processing; an array of two or more ultrasonic sensors arranged in the process chamber, each ultrasonic sensor arranged relative to the chuck so as to send a respective ultrasonic sound wave to a respective preselected region of the substrate and receive a respective return ultrasonic sound wave from the preselected region of the substrate; and a controller connected to each ultrasonic sensor and configured to compare a measured position of the substrate on the chuck to a specified placement of the substrate on the chuck based on a measured elapsed time between sending the ultrasonic sound wave and receiving the return ultrasonic sound wave from each ultrasonic sensor.

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