Patent ID: 9748123
Date: 2017-08-29
CPC Classifications: H01L

Claim:
1. A method of transporting wafers at a first wafer processing tool including an airlock having a first pressure inside, a transfer module in gaseous communication with the airlock, but isolatable therefrom by a first door located therebetween, and a process chamber in gaseous communication with the transfer module, but isolatable therefrom by a second door located therebetween, the transfer module and the process chamber having a second and a third preset pressures inside, respectively; the method comprising: adjusting pressure within a wafer-carrying enclosure containing a plurality of wafers therein to a preset carrier pressure that is different than an atmospheric pressure; after adjusting the pressure, transporting the wafer-carrying enclosure containing the plurality of wafers therein at the preset carrier pressure to the airlock, the wafer-carrying enclosure having an enclosure opening and an enclosure door for transferring the plurality of wafers therethrough, wherein the wafer-carrying enclosure has the preset carrier pressure inside the wafer-carrying enclosure during transportation; docking the wafer-carrying enclosure with the airlock; changing the first pressure inside the airlock into the preset carrier pressure; opening the enclosure door; changing the carrier pressure inside the airlock and the wafer-carrying enclosure into the second pressure; opening the first door; transferring the plurality of the wafers from the wafer-carrying enclosure into the transfer module; opening the second door; and transferring the plurality of the wafers from the transfer module into the process chamber for processing.