Patent ID: 7680559
Filing Date: 2010-03-16
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method for creating a set of wafer transfer instructions configured to transfer a wafer between an origination wafer-holding location and a destination wafer-holding location in a plasma cluster tool, said plasma cluster tool having a plurality of wafer-holding locations, said method comprising: receiving a first user-provided location indicator, said first user-provided location indicator graphically identifying said origination wafer-holding location on an on-screen graphical representation of said plasma cluster tool; receiving a second user-provided location indicator, said second user-provided location indicator graphically identifying said destination wafer-holding location on said on-screen graphical representation of said plasma cluster tool; ascertaining data pertaining to a path between said first user-provided location indicator and said second user-provided location indicator; using a sensor associated with a first wafer-holding location to report said first-wafer holding location as unsuitable for accepting said wafer; flagging at least said first wafer-holding location of said plasma cluster tool as being excludable; excluding said first wafer-holding location from a list of nodes used for forming said path; and forming said set of wafer transfer instructions responsive to said data pertaining to said path, said set of wafer transfer instructions being configured to transfer said wafer along a set of wafer-holding locations associated with said path.