Patent ID: 9011602
Filing Date: 2015-04-21
Classification: C23C,H01L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A device for use with an electrostatic chuck having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface being separated from the bottom surface by a width, the electrostatic chuck additionally having a hole therein, the hole having a first width at the top surface and having a second width at the bottom surface, the first width being less than the second width, the top surface being capable of having a wafer disposed thereon, said device comprising: a pin having a pin width less than the first width; a shaft having a pin-holding portion supporting a lower end of the pin, an end portion and a central portion disposed between said pin-holding portion and said end portion, said central portion comprising a first bearing portion; and an outer housing portion having a first end and a second end and comprising a second bearing portion, wherein said shaft is disposed within said outer housing portion and is moveable relative to said outer housing portion between a first position and a second position, wherein the outer housing portion surrounds the first bearing portion and the second bearing portion surrounds the shaft so as to limit lateral movement of the shaft when the shaft is moved relative to the outer housing portion, wherein said second bearing portion is stationary, wherein said first bearing portion is movable relative to said second bearing portion, and wherein the outer housing portion includes a lip portion wherein the first bearing portion separates from the lip portion when the shaft is moved into the second position; wherein the first bearing portion includes an annular space which is configured to be filled with lubricant so as to reduce friction between the first bearing portion and the outer housing portion when the shaft is moved between the first and second positions.