Patent ID: 7204888
Filing Date: 2007-04-17
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A lift pin assembly for manipulating a substrate above a support surface of a substrate support, the lift pin assembly comprising: a plurality of lift pins movable between an up position and a down position, the lift pins including top ends and bottom ends, the top ends being configured to be lifted above the support surface of the substrate support to contact a bottom surface of the substrate in the up position, the top ends being configured to be positioned at or below the support surface of the substrate support in the down position; a lift pin connecting member attached to the plurality of lift pins at attachment locations at or near the bottom ends of the lift pins to maintain fixed relative distances between the lift pins at the attachment locations and to move with the lift pins between the up position and the down position; and a lift plate being driven to move between the down position and the up position, the lift plate contacting the lift pins to move the lift pins between the down position and the up position, the lift plate being spaced from the lift pin connecting member.