Patent ID: 6763840
Filing Date: 2004-07-20
Classification: B08B,C11D,H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
An apparatus for processing a microelectronic substrate comprising:a transfer module; a first processing module that employs liquid carbon dioxide as a cleaning fluid coupled to the transfer module, the first processing module including a pressure chamber and a liquid carbon dioxide supply system in fluid communication with the pressure chamber, wherein the liquid carbon dioxide supply system is adapted to supply the liquid carbon dioxide to the pressure chamber; a second processing module coupled to the transfer module; and a transfer mechanism coupled to the transfer module, the transfer mechanism configured to move the substrate between the first processing module and the second processing module wherein the first processing module further comprises a pressurized gas delivery system in fluid communication with the pressure chamber, the pressurized gas delivery system being separate from the liquid carbon dioxide supply system; and the pressurized gas delivery system is configured to deliver a pressurized removal gas to the pressure chamber to force liquid carbon dioxide out from the pressure chamber.