Patent ID: 6451118
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A cluster tool architecture for processing substrates, including exposure to at least one process environment, comprising:(a) an atmospheric processing area, maintained at atmospheric pressure; (b) cassette means for introducing a plurality of said substrates into said atmospheric processing area; (c) at least one process station in said atmospheric processing area for exposing said substrates to at least one first process environment; (d) an enclosed vacuum processing area, maintained at a vacuum pressure; (e) a first buffer station between said atmospheric processing area and said enclosed vacuum processing area to pump and vent from atmospheric to vacuum pressures and transition said substrates from said atmospheric processing area to said enclosed vacuum processing area; (f) at least one process station in said enclosed vacuum processing area for exposing said substrates to said at least one second process environment; (g) a second buffer station between said atmospheric processing area and said enclosed vacuum processing area to re-pressurize from vacuum to atmospheric pressures and transition said substrates from said enclosed vacuum processing area to said atmospheric processing area; (h) an atmospheric transfer arm in said atmospheric processing area for transferring said substrates from said cassette means between one said buffer station and said at least one process station in said atmospheric processing area and then to said cassette means; and (i) a vacuum transfer arm in said enclosed vacuum processing area for transferring said substrates from one said buffer station to said at least one process station in said enclosed vacuum processing area and from said at least one vacuum process station in said enclosed vacuum processing area to one said buffer station, wherein both buffer stations are equally accessible to both the atmospheric transfer arm and the vacuum transfer arm.