Patent ID: 7144056
Filing Date: 2006-12-05
Classification: H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method for transferring an object from a first support structure to a second support structure, wherein each of the first and second support structures comprises a plurality of vortex chucks having gas exit openings for emitting a plurality of gas vortices towards the object, the gas vortices serving to support the object while impeding contact between the structure and the object, the method comprising: activating the vortex chucks of the first support structure, and supporting the object by the vortex chucks of the first support structure in a predetermined position relative to the first support structure; positioning the first support structure so that said object is adjacent to the gas exit openings of the vortex chucks of the second support structure and is opposite to one or more of the gas exit openings of the vortex chucks of the second support structure; and transferring the object from the first support structure directly to the second support structure, wherein directly transferring the object comprises: activating the vortex chucks of the second support structure, the vortex chucks of the first and second support structures simultaneously emitting the gas vortices towards the object positioned opposite to one or more of the gas exit openings of the vortex chucks of the first support structure and opposite to one or more of the gas exit openings of the vortex chucks of the second support structure; and then deactivating the vortex chucks of the first support structure, and leaving the object supported by the second support structure; wherein each vortex chuck, when activated, lowers a pressure adjacent to a center of a chamber of the vortex chuck relative to an ambient pressure; wherein each vortex chuck comprises an inlet, and when the vortex chuck is activated, pressurized gas is fed into the inlet, follows the vortex chuck's inner wall, and exits the vortex chuck's chamber through the vortex chuck's gas exit opening to create a varying pressure differential distribution extending radially from the center of the vortex chuck.