Patent ID: 6494670
Filing Date: 2002-12-17
Classification: C23C,F16K,H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of transferring substrates in a processing system, comprising:providing a load lock chamber having a first and a second load lock region, a central transfer region, and a single opening communicating the central transfer region with the processing system; loading a first substrate into a first cassette in the first load lock region; evacuating the first load lock region to a desired pressure; rotating a first semi-cylindrical valve to connect the first load lock region and the central transfer region; transferring the first substrate and the first cassette from the first load lock region to the central transfer region while the first substrate is disposed in the first cassette; transferring the first substrate from the central transfer region to the processing system through the single opening; loading a second substrate into a second cassette in the second load lock region; evacuating the second load lock region to a desired pressure; rotating a second semi-cylindrical valve to connect the second load lock region and the central transfer region; transferring the second substrate and the second cassette from the second load lock region to the central transfer region while the second substrate is disposed in the second cassette: and transferring the second substrate from the central transfer region to the processing system through the single opening.