Patent ID: 6877250
Filing Date: 2005-04-12
Classification: H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for rapidly cooling a wafer, comprising a first and second housing-part, which are arranged so that they can move away from and towards each other, and delimiting in the position moved towards each other a cooling compartment, wherein in the position moved towards each other the spacing between walls of the housing-parts, delimiting the volume wherein the wafer is introduced, is such that the spacing between the wafer provided therein and the surfaces of the housing-parts directed thereto is less than 1 mm, wherein both housing parts are provided with gas supply channels, opening near the walls in the cooling compartment such that a gas bearing for supporting of a wafer provided in the compartment is realized, wherein said housing-parts are provided with cooling means for cooling said gas bearing; and a wafer transport device movable between a position outside said apparatus and a position between said housing-parts being moved from each other, and wherein said housing-parts are provided with an accommodation for receiving at least a part of said wafer transport device so that at least said part of said wafer transport device and said wafer are between said housing-parts during cooling of said wafer enabling the apparatus to rapidly cool the wafer.