Patent ID: 8715418
Filing Date: 2014-05-06
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A semiconductor processing system, comprising: a plurality of processing chambers, each of which comprises a main body forming a chamber base and defining an internal cavity formed on a top surface thereof and a plurality of processing stations, each processing station located within the internal cavity, each main body comprising exhaust slots formed on the top surface thereof and each exhaust slot partially surrounding the internal cavity; a plurality of processing pedestals, each individually received and located in a respective processing station; each of the plurality of processing chambers further comprising a rotatable indexing plate positioned within the internal cavity, each rotatable indexing plate comprising a hub and a plurality of transfer arms and is rotatable to place the transfer arms in an orientation above the respective processing stations, each of the plurality of processing chambers further comprising a pumping plate, each pumping plate comprising a body positioned between the chamber base and the chamber lid and within the internal cavity of each of the processing chambers, and which defines a plurality of pumping apertures which correspond in number with, and are oriented in substantially coaxially alignment relative to the respective processing stations, each of the pumping apertures positioned right above the respective pedestal, each pumping plate further defining exhaust ports which individually cooperate with the exhaust slots to transfer reaction gas from the internal cavity, through the exhaust ports, and to the exhaust slots; each of the processing chambers further comprising a chamber lid which cooperates with the chamber base, and wherein the indexing plate and the pumping plate are positioned between the chamber base and the chamber lid; each of the plurality of processing chambers further comprising an exhaust apparatus mounted on the chamber base, and wherein the exhaust apparatus draws the reaction gas through the exhaust ports which individually cooperate with the exhaust slots to transfer the reaction gas from the internal cavity, through the exhaust ports, and to the exhaust slots surrounding the internal cavity; a transfer chamber defining an internal cavity and coupled with each of the processing chambers; a plurality of loading chambers coupled with the transfer chamber, and wherein each of the loading chambers has multiple slots for placement of semiconductor work pieces, and which is operable to supply semiconductor work pieces for processing in the respective processing chambers and receive semiconductor work pieces which have been previously processed by the respective processing chambers; and a transfer apparatus mounted in the transfer chamber, the transfer apparatus comprising a vertically oriented shaft positioned substantially centrally relative to the internal cavity and having at least two extendible arms mounted thereupon, each of the two extendible arms being individually operable to selectively move vertically and selectively move horizontally in the direction of the transfer port, and wherein the respective arms carry the individual semiconductor work pieces into, and out of the respective processing chambers, and the loading chambers in a manner so as to substantially maximize the number of semiconductor work pieces which are processed by the respective processing chambers.