Patent ID: 8261905
Filing Date: 2012-09-11
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A system for linear translation of a semiconductor wafer, comprising: a drive rail having an interior cavity and an exterior drive surface, wherein the interior cavity is sealed, and wherein the exterior drive surface extends along a length of the drive rail and includes an upper beveled portion and a lower beveled portion; a first magnetic member disposed within the interior cavity and adjacent to a surface of the interior cavity immediately opposite the exterior drive surface, the first magnetic member configured to be moved in a controlled manner within the interior cavity along the length of the drive rail; a wafer carrier configured to hold a semiconductor wafer in a substantially horizontal orientation; a second magnetic member disposed within an encapsulating housing, wherein the encapsulating housing is affixed to the wafer carrier, the encapsulating housing having an exterior track surface including an upper beveled portion and a lower beveled portion, wherein the first and second magnetic members are configured to be magnetically coupled to each other through the encapsulating housing and the exterior drive surface when the upper and lower beveled portions of the exterior track surface of the encapsulating housing are respectively disposed adjacent to the upper and lower beveled portions of the exterior drive surface of the drive rail, such that movement of the first magnetic member causes a corresponding movement of the encapsulating housing and wafer carrier affixed thereto; a guide rail disposed to be substantially parallel and level with the drive rail such that the wafer carrier extends in a substantially horizontal direction from the drive rail to the guide rail, and wherein the guide rail includes a guide track defined along a length of the guide rail; and a guide support affixed to the wafer carrier so as to engage the guide rail when the encapsulating housing is contact with the exterior drive surface of the drive rail, wherein the guide support is configured to be freely movable along the length of the guide rail with restricted vertical movement of the guide support relative to the guide rail.