Patent ID: 6540869
Filing Date: 2003-04-01
Classification: H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
A semiconductor processing system comprising:a first transfer chamber including a first casing having a plurality of ports which allow passage of a target substrate; a first vacuum processing section connected to the first transfer chamber and having a first vacuum processing chamber configured to process the substrate in a vacuum atmosphere; a first load port device, connected to the first transfer chamber, and configured to assist transfer of the substrate between the semiconductor processing system and a position outside the system; a second transfer chamber detachably connected to the first transfer chamber and including a second casing having a plurality of ports which allow passage of the substrate, the second transfer chamber containing an internal atmosphere substantially in common with the first transfer chamber; an additional functional section connected to the second transfer chamber, the additional functional section being selected from the group consisting of a second vacuum processing section and a second load port device, the second vacuum processing section having a second vacuum processing chamber configured to process the substrate in the vacuum atmosphere, and the second load port device being configured to assist transfer of the substrate between the semiconductor processing system and a position outside the system; a transfer robot configured to transfer the substrate in the first and second transfer chambers; first and second rails, respectively attached to the first and second casings in the first and second transfer chambers, and configured to form a track on which the transfer robot travels, the first and second rails constituting in association a horizontal rail integrally extending over the first and second transfer chambers; a connecting and fixing mechanism configured to connect and fix the first and second casings to each other; and first and second base plates respectively attached to the first and second casings and respectively supporting the first and second rails, a connecting position of the first and second rails and a connecting position of the first and second base plates being out of alignment with each other in a longitudinal direction of the horizontal rail.