Patent ID: 6406598
Filing Date: 2002-06-18
Classification: C23C

Abstract:
A method of sputter coating a substrate, said method comprising:loading a substrate, an inner mask, and an outer mask onto a transportable tray in a loadlock of a sputtering system, wherein the inner mask masks a central portion of a first surface of the substrate, and the outer mask masks a peripheral portion of the first surface of the substrate; transporting the substrate, the inner mask, and the outer mask on the tray from the loadlock to a sputtering chamber of the sputtering system; inserting the substrate, the inner mask, and the outer mask into the sputtering chamber through an access aperture of the sputtering chamber, and sealing the access aperture with the tray; sputter depositing material onto the first surface of the substrate; transporting the substrate, the inner mask, and the outer mask on the tray from the sputtering chamber to the loadlock; and unloading the sputter coated substrate, the inner mask, and the outer mask from the loadlock while leaving the tray therein.