Patent ID: 7566370
Filing Date: 2009-07-28
Classification: H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method for clamping a wafer using pressure control, comprising: disposing a wafer in a wafer receipt area on a wafer support plate; applying a fluid above the wafer through a number of inlets in the wafer support plate, the number of inlets disposed in a linear arrangement on a first side of the wafer receipt area of the wafer support plate, the fluid causing an increased pressure above the wafer; removing the fluid from above the wafer through a number of outlets in the wafer support plate, the number of outlets disposed in a linear arrangement on a second side of the wafer receipt area of the wafer support plate that is opposite the first side, wherein applying the fluid through the number of inlets and removing the fluid through the number of outlets causes the fluid to flow across the wafer in a linear manner from the first side to the second side; and decreasing a pressure below the wafer, the decreased pressure below the wafer being lower than a pressure above the wafer, the decreased pressure below the wafer serving to hold the wafer toward the wafer support plate.