Patent ID: 7458763
Filing Date: 2008-12-02
Classification: H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method for processing a workpiece comprising: arranging a plurality of processing modules in a sequence to sequentially operate on a workpiece in a vacuum environment, each one of the plurality of processing modules coupled to the vacuum environment and positioned along an edge of the vacuum environment; providing at least two load locks for exchanging the workpiece between the vacuum environment and an external environment, the at least two load locks positioned at opposite ends of the sequence of processing modules; positioning a mid-entry load lock in the sequence such that the mid-entry load lock is separated along the edge of the vacuum environment from one of the at least two load locks on each side of the mid-entry load lock by at least one of the plurality of processing modules; and adding a workpiece to the sequence from the external environment at the mid-entry load lock.