Patent ID: 7374393
Filing Date: 2008-05-20
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method of transferring a substrate, comprising: positioning a substrate on a substrate supporting device between a substrate contact member and a reaction member that are positioned on the substrate supporting device; coupling an actuator having a connection member to the substrate contact member so that the connection member couples the actuator to the substrate contact member; applying a holding force to the substrate using the actuator that urges the substrate contact member against the substrate and the substrate against the reaction member; storing energy in a compliant member that is positioned between the substrate contact member and the connection member; restraining the movement of the connection member after the holding force has been applied to minimize the amount of variation in the holding force during the process of transferring the substrate; and sensing the movement of the substrate by sensing the movement of the substrate contact member due to the reduction in the stored energy in the compliant member.