Patent ID: 6682288
Filing Date: 2004-01-27
Classification: C23C,H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
An apparatus for processing substrates comprising,a load lock adapted for containing a first substrate processing pallet for holding a first batch of substrates, a first process chamber mechanically coupled to said load lock and adapted to perform a first processing operation on said first batch of substrates, and a first transport mechanism located in said load lock, having a first end effector with a first end effector alignment feature, and being adapted to interfit said first end effector alignment feature with a first transport alignment feature of said first substrate processing pallet to adjust a position of said first substrate processing pallet and to transport said first substrate processing pallet between said load lock and said first process chamber, and a multistage elevator platform located within said first process chamber and including a first stage, and a second stage vertically aligned with said first stage, wherein at least one of said first and said second stages includes a first process chamber alignment feature, and said first substrate processing pallet includes at least one process alignment feature adapted to interfit with said first process chamber alignment feature upon transport to said multistage elevator platform to adjust said position of said first substrate processing pallet.