Patent ID: 6672819
Filing Date: 2004-01-06
Classification: H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
A sample transferring apparatus comprising:a sample conveying robot which conveys a sample in atmosphere between a cassette which accommodates a plurality of samples and a load lock chamber located at the entrance of a vacuum chamber, and between an unload lock chamber located at the entrance of the vacuum chamber and a cassette which accommodates a plurality of samples; a cassette conveying means which is capable of separately conveying each cassette in a plurality of cassettes horizontally to a position where a conveyed cassette faces to said conveying robot; said conveying robot being anchored at a position adjacent said cassette conveying means and between said load lock chamber and said unload lock chamber, said load lock chamber and said unload lock chamber being aligned in a row parallel to a length of said cassette conveying means, and said conveying robot having such composition that a scooping device thereon for said sample is capable of moving vertically for predetermined amount; and said conveying robot further having a means for holding said sample by vacuum suction, and being composed so that said sample scooping device thereon is movable between a cassette and said load lock chamber and between said unload lock chamber and a cassette.