Patent ID: 7534080
Filing Date: 2009-05-19
Classification: H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for processing work pieces in a vacuum environment, comprising: a master process chamber defining a first space therein which is configured to be exhausted to a sub-atmospheric air pressure or to be filled with a gas; a transfer chamber enclosed in the master process chamber and configured to be vacuum sealed off from the master process chamber, wherein the transfer chamber defines a second space therein which is configured to receive a first work piece from outside of the master process chamber; a first processing chamber defining a third space therein and comprising a first opening configured to receive a second work piece from the first space in the master process chamber; a second processing chamber defining a fourth space therein and comprising a second opening configured to receive a third work piece from the first space in the master process chamber; a rotation plate in the master processing chamber and under the transfer chamber, the first processing chamber, and the second processing chamber, wherein the rotation plate is configured to receive the first work piece from the transfer chamber, the second work piece from the first processing chamber, and the third work piece from the second processing chamber and to place the first work piece, the second work piece, and the third work piece on a fist area, a second area, and a third area on the rotation plate, wherein the rotation plate comprises a first hole in the first area under the first work piece, a second hole in the second area under the second work piece, and a third hole in the third area under the third work piece, wherein the rotation plate is configured, in a single rotation, to move the first work piece from under the transfer chamber to under the first processing chamber, and to move the third work piece from under the second processing chamber to under the transfer chamber; and a first retractable mechanism comprising a first work-piece holder configured to reach and carry the first work piece through the first hole in the rotation plate, wherein the first retractable transport mechanism is configured to transfer the first work piece from the transfer chamber to the first area on the rotation plate.