Patent ID: 6170496
Filing Date: 2001-01-09
Classification: B08B,C23C,H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
An apparatus for servicing a wafer chuck comprising:a wafer chuck situated in a chamber, said chuck having a top surface equipped with a multiplicity of apertures, said multiplicity of apertures being in fluid communication with an internal passageway provided in said chuck,a first conduit in fluid communication with said internal passageway at one end and with a first valve opening of a three-way valve at an opposite end,a second conduit in fluid communication with a first inert gas supply at one end and with a second valve opening of a three-way valve at an opposite end,a three-way valve having a first valve opening connected to said first conduit, a second valve opening connected to said second conduit and a third valve opening connected to a second inert gas supply, whereby a fluid communication between said first valve opening and said third valve opening enables said second conduit to be replaced without breaking vacuum in said chamber; anda fluid communication between said first valve opening and said second valve opening enables said multiplicity of apertures to be ventilated.