Patent ID: 6645356
Filing Date: 2003-11-11
Classification: C25D

Abstract:
An integrated tool for planting microelectronic workpieces comprising:a first processing chamber configured to plate a single workpiece separately from other workpieces during an electroless plating cycle, the first processing chamber being an electroless processing chamber that uses an electroless plating process; a second processing chamber configured to plate the single workpiece separately from other workpieces during an electroplating cycle after the electroless plating cycle, the second processing chamber being an electroplating chamber that uses an electroplating process, wherein the second processing chamber comprises a reactor bowl configured to contain an electroplating solution; an anode in the reactor bowl at a location to contact the electroplating solution; a processing head having a contact assembly configured to releasably hold the single microelectronic workpiece seperately from other workpieces, the processing head being moveable transverse to the reactor bowl to position the microelectronic workpiece in the electroplating solution, and the contact assembly having a plurality of contacts configured to contact a peripheral edge of the surface of the workpiece and move laterally across the surface of the workpiece as the workpiece is brought into contact therewith; and a barrier disposed radially interior of the plurality of contacts, the barrier including a member disposed to seal against the surface of the workpiece; and a robotic transfer mechanism programmed to transfer a workpiece to the first processing chamber for electroless plating thereof and, in a subsequent operation, transferring the workpiece to the second processing chamber for electroplating thereof.