Patent ID: 6274013
Filing Date: 2001-08-14
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A workpiece holder for use in processing a workpiece comprising:a workpiece support;at least one finger assembly mounted upon said workpiece support, said at least one finger assembly including at least one contact for contacting the workpiece;at least one finger actuator operable with said at least one finger assembly for moving said finger assembly between an engaged position wherein said finger assembly is in contact with the workpiece and a disengaged position wherein said finger assembly is disengaged from the workpiece, said at least one finger actuator having means for moving the at least one finger assembly in an axial movement toward and from the workpiece along a longitudinal axis, and means to rotate the at least one finger assembly in a rotational movement along said longitudinal axis;at least one electrode forming a part of said at least one finger assembly, said at least one electrode having an electrode contact for contacting a surface of said workpiece to provide electrical connection therewith, wherein said electrode contact is one of said at least one contact;at least one protective sheath covering at least a portion of the at least one finger assembly to protect the finger assembly from contact with a plating fluid, said at least one protective sheath being made from a dielectric material, said electrode contact being maintained in a generally retracted position within said at least one protective sheath when said at least one finger assembly is in said disengaged position, said electrode contact being moved out of said retracted position when said at least one finger assembly is moved into said engaged position.