Patent ID: 6251195
Filing Date: 2001-06-26
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A method for transferring a first microelectronic device between a first processing chamber and a second chamber, comprising the steps of:providing a first microelectronic device;providing a first processing chamber at a first pressure;providing a second chamber adjacent to said first processing chamber at a second pressure that is greater then the first pressure;positioning said microelectronic device in one of said first processing chamber and said second chamber;raising the pressure in the first processing chamber from the first pressure to a level that is at least equal to the second pressure of the second chamber by providing a flow of gas to said first processing chamber;opening a chamber equalization port operatively interconnected between the first processing chamber and the second chamber to permit gas flow between the first processing chamber and the second chamber;opening a chamber valve interconnected between the first processing chamber and the second chamber for providing access to an interior of the first processing chamber from the second chamber and also permitting gas flow between the first processing chamber and the second chamber; andtransferring the first microelectronic device from its position within one of the first processing chamber and the second chamber to a position within the other of the first processing chamber and the second chamber through the chamber valve after the chamber equalization port and the chamber valve have been opened.