Patent ID: 6131052
Filing Date: 2000-10-10
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A semiconductor manufacturing system for processing semiconductor wafers on a lot-by-lot basis, each lot including at least a semiconductor wafer, comprising:a plurality of processing apparatuses for processing the semiconductor wafer of said lot;storage equipment for storing said lot while said lot is not being processed by said processing apparatuses; anda plurality of non-processing apparatuses provided in cooperation with said storage equipment for applying to the semiconductor wafer of said lot at least one of non-processing steps of inspection, measurement, and removal of contaminants other than the processing by said processing apparatuses, whereinthe semiconductor wafer of said lot is subjected to the non-processing steps by said non-processing apparatuses while said lot is stored in said storage equipment, andwherein said storage equipment includes a storage region for storing said lot and an additional function region for accommodating at least one of said plurality of non-processing apparatuses within said storage equipment.