Patent ID: 6079928
Filing Date: 2000-06-27
Classification: C23C,H01L

Abstract:
A method of processing a substrate comprising the steps of:providing a central processing chamber having at least one passage therein communicating between an interior environment and an outside environment divided from one another by a separation wall extending vertically therebetween;providing a load lock connected to said central processing chamber on the side of said separation wall corresponding to the side of the outside environment;providing said load lock with a chamber and one and another openings, said one opening having a first gate valve associated with an outside environment and said another opening having a second gate valve associated with the at least one passage in said central processing chamber;introducing a substrate into said main transport chamber by moving the substrate through said load lock through said first gate valve and then through said second gate valve;opening said second gate valve with said first gate valve being closed to allow said one substrate to be placed on said movable member in an air tight environment in said chamber;providing said chamber in said load lock having an upper and lower subchamber and a member movable between each of said subchambers to create a sealed environment in one of said chambers toward which said member is moved;providing a substrate and supporting same on said movable member when said movable member is in a first position; andmoving said movable member to a second position whereby said substrate is located in one of said upper and lower subchambers of said chamber; andproviding a second substrate and placing it on said movable member when said movable member is in said second position.