Patent Publication Number: US-2015062546-A1

Title: Apparatus with surface protector to inhibit contamination

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 13/105,148, filed May 11, 2011, entitled “Apparatus with Surface Protector to Inhibit Contamination”, which was published Nov. 15, 2012, as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0286463 A1, and which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This invention relates generally to semiconductor fabrication, and more particularly, to inhibiting particle contamination of a surface, such as a surface of a reticle, a mask, a mask blank, a wafer, a substrate, a glass plate, etc. 
     The electronics industry continues to rely on advances in semiconductor technology to realize ever higher-functioning devices in more compact areas. For many applications, realizing higher-function devices requires integrating a larger and larger number of electronic devices into a single wafer. As the number of electronic devices per area of wafer increases, the manufacturing processes become more intricate. 
     One of the process steps encountered in the fabrication of integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices is photolithography. Generally stated, photolithography includes selectively exposing a specially-prepared wafer surface to a source of radiation using a patterned template to create an etched surface layer. Typically, the patterned template is a reticle, which is a flat, glass plate that contains the patterns to be reproduced on the wafer. 
     The industry trend towards the production of integrated circuits that are smaller and/or with higher logic density necessitates ever smaller line widths. The resolution with which a pattern can be reproduced on the wafer surface depends, in part, on the wavelength of ultraviolet light used to project the pattern onto the surface of the photoresist-coated wafer. State-of-art photolithography tools use deep, ultraviolet light, with wavelengths of 193 nm, which allow minimum feature sizes on the order of 100 nm. Tools currently being developed use 157 nm extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light to permit resolution of features at sizes below 70 nm. 
     Extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL) is a significant departure from the deep, ultraviolet lithography currently in use today. All matter absorbs EUV radiation, and hence, EUV lithography takes place in a vacuum. The optical elements, including the photo-mask, make use of defect-free multi-layers, which act to reflect light by means of interlayer interference. With EUV, reflection from the patterned surface is used as opposed to transmission through the reticle characteristic of deep, ultraviolet light photolithography. The reflective photo-mask (reticle) employed in EUV photolithography is susceptible to contamination and damage to a greater degree than reticles used in conventional photolithography. This imposes heightened requirements on reticle handling destined for EUV photolithography use. For example, any particle contamination of the surface of the reticle could compromise the reticle to a degree sufficient to seriously affect the end product obtained from the use of such a reticle during processing. The problem is particularly significant in, for example, a transfer chamber, such as a load-lock structure, where changing pressure between atmospheric and vacuum creates turbulence within the chamber, and thus increased likelihood of contamination. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, the shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision of an apparatus for inhibiting particle contamination of a surface. The apparatus includes: a surface to be protected; a chamber configured to receive the surface to be protected; a protector plate distinct from the chamber and designed to be affixed within the chamber independent of the surface to be protected; and a support mechanism affixing the protector plate to and suspending the protector plate within the chamber in spaced, opposing relation to the surface to be protected without contacting the surface to be protected, and with a gap between the protector plate and the surface that presents a diffusion barrier to particle migration into the gap and onto the surface between the protector plate and the surface due, at least in part, to physical proximity of the protector plate to the surface to be protected, thereby inhibiting particle contamination of the surface, the surface to be protected being insertable or removable from the chamber independent of the protector plate. 
     In another aspect, an apparatus is provided for inhibiting particle contamination of a surface. The apparatus includes a surface to be protected and a protector frame configured to receive the surface to be protected. The protector frame comprises an open-ended frame structure having a first open end and a second open end at opposite sides of the protector frame to facilitate insertion of the surface within or removal of the surface from the protector frame. The protector frame further includes a protector plate configured to inhibit particle contamination of the surface with the surface disposed within the protector frame, and at least one first support, and at least one second support. The at least one first support and the at least one second support reside on opposite sides of the protector frame, and are configured to support the surface within the protector frame with the surface in spaced, opposing relation to the protector plate, and provide a gap between the protector plate and the surface that presents a diffusion barrier to particle migration into the gap and onto the surface due, at least in part, to physical proximity of the protector plate to the surface to be protected, thereby inhibiting particle contamination of the surface. 
     Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       One or more aspects of the present invention are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed as examples in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a dual-container approach to inhibiting particle contamination of a surface; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a processing environment comprising an atmospheric stage, a vacuum stage, and a transfer chamber facilitating transitioning a process structure between the atmospheric stage and the vacuum stage during which a surface is to be protected, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a more detailed embodiment of a processing environment comprising a transfer chamber coupled between an atmospheric stage and a vacuum stage, wherein the transfer chamber facilitates transitioning between the atmospheric stage and the vacuum stage, and during which a surface of interest is to be protected from particle contamination, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional elevational view of one embodiment of the transfer chamber of  FIG. 3 , taken along line  4 A- 4 A thereof, and illustrating a protection plate in spaced, opposing relation to a surface of interest of a process structure, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional plan view of the transfer chamber of  FIG. 4A , taken along line  4 B- 4 B thereof, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional plan view of the transfer chamber of  FIG. 4B , and illustrating loading of a process structure into the transfer chamber in spaced, opposing relation to the protector plate, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5B  illustrates the transfer chamber of  FIG. 5A , with the process structure loaded into position and pressure being changed within the transfer chamber between atmospheric and vacuum, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5C  is a plan view of the transfer chamber of  FIGS. 5A &amp; 5B , and illustrating unloading of the process structure, for example, at the vacuum stage of the processing environment, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6A  is a cross-sectional elevational view of an alternate embodiment of an apparatus comprising a protector plate in spaced, opposing relation to a surface of interest of a process structure, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional elevational view of another embodiment of an apparatus comprising a protector plate in spaced, opposing relation to a surface of interest of a process structure, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7A  is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus comprising an alternate embodiment of a protector plate in spaced, opposing relation to a surface of interest of a process structure, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional elevational view of an alternate embodiment of an apparatus comprising the protector plate of  FIG. 7A , and shown with the protector plate in a raised position relative to the surface of interest of the process structure, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7C  is a cross-sectional elevational view of the apparatus of  FIG. 7B , and illustrating disposition of the protector plate in a lowered position in spaced, opposing relation to the surface of interest of the process structure, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8A  is a cross-sectional elevational view of another embodiment of an apparatus comprising a protector plate in spaced, opposing relation to a surface of interest of a process structure, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8B  is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of a protector plate to be supported within a transfer chamber in spaced, opposing relation to a surface of interest, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9A  is a cross-sectional elevational view of another embodiment of an apparatus comprising a protector plate in spaced, opposing relation to a surface of interest, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9B  is a cross-sectional elevational view of another embodiment of an apparatus comprising a protector plate in spaced, opposing relation to a surface of interest, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional elevational view of another embodiment of an apparatus comprising a protector plate in spaced, opposing relation to a surface of interest, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11A  is a plan view of another embodiment of an apparatus comprising a protector plate in spaced, opposing relation to a surface of interest, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11B  depicts the apparatus of  FIG. 11A , and illustrates application of UV exposure to the surface of interest during loading or unloading of the surface of interest, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12A  is a cross-sectional elevational view of another embodiment of an apparatus comprising a protector plate in spaced, opposing relation to a surface of interest, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12B  is a plan view of another embodiment of an apparatus comprising a protector plate in spaced, opposing relation to a surface of interest, and illustrating a plurality of UV sources associated with the protector plate, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13A  is a cross-sectional elevational view of another embodiment of an apparatus comprising a protector frame with a protector plate in spaced, opposing relation to a surface of interest, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13B  partially depicts the apparatus of  FIG. 13A , and in particular, illustrates in exploded view the protector frame and the process structure comprising the surface of interest to be protected, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14A  depicts an alternate embodiment of an apparatus comprising a protector frame with a protector plate in spaced, opposing relation to a surface of interest of a process structure, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14B  depicts the protector frame and the process structure of  FIG. 14A , shown residing on an end-effector, which facilitates loading (or unloading) of the protector frame and process structure together within (or from) the transfer chamber, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 14C  illustrates the protector frame of  FIGS. 14A &amp; 14B  residing on an end-effector, which facilitates separate insertion or removal of the protector frame within the transfer chamber, independent of the process structure comprising the surface of interest, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention and various aspects and advantageous of the invention are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Descriptions of well-known starting materials, processing techniques, components and equipment are omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the invention in detail. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and examples presented, while indicating embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only and not by way of limitation. Various substitutions, modifications, additions, and/or rearrangements within the spirit and/or scope of the underlying inventive concept will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure. 
     As noted, the reflective photo-mask (reticle) employed in EUV photolithography is susceptible to contamination and damage to a greater degree than reticles used in conventional photolithography. This imposes heightened requirements on reticle handling destined for EUV photolithography use. For example, any particle contamination of the surface of interest of a reticle could compromise the reticle to a degree sufficient to seriously affect the end product obtained from the use of such a reticle during processing. The problem is particularly significant in, for example, a transfer chamber, such as a load-lock structure, where changing pressure between atmospheric and vacuum creates turbulence within the chamber, and thus increased likelihood of contamination of the surface of interest of the reticle. 
     Note that as used herein, the “surface of interest” and “surface to be protected” are used interchangeably. Further, note that the surface of interest is described below as being a surface of a process structure. Generally stated, a “process structure” is used herein to mean any of a variety of structures, including a reticle, a mask, a mask blank, a wafer, a substrate, or a plate, such as a glass plate, etc. 
     The present disclosure provides various apparatuses for protecting a surface of interest by inhibiting particle contamination of the surface, for example, within a transfer chamber of a processing environment. In one aspect, an apparatus is provided for a chamber to receive a surface to be protected. The apparatus includes a protector plate configured to reside within the chamber with the surface, and a support mechanism which suspends the protector plate within the chamber and holds the protector plate within the chamber in spaced, opposing relation to the surface to define a gap between the protector plate and the surface which presents a diffusion barrier to particle migration into the gap and onto the surface, thereby inhibiting particle contamination of the surface. 
     In another embodiment, an apparatus is provided which includes a protector frame configured to receive a surface to be protected. The protector frame is an open-ended frame structure having a first open end and a second open end at opposite sides of the protector frame to facilitate insertion of the surface within or removal of the surface from the protector frame which might be disposed, for example, within a transfer chamber of a processing environment. The protector frame includes a protector plate configured to inhibit particle contamination of the surface with the surface disposed within the protector frame, and one or more first and second supports which support the surface within the protector frame with the surface in spaced, opposing relation to the protector plate, and provide a gap between the protector plate and the surface which presents a diffusion barrier to particle migration into the gap and onto the surface, thereby inhibiting particle contamination of the surface. 
     Reference is made below to the drawings, which are not drawn to scale for reasons of understanding, wherein the same reference numbers used throughout different figures designate the same or similar components. 
       FIG. 1  depicts one approach for protecting a surface of interest  132  of a process structure  130 . In this embodiment, referred to as a dual-container structure (or dual-pod structure), an outer container  100  is provided configured and sized to receive an inner container  120 . Inner container  120  is sized to receive process structure  130  comprising surface of interest  132 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in the dual-container implementation, the surface of interest  132  is inverted to be in spaced, opposing relation with a base  122  of inner container  120  to define a gap  140  between the surface  132  and base  122  in a manner which provides minimal contact between the surface of interest and the inner container  120 . Gap  140  further presents a diffusion barrier that mitigates against particles settling on the surface of interest  132 . Base  122  of inner container  120  is a flat, polished surface with protrusions upon which the surface of interest rests. 
     One disadvantage of this dual-container approach, however, is that significant tool modifications are required for integrating the dual-container structure into a conventional processing environment. These tool modifications are typically complex and costly. In comparison, the apparatuses disclosed hereinbelow advantageously protect the surface of interest (for example, within a transfer chamber), without requiring any significant modifications to the tools of the processing environment. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment of a processing environment comprising an atmospheric processing stage  200  and a vacuum processing stage  210 , and a transfer chamber  220 , such as a load-lock structure, provided between the stages. The transfer chamber  220  facilitates transitioning of a process structure between, for example, the atmospheric stage and the vacuum stage. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates in more detail one embodiment of a processing environment comprising an atmospheric stage  300 , with a front end tool  301 , and a vacuum stage  310 , with a process tool  311 . Transfer of a process structure between the atmospheric and vacuum stages is facilitated by, in this example, a first automated end-effector  305  at the atmospheric stage  300 , and a second automated end-effector  315  at the vacuum stage  310 . 
     A transfer chamber  320  is shown disposed between atmospheric stage  300  and vacuum stage  310 . This transfer chamber  320  includes a first gate  321 , which opens the transfer chamber to the atmospheric stage  300 , and a second gate  322 , which opens the transfer chamber to the vacuum stage  310 . Transfer chamber  320  includes a compartment  323  configured to receive a process structure  325 , as well as a protector plate  324  for protecting a surface of interest of the process structure from contamination, as explained further below. 
       FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional elevational view of one embodiment of transfer chamber  320  of  FIG. 3 . In the embodiment illustrated, transfer chamber  320  comprises an outer (sealed) housing  400 , within which a surface of interest  401  of process structure  324  is disposed, for example, by resting the process structure on one or more support members  402  within the chamber. As illustrated, process structure  324  includes a support surface  403 , which is an opposite side of process structure  324  from the surface of interest  401 . In one specific embodiment, support surface  403  may comprise a metallic layer chosen to minimize particulate formation with insertion of the process structure onto support members  402  or removal of the process structure from the support members, when withdrawing the process structure from the transfer chamber. Advantageously, from a handling standpoint, maintaining surface of interest  401  facing upwards within the transfer chamber means that less transfer steps are required to move the process structure between, for example, the atmospheric stage and vacuum stage of the processing environment; that is, there is no need to flip the process structure during transfer between the stages. 
     As noted, protector plate  325  also resides within transfer chamber  320 , and is configured to protect the surface of interest by inhibiting particle contamination of the surface. In one embodiment, protector plate  325  is a solid plate, such as a metal or quartz plate. Support mechanisms  420  are provided to (for example) suspend protector plate  325  within transfer chamber  320  from one or more surfaces or walls of the housing  400  of the transfer chamber  320 . In the embodiment illustrated, support mechanisms  420  suspend protector plate  325  from an upper wall of housing  400 . The configuration and size of support mechanisms  420 , and support members  403 , are chosen (in part) with reference to thickness of the process structure, thickness of the protector plate  325 , and a desired critical distance for the gap  410  between protector plate  325  and surface  401  of interest. Support mechanisms  420  hold the protector plate within the chamber in spaced, opposing relation to surface  401  to provide gap  410  with a critical distance that presents a diffusion barrier to particle migration into the gap and onto the surface, thereby inhibiting particle contamination of the surface, notwithstanding turbulence within the transfer chamber due to transitioning of the process structure between atmospheric stage and vacuum stage. One or more controllable ports  415  are provided in process chamber  320  to facilitate transitioning between atmospheric pressure and vacuum in a manner understood by one skilled in the art. 
     Note that as used herein, “suspended” means that the support mechanism holds the protector plate away from an inner surface or wall of the chamber to which the holding mechanism attaches. That is, the protector plate is disposed in a central region of the chamber, spaced away from the inner surface(s) or wall(s) of the chamber, which facilitates flow of turbulence within the chamber (for example, due to transitioning between atmospheric pressure and vacuum) around the protector plate and process structure. Note that in an alternate embodiment, the protector plate could be suspended within the chamber via a support mechanism which attaches the protector plate to one or more side walls of the chamber or which comprises one or more pedestals upon which the protector plate rests. Further, in alternate embodiments, if desired, the process structure can be inverted within the chamber such that the surface of interest faces downwards when in opposing relation with the protector plate, to provide the gap between the protector plate and the surface which presents the diffusion barrier to particle migration into the gap and onto the surface. Each of these variations is considered to be within the scope of the invention, as defined by the accompanying claims. 
       FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional plan view of transfer chamber  320  of  FIG. 4A . As illustrated, protector plate  325  has (in this embodiment) a larger surface area than the surface  401  of interest, extending beyond the periphery of surface of interest. Also illustrated (by way of example) are support members  402  disposed at the four corners of process structure  324  comprising surface  401  of interest. Note that although illustrated as a square-shaped process structure, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that process structures of any shape are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the process structure may be, but without limitation, a polygonal, a circular or rectangular-shaped process structure. 
       FIGS. 5A-5C  illustrate one embodiment of a process for transitioning process structure  324  from atmospheric stage to vacuum stage employing transfer chamber  320 . Referring to  FIG. 5A , process structure  324  is loaded into the chamber by a first end-effector (or chuck)  305 , which (in this embodiment) engages the support surface  403  ( FIG. 4A ) on the underside of process structure  324 , opposite to the surface of interest. Process structure  324  is loaded through gate  321  into transfer chamber  320  below protector plate  325  to a position below protector plate  325 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5B , and described above in connection with  FIGS. 3-4B . When positioned within the transfer chamber, the surface of interest is in spaced, opposing relation to the protector plate, with a gap being defined between the protector plate and the surface of interest which presents a diffusion barrier between the protector plate and the surface of interest. This diffusion barrier is sized to inhibit or present a barrier to diffusive flow of particles into the space between the protector plate and the surface of interest, thereby causing the particles to take alternative paths away from the surface of interest. This redirection is further facilitated by sizing the protector plate with a surface area larger than the surface area of the surface  401  of interest so as to extend beyond the periphery of the surface of interest, as illustrated (for example) in  FIG. 5B . Once the process structure with the surface of interest is spaced in opposing relation to the protector plate, pressure within the process chamber is changed by reducing or increasing the pressure, depending on the direction of transfer of the process structure between the atmospheric stage and vacuum stage. In the example depicted, it is assumed that the process structure is being transferred from atmospheric stage to vacuum stage, and thus, as illustrated in  FIG. 5C , the process structure is removed through second gate  322  of transfer chamber  320  into the vacuum stage using second end-effector (or chuck)  315 . 
     Advantageously, by employing the apparatus described above in connection with  FIGS. 3-5C , the surface of interest is protected within the transfer chamber during changing of pressure between the process stages, and this protection is achieved without complex modification to existing processing tools, as would be required using a dual-container approach such as depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIGS. 6A-12B  depict various enhancements to the apparatus described above in connection with  FIGS. 3-5C . 
     In  FIGS. 6A &amp; 6B , alternative support mechanisms are illustrated. In particular, in  FIG. 6A , the fixed support mechanisms  420  of  FIG. 4A  are replaced with dynamically adjustable support mechanisms  600 , such as a motor-driven support screw, which allows for fine adjustment to the positioning of protector plate  325  within process chamber  320 . This would allow, for example, for different process structures with different thicknesses to be accommodated within the transfer chamber without manually gaining access to the transfer chamber to adjust the height or position of protector plate  325  for a particular critical distance to be achieved between the protector plate and the surface of interest.  FIG. 6B  depicts an alternate embodiment for a dynamically adjustable support mechanism  610 , such as a piezo-electric-driven actuator. As noted, the dynamically controllable support mechanisms  600 ,  610  of  FIGS. 6A &amp; 6B  facilitate control of the gap, that is, the critical distance between the surface of interest and the protector plate, to achieve a desired diffusion barrier which inhibits particle migration into the gap and onto the surface of interest during changing pressure within the transfer chamber. 
       FIG. 7A  depicts an alternate embodiment of the apparatus, wherein a protector frame  700  is provided comprising a protector plate  701  and a first protector side wall  702  and second protector side wall  703 , extending from protector plate  701  at opposite sides of the protector plate  701 . Protector frame  700  remains open at a first end and a second end (adjacent to the first gate and second gate of the transfer chamber illustrated above in connection with  FIGS. 3-5C ) to facilitate insertion and removal of the process structure  324 . As in the embodiments described above, the protector plate is configured to inhibit particle contamination of the surface, with the surface disposed within the chamber in spaced, opposing relation to the protector plate. The protector plate provides a gap between the protector plate and the surface, which presents a diffusion barrier to particle migration into the gap and onto the surface, thereby inhibiting particle contamination of the surface. First protector side wall  702  and second protector side wall  703  further inhibit particle migration into the gap between protector plate  701  and the surface  401  of interest of process structure  324 , notwithstanding turbulence in the transfer chamber due to a changing pressure, for example, between atmospheric pressure and vacuum. 
     In the apparatus embodiment of  FIGS. 7B &amp; 7C , support mechanisms  730  are provided which are dynamically adjustable in order to raise or lower the protector frame within the transfer chamber. In  FIG. 7B , protector frame  701  is raised up within transfer chamber  320 , for example, to facilitate insertion or removal of process structure  324  from the transfer chamber, and then in  FIG. 7C , is lowered down into position close to, but spaced from, the process structure, where protector plate  701  is disposed in spaced, opposing relation to the surface  401  of interest to provide the gap therebetween which presents a diffusion barrier to particle migration into the gap and onto the surface. Note that in this embodiment, any dynamically adjustable support mechanism may be employed to raise and lower the protector frame to facilitate transfer of the process structure into and from the chamber. 
       FIG. 8A  depicts an apparatus, such as the apparatus of  FIG. 4A  described above, with the addition of a heat source  800  disposed within the transfer chamber  320 . In the illustrated embodiment, heat source  800  is disposed adjacent to, but spaced from, protector plate  325 , while in the alternate embodiment of  FIG. 8B , an attached heat source  810  is coupled directly to protector plate  325 . By providing heat source  800  or attached heat source  810 , the radiation of the heated surface of the protector plate will increase the surface temperature of the surface  401  of interest to prevent condensation from occurring on the surface of interest. In addition, thermophoretic forces will further prevent particle contamination from occurring on the surface of interest due to the indirect application of heat to the surface of interest across the protector plate. 
     As a further enhancement, the protector plate can be fabricated of a contamination-getter material, such as aluminum, which facilitates collecting any molecular contamination that might enter the gap between the protector plate and the surface of interest. 
       FIG. 9A  depicts a further variation of the apparatus, wherein a power source  900  is provided to charge protector plate  325  and thereby create an electrostatic trap from the plate. Alternatively, the protector plate could be coupled to the power source to reduce electrostatic charge in the protector plate should there be any. As illustrated, power source  900  electrically connects  901  to protector plate  325 , which in one embodiment, is fabricated of an electrically conductive material, such as a metal. 
     In  FIG. 9B , power source  900  is shown also electrically connected  902  to support surface  403  of process structure  324 , which in one embodiment, is a metal layer. Electrically conductive support members  402  could be employed in electrically connecting power source  900  to support surface  403  of process structure  324 . By electrically coupling power source  900  between protector plate  325  and support surface  403 , capacitance  910  can be evaluated between the structures. Using this configuration, any change in capacitance from an anticipated value might provide information about parallelism of the surface of interest relative to the protector plate, as well as an indication of potential moisture being present, or other severe contamination on the surface of interest or the protector plate. 
     In  FIG. 10 , the apparatus of  FIG. 4A  is depicted, with the addition of one or more cooling sources  1000 ,  1010 , coupled to protector plate  325  for creating a cold trap of the protector plate. For example, one or more thermoelectric modules  1000  could be coupled to protector plate  325  to controllably cool the protector plate to a desired temperature. As is know, a thermoelectric module is electrically controllable to transfer thermal energy from a cold side to a hot side of the module using an effect known as the Peltier effect. Alternatively, one or more liquid-cooled structures  1010  could be coupled to protector plate  325 . In one example, these liquid-cooled structures could comprise coolant-carrying channels affixed to the back side of protector plate  325 . 
       FIGS. 11A &amp; 11B  depict a further variation on the above-described apparatus of  FIGS. 3-5C , wherein light sources are added to the transfer chamber adjacent to first gate  321  and second gate  322 . These light sources may comprise an ultraviolet (UV) light source or a vacuum UV (VUV), which facilitate breaking any chemical bond between the surface of interest and particle contamination, such as any potential organic (carbon) contamination of the surface of interest. In one implementation, light sources  1100  may be suspended within the transfer chamber in a manner so as to control the distance between the surface of interest and the light source as the surface of interest is inserted into or removed from the transfer chamber. For example,  FIG. 11B  illustrates removal of the process structure  324  from transfer chamber  320  through second gate  322 , employing second end-effector  315 . During this removal process, light source  1100  adjacent to second gate  322  could be controlled to provide a desired exposure to the surface of interest. Light sources  1100  may be, for example, a side-on lamp, a head-on lamp, a pen-shaped long lamp, or an array of UV-point source lamps, and may operate with a wavelength of about 140-400 nanometers (nm), at an intensity of about 1 mW/cm 2  or higher, such as higher than 5 mW/cm 2 . Examples of UV source  1100  may include, without limitation, a high-pressure mercury lamp (wavelength of about 250-450 nm), a low-pressure mercury lamp (wavelength of about 180-480 nm), a UV light-emitting and/or laser diode (wavelength of about 300-400 nm), a metal halide lamp (wavelength of about 200-450 nm), an Xe2 excimer lamp (wavelength of about 172 nm), an Ar2 excimer lamp (wavelength of about 146 nm), a KrCl excimer lamp (wavelength of about 222 nm), an Xe1 excimer lamp (wavelength of about 254 nm), an XeCl excimer lamp (wavelength of about 308 nm), an ArF excimer lamp (wavelength of about 193 nm), a KrF excimer laser (wavelength of about 248 nm), or an F2 laser (wavelength of about 157 nm). Alternatively, the UV source could be provided using frequency conversion crystals and a visible or infrared light. In other embodiments, the light source  1100  may be located outside of the transfer chamber, where light is generated from the source and introduced into the transfer chamber using, for example, an optical fiber. Alternatively, an optical waveguide, a lens, or a reflective mirror, may be used to introduce the light. 
       FIGS. 12A &amp; 12B  depict further variations of an apparatus for introducing a light source  1200  ( FIG. 12A ),  1210  ( FIG. 12B ), into transfer chamber  320 . In these embodiments, the protector plate  325  is made of, for example, quartz, which allows for the provision of continuous UV radiation through the protector plate to the surface of interest during a pressure change cycle to prevent any organic contamination of the surface of interest within the transfer chamber. Note that the number and configuration of light sources  1200 ,  1210  may be modified without departing from the scope of the present invention. Any of the above-described light sources could be employed within the transfer chamber or external the transfer chamber to introduce continuous UV radiation onto the surface of interest during pressure changing between the atmospheric stage and vacuum stage. 
       FIGS. 13A-14C  depict an alternate embodiment of an apparatus for inhibiting particle contamination of a surface of interest. In this alternate embodiment, the apparatus is assumed to comprise a transfer chamber disposed between an atmospheric stage and a vacuum stage of a processing environment such as that described above in connection with  FIGS. 2 &amp; 3 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 13A &amp; 13B , the apparatus includes a protector frame  1310  configured to reside within a transfer chamber  1300  with a surface of interest  1321  of a process structure  1320 , and to inhibit particle contamination of the surface  1321 . Protector frame  1310  includes a protector plate  1311  and at least one first support  1314  and at least one second support  1315 , such as spherical-shaped supports, at opposite sides of the protector frame. In the embodiment depicted, the at least one first support  1314  and at least one second support  1315  are associated with a first side wall  1312  and a second side wall  1313 , respectively, extending from opposite sides of protector plate  1311  of the protector frame. These first and second side walls are illustrated in  FIG. 13A  to be substantially L-shaped, with the one or more first supports  1314  and one or more second supports  1315  contacting respective edges of support surface  1322  of process structure  1320 . As illustrated, support surface  1322  is an opposite surface of the process structure from surface  1321  of interest. The first and second side walls and supporting structures are sized and configured to support the process structure  1320  in such a manner that the surface  1321  of interest is in spaced, opposing relation to protector plate  1311  to provide a gap between the protector plate and the surface which presents a diffusion barrier to particle migration into the gap and onto the surface, thereby inhibiting particle contamination of the surface. In operation, the protector frame  1310  may be loaded into transfer chamber  1300  onto support members  1301 , and positioned within the transfer chamber during loading of the process structure  1320 . In this implementation, the protector fame is an open-ended frame structure having a first open end and a second open end at opposite sides of the protector frame, which facilitate insertion of the surface within or removal of the surface from the protector frame. In one embodiment, the surface of interest loads directly into the protector frame after the protector frame is disposed within the transfer chamber. 
     After transitioning, for example, from atmospheric pressure to vacuum, the protector plate and process structure could be unloaded as an assembly (as illustrated in  FIGS. 14A-14C ) employing an end-effector  1400  of the vacuum stage. The process structure  1320  of the assembly (comprising protector frame  1310  and process structure  1320 ) may then be placed onto a chuck of the vacuum stage, with the protector frame being subsequently removed from the process structure and returned back to the transfer chamber  1300 . As illustrated in the figures, end-effector  1400  is configured and sized to engage the protector frame along the first and second side walls of the protector frame, which simultaneously allows for removal of the protector frame and the process structure disposed within the protector plate, while maintaining the surface of interest in spaced, opposing relation with the protector plate of the protector frame for further protecting the surface from particle contamination during the transfer operation from the transfer chamber to, for example, a vacuum tool or atmospheric tool, depending on the direction of transfer. 
     Advantageously, the structures described above provide a number of benefits compared with, for example, a dual-container approach, such as depicted in  FIG. 1 . The surface of interest is protected from particle contamination during the pressure change operation, and the protector frame (or plate) remains within the transfer chamber or the vacuum tool. Mechanical handling is minimized, with no need for a complex unloading from a dual-container structure. Further, depending on the implementation, there may be no need for inverting a process structure within the vacuum stage since the process structure can be loaded with the surface of interest facing up. Further, the apparatuses disclosed herein protect the surface of interest with a simpler structure, and no change is required to front end tools of the processing environment, thereby significantly saving costs compared with a dual-container approach. 
     As used herein, the term “coupled” is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. 
     Further, as used herein, the terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless this disclosure explicitly requires otherwise. 
     The terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and “having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and “including”) and “contain” (and any form of contain, such as “contains” and “containing”) are open-ended linking verb. As a result, a method or device that “comprises”, “has”, “includes” or “contains” one or more steps or elements possesses those one or more steps or elements, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more elements. Likewise, a step of a method or an element of a device that “comprises”, “has”, “includes” or “contains” one or more features possesses those one or more features, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more features. Furthermore, a device or structure that is configured in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed. 
     Although embodiments have been depicted and described in detail herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that various modifications, additions, substitutions and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and these are therefore considered to be within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.