Patent Publication Number: US-2017352562-A1

Title: Dodecadon transfer chamber and processing system having the same

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     Embodiments of the disclosure generally relate to a vacuum processing system for vacuum processing large area substrates (e.g., LCD, OLED, and other types of flat panel displays, solar panels and the like), and more specifically to a transfer chamber of the processing system. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Large area substrates are used to produce flat panel displays (i.e., LCD, OLED, and other types of flat panel displays), solar panels, and the like. Large area substrates are generally processed in one or more vacuum processing chambers, where various deposition, etching, plasma processing and other circuit and/or device fabrication processes are performed. The vacuum processing chambers are typically coupled by a common vacuum transfer chamber that contains a robot that transfers the substrates between the different vacuum processing chambers. The assembly of the transfer chamber and other chambers connected to the transfer chamber (e.g., the processing chambers) is often referred to as a processing system. 
     During fabrication of flat panel displays, the substrate is moved between various processing chambers while under a vacuum condition. Since deposition of films on the substrate may require a significant amount of time, multiple processing systems are often utilized to achieve requisite substrate processing throughput required to meet production goals. However, using multiple processing systems consumes valuable factory floor space, while simply speeding up deposition processes often lead to unsatisfactory film quality. 
     Thus, there is need for an improved processing system. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the disclosure generally relate to vacuum processing large area substrates. In one embodiment, a transfer chamber for a processing system suitable for processing a plurality of substrates and a method of using the same is provided. The transfer chamber includes a lid, a bottom disposed opposite the lid, a plurality of sidewalls sealingly coupling the lid to the bottom and defining an internal volume, wherein the plurality of sidewalls form the faces of a dodecagon. An opening is formed in each of the faces, wherein the opening is configured for a substrate to pass therethrough. A transfer robot is disposed in the internal volume, wherein the transfer robot has effectors configured to support the substrate through one opening to another opening. 
     In another embodiment, a processing system for fabricating a plurality of substrates is provided. The system includes a transfer chamber. The transfer chamber includes a lid, a bottom disposed opposite the lid, a plurality of sidewalls sealingly coupling the lid to the bottom and defining an internal volume, wherein the plurality of sidewalls form the faces of a dodecagon. An opening is formed in each of the faces, wherein the opening is configured for a substrate to pass therethrough. A transfer robot is disposed in the internal volume. A load lock chamber is coupled to the transfer chamber and has an opening, wherein the opening is aligned with and sealing attached to one of the openings in the transfer chamber. A mask chamber is coupled to the transfer chamber and has an opening, wherein the opening is aligned with and sealing attached to another of the openings in the transfer chamber. A plurality of processing chambers are coupled to the transfer chamber and have openings, wherein the openings are aligned with and sealing attached to one of the openings in the transfer chamber respectively. The transfer robot has effectors configured to support and move a substrate or mask from one of the chambers attached to the transfer chamber to another. 
     In another embodiment, a method of processing a plurality of substrates is provided. The method includes placing transferring seven substrates to a transfer chamber. Depositing a silicon containing film on the seven substrates in seven separate processing chambers directly attached to the transfer chamber. The method concludes by transferring the seven substrates out of the transfer chamber after one film deposition. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       So that the manner in which the above recited features of the disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
         FIG. 1  is a top cross-sectional view of a processing system for vacuum processing a plurality of substrates having a transfer chamber, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a side cross-sectional view of a load lock chamber shown in the processing system in  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 3A  is a top plan view of the transfer chamber of  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 3B  is a side plan view of the transfer chamber of  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a side cross-sectional view of a robot for use in the transfer chamber of  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a side cross-sectional view of a buffer chamber of  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a side cross-sectional view of a mask chamber of  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a side cross-sectional view of one of the processing chambers of the processing system of  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a flow diagram for the operation of the transfer chamber in  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements disclosed in one embodiment may be beneficially utilized on other embodiments without specific recitation. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the disclosure generally relate to a vacuum processing system for vacuum processing large area substrates (e.g., LCD, OLED, and other types of flat panel displays, solar panels, and the like). Although a vacuum processing system for performing depositions on large area substrates is described herein, the vacuum processing system may alternatively be configured to perform other vacuum processes on substrates, such as etching, ion implantation, annealing, plasma treating, and physical vapor depositions among other processes. 
       FIG. 1  is a top cross-sectional view of a processing system  100  for performing vacuum processing on a plurality of substrates  102 , according to one embodiment of the disclosure. The processing system  100  has a transfer chamber  110 . A plurality of processing chambers  120  are coupled to the transfer chamber  110 . Additionally, one or more load lock chambers  140  are coupled to the transfer chamber  110 . Optionally, one or both of a mask chamber  130  and a buffer chamber  150  may be coupled to the transfer chamber  110 . The transfer chamber  110 , processing chambers  120 , load lock chamber  140 , as well as any additionally attached chambers forming the processing system  100 , are sealing coupled to maintain a vacuum environment therein. 
     The processing system  100  is configured to hold and process multiple substrates  102 . Each substrate  102  has a length, width, and a thickness. The length of the substrate  102  may be longer than the width, in some embodiments, by 50% or more. For example, in one embodiment each substrate  102  has a length of about 1500 mm and a width of about 925 mm. The thickness of the substrate  102  may be a few millimeters or less, such as about 0.3 millimeters to about 0.5 millimeters thick. The substrate  102  may be comprises of glass, plastic or other material. 
     The substrate  102  may be moved into and out of the processing system  100  through the load lock chamber  140 . Turning briefly to a schematic view of the load lock chamber  140  illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the load lock chamber  140  may be a dual single cavity load lock. The load lock chamber  140  includes a first load lock cavity  201  (e.g., a lower load lock substrate receiving cavity) and a second load lock cavity  202  (e.g., an upper load lock substrate receiving cavity) disposed over the first load lock cavity  201 . The first load lock cavity  201  has a first interior volume  221 . The second load lock cavity  202  has a second interior volume  222 . Each interior volume  221 ,  222  is sized accommodate a substrate therein. 
     The load lock chamber  140  also optionally included lower and upper exhaust systems  204  coupled respectively to the interior volumes  221 ,  222  of the first load lock cavity  201  and the second load lock cavity  202 . The load lock chamber  140  may optionally include a gas supply system  205  for providing process gases to the first load lock cavity  201  and/or the second load lock cavity  202 . Process gases may include, for example, inert gas such argon, or other process-inert gases such as nitrogen. 
     Each of the first load lock cavity  201  and the second load lock cavity  202  include a substrate support  209  disposed in the interior volume  221 ,  222  configured to support one or more substrates  102  thereon. The substrate support  209  may additionally be configured to rotate the substrate  102  while in the load lock cavities  201 ,  202 . The substrate support  209  may rotate through at least 90 degrees or even 180 degrees to orientate the substrate  102 . The load lock chamber  140  may have a substrate breakage sensor at each corner to monitor the position and condition of the substrate  102 . With this arrangement, the load lock chamber  140  may be able to maintain substrate alignment to within 250 micrometers. 
     Each of the first load lock cavity  201  and the second load lock cavity  202  include a respective door  206   a ,  206   b  which may be opened to allow access to the load lock cavities  201 ,  202  for ingress and egress of a substrate. For example, the doors  206   a ,  206   b  may be opened to facilitate transfer of a substrate to/from parts of a fabrication facility through a factory interface (FI, not shown), or other areas that are generally maintained at atmospheric pressure. In one example, the doors  206   a  may be opened to allow access to the first load lock cavity  201  to facilitate transfer of a substrate from an environment maintained at atmospheric pressure, while the doors  206   b  of the second load lock cavity  202  may be closed to facilitate transfer of a substrate to the vacuum environment maintained in the transfer chamber  110 . 
     Each of the first load lock cavity  201  and the second load lock cavity  202  also include a respective slit valve  207   a ,  207   b  to seal the load lock chamber  140  from the transfer chamber  110 . Operation of the slit valves  207   a ,  207   b  facilitate transfer of the substrate  102  to/from the transfer chamber  110  in the processing system  100 . In one aspect, the slit valves  207   a ,  207   b  may be opened to allow transfer of a substrate with the transfer chamber  110  of the processing system  100 . For example, the slit valve  207   a  may be opened to allow access to the first load lock cavity  201  to facilitate transfer of a substrate from the first load lock cavity  201  to the transfer chamber  110  of processing system  100 , while the slit valve  207   b  may be closed to allow access to the second load lock cavity  202  from atmosphere while the door  206   b  is opened to facilitate transfer of a substrate between the second load lock cavity  202  at a FI or other atmospheric region. 
     The exhaust system  204  is coupled to the first load lock cavity  201  and the second load lock cavity  202 . The exhaust system  204  facilitates removal of gases from the interior volumes of the first load lock cavity  201  and the second load lock cavity  202 . The exhaust system  204  may include a pump  213  coupled to the load lock cavities  201 ,  202  through valves  211 ,  212 . The first interior volume  221  and second interior volume  222  may be pumped down and operate at pressures between about 780 Torr to less than 100 mTorr. The pump  213  may be sufficient to pump down the pressure in the first or second interior volume  221 ,  222 , in less than about 20 seconds, i.e., decrease the pressure from 780 Torr to less than about 100 mTorr. Similarly, the valves  211 ,  212  may vent and to bring the pressure to back from 100 mTorr to about 780 Torr in 20 seconds or less. 
     Process gases may be supplied to the first or second load lock cavity  201 ,  202  via a gas supply system  205 . The gas supply system  205  includes first valves  215 ,  216  which couple a gas supply source  217  to the first or second load lock cavity  201 ,  202 . 
     In another example, the load lock chamber  140  may include a single load lock cavity, such as the first load lock cavity  201  such that the load lock chamber  140  may handle only a single substrate at a time. In a single substrate cavity configuration, the load lock chamber  140  may function as a pass through for coupling the processing system  100  to an adjoining processing system such that substrates may be transferred between the processing systems without breaking vacuum (i.e., without exposing the substrates to atmospheric pressures). 
     In yet another example as shown in  FIG. 1 , the load lock chamber  140 A may only have the first load lock cavity  201  such that the load lock chamber  140 A may handle only a single substrate at a time, while the load lock chamber  140 B may include both the first load lock cavity  201  and the second load lock cavity  202 , such that the load lock chamber  140 B may handle two substrates simultaneously. Thus, processing system  100  can be configured to transfer substrates between adjacent processing systems through the load lock chamber  140 A, while transferring substrates with an atmospheric factory interface through the load lock chamber  140 B. 
       FIG. 3A  is a top plan view of the transfer chamber  110  of  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment.  FIG. 3B  is a side plan view of the transfer chamber  110  of  FIG. 1 . Referring now to  FIGS. 1, 3A and 3B , the load lock chamber  140  is coupled at the slit valve  207  to a face  310  of the transfer chamber  110 . The transfer chamber  110  has a lid  364  and a bottom surface  362 . A plurality of sidewalls  316  sealingly coupling the lid  364  to the bottom surface  362  and define an internal volume  302 . The lid  364  may be hinged to the sidewalls  316  and be movable between an open position to expose the internal volume  302  to environment outside the transfer chamber  110  and a closed position forming an airtight seal against the sidewalls  316 . The plurality of sidewalls  316  forms the outer perimeter  314  of the transfer chamber  110 . As shown in the top plan view of  FIG. 3A , the outer perimeter  314  has a polygonal shape, having twelve of the faces  310 . The center  111  of the processing system  100  may be coincident with a center  311  of the transfer chamber  110 . Alternately, the center  311  is not aligned with the center  111  of the processing system  100 . 
     The faces  310  of the transfer chamber  110  have openings  312  formed through the sidewalls  316 . The openings  312  are sized to allow the substrate  102  to pass through the opening  312  and enter the internal volume  302  of the transfer chamber  110 . For example, the openings  312  have a horizontal width that is greater than the width of the substrate  102 . In one example, the openings  312  have a horizontal width of at least 925 mm. The faces  310  are substantially flat and configured to sealingly engage one of the other chambers ( 120 ,  130 ,  140 ,  150 ). 
     A seal, gasket or other suitable technique may utilized to form a seal around the opening  312  in the face  310  and an abutting processing chamber, such as the load lock chamber  140 , mask chamber  130 , processing chamber  120 , buffer chamber  150  or other chamber. For example, an O-ring (not shown) may be utilized to provide an air tight seal between the load lock chamber  140  and the opening  312  in the face  310  of the transfer chamber  110 . The coupling between the load lock chamber  140  and the transfer chamber  110  is made air tight by the seal such that the atmospheric pressure between the interior volume  221 ,  222  of the load lock chamber  140  can be maintained with the internal volume  302  of the transfer chamber  110  when the slit valve  207  is open to the transfer chamber  110 . 
     The exhaust system  204  is coupled to the transfer chamber  110 . The exhaust system  204  removes gases from the internal volume  302  of the transfer chamber  110  for maintaining a vacuum environment therein. The exhaust system  204  is operable to create an atmosphere of between about 10 Torr and about 50 m Torr within the internal volume  302 . 
     A dual arm vacuum transfer robot  112  is disposed in the internal volume  302  of the transfer chamber  110 . The substrate  102  in the load lock chamber  140  may be transferred through the slit valve  207  by the transfer robot  112  into the transfer chamber  110 . Turning briefly to  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 4  is a side cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the robot  112  used in the transfer chamber  110  of  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment. 
     The transfer robot  112  is disposed in the transfer chamber  110  and can be used to move the substrates  102  and the masks  132  to and from the chambers that surround the transfer chamber  110 , such as the processing chambers  120 , the load lock chambers  140 , and the mask chamber  130 . The transfer robot  112 . The transfer robot  112  has a body  446  disposed on a base  448 . The transfer robot  112  may optionally have a cooling plate  447 . The cooling plate  447  may be attached to a cooling fluid source (not shown) which provides a heat transfer fluid for reducing the amount of heat transferred from the substrate  102  to the transfer robot  112 . The body  446  is rotatable on a vertical axis extending through the base  448 . 
     The transfer robot  112  has a wrist  445  attached to a first end effector  442 , i.e., upper end effector. The wrist  445  and first end effector  442  may be attached to a guide  464 . The guide  464  may move along a rail  463  on the body  446 . The wrist  445  and the first end effector  442  are moveable horizontally along the rail  463  and rotate relative to the base  448 . The first end effector  442  includes a substrate support surface that is configured to support a substrate  102  while being moved by the transfer robot  112 . The wrist  445  and first end effector  442  are movable between a retracted position substantially centered over the body  446 , and an extended position that extends the first end effector  442  laterally beyond a forward portion  449  of the body  446  so that the first end effector  442  may be positioned within one of the chambers attached to the transfer chamber  110  for facilitate substrate transfer therewith. The body  446  can rotate to orientate and align the forward portion  449  of the body  446  in the direction of extension of the first end effector  442  with any of the chambers. 
     In another example, the wrist  445  and first end effector  442  are laterally offset from the center  311  of the transfer chamber  110  such that the wrist  445  is closer to the center  311  relative to the opposite end. Thus, a center of balance  411  for the transfer robot  112  may is offset a distance  413  from the base  448  centered about the center  311  of the transfer chamber  110 . Having the first end effector  142  offset from the center  311  allows the first end effector  442  to be extended laterally to facilitate substrate transfer with the other chambers  120 ,  130 ,  140 ,  150  using a shorter and less costly range of motion of the first end effector  442 . To balance the weight of the transfer robot  112 , when transferring the substrate  102  on the first and/or second end effectors  442 ,  444 , a counter balance weight  460  may be disposed adjacent the wrist  445 . 
     The transfer robot  112  is capable of moving two substrates  102  or two masks  132  at the same time to or from one of the chambers, such as processing chamber  120 , which surrounds the transfer chamber  110 . The first end effector  442  of the transfer robot  112  can have a length  416  and a width sufficient to support the substrate  102 . The length  416  is parallel to the radial direction in which the transfer robot  112  can extend, for example, radially from the center  311  of the transfer chamber  110  into one of the processing chambers  120 . The transfer robot  112  may extend a distance of about 5085 millimeters in the horizontal direction and move in a vertical direction about 550 millimeters to move the substrate  102  from one chamber to another. In one embodiment, the first end effector  442  of the transfer robot  112  may extend a distance of about at least 5000 millimeters in a horizontal direction and move a distance of about at least 540 millimeters in a vertical direction. The transfer robot  112  may have a position repeatability of less than 0.5 millimeters to prevent substrate damage and increase throughput. In some embodiments, the transfer robot  112  can include an upper end effector (i.e., the first end effector  442 ) and a lower end effector (i.e., a second end effector  444 ) that can allow the transfer robot  112  to move substrates  102  and/or masks  132  independently from each other on the first and second end effectors  442 ,  444 . In some embodiments, the first and second end effectors  442 ,  444  can be used to move two substrates  102  or two masks  132  simultaneously. When the transfer robot  112  includes first and second end effectors  442 ,  444 , each end effector may be controlled independently by a motor. In one embodiment, the transfer robot  112  is a dual-arm robot having first and second end effectors  442 ,  444  and a separate motor for each arm. In another embodiment, transfer robot  112  has first and second end effectors  442 ,  444  coupled through a common linkage. The transfer robot  112  may be sufficiently quick to exchange the substrate  102  between the processing chamber  120  and the load lock chamber  140  in less than about 20 seconds. Additionally, the transfer robot  112  may exchange a mask between the mask chamber  130  and the processing chamber  120  in less than about 40 seconds. 
     A substrate chip and alignment detector  451  (detector  451 ) may optionally be attached to the body  446  of the transfer robot  112 . The substrate  102 , disposed on the first end effector  442 , travels past the detector  451  as the first end effector  442  is extends and retracts. As the substrate  102  positioned on the first end effector  442  moves past the sensor in the detector  451 , the position of the substrate  102  relative to the first and second end effectors  442 ,  444 , along with defects on the edges of the substrate  102 , to be detected. 
     The transfer robot  112  may move substrates  102  in and out of the processing chamber  120  to and from the load lock chamber  140 . However, during times where occurrences downstream in the process cause substrates  102  leaving the processing chamber  120  to have nowhere available to go, the substrate  102  may be transferred into the buffer chamber  150 .  FIG. 5  is a side cross-sectional view of the buffer chamber  150  shown in  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment. The buffer chamber  150  is configured to hold substrates  102  while the substrates  102  are waiting to be transferred to another chamber in the processing system  100 , or to be transferred out of the processing system  100 . For example, a first substrate may be scheduled for processing in a first chamber currently occupied by a second substrate undergoing processing therein. The first substrate may be transferred by the transfer robot  112  to the buffer chamber  150  to free up the transfer robot  112  to move other substrates in and out of other chambers while the first substrate waits for the availability of the first processing chamber. 
     The buffer chamber  150  may have a lid  508 , walls  506  and a floor  504  which define and enclose an interior volume  510 . An opening  530  may be formed in the wall  506 . The opening  530  is configured for a substrate  102  to pass therethrough. The buffer chamber  150  may optionally have a slit valve or other closing mechanism for the opening  530 . The opening  530  is additionally configured to align with one of the openings  312  in the in the face  310  of the transfer chamber  110 . A seal, gasket or other suitable technique may utilized to form a seal around the opening  530 , such that the buffer chamber  150  may form an air seal with the face  310  of the transfer chamber  110 . The interior volume  510  of the buffer chamber  150  may air tight and maintained at a base pressure of less than about 10 mTorr. The buffer chamber  150  may have a vacuum pump for maintaining the pressure therein. Alternately, the pressure in the interior volume  510  may be achieved when the pressure within the buffer chamber  150  is equalized with the pressure within the transfer chamber  110  through the openings  312 ,  530 . Thus, the buffer chamber  150  may have an operational temperature similar to the transfer chamber  110 , i.e., between about 50 mTorr and about 100 mTorr. 
     The buffer chamber may have a support rack  540 . The support rack  540  is supported by a shaft  542 . The shaft  542  may be attached to a drive unit  544 . The drive unit  544 , may be a linear motor, mechanical device, hydraulic unit or other suitable movement mechanism capable of moving the shaft  542  vertically between an extended and retracted position for raising and lowering the support rack  540 . The support rack  540  may have slots  524 . Each slot  524  may be configured to accept the substrate  102  thereon. The support rack  540  may be configured to hold multiple substrates  102  in respective slots  524 . For example, the support rack  540  may have six slots  524  for holding six substrates therein within the interior volume  510  of the buffer chamber  150 . 
     The support rack  540  may be raised or lowered by the drive unit  544  to align the slots  524  with the opening  530  for access by the transfer robot  112 . The transfer robot  112  may move a substrate from the slot  524  to the load lock chamber  140  or in some instances the processing chamber  120 . The transfer robot  112  may additionally move a mask  132  from the mask chamber  130  to the processing chamber  120  for processing the substrate  102  therein.  FIG. 6  is a side cross-sectional view of the mask chamber  130  of  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment. 
     A plurality of masks  132  may be utilized during the processes performed in the processing system  100  as further described below. The mask chamber  130  can be used to store the masks  132  to be used in the processes, such as deposition processes, performed in the different processing chambers  120 . For example, the mask chamber  130  may store from about 4 to about 30 masks  132  in one or more cassettes  620 . Each mask  132  has a length and a width which can be sized similarly to the length and the width of the substrate  102 . 
     The mask chamber  130  includes a chamber body  602  which defines an inside volume  604 . A slit valve  618  may be coupled to the chamber body  602 . The slit valve  618  is coupled to the transfer chamber  110  of the processing system  100  and the slit valve  618  is configured to allow for passage of the masks  132  to and from the inside volume  604 . The transfer robot  112  is capable of moving the masks  132  on the first end effector  442  into an out of the slit valve  618  in a fashion similar to moving the substrates  102 . 
     A lid member  606  may be coupled to the chamber body  602 . The lid member  606  may be configured to enclose the inside volume  604  when the lid member  606  is located in a closed position (as shown). A track member  626  may be coupled to the chamber body  602 . A lid actuator  628  may position the lid member  606  in either the open or closed positions. In one embodiment, the lid actuator  628  is an air cylinder. The lid member  606  may translate relative to the chamber body  602  along the track member  626  to open and close access to the inside volume  604 . In one embodiment, the lid member  606  may translate along the track member  626  in a first direction and the cassettes  620  may be moved into and out of the inside volume  604 . 
     The inside volume  604  may be sized to receive the cassettes  620  having racks  622  configured to removeably hold the masks  132  therein. The cassettes  620  may be delivered to the mask chamber  130  by a crane or other similar apparatus and positioned within the inside volume  604 . One or more alignment actuators  624  may be coupled to chamber body  602 . The alignment actuators  624  may be configured to engage a portion of the cassette  620  and assist in positioning the cassette  620  during transfer into the inside volume  604 . In one embodiment, the alignment actuators  624  are air cylinders. Used masks  132  that need to be cleaned or conditioned may be removed from the mask chamber  130  by opening the lid member  606  and removing the cassette  620  containing the used masks. New masks  132  may be provided to the mask chamber  130  by a new cassette  620  and the lid member  606  may then be closed. 
     The mask chamber  130  may be configured to create an environment in the inside volume  604  suitable for conditioning the masks  132 , and more specifically, for heating and cooling the masks  132 . A pumping apparatus  612  may be coupled to the chamber body  602  and may be configured to generate a vacuum in the volume. In one embodiment, the pumping apparatus  612  is a cryogenic pump. The pumping apparatus  612  may generate a vacuum environment in the volume which may be substantially similar to the environment of the transfer chamber  110  to which the mask chamber  130  is coupled. As such, when the slit valve  618  is opened to receive or discharge one of the masks  132 , vacuum may not be broken which may improve the efficiency of mask transfer. In one embodiment, the mask chamber  130  operates at a pressure of about 100 mTorr to about 760 Torr. 
     Heating members  644  may be coupled to the chamber body  602  within the inside volume  604  and adjacent the cassette  620  and the mask  132 . The heating members  644  may be configured to heat the mask  132  and also aid in cooling the mask  132 . In one embodiment, the heating members  644  may be reflective heaters or resistive heaters. The heating members  644  may be configured to heat and cool down the masks  132  to a temperature of between about 20 degrees Celsius and about 100 degrees Celsius, such as between about 40 degrees Celsius and about 80 degrees Celsius. Generally, new masks may be heated and used masks may be cooled. A temperature sensor may be coupled to the chamber body  602  and extend into the inside volume  604  and configured to indicate the temperature of the masks  132  disposed therein. 
     A platform  630 , which is coupled to the linear actuators and disposed within the inside volume  604 , may be configured to contact the cassettes  620  and translate the cassettes  620  through the inside volume  604 . In one embodiment, the platform  630  is configured to translate in the vertical direction a stroke distance of between about 1500 mm and about 2500 mm, such as between about 2200 mm and about 2300 mm. The platform  630  may position the rack  622  in the cassettes  620  relative to the slit valve  618  so that the masks  132  may be removed from or placed into the cassette  620 . The transfer robot  112  may move the mask into the processing chamber  120  to process the substrate  102  therein. 
       FIG. 7  is a side cross-sectional view of one of the processing chambers  120  of the processing system  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , there may be multiple processing chambers  120 , such as processing chamber  120 A through  120 F. The processing chambers  120 A- 120 F can each be a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) chamber. Alternately, the processing chambers  120 A- 120 F (collectively processing chambers  120 ) may each be from a variety of chambers, such as a CVD chamber, a plasma enhanced CVD chamber, an atomic layer deposition chamber (ALD) or other type of deposition chamber. The processing chambers  120  may each accommodate one or more substrates  102  and masks  132  to enable processes, such as a deposition process, to be performed on one or more substrates  102  within each processing chamber  120 . In one embodiment, the processing chambers  120  are CVD chambers as described in further detail below. 
     The processing chamber  120  includes a chamber body  702 . The chamber body  702  has sidewalls  701 . The sidewalls  701  surround and define a processing space  716  inside the chamber body  702 . The sidewalls  701  include a first wall  703  having an opening  704 . The opening  704  can be open and closed by the operation of a slit valve or similar equipment. The first wall  703  is generally perpendicular to the direction of extension of the transfer robot  112 . The first wall  703  may have an airtight seal against the face  310  of the transfer chamber  110 . The opening  704  may align with the opening  312  of the transfer chamber  110  and is configured for transferring substrates  102  and/or masks  132  there through by the transfer robot  112  into the processing space  716  of the processing chamber  120 . 
     A pumping apparatus (not shown), may be coupled to the chamber body  702  and may be configured to generate a vacuum in the processing space  716 . In one embodiment, the pumping apparatus is a cryogenic pump. The pumping apparatus may generate a vacuum environment in the processing space  716  which may be substantially similar to the environment of the transfer chamber  110  to which the processing chamber  120  is coupled. As such, when the slit valve is opened to receive or discharge one of the masks  132  or substrates  102 , the vacuum is not be broken which may improve the efficiency of the processing chamber  120 . In one embodiment, the processing chamber  120  operates at a pressure of about 100 mTorr to about 2 Torr. 
     The processing chamber  120  includes a substrate support  709  for supporting one or more substrates  102 . The substrate support  209  includes a support surface  710  on which a substrate  102  is disposed during processing. The substrate support  709  can include one or more heating elements  715 . In one embodiment, the heating elements  715  have heat transfer fluid flowing therethrough. In another embodiment, the heating elements  715  are resistive heaters. In other embodiments, one or more heating elements  715  can configured to provide independent control of the heating of the substrate support  709 . For example, the heating elements  715  for the substrate support  709  may be independently controlled and set up into heating zones. The heating elements  715  may heat the substrate support  709  to between about 50 degrees Celsius and about 100 degrees Celsius. The heating elements  715  may be configured to maintain the substrate  102 , disposed on the substrate support  209 , at a temperature between about 77.5 degrees Celsius and about 82.5 degrees Celsius. 
     The processing chamber  120  may have additional heaters disposed therein for heating the interior surfaces  705  of the sidewalls  701 , a diffuser  712  and the chamber body  702 . The diffuser  712  and sidewalls  701  may have channels (not shown) disposed throughout for flowing a heat transfer fluid. Alternately, the diffuser  712  and sidewalls  701  may have resistive or other suitable heaters disposed therein. The heaters may maintain the diffuser  712  at a temperature between about 50 degrees Celsius and about 100 degrees Celsius. Additionally, heaters disposed in the sidewalls  701  may maintain the chamber body  702  of the processing chamber  120  at a temperature of about 120 degrees Celsius plus or minus about 30 degrees Celsius. 
     The substrate  102 , during processing, is disposed on the support surface  710  opposite the diffuser  712 . The diffuser  712  includes a plurality of openings  714  to permit processing gas to enter the processing space  716  defined between the diffuser  712  and the substrate  102 . Processing gas is delivered from one or more gas sources  732  through an opening formed in a backing plate  734  above the diffuser  712  while an electrical bias can be provided to the diffuser  712  with a radio frequency source  736 . The radio frequency source  736  may be coupled through a matchbox (not shown) and generate a variable frequency RF for maintaining the plasma in the processing chamber  120 . 
     For processing, the mask  132  is initially inserted into the processing chamber  120  through the opening  704  in the first wall and is disposed upon multiple motion alignment elements  718 . The motion alignment elements  718  have an actuator  724  which is moveable in an x-direction  751  and a y-direction  753  and configured to align the mask  132  in the processing chamber  120  with the substrate  102 . The substrate  102  is then also inserted though the opening  704  in the first wall  703  and disposed upon multiple lift pins  720  that can extend through the support surface  710  of the substrate support  709 . The substrate support  709  then raises to meet the substrate  102  so that the substrate  102  is disposed on the support surface  710 . Once the substrate  102  is disposed on the support surface  710 , one or more visualization systems  722  determine whether the mask  132  is properly aligned over the substrate  102 . The visualization system  722  may determine alignment of the mask  132  with the substrate  102  to within about ±10 microns. The visualization system  722  may additionally aid alignment of SF loading on the mask to within about ±50 microns. during the loading substrate If the mask  132  is not properly aligned, then one or more actuators  724  of the alignment system move one or more of the motion alignment elements  718  in an x-direction  751  and/or the y-direction  753  to adjust the location of the mask  132 . The one or more visualization systems  722  then recheck the alignment of the mask  132 . This process of adjusting the position of the mask  132  with the actuators  724  and rechecking the position can be repeated until the mask  132  is properly aligned over the substrate  102 . 
     Once the mask  132  is properly aligned over the substrate  102 , the mask  132  is lowered onto the substrate  102 , and then the substrate support  709  rises through movement of a connected shaft  726  until the mask  132  contacts an optional shadow frame  728 . The shadow frame  728 , prior to resting on the mask  132 , is disposed in the chamber body  702  on a ledge  730  that extends from one or more interior surfaces  705  of the sidewalls  701  of the chamber body  702 . The substrate support  209  continues to rise until the substrate  102 , the mask  132  and the shadow frame  728  are disposed in a processing position. One or more layers  707  can then be deposited on the substrates  102  in the processing chamber  120  using the process described above with the mask  132  disposed above each substrate  102 . For example, in some embodiments, one or more of the layers  707  may be a silicon containing material, such as silicon nitride, silicon oxide, silicon oxynitride and the like. The one or more layers  707  may be deposited to a thickness of about 5,000 Angstroms to about 10,000 Angstroms thick. 
     Returning back to  FIG. 1 , the layout of the processing system  100  is configured to enhance throughput and reduce the system footprint compared to conventional systems. The processing system  100  may have a throughput of about 55 seconds per substrate compared to conventional systems having a throughput of about 60 seconds per substrate. 
     The processing system  100  may have a length  160 B and a width  160 A of about 15.40 meters by 12.12 meters respectively. The footprint for the processing system  100  is smaller than most conventional systems having comparable throughput. Advantageously, the processing system  100  occupies about ⅗ th  of overall floor space with a greater throughput compared to most conventional systems. This has the additional advantage of reducing the size of a crane and the service area. For example, the crane moving cassettes and other equipment may be required to extend over a width  162 A and a length  162 B of about 12.9 meters and 14.9 meters respectively. 
     To appreciate the advantages gained in throughput by the configuration for the processing system  100 , a sample operation of the processing system will now be discussed with regard to  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 8  is a flow diagram for the operation of the transfer chamber  110  shown in  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment. 
     The method  800  begins at block  810  where seven substrates are transferred into to a transfer chamber. The transfer chamber has twelve sides and a single transfer robot disposed therein. Transferring the substrates is performed by the transfer chamber robot. Each of the twelve sides of the transfer chamber is configured to accept and seal against a chamber such as a processing chamber, buffer chamber, mask chamber or other processing equipment utilized for processing substrates in a vacuum environment. The seven substrates may be transferred through one or more slots in a first load lock chamber. In one embodiment, the first load lock chamber has two slots for supporting substrates and is sealingly attached to one of the sides of the transfer chamber. A first and second substrate is transferred from the load lock chamber by the transfer chamber robot through the transfer chamber. A third and fourth substrate is moved into the first load lock for transfer by the transfer robot. As substrates are moved into the transfer chamber by the transfer robot a next substrate is placed into the queue by being moved into the first load lock chamber. 
     The substrates are moved into processing chambers attached to the transfer chamber by the transfer robot. The transfer chamber has twelve sides along a periphery allowing for 12 chambers to be sealingly attached thereto. The transfer chamber may have one or more load lock chamber and a plurality of processing chambers. In one embodiment, the transfer chamber has seven or more processing chambers attached thereto. The transfer chamber may additionally have a mask chamber for holding a plurality of masks used in the processing chambers. The masks may be moved to each respective processing chamber for processing the substrate therein. For example, a mask from the mask chamber directly attached to the transfer chamber may be transferred to one of the processing chambers. Optionally, the transfer chamber may have a buffer chamber for holding substrates waiting in the que to be moved through the transfer chamber. 
     At block  820  a silicon containing film is deposited on the seven substrates in seven separate processing chambers directly attached to the transfer chamber. Each of the substrates is moved into a respective processing chamber. Alternately, two substrates may be moved into a single processing chamber allowing for fourteen ( 14 ) substrates to be processed simultaneously. The silicon containing film may be one of SiO 2 , SiON, or SiN, among others. 
     At block  830  the seven substrates are transferred out of the transfer chamber after having a single film deposition performed in one of the processing chambers. Alternately, the substrates may be transferred to a buffer chamber prior to transferring out of the transfer chamber. The buffer chamber may allow processing to continue without having to wait or park a substrate in one of the processing chambers. As each substrate is moved from the processing chamber, a new substrate is placed therein. In one embodiment, the robot has two end effectors and a first end effector removes a substrate from a processing chamber while a second end effector places a substrate therein for processing. This minimizes robot movement and thus increases throughput of the processing system. The substrates may be moved to the first load lock chamber or a second load lock chamber for removal from the processing system 
     The processing system described above allows for processes to be performed on a large number of substrates while only using a relatively small footprint. The plurality of processing chambers attached to a single transfer chamber advantageously provides minimal handling times for the substrates while allowing multiple substrates to be processed in parallel generating a higher throughput for processed substrates. The higher throughput, along with the smaller footprint reduces operational costs for the system and the overall cost of fabrication. 
     While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.