Patent ID: 7422639

Claim:
A method for drying a semiconductor structure in a vessel having a top, a bottom, a plurality of sides forming the vessel, and a semiconductor stage for locating the semiconductor structure thereon, the method comprising: locating a DI water inlet in the vessel for supplying DI water in the vessel for submerging the semiconductor structure; locating a gas inlet in the vessel for supplying an inert gas to the semiconductor structure for filling the vessel with the inert gas above the level of the DI water, the gas inlet comprising one of an inlet in the top of the vessel and an inlet in the at least one side of the vessel; and installing a liquid inlet for supplying a liquid to the vessel disposed between the DI water and the inert gas for forming a layer of liquid thereon for exposing the semiconductor structure moved therethrough to the inert gas for rinsing and drying the semiconductor structure within the vessel; installing a normally closed fail-shut valve for controlling the flow of DI water and liquid from the vessel; and draining liquid from the vessel using the normally closed fail-shut valve.