Patent ID: 7804583

Claim:
A method for conveying a reticle comprising: covering a first surface of the reticle by a first cover; covering a second surface of the reticle by a second cover; placing the reticle in a reticle carrier that covers the first cover and the second cover and applies a clamping force to the reticle; opening the reticle carrier; opening a first gate of a first enclosed station; conveying the reticle into the first enclosed station with the first cover and the second cover in contact with each other; closing the first gate of the first enclosed station; changing the inner condition of the first enclosed station from an atmospheric condition to a vacuum condition; opening a second gate of the first enclosed station; conveying the reticle with the first cover and the second cover in contact with each other from the first enclosed station to a second enclosed station which has a vacuum condition; after conveying the reticle from the first enclosed station to the second enclosed station, releasing the contact between the first cover and the second cover; and separating the reticle from the second cover.