Patent ID: 8303764

Claim:
A substrate transfer system for transferring substrates to substrate processing chambers, comprising: a linear chamber body supporting a vacuum condition, the linear chamber body having an opening at one end for coupling to a loadlock and having a plurality of openings on at least one side thereof, each opening for coupling to a respective substrate processing chamber; a linear drive track situated inside the linear chamber body within the vacuum condition; a support mechanism linearly riding on the linear drive track; a rotatable magnetic head attached to the support mechanism within the vacuum condition; a substrate support arm connected to the support mechanism and coupled to the magnetic head such that rotation of the magnetic head rotates the substrate support aim; an outer rail coupled to the linear chamber body outside the vacuum condition; a driving mechanism comprising a driver linearly riding on the outer rail outside the vacuum and acting on the magnetic head from outside the vacuum through a wall of the linear chamber body to provide the support aim both linear and rotary movements through the magnetic head.