Patent ID: 7828504

Claim:
A combination load lock apparatus, comprising: a load lock chamber having a top wall and a bottom wall generally fixed with respect to one another, wherein an interior portion of the load lock chamber is defined between the top wall and the bottom wall, wherein the top wall of the load lock chamber comprises a generally planar first surface and a recess extending upwardly from the generally planar first surface, and wherein a central region of the load lock chamber is generally defined between the bottom wall and the generally planar first surface of the top wall; two or more valves operably coupled to the load lock chamber, wherein the two or more valves are operable to selectively permit a fluid communication between two or more respective volumes and the interior portion of the load lock chamber; a support member disposed within the interior portion of the load lock chamber, wherein the support member is operable to support a workpiece; a translation apparatus operably coupled to the support member, wherein the translation apparatus is operable to rotate the support member about a first axis and to linearly translate the support member along the first axis between the central region of the load lock chamber and the recess; and a detection apparatus operably coupled to at least the top wall of the load lock chamber, wherein the detection apparatus is operable to detect one or more characteristics of the workpiece when the workpiece is positioned within the recess.