Patent ID: 7735648

Claim:
A transport pod ( 1 ) for a mask or a semiconductor wafer ( 2 ), the pod comprising a leakproof peripheral wall ( 3 ) surrounding an inside space ( 4 ) shaped to receive and contain a mask or a semiconductor wafer ( 2 ) that is to be transported, the wall having a port ( 5 ) for inserting or extracting the mask or the wafer ( 2 ), and having support means ( 11 ) for holding the mask or the semiconductor wafer ( 2 ) in a fixed position relative to the leakproof peripheral wall ( 3 ), the mask or the semiconductor wafer ( 2 ) having a main face ( 6 ) that is to be protected against particulate pollution, the transport pod ( 1 ) being characterized in that it comprises: a cold plate ( 7 ) of thermally conductive material placed in the inside space ( 4 ); a cold source ( 8 ) thermally coupled to the cold plate ( 7 ) by thermal coupling means ( 7 a ) and adapted to maintain the cold plate ( 7 ) at a temperature lower than the ambient temperature in the transport pod ( 1 ); connection means ( 7 b ) for holding the cold plate ( 7 ) in position relative to the leakproof peripheral wall ( 3 ); thermal insulation means ( 7 c ) provided in the connection means ( 7 b ) and adapted to insulate the cold plate ( 7 ) thermally relative to the leakproof peripheral wall ( 3 ); an on-board energy source ( 9 ) powering the cold source ( 8 ); and the cold plate ( 7 ) having an active face ( 10 ) positioned facing the main face ( 6 ) that is to be protected and in the vicinity thereof.