Patent ID: 8902560

Claim:
An electrostatic chuck for clamping a semiconductor workpiece, the electrostatic chuck comprising: a clamping plate having a clamping surface defined thereon; one or more electrodes associated with the clamping plate, wherein an electric potential applied to the one or more electrodes is operable to selectively electrostatically clamp the workpiece to the clamping surface of the clamping plate; and a punch operably coupled to the clamping plate and an electrical ground, wherein the punch comprises a trigger mechanism and a punch tip, wherein the punch tip is configured to translate between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein a point of the punch tip is proud of the clamping surface by a first distance when the punch tip is in the extended position, and wherein the point of the punch tip is configured to translate toward the clamping surface upon the workpiece being clamped to clamping plate, wherein upon reaching the retracted position, the trigger mechanism is configured to impart an impact force to the punch tip, therein forcing the point of the punch tip into the workpiece and providing an electrical connection between the workpiece and the electrical ground.