Patent ID: 7682462

Claim:
A method for cleaning a wafer in a cluster tool, the cluster tool comprising a transfer chamber and a process chamber connected via a first valve to the transfer chamber, the process chamber including a high pressure chamber comprising an upper chamber portion and a lower chamber portion movable relative to the upper chamber portion, and a plurality of hydraulic cylinders, each hydraulic cylinder having a portion that extends between the upper chamber portion and the lower chamber portion and connects the upper chamber portion to the lower chamber portion, the high pressure chamber being adjustable between an open position in which the lower chamber portion is spaced apart from the upper chamber portion, and a closed position in which the lower chamber portion contacts the upper chamber portion to thereby enclose a first space, a second space being formed between the lower chamber portion and walls of the process chamber when the high pressure chamber is in the closed position, the method comprising: introducing the wafer into the high pressure chamber from the transfer chamber, when the first valve and the high pressure chamber are both open; closing the first valve to thereby isolate pressure in the transfer chamber from pressure in the process chamber; closing the high pressure chamber by activating said plurality of hydraulic cylinders and causing the lower chamber portion to rise relative to the upper chamber portion to thereby isolate pressure in the first space within the high pressure chamber from pressure in the second space between the high pressure chamber and walls of the process chamber; introducing a fluid or gas into the high pressure chamber to clean the wafer; venting the high pressure chamber after cleaning the wafer to thereby allow at least some of said fluid or gas to escape, and then closing the vent; opening the high pressure chamber while the first valve is closed; opening the first valve; and removing the wafer via the transfer chamber.