Patent ID: 7153542

Claim:
A method of sequentially processing a plurality of workpieces, the method comprising: determining for the plurality of workpieces a sequential processing cycle including at least at two differing processing steps, said differing processing steps occuring at least two different processing stations arranged in a closed-loop path within an enclosed chamber, said different processing stations delivering at least one different precursor to the workpiece; processing the workpieces sequentially at each of the different processing stations, wherein a workpiece conveyor supports the workpieces during processing and transports the workpieces between the different processing stations; isolating the different processing stations with an isolation station positioned between the different processing stations, the isolating step comprising purging with a non-reactive gas between the different processing stations wherein the purging non-reactive gas is introduced through an introduction port located between two exhaust pumping stations, said exhaust pumping stations exhausting the precursors from the different processing stations through exhaust ports and wherein the introduction port of the isolation station protrudes close to a plane that contains the workpiece than the exhaust ports to restrict the communication between the different processing stations to minimize gas phase reaction of the precursors from the different processing stations; and repeating the processing and isolating steps until a desired film is on the workpieces.