Patent ID: 7147720

Claim:
A semiconductor substrate-holding station for holding a semiconductor substrate, comprising: a ceiling and a floor defining a substrate space therebetween for accommodating a substrate; a stationary gas outlet assembly mounted in fixed position relative to the ceiling and floor and configured to suspend the substrate in accordance with Bernoulli's principle, the gas outlet assembly having a plate, the plate comprising: a first axis extending forwardly and rearwardly along a horizontal surface of the plate; a first plurality of outlets on one side of the first axis for exhausting gas received by the assembly into the substrate space and for establishing a plurality of streams of gas flow toward a perimeter of the substrate upon retention of the substrate; a second plurality of outlets on another side of the first axis for exhausting the gas received by the assembly into the substrate space and for establishing a plurality of streams of gas flow toward the perimeter of the substrate upon retention of the substrate; and a central outlet disposed generally coincident with the first axis for exhausting the gas received by the assembly and for establishing a flow of gas intermediate the plurality of streams of gas flow emanating from the first and second plurality of outlets upon retention of the substrate, wherein outlets are configured to exhaust the gas at an angle and direction to create a low pressure zone adjacent the substrate.