Abstract: An apparatus for implementing an emergency machine off circuit of a fabrication system, includes: at least one safety switch adapted for shunting an operation enable signal from a piece of equipment selected for removal from service, the switch also removing from service supplemental devices for the selected equipment. A semiconductor fabrication system and a method for removing equipment from service are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for implementing an emergency machine off circuit of a fabrication system, includes: at least one safety switch adapted for shunting an operation enable signal from a piece of equipment selected for removal from service, the switch also removing from service supplemental devices for the selected equipment. A semiconductor fabrication system and a method for removing equipment from service are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus which allows tightly coupling of the device wafer to the electrostatic chuck of the process chamber after the process chamber is conditioned. The apparatus includes (a) a process chamber; (b) a chuck in the process chamber; (c) a guard wafer placed on and in direct physical contact with the chuck; and (d) a particle restraining layer on essentially all surfaces that are exposed to the ambient inside the process chamber. The particle restraining layer has a thickness in a first direction of at least 500 nm. The first direction is essentially perpendicular to an interfacing surface between the particle restraining layer and the chuck. The guard wafer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a metal and a semiconductor oxide.

Abstract: An apparatus which allows tightly coupling of the device wafer to the electrostatic chuck of the process chamber after the process chamber is conditioned. The apparatus includes (a) a process chamber; (b) a chuck in the process chamber; (c) a guard wafer placed on and in direct physical contact with the chuck; and (d) a particle restraining layer on essentially all surfaces that are exposed to the ambient inside the process chamber. The particle restraining layer has a thickness in a first direction of at least 500 nm. The first direction is essentially perpendicular to an interfacing surface between the particle restraining layer and the chuck. The guard wafer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a metal and a semiconductor oxide.

Abstract: An apparatus (and method for operating the same) which allows tightly coupling the device wafer to the electrostatic chuck of the process chamber after the process chamber is conditioned. The method comprises (a) providing (i) a process chamber and (ii) an electrostatic chuck in the process chamber; (b) placing a guard wafer on the electrostatic chuck via a top surface of the electrostatic chuck; and (c) forming a particle restraining layer on essentially all surfaces that are exposed to the ambient inside the process chamber, wherein the particle restraining layer has a thickness in a first direction of at least 500 ?, wherein the first direction is essentially perpendicular to an interfacing surface between the particle restraining layer and an inner surface of the process chamber, and wherein the guard wafer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a metal and a semiconductor oxide.