Abstract: A transfer container for transferring an object between environments is described. The transfer container comprises an enclosure; a purifier comprising a purification material, the purifier attached to the enclosure, the purifier configured to purify fluid flowing into the enclosure; and a fluid propelling means, attached to the enclosure, for propelling fluid through the purifier and into the enclosure.

Abstract: A method of detecting a molecular species in an electronics processing environment is disclosed. The method exposes a capture substrate to the processing environment. The capture substrate has a surface area different from the surface area of an electronic substrate undergoing electronics processing. The molecular species is transferred from the environment to the capture substrate. A characteristic of the molecular species is identified, thereby detecting the species. Other methods utilize a capture substrate to remove the molecular species from an electronic processing environment, or use the capture substrate to determine the presence of a molecular species in a transfer container operating between two process environments or two intermediate process steps. Systems for carrying out the methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for hydride gas purification uses materials having at least one lanthanide metal or lanthanide metal oxide. The method reduces contaminants to less than 100 parts per billion (ppb), preferably 10 ppb, more preferably 1 ppb. The material can also include transition metals and transition metal oxides, rare earth elements and other metal oxides. The invention also includes materials for use in the method of the invention.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for removing metal compounds from ultra-high purity gases using a purifier material comprising a high surface area inorganic oxide, so that the metals do not deposit on a sensitive device and cause device failure.