Patents Represented by Attorney Steven Cantor Colburn LLP Capella
  • Patent number: 6164633
    Abstract: A vacuum holding chuck is presented. The vacuum holding chuck of the present invention is particularly well suited for holding semiconductor wafers of multiple diameters during various testing and manufacturing operations. In an exemplary embodiment, the vacuum chuck comprises a body having a first surface and an opposing second surface, wherein the first surface includes first and second recessed circular platforms to receive wafers having first and second diameters, respectively. The second surface includes at least one recessed circular platform to receive a wafer having a third diameter. Each circular platform is defined at least in part by an annular shoulder and each circular platform further includes a vacuum trough which is connected to a vacuum source which when activated, evacuates the air from the vacuum trough and securely holds a wafer in place within the circular platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent P. Mulligan, Charles R. Tompkins, Jr., Wing Fung Yuen