Abstract: A combination load lock apparatus is provided, wherein a chamber is coupled to two or more valves in selective fluid communication with two or more respective volumes. A support member for supporting a workpiece is disposed within an interior portion of the chamber, wherein a translation apparatus is operably coupled thereto. The translation apparatus is operable to rotate and/or translate the workpiece on the support member about and/or along a first axis, wherein a detection apparatus associated with the chamber is operable to detect one or more characteristics of the workpiece during the rotation and/or translation thereof. The workpiece may be further rotated in a predetermined manner based on the one or more detected characteristics. A recess is further defined in the interior portion of the chamber, wherein the translation apparatus is operable to translate the workpiece into and out of the recess to reduce particulate contamination thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are disclosed for rapidly controlling the rate of ion generation in an ion source. The ion source includes an ion chamber, filament-cathode, a mirror electrode, and a grid. The ion source is operable to generate an ion beam from the ionization of ion precursor gas present in the ion chamber by electrons emitted from the filament. The rate of ion generation is controlled by modifying the potential of the grid relative to the filament to control the number of electrons available for ionization between the grid and the mirror electrode. An alternative embodiment for rapidly controlling the rate of ion generation in an ion source is also disclosed.

Abstract: An evacuation system for a chamber (14) is provided, including a pump (12) for removing gases and contaminants from the chamber. The pump has an outlet (32) connected to an exhaust duct (34). A collector trap (42) for use in collecting contaminants evacuated from the chamber is positioned between the pump outlet (32) and the exhaust duct (34). The collector trap (42) comprises: (i) a gas/contaminant separator (46) having an inlet (56) for introducing gases and contaminants therein, the separator (46) functioning to physically separate the gases and contaminants; (ii) a contaminant collector (48) for collecting the separated contaminants, the collector (48) including an extractor coupling (70) for allowing extraction of the contaminants from the collector; and (iii) an outlet (72) for allowing the separated gases to exit the gas/contaminant separator (46) and into the exhaust duct (34).