Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to methods and apparatus for detecting and/or monitoring, e.g., abnormalities in wafer transfer and handling. In an embodiment, a method for wafer dechucking verification is provided. The method includes initiating a wafer transfer operation to transfer a wafer between components of a semiconductor processing system, the semiconductor processing system comprising a motor coupled to a lift pin, the motor configured to adjust a height of the lift pin above a pedestal, the lift pin for raising or lowering the wafer. The method further includes measuring one or more first parameters during the wafer transfer operation, comparing the one or more first parameters to one or more first pre-determined parameter ranges, and changing a force applied to the lift pin based on the one or more first parameters.

Abstract: A station for a substrate processing system that includes a magnetic levitation actuator assembly disposed in a first region of the station that is separated from a second region of the station by a membrane. The magnetic levitation actuator assembly is configured to contactlessly convey a carrier disposed in the second region to one or more positions within the second region.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to substrate transfer systems, including the use of a carrier configured to transfer objects through a substrate processing system. The carrier generally includes a base, a first magnetic levitation element and a second magnetic levitation element coupled to the base. The first magnetic levitation element and the second magnetic levitation element may be aligned in a first direction, the first magnetic levitation element may include a first array of features, and the second magnetic levitation element may include a second array of features. The carrier may also include a first support member coupled to the base and a second support member coupled to the base. The first support member and the second support member are disposed below the first magnetic levitation element and the second magnetic levitation element, and the first support member and the second support member are configured to support an object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying of a carrier of a group of carriers within a substrate processing system, wherein the carriers are conveyed by magnetic levitation through the substrate processing system. The carrier may be identified, for example, using an identification element of the carrier, at least two magnets on the carrier spaced apart by an identification distance, a weight of the carrier, a weight of a weighed feature of the carrier, or by the weight and location of a weighted feature of the carrier. Additionally, a method and apparatus for weighting the carrier in a station of the substrate processing system.

Abstract: A station for a substrate processing system that includes a magnetic levitation actuator assembly disposed in a first region of the station that is separated from a second region of the station by a membrane. The magnetic levitation actuator assembly is configured to contactlessly convey a carrier disposed in the second region to one or more positions within the second region.

Abstract: A substrate process station includes a housing including a transport region and process region. The process station further includes a magnetic levitation assembly disposed in the transport region configured to levitate and propel a substrate carrier. The magnetic levitation assembly includes a first track segment including first rails disposed in the transport region and below the process region, wherein the first rails each include a first plurality of magnets. The process station further includes a pedestal assembly comprising a pedestal disposed within the housing. The pedestal is moveable between a pedestal transfer position and a process position, wherein the pedestal is disposed between the first rails in the pedestal transfer position to receive a substrate from the substrate carrier, and wherein the pedestal is moveable between the first rails to position the received substrate in the process region in the process position.

Abstract: A substrate process station includes a housing including a transport region and process region. The process station further includes a magnetic levitation assembly disposed in the transport region configured to levitate and propel a substrate carrier. The magnetic levitation assembly includes a first track segment including first rails disposed in the transport region and below the process region, wherein the first rails each include a first plurality of magnets. The process station further includes a pedestal assembly comprising a pedestal disposed within the housing. The pedestal is moveable between a pedestal transfer position and a process position, wherein the pedestal is disposed between the first rails in the pedestal transfer position to receive a substrate from the substrate carrier, and wherein the pedestal is moveable between the first rails to position the received substrate in the process region in the process position.

Abstract: A substrate process station includes a housing including a transport region and process region. The process station further includes a magnetic levitation assembly disposed in the transport region configured to levitate and propel a substrate carrier. The magnetic levitation assembly includes a first track segment including first rails disposed in the transport region and below the process region, wherein the first rails each include a first plurality of magnets. The process station further includes a pedestal assembly comprising a pedestal disposed within the housing. The pedestal is moveable between a pedestal transfer position and a process position, wherein the pedestal is disposed between the first rails in the pedestal transfer position to receive a substrate from the substrate carrier, and wherein the pedestal is moveable between the first rails to position the received substrate in the process region in the process position.

Abstract: A substrate process station includes a housing including a transport region and process region. The process station further includes a magnetic levitation assembly disposed in the transport region configured to levitate and propel a substrate carrier. The magnetic levitation assembly includes a first track segment including first rails disposed in the transport region and below the process region, wherein the first rails each include a first plurality of magnets. The process station further includes a pedestal assembly comprising a pedestal disposed within the housing. The pedestal is moveable between a pedestal transfer position and a process position, wherein the pedestal is disposed between the first rails in the pedestal transfer position to receive a substrate from the substrate carrier, and wherein the pedestal is moveable between the first rails to position the received substrate in the process region in the process position.

Abstract: A sputter source assembly for a sputter system is disclosed. The sputter source assembly includes a magnetron movable within a reservoir. The sputter source assembly also includes a magnetron actuator having first and second shafts extending along an axis and passing from an interior of the reservoir to an exterior thereof. Further, the magnetron actuator includes first and second motors disposed external to the reservoir and each aligned coaxially with the axis, the first and second motors being arranged to rotatably drive the first and second shafts, respectively, so as to cause movement of the magnetron.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying of a carrier of a group of carriers within a substrate processing system, wherein the carriers are conveyed by magnetic levitation through the substrate processing system. The carrier may be identified, for example, using an identification element of the carrier, at least two magnets on the carrier spaced apart by an identification distance, a weight of the carrier, a weight of a weighed feature of the carrier, or by the weight and location of a weighted feature of the carrier. Additionally, a method and apparatus for weighting the carrier in a station of the substrate processing system.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to methods and apparatus for detecting and/or monitoring, e.g., abnormalities in wafer transfer and handling. In an embodiment, a method for wafer dechucking verification is provided. The method includes initiating a wafer transfer operation to transfer a wafer between components of a semiconductor processing system, the semiconductor processing system comprising a motor coupled to a lift pin, the motor configured to adjust a height of the lift pin above a pedestal, the lift pin for raising or lowering the wafer. The method further includes measuring one or more first parameters during the wafer transfer operation, comparing the one or more first parameters to one or more first pre-determined parameter ranges, and changing a force applied to the lift pin based on the one or more first parameters.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to lift pins and to apparatus for controlling lift pin movement. In an embodiment, an apparatus for positioning a substrate in a chamber is provided. The apparatus includes a chamber component, a lift pin having a top surface for supporting the substrate and a lift pin shaft and a stopper. The apparatus further includes a compressible element positioned between the chamber component and the stopper, the compressible element further positioned around the lift pin shaft, the lift pin being moveable relative to a substrate transfer plane by movement of a substrate support in contact with the compressible element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying of a carrier of a group of carriers within a substrate processing system, wherein the carriers are conveyed by magnetic levitation through the substrate processing system. The carrier may be identified, for example, using an identification element of the carrier, at least two magnets on the carrier spaced apart by an identification distance, a weight of the carrier, a weight of a weighed feature of the carrier, or by the weight and location of a weighted feature of the carrier. Additionally, a method and apparatus for weighting the carrier in a station of the substrate processing system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying of a carrier of a group of carriers within a substrate processing system, wherein the carriers are conveyed by magnetic levitation through the substrate processing system. The carrier may be identified, for example, using an identification element of the carrier, at least two magnets on the carrier spaced apart by an identification distance, a weight of the carrier, a weight of a weighed feature of the carrier, or by the weight and location of a weighted feature of the carrier. Additionally, a method and apparatus for weighting the carrier in a station of the substrate processing system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying of a carrier of a group of carriers within a substrate processing system, wherein the carriers are conveyed by magnetic levitation through the substrate processing system. The carrier may be identified, for example, using an identification element of the carrier, at least two magnets on the carrier spaced apart by an identification distance, a weight of the carrier, a weight of a weighed feature of the carrier, or by the weight and location of a weighted feature of the carrier. Additionally, a method and apparatus for weighting the carrier in a station of the substrate processing system.

Abstract: A station for a substrate processing system that includes a magnetic levitation actuator assembly disposed in a first region of the station that is separated from a second region of the station by a membrane. The magnetic levitation actuator assembly is configured to contactlessly convey a carrier disposed in the second region to one or more positions within the second region.

Abstract: A station for a substrate processing system that includes a magnetic levitation actuator assembly disposed in a first region of the station that is separated from a second region of the station by a membrane. The magnetic levitation actuator assembly is configured to contactlessly convey a carrier disposed in the second region to one or more positions within the second region.