Abstract: A method of forming an elastomeric sheet adhesive bond between mating surfaces of an electrode and a backing member to accommodate stresses generated during temperature cycling due to mismatch in coefficients of thermal expansion. The elastomeric sheet comprises a thermally conductive silicone adhesive able to withstand a high shear strain of ?300% in a temperature range of room temperature to 300° C. such as heat curable high molecular weight dimethyl silicone with fillers. Installation can be manually, manually with installation tooling, or with automated machinery.

Abstract: A method of forming an elastomeric sheet adhesive bond between mating surfaces of an electrode and a backing member to accommodate stresses generated during temperature cycling due to mismatch in coefficients of thermal expansion. The elastomeric sheet comprises a thermally conductive silicone adhesive able to withstand a high shear strain of ?300% in a temperature range of room temperature to 300° C. such as heat curable high molecular weight dimethyl silicone with fillers. Installation can be manually, manually with installation tooling, or with automated machinery.

Abstract: A showerhead electrode for a plasma processing apparatus includes an elastomeric sheet adhesive bond between mating surfaces of an electrode and a backing member to accommodate stresses generated during temperature cycling due to mismatch in coefficients of thermal expansion. The elastomeric sheet comprises a thermally conductive silicone adhesive able to withstand a high shear strain of ?300% in a temperature range of room temperature to 300° C. such as heat curable high molecular weight dimethyl silicone with fillers. The sheet form adhesive has bond thickness control for parallelism of bonded surfaces over large areas. The sheet adhesive may be cast or die cut into pre-form shapes that can conform to irregularly shaped features, maximize surface contact area with mating electrode surfaces, and installed into cavities of the mating assembly. Installation can be manually, manually with installation tooling, or with automated machinery.

Abstract: A showerhead electrode for a plasma processing apparatus includes an elastomeric sheet adhesive bond between mating surfaces of an electrode and a backing member to accommodate stresses generated during temperature cycling due to mismatch in coefficients of thermal expansion. The elastomeric sheet comprises a thermally conductive silicone adhesive able to withstand a high shear strain of ?300% in a temperature range of room temperature to 300° C. such as heat curable high molecular weight dimethyl silicone with fillers. The sheet form adhesive has bond thickness control for parallelism of bonded surfaces over large areas. The sheet adhesive may be cast or die cut into pre-form shapes that can conform to irregularly shaped features, maximize surface contact area with mating electrode surfaces, and installed into cavities of the mating assembly. Installation can be manually, manually with installation tooling, or with automated machinery.

Abstract: A pin stop and method of implementation suitable for use lift pin assemblies used in semiconductor process environments is provided. The pin stop includes a pin shaft and a circular pin head with soft stop and hard stop features defined thereon. The soft stop feature is defined in a grove in the pin head surface and is configured to impact a stopping surface slowing movement of a lift pin assembly. The hard stop then impacts the stopping surface providing a constant, reliable and repeatable position of a wafer positioned on the lift pin assembly.

Abstract: An atmospheric transport module is provided. The module includes an enclosed housing having a top region, a central region, a bottom region, and a load cell region. A blower is located in the top region of the enclosed housing and is configured to generate a flow of air downward into the central region. A shelf in the load cell region defines a separation between the central region and the bottom region of the enclosed housing. The shelf is at least partially spaced apart from a wall of the load cell region to thereby define a slot behind the shelf. A perforated sheet is configured to extend horizontally from the shelf and further define the separation between the central region and the bottom region. In this example, air flow generated by the blower is restricted from freely flowing through the perforated sheet and is partially caused to be redirected toward the shelf of the load cell, through the slot and into the bottom region of the enclosure housing.

Abstract: A hinge assembly and methods for mounting a hatch relative to a port defined in a cover of a vacuum chamber to close and open the port. A torsion rod mounted between the port and the hatch is in torsion when the hatch is in a closed position relative to the port, assisting port-opening motion. A sleeve surrounds the rod and is movable with the hatch. Friction hinge structures between the cover and the sleeve, and between the hatch and a second sleeve are in a friction-engaging relationship with the corresponding sleeve. Each friction hinge structure provides high resistance to relative motion between a friction spring and the corresponding sleeve. During the port-opening motion of the hatch the friction springs provide low resistance to such relative motion. The hinge structures provide tolerance resistance and vacuum compliance by allowing relative movement between a hinge mounting plate and the hatch.