Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring a height of an object above a surface includes a housing with a first portion having an upper surface and a lower surface and an extension portion extending a first distance from the lower surface of the first portion. The extension portion defines a cavity opposing the lower surface of the first portion. The apparatus further includes one or more actuators passing through the lower surface of the first portion of the housing and extending into the cavity. Additionally, the apparatus includes a plate supported by one or more flexible members coupled to the extension portion. The plate has a top surface and a bottom surface that lies in a plane substantially parallel to the surface. Moreover, the apparatus includes a plurality of sensors disposed at predetermined positions of the plate. Each of the plurality of sensors is responsive to a height measured between each of the plurality of sensors and the surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a substrate during semiconductor processing includes a substrate support structure having a first surface, a second surface opposing the first surface, and a groove recessed into the first surface and defining a peripheral portion of the substrate support structure. The substrate support structure is substantially free of guide pins. The apparatus also includes an annular sealing member coupled to the groove and a plurality of proximity pins projecting to a first height above the first surface. The apparatus further includes a plurality of purge ports passing from the second surface to the first surface, a plurality of vacuum ports passing from the second surface to the first surface, and a heating mechanism coupled to the substrate support structure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring a height of an object above a surface includes a housing with a first portion having an upper surface and a lower surface and an extension portion extending a first distance from the lower surface of the first portion. The extension portion defines a cavity opposing the lower surface of the first portion. The apparatus further includes one or more actuators passing through the lower surface of the first portion of the housing and extending into the cavity. Additionally, the apparatus includes a plate supported by one or more flexible members coupled to the extension portion. The plate has a top surface and a bottom surface that lies in a plane substantially parallel to the surface. Moreover, the apparatus includes a plurality of sensors disposed at predetermined positions of the plate. Each of the plurality of sensors is responsive to a height measured between each of the plurality of sensors and the surface.

Abstract: A thermal processing module for a track lithography tool includes a bake plate comprising a process surface and a lower surface opposing the process surface. The thermal processing module also includes a plurality of electrodes coupled to the bake plate Each of the plurality of electrodes is adapted to receive a drive signal. The thermal processing module further includes a plurality of proximity pins coupled to the process surface and extending to a predetermined height from the process surface, a plurality of flexible members coupled to the lower surface of the bake plate, a chill plate coupled to the plurality of flexible members and defining a plurality of chambers, and a plurality of channels. Each of the plurality of channels is in fluid communication with one of the plurality of chambers and with one or more sources of a pressurized fluid.

Abstract: A method of performing a thermal process using a bake plate of a track lithography tool. The bake plate includes a plurality of heater zones. The method includes providing a first drive signal to a first electrode in electrical communication with a process surface of the bake plate. The first electrode is associated with a first heater zone of the plurality of heater zones and each of the plurality of heater zones is adapted to receive a control voltage. The method also includes moving a semiconductor substrate toward the process surface of the bake plate, receiving a first response signal from the first electrode, processing the first response signal to determine a first capacitance value associated with a first gap between the first electrode and a first portion of the semiconductor substrate, and providing a measurement signal related to the first capacitance value.