Abstract: A plurality of purge nozzles of a purge load port include a nozzle gasket and a nozzle structure to inject a purging fluid into and through an internal chamber of a container (e.g., a FOUP) that is configured to, in operation, transport wafers or workpieces between various locations within a FAB. The nozzle gasket includes a deformable structure that abuts against a surface of a nozzle structure and a sealing structure opposite to the deformable structure that forms a seal between the container and the nozzle gasket. A nozzle hole of a nozzle of the nozzle structure includes a threaded region or portion that is configured to receive a threaded stopper structure to seal off the nozzle hole.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vacuum chuck and a method for securing a warped semiconductor substrate during a semiconductor manufacturing process so as to improve its flatness during a semiconductor manufacturing process. For example, a semiconductor manufacturing system includes: a vacuum chuck configured to hold a substrate, wherein the vacuum chuck comprises, a plurality of vacuum grooves located on a top surface of the vacuum chuck, wherein the top surface is configured to face the substrate; and a plurality of flexible seal rings disposed on the vacuum chuck and extending outwardly from the top surface, wherein the plurality of flexible seal rings are configured to directly contact a bottom surface of the substrate and in adjacent to the plurality of vacuum grooves so as to form a vacuum seal between the substrate and the vacuum chuck, and wherein each of the plurality of flexible seal rings has a zigzag cross section.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for handling semiconductor part carriers are disclosed. In one example, an apparatus for handling semiconductor part carriers is disclosed. The apparatus includes a mechanical arm and an imaging system coupled to the mechanical arm. The mechanical arm is configured for holding a semiconductor part carrier. The imaging system is configured for automatically locating a goal position on a surface onto which the semiconductor part carrier is to be placed.

Abstract: A system and method for cleaning ring frames is disclosed. In one embodiment, a ring frame processing system includes: a plurality of blades for mechanically removing tapes and tape residues from surfaces of a ring frame; a plurality of wheel brushes for conditioning the surfaces of the ring frame; and a transport mechanism for transporting the ring frame.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vacuum chuck and a method for securing a warped semiconductor substrate during a semiconductor manufacturing process so as to improve its flatness during a semiconductor manufacturing process. For example, a semiconductor manufacturing system includes: a vacuum chuck configured to hold a substrate, wherein the vacuum chuck comprises, a plurality of vacuum grooves located on a top surface of the vacuum chuck, wherein the top surface is configured to face the substrate; and a plurality of flexible seal rings disposed on the vacuum chuck and extending outwardly from the top surface, wherein the plurality of flexible seal rings are configured to directly contact a bottom surface of the substrate and in adjacent to the plurality of vacuum grooves so as to form a vacuum seal between the substrate and the vacuum chuck, and wherein each of the plurality of flexible seal rings has a zigzag cross section.

Abstract: A system and method for cleaning ring frames is disclosed. In one embodiment, a ring frame processing system includes: a plurality of blades for mechanically removing tapes and tape residues from surfaces of a ring frame; a plurality of wheel brushes for conditioning the surfaces of the ring frame; and a transport mechanism for transporting the ring frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling semiconductor part carriers includes: a mechanical arm and an imaging system coupled to the mechanical arm, wherein the mechanical arm is configured for holding a semiconductor part carrier, and the imaging system is configured for automatically locating a goal position on a surface onto which the semiconductor part carrier is to be placed.

Abstract: In an embodiment a system includes: an automated vehicle configured to traverse a first predetermined path; and a sensor system located on the automated vehicle, the sensor system configured to detect a vertical obstacle along the first predetermined path along one or two floorboards ahead of the automated vehicle, wherein the automated vehicle is configured to traverse a second predetermined path in response to detecting the vertical obstacle.

Abstract: A system comprising a mini-environment and an air flow optimizer device to control air into the environment. An air flow optimizer device includes a modification device including the inlet opening and the outlet opening and at least one extension plate extending downward from the modification device. In some implementations, at least one extension plate is longer than a FOUP in a first direction. In an embodiment, the channel decreases in width from the inlet opening to the outlet opening.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a workstation includes: a cleaning station configured to clean a die vessel, wherein the die vessel is configured to secure a semiconductor die; an inspection station configured to inspect the die vessel after cleaning to determine whether the die vessel is identified as passing inspection; and a conveyor configured to move the die vessel between the cleaning station and the inspection station.

Abstract: In an embodiment a system includes: an automated vehicle configured to traverse a first predetermined path; and a sensor system located on the automated vehicle, the sensor system configured to detect a vertical obstacle along the first predetermined path along one or two floorboards ahead of the automated vehicle, wherein the automated vehicle is configured to traverse a second predetermined path in response to detecting the vertical obstacle.

Abstract: A system comprises a front opening universal pod (FOUP) configured to hold one or more semiconductor wafers and a load dock having a stage and a receiving portion extending above the stage. The FOUP is positioned on the stage. A fan filter unit (FFU) positioned above the load dock. An air flow optimizer device is disposed on the receiving portion and under the FFU. The air flow optimizer device has an inlet opening and an outlet opening and a channel extends between the inlet opening and the outlet opening.

Abstract: A fabrication system for fabricating IC is provided. A processing tool includes a RF sensor. The RF sensor wirelessly detects intensity of a RF signal. A computation device extracts statistical characteristics with a sampling rate. When the detected intensity of the RF signal exceeds a threshold value or a threshold range, a fault detection and classification (FDC) system notifies the processing tool to adjust the RF signal or stop tool to check parts damage.

Abstract: A method of removing a particle from a pellicle includes moving a nozzle over a surface of a membrane of the pellicle to a location of the particle. A droplet of a liquid material is dispensed from the nozzle to cover the particle on the surface of the membrane. A contact of the droplet with the nozzle is monitored and maintained. The droplet carrying the particle is horizontally dragged along the surface of the membrane toward an edge thereof by the nozzle using the surface tension of the droplet. The droplet carrying the particle is sucked off from the edge of the membrane by a vacuum pump, thereby automatically and safely removing the particle without damaging the pellicle.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a workstation includes: a cleaning station configured to clean a die vessel, wherein the die vessel is configured to secure a semiconductor die; an inspection station configured to inspect the die vessel after cleaning to determine whether the die vessel is identified as passing inspection; and a conveyor configured to move the die vessel between the cleaning station and the inspection station.

Abstract: A fabrication system for fabricating IC is provided. A processing tool includes at least one electrode and a RF sensor. The electrode is configured to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal from an RF signal generator during first and second semiconductor manufacturing processes. The RF sensor wirelessly detects intensity of the RF signal. A computation device extracts statistical characteristics with a sampling rate based on the detected intensity of the RF signal. A fault detection and classification (FDC) system includes a processor. The processor is configured to determine whether or not the detected intensity of the RF signal exceeds a threshold value or a threshold range according to the extracted statistical characteristics. When the detected intensity of the RF signal exceeds the threshold value or the threshold range, the processor notifies the processing tool to adjust the RF signal or stop tool to check parts damage.

Abstract: A lithography method to pattern a first semiconductor wafer is disclosed. An optical mask is positioned over the first semiconductor wafer. A first region of the first semiconductor wafer is patterned by directing light from a light source through transparent regions of the optical mask. A second region of the first semiconductor wafer is patterned by directing energy from an energy source to the second region, wherein the patterning of the second region comprises direct-beam writing.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of programming an EFEM. The method includes placing an automatic teaching element within an EFEM chamber at a first time. The automatic teaching element is operated at a second time to measure one or more parameters corresponding to an initial position of an EFEM robot within the EFEM chamber. The automatic teaching element is removed from the EFEM chamber at a third time and then placed within the EFEM chamber at a fourth time. The automatic teaching element is operated at a fifth time to determine positional parameters describing a difference between the initial position and a new position of the EFEM robot. A second plurality of steps are determined based upon the positional parameters. The EFEM robot is configured to move along the second plurality of steps that extend along a path between first and second positions.

Abstract: A method includes initiating a gas flow of a first gas parallel to a wall of an interface module to create an air curtain across an opening defined in the wall. The method includes moving an interface door to reveal the opening, wherein the air curtain restrains a second gas within the interface module from passing through the opening. The method includes transferring a semiconductor wafer through the opening and moving the interface door to cover the opening. The method includes halting the gas flow of the first gas after moving the interface door to cover the opening.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes: an inspection station configured to receive a die vessel, wherein the inspection station is configured to inspect the die vessel for defects; a desiccant station configured to receive the die vessel from the inspection station, wherein the desiccant station is configured to add a desiccant to the die vessel; a bundle station configured to receive the die vessel from the desiccant station, wherein the bundle station is configured to combine the die vessel with another die vessel as a die bundle; and a bagging station configured to receive the die bundle from the bundle station, wherein the bagging station is configured to dispose the die bundle in a die bag and to heat seal the die bag with the die bundle inside.