Abstract: A magnetron sputtering system generates a high density plasma on a target by applying magnetic fields intersecting an electric field by using a plurality of magnets that are rotatably supported. The respective magnets are revolved and rotated so that the time variation of regions where a magnetic field (line of magnetic force) generated by the each magnet is orthogonal to an electric field is prevented from becoming monotonous. Further, the respective magnets are arranged to make the distances between the center of rotation and the center of revolution of the respective magnets different from each other, so that the regions where the magnetic field (line of magnetic force) generated by the each magnet is orthogonal to the electric field are dispersed in the radial direction of a target.

Abstract: A sputtering system for depositing a thin film on the surface of a disc substrate in which high precision positioning of an inner mask and an outer mask is facilitated. The sputtering system has a mask member placed on the surface of the substrate mounted on a substrate holder to cover a partial region on the surface of the substrate. A thin film is deposited by sputtering in a region on the surface of the substrate not covered by the mask member. A section for carrying in and carrying out the substrate has mechanically holds and releases the substrate holder mounting the substrate, and mechanically holds and releases the mask member.

Abstract: A handler includes a device holding portion, which holds an uninspected device and loads the device in a measuring socket on a device tester, having a suction means for sucking the device by a very weak pushing force at the time of sucking the device from an uninspection tray and for loading the device in a measuring socket and also having a clamper capable of outputting a pushing force which can be changed at the time of the measurement contact. The device holding portion includes a position correcting mechanism for making a device position correction executed by an image recognizing and position correcting means.

Abstract: A solar cell module conveyer comprising an assembly line for intermittently feeding solar cells that constitute a solar cell module, and having machinery arranged for successively executing the working/treating steps; belt conveyers working as an inspection line which is synchronized with the assembly line to inspect the solar cell module fabricated on the assembly line through various working/treatment steps; and a transfer mechanism for transferring the solar cell module from the assembly line onto the belt conveyers.

Abstract: A device-positioning pedestal capable of positioning devices of different sizes. The device-positioning pedestal comprises a plurality of guide members corresponding to the sides of the device and coming in contact with the sides of the device to position the device, at least one guide member includes a slide mechanism that supports the guide member so as to slide relative to the device-positioning pedestal member and a fixing mechanism that fixes the guide members at desired positions. The guide members are set to be adapted to the size of the device by the guide member-adjusting means separate from the device-positioning pedestal. The guide member-adjusting means adjust the position of the guide members based on the size of the device measured by device size-measuring means separate from the guide member-adjusting means or based on the data of data-recording means attached to the device-positioning pedestal.

Abstract: A solar cell module conveyer comprising an assembly line for intermittently feeding solar cells that constitute a solar cell module, and having machinery arranged for successively executing the working/treating steps; belt conveyers working as an inspection line which is synchronized with the assembly line to inspect the solar cell module fabricated on the assembly line through various working/treatment steps; and a transfer mechanism for transferring the solar cell module from the assembly line onto the belt conveyers.

Abstract: A handler includes a device holding portion, which holds an uninspected device and loads the device in a measuring socket on a device tester, having a suction means for sucking the device by a very weak pushing force at the time of sucking the device from an uninspection tray and for loading the device in a measuring socket and also having a clamper capable of outputting a pushing force which can be changed at the time of the measurement contact. The device holding portion includes a position correcting mechanism for making a device position correction executed by an image recognizing and position correcting means.

Abstract: A sputtering system for depositing a thin film on the surface of a disc substrate in which high precision positioning of an inner mask and an outer mask is facilitated. The sputtering system has a mask member placed on the surface of the substrate mounted on a substrate holder to cover a partial region on the surface of the substrate. A thin film is deposited by sputtering in a region on the surface of the substrate not covered by the mask member. A section for carrying in and carrying out the substrate has mechanically holds and releases the substrate holder mounting the substrate, and mechanically holds and releases the mask member.

Abstract: A device-positioning pedestal capable of positioning devices of different sizes. The device-positioning pedestal comprises a plurality of guide members corresponding to the sides of the device and coming in contact with the sides of the device to position the device, at least one guide member includes a slide mechanism that supports the guide member so as to slide relative to the device-positioning pedestal member and a fixing mechanism that fixes the guide members at desired positions. The guide members are set to be adapted to the size of the device by the guide member-adjusting means separate from the device-positioning pedestal. The guide member-adjusting means adjust the position of the guide members based on the size of the device measured by device size-measuring means separate from the guide member-adjusting means or based on the data of data-recording means attached to the device-positioning pedestal.

Abstract: A plurality of magnets are rotatably supported and when a ratio between revolution angle and rotation angle per unit time is set to 1:R, R is set to a value which is not less than 1 and not more than 5, and is not a common divisor of 360, so that the time variation of regions where a magnetic field (line of magnetic force) generated by the each magnet is orthogonal to an electric field is prevented from becoming monotonous. Further, the respective magnets are arranged to make the distances between the center of rotation and the center of revolution of the respective magnets different from each other, so that the regions where the magnetic field (line of magnetic force) generated by the each magnet is orthogonal to the electric field are dispersed in the radial direction of a target.