Axcelis Technologies, Inc.

Billy Benoit

John F Baggett

Brian Terry

Joe Ferrara

A workpiece processing system and method comprises transferring a workpiece to a vacuum chamber. A heated chuck is configured to selectively clamp a workpiece to a clamping surface thereof, wherein the heated chuck is configured to selectively heat the clamping surface. A workpiece transfer apparatus has an end effector configured to transfer the workpiece to the heated chuck, wherein the workpiece rests on the end effector. A controller selectively position the workpiece with respect to the heated chuck via a control of the workpiece transfer apparatus, wherein the controller is configured to position the workpiece at a predetermined distance from the clamping surface, wherein the predetermined distance generally determines an amount of radiation received by the workpiece from the heated chuck, and wherein the controller is further configured to place the workpiece on the surface of the heated chuck via a control of the workpiece transfer apparatus.

Radiant heating presoak

A workpiece alignment system is provided has a light emission apparatus that directs a light beam at a plurality of wavelengths along a path at a shallow angle toward a first side of a workpiece plane at a peripheral region. A light receiver apparatus, receives the light beam on a second side opposite the first side. A rotation device selectively rotates a workpiece support. According controller determines a position of the workpiece based on an amount of the light beam received through the workpiece when the workpiece intersects the path. A sensitivity of the light receiver apparatus is controlled based on a transmissivity of the workpiece. A position of the workpiece is determined when the workpiece is rotated based on the rotational position, an amount of the light beam received, the transmissivity of the workpiece, detection of a workpiece edge, and the controlled sensitivity of the light receiver apparatus.

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Beverly, MA, United States of America

Billy Benoit