Applied Materials, Inc.

Edgar Kehrberg

Shinichi Kurita

Matthias Brunner

Wendell T Blonigan

Emanuel Beer

A sensing system includes a plurality of probes arranged in a spaced relation around a stage that is adapted to support a substrate. Each probe includes a detection portion adapted to move from a known starting position toward an edge of the substrate that is supported by the stage; detect the edge of the substrate while the substrate is supported by the stage; generate a detection signal following said detection; and stop moving toward the edge of the substrate following said detection. A controller may determine an edge position of the substrate relative to the stage based on the known starting position of each detection portion and based on the detection signal generated by each detection portion. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Methods and apparatus for determining a position of a substrate relative to a support stage

A system and method for testing substrates is generally provided. In one embodiment, a test system for testing a substrate includes a load lock chamber, a transfer chamber and a test station. The load lock chamber and the test station are disposed on top of one another and coupled to the transfer chamber. The transfer chamber includes a robot adapted to transfer a substrate between the load lock chamber, which is at a first elevation, and the test station, which is at a second elevation. In another embodiment, a test station is provided having a turntable adapted to rotate the substrate. The turntable enables the range of motion required to test the substrate to be substantially reduced while facilitating full test and/or inspection of the substrate.

Large substrate test system

A method and system for testing one or more large substrates are provided. In one or more embodiments, the system includes a testing chamber having a substrate table disposed therein. The substrate table is adapted to move a substrate within the testing chamber in various directions. More particularly, the substrate table includes a first stage movable in a first direction, and a second stage movable in a second direction, wherein each of the stages moves in an X-direction, Y-direction or both X and Y directions. The system further includes a load lock chamber at least partially disposed below the testing chamber, and a transfer chamber coupled to the load lock chamber and the testing chamber. In one or more embodiments, the transfer chamber includes a robot disposed therein which is adapted to transfer substrates between the load lock chamber and the testing chamber.

Growing community of inventors

Haar, Germany

Edgar Kehrberg