IP Library Granted Patent US 10,095,132
Granted Patent B2
US 10,095,132 · App. 15/554,184 · Granted Oct 9, 2018

Mask transmission device and transmission method

Inventors: Xiaoyu Jiang (Shanghai, CN); Changgang Wang (Shanghai, CN)
Assignee: SHANGHAI MICRO ELECTRONICS EQUIPMENT (GROUP)CO., LTD.
G03F9/7073
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,095,132
App. No.
15/554,184
Granted
Oct 9, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A reticle transfer apparatus includes a reticle, a reticle stage ( 4 ) and a robot ( 2 ). The robot ( 2 ) is configured to support, transport and transfer the reticle onto the reticle stage ( 4 ). The apparatus further includes: a first set of marks ( 52 ) and a second set of marks ( 53 ), both provided on the reticle; a pre-alignment unit ( 3 ), disposed on one side of the reticle stage ( 4 ) and configured to perform a first pre-alignment process by detecting the first set of marks ( 52 ) and perform a second pre-alignment process by detecting the second set of marks ( 53 ) during the transfer of the reticle; and a control unit, configured to adjust the position of the reticle relative to the reticle stage ( 4 ) based on the results of the first pre-alignment process such that the reticle is prevented from colliding with the reticle stage ( 4 ) and to adjust the position of the reticle relative to the reticle stage ( 4 ) based on the results of the second pre-alignment process such that the reticle is positioned in a predetermined range relative to the reticle stage ( 4 ). A reticle transfer method is also disclosed.

Claims (14)

1. A reticle transfer apparatus, comprising a reticle, a reticle stage and a robot, the robot configured to support, transport and transfer the reticle onto the reticle stage, wherein the reticle transfer apparatus further comprises:

a first set of marks and a second set of marks, both provided on the reticle;

a pre-alignment unit, disposed on one side of the reticle stage and configured to perform a first pre-alignment process by detecting the first set of marks and perform a second pre-alignment process by detecting the second set of marks during transfer of the reticle; and

a control unit, configured to adjust a position of the reticle relative to the reticle stage based on results of the first pre-alignment process such that the reticle is prevented from colliding with the reticle stage and to adjust a further position of the reticle relative to the reticle stage based on results of the second pre-alignment process such that the reticle is positioned in a predetermined range relative to the reticle stage.

2. The reticle transfer apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the reticle is provided with a pellicle frame, wherein the reticle stage comprises reticle supports, and wherein the control unit adjusts the position of the reticle relative to the reticle stage based on the results of the first pre-alignment process such that the pellicle frame of the reticle is prevented from colliding with the reticle supports of the reticle stage.

3. The reticle transfer apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first set of marks is formed at two adjacent ones of four corners of the reticle, with the second set of marks formed at remaining two adjacent ones of the four corners of the reticle.

4. A reticle transfer method, comprising:

1) providing a reticle with a first set of marks and a second set of marks and moving the reticle so that the reticle is located under a pre-alignment unit, wherein the pre-alignment unit is disposed on one side of a reticle stage;

2) performing, by the pre-alignment unit, a first pre-alignment process by detecting the first set of marks;

3) adjusting, by a control unit, a position of the reticle relative to the reticle stage based on results of the first pre-alignment process such that the reticle is prevented from colliding with the reticle stage;

4) further moving the reticle and performing, by the pre-alignment unit, a second pre-alignment process by detecting the second set of marks; and

5) adjusting, by the control unit, a further position of the reticle relative to the reticle stage based on results of the second pre-alignment process such that the reticle is positioned in a predetermined range relative to the reticle stage.

5. The reticle transfer method according to claim 4 , wherein the reticle is provided with a pellicle frame, wherein the reticle stage comprises reticle supports, and wherein in step 3) the control unit adjusts the position of the reticle relative to the reticle stage based on the results of the first pre-alignment process such that the pellicle frame of the reticle is prevented from colliding with the reticle supports of the reticle stage.

6. The reticle transfer method according to claim 4 , wherein the first set of marks is formed at two adjacent ones of four corners of the reticle, with the second set of marks formed at remaining two adjacent ones of the four corners of the reticle.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 17, 2025
From: SHANGHAI MICRO ELECTRONICS EQUIPMENT (GROUP) CO., LTD.
To: AMIES TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 072912/0466 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 29, 2017
From: JIANG, XIAOYU; WANG, CHANGGANG
To: SHANGHAI MICRO ELECTRONICS EQUIPMENT (GROUP) CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 043709/0204 →
Priority Claims (1)
CN 2015 1 0087602 · Feb 26, 2015 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20180039192A1 · Feb 8, 2018