Applied Materials, Inc.
PAD CARRIER FOR HORIZONTAL PRE-CLEAN MODULE

Abstract:

A horizontal pre-clean module includes a chamber including a basin and a lid which collectively define a processing area, a rotatable vacuum table disposed in the processing area, the rotatable vacuum table including a substrate receiving surface, a pad conditioning station disposed proximate to the rotatable vacuum table, a pad carrier positioning arm having a first end and a second end distal from the first end, a pad carrier assembly coupled to the first end of the pad carrier positioning arm, and an actuator coupled to the second end of the pad carrier positioning arm and configured to swing the pad carrier assembly between a first position over the rotatable vacuum table and a second position over the pad conditioning station. The pad carrier assembly includes a gimbal base and a pad carrier coupled to the gimbal base, the gimbal base and the pad carrier are configured to support a buffing pad by a mechanical clamping mechanism and a suction clamping mechanism.