Importance

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Abstract

Substrate processing systems and methods include sealing a gate valve connecting a first chamber (e.g., a load-lock module) and a second chamber (e.g., an equipment front end module), wherein a first side of the first chamber connects to layer deposition equipment and a second side of the first chamber connects to the second chamber via the gate valve. The second chamber receives (i) incoming substrates to be supplied to the first chamber and (ii) outgoing substrates to be removed from the first chamber. In use, a processed substrate is moved from the layer deposition equipment into the first chamber. This processed substrate is cooled by transferring inert gas from the second chamber into the first chamber and into contact with the processed substrate, thereby transferring heat from the processed substrate to the inert gas. After passing over the processed substrate, the inert gas is exhausted from the first chamber.

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First Claim