In a method of inspecting an outer surface of a mask pod, a stream of air is directed at a first location of a plurality of locations on the outer surface. One or more particles are removed by the directed stream of air from the first location on the outer surface. Scattered air from the first location of the outer surface is extracted and a number of particles in the extracted scattered air is determined as a sampled number of particles at the first location. The mask pod is moved and the stream of air is directed at other locations of the plurality of locations to determine the sampled number of particles in extracted scattered air at the other locations. A map of the particles on the outer surface of the mask pod is generated based on the sampled number of particles at the plurality of locations.

A reticle pod having a positioning member includes a base, a lid and a plurality of positioning members. The lid shuts relative to the base to form a substantially cuboid case. The case has a storing space for receiving a reticle. The positioning members are arranged in a shutting direction and disposed on at least two edges of the lid or at least two edges of the base, respectively. The positioning members each include a connecting portion, a correcting portion and a guiding slope portion. The connecting portion connects the edges of the lid. The correcting portion has one end connected to the connecting portion and extending in a shutting direction and an opposing end connected to the guiding slope portion. The guiding slope portion has a slope extending outward. The reticle pod having a positioning member is error-free, allowing the lid to shut precisely relative to the base.

A method for adhering a reticle onto a top surface of a chuck is provided in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The method includes sliding a reticle relative to a chuck along a first direction, such that a plurality of fibers over a top surface of the chuck are inclined away from an imaginary line normal to the top surface of the chuck by sliding the reticle relative to the chuck along the first direction; performing a photolithography process using the reticle; and after performing the photolithography process, sliding the reticle relative to the chuck along a second direction opposite to the first direction, such that the fibers are moved back toward the imaginary line by sliding the reticle relative to the chuck along the second direction.

A reticle pod having a positioning member includes a base, a lid and a plurality of positioning members. The lid shuts relative to the base to form a substantially cuboid case. The case has a storing space for receiving a reticle. The positioning members are arranged in a shutting direction and disposed on at least two edges of the lid or at least two edges of the base, respectively. The positioning members each include a connecting portion, a correcting portion and a guiding slope portion. The connecting portion connects the edges of the lid. The correcting portion has one end connected to the connecting portion and extending in a shutting direction and an opposing end connected to the guiding slope portion. The guiding slope portion has a slope extending outward. The reticle pod having a positioning member is error-free, allowing the lid to shut precisely relative to the base.

The invention discloses a reticle pod having a lid and multiple pin assemblies. The pin assembly includes a movable member movable relatively to a ceiling of the lid and an elastic member configured to arrange the movable member in between the elastic member and the ceiling of the lid. In the case where the reticle pod is provided without receiving a reticle, the ceiling of the reticle pod determines the movable member stays at a first level. In the case where the reticle pod is provided with a reticle, the elastic member collaborates with the movable member such that the movable member holds the reticle at a second level that is higher than the first level.

A reticle pod is provided. The reticle pod includes a container and a fluid regulating module mounted to the container. The fluid regulating module includes a first cap, a second cap and a sealing film. The first cap and the second cap are connected to each other. A flowing path is formed between the first cap and the second cap for allowing a fluid passing through the fluid regulating module. The sealing film is positioned between the first cap and the second cap and configured for regulating a flow of the fluid passing through the flowing path.

In some embodiments, a reticle structure is provided. The reticle structure includes a reticle stage and a reticle mounted on the reticle stage. The reticle stage includes plural first burls and plural second burls, in which the second burls are disposed on a center of the reticle stage and the first burls disposed on an edge of the reticle stage such that the first burls surround the second burls. The reticle includes a base material and a pattern layer overlying the base material. The base material is secured on the first and second burls of the reticle stage. The pattern layer includes plural first gratings, and each of the first burls is vertically aligned with one of the first gratings.

A method for containing a reticle in a pod is provided. The method includes opening the pod such that a pressing element retained movably on the pod by a limiting cap moves to a first position, wherein a shoulder part of the pressing element between a pressure receiving part and a pressing part of the pressing element is spaced from the limiting cap. The method further includes placing the reticle in the pod such that the reticle is pressed by the pressing element.

A reticle transport system having a magnetically levitated transportation stage is disclosed. Such a system may be suitable for use in vacuum environments, for example, ultra-clean vacuum environments. A magnetic levitated linear motor functions to propel the transportation stage in a linear direction along a defined axis of travel and to magnetically levitate the transportation stage

A particle removal method includes loading a particle attracting member with a coating layer into a processing chamber of a processing apparatus. The method also includes fixing the particle attracting member on a holder in the processing chamber in a cleaning cycle. The method also includes attracting particles in the processing chamber by the coating layer of the particle attracting member due to a potential difference between the particles and the coating layer. The particles are attracted to the surface of the coating layer. The method further includes loading the particle attracting member with the coating layer and the attracted particles out of the processing chamber, after the cleaning cycle. In addition, the method includes loading a semiconductor wafer into the processing chamber, and performing a semiconductor process on the semiconductor wafer in the processing chamber. The semiconductor process is performed after the cleaning cycle.