In an embodiment a method includes arranging a plurality of semiconductor chips on a carrier, arranging an auxiliary carrier on sides of the semiconductor chips facing away from the carrier, removing the carrier, separating the auxiliary carrier between the semiconductor chips to form auxiliary carrier-chip units, each of the auxiliary carrier-chip units has at least one semiconductor chip and an auxiliary carrier part adjoining the semiconductor chip, arranging each of the auxiliary carrier-chip units on a connecting carrier and removing the auxiliary carrier parts from each auxiliary carrier-chip unit.

A system for performing a bevel cleaning process on a substrate includes a substrate support including an electrode and a plurality of plasma needles arranged around a perimeter of the substrate support. The plasma needles are in fluid communication with a gas delivery system and are configured to supply reactive gases from the gas delivery system to a bevel region of the substrate when the substrate is arranged on the substrate support and electrically couple to the electrode of the substrate support and generate plasma around the bevel region of the substrate.

An overhead transport vehicle system includes a travel rail, an overhead transport vehicle, and a gas supplier. The overhead transport vehicle travels on the travel rail to transport a FOUP, includes a tank to store inactive gas, and supplies the inactive gas into the FOUP from the tank during transport of the FOUP. The gas supplier is provided along the travel rail to supply inactive gas into the tank of the overhead transport vehicle.

According to various embodiments, a frame cassette includes a housing and a mounting structure within the housing. The mounting structure includes a plurality of tape-frame slots, each tape-frame slot configured to receive a tape-frame. The housing includes an opening configured to introduce a tape-frame into a tape-frame slot of the plurality of tape-frame slots, or to remove the tape frame from the tape-frame slot of the plurality of tape-frame slots. The housing also includes an electrostatic discharge protection. A corresponding automatic transportation system and method of automatic transportation of semiconductor wafers is also provided.

A reticle pod includes an outer pod, an inner pod cover and an inner base plate. A reticle is supported on the base and is contained within the environment created by the inner pod cover and the inner pod base. The inner pod cover can include a plurality of reticle retainers configured to contact a side wall of the reticle and limit movement of the reticle in a horizontal direction.

A substrate guide of the present invention is provided on a carrier frame of a carrier which holds a substrate substantially vertically so that a surface of the substrate is in a substantially vertical direction and supports the substrate by being in contact with at least a peripheral edge end surface portion of the substrate. The substrate guide includes a base attached to the carrier frame, a substrate support which comes into contact with the peripheral edge end surface portion of the substrate held by the carrier and is attached to the base to be movable in a normal direction of the peripheral edge end surface portion in a direction parallel to the surface of the substrate, and a force-applying member which applies a force to the substrate support toward the substrate with respect to the base.

A SiC film structure for obtaining a three-dimensional SiC film by forming the SiC film in an outer circumference of a substrate using a vapor deposition type film formation method and removing the substrate, the SiC film structure including: a main body having a three-dimensional shape formed of a SiC film and having an opening for removing the substrate; a lid configured to cover the opening; and a SiC coat layer configured to cover at least a contact portion between the main body and an outer edge portion of the lid and join the main body and the lid.

Electronic device processing systems including an equipment front end module with at least one side storage pod are described. The side storage pod has a chamber including a top substrate holder and a bottom substrate holder. In some embodiments, an exhaust port is located at a midpoint between the top substrate holder and the bottom substrate holder. Methods and systems in accordance with these and other embodiments are also disclosed.

A substrate container system comprises a container body having a bottom face, a front opening that enables passage of a substrate, and a back opening opposing the front opening, the back opening having a width smaller than that of the front opening; and a back cover that covers the back opening and establishes sealing engagement with the container body, wherein the back cover comprises a first gas inlet structure that bendingly extends under the bottom face of the container body upon assembly; wherein the first gas inlet structure comprises a downward facing gas intake port opposing the bottom face of the container body.

A semiconductor manufacturing equipment has an outer case housing including a lower case extension to support a semiconductor panel. The lower case extension is fixed in position within the outer case housing. An inner case housing having an upper case extension is disposed within the outer case housing in proximity to the lower case extension. A mechanism draws the upper case extension toward the lower case extension and locks the semiconductor panel in place between the upper case extension and lower case extension. The mechanism has a cam assembly disposed above the inner case housing and operatable with a handle to rotate the cam assembly and apply pressure to the inner case housing and upper case extension to lock the semiconductor panel in place between the upper case extension and lower case extension. A spring or other elastic mechanism is disposed under the inner case housing to load the pressure.