Wafer scrubbing device

Claim 2

A scrubbing device for cleaning a thin disk, comprising: a disk holder; a brush mechanism including a pair of brushes, means for rotating each of the brushes at a constant speed in opposite directions, means for clamping together and unclamping the brushes with the disk positioned therebetween, and means for extending the brushes back and forth radially across surfaces of the disk, rotation of the brushes inducing variable rotation of the disk, the radial movement of the brushes creating a speed differential between the constant rotational speed of the brushes and the variable rotational speed of the disk due to the relative position of the brushes on the disk, the differential causing frictional scrubbing of the surfaces and edge of the disk.

Claim 3

A scrubbing device as in claim 1, wherein the brushes are replaceable.

Claim 4

A scrubbing device as in claim 1, wherein the disk holder is a spin chuck.

Claim 5

A scrubbing device as in claim 3, wherein the spin chuck includes an interchangeable spin plate.

Claim 6

A scrubbing device as in claim 3, wherein the spin chuck includes vacuum/pressure pads adapted to both emit a flow of compressed air to create a cushion of air on which the disk can float and to hold the disk down in stationary position by vacuum suction.

Claim 7

A scrubbing device as in claim 1, wherein the rotating means comprises a stepper motor for driving rotatable shafts upon which the brushes are mounted.

Claim 8

A scrubbing device as in claim 1, wherein the rotating means comprises a servo motor for driving rotatable shafts upon which the brushes are mounted.

Claim 9

A scrubbing device as in claim 1, wherein the clamping means comprises a clamp cylinder.

Claim 10

A scrubbing device as in claim 1, wherein the extending means comprises a motor.

Claim 11

A scrubbing device as in claim 1, further comprising spray nozzles for directing a stream of fluid at the surfaces of the disk.

Claim 12

A scrubbing device as in claim 1, further comprising a controller for controlling the operation of the disk holder, the rotating means, the clamping means, and the extending means.

Claim 13

A scrubbing device for cleaning a thin disk, comprising: a disk holder; plural brush mechanisms, each of the brush mechanisms including a pair of brushes, means for rotating each of the brushes at a constant speed in opposite directions, means for clamping together and unclamping the brushes with the disk positioned therebetween, and means for extending the brushes back and forth radially across surfaces of the disk, rotation of the brushes inducing variable rotation of the disk, the radial movement of the brushes creating a speed differential between the constant rotational speed of the brushes and the variable rotational speed of the disk due to the relative position of the brushes on the disk, the differential causing frictional scrubbing of the surfaces and edge of the disk.

Claim 14

A scrubbing device for cleaning a thin disk, comprising: a disk holder; plural brush mechanisms, each of the brush mechanisms including a pair of brushes, means for rotating each of the brushes at a constant speed in opposite directions, means for clamping together and unclamping the brushes with the disk positioned therebetween, and means for extending the brushes back and forth radially across surfaces of the disk, rotation of the brushes inducing variable rotation of the disk, the radial movement of the brushes creating a speed differential between the constant rotational speed of the brushes and the variable rotational speed of the disk due to the relative position of the brushes on the disk, the differential causing frictional scrubbing of the surfaces and edge of the disk.

Claim 15

A scrubbing device as in claim 12, wherein the brushes are replaceable.

Claim 16

A scrubbing device as in claim 12, wherein the disk holder is a spin chuck.

Claim 17

A scrubbing device as in claim 14, wherein the spin chuck includes an interchangeable spin plate.

Claim 18

A scrubbing device as in claim 14, wherein the spin chuck includes vacuum/pressure pads adapted to both emit a flow of compressed air to create a cushion of air on which the disk can float and to hold the disk down in stationary position by vacuum suction.

Claim 19

A scrubbing device as in claim 12, wherein the rotating means comprises a motor for driving rotatable shafts upon which the brushes are mounted.

Claim 20

A scrubbing device as in claim 12, wherein the clamping means comprises a clamp cylinder.

Claim 21

A scrubbing device as in claim 12, wherein the extending means comprises a motor.

Claim 22

A scrubbing device as in claim 12, further comprising a controller for controlling the operation of the disk holder, the rotating means, the clamping means, and the extending means.