Application

Vacuum pumps for load lock chambers and locks

A load lock chamber transfers wafers, glass or other substrates into a vacuum system without venting the process chamber behind it: the small lock is vented, loaded and pumped down again in every cycle. The vacuum must be reached quickly – Pfeiffer Vacuum names 10⁻¹ to 10⁻² hPa and load locks that stay particle-free under vacuum; Busch names the transfer of wafers without a pressure surge. Below you can see how the application works, what vacuum the manufacturers name and which of their series are intended for it – 122 models from 5 manufacturers.

Compare 122 modelsHow it works

  • 122Models
  • 9Series
  • 5Manufacturers
  • 10⁻¹–10⁻² hPaLoad lock pressure (Pfeiffer Vacuum)
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Touch the points: each part of the system explains itself.

In short

Load lock chambers: the key facts

  • Load lock pressureFor load lock and transfer chambers, Pfeiffer Vacuum names 10⁻¹ to 10⁻² hPa and load locks that stay particle-free under vacuum.
  • Pumping speedFor load locks and transfer, Pfeiffer Vacuum names the A 100 L and A 200 L with 100 and 200 m³/h respectively.
  • Short cyclesFor load lock chambers, Edwards names rapid cycle evacuation with EXS, Leybold short cycles with RUVAC WA/WAU and WS/WSU, Pfeiffer Vacuum fast pump-down.
  • No pressure surgeFor solar cell production, Busch names the transfer of wafers without a pressure surge with COBRA NX/DS, PANDA WV and PUMA WY.
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  • Air and gas (vacuum)
  • Exhaust

Operating principle

How it works: Load lock chambers

The drawing shows the basic principle in section. The systems and pumps of the individual manufacturers differ in detail.

  1. LoadingThe outer door opens at atmospheric pressure, the wafer or substrate is placed inside and the door closes; the transfer valve to the process chamber stays closed.
  2. Pump-downThe pumping station evacuates the lock to the transfer pressure – according to Pfeiffer Vacuum, 10⁻¹ to 10⁻² hPa – as quickly as possible (Edwards: rapid cycle evacuation, Leybold: short cycles) and, according to Busch, without a pressure surge.
  3. TransferThe transfer valve opens, the substrate is handed over to the process chamber and the valve closes; the lock is vented and the next cycle begins.

Vacuum and sizing

Load lock chambers: how much vacuum is needed

What the manufacturers say about pressure, pumping speed and sizing.

Which vacuum

For load lock and transfer chambers, Pfeiffer Vacuum names 10⁻¹ to 10⁻² hPa.

Which pumping speed

Pfeiffer Vacuum names the A 100 L with 100 m³/h and the A 200 L with 200 m³/h. On speed, Edwards names rapid cycle evacuation with EXS, Leybold short cycles with RUVAC, Pfeiffer Vacuum fast pump-down. On its semiconductor page, Busch assigns load lock and transfer to the simple processes.

What determines the sizing

Cycle time and lock volume determine the pumping speed; for short cycles, Leybold names the Roots pumps RUVAC WA/WAU and WS/WSU upstream of the SCREWLINE. Busch names transfer without a pressure surge, Pfeiffer Vacuum particle-free load locks – particles would land on the wafer.

Technology

Load lock chambers: the vacuum pumps the manufacturers name

Listed are the series the manufacturer itself names for this application. “Show only …” sets the filter of the product overview.

Product overview

Load lock chambers: all 122 models compared

Use the filters on the left to narrow the selection – by manufacturer, technology and the models’ key figures, for 50 or 60 Hz.

Atlas Copco DWS VSD+ series 6 models

DWS 160 VSD+Pumping speed 160 m³/h 50 Hz160 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.01 mbarRated motor power 7.5 kW 50 Hz7.5 kW 60 HzVariants 1
DWS 250 VSD+Pumping speed 250 m³/h 50 Hz250 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.01 mbarRated motor power 7.5 kW 50 Hz7.5 kW 60 HzVariants 1
DWS 450 VSD+Pumping speed 450 m³/h 50 Hz450 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.01 mbarRated motor power 11 kW 50 Hz11 kW 60 HzVariants 3
DWS 750 VSD+Pumping speed 740 m³/h 50 Hz740 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.01 mbarRated motor power 22 kW 50 Hz22 kW 60 HzVariants 3
DWS 160/1750 VSD+Pumping speed 1,200 m³/h 50 Hz1,200 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 1 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 12 kW 50 Hz12 kW 60 HzVariants 1
DWS 250/2600 VSD+Pumping speed 1,900 m³/h 50 Hz1,900 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 1 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 15 kW 50 Hz15 kW 60 HzVariants 1

Busch COBRA Industry series 36 models

COBRA NS 0070 CPumping speed 70 m³/h 50 Hz85 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.03 mbarRated motor power 4 kW 50 Hz4.4 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NC 0100 BPumping speed 110 m³/h 50 Hz130 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.05 mbarRated motor power 3.5 kW 50 Hz4.8 kW 60 HzVariants 4
COBRA NC 0100 B ECOTORQUEPumping speed 130 m³/h 50 Hz130 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.05 mbarRated motor power 4.8 kW 50 Hz4.8 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NS 0160 CPumping speed 135 m³/h 50 Hz170 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.03 mbarRated motor power 5.5 kW 50 Hz6.6 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NC 0200 BPumping speed 220 m³/h 50 Hz265 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.05 mbarRated motor power 6 kW 50 Hz7.6 kW 60 HzVariants 4
COBRA NC 0200 B ECOTORQUEPumping speed 265 m³/h 50 Hz265 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.05 mbarRated motor power 7.6 kW 50 Hz7.6 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NC 0300 BPumping speed 320 m³/h 50 Hz385 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.05 mbarRated motor power 7.5 kW 50 Hz9.5 kW 60 HzVariants 4
COBRA NC 0400 BPumping speed 350 m³/h 50 Hz420 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.05 mbarRated motor power 7.5 kW 50 Hz9.5 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NX 0450 APumping speed 350 m³/h 50 Hz420 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.1 mbarRated motor power 7.5 kW 50 Hz9.5 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NC 0300 B ECOTORQUEPumping speed 385 m³/h 50 Hz385 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.05 mbarRated motor power 9.5 kW 50 Hz9.5 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NC 0400 B ECOTORQUEPumping speed 420 m³/h 50 Hz420 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.05 mbarRated motor power 9.5 kW 50 Hz9.5 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NX 0450 A ECOTORQUEPumping speed 420 m³/h 50 Hz420 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.1 mbarRated motor power 11 kW 50 Hz11 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NC 0500 BPumping speed 490 m³/h 50 Hz490 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.01 mbarRated motor power 9 kW 50 Hz9 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NC 0630 C VRPumping speed 580 m³/h 50 Hz680 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 25 mbarRated motor power 22 kW 50 Hz22 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NC 0600 CPumping speed 600 m³/h 50 Hz600 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.01 mbarRated motor power 18.5 kW 50 Hz18.5 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NS 0600 CPumping speed 600 m³/h 50 Hz600 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.01 mbarRated motor power 15 kW 50 Hz15 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NC 0630 CPumping speed 630 m³/h 50 Hz630 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.01 mbarRated motor power 15 kW 50 Hz17 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NC 0630 C ECOTORQUEPumping speed 630 m³/h 50 Hz630 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.01 mbarRated motor power 17 kW 50 Hz17 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA DX 0650 A PLUSPumping speed 650 m³/h 50 Hz650 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.1 mbarRated motor power 15 kW 50 Hz15 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NX 0650 APumping speed 650 m³/h 50 Hz650 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.1 mbarRated motor power 12.5 kW 50 Hz15 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NX 0650 A ECOTORQUEPumping speed 650 m³/h 50 Hz650 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.1 mbarRated motor power 15 kW 50 Hz15 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NF 0750 APumping speed 750 m³/h 50 Hz750 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.05 mbarRated motor power 15 kW 50 Hz15 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NC 1000 BPumping speed 840 m³/h 50 Hz1,000 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.05 mbarRated motor power 22 kW 50 Hz25 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA DX 0950 A PLUSPumping speed 950 m³/h 50 Hz950 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.01 mbarRated motor power 18.5 kW 50 Hz18.5 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NF 0950 APumping speed 950 m³/h 50 Hz950 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.01 mbarRated motor power 18.5 kW 50 Hz18.5 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NX 0950 A ECOTORQUEPumping speed 950 m³/h 50 Hz950 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.01 mbarRated motor power 18.5 kW 50 Hz18.5 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NC 1500 B VRPumping speed 1,160 m³/h 50 Hz1,400 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 20 mbarRated motor power 30 kW 50 Hz36 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA DX 2000 A PLUSPumping speed 1,900 m³/h 50 Hz1,900 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.01 mbarRated motor power 37 kW 50 Hz37 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NC 2500 CPumping speed 2,000 m³/h 50 Hz2,500 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 1 mbarRated motor power 55 kW 50 Hz63 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NC 2000 C VRPumping speed 2,100 m³/h 50 Hz2,600 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 20 mbarRated motor power 55 kW 50 Hz63 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA DH 2760 APumping speed 2,112 m³/h 50 Hz2,112 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 1 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 22.5 kW 50 Hz22.5 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA DH 2780 APumping speed 2,250 m³/h 50 Hz2,250 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 1 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 26 kW 50 Hz26 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA DH 4560 APumping speed 3,077 m³/h 50 Hz3,077 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 1 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 22.5 kW 50 Hz22.5 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA DH 4580 APumping speed 3,512 m³/h 50 Hz3,512 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 1 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 26 kW 50 Hz26 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA DH 6260 APumping speed 3,781 m³/h 50 Hz3,781 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 1 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 22.5 kW 50 Hz22.5 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA DH 6280 APumping speed 4,652 m³/h 50 Hz4,652 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 1 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 26 kW 50 Hz26 kW 60 HzVariants

Busch COBRA Semicon series 22 models

COBRA DS 0080 GPumping speed 70 m³/h 50 Hz85 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.03 mbarRated motor power 4 kW 50 Hz4.4 kW 60 HzVariants 2
COBRA BA 0100 CPumping speed 85 m³/h 50 Hz105 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.01 mbarRated motor power 1.5 kW 50 Hz1.8 kW 60 HzVariants 3
COBRA BC 0101 GPumping speed 90 m³/h 50 Hz90 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.01 mbarRated motor power 1.5 kW 50 Hz1.5 kW 60 HzVariants 1
COBRA DS 0160 GPumping speed 140 m³/h 50 Hz160 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.03 mbarRated motor power 5.5 kW 50 Hz6.6 kW 60 HzVariants 3
COBRA DS 0700 GPumping speed 500 m³/h 50 Hz610 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 3 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 8 kW 50 Hz8.8 kW 60 HzVariants 2
COBRA BC 0601 GPumping speed 550 m³/h 50 Hz640 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 3 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 3 kW 50 Hz3.3 kW 60 HzVariants 1
COBRA DS 0600 EPumping speed 600 m³/h 50 Hz600 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.01 mbarRated motor power 15 kW 50 Hz15 kW 60 HzVariants 2
COBRA DS 1000 GPumping speed 775 m³/h 50 Hz960 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 3 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 8 kW 50 Hz8.8 kW 60 HzVariants 2
COBRA BC 1001 GPumping speed 870 m³/h 50 Hz870 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 3 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 4.4 kW 50 Hz4.4 kW 60 HzVariants 1
COBRA BC 1200 APumping speed 1,200 m³/h 50 Hz1,200 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 3 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 5.5 kW 50 Hz5.5 kW 60 HzVariants 1
COBRA DS 1200 APumping speed 1,200 m³/h 50 Hz1,200 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 3 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 8 kW 50 Hz8.4 kW 60 HzVariants 2
COBRA DS 2000 GPumping speed 1,365 m³/h 50 Hz1,640 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 3 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 11 kW 50 Hz13.2 kW 60 HzVariants 2
COBRA DS 1800 APumping speed 1,700 m³/h 50 Hz1,700 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 3 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 8.4 kW 50 Hz8.4 kW 60 HzVariants 1
COBRA DS 1800 A XPumping speed 1,700 m³/h 50 Hz1,700 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 3 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 10.6 kW 50 Hz10.6 kW 60 HzVariants 1
COBRA DS 3010 GPumping speed 3,200 m³/h 50 Hz3,200 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 1 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 30 kW 50 Hz30 kW 60 HzVariants 1
COBRA DS 3161 CPumping speed 3,200 m³/h 50 Hz3,200 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 1 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 30 kW 50 Hz30 kW 60 HzVariants 1
COBRA DS 3181 CPumping speed 3,500 m³/h 50 Hz3,500 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 1 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 33.5 kW 50 Hz33.5 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA DS 5161 BPumping speed 4,300 m³/h 50 Hz4,300 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 1 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 30 kW 50 Hz30 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA DS 8161 FPumping speed 6,000 m³/h 50 Hz6,000 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 1 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 30 kW 50 Hz30 kW 60 HzVariants 1
COBRA DS 9161 BPumping speed 6,220 m³/h 50 Hz6,220 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 1 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 35 kW 50 Hz35 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA DS 8162 FPumping speed 7,200 m³/h 50 Hz7,200 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 1 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 50 kW 50 Hz50 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA DS 8163 BPumping speed 7,385 m³/h 50 Hz7,385 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 1 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 65 kW 50 Hz65 kW 60 HzVariants

Busch PANDA/PUMA series 26 models

PANDA WV 0250 CPumping speed 250 m³/h 50 Hz300 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure Rated motor power 1 kW 50 Hz1.2 kW 60 HzVariants
PANDA WZ 0250 BPumping speed 263 m³/h 50 Hz315 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure Rated motor power 1.5 kW 50 Hz1.8 kW 60 HzVariants
PANDA WV 0500 CPumping speed 500 m³/h 50 Hz600 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure Rated motor power 2.2 kW 50 Hz3 kW 60 HzVariants 4
PUMA WY 0500 CPumping speed 500 m³/h 50 Hz600 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure Rated motor power 4 kW 50 Hz4.4 kW 60 HzVariants
PUMA WP 0500 D2Pumping speed 520 m³/h 50 Hz620 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure Rated motor power 2.2 kW 50 Hz3 kW 60 HzVariants
PANDA WZ 0500 BPumping speed 525 m³/h 50 Hz630 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure Rated motor power 4 kW 50 Hz4.4 kW 60 HzVariants
PUMA WP 0700 DPumping speed 700 m³/h 50 Hz840 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure Rated motor power 3.5 kW 50 Hz4.8 kW 60 HzVariants
PUMA WY 0700 CPumping speed 700 m³/h 50 Hz840 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure Rated motor power 4 kW 50 Hz4.4 kW 60 HzVariants
PUMA WP 1000 D2Pumping speed 1,000 m³/h 50 Hz1,200 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure Rated motor power 3.5 kW 50 Hz4.8 kW 60 HzVariants
PANDA WV 1200 APumping speed 1,050 m³/h 50 Hz1,260 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure Rated motor power 3.5 kW 50 Hz4.8 kW 60 HzVariants 5
PANDA WZ 1200 APumping speed 1,050 m³/h 50 Hz1,260 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure Rated motor power 4 kW 50 Hz4.4 kW 60 HzVariants
PUMA WY 1250 CPumping speed 1,250 m³/h 50 Hz1,500 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure Rated motor power 4 kW 50 Hz4.4 kW 60 HzVariants
PUMA WP 1250 D2Pumping speed 1,295 m³/h 50 Hz1,555 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure Rated motor power 4.3 kW 50 Hz5.2 kW 60 HzVariants
PANDA WV 1800 APumping speed 1,600 m³/h 50 Hz1,920 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure Rated motor power 4.3 kW 50 Hz5.2 kW 60 HzVariants 5
PUMA WY 2000 CPumping speed 2,010 m³/h 50 Hz2,435 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure Rated motor power 5.5 kW 50 Hz6.6 kW 60 HzVariants
PUMA WP 2000 D2Pumping speed 2,020 m³/h 50 Hz2,435 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure Rated motor power 5.5 kW 50 Hz7 kW 60 HzVariants
PANDA WV 2400 APumping speed 2,120 m³/h 50 Hz2,540 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure Rated motor power 5.5 kW 50 Hz7 kW 60 HzVariants 5
PANDA WZ 2400 APumping speed 2,120 m³/h 50 Hz2,540 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure Rated motor power 5.5 kW 50 Hz6.6 kW 60 HzVariants
PANDA WV 2200 APumping speed 2,155 m³/h 50 Hz2,585 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure Rated motor power 5.5 kW 50 Hz6.3 kW 60 HzVariants
PUMA WY 3600 APumping speed 3,600 m³/h 50 Hz3,600 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure Rated motor power 15 kW 50 Hz15 kW 60 HzVariants
PANDA WV 4500 BPumping speed 4,500 m³/h 50 Hz5,400 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure Rated motor power 11 kW 50 Hz12.6 kW 60 HzVariants 4
PUMA WP 4500 B2Pumping speed 4,500 m³/h 50 Hz5,400 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure Rated motor power 11 kW 50 Hz12.6 kW 60 HzVariants
PUMA WP 5400 APumping speed 6,480 m³/h 50 Hz6,480 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure Rated motor power 11 kW 50 Hz11 kW 60 HzVariants
PUMA WP 8100 APumping speed 8,100 m³/h 50 Hz8,100 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure Rated motor power 18.5 kW 50 Hz18.5 kW 60 HzVariants
PUMA WY 8000 APumping speed 8,100 m³/h 50 Hz8,100 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure Rated motor power 11 kW 50 Hz11 kW 60 HzVariants
PUMA WG 9600Pumping speed 12,000 m³/h 50 Hz12,000 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 130 mbarRated motor power Variants

Edwards EXS series 11 models

Edwards EXS160Pumping speed 160 m³/h 50 Hz160 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.01 mbarRated motor power 7.5 kW 50 Hz7.5 kW 60 HzVariants 2
Edwards EXS250Pumping speed 250 m³/h 50 Hz250 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.01 mbarRated motor power 7.5 kW 50 Hz7.5 kW 60 HzVariants 2
Edwards EXS450Pumping speed 450 m³/h 50 Hz450 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.01 mbarRated motor power 11 kW 50 Hz11 kW 60 HzVariants 3
Edwards EXS750Pumping speed 740 m³/h 50 Hz740 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.01 mbarRated motor power 22 kW 50 Hz22 kW 60 HzVariants 3
Edwards EXS160/1750Pumping speed 1,160 m³/h 50 Hz1,160 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 1 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 12 kW 50 Hz12 kW 60 HzVariants 2
Edwards EXS250/2600Pumping speed 1,900 m³/h 50 Hz1,900 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 1 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 15 kW 50 Hz15 kW 60 HzVariants 2
Edwards EXS450/2600Pumping speed 2,130 m³/h 50 Hz2,130 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 1 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 18.5 kW 50 Hz18.5 kW 60 HzVariants 2
Edwards EXS750/2600Pumping speed 2,280 m³/h 50 Hz2,280 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 1 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 29.5 kW 50 Hz29.5 kW 60 HzVariants 1
Edwards EXS450/4200Pumping speed 3,180 m³/h 50 Hz3,180 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 1 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 18.5 kW 50 Hz18.5 kW 60 HzVariants 2
Edwards EXS750/4200Pumping speed 3,450 m³/h 50 Hz3,450 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 1 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 29.5 kW 50 Hz29.5 kW 60 HzVariants 1
Edwards EXS750/8000Pumping speed 5,760 m³/h 50 Hz5,760 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 1 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 29.5 kW 50 Hz29.5 kW 60 HzVariants 1

Leybold RUVAC WA/WAU series 8 models

RUVAC WA 251Pumping speed 210 m³/h 50 Hz251 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 8 × 10-4 mbarRated motor power 1.1 kW 50 Hz1.1 kW 60 HzVariants 3
RUVAC WAU 251Pumping speed 210 m³/h 50 Hz251 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 8 × 10-4 mbarRated motor power 1.1 kW 50 Hz1.1 kW 60 HzVariants 5
RUVAC WA 501Pumping speed 410 m³/h 50 Hz530 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.04 mbarRated motor power 2.2 kW 50 Hz2.2 kW 60 HzVariants 4
RUVAC WAU 501Pumping speed 410 m³/h 50 Hz530 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.04 mbarRated motor power 2.2 kW 50 Hz2.2 kW 60 HzVariants 6
RUVAC WA 1001Pumping speed 800 m³/h 50 Hz1,000 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.04 mbarRated motor power 4 kW 50 Hz4 kW 60 HzVariants 3
RUVAC WAU 1001Pumping speed 800 m³/h 50 Hz1,000 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.04 mbarRated motor power 4 kW 50 Hz4 kW 60 HzVariants 6
RUVAC WA 2001Pumping speed 1,850 m³/h 50 Hz2,100 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.04 mbarRated motor power 7.5 kW 50 Hz7.5 kW 60 HzVariants 3
RUVAC WAU 2001Pumping speed 1,850 m³/h 50 Hz2,100 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.04 mbarRated motor power 7.5 kW 50 Hz7.5 kW 60 HzVariants 7

Leybold RUVAC WS/WSU series 8 models

RUVAC WS 251Pumping speed 210 m³/h 50 Hz251 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 8 × 10-4 mbarRated motor power 1.1 kW 50 Hz1.4 kW 60 HzVariants 2
RUVAC WSU 251Pumping speed 210 m³/h 50 Hz251 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 8 × 10-4 mbarRated motor power 1.1 kW 50 Hz1.4 kW 60 HzVariants 4
RUVAC WS 501Pumping speed 410 m³/h 50 Hz530 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.04 mbarRated motor power 2.2 kW 50 Hz2.4 kW 60 HzVariants 2
RUVAC WSU 501Pumping speed 410 m³/h 50 Hz530 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.04 mbarRated motor power 2.2 kW 50 Hz2.4 kW 60 HzVariants 5
RUVAC WS 1001Pumping speed 800 m³/h 50 Hz1,000 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.04 mbarRated motor power 4 kW 50 Hz4.4 kW 60 HzVariants 3
RUVAC WSU 1001Pumping speed 800 m³/h 50 Hz1,000 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.04 mbarRated motor power 4 kW 50 Hz4.4 kW 60 HzVariants 6
RUVAC WS 2001Pumping speed 1,850 m³/h 50 Hz2,100 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.04 mbarRated motor power 7.5 kW 50 Hz8.5 kW 60 HzVariants 11
RUVAC WSU 2001Pumping speed 1,850 m³/h 50 Hz2,100 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.04 mbarRated motor power 7.5 kW 50 Hz8.5 kW 60 HzVariants 15

Leybold SCREWLINE series 2 models

SCREWLINE SP 630 screw vacuum pumpSCREWLINE SP 630Pumping speed 630 m³/h 50 Hz630 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.01 mbarRated motor power 15 kW 50 Hz15 kW 60 HzVariants 6
SCREWLINE SP 630 screw vacuum pumpSCREWLINE SP 630 FPumping speed 630 m³/h 50 Hz630 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.01 mbarRated motor power 15 kW 50 Hz15 kW 60 HzVariants 11

Pfeiffer Vacuum A 100/200 L series 3 models

A 100 LPumping speed 100 m³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 0.012 mbarRated motor power Variants 8
A 100 L ESPumping speed 100 m³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 3 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power Variants 3
A 200 LPumping speed 200 m³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 0.013 mbarRated motor power Variants 5

Model comparison

Models a manufacturer no longer carries in its current range are listed in its “Outdated models” section.

Industries

Load lock chambers: where the manufacturers name it

The manufacturers list these uses on their own pages.

Semiconductors, electronics and displays

On its semiconductor page, Busch assigns load lock and transfer to the simple processes and names COBRA; for load lock and transfer chambers, Pfeiffer Vacuum names the A 100 L and A 200 L (100 and 200 m³/h respectively, 10⁻¹ to 10⁻² hPa), COBRA DS and, on the TORRI family page, the load lock.

Industry page: Semiconductors, electronics and displays →

Solar and photovoltaics

For solar cell production, Busch names the transfer of wafers without a pressure surge with COBRA NX/DS, PANDA WV and PUMA WY.

Industry page: Solar and photovoltaics →

Frequently asked questions

Load lock chambers: frequently asked questions

What is a load lock chamber?

A load lock chamber is the lock of a vacuum system: a small chamber between the atmosphere and the process chamber that is vented, loaded and pumped down again in every cycle. This keeps the process chamber permanently under vacuum. Pfeiffer Vacuum names 10⁻¹ to 10⁻² hPa for this; according to Busch, wafers are thus transferred in without a pressure surge.

How does a load lock chamber in a vacuum system work?

The outer door opens, the substrate is placed inside, the door closes and the pumping station evacuates the lock to the transfer pressure; then the transfer valve to the process chamber opens, the substrate is handed over and the lock is vented for the next cycle. Both valves are never open at the same time. Edwards names rapid cycle evacuation for this, Leybold short cycles.

How much vacuum does a load lock chamber need?

For load lock and transfer chambers, Pfeiffer Vacuum names 10⁻¹ to 10⁻² hPa. Edwards, Leybold and Pfeiffer Vacuum also stress how quickly the pressure must be reached.

Which vacuum pump for load lock chambers?

Pfeiffer Vacuum names the A 100 L and A 200 L with 100 and 200 m³/h respectively, as well as COBRA DS; Busch names COBRA (NX, DS, NC), PANDA WV and PUMA WY, and on its product page COBRA Industry and COBRA Semicon; Edwards names EXS for rapid cycle evacuation, Leybold SCREWLINE with RUVAC WA/WAU and WS/WSU, Atlas Copco DWS VSD+.

Why a Roots pump for load lock chambers?

For load lock chambers, Leybold names the Roots pumps RUVAC WA/WAU and WS/WSU together with the SCREWLINE and gives the short cycles as the reason; with PANDA WV and PUMA WY, Busch also names Roots pumps. A Roots pump upstream of the backing pump considerably increases the pumping speed at low pressures and thus shortens the time to reach the transfer pressure.

Oil-free or oil-lubricated for load lock chambers?

The series named are dry-running: Edwards EXS and Atlas Copco DWS VSD+ are screw vacuum pumps, as is Leybold SCREWLINE, Busch COBRA is a screw pump and PANDA/PUMA are Roots pumps, Pfeiffer Vacuum A 100/200 L are multi-stage Roots pumps – matching the particle-free load locks that Pfeiffer Vacuum names.

How fast must a load lock be pumped down?

Edwards speaks of rapid cycle evacuation, Leybold of short cycles, Pfeiffer Vacuum of fast pump-down to 10⁻¹ to 10⁻² hPa. The cycle time follows from the cycle rate of the system; this and the lock volume give the required pumping speed.

Why must no pressure surge occur during transfer through the lock?

For load lock chambers in solar cell production, Busch names the transfer of wafers without a pressure surge, Pfeiffer Vacuum load locks that stay particle-free under vacuum. A sudden rise in pressure during venting or too fast an initial pump-down stirs up particles that can settle on the wafer.

Which vacuum pump for load locks in solar cell production?

For solar cell production, Busch names COBRA NX and DS, PANDA WV and PUMA WY, with which wafers are transferred in without a pressure surge. For load lock chambers in general, Atlas Copco names DWS VSD+, Edwards EXS, Leybold SCREWLINE and RUVAC.

A single pump or a central vacuum system?

A central system in a room of its own keeps noise and heat away from production and matches its output to the demand. Central vacuum systems are planned and built by Eugen Theis Vakuum, a company of the Ehrler & Beck group – more under Central Vacuum.

Does Ehrler & Beck also supply spare parts and service?

Yes. Ehrler & Beck offers original spare parts and accessories as well as maintenance and repair.

Which pump suits your process?

Tell us the application, the medium and the volume – we advise you on selection, spare parts and service.

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