SEMICONDUCTOR WAFER METROLOGY METHODS AND SEMICONDUCTOR WAFER WEIGHING APPARATUS

A semiconductor wafer processing method comprising controlling the temperature of a semiconductor wafer to be within a predetermined processing temperature range by: causing a first temperature change of the semiconductor wafer using a first temperature changing unit; and subsequently causing a second temperature change using a second temperature changing unit; wherein the first change is greater than the second change; and subsequently loading the semiconductor wafer on a processing area of a semiconductor wafer processing apparatus. Also, a semiconductor wafer processing method comprising controlling the temperature of a semiconductor wafer to be within a predetermined processing temperature range by causing a temperature change of the semiconductor wafer using a temperature changing unit; transporting the semiconductor wafer from the temperature changing unit to a processing area of a semiconductor wafer processing apparatus; and controlling the temperature of the semiconductor wafer during the transporting step.