An apparatus is provided for protecting a surface of interest from particle contamination, and particularly, during transitioning of the surface between atmospheric pressure and vacuum. The apparatus includes a chamber configured to receive the surface, and a protector plate configured to reside within the chamber with the surface, and inhibit particle contamination of the surface. A support mechanism is also provided suspending the protector plate away from an inner surface of the chamber. The support mechanism holds the protector plate within the chamber in spaced, opposing relation to the surface to provide a gap between the protector plate and the surface which presents a diffusion barrier to particle migration into the gap and onto the surface, thereby inhibiting particle contamination of the surface.