Patent · US Active

System and method for monitoring chemical mechanical polishing

US11565365B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
45References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 30, 2018
Grant dateJan 31, 2023
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 7, 2038

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L21/67288
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus for chemical mechanical polishing of a wafer includes a process chamber and a rotatable platen disposed inside the process chamber. A polishing pad is disposed on the platen and a wafer carrier is disposed on the platen. A slurry supply port is configured to supply slurry on the platen. A process controller is configured to control operation of the apparatus. A set of microphones is disposed inside the process chamber. The set of microphones is arranged to detect sound in the process chamber during operation of the apparatus and transmit an electrical signal corresponding to the detected sound. A signal processor is configured to receive the electrical signal from the set of microphones, process the electrical signal to enable detection of an event during operation of the apparatus, and in response to detecting the event, transmit a feedback signal to the process controller. The process controller is further configured to receive the feedback signal and initiate an action based on the received feedback signal.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.