Patent · US Expired

Resist development method

US4647172A · kind A · utility

37Cited by
6References
3Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 17, 1985
Grant dateMar 3, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 17, 2005

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S438/948
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

In the resist development method disclosed herein, the spin development of a resist coating on the surface of a semiconductor wafer is monitored by measuring light scattered back from the wafer surface from an incandescent source. During development, the sensed light level oscillates due to optical fringing caused by the thinning of the resist layer in the exposed areas and the fringe generated oscillation essentially stops when the development breaks through in the exposed areas. By comparing sample data obtained from the sensed light level with template data representing a known or characteristic behavior, a control point corresonding to the last fringe may be determined. Development is then terminated a calculated time after the control point.

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