Patent · US Expired

Wafer polishing device with movable window

US6068539A · kind A · utility

117Cited by
51References
35Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 10, 1998
Grant dateMay 30, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 10, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB24B49/12
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A wafer polishing device with movable window can be used for in-situ monitoring of a wafer during CMP processing. During most of the CMP operation, the window remains below a polishing surface of a polishing device to protect the window from the deleterious effects of the polishing process. When the window moves into position between the wafer and a measurement sensor, the window is moved closer to the polishing surface. In this position, at least some polishing agent collected in the recess above the window is removed, and an in-situ measurement can be taken with reduced interference from the polishing agent. After the window is positioned away from the wafer and measurement sensor, the window moves farther away from the wafer and polishing surface. With such a movable window, the limitations of current polishing devices are overcome.

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