Patent · US Expired

End-point detection system for chemical mechanical posing applications

US6375540B1 · kind B1 · utility

9Cited by
6References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 30, 2000
Grant dateApr 23, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 22, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB24B49/14
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Chemical mechanical polishing systems and methods are disclosed. The system includes a polishing pad that is configured to move from a first point to a second point. A carrier is also included and is configured to hold a substrate to be polished over the polishing pad. The carrier is designed to apply the substrate to the polishing pad in a polish location that is between the first point and the second point. A first sensor is located at the first point and oriented so as to sense an IN temperature of the polishing pad, and a second sensor is located a the second point and oriented so as to sense an OUT temperature of the polishing pad. The sensing of the IN and OUT temperatures is configured to produce a temperature differential that allows monitoring the process state and the state of the wafer surface for purposes of switching the process steps while processing wafers by chemical mechanical planarization.

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