Patent · US Expired

In-situ metalization monitoring using eddy current measurements during the process for removing the film

US6433541B1 · kind B1 · utility

92Cited by
70References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 7, 2000
Grant dateAug 13, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 7, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01N27/72
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of obtaining information in-situ regarding a film of a sample using an eddy probe during a process for removing the film. The eddy probe has at least one sensing coil. An AC voltage is applied to the sensing coil(s) of the eddy probe. One or more first signals are measured in the sensing coil(s) of the eddy probe when the sensing coil(s) are positioned proximate the film of the sample. One or more second signals are measured in the sensing coil(s) of the eddy probe when the sensing coil(s) are positioned proximate to a reference material having a fixed composition and/or distance from the sensing coil. The first signals are calibrated based on the second signals so that undesired gain and/or phase changes within the first signals are corrected. A property value of the film is determined based on the calibrated first signals. An apparatus for performing the above described method is also disclosed.

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