Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus employing external light source for endpoint detection

US6509960B2 · kind B2 · utility

11Cited by
29References
42Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 28, 2001
Grant dateJan 21, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 28, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01J2237/335
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus for endpoint detection for the stripping of a particular material, such as photo-resist material, from a substrate surface. A beam of light is projected onto the substrate surface and the fluoresced and/or reflected light intensity at a particular wavelength band is measured by a light detector. The light intensity is converted to a numerical value and transmitted electronically to a control mechanism which determines the proper disposition of the substrate. The control mechanism controls the cessation of the stripping process and may control a substrate-handling device which sequentially transfers substrates to and from a stripping chamber.

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