Patent · US Expired

Apparatus and method for providing a signal port in a polishing pad for optical endpoint detection

US6599765B1 · kind B1 · utility

53Cited by
7References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 12, 2001
Grant dateJul 29, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 12, 2021

Classification

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

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing a substantially constant environment in the cavity surrounding the optical pathway during the chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) operation is provided. In one embodiment, a system for planarizing the surface of a substrate is provided. The system includes a platen configured to rotate about its center axis. The platen supports an optical view-port assembly for assisting in determining a thickness of a layer of the substrate. A polishing pad disposed over the platen is included. The polishing pad has an aperture overlying a window of the optical view-port assembly. A carrier for holding the substrate over the polishing pad is also included. A cavity defined between the surface of the substrate and the window is included. A fluid delivery system adapted to provide a stable environment in the cavity during a chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) operation is included.

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