Patent · US Expired

Endpoint detection for electro chemical mechanical polishing and electropolishing processes

US6837983B2 · kind B2 · utility

11Cited by
94References
39Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 22, 2002
Grant dateJan 4, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 30, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB24B49/10
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Systems and methods for detecting the endpoint of a polishing step. In general, an electropolishing system is provided with a power supply configured to deliver a current through an electrolytic solution. Signal characteristics of the signal provided by the power supply are monitored to determine a polishing endpoint. Illustratively, the monitored signal characteristics include current and voltage.

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