Patent · US Expired

Methods and apparatus for polishing control

US7008875B2 · kind B2 · utility

7Cited by
15References
26Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 24, 2003
Grant dateMar 7, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 24, 2023

Classification

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

Abstract

A CMP station can be closed loop controlled by using data obtained by an inline metrology station from a first polished wafer to affect the processing of subsequent polished wafers. The first wafer is polished and measured by the inline metrology station. The metrology station measures at various points the array dielectric thickness, field dielectric thickness, barrier residue thickness and metal residue thickness. The data is then inputted into an algorithm and polishing parameter outputs are calculated. The outputs are sent to the CMP station and used to supplement or replace the previous polishing parameters. Subsequent wafers are polished on the CMP station using the revised polishing parameters.

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