Feedback controlled polishing processes
US7024268B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 24, 2003 |
| Grant date | Apr 4, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 24, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P90/02
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for feedback controlled polishing. A computer program product for generating feedback for chemical mechanical polishing. The product includes instructions operable to cause a processor to receive monitoring information during a current polishing cycle in which a first polishing process is performed on a substrate that includes a metal layer. The first polishing process clears the metal layer from the substrate during the current polishing cycle. The product includes instructions to calculate a representation of a clearing profile of the first polishing process. The calculation is based on the monitoring information received during the current polishing cycle. The product includes instructions to detect non-uniformity in the representation. The product includes instructions to generate, from the non-uniformity detected, feedback information for improving the uniformity of a clearing profile of the first polishing process for a subsequent polishing cycle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.