Applied Materials, Inc.

Andreas Norbert Wiswesser

Boguslaw A Swedek

Manoocher Birang

Walter Schoenleber

Judon Tony Pan

Fred Conrad Redeker

Dominic J Benvegnu

Rajeev Bajaj

Stan D Tsai

Nils Johansson

Bret W Adams

David A Chan

Kerry F Hughes

David Datong Huo

Jay Rohde

Savitha Nanjangud

Ramiel Oshana

Jason R Wright

Buguslaw Swedek

Wallter Waiter Schoenleber

A polishing layer of a polishing has a window member with a top surface positioned a predetermined distance below the polishing surface. A transparent layer can be positioned below the polishing layer and supporting the window member.

Method of making and apparatus having polishing pad with window

Polishing pad with window

Polishing pads with a window, systems containing such polishing pads, and processes that use such polishing pads are disclosed.

A system includes a measuring station for positioning an eddy current probe proximate to a substrate in a substrate holder. The probe can produce a time-varying magnetic field, in order to induce eddy currents in one or more conductive regions of a substrate either prior to or subsequent to polishing. The eddy current signals are detected, and may be used to update one or more polishing parameters for a chemical mechanical polishing system. The substrate holder may be located in a number places; for example, in a substrate transfer system, a factory interface module, a cleaner, or in a portion of the chemical mechanical polishing system away from the polishing stations. Additional probes may be used.

System and method for in-line metal profile measurement

A chemical mechanical polishing apparatus includes two optical systems which are used serially to determine polishing endpoints. The first optical system includes a first light source to generate a first light beam which impinges on a surface of the substrate, and a first sensor to measure light reflected from the surface of the substrate to generate a measured first interference signal. The second optical system includes a second light source to generate a second light beam which impinges on a surface of the substrate and a second sensor to measure light reflected from the surface of the substrate to generate a measured second interference signal. The second light beam has a wavelength different from the first light beam.

Endpoint detection with multiple light beams

The thickness of a layer on a substrate is measured in-situ during chemical mechanical polishing. A light beam is divided through a window in a polishing pad, and the motion of the polishing pad relative to the substrate causes the light beam to move in a path across the substrate surface. An interference signal produced by the light beam reflecting off the substrate is monitored, and a plurality of intensity measurements are extracted from the interference signal. Each intensity measurement corresponds to a sampling zone in the path across the substrate surface. A radial position is determined for each sampling zone, and the intensity measurements are divided into a plurality of radial ranges according to the radial positions. The layer thickness is computed for each radial range from the intensity measurements associated with that radial range.

Method for monitoring a substrate during chemical mechanical polishing

Methods and apparatus for monitoring a substrate surface during chemical mechanical polishing are disclosed.

Substrate monitoring during chemical mechanical polishing

A chemical mechanical polishing apparatus includes a platen to support a polishing pad, and a polishing head to hold a substrate against the polishing pad during processing. The substrate includes a thin film structure disposed on a wafer. A first optical system includes a first light source to generate a first light beam which impinges on a surface of the substrate, and a first sensor to measure light reflected from the surface of the substrate to generate a measured first interference signal. A second optical system includes a second light source to generate a second light beam which impinges on a surface of the substrate and a second sensor to measure light reflected from the surface of the substrate to generate a measured second interference signal. The second light beam has a wavelength different from the first light beam.

Method and apparatus for determining polishing endpoint with multiple light sources

An apparatus, as well as a method, determines an endpoint of chemical mechanical polishing a metal layer on a substrate. The method of the apparatus includes bringing a surface of a substrate into contact with a polishing pad that has a window; causing relative motion between the substrate and the polishing pad; directing a light beam through the window, the motion of the polishing pad relative to the substrate causing the light beam to move in a path across the substrate; detecting light beam reflections from the substrate and a retaining ring; generating reflection data associated with the light beam reflections; dividing the reflection data into a plurality of radial ranges; and identifying the predetermined pattern from the reflection data in the plurality of radial ranges to establish the endpoint.

Method and apparatus for detecting an end-point in chemical mechanical polishing of metal layers

Polishing pads with a window, systems containing such polishing pads, and processes that use such polishing pads are disclosed. In embodiments, a polishing pad includes a backing layer having an opening, a polishing layer having an opening aligned with the opening in the backing layer, a solid window of a first material in the opening of the polishing layer, a layer of a first adhesive material between the backing layer and the solid window, and a layer of a second adhesive material between the layer of the first adhesive material and the window.

Method and apparatus for measuring substrate layer thickness during chemical mechanical polishing

A polishing solution is dispensed onto a polishing pad that has a polishing surface, a substrate is brought into contact with the polishing surface, relative motion is created between the substrate and the polishing pad, a light beam is directed through a window in the polishing pad to impinge the substrate, and an intensity of a reflected light beam from the substrate is monitored. The polishing solution has a first refractive index, and the window has a second index of refraction that is approximately equal to the first index of refraction.

Polishing pad with transparent window

An apparatus, as well as a method, brings a surface of a substrate into contact with a polishing pad that has a window, causes relative motion between the substrate and the polishing pad, and directs a light beam through the window so that the motion of the polishing pad relative to the substrate causes the light beam to move in a path across the substrate. Light beam reflections from the substrate are detected, and used to determine polishing parameters, detect process repeatability, and qualify processes.

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Freiberg, Germany

Andreas Norbert Wiswesser