The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Jul. 03, 2018

Filed:

Sep. 04, 2015
Applicant:

Lam Research Corporation, Fremont, CA (US);

Inventor:

Brett C. Richardson, San Ramon, CA (US);

Assignee:

Lam Research Corporation, Fremont, CA (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
H01L 21/66 (2006.01); H01L 23/58 (2006.01); G01N 21/88 (2006.01); G01N 21/95 (2006.01); H01L 21/67 (2006.01); H01J 37/32 (2006.01); H01L 21/677 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
H01L 21/67288 (2013.01); G01N 21/88 (2013.01); G01N 21/9501 (2013.01); H01J 37/32009 (2013.01); H01J 37/3244 (2013.01); H01L 21/67253 (2013.01); H01L 21/67259 (2013.01); H01L 21/67742 (2013.01); H01L 21/67748 (2013.01); H01J 2237/332 (2013.01); H01J 2237/334 (2013.01);
Abstract

Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for determining wear of a consumable part in a semiconductor processing apparatus. One chamber includes a reference part, a consumable part, a transfer arm for transferring the substrate into the chamber, a sensor on the transfer arm, and a controller. The reference part is not subject to wear during operation of the chamber, while the consumable part is subject to wear. The sensor is configured to measure a first distance from the sensor to a surface of the consumable part as the transfer arm travels near the consumable part, and the sensor is configured to measure a second distance from the sensor to a surface of the reference part as the transfer arm travels near the reference part. The controller determines the wear amount of the consumable part based on the first distance and the second distance.


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