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:
Nov. 02, 2004

Filed:

Feb. 20, 2002
Applicant:
Inventors:

Zhifeng Sui, Milpitas, CA (US);

Paul E Luscher, Sunnyvale, CA (US);

Nils Johansson, Los Gatos, CA (US);

Michael D Welch, Livermore, CA (US);

Assignee:

Other;

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G06F 1/900 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G06F 1/900 ;
Abstract

In an endpoint detection method for a process performed in a substrate processing chamber with an energized gas, a process variable of the process is detected. The process variable comprising at least one of (i) a radiation emitted by the energized gas, (ii) a radiation reflected from a substrate in the chamber, (iii) a reflected power level of the energized gas, and (iv) a temperature in the chamber. An endpoint signal is issued when the process variable is indicative of an endpoint of the process. A process parameter of the process is also detected, the process parameter comprising at least one of (i) a source power, (ii) an RF forward power, reflected power, or match components, (iii) an RF peak-to-peak voltage, current or phase, (iv) a DC bias level, (v) a chamber pressure or throttle valve position, (vi) a gas composition or flow rate, (vii) a substrate temperature or composition, (viii) a temperature of a chamber component or wall, and (ix) a magnetic confinement level or magnet position. The endpoint signal is determined to be true or false by evaluating the process parameter.


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