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.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 04, 2006
Filed:
Aug. 31, 2004
Jason B. Elledge, Boise, ID (US);
Nagasubramaniyan Chandrasekaran, Boise, ID (US);
Jason B. Elledge, Boise, ID (US);
Nagasubramaniyan Chandrasekaran, Boise, ID (US);
Micron Technology, Inc., Boise, ID (US);
Abstract
Systems and methods for monitoring characteristics of a polishing pad used in polishing a micro-device workpiece are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for monitoring a characteristic of a polishing pad includes applying ultrasonic energy to the polishing pad and determining a status of the characteristic based on a measurement of the ultrasonic energy applied to the polishing pad. In one aspect of this embodiment, applying ultrasonic energy includes applying ultrasonic energy from a transducer. The transducer can be carried by a conditioner, a fluid arm, a micro-device workpiece carrier, or a table. In another aspect of this embodiment, determining the status of the characteristic includes determining a thickness, density, surface contour, roughness, or texture of the polishing pad.