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:
Dec. 26, 2006
Filed:
Sep. 30, 2004
Travis R. Taylor, Fremont, CA (US);
Jingang Yi, Albany, CA (US);
Peter Richard Norton, Emeryville, CA (US);
Travis R. Taylor, Fremont, CA (US);
Jingang Yi, Albany, CA (US);
Peter Richard Norton, Emeryville, CA (US);
Lam Research Corporation, Fremont, CA (US);
Abstract
A system and method for in situ measurement and maintenance of preferred pad smoothness in a CMP process is disclosed. The system includes a linear polisher having one or more sensors for detecting fluid pressure, fluid flow or motor current at the linear polisher during a polishing process. A controller receiving the information provided by the sensors includes an algorithm for adjusting the pad conditioning process to achieve a desired pad smoothness based on the sensor data. The method includes obtaining baseline data on preferred linear polisher characteristics associated with desired pad smoothness and using the baseline data to adjust a pad conditioning regimen on a linear polisher to achieve the desired pad smoothness in situ.