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:
Jun. 19, 2007
Filed:
Jan. 30, 2004
Andrej S. Mitrovic, Phoenix, AZ (US);
Eric J. Strang, Chandler, AZ (US);
Andrej S. Mitrovic, Phoenix, AZ (US);
Eric J. Strang, Chandler, AZ (US);
Tokyo Electron Limited, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A method for monitoring consumption of a component, including the steps of emitting a radiation beam onto a first area of the component and detecting a portion of the radiation beam that is refracted by the component. A radiation level signal is generated based at least on a strength of the detected portion of the radiation beam, and a thickness of the component is determined based on the radiation level signal. The thickness of the component is compared to a predetermined thickness value, and a status signal is generated when the comparing step determines that the thickness of the component is substantially equal to or below the predetermined thickness value. When the comparing step determines that the thickness of the component is greater than the predetermined thickness value, the component is exposed to a process that can erode at least a portion of the component.