In-situ real-time monitoring technique and apparatus for endpoint detection of thin films during chemical/mechanical polishing planarization
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Abstract
A technique and apparatus is disclosed for the optical monitoring and measurement of a thin film (or small region on a surface) undergoing thickness and other changes while it is rotating. An optical signal is routed from the monitored area through the axis of rotation and decoupled from the monitored rotating area. The signal can then be analyzed to determine an endpoint to the planarization process. The invention utilizes interferometric and spectrophotometric optical measurement techniques for the in situ, real-time endpoint control of chemical-mechanical polishing planarization in the fabrication of semiconductor or various optical devices. The apparatus utilizes a bifurcated fiber optic cable to monitor changes on the surface of the thin film.
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Citations
57 Claims
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1-36. -36. (canceled)
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37. A method of chemical mechanical polishing, comprising:
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holding a substrate against a polishing surface;
moving the polishing surface relative to the substrate to polish a film on the substrate;
during polishing, illuminating a section of the film with a light beam that is directed through the polishing surface to the film and producing, from the light beam that is directed through the polishing surface, a light beam reflected from the film; and
during polishing, receiving the light beam reflected from the film and determining, based on the light beam reflected from the film, when an end point is reached. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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56. A method of making a planarized substrate comprising:
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polishing a film on a substrate with a moving polishing pad;
illuminating at least one section of the film with light transmitted through the moving polishing pad during polishing of said at least one section of the film and producing, from the light transmitted, light reflected from the at least one section of the film; and
detecting interferometric change in the light reflected from the at least one illuminated section of the film. - View Dependent Claims (57)
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Specification