Process monitoring apparatus and method for monitoring process
First Claim
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9. A method for monitoring a process in a process chamber comprising the acts of:
- introducing a monitor element into the process chamber, the monitor element comprising a semiconductor wafer having formed thereon a plurality of sensors, a data memory, and a read only memory;
sensing a condition in the process chamber using the sensors and storing data representing said condition in the data memory;
reading a keyword stored in the read only memory; and
reading data in the data memory only after successfully reading the keyword.
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Abstract
A sensor on a semiconductor wafer is used as a process monitor and a capacitor is employed as a power supply for the sensor. The capacitor can be formed by stacking a poly-silicon layer and a silicon nitride layer on the wafer. A timer can be used to specify an operation time or an operation timing, etc. Furthermore, unauthorized use is prevented by storing a keyword in an ROM of the process monitor.
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Citations
12 Claims
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9. A method for monitoring a process in a process chamber comprising the acts of:
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introducing a monitor element into the process chamber, the monitor element comprising a semiconductor wafer having formed thereon a plurality of sensors, a data memory, and a read only memory;
sensing a condition in the process chamber using the sensors and storing data representing said condition in the data memory;
reading a keyword stored in the read only memory; and
reading data in the data memory only after successfully reading the keyword. - View Dependent Claims (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12)
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12-1. A method according to claim 9, further comprising:
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comparing the data representing the sensed condition with predetermined reference data, and controlling a manufacturing process within the chamber based on the comparison.
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Specification