Pressure Sensing Device
First Claim
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1. A process condition measuring device for measuring pressure or force on a surface of a substrate undergoing a process, said device comprising:
- a member having a property that is substantially the same as a property of the substrate, said member comprising a diaphragm; and
sensor means physically connected to the diaphragm, wherein said sensor means is for measuring deflection of the diaphragm when the diaphragm is in contact with and pressed against a surface employed in said process, said sensor means comprising at least one pair of capacitively coupled electrodes, wherein a capacitance of the at least one pair varies as a function of deflection of the diaphragm.
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Abstract
At least one pair of capacitively coupled electrodes contained in a structure is used to sense the deflection of a diaphragm in a pressure or force sensor for measuring the pressure or force exerted on the diaphragm. Preferably the structure has properties (such as one or more of the following: dimensions, hardness, area and flexibility) that are substantially the same as those of a real substrate, such as a semiconductor wafer or flat panel display panel.
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25 Claims
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1. A process condition measuring device for measuring pressure or force on a surface of a substrate undergoing a process, said device comprising:
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a member having a property that is substantially the same as a property of the substrate, said member comprising a diaphragm; and
sensor means physically connected to the diaphragm, wherein said sensor means is for measuring deflection of the diaphragm when the diaphragm is in contact with and pressed against a surface employed in said process, said sensor means comprising at least one pair of capacitively coupled electrodes, wherein a capacitance of the at least one pair varies as a function of deflection of the diaphragm. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for measuring pressure or force on a surface of a substrate that is undergoing a process, said method comprising:
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providing a device having a plate with a property that is substantially the same as a property of the substrate, said plate comprising a diaphragm and at least one pair of capacitively coupled electrodes, said at least one pair having a capacitance; and
sensing deflection of the diaphragm when the diaphragm is in contact with and pressed against a polishing or planarization surface, said sensing comprising detecting a change in the capacitance of the at least one pair of capacitively coupled electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification