Endpoint detection method and apparatus which utilize an endpoint polishing layer of catalyst material
First Claim
1. A method of planarizing a semiconductor wafer having a polishing endpoint layer that includes a catalyst material, comprising the steps of:
- polishing a first side of said wafer in order to remove material from said wafer, said polishing step includes the step of applying a slurry to said first side of said wafer, said slurry receiving said material removed from said wafer;
advancing a reagent onto said first side of said wafer and into contact with said slurry after said slurry applying step so as to create an effluent positioned on said first side of said wafer, wherein said reagent catalytically reacts when (i) said catalyst material is present within said slurry, and (ii) said reagent contacts said slurry;
analyzing said effluent after said reagent advancing step to detect if a catalytic reaction has occurred due to said polishing step removing said catalyst material of said polishing endpoint layer;
generating a control signal if occurrence of said catalytic reaction is detected in said analyzing step; and
terminating said polishing step in response to generation of said control signal.
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Abstract
A method of planarizing a semiconductor wafer having a polishing endpoint layer that includes a catalyst material is discloes. One step of the method includes polishing a first side of the wafer in order to remove material from the wafer. Another step of the method includes determining that a catalytic reaction has occurred due to the polishing step removing the catalyst material of the polishing endpoint layer. The method also includes the step of terminating the polishing step in response to determining that the catalytic reaction has occurred. A polishing system is also disclosed which detects a polishing endpoint based upon a catalytic reaction triggered by a catalyst material of a polishing endpoint layer of a semiconductor device.
58 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method of planarizing a semiconductor wafer having a polishing endpoint layer that includes a catalyst material, comprising the steps of:
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polishing a first side of said wafer in order to remove material from said wafer, said polishing step includes the step of applying a slurry to said first side of said wafer, said slurry receiving said material removed from said wafer; advancing a reagent onto said first side of said wafer and into contact with said slurry after said slurry applying step so as to create an effluent positioned on said first side of said wafer, wherein said reagent catalytically reacts when (i) said catalyst material is present within said slurry, and (ii) said reagent contacts said slurry; analyzing said effluent after said reagent advancing step to detect if a catalytic reaction has occurred due to said polishing step removing said catalyst material of said polishing endpoint layer; generating a control signal if occurrence of said catalytic reaction is detected in said analyzing step; and terminating said polishing step in response to generation of said control signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of planarizing a semiconductor wafer down to a predetermined distance from a semiconductor substrate of said wafer, comprising the steps of:
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forming in said wafer a catalyst material that is at said distance from said substrate of said wafer; polishing a first side of said wafer in order to remove material from said wafer, said polishing step includes the step of applying a slurry to said first side of said wafer, said slurry receiving said material removed from said wafer; advancing a reagent onto said first side of said wafer and into contact with said slurry after said slurry applying step so as to create an effluent positioned on said first side of said wafer, wherein said reagent catalytically reacts when (i) said catalyst material is present within said slurry, and (ii) said reagent contacts said slurry; analyzing said effluent after said reagent advancing step to detect if a catalytic reaction has occurred due to said polishing step removing a portion of said catalyst material from said wafer; generating a control signal if occurrence of said catalytic reaction is detected in said analyzing step; and terminating said polishing step in response to generation of said control signal. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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Specification